Posted in Christianity, compromise of the church, religion, Rick Warren, Saddleback Church, Willow Creek on June 18, 2014| 1 Comment »
It started with Bill Hybels, pastor of Willowcreek Community Church… then came Rick Warren of Saddleback. Little by little, church-by-church, are Muslims are gaining access?
Read about it here:
THE ISLAMIZING OF AMERICA’S CHURCHES HOW SOME PASTORS ARE SELLING OUT THE FAITH
By Albert James Dager
http://www.mediaspotlight.org/pdfs/IslamizingofAmericasChurches-w.pdf
Then watch this:
_______
It’s important.
Posted in Christianity, compromise of the church, conferences, contemplative spirituality, ecumenism, interfaith, Israel, religion, the world listens, Willow Creek on May 22, 2013| 2 Comments »
This May 10th, in the name of tolerance, common ground, peace, and learning from eachother, a church labeling itself as a Calvary Chapel brought in some pro-Palestinian speakers. These were Sami Awad, Lynne Hybels, and Mae Cannon. Some who attended the evening said the presentations were heavily slanted toward the Palestinian view that the “occupation” is responsible for Palestinian suffering.
Learn more by reading the following:
Calvary Chapel Rebukes Palestinian Event
My Post on Calvary Chapel North Coast FB Deleted – Surprise, Surprise
This has caused a stir because Calvary Chapel has always been pro-Israel due to their verse by verse faithful Bible teaching. Some say they should remove their Calvary Chapel label. How could this be? Where did North Coast Calvary Chapel of Carlsbad, California go astray?
Jumping back a few years to 2007, it was already apparent that North Coast Calvary Chapel openly identified themselves with Bill Hybels’ Willow Creek seeker-friendly church growth movement, even though the Calvary Chapel model is the farthest thing from seeker friendly church growth movement tactics. Pastor Mark Foreman also seemed to be identifying with emerging church/contemplative prayer advocates.[1] To add to the muddy mixture, NCCC has also been hosting Celebrate Recovery, a program that began in Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church and influenced by AA.[2] This is also not a method used by other Calvary Chapels.
In November of 2009, North Coast Calvary Chapel’s Women’s Conference Soul at Rest featured as their speaker author Tricia McCary Rhodes, a contemplative advocate.[3]
Even before this, in November of 2008, pastor Mark Foreman of NCCC published a book called Wholly Jesus. His sons, of the popular Christian band Switchfoot, wrote the forewords. The book contained quotes by contemplatives and mystics such as Dallas Willard, Morton Kelsey, and St. Teresa of Avila. Surprisingly, Foreman mentioned in the book how he thought it was okay to use the Hindu greeting Namaste (“I honor the god in you”) to others in recognition that they are made in the image of God.
While disturbing enough, there’s more. The issue at hand is far bigger than NCCC simply identifying with church growth methods or advocating contemplative spirituality. Surprisingly, the introduction in pastor Foreman’s book was written by Gabe Lyons, founder of The Fermi Project, an ‘experiment’ in shifting the consciousness of the church by finding the good in our culture and reshaping it through global awareness and environmentally sustainable practices. This is definitely not Calvary Chapel terminology, but here is where the water gets real muddy.
Last month at North Coast Calvary Chapel, Mark Foreman’s wife Jan hosted “Freefall to Fly” – An Evening with Rebekah Lyons. Rebekah happens to be the wife of Gabe Lyons, who was just mentioned above. They are the cofounders of QIdeas, an organization that “helps leaders winsomely engage culture.”
In 2003 Gabe and Rebekah Lyons founded The Fermi Project …
Fermi’s main influence is exerted in “Q” conferences, which invite world leaders from a variety of areas to share “ideas that create a better world.” Conference presenters have included people like authors Donald Miller, Rob Bell, Scot McKnight and Rick Warren,..
… Fermi and its projects have made national headlines when they asked Eboo Patel, a Muslim leader and thinker, to present to their ambitious Christian audience
Who is Eboo Patel? He is the founder and executive director of Chicago-based Interfaith Youth Core. He is also listed as one of 15 “Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow” on the website for the American Society for Muslim Advancement, which is led by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf of the Cordoba Initiative.[4]
Has Fermi founder Gabe Lyon’s mis-perceptions of Islam influenced pastor Mark Foreman? Has this got anything to do with why the recent misguided pro-Palestinian speakers were invited in to NCCC this May 10th?
Here is a quote from Gabe Lyons:
Can you imagine a future where Muslims and Christians would work alongside one another in our communities to fight for justice, care for the poor, and offer hope to those in need? What if this controversy provoked each of us to consider having more thoughtful and engaging conversations with Muslims who might be interested in the same end? Could Christians be part of the solution to a moderate, peaceful Islam emerging in the West?
– The Muslim-Christian Debate: What We’re Missing
http://www.qideas.org/blog/the-muslimchristian-debate-what-were-missing.aspx
That all sounds nice, but are we as Christians to work alongside unbelievers to bring peace to this fallen world, or are we to tell them the good news about the Prince of Peace who will save their eternal souls?
Gabe Lyon’s dreamy considerations led him to invite Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf of the Cordoba Initiative to a discussion on the future for faith relations in the West.[5]
For those who don’t know, the Cordoba Initiative claims they are a Muslim group trying to build an interfaith bridge between Islam and non-Muslim faiths, but the very name “Cordoba” is a picture of Islam supremacy.[6] The only common ground under that bridge is Islam.
Brigitte Gabriel (ACT for America) and the author of They Must Be Stopped and Because They Hate, recently mentioned Lyon’s friend Rauf on the Sean Hannity show:
“Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf has said publicly that the September 11th attack was not perpetrated by Muslims. He said publicly on CNN that the United States was an accessory to the crime and that Osama bin Laden was made in the United States.”
–Exclusive: The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far…
http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/pub_detail.asp?id=6239
Here is Dr. Jim Garlow on the Cordoba Initiative:
So what’s the connection?
Awad, whose family is well-known in certain circles, has been partnering with American evangelical friends Lynne Hybels, Todd Deatherage, and now Gabe Lyons to promote what he describes as a “non-violent” approach to peacemaking. In brief, Awad and his friends portray Israel as a lamentable occupier of Palestinian land and the usual narrative also includes discussion of the big “open-air prison” forced on the downtrodden Palestinians by Israel’s “apartheid wall” (security fence to realists).
-Jim Fletcher, Calvary Chapel Breached, May 6, 2013
Fletcher also says these activists all appear sincere but “they have their talking points, passed from folks like Naim Ateek and Alex Awad, down to Sami Awad, to Lynne Hybels, Gabe Lyons, etc.”[7]
Perhaps Gabe Lyons and his friend pastor Mark Foreman of West Coast Calvary Chapel should reconsider tickling ears with tales and ask the perscecuted Christians in Muslim countries to explain how they feel about this so called moderate peaceful Islam they preach. Or Raymond Ibrahim.
Please pray that instead of in the name of tolerance, common ground, peace, and learning from eachother, the leaders of North Coast Calvary Chapel, and all evangelical churches who are falling into the same error[8], will call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and repent for any damage they may have done by not having loved the truth.
And God bless Jim Fletcher for revealing the truth.
Endnotes:
[1] Source: Scroll down to read FISHY CALVARY CHAPEL here:
http://www.apostasyalert.org/REFLECTIONS/fish.htm
[2] See: “A Way Which Seemeth Right…” http://www.thebereancall.org/node/2568
[3] See: Contemplative Connects to Calvary Chapel
http://mkayla.wordpress.com/2009/10/17/contemplative-connects-to-calvary-chapel/
[4] See: http://www.wnd.com/2010/07/181865/
[5] See: Imam Feisal: The Future of Muslim and Christian Relations in the West @ http://vimeo.com/28716668
[6] See: Why I am against the GZM @ http://www.israpundit.com/archives/28744
[7] Jim Fletcher, In Arabic Please, Mar 18, 2013
[8] Texas Mega-Church Welcomes Islamists to ‘Global Faith Forum’
http://frontpagemag.com/2013/ryan-mauro/texas-mega-church-welcomes-islamists-to-global-faith-forum/
Note: Incidentally, this year pastor Mark Foreman of North Coast Calvary Chapel and his wife Jan will both be speakers at “Catalyst West” along with Andy Stanley, Jim Collins, Matt Chandler, John Eldredge, Nancy Ortberg, while Gabe Lyons and Lynne Hybels both spoke at “Catalyst East” in Atlanta in October (see: ‘New evangelicals’ abandoning Israel @ http://onenewsnow.com/perspectives/miscellaneous/2013/01/29/‘new-evangelicals’-abandoning-israel).
Related:
Evangelical Left Voices and Israel
http://www.thejerusalemconnection.us/blog/2013/02/28/evangelical-left-voices-and-israel.html
*Read some good news on Jim Fletcher’s update page here:
http://www.raptureready.com/rap15.html
Posted in another gospel, Christianity, compromise of the church, contemplative spirituality, emerging church, religion, Rick Warren, Roman Catholicism, Willow Creek on January 17, 2012| 1 Comment »
As the mud thickens…
I seriously don’t know what it’s going to take to awaken evangelical leaders from their dead-on impression of Rip Van Winkle. This CSM nonsense has absolutely no place in the Protestant Christian community; and it isn’t even being taught by Protestants. Jesus never taught it and neither did His Apostles.
Ken Silva
PETER SCAZZERO INTRODUCING ENNEAGRAMS INTO MAINSTREAM EVANGELICALISM
http://apprising.org/2012/01/16/peter-scazzero-introducing-enneagrams-into-mainstream-evangelicalism/
Posted in interfaith, Willow Creek on May 5, 2011| Leave a Comment »
White House Appointees to InterFaith Council Include NAE Leith Anderson and Willow Creek Lynne Hybels
By Dan Gilgoff and Eric Marrapodi, CNN
(From 2/2011)The White House announced a dozen appointments to its faith advisory council on Friday (in Feb), with the leader of the nation’s largest evangelical group and the head of the nation’s leading Christian denomination serving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people are both on the list.
National Association of Evangelicals President Leif (sic)[Leith] Anderson and Nancy Wilson, head of the Metropolitan Community Church – the nation’s largest denomination expressly serving LGBT [homosexual] Americans – are among the appointees to the panel, which was launched by President Barack Obama in 2009.
Lynne Hybels, wife of megachurch pastor Bill Hybels – who leads the Willow Creek Community Church outside Chicago, Illinois – is also on the list.
See here for more:
Posted in Christianity, conferences, Willow Creek, word of faith on April 9, 2011| Leave a Comment »
As Word of Faith continues to join with seeker friendly church growth gurus…
“…5,800 ministerial leaders from more than 25 countries…attended Bishop T.D. Jakes’ “What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You’’ Pastors and Leaders Conference held March 31-April 2 at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort & Convention Center.
The conference was designed to help senior pastors and church leaders deal with the dynamics that come with running a church in today’s climate. Jakes has more than 30,000 members in his Potter’s House in Dallas.
Presentations by leading preachers
Along with Jakes, conference speakers included other preachers with large ministries – Dr. John Hagee and Bishop I.V. Hilliard of Texas, Pastor Bill Hybels of Illinois, Pastor Paula White of Tampa, and Bishop Charles Blake of California.
Breakout sessions included presentations by financial guru Dave Ramsey and Joshua DuBois, executive director of the White House Office for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.”
SOURCE: Skills, guns, money, betrayal- Bishop T.D. Jakes, speakers get real at Orlando conference (UPDATED)
http://www.flcourier.com/flflorida/5034-skills-guns-money-and-betrayal
Related:
T.D. JAKES WOWS WILLOW CREEK LEADERSHIP SUMMIT 2010
http://apprising.org/2010/08/07/t-d-jakes-wows-willow-creek-leadership-summit-2010/
Posted in books, Christianity, CMA, compromise of the church, contemplative spirituality, mysticism, religion, roads to Rome, Roman Catholicism, spiritual formation, Willow Creek on March 25, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Last year for Christmas, Peter Scazzero gave a book that he endorsed to everyone on his staff.
Book Review: Opening to God – “Life as Prayer”
March 11, 2011 by Pete ScazzeroThis past Christmas I gifted each of our staff with a copy of David Benner’s book, Opening to God: Lectio Divina and Life as Prayer.
In light of our human limits, it is not possible to be excellent at everything -e.g. counseling, managing budgets, strategic planning, preaching, casting vision. Yet if our work is provide leadership in the church of Jesus, I think prayer may be the most important area where we need to grow in excellence.
What might that look like? Benner’s book gives us some very helpful clues. The following are a few of my notes from this timely book:1. As Teresa of Avila says, the important thing in prayer is not to think much but to love much….
5. There is a knowing of God that is only possible in stillness and silence, i.e. by integrating the contemplative side of prayer. His breakdown and guidelines of the four movements of lectio divina are worth the price of the book – Lectio (Prayer as attending), Meditatio (Prayer as pondering), Oratio (Prayer as responding) and Contemplatio (Prayer as being)….
7. Contemplative prayer is wordless, trusting openness to the God who dwells at the center of our being and at the center of the world. It is “resting in God” (Gregory the Great) and “seeing through exterior things, and seeing God in them” (Thomas Merton).
8. When someone is in love, words become less and less necessary. Lovers learn to just be with each other. This is exactly the way we can be with God. Intimacy demands that talk be balanced by attentive openness in silence. This is contemplation in its simplest and purest form….
SOURCE: http://www.petescazzero.com/contemplative-spirituality/book-review-opening-to-god-life-as-prayer/
According to his own words, here’s what Peter Scazzero is looking to as a very helpful source for church leadership growth:
– Teresa of Avila, the levitating Spanish mystic (see Who is Teresa of Avila?)
– Centering Prayer, a method not taught in the Bible
– Lectio Divina, an ancient mystical method of Roman Catholic prayer (see What is Lectio Divina?)
– Thomas Merton, interspiritualist whom the Dalai Lama calls his ‘spiritual brother’
– the Silence, an altered state of consciousness
Here is Scazzero’s endorsement of this book by David Benner, clinical psychologist and spiritual guide:
“David Benner has given us another great gift with Opening to God. A tremendous book on prayer for people at all stages of their relationship with God. Practical, devotional and rich. This is a book I will go back to again and again.”
-Peter Scazzero, pastor and author of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
http://www.drdavidgbenner.ca/Books-Lectures/
Benner’s book was also endorsed by Richard Rohr, Tony Jones, and Phyllis Tickle. David Benner’s next book called Spirituality and the Awakening Self: The Sacred Journey of Transformation (Spring 2012) is about stages of human growth, faith development and transformation, and is supposed to be a companion alongside writers such as M. Scott Peck, Richard Rohr, and Ken Wilber. (Sounds a lot like Brian McLaren’s recent lecture on Naked Spirituality.)
At moments like these, one can only marvel at the lack of discernment by Scazzero’s partner Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Community Church (1) and any other pastor (2) or church (3) that promotes his materials.
End Notes:
(1) Hybels’ Willow Creek and Peter Scazzero:
Emotional Healthy Spirituality and Willow Creek Partner to Spread Contemplative Spirituality
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=1148
Also listen to an interview between Bill Hybels and Peter Scazzero at the Emotionally Healthy website (http://www.emotionallyhealthy.org) called An interview with Pete and Bill Hybels around EHS and spiritual formation [02/15/11 | 8:00 PM].
(2) Rick Warren and Peter Scazzero:
PETER SCAZZERO PROMOTED BY RICK WARREN
http://apprising.org/2009/12/11/peter-scazzero-promoted-by-rick-warren
(3) Christian & Missionary Alliance and Peter Scazzero:
Scazzeros Spread Contemplative Spirituality at C&MA Conference
https://muddystreams.wordpress.com/2010/05/13/scazzeros-spread-contemplative-spirituality-at-cma-conference/
Posted in politics, religion, Willow Creek on February 7, 2011| 1 Comment »
As the muddy streams of religion and politics converge…
Obama Taps Willow Creek’s Lynne Hybels for White House Faith Panel
WASHINGTON–President Obama tapped Willow Creek Community Church’s Lynne Hybels for a spot on the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Hybels, of Barrington, is married to Willow Creek senior pastor and founder Bill Hybels.Lynne Hybels, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood PartnershipsLynne Hybels is co-founder and Advocate for Global Engagement at the Willow Creek Community Church, a religious organization committed to maximizing individual life-transformation as well as encouraging effective leadership of local churches.
More here:
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=5716
Related:
Obama invokes religious themes as 2012 campaign nears
http://washingtonexaminer.com/politics/white-house/2011/02/obama-invokes-religious-themes-2012-campaign-nears
White House announces new appointees to faith council
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/04/white-house-announces-new-appointees-to-faith-council/
Bill and Barack’s Immigration Adventure: Hybels introduces Obama
http://blogs.pioneerlocal.com/religion/2010/07/bill_and_baracks_immigration_a.html
Note:
Lynne Hybels has also been recently added to the list of Wild Goose Festival speakers who embody their trinity of themes of justice, spirituality, and art. See here:
Hybels, Twiss & Witmer – More Lineup Announced
http://wildgoosefestival.org/blog/hybels-twiss-and-witmer-more-lineup-announced/
[The Wild Goose Festival is a music, art and conversation festival with themes at the intersection of spirituality and justice. It is rooted in a Christian tradition but open to all regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexuality, background or belief.]
Posted in contemplative spirituality, ecumenism, Rick Warren, roads to Rome, Roman Catholicism, Willow Creek on January 8, 2011| Leave a Comment »
For the latest promotion of contemplative spirituality by Peter Scazzero, and how this is related to Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, and the bridge to Rome, please see here:
PETER SCAZZERO RECOMMENDING CONTEMPLATIVE/CENTERING PRAYER
http://apprising.org/2011/01/05/peter-scazzero-recommending-contemplativecentering-prayer/
Posted in another gospel, Christianity, compromise of the church, contemplative spirituality, mysticism, religion, roads to Rome, seminary, spiritual disciplines, spiritual formation, Willow Creek on September 28, 2010| 3 Comments »
What will students at Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C. (Canada) be learning during chapel services this year?
The Fall’10 and Spring/’11 Chapel Guide for Trinity Western University can be viewed here:
http://twu.ca/life/ministries/chapel/chapel-calendar.html
During the scheduled chapel calendar, some of the events, speakers, and lecturers at this Christian university include:
Contemplative Prayer experiences [4x]
Lynn Szabo
NT Wright
Pastor Mark Buchanan (author of Spiritual Rhythm)
***To find out about the beliefs, influence, and teachings of TWU’s Lynn Szabo, see here:
Is Trinity Western University helping to Pave the Thomas Merton Pathway?
Is ‘The Still Point’ of Interspiritualist Thomas Merton being promoted at TWU?
***To find out what NT Wright may be teaching TWU students, see these:
N.T. WRIGHT ON HOMEBREWED CHRISTIANITY
http://apprising.org/2010/05/20/n-t-wright-on-homebrewed-christianity/
INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW PERSPECTIVE(S) ON PAUL
http://apprising.org/2010/05/08/introduction-to-the-new-perspectives-on-paul/
THE NEW PERSPECTIVE ON PAUL—PART 1
http://apprising.org/2010/05/08/the-new-perspective-on-paul%E2%80%94part-1/
Part 2
http://apprising.org/2010/05/08/the-new-perspective-on-paul%E2%80%94part-2/
Part 3
http://apprising.org/2010/05/08/the-new-perspective-on-paul%E2%80%94part-3/
Also see:
NT Wright v The Gospel (Part 1)
http://onceuponacross.blogspot.com/2010/04/nt-wright-v-gospel-part-1.html
***To find out Mark Buchanan‘s beliefs and teachings, see how he recently shared the speaking platform with Mindy Caliguire (soulcare.com), here:
Leading From a Healthy Soul
http://www.growingleadership.com/healthysoul/speaker.asp
More well researched facts regarding the beliefs and teachings of both Buchanan and his associate Mindy Caliguire can be found here:
Contemplative Emphasis Continues at Willow Creek … Stronger Than Ever
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=379
Should parents and all those who support Trinity Western University be concerned about some of these events in the fall/spring chapel line up and the direction they may be leading students? Has contemplative spiritual formation and Roman Catholic mysticism got anything to do with true biblical worship? What about NT Wright’s “new” perspectives on Paul for which he is so well known?
Is this something that concerns you?
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Acts 20:28
Related:
Contemplative Spirituality Comes to Modern Day Christianity
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/contemplativespirituality.htm
Posted in another gospel, compromise of the church, contemplative spirituality, ecumenism, emerging church, Jesus Christ, religion, seeker friendly, spiritual formation, Willow Creek on July 30, 2010| 1 Comment »
Flip clearly does not like this post, and has directed a comment ‘to all the know nothings out there,’ whoever they may be:
“TO ALL THE KNOW NOTHINGS OUT THERE, YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. I KNOW THE GOSPEL MESSAGE AND IT IS PRESENTED CLEARLY AT Willow Creek. Always….not sometimes….always. We are sin stained and can do nothing to redeem ourselves. I am a sinner in need of The Savior, Jesus Christ. I have accepted Christ and most importantly, repented of my sin. Willow Creek does not waiver nor are they unclear about the ceNtrality of the Bible, the Trinity and every other Chrtistian principle. I grew as a follow of Christ at Willow for thriteen years. Again to all that think Willow teaches another Gospel, YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.”
Flip, you are right, we have all sinned, and all need a Savior. And we are glad that you have been growing as a follower of Christ, but do you realize this is in spite of Willow Creek, not because of it? Any glory for believing and growing in Christ must always and only be given to Him, not man, or any organization of man. Anything else is not of the Holy Spirit, as the Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit always points to, and speaks of, Jesus Christ. It is only Jesus, through the power of His Spirit, who has saved you, and teaches you. Without this power you would be blind and lost. Because He has saved you, you now belong to His church, the bride of Christ – not Willow Creek, or any denomination, but your name is now written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Rejoice!
So God, in His grace and mercy, has used an imperfect instrument like Willow Creek to change your life. It wouldn’t be the first time He has used unconventional methods. Don’t you know He can use any means to open your eyes and bring you to Him? He even used a donkey once. There may be some good teaching at Willow Creek, but there is just as much false teaching within their man centered gospel, if you will take the time to search with an open mind – there is much documented research available for all who seek the truth.
May you continue to grow in the Lord, and may He grant you the gift of discernment, so that you may clearly recognize compromise and false teaching, for His Name’s sake. Amen.
Posted in another gospel, books, Christianity, compromise of the church, contemplative spirituality, ecumenism, mysticism, new age, Purpose Driven, religion, Rick Warren, roads to Rome, seminary, spiritual disciplines, spiritual formation, Willow Creek on January 8, 2010| 1 Comment »
The spiritual teachings of contemplative pastor Peter Scazzero, author of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, are being highly promoted by influential men like Rick Warren (here), Erwin McManus (here), organizations such as Willow Creek (here), and even Focus on the Family, (in the U.S., here, and in Canada, here) as well as by those who call themselves discerning readers.
With all this exposure, it was only a matter of time before evangelical Christian seminaries would begin incorporating the materials of this contemplative pastor/author/speaker and his Roman Catholic teachings into their curriculum. Now we see that his resources are showing up in presentations and courses all the way from Fuller Seminary (Book Store, here) to a Western Seminary (Portland, OR) Syllabus (as required reading), to the text book list for Taylor Seminary in Edmonton, AB, Canada (Baptist affiliation).
These are definitely not the only seminaries introducing their students to the contemplative waters beneath the bridge to Rome. Another seminary that has recently promoted Scazzero’s teachings (that returning to the ancient Roman Catholic spiritual disciplines with make you ‘spiritually healthy’) is this one:
Denver Seminary, Colorado
Quotes from Pastor Peter Scazzero’s presentation at the Spiritual Life Conference
Sep 21, 2009 by Howard BakerIt is not possible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature.
The Blessings and Sins of Our Families Have Impact Lasting for at Least Three to Four Generations…Discipleship is the Process of Putting Off the Sinful Patterns of Our Family of Origin and Culture, and Re-Learning How to Do Life in God’s Family.
Healthy differentiation is remaining connected to people and yet not having your reaction or behavior determined by them. My primary task, like Jesus, is to calmly differentiate my “true self” from the demands and voices around me, discerning the desires, vision, pace, and mission the Father has given me.
Pathways to an emotionally healthy spirituality:
1. 1.KnowYourself that You May Know God
2. Going Back in Order to Go Forward
3. Journey Through the Wall
4. Enlarge Your Soul Through Grief and Loss (Pray the Psalms)
5. Discover the Rhythms of the Daily Office and Sabbath
6. Grow into an Emotionally Mature Adult
7. Go the Next Step to Develop a “Rule of Life.”
Through Scazzero, seminaries like these are helping their students how to discover the ancient monastic rhythms of the Daily Office and the Rule of Life. Here is a glimpse into what that involves:
How to Use the Daily Office by Peter Scazzero:
There is also a book kit to help guide Scazzero’s readers back to Rome through this practice, as sold by Willow Creek:
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Daily Office
Kit Book (Soft Cover)
Peter Scazzero
http://www.willowcreek.com/wca_prod.asp?invtid=PR34386
While the above seminaries are not equipping or warning their students about the dangers of this return to ancient mysticism, a few faithful discernment ministries and bloggers have been progressively sounding the warning to apparently deaf ears. These include the following:
The Emotionally Healthy Church By Peter Scazzero
Reviewed by Chris Ambridge, 2005
http://www.9marks.org/CC/article/0,,PTID314526_CHID598026_CIID1880196,00.html
BOOK ALERT
Author Pete Scazzero’s Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: Unleash a Revolution in Your Life in Christ, Nov. 2006
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/newsletter112706.htm#article3
Contemplative Proponents Rick Warren and Pete Scazzero Talk to New York Pastors , Jan 2008
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/newsletter020408.htm#LETTER.BLOCK12
Emotional Healthy Spirituality and Willow Creek Partner to Spread Contemplative Spirituality
by Mike Stanwood – Sept. 2009
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=1148&more=1&c=1
Willow Creek and Focus on the Family Promote Contemplative Prayer Proponents
Willow Creek and Emotionally Healthy Spirituality will join forces to promote Contemplative Prayer, Sept. 2009
http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/7582011612.html
PETER SCAZZERO PROMOTED BY RICK WARREN
Ken Silva, Dec. 2009
http://apprising.org/2009/12/11/peter-scazzero-promoted-by-rick-warren/
RICK WARREN WANTS US TO KNOW PETER SCAZZERO
Dec. 2009
http://apprising.org/2009/12/15/rick-warren-wants-us-to-know-peter-scazzero/
Peter Scazzero is only one of many who are teaching the ancient contemplative spiritual disciplines, and whose resources are entering seminaries, Christian colleges, and evangelical Protestant Christianity as a whole. This convergence of Catholic mysticsm with Christianity goes against the gift of freedom and reconciliation we have received by grace through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ through His subsitutionary atoning death on the cross. Tragically, when the trumpet sounds, the apostate church will wake up from her slumber and find herself on the wrong side of the bridge trapped beneath the Trojan Horse of mysticism and one world spirituality.
***UPDATE*** Disclaimer: A spokesperson for Denver Seminary has noted this blog and stated that the seminary does not give a wholesale endorsement of Scazzero’s work, see comment section.
Posted in contemplative spirituality, mysticism, spiritual formation, Willow Creek on January 4, 2010| 1 Comment »
Ruth Haley Barton on Spiritual Formation
Former Associate Director of Spiritual Formation at
Willow Creek Community Church
“A few years ago, I began to recognize an inner chaos in my soul . . . No matter how much I prayed, read the Bible, and listened to good teaching, I could not calm the internal roar created by questions with no answers.” “Beyond Words: Experience God’s presence in silence and solitude ”
“I sought out a spiritual director, someone well versed in the ways of the soul … eventually this wise woman said to me, … “What you need is stillness and silence so that the sediment can settle and the water can become clear.’ … I decided to accept this invitation to move beyond my addiction to words.”
–http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/spiritualformation.htm
Posted in books, Christianity, CMA, compromise of the church, contemplative spirituality, eastern religion, ecumenism, mysticism, religion, retreat centers, retreats, roads to Rome, spiritual disciplines, spiritual formation, Willow Creek on January 4, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Contemplative spiritual formation appears to be making its way into every church denomination, including the Christian & Missionary Alliance in Canada…
In a CMA article called Books that Make you Think – A perspective and some suggestions to help you decide what to read next (cmalliance.ca), the author (Larry Thiessen) shares with readers “a short list of some of the books that have been classics for me in the sense that they changed my thinking. These are books that are worth reading more than once.” Included in this list are:
–Answering God – Eugene Peterson
–Sacred Journey – Frederick Buechner
–Divine Conspiracy – Dallas Willard
These authors all play a part in the contemplative movement, as shown here:
EUGENE PETERSON, THE MESSAGE AND CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/themessage.htm
Dallas Willard is a major promoter of the contemplative movement.
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/dallaswillard.htm
DALLAS WILLARD ENCOURAGES CONTEMPLATIVE/CENTERING PRAYER
http://apprising.org/2008/05/27/dallas-willard-encourages-contemplativecentering-prayer/
The Dangers of Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Disciplines
A Critique of Dallas Willard and The Spirit of the Disciplines
by Bob DeWaay
http://cicministry.org/commentary/issue91.htm
If that is not enough, the CMA in Canada also partners with (see here) the Clergy Care Network, a ministry based out of Focus on the Family Canada.
This month they are promoting Kerith Creek, a retreat center for pastors that uses the contemplative materials of Peter Scazzero. On the Clergy Care main page you can click on an article about this called The pastor’s need to rest and retreat.
The author of this article, Jerry Ritskes, together with his wife, is the director for Focus on the Family Canada’s Kerith Creek renewal and retreat centre. In the article he refers to an invitation to the contemplative practice of silence and solitude from Ruth Haley Barton, former associate director of spiritual formation at Willow Creek:
“I love the word-picture Ruth Haley Barton gives us in Invitation to Silence and Solitude. Our lives are like a jar of river water – agitated and murky. As soon as you stop moving the jar and let it sit, the sediment begins to settle and it becomes clearer. When we take time for quiet, the sediment in our lives begins to settle, and the things God is trying to tell us becomes clearer.”
–focusonthefamily.ca
This is a very telling statement about the direction Focus on the Family’s Kerith Creek will be taking pastors. The contemplative Barton has gleaned her contemplative/Eastern spirituality from Tilden Edwards, being trained through the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation:
What Do They Believe and Teach?
“This mystical stream [contemplative prayer] is the Western bridge to Far Eastern spirituality … It is no accident that the most active frontier between Christian and Eastern religions today is between contemplative Christian monks and their Eastern equivalents.” —Tilden Edwards, Shalem Founder
From: Ruth Haley Barton and Contemplative Prayer
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/ruthhaleybarton.htm
Note: Also see: WHO IS RUTH HALEY BARTON?
http://apprising.org/2008/09/17/who-is-ruth-haley-barton/
Also on the same Focus on the Family Canada Clergy Care page is the link to a Christianity Today article called Skimming by Peter Scazzero, in which he refers to the Desert Fathers and contemplative practices such as solitude.
As anyone can see, by recommending the above contemplative resources, the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada is definitely just one more of many denominations now leading their congregations and pastors across the bridge over the great muddy stream of contemplative spiritual formation.
Also see:
Muddy Spirituality at Circle Drive
*See which other ministries are now promoting spiritual formation here.
UPDATE:
PETER SCAZZERO BRINGING ROME HOME TO HIS CHURCH
http://apprising.org/2010/10/01/peter-scazzero-bringing-rome-home-to-his-church/
Posted in another gospel, compromise of the church, contemplative spirituality, ecumenism, emerging church, mysticism, spiritual disciplines, spiritual formation, Willow Creek on October 14, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Who can forget what Bill Hybels of Willow Creek church said not too long ago about his seeker friendly methods…
“We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become ‘self feeders.’ We should have gotten people, taught people, how to read their bible between services, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own.”
-Willow Creek Admits “Seeker Sensitive” a Failure
http://www.ericbarger.com/seeker.1.htm
So now it looks like they are doing exactly what Bill Hybels said they should have been doing. Willow Creek is teaching people “how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively” than ever before.
It’s also much more obvious than ever before that Willow Creek is getting people who have “crossed the line of faith” to go a few steps further, and cross the ancient bridge over the muddy streams of contemplative spiritual formation into the mystic mist.
Read the following research to discover these facts…
Emotional Healthy Spirituality and Willow Creek Partner to Spread Contemplative Spirituality
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/index.php?p=1649&more=1&c=1
Contemplative Emphasis Continues at Willow Creek … Stronger Than Ever
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/index.php?p=1674&more=1&c=1
Related:
Willow Creek and Contemplative Prayer
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/willowcreek.htm
***UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2015:
Willow Creek’s “The Practice” blends New Age & Catholic mysticism
http://bereanresearch.org/willow-creeks-the-practice-blends-new-age-catholic-mysticism/
Posted in compromise of the church, ecumenism, emerging church, interfaith, politics, Purpose Driven, religion, Willow Creek on October 9, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Since linking with Tony Blair it appears that Rick Warren is “waxing (becoming) worse and worse”
(2nd Timothy 3:13)
Cecil Andrews – ‘Take Heed’ Ministries – 23rd July 2009The opening verse of chapter 3 of Paul’s second letter to Timothy reads – “this know that in the last days perilous times shall come”. Paul states quite clearly that during “the last days” all will not be well in the professing church. ‘The last days’ are generally accepted by biblical scholars as being ‘the church age’ – that time span between the ascension of Christ as recorded in Acts 1:9 and His return as detailed in 1st Thessalonians 4:16-18. The word “perilous” means ‘grievous’ as in the sense of ‘hard to deal with’ and ‘hard to bear’. Paul is warning God’s people that during the church age they should expect to be confronted with things being said and done in the name of Christ that will grieve them fiercely and intensely because such happenings will disturb the Spirit of God who indwells them as His true people.
From the second verse on Paul outlines some of those who will be the sources of such “perilous [grievous] times” – “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous… traitors (v 4) … Having a form of godliness (v 5) … Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth, men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the truth ( v 8 ) … evil men and seducers shall wax [become] worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived (v 13)”.
Paul predicts that God’s people will be confronted with such men who will be moving in professing Christian circles and claiming to be Christian…
Read more about this compromise regarding the political pals of Rick Warren and the muddy deception that continues to overflow the banks of the Willow Creek here:
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Muddy Streams 