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Featured False Teaching of Contemplative Prayer...

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Allan, May 14, 2013.

  1. Allan

    Allan Active Member

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    For those who don't know what "Contemplative Prayer" is, it has been growing in popularity and pouring into Churches of all stripes and Theological persuasions. From non-Cal, to Cal, to Wesleyan Arminiaism, Catholics, etc...

    Here is a little primer on "Contemplative Prayer" or the Prayer of the Quiet, Prayer of Silence, Lectio Divina, and many other names among Christian groups. This particular false teaching focuses on experiences and hearing from God either audibly, or via visions and dreams.

    Here is a quick statement from good ol' Wiki, for a short version:
    "Lectio Divina (Latin for divine reading) is a traditional Roman Catholic practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God's Word. It does not treat Scripture as texts to be studied, but as the Living Word.

    Traditionally Lectio Divina has 4 separate steps: read, meditate, pray and contemplate. First a passage of Scripture is read, then its meaning is reflected upon. This is followed by prayer and contemplation on the Word of God.
    "

    Note,not The Word of God (Bible) but the word you heard from God. To understand how it is practiced, you may go HERE. This gives you only 'initial' centering prayer that leads you into Contemplative Prayers, which is going deeper than the Centering Prayer takes you.

    While there are some who say (and fairly accurately) this is Catholic Mysticism (and they are right since it is a Roman Catholic Spiritual Discipline and Thomas Keating, a Catholic Jesuit Priest, is most noted for his spiritual knowledge of it), it is actually more true to be a New Age teaching or even older - Shamanism.

    What is most unique about this 'Spiritual Discipline', is that it is almost identical to Transcendental Meditation or TM, just with a different name to be more acceptable to Christian masses.

    In short, both TM and Contemplative Prayer must be taught by a teacher of some type, to properly understand how to do it.
    Both must be done twice a day for 15 to 20 minutes.
    Both must have you clear your mind of all thoughts and be empty
    Both state you must say a special word or phrase or sound (the sound of your breathing, etc.. ), softly and slowly over and over and over in your mind.
    --- Note on the Special word aspect (from the link I provide above) particularly #4:
    Both have you listening for divine voice to guide you and bring to you knowledge you did not have previously.
    Both encourage you to do such praying both individually but also in groups and make it a part of your normal Christian gatherings.

    Now here is some of the saddest news. This stuff isn't being accepted and endorsed by no name pastors and teachers, but is fully accepted and endorsed by people such as John Piper, Lou Giglio, Beth Moore, Max Lucado, Rick Warren (no real suprise there), Francis Chan, Christian Rap artist Lecrea, Dr. Henry Cloud, Dallas Willard, Mark Driscol, David Crowder, and many others.

    In some of the links I place on the names above, it is interesting the key words you can hear used that most would consider normal (like "speak to us through your word", yet with Contemplative Prayer, this is not the Word of God but the word you use to hear Him)
    Any thoughts?
     
    #1 Allan, May 14, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: May 14, 2013
  2. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Having had a good number of discussions on this issues a couple of years ago there were some on this board who defended it. I have not heard much about it recently. I thought maybe it was fading out.
     
  3. Allan

    Allan Active Member

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    If it was beginning to, it was only to procreate in the darkness since it is now coming back through mainstream Christian Pastors and teachers.
     
  4. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
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    Sometimes I listen to Catholic family radio and this false idea is spoken of as a way to get "deeper" in your faith:confused:

    Any evangelical who supports this is very suspect.I do not trust any of those men you listed as they are doctrinally unstable.:thumbsup:
     
  5. Allan

    Allan Active Member

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    The sad part, these are just the those lime light personas.. it is shocking to me how many hold to this though
     
  6. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    I think it is probably impossible for a human being to empty his mind of all thoughts. The mind is never static. But more importantly, God tells us otherwise.

    Philippians 4:8
    (ESV)
    8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
     
  7. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
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    Allan

    Anyyhing Satan can use to get people away from the scripture and to become religious will be employed.Much like those who want messages in tongues, or visions today...this is also an evil deception.




    This is like the catholic version of Kenneth hagins...rhema word teachings.

    Satans version of bait and switch.

    Yes...very evil


    yes....empty so Satan can fill it...


    yuck...




    Disgraceful


    In some of the links I place on the names above, it is interesting the key words you can hear used that most would consider normal (like "speak to us through your word", yet with Contemplative Prayer, this is not the Word of God but the word you use to hear Him)
    Any thoughts?[
    /QUOTE]



    thanks for the fresh info:thumbs:
     
  8. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    Allan, good to see you back! Do you have any links to those you named who endorse it?
     
  9. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    I can tell you Beth Moore is one.
     
  10. Allan

    Allan Active Member

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    Most you can look up as there is a growing movement to accept this new revelation/vision/dreams.. I have hyper links on some of the names in the initial OP.

    Beth Moore, at first, distanced herself somewhat from it initially, but has now gone full bore. Interestingly enough, she is also now a regular teacher on James Robinson (the false prophet and false teacher, and word of Faith teacher) show. Sadly as well she is moving slowly but definitively toward the word of faith view of positive confession which is no real surprise when note who she is hanging around with more and more.

    In fact it is through or because of this Contemplative Prayer that some of the names I listed are now saying the Roman Catholic Church are our brothers and sisters because God revealed it to them through their prayer time. Beth Moore is one, and there are Youtube with her speaking of this vision she had, in which God let her see the spiritual dimension of Christ eyes, or some such non-sense.

    Let me know who it is you are asking about and I will link to some citations.
     
    #10 Allan, May 15, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: May 15, 2013
  11. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    sounds like moving off of objective truth, that in the Bible, that IS the word of God to us, does not merely contain it, nor becomes it when we 'experience" it, but it is the revelation from God to us period!
    Exchanging that for a subjective truth, have inner 'spirit guides" telling us what that truth means to us...

    Very postmodern/occultic, next just add in tongues speaking and you are on your way to having the 'fullnes!"
     
  12. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    Allan and Iconoclast, thank you for this enlightening discussion. Very educational--and disappointing to read the names of some of those who embrace this stuff.
     
  13. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    I would take the name-listing with a grain of salt. I'm pretty sure some of those listed do not support "Contemplative Prayer" as it is described here, although they may associate with some who do.
     
  14. Allan

    Allan Active Member

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    Look it up.. don't take my word for it but if you want some information on some names.. just let me know
    Additionally, there is no other form of 'Contemplative Prayer'. There is easy version which get you acquainted with the techniques, and more in depth training, so I'm not sure you what you mean by "as described here".
     
    #14 Allan, May 15, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: May 15, 2013
  15. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
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    Mexdef,

    While it is good to be cautious and not paint a picture that is not accurate, we must also be cautious like the Bereans with the Apostle Paul and see if these things are so.
    Let me pick on John Piper. he comes out with some really good material and thoughts...some of which are outside the "box" so to speak.
    He seems to "leave the door open" not wanting to miss out on what God might have for us.I get that, however, there is a point where you put yourself at risk and others who follow much of what you say.

    This longing for the felt presence of God is understandable, but God himself has given the scripture as protection.

    Recently we have a poster claiming to hear voices that he claims are God.
     
  16. preacher4truth

    preacher4truth Active Member

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    Listening to John Piper speak on this doesn't lend toward him embracing the mysticism of this 'system' nor the groanings &c. He simply believes in the using of Scripture reading, praying, meditating, something hopefully we all employ as it is Scriptural.

    Sure he mentioned 'cadence' in some prayers from the past and I can't just flip out because he used that term. Aren't some Psalms and Proverbs written with line by line starting with the Hebrew alphabet going letter by letter? Cadence is rhythmic flow, not unlike Psalms and songs that are sung.

    Would I teach/preach contemplative prayer? Yes, within a Scriptural context while warning and rejecting the mystical side.

    I highly doubt the preachers mentioned teach and practice the mystical side of this. I however could be proven wrong with some actual proof they incorporate a 'Shaman' style of CP.

    - Blessings
     
  17. preacher4truth

    preacher4truth Active Member

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    Agreed. :type:
     
  18. Allan

    Allan Active Member

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    Are you joking or serious?!
    Look up what Contemplative prayer/Lectio Divina/Centering prayer/etc... is.. there is no mistaking what it is and how it is done.

    The people listed below are not ignorant of what this movement is nor of it harsh critics against it, in fact it is FOR that very reason they are beginning to stand up for it.
     
  19. Allan

    Allan Active Member

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    Believe what you want but make sure that belief is based upon fact and presumption nor assumption.
     
  20. Jedi Knight

    Jedi Knight Well-Known Member
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    Allan is a false teach.....wait that was someone else.:smilewinkgrin:
     
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