New Age Spiritualism in our Churches?
Part 2
Emerging Church, New Age Spiritualism and A.W.Tozer
II Thessalonians 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;Apostate Church:
“The last thing many believers need today is to go to another Bible study. Rick Warren PDL; p.231;“VATICAN CITY, NOV. 30, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Whoever seeks peace and the good of the community with a pure conscience, and keeps alive the desire for the transcendent, will be saved even if he lacks biblical faith, says Benedict XVI.” You can now be saved as long as you have good intentions, even if you lack biblical faith!!!!
I recently wrote an article on New Age teachings in our churches; I was not intending to write anymore on the subject in the near future. But with things happening so quickly I felt the need to at least update everyone on what is coming to a church near you. This is not a trend that will fade, it is the future of the “Christian” church, II Thessalonians confirms that.
I feel that we need to be aware of false doctrines in our midst so that we do not fall prey to the enemy. We are being taught that Christians have been a closed community, rude, narrow minded, too hard nosed about doctrine, unbending, and insisting that there is only one way to heaven.
1 John 2:15-17 (KJV) 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.John 14:6 (King James Version) 6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
This of course is hated by the world who thinks they will get to heaven on good intentions. How many times have you heard non believers say that they think they will get to heaven because they are basically a good person?
Now we are to change our strong belief in Christ and his teachings, now we are a stumbling block to non believers, well. Don’t talk to me, talk to God he made the rules I just stand by them. I am tired of being told that Christians are bad, yes we make mistakes, yes sometimes we give in and act like the secular world, yes we stumble. But the secular world is using this as an excuse, not a reason to bring Christianity to their level and well meaning Christians who think they are doing God’s will are falling for it and actually becoming secularized by it while still calling it Christian. Christians think that we are to be liked always, that is contrary to bible, the bible is clear that Christianity runs contrary to the world.
John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
What we have been following is God’s instructions to us, if the non believers find it difficult so be it, it’s not my decision its God’s talk to Him. Just as Israel is giving up land for peace we are giving up doctrine for peace and acceptance. It’s not working for Israel and it won’t work for us. Christians are being taught that we are not liked because of not tipping enough, because of being intolerant of sin, because of following the word of God and not going with the flow of society, because we are dogmatic, because we are different, because we are a gated community we make people uncomfortable, give me a break the Holy Spirit makes sinners uncomfortable you know that, read your bible.
If we are different than the rest of the world and the world resents it, that is what we are called to be. Wake up. This is all heresy and we wanting to be good Christians are following a false doctrine like sheep. Read your bible, don’t take my word for it take God’s, know the word yourself. Satan is taking advantage of us because many don’t get into the word daily, we are not in communication with God on a level that he can instruct us, and we are being lead astray.
This New Age teaching includes the Gospel of works so that we may look after mans temporary needs, which is a man centered Gospel, or Humanistic not Christ centered. You have all heard the phrase “how we do church.” This Churchianity is very appealing to many people because it fulfills our earthly needs and desires. It allows us to be comfortable and not try so hard and not feel guilty when we fail. This way we have some control on our destiny, funny how a generation that craves control in money, control in business, control in sports, control in politics, control in society, finds a way to take it from God and all the while calling it our Christian duty. Something that appeals to the flesh should be looked at very closely.
The New Age movement is nothing more than Gnostism with a 21st century spin on it, Satan has been trying it for millennia and today is gaining ground. Included with this is the gospel of Churchianity, where church is emphasized, small group’s play a big role in this. There are several themes synonymous with the emerging church, lone ranger Christians, church growth, small groups, community, works, social gospel, Churchianity, not criticizing the method, shunned out of the church if you disagree, unity, and the best one to always have a positive message.
A term you will hear time and time again is “there are no Lone Ranger Christians”, meaning that you are not a Christian unless you are a part of a group. The apostles who more times than not worked alone traveling from one town to another which at times took days, had major revelations when they were alone. The bible tells us to find a quiet alone place to talk to God. Even Jesus spent time alone to seek God’s will, he did not submit it to a committee and then discuss it endlessly as we are prone to do. The apostles were all Lone Rangers bringing a message that had not been heard before. So let’s start there with the Lone Ranger.
The Lone Ranger
- Adam, A lone figure, created by God, in God’s own image and likeness, he was the beginning of the human race and establishes the criteria of spiritual Lone Rangers that echo down through the ages.
- “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” A lone, solitary figure, Enoch was translated by faith, because he pleased God (Hebrews 11:5). As a powerful prophet of God, Enoch prophesied of the judgment of God (Jude 14,15).
- “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord (Genesis 6:8). Noah also walked with God (Genesis 6:9). He was obedient to God in building the ark and was a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5). A lone, solitary figure, he continued building the ark for many years after he had prophesied the flood. Noah was mocked and misunderstood by all around him and yet stayed the course, a prime example of what today in Christian circles is a Lone Ranger. Noah built the first altar (Genesis 8:20), and was honored by God with the everlasting covenant of the rainbow (Genesis 9:12-17).
- Moses is another lone and solitary figure. 80 years old, his dream a faded memory, his strength ebbing with his advanced age, he was called by God to be a deliverer, a law-giver and leader of God’s people. This mighty man of God, despite his deficiencies, is a tremendous example of what a “Lone Ranger” of God can accomplish by hearing and obeying God. Moses was more than a prophet in that God spoke directly to him (Numbers 12:4-8).
- Amos was a herdsman and a gatherer of sycamore fruit, called by God. “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdsman, and a gatherer of sycamore fruit: And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel” (Amos 7:14,15).
- Jonah was called by God. “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me” (Jonah 1:2).
- John the Baptist’s birth and ministry were announced to his father by the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:8-17; 76-80). John the Baptist, was in fact, filled with the Holy Spirit while in his mother’s womb. No one told him that he needed to be a part of a small group to be a Christian.
- Paul, the apostle is probably our best example in the New Testament of the Lone Rangers that are called by God to be trained by Him. Paul attributes and his subsequent revelation of the gospel as a revelation of Jesus Christ, and God the Father. “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)” ... “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.” ... “For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:1,11,12). Paul didn’t learn from a small group, he didn’t need a small group to confirm what God had shown him.
“Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days” (Galatians 1:17,18). In a footnote in verse 17, The Ryrie Study Bible reads in part: “... Paul’s point is not to pinpoint the location but to emphasize that it was a place, in contrast to Jerusalem, where there was no apostle to instruct him. In Arabia he was alone with God, thinking through the implications of his encounter with the risen Christ on the Damascus road. ...”
When God has prepared His chosen vessel and the Lone Ranger training is completed, that vessel, filled to overflowing with the very presence of God, by Godly tutoring, must be poured out for the body of Christ “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:12).
While the Lone Ranger probably won’t be the most common Christian that you find I think that demonizing him is out of line with the word of God. This only restricts the movement of the Holy Spirit in working in the world. Enforcing in Christians that majority rules, I think the bible is clear that the majority of the world won’t enter heaven. Many of the revelations in the bible came in times of being out of touch with other Christians, look at John and the book of Revelation. This with a healthy dose of discernment accomplishes Gods work. But in a world where to second guess ourselves is a weakness, discernment is tossed out. We are to test the spirits no matter who they are from even pastor’s sermons, but in the end we are answerable to God not man. I must add that demonizing the Lone Ranger serves the enemy who is even now preparing what he believes will be his kingdom. But I skipped to the end of the book and know what happens!
I’m a nonconformist, twice born, and a rebel and I will not conform to the times. A.W.Tozer (amen)Church Growth
- It seems that we are judging the spirituality of a church by how many members it has, this erroneous way of thinking is focusing on the church and not God. God doesn’t care how many members any particular church has but the correctness of its teachings. Success in Christianity cannot be measured by these standards, the secular world uses this yard stick but God has his own.
Community
- The bible teaches that we are to look after those around us and help when we can, but today’s focus on community with works creates a attitude that we can earn our way to heaven, or that we can be in control. The underlying Gospel of Works is one that again takes our focus off God and puts it on Me. Again I have heard it said you cannot be a good Christian unless you serve the felt needs of the community. Unfortunately this leads to compromising the word of God. How? In a world where the felt needs are clearly out of line with scriptures, this is being taken too far so that the unbeliever should feel comfortable. When the Holy Spirit clearly makes sinners uncomfortable. Again the flesh should be denied and the spirit emphasized.
Social Gospel
- The social gospel is one that emphasizes everyone getting along, including with pagan religions and unbelievers. I think you can see where this is leading. Christ never made any reference to us allowing pagan religions to join with Christians. Quite the opposite He told us not to associate with pagans lest we fall in the enemies hands.
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? ( 2 Corinthians 6:14) But the emerging Church and the ecumenical movement which is really one and the same, allows and looks for input from pagan beliefs of both physical and spiritual in accomplishing works.
Then you add in Muslims, you add in Hindus, you add in all the different religions, and you use those houses of worship as distribution centers, not just for spiritual care but health care.” Rick WarrenHe doesn’t have to be a Christian. Find a non-Christian who’s influential and open a Muslim or an atheist.” Rick Warren Rick Warren endorses spiritual care from other religions. Can you imagine going to a Wicca and asking for spiritual care. While Rick doesn’t say Wicca is there much of a difference between pagan beliefs? They worship the same false God.
Churchianity
- The emphases on a physical building or idea and growing that building or idea is again shifting our thoughts and focus to physical needs and not God. While our words say focus on God our actions more and more are the physical and not the spiritual. These are not things that will come with us to heaven.
Do not Criticize the message
- While I do not endorse causing trouble in the church and we all know that there are some that cause trouble at any little excuse, we are to test the message being taught and expose false doctrine. This blanket of not being critical does not cover false doctrine, but is being used by the emerging church to shut up all thought of anything being wrong. You are divisive if you even mention that the message may not be quite right. Again Pharisees come to mind. Hitler used Romans where Paul said to submit to those in authority, to prove that God wanted everyone to submit to him. That didn’t end so well.
Shunned
- The final important step in the emerging church is that if someone stops and thinks that maybe all of this is leading in the wrong direction, the leadership is taught (Purpose Driven Church) to use peer pressure, ridicule, and labeling to either change the person or get them to leave. Nice doctrine let me know how that works out with God.
All of these areas are either extremism or just plain going in the wrong direction. I look at Rick Warrens teachings because he is the most prominent leader in the Emerging church movement, but he is by no means the only one promoting the One World Church. We are not to attack pastors and criticize every little thing they do, however false doctrine must not be tolerated. Rick is the example that you need to look for in identifying the trend of the emerging church. He has certainly put himself into his work and at times his intentions and actions seem quite noble, but that is not enough of a reason to overlook the false teachings that he preaches. But scriptures tell us that good intentions are not enough:
“Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” (Luke13:23-24) Rick talks about how to have a healthy church in the book “Purpose Driven Church”, we are all looking to make our churches healthier but my question is do we listen to self help books on what is right in God's eyes or should we listen to God’s word. Revelation 2 and 3 gives us good insight in what God's values in a church and it doesn't sound like marketing and shifting methods to suit the times are involved. John writes letters to seven churches and praises or reprimands them accordingly, and gives us something to learn from. The bible if full of other instructions to the churches. Why then are we foolish enough to turn to secular man centered ideas to improve our churches? Is it because biblical methods are not exciting enough, in a culture that has a overload of stimuli we want exciting. But that doesn't mean that our methods of evangelizing that are clearly laid out in the God's word need to change. God calls us to remain constant in season and out, not shifting with different methods and programs. Constant means constant though the ages not just for now.
Being a Christian does not give us immunity to deception; actually it makes us a target for the biggest liar of them all. If Christians couldn't be deceived, then the Holy Spirit would be wrong about those who will "depart from the faith" (1 Timothy 4:1). The departure from the faith will be so great in the end days that Christ asks us if he will find faith on the earth when he returns.(Luke 18:8). Christ wasn't just speaking of those that would intentionally deceive us, but also includes those who with good hearts follow the wrong man and are lead down the wrong path, even a path that might appear parallel or maybe one that on the surface sounds very biblical to the correct path. But of course there can only be one path and we must be certain to test the spirits to be sure that we are on the right one.
The New Age Movement, the Inter faith movement, Emerging church, Ecumenical movement or any one of the many other names that this deception is masquerading as is nothing more than doctrines of devils, a new twist on the Gnostic belief. Some of the main themes of this false teaching are:
"One Truth," but many theologies: New Age belief 1:
“We believe we can learn truth -- I’ve learned a lot of truth from different religions. Because they all have a portion of the truth.” Rick Warren CNN Larry King Live, Aired November 22, 2004 "One God," but many paths; New Age belief 2
“One day we’re gonna stand before God and he is going to ask two questions. The first question is, ‘What did you do with my Son Jesus Christ?’ Not ‘What religion were you?’ Not what denomination, not what background, where did you go to church. We were created for a relationship, not a religion - not rituals, not rules, not regulations.” Rick Warren "One Church," but many expressions; New Age belief 3
“I happen to know people who are followers of Christ in other religions.” Rick Warren "One Divine Life," but many 'little Christ’s: New Age belief 4
"I have known many people who believe in the Messiah of Jesus, regardless of what religion they are, because they believe in him." Rick Warren These ideas all give us a great deal of freedom in preaching, meaning that we can change the word to suit the times and it’s all justified. Also we are allowed to worship God however we please, if we want to chant, burn candles in a dark room, or practice meditation it’s all called worshiping in our own way. I will talk more on this disturbing blasphemy later.
One truth yet many theologies is shown to us in our churches by saying that the Muslims worship the same God as Christians. But Muslims deny Christ is God, denies the Trinity and the resurrection.
One God yet many paths, again I refer to Islam that is being reported as worshiping the same God as Christians, they are just doing church differently.
One church yet many expressions, many different Christian sects are joining together in the Ecumenical movement that is backed by the Vatican and many other churches, all saying to ignore our differences (which includes pagan practices) and concentrate on what is the same. Joining with pagan beliefs and ignoring it, doesn't sound like what Christ taught.
The church is being deceived by the universal church which claims that the Christian teachings have not changed and yet anyone with eyes can see the changes. This simple claim seems to relax Christians and lulls them into a false state of everything is fine and nothing is wrong, we then relax all analytical thought. Slowly this is leading us to the counterfeit Christ and his future reign. When the anti Christ shows himself he will have many followers even well meaning Christians. This new universal Christ is tolerant of many faiths and religions; I would still like anyone to find that in the bible.
"The religion of the future will be a general converging of religions in a universal Christ that will satisfy all In the end, it is hoped that the Christian will become a better Christian and each Hindu a better Hindu." Jesuit theologian Father Jacques Dupuis, at the 2003 interfaith congress "The Future of God"* "I happen to know people who are followers of Christ in other religions." Rick WarrenSounds like they agree.
"I have known many people who believe in the Messiah of Jesus, regardless of what religion they are, because they believe in him." Rick Warren But do they believe in the Trinity, resurrection, and that Christ is God? The answer is no and Rick doesn't have a problem with that.
"The day is dawning when all religions will be regarded as emanating from one great spiritual source; all will be seen as unitedly providing the one root out of which the universal world religion will inevitably emerge. Then there will be neither Christian nor heathen, neither Jew nor Gentile, but simply one great body of believers, gathered out of all the current religions." Alice Bailey & Djwhal Khul(Esoteric Philosophy)"The church is bigger than any organization in the world. Then you add in Muslims, you add in Hindus, you add in all the different religions, and you use those houses of worship as distribution centers, not just for spiritual care but health care." Rick WarrenIt’s easy to see the roots of eastern mysticism in the teachings in our churches.
"I could take you today to a million villages they got a church. Or they got a synagogue. They got something. They got a house of worship. The church(he is speaking of not just Christian churches buts he likes to lump all temples, synagogues, and other pagan worship places in with Christians. He uses words to confuse the issue....) is the biggest organization in the world. And I came up with a thing called the P.E.A.C.E. Plan. When Jesus sent the disciples out, he said, 'When you go into a village, you find the man of peace.' Now this person doesn't have to be a Christian. You find the person of peace, and then you begin to do the P.E.A.C.E. Plan. Now why am I telling this to you? Because we're going public with it this next year in 2006. And I believe it will change the world." Rick Warren “… you go in and you deal with gatekeepers, for instance, like pastors, priests, rabbis, imams, whoever you would call, we call them the man of peace, or the woman of peace …” Rick Warren These are two quotes to 2 different audiences but similar words only he adds that rabbis, imams and whoever also be included. Rick earlier misquoted the verse and took the words “man of peace” from it and now he is using the same words in relation to pagan beliefs. Do you think this is what God had in mind? This is nothing more than thought reform or playing with your mind to get you to relate everything together, to see things differently while still thinking it’s about God. Classic psychology 101. You can see how Rick expands on these ideas each time he repeats these words, each time stretching you a little further along to fall into his way of thinking. The term is change agent.
Truth becomes the sacrifice:
• when absolutism(believing in only black and white no areas of Gray, neither right or wrong) is out, and relativism(believing that there is many ways to God) is in; Entice Christians to question and rethink what God really said. This is easily done by producing books and “Bible” versions that incrementally change what God said. This way they won’t notice they have been deceived into changing the message and following lies rather than the truth.
• when obedience is out, pragmatism is in; Entice Christians to believe that whatever “works” is acceptable to God. This way they won’t notice they have been deceived into rethinking the world’s ways as obedience rather than the disobedience God’s Word says they are.
• Gradually Transform the Gospel of Faith into a Gospel of Works. Entice Christians to believe that service is the most important aspect of faith. This draws them into the zealousness of serving the world’s temporal needs. This way they won’t notice they have been deceived into devoting a dwindling amount of time and resources toward preaching the Gospel of Christ and bringing those in the world to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Gradually Transform the Faith of the Narrow Way into a Faith on the Broad Way. Entice Christians to believe that judging truth and error is unloving, divisive, and intolerant. This draws them into silencing those exercising discernment rather than those spreading heresy. This way they won’t notice they have been deceived into a pursuit of unity with the world that has truly united them with the world.(Don’t criticize the message)
• when teaching is out, and dialog is in; We are no longer to preach but to talk. Preaching indicates authority and talking is compromise.
• when thus saith the Lord is out, and consensus of opinion is in; Again Thus saith the Lord is absolute, but consensus is what everyone agrees with even non believers.
• when using Scripture to judge right and wrong is out, and unity with tolerance at all costs is in; Don't preach to people so that we can make up our own mind what is right.
• when the narrow way is out, and the broad way is in. When the biblical narrow way is out then the wide road of any faith is in.
While Christians have slept, the new way of thinking and acting has been built up underneath the old, leaving the old to crumble virtually without notice.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)What have these teachers and itching ears brought us:
• Heresy is now called faith. But uncompromising faith in the truth is called heretical.
• Learning “truths” of foolishness from the world is called wisdom and staying relevant, but following wisdom from God’s Word of truth is called quarrelsome, divisiveness and irrelevantly old-fashioned.
• False prophets are called prophets of God, but God’s watchmen (who speak God’s Word rather than a vision of their own heart and who warn of sin and judgment) are called false prophets, doomsday prophets, and neo-Pharisees.
• Affirming the Body in its worldly disobedience is called building up (acceptance of sinful living), but admonishing the Body to live in holy obedience (standing firm on living a Christ like lifestyle) is called tearing down, hateful, divisive.
• A gospel of works is called a gospel of faith, but living in Christian faith is called elitism.
• Ungodliness is called righteousness, but Godliness is called legalism.
• Unifying different faiths is called fulfilling God’s Great Commandment of love, but faithfulness to God and His Word is called unloving divisiveness.
• Quoting the world is called teaching, but quoting the Holy Scriptures your called dogmatic.
• Unbelievers are called Christians, but true Christians are called intolerants.
• Humanistic teachings are called God-centered and not about you, but true theology of God is called self-centered dogmatism.
• The word of man is called truth, but the Word of God is called metaphor and stories.
• Learning “truth” from other faiths that follow false gods is called humility, but preferring to learn spiritual truth only from the faith given in the true God’s Holy Scriptures is called arrogance.
• Believing that every different perspective of Jesus is right(accepting what other beliefs say about Christ) is called a celebration of Jesus and a celebration of mystery, but believing only in the Lord Jesus Christ as set forth in the Holy Scriptures is called narrow-mindedness.
• Believing that everyone has the right to interpret Scripture, doctrine, and faith in their own way (which is relativism and places Scripture under the ‘authority’ of man) is called a celebration of diversity and humility, and believing that these things are not of private interpretation but set forth by God through His Holy Spirit as absolute truth is called intolerance and self-righteousness.
• Denying the faith in favor of interfaith conversation and experience is called love and grace (creating a consensus between Christianity and other beliefs), but standing on the understandable certainty of the Lord Jesus Christ (believing the Word of God is true and contending for its truth) is called hatred and religious bigotry.
• Uniting light and darkness (creating areas of gray) is called the way of love and service and truth, but discerning the difference between light and darkness, truth and error, right and wrong is called negative judgmentalism, heresy hunting, and a critical spirit.
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!… Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!” (Isaiah 5:20-21, 23)In the name of purpose, truth is being sacrificed on the altar of unity.
“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 16:25 & 14:12)“Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” (Ephesians 5:6-11)“The last thing many believers need today is to go to another Bible study. They already know far more than they are putting into practice. (PDL; p. 231; ) Ricks comment is universal in the New Age or emerging church movement, I personally believe that if we would spend more time in the bible and prayer we would develop a closer relationship with God, then we would be able to discern His voice and know right from wrong, but that would mean we were a Lone Ranger. My dad always asked me “if your friends jumped off a bridge would you too?” I guess today the answer would be yes.
“… they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” (Romans 10:2) Christians, well meaning who have hearts for the Lord, in other words good people wanting to learn more so they are turning to books written by men instead of digging into the word of God. We are being lead to think that this program or that program in our study group will lead us to new insights. I have news for you if your insights are coming from a man instead of God then we have problems.
“Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.” (Proverbs 19:27)“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:6-10) It's written here that we are not here to please men but God and yet the emerging church pleases all men regardless of what belief they belong to. The theme to make everyone feel important and special, this is something that the flesh wants not the spirit. While we are all loved by God and that is special enough, building ones ego is not.
Emerging church theme is to bring all people together, something that not even Christ did, remember who killed him. Yet the Ecumenical Movement work hard at pleasing all men. Let’s face it preaching the true untwisted word of God is going to hit some people hard and they won't like it. And yet the Ecumenical Movement brings very different beliefs together in an unholy alliance and calls it tolerance and love. Looks like tolerance is just another word for compromise. The fact that a Humanistic movement (man centered) which twists Scripture in order to align with worldly “wisdom” is enjoying global popularity in churches is merely a sign of our times regarding the tremendous lack of knowledge in today’s Christianity. Humanism has become so commonplace and accepted that not only are its teachings not even recognized as such any more, but they are actually believed to be centered on God instead of man!
Contrary to what is being taught in the Purpose-Driven Paradigm, the world does not reject Christianity because the churches are doing a poor job of presenting Christ or because Christians are bad. The world rejects true Christianity because it is founded on Christ. Change Christianity to center it on the world, and the world will jump right in. But then what you are left with is no longer Christianity but merely an extension of the world into the churches.
“The Church has sprung a leak and the world is leaking into the Church.” A.W. TozerPositive Message
A main theme of the Emerging Church is always having a positive message. While the overall message for believers is positive, there are a lot of sobering and contemplative messages contained in the bible, all of which are off limits to the New Age agenda.
Psychology through the secular world has taught us to always be positive, never feel gulity about the things you may of done, and no one has a right to make you feel bad or tell you that your wrong or actions are wrong.
It was just a matter of time before this teaching would slither into the church. Preaching the “positive” message of Jesus is certainly biblical. The Bibles says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). That's certainly positive. It says, “My God shall supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). Preaching about that should certainly attract a crowd. The Bible teaches that, “He will fulfill the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). “He will establish your plans” (Prov. 16:3), and “No good thing will be withheld” (Psalm 84:11). The Bible teaches that, “The floodgates of heaven will be opened up” (Mal. 3:10). Yes the Bible is a positive book. But to always put a positive spin on messages negates half the bible and the message of judgment. Without a nonbeliever hearing the full message of Christ how can he really be saved?
Changing our methods?
“The message must never change, but the methods must change. If you change the message, you are a heretic. At the same time, however, I also believe that if you continue to share it in an outdated mode, for instance, like a preaching style that was effective a hundred years ago, you are actually making the message watered down because people can’t hear it.” Rick Warren“Are you being faithful to God’s Word if you insist on communicating it in an outdated style? I contend that when a church continues to use methods that no longer work, it is being unfaithful to Christ!” Rick Warren “Heresy of method may be as deadly as heresy of message.” A.W. TozerToday’s Christianity clearly doesn’t realize that God’s message and method are tied together because of the nature of His light, which is God Himself and His Word. Preaching the Word of God is God’s message and method because it is in the light of God, not in the ways of the world, that mankind is enlightened in understanding His truth. Nevertheless, preaching is considered to be old-fashioned foolishness by today’s leaders who prefer to follow the world’s ‘wisdom’ and cater to the world’s chosen wickedness. Yet God Himself is the One Who chose the foolishness of preaching:
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” (1 Corinthians 1:18-29)The apostle Paul did not cater to what the Jews or the Greeks wanted. Even knowing that his message and method would be a stumbling block and considered foolishness to them, he served God, not man, and preached Christ crucified whether they would hear or not. Obedience, not results, is the greater issue.
In his generation, A.W. Tozer also faced “advocates of compromise” who sought to make the world “feel at home” in the churches:
“Any evangelism which by appeal to common interests and chatter about current events seeks to establish a common ground where the sinner can feel at home is as false as the altars of Baal ever were.… A.W. Tozer“One of the most popular current errors, and being carried on in evangelical circles these days, is the notion that as times change the church must change with them. Christians must adapt their methods by the demands of the people go along with them give them what they want. ‘The message is the same, only the method changes,’ say the advocates of compromise.” A.W. TozerTozer stood his ground against the crowd who insisted on the necessity of conforming to the times and finding common ground with everybody:
“The fish that goes along with the current hasn’t any trouble with the current, but as soon as he starts the other way the current gets sore at him. Just as long as you go the way the wind blows, everybody will say you’re very fine and commend you for being deeply religious. If you decide to go God’s way instead of the way the wind blows they’ll say that your roof leaks or that something has happened to you that you’re a fanatic. You can go along with the times or you can be like Zechariah and Elizabeth and refuse to go along with the times. Personally I’ve decided that a long time ago. They say that if you don’t conform to the times and find a common ground for getting along with everybody that nobody will listen to you. The more I’m nonconformist the more people want to hear me.” A.W. Tozer“I’ve been told that I’ve missed the boat but I reply that I wasn’t trying to catch that boat. That boat and a lot of others like it can go on without me and I’ll be quite happy. We can conform to the religion of our times if we want to.” A.W. Tozer“I weigh 145 pounds dripping wet, but I stand here to tell you that I’m a nonconformist, twice born, and a rebel and I will not conform to the times. Up to now I’ve been able to get a hearing and refused to conform to the times. But if a day ever comes when to conform to the times is the price you have to pay to be heard, then I’ll go out and start where I started before on the street corner and preach there. But I won’t conform to the times.” A.W. Tozer (AMEN)
You can put me in that category as well.
“They say you are supposed to do it. They say, ‘Don’t you know we have the same message but it’s just different times we’re living in.’ I know the voice of the serpent when I hear it. The hiss of the serpent is in that and I recognize that. So we can either conform or we can withdraw from the whole business, and Paul says, ‘From such turn away.’” A.W. Tozer A.W. Tozer (Aiden Wilson Tozer 1897-1963) a missionary Alliance Preacher and writer of several books saw the same things happening in his generation. Satan has been trying to get his message into the church for centuries, but it seems only now are we arrogant enough to listen. The arrogance today combined with our exaggerated feelings of self are leading us to satisfying our itching ears and listen to doctrines of devils.
The Purpose Driven paradigm is accelerating our decent into Churchianity replacing Christianity. Because "true" Christianity follows Christ, Jesus Christ is the foundation of what is done and taught. On the other hand, Churchianity is about “doing church,” so the church is the focus of everything that is done and taught. Following the same path as Roman Catholicism, today’s Churchianity is teaching the false gospel that complete salvation is only found in and through belonging to a church.
“A church family identifies you as a genuine believer. I can’t claim to be following Christ if I’m not committed to any specific group of disciples.” (PDL; p. 133;) Think carefully about this. In other words, we can only be genuine believers who follow Christ if we commit to a local church! On the contrary, the true and unchanged Gospel of Christ clearly declares that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ—not faith + commitment to a local church—is the means by which we become followers of Christ. So by continuing in His Word we are truly His disciples.
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.” (John 8:31)“The leadership of the church is shifting its paradigm from didactic (preaching) to dialectic (debate leading to compromise) in addressing the problems found in its own fellowship and in the world. Tools utilized by Satan in his deception of Eve are being utilized by the Church Growth agenda today. What makes this process so lethal is its utilization of scriptures to cover its agenda. It no longer focuses upon translation which is built upon the word ‘Is’, it has moved through interpretation which is built upon the phrase ‘I feel,’ to where it is now extrapolation (picking and choosing and then redefining) from the word of God those scriptures which justify its desired outcome, that being the rebuilding of the church on a human relationship paradigm.” Dean Gotcher, founder and director of the Institution for Authority Research Churchianity!In Churchianity, commitment to a local church is imperative.
“The Bible says a Christian without a church home is like an organ without a body, a sheep without a flock, or a child without a family. It is an unnatural state. The Bible says, ‘You belong in God’s household with every other Christian.’ [endnote: Ephesians 2:19b (LB)]” (PDL; p. 132;)What Ephesians really states:
“For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” (Ephesians 2:18-19)Not the same thing Rick.
“You must be connected to a church fellowship to survive spiritually.” Rick 40 Days of Community Workbook“Any organ that is detached from the body will not only miss what it was created to be, it will also shrivel and die quickly. The same is true for Christians that are uncommitted to any specific congregation.” Rick WarrenMany cults say the same thing, that only through the group are you worthy or worth anything at all. This type of system is necessary for the control needed in the one world church; we can see it being organized before our eyes. Peer pressure, fear of ostrization, fear of standing out, all is used against those in a cult.
Pastors learning Mysticism
The New Age teachings that are becoming common at many of the large pastor conferences are definitely a sign of the occult entering Christianity. Prayer in the true faith of Christianity, is simply talking to God. We don’t “practice” or “develop the habit” of talking to those we love! Turning prayer into a ritual or a method or a mystical practice denies who God is and what He says about prayer.
“One way [to ‘pray all the time’] is to use ‘breath prayers’ throughout the day You choose a brief sentence or a simple phrase that can be repeated to Jesus in one breath …” (PDL; p. 89)“With practice you can develop the habit of praying silent ‘breath prayers’ for those you encounter.” (PDL; p. 299)“Confession is ‘spiritual breathing’. Exhale your sins, inhale God’s love.” Rick WarrenInteresting that Eastern Mystics say the same thing as Rick.
“Then, when you breathe out, feel that you are breathing out all the rubbish inside you … Anything inside your system that you call undivine, anything that you do not want to claim as your own, feel that you are exhaling” Sri Chinmoy“When you have perfected this spiritual breathing, all your impurity and ignorance will be replaced by God’s light, peace and power.” Sri Chinmoy Centre Aside from the fact that exhaling your sins, is sheer nonsense, “spiritual breathing” is an occultic method taught by Eastern gurus, such as Sri Chinmoy, for exhaling one’s impurities (sins) and inhaling things of God. It is based on the Eastern belief in pantheism that “All is One All is God and God is All.” Sri Chinmoy(Eastern Mystic)“When you breathe in, if you can feel that the breath is coming directly from God, from Purity itself, then your breath can easily be purified. Then, each time you breathe in, try to feel that you are bringing infinite peace into your body.…“Feel that you are breathing in not air but cosmic energy and that you are going to use it to purify your body, vital, mind and heart. It is flowing like a river inside you, washing and purifying your entire being. Then, when you breathe out, feel that you are breathing out all the rubbish inside you Anything inside your system that you call undivine, anything that you do not want to claim as your own, feel that you are exhaling.…“When you have perfected this spiritual breathing, all your impurity and ignorance will be replaced by God’s light, peace and power.” Sri Chinmoy Centre The practice of breathing, meditation, and centering is occultist and practiced by spiritualists in finding there inner guide or spirit guide, communing with the source or universal consciousness. Even though this is occultist some of the large pastoral meetings that are taking place are including such classes as meditation, spiritual breathing and yoga. All forms of eastern meditation. The National Pastors Conference is an annual conference many pastors attend. Two years ago Rick Warren was invited to speak to thousands of pastors, this conference has a Yoga workshop which is self explanatory, they have a Labyrinth which consists of walking in maze, spiritual breathing and listening to “Meditative words and music” that enhances your spiritual journey. This included teaching you to chant simple words like “I'm here” repeatedly in order to connect with God. Well I'm sure you will connect with something, when you use pagan rituals to open yourself up to the spirit realm you will connect.
Yoga
Yoga originated as a healing art, more than 4,000 years ago in India. Yoga comes from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘union’. As we move through our practice we bring together, through the breath, the mind, the body and the spirit to function in harmony.
Yoga also refers to the union between an individual and the universal life energy. Whatever we may call that – Great ‘spirit’, the Divine, God, Goddess – we are part of a larger wholeness and purpose.
The Labyrinth
“Pathfinders. The labyrinth, a medieval French mediation tool, has become the center of an international spiritual movement.” Reverend Dr. Lauren Artress, Grace Cathedral
“The Labyrinth is an archetype, a divine imprint, found in all religious traditions in various forms around the world.we are rediscovering a long-forgotten mystical tradition that is insisting to be reborn.”
Labyrinth A unique, interactive, one-hour guided prayer walk you won't forget! Meditative words and music guide you on a reflective journey. The Labyrinth gives you space and time for spiritual and personal reflection in a world that crowds it out. National Pastors Conference
Clearly these are not things from God, Rick Warren along with thousands of other pastors attending The National Pastors Conference (NPC) are leading North America into the one world church where if it works its good.
Works lead us to God?
“The Message paraphrase says, ‘Take your everyday, ordinary life— your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.’ [endnote: Romans 12:1 (Msg)] Work becomes worship when you dedicate it to God and perform it with an awareness of his presence.” (PDL; p. 67)In a world that is people centered, meaning dwelling on feeling good, it is understandable that the world would flock to a belief system that preaches that works get you to God. Now we can do works and know that we are buying our way into God's grace.
Romans the verse that Rick "cough cough" quoted actually says:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1) Not quite the same thing.
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