In case you missed it, a new DVD has brought the reformation to an end. Or so some say....
Richard Foster, one of the speakers in the new Fox Home Entertainment Be Still DVD, is highly regarded and well respected in much of the evangelical community. His book, "Celebration of Discipline", has had a massive influence on Christendom for many years. Foster also has a long history of drawing from eastern mystical beliefs. This DVD includes big names such as Beth Moore (see statement by Beth Moore), Max Lucado, Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, and Dr. Charles Stanley. The conflict has ruffled some evangelical feathers because of presumed ties to the Roman Catholic church as well as eastern mysticism.
I must pause a moment to chuckle a bit at all this. For some time now many have chosen to jump head first into the Purpose Driven pool and swim toward some utopian unity. I recently posted a response to a reader on Rick Warren and the pro-Catholic undercurrents in his book. While I'm all if favor of unity in truth, there will no doubt be some who kick and scream along the way. I don't really blame them. I'd protest my own extinction as well.
The writings of Roman Catholic mystics of the past are resurfacing in popularity within evangelicalism. Names like "John of the Cross" and "St. Teresa of Avila" are common around in the Emerging church circles. Yet to embrace these teachings without understanding church teaching on this is in fact dangerous. Many people assume centering prayer is compatible with Catholic tradition. You have to be careful with that assumption. There is a difference between contemplative and centering prayer. Some techniques of centering prayer are neither Christian, Catholic, nor prayer.
The sad fact is we are beginning to see the result of so many who abandoned the true Church in favor of following men. Men who spoke well, could recite Scripture and verse and make people feel good along the way. They followed in droves with good intentions and picked up as many people as they could along the way. The result is so many "Christians" are now so far removed from the truth, they would not know truth if it smacked them in the face.
The same influences in the church back in the 1980s that embraced the mind sciences and sanitized their psycho-spiritual exercises, today affect the seeker-sensitive and church growth movements. Men like Rick Warren and Bill Hybels point to Crystal Cathedral's Robert Schuller as a great influence in the direction of their teachings. They laid the foundation for the rise of the Emerging Church . Most people who are part of that church, have no idea what they have signed up for. That also are not aware they promote an inclusive ecumenism with the Roman Catholic Church.
Let me say again, I'm all if favor of unity in TRUTH. I do believe that truth is found in the Roman Catholic Church. However, I'm not willing to to compromise that truth for the sake of unity.
I'm not against contemplative prayer (if properly practiced) as part of your spiritual life. I believe you can do so and walk in obedience to the Lord. I also hope that many jaded people will once again begin to discover the core beliefs of the Roman Catholic church. I believe there is a re-emergence in the Catholic church. One that is desperately needed to combat years of erosion in Christianity.
Some claim these practices are a door to the occult and the apostasy. Yet most of the people that say this, I submit are already apostates.
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