Can Contemplative Spirituality Be Dangerous?

Called emerging, emergent church movement, and emerging church spirituality, this post-modern way of doing church is causing people to question the validity of its teachings. Simply put, many emerging church teachings are rooted in Contemplative Spirituality, which comes from the East.

But just what is Contemplative Spirituality and can Contemplative Spirituality be dangerous? This we seek to examine, not in a spirit of contention, but grace, humility and love. (1 Thess.5:21; Phil.1:8-11)

We recommend the following research sites for a closer look at emerging, emergent church movement, and emerging church spirituality.

At these sites you can also find info about contemplative spirituality, spiritual formation movement, contemplative teachers and teachings, contemplative movements, etc.

Emerging Church - Discernment Research Archives
Apprising Ministries Archive
Critical Issues Commentary Archive
Deception In The Church Archive
Herescope
Kjos Ministries Archive
Let Us Reason Archive
Lighthouse Trails Archive
Lighthouse Trails Topical
One Truth Ministries
Understand The Times Archive

Resources
Books, DVD's, Glossary, etc.
Revival or Return To Darkness DVD
Books and Authors: Buyer Be-a-ware!!!
Critical Issues Commentary - Bob DeWaay
Discernment Tool Kit at Deception In The Church
Discernment POWER Search

We exhort you to examine contemplative and emerging church spirituality and test it in the light of the Word of God. Researching the real foundations of contemplative emerging church spirituality may shock you. We have spent many hours examining the teachings and practices in this movement and have found that they ultimately lead to what we call Contemplative Emerging Church Deception.

Obey Jesus and "let no man deceive you."

Do what the Bible says,

"Test all things; hold fast what is good.
Abstain from every form of evil. "
1 Thes.5:21

National Pastor's Convention Using Occultic Enneagram

Article from the December 11, 2006 Coming From the Lighthouse Newsletter
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/ -----

"Next year's National Pastors Convention will be using an occultic tool called the enneagram (see yesterday's post about Enneagrams). The tool will be used during one of the Critical Concerns Courses. An introduction of the course, Understanding the Enneagram: Insights for Spiritual Transformation says "This course will provide personal and biblical perspectives from the enneagram, an ancient tool being rediscovered in the church."

Unfortunately, this "ancient tool" that is being "rediscovered" is just another New Age/contemplative practice that is being disguised as Christian by wrapping it with out of context scriptures and Christian terminology.

Considering that the National Pastors Convention is presented by Zondervan and Youth Specialties, it really comes as no surprise that they would introduce the enneagram. Zondervan Publishing is heading straight into the interspiritual camp, and if you watch the video clip we posted yesterday by Catholic priest William Menninger, you will see that the enneagram fits nicely with such interspiritual sympathies.

Incidentally, mantra proponent Gary Thomas (promoted by Focus on the Family and Rick Warren) will also be speaking at the National Pastors Convention. Thomas, in his book Sacred Pathways, tells readers they should repeat a word for 20 minutes..."

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/