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This is an important article because a major goal of the Theosophists is to infiltrate the Western education system with Eastern mysticism. These schools are CHRISTIAN BAPTIST supported in part by the churches!!!
kim
Yoga/New Age
Source: Christian Research Service
by Bud Press, Director
Christian Research Service
September 10, 2007Introduction: During the preparation of this article, Christian Research Service (CRS) contacted SBC officials and asked specific questions pertaining to the schools listed on the SBC’s “List of Colleges and Universities” at http://www.sbc.net/colleges.asp. As of this writing, the list contains 52 schools.Unfortunately, almost half of the schools listed are promoting Yoga and other forms of the New Age Movement, such as Reiki, Feng Shui, Labyrinth, Tai Chi, Yoga for kids, and student field trips to “an ashram and worship with Tibetan Buddhist monks.”CRS also called the SBC headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, and spoke to an SBC Executive Committee official concerning the Cooperative Program, and what part it plays in the support and sponsorship of the schools. The official explained that,
* The SBC does not have or support any colleges.
* The colleges and universities listed on the SBC website are directly connected to the corresponding state Baptist conventions. 1 * The colleges and universities don’t receive any cooperative program funds from the SBC’s National Convention.
When asked if there are certain criteria or guidelines the schools must meet prior to being considered for support or sponsorship, the SBC official explained that each state convention votes whether or not to officially align with the college or university, and that typically there has to be a Baptist connection.While the colleges and universities do not receive Cooperative Program funding from the SBC’s National Convention, they do receive funding from the SBC’s state conventions. According to SBC officials, the funds are primarily designated for endowments and student scholarships, and may be used for building additions and projects.Briefly, the colleges and universities listed on the SBC’s website receive financial funding from the SBC state conventions–by way of tithes and offerings Southern Baptists give through their local SBC churches–through the Cooperative Program, which states in part that,
“Churches in your state work together through your state convention to support a wide array of ministries and missions including: evangelism efforts, children’s homes, volunteer missions, missions education, new churches, colleges and universities, collegiate ministries, camps, and much more”(2.
According to the SBC’s website, since 1845 the SBC “has grown to over 16 million members who worship in more than 42,000 churches in the United States” (3 ). Thus, over the years, untold millions of dollars–if not billions–has made its way from the collection plate to support the various efforts outlined in the SBC’s Cooperative Program, including colleges and universities.
And colleges and universities, whether Christian or secular–have the potential to strengthen or weaken, sharpen or dull young adults, whose sensitive minds are spiritually ripe for cultivation.
Concerning schools and colleges, the SBC’s May 1939 “Resolution on Christian Education” states in part:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Baptists throughout the South be urged to acquaint themselves with the abundant educational opportunities afforded in our Baptist schools and colleges and to assist in turning Baptist students to them that the future for Christian education and Christian democracy, even Christian civilization itself, may be guarded with jealous care (4
.
Guarded with jealous care. How powerful the words. As Christians, are we not charged with the responsibility to jealously guard fellow Christians with the same care as the Apostle Paul demonstrated?
For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin (2 Corinthians 11:2).
In his farewell address to the Ephesian elders, Paul admonished them to jealously guard themselves and their body of believers, defend and protect that which had been entrusted to them: the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.
Be on guard for yourselves and for 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. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears (Acts 20:28-31).
Christian parent, as you review the following list of colleges and universities, ask yourself this question: Is the spiritual welfare of my son or daughter being guarded with jealous care? To see the documentation on the SBC list of Colleges/Universities that are promoting Yoga and the New Age, click here.
This article or excerpt was posted on September 10, 2007@ 1:16 am .
From: http://www.christianresearchservice.com
*****UPDATE*******September 16th Sunday Paper The Kitsap Sun*******UPDATE*******
This is in the Religion Section
…..Ministerial Association will host Kitsap County clergy, chaplains and spiritual leaders in a second annual retreat day Oct. 16th at Firway House Retreat….The retreat will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the theme “Thank God You’re Here!” The day includes holy leisure, celebration of call and humor. A rustic outdoor labyrinth is available on site for prayer, play and pondering.
WHOA WHOA BACK-UP!!!!!! LABYRINTH????
First it was Taize, then this..this..ECK nonsense, and now a ministerial LABYRINTH?
OH LORD HAVE MERCY ON US…..
September 10th
THE ECK TEMPLE IN MINNESOTA
(notice the pyramid structure)
It wasn’t too long ago that the religious section in my local newpaper was advertising a Taize Service and that all were welcome. Taize service? What was this?
For an explanation click here:
https://kimolsen.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/crisis-in-the-church-taize-what-is-it/
Then i noticed that the religion editor was touting a New Age book by Matthew Fox. I emailed her with the information that Matthew Fox was a New Ager and did she know that she was promoting this kind of material. I guess so, nothing has changed.
Now today. It is Saturday, September 8th and let’s take a look to see what we find. OH, BOY, Rick Warren is speaking at a church in a nearby town, promoting his 40 Days of Purpose: The Next Step. Actually i really want to attend this for research if i can.
Aha, this is what i wanted to share with you. This ad was down in the left hand corner.
“Discover YOUR own ANSWERS to Divine MYSTERIES of LIFE”. For information ….
http://www.eckankar.org/index.html
hmmm….let’s take a look at this website.
********************************
E C K A N K A R, Religion of the Light and Sound of God
Soul is eternal and is the individual’s true identity.
Soul exists because God loves it.
Soul is on a journey of Self- and God-Realization.
Spiritual unfoldment can be accelerated through conscious contact the ECK, Divine Spirit.
The Mahanta, the Living ECK Master is the spiritual leader of Eckankar. (Harold)*
You can actively explore the spiritual worlds through Soul Travel, Dreams, and other spiritual techniques.
“Harold”*
The Mahanta, the Living ECK Master “Harold”*
This is the thing about Soul Travel. It gives you such a glimpse of truth—not just as a piece of knowledge out there—but as a living, breathing part of you, so that you know something as truth. . . .
Often you find out that life is more beautiful and fuller than you had ever expected it to be. And God’s creation is more wondrous.
On this website, there is an invitation to listen to an audio of the word HU (The name of the ECK God) being sung for 5 minutes straight. Uh….this is a monotonous chant of one syllable….very contemplative…..for the full 5 minutes. Skip this droning heresy and go get a snack instead.
****************************
Now i could talk all day about the problems with ECK (teachings of a man instead of the Bible, techniques to contact the spirit world, the elimination of Jesus Christ)…but i just wanted to point out that not everything in the religious section in your newspaper glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. If you think about it, take a look sometime to see if you can identify the New Age advertisements. Look at their terminology and websites. It is a great way to practice your discernment.
The answers to the mysteries of life are found in the Bible……not Harold*.
kim
What a great book this was!….. It was engaging from the start and filled with important information that the church of today needs to know.
Here is something I learned.
You know those psychics who do readings and know certain things about you? They guess your brothers name or say they know that your grandmothers favorite color was lilac. Often they are right. Or how about this… they know your boyfriend is going to ask you to marry you. How does this work? I mean how do they know these things about our personal lives. Well they don’t know, but others do.
Others? What Others?
The more I learn about contemplative prayer the more alarmed I become. CP is being introduced into the church in the most subtle of ways at times, then sometimes it seems it is almost flaunted in the church’s face. Both methods of introduction are dangerous. When unbiblical practices are slowly integrated into Christianity people do not seem to notice. When a trusted church leader promotes a new way to worship without questioning it himself, the people just follow. The reason the church doesn’t know enough to question these new practices is that they are not familiar enough with the Bible.
At some point in time, all Christians will have to decide for themselves, whether or not they want to follow this emerging mysticism in our churches today. Willl they even recognize it when it comes upon them? Will there be no personal decisions made because Christians are not even aware these decisions are being made for them behind the scenes? This is the large question looming in my mind.
In his book, “Running against the Wind” Brian Flynn tells the story of a course he took in mind control. It was offered as a way to be a pyschic reader. After six months of preparation and meditations his teacher told the class:
“Starting tonight we will begin to identify and later come to know your spirit guides–the ones who will assist you in your readings. With your eyes closed, imagine an open doorway standing in front of you. Now, silently within your mind, ask the first guide to step in front of the door and reveal him or herself.”
Brian now explains how the spirits emerge:
“At first, as I stared at the doorway, I saw only blackness. Then a moment later, a large figure appeared looking similar to a Viking or medieval soldier. He looked tough, strong and somewhat intimidating….The next to appear was a very meek looking woman with a warm smile. After her there came a smoke-like vapor rising from the floor. (pg.65)
The teacher continued:
“Allow each one to appear before the door so that you become familiar with them…..stop analyzing it all, and just trust your feelings. The more you let go, the more you will be open to the spirit guides’ abilities to teach you what you need to know.” (pg.67)
These are the “others” mentioned earlier. These are the spirit guides that many have evoked from another spiritual realm by deep meditation and visualization.
How is it that we can rely on God alone if we have “spirit guides” to teach us what we need to know. The answer is that we will not rely on God or read the Bible for the truth on how to live our lives for the Lord.
We are NOT to delve into this spirit world. It is forbidden in the Bible. Divination is a means for extracting information or guidance from a pagan god which is a demon. Therefore, divination is occult.
What does occult mean? Occult is supernatural or hidden powers that are NOT from God. Seeking information or guidance from this source is dangerous. The New Age is occult through and through and so is ANY means or methods to obtain this occult knowledge.
Here is why this is forbidden.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12: “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD…”
“A consulter with familiar spirits.” Why would we as Christians need to consult with these spirits. WE DO NOT. We have the Holy Spirit. Why in the world would we settle for anything when we already have the real thing. The “others” are counterfeits.
Brian talks about his personal life while all of this is going on:
“Rarely a day passed that we didn’t fight about something..it always ended with vicious personal attacks. At times I thought i was losing my mind. I had this feeling of being stirred up like someone else was saying those cruel words to Hailey…Instead I had put all my hopes on the universe or some lucky break that would lead us to wealth…I couldn’t help but feel betrayed by them (spirit guides) though…I trusted them to guide me and they guided me right to bankruptcy court. (pg 70)
Here Brian talks about a situation when he started truly considering Jesus as the Son of God.
“The voices of my guides were constantly ringing in my head…I had never felt this type of resistance or opposition from my guides……The reason they were resisting me was because they were opposed to Him. They hated Jesus….They did not want me to become a Christian because they were not of God. Satan in his attempt to keep me where I was, revealed who he was…the identity of my guides were revealed.” (pg.84)
Wow! Brian did learn the truth for the Lord opened his eyes.
It is fascinating when someone who has come out of the New Age and who has accepted Jesus Christ as savior, finds similarities in both New Age and Emergent church techniques.
Here is an exerpt:
“If you are not a New Ager but rather a Christian, you may be in for the surprise of your life because this very New Age movement I speak of has and is now infiltrating the Christian church at a rapid and alarming rate. And you can imagine my horror when I left the New Age movement only to find the very same techniques and practices I literally ran from, were waiting patiently for me in the church pews, pulpits and bookstores of the church. Oh, it isn’t called the New Age movement–names have been changed. But as a rose by any other name is just as sweet so too is the New Age movement by any other name just as deviant and dangerous. And there’s a very good chance it has already entered your church, your college and even your home.” (pg. 89)
Contemplative prayer may sound quite lovely or innocent and in some instances it may be, but if you are reading books by Brian McLaren, Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, Brennan Manning, Matthew Fox, or Tony Campolo, (just to name a few), you may be opening yourself up to deception. Most of these authors all tow-the-line for the mysticism of meditation and use such terms as sacred space, inner space, breath prayer, inner silence, into the silence, be still, turning off the mind, etc. This list goes on and on. But repetition of phrases is almost always used, which is just a form of meditation. It is no different than eastern meditation no matter what word is used.
Brian tell us this:
“Jesus told us not to use vain repetitions as…the heathen do. Jesus tell us the heathen who pray this way, do so because they think this type of prayer will more likely be heard and responded to. He then tells us not to be like them because our Heavenly Father already knows what we need before we even ask Him.” (pg. 171)
Contrast this with a quote from Brennan Manning:
“The first step in faith is to stop thinking about God at the time of prayer..Choose a single, sacred word…repeat the sacred word inwardly, slowly, and often.”
Can’t you see what is happening here? Manning is asking you to forget about God and to speak repetitions as the heathen do.
This next excerpt will be my last as I want you to buy the book and read it for yourself. There is just so much in it….but please ponder this……
“If contemplative prayer or other Eastern practices were sanctioned or blessed by God of the Bible, why are there no stories of any Hindus or Buddists coming to Christ by these methods. Instead we hear of Christians receiving revelations during contemplative prayer that all paths lead to God and that God is in all.” (pg 171)
Good question. It seems that all revelations that are being received by occult means are very similar in nature. Remember that theosophy or the divine wisdom of the “ascended masters” revealed the same message. That we are God, that we are divine. This is most certainly not true. The Divine One is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Do not open yourself to the occult powers by engaging in occult methods. If you use occult methods expect occult results. All “revelations” need to be compared against God’s word and tested because we are to test these things. These spirit guides are not of God which means they are unholy. At first they will deceive you by their friendly appearance and neutral suggestions. But Brian said they eventually revealed themselves as from Satan.
Trust in God only. The Son of God is Jesus Christ and you can know Him by simply praying to Him as he taught in the Bible. Once you receive Him into your life by repenting your sin and believing only in Him, you will be indwelled by the Holy Spirit. There is no need to search anywhere else but the Bible. His Word will guide, lead, comfort, and encourage you daily.
I want to thank Brian Flynn for writing this book and for bravely sharing so much of his personal experiences.
kim
First and foremost…be a fruit inspector looking for true doctrine.
I like to think discernment starts with one’s self. You do have to be right with God. Not just a believer but totally surrendered to Him. 24/7. I also learned that Christians can be deceived. How is it that Christians can be deceived? It is because they may not love the truth or that they are not familiar with the Word of God.
Self-examination is difficult but this must be first dealt with. If you will not discern what is wrong with your own life, then you will never be able to discern the spirit of another.
We are to test all teachings, prophecies, and prophets. People who speak for the Lord… should bear the fruit of the spirit. The fruit is not just good works. Look for the fruit of true doctrine. If you only look at good works, then you may be open to deception because even non-Christians can do many good works.
Many have told me that they were misled because they got lazy and no longer checked what they were being taught by their leaders or the books they were reading, against the Bible. So this is imperative.
Discernment is also one of the spiritual gifts. This spiritual gift of the Holy Spirit is the ability to distinguish between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error, between holiness and evil. It can be a sense you have about someone or the Holy Spirit will give you a warning about a situation or a person.
I have had the experience of discernment especially when needed. Not long ago when a so-called “prophet” began to criticize and persecute me, the Lord let me “sense” his spirit which was cruel and dark, and then let me “see” his hatred in a dream. It took awhile to shake-off this evil from me, but i have been praying for this man ever since.
As you walk with the Lord he will guide you through all things. By his Word, you can test all things. As your relationship with the Lord deepens and matures so will your discernment because his Holy Spirit will bear witness to these things.
When you face a certain situation, pray about it and ask the Lord to grant you discernment. Spend time with Him in prayer and worship.
The Bible is the key to truth..Read it and read it again.. It is the manual for how to live. It comforts and ministers to you. It is protection against deception, as all things are to be tested against the Bible.
It is essential in these times of spiritual deception that we ask the Lord for the spiritual gifts and put-on the spiritual armor of God. The Word is both an offensive (sword) and defensive (armor) weapon.
II Corinthians 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and the left.
Ephesians 6:17 …and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
The purpose of the gifts of the Holy Spirit such as discernment is meant for the good of the body of Christ. We are to use our gifts to edify and strengthen others.
I Corinthians 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
So it is okay to want these gifts and to pray for them. Just remember that the power of these gifts is not of yourself, but it is the power of the Holy Spirit. Do not touch this power. The power is God’s glory… not man’s.
So to discern man’s truth against God’s truth:
Pray for the gift and guidance of the Holy Spirit and then compare what man says and does against the Word of God in the Bible.
I like this prayer by A.W. Tozer:
“Lord, may I be one of those ‘whose souls have been illuminated by the Holy Ghost.’ Grant to me ‘the blessed gift of knowing.’ Then be pleased to use me for Your glory today. Amen.”
kim
This is another situation where the Lord put me into a witnessing and learning experience.
pictures: wiccan symbol earth – water – wind – fire with the upright pentagram
This is a revised article originally posted 7/7/07.
I went into a business I frequent knowing that the owner Marilyn, is a Wiccan and calls herself a witch. Well, I noticed that she had filled a bookcase with books about witchcraft and casting spells. Also she had posted a sign on her counter “Wicca 101”. Please sign up for classes.
I said something to her young employee about staying away from the evil books, who in turn said something to Marilyn. She left me a letter at the counter and here is a portion of it.
*****
“I practice the Old Religion that dates back over 30,000 years when humans cherished the planet and what She provides to sustain life. We honor, respect and love not only the masculine god but the feminine Goddess in all Her aspects. We honor and call upon the Arch Angels for assisance and protection whenever we are doing healing work or spiritual ceremonies. We honor the seasons, our planet, the elements that give us life; Mother Earth, Fire, Water, Air.”
“In Wicca, there are many different, eclectic practices…none of which include the Christian bad-guy Satan. Satan ONLY exists in Christianity…you will not find him in other religions. From what i have learned over the years those that are against Christianity take the opposite polarity and honor the negave of Christianity…known as Satan. For us, he doesn’t exist at all and we have nothing to do with anyone that does. This is not because we “believe in him”, it’s because we know there are negative influences and energies of the universe which are not to be tapped into.”
*****
There is something about dealing with witchcraft in your very own neighborhood that makes these issues so close to your heart and so suddenly real. When a local pastor endorsed the new “Harry Potter” book as a good example of good and evil, I was stunned.
Okay, I needed help with this situation. I wrote Marilyn a letter but first emailed it to a friend David Lowe (http://earthquakeresurrection.com) who strengthened the repentance message and basically revamped the letter, much to its improvement.
Here is part of it.
********
Your take on Satan is interesting. Those who adhere to biblical teachings believe that Satan has an influence over ALL other religions. Whether the god worshiped is Baal, Osiris, Brahma, Shiva, Sophia, Kali, Eros, Adonis, Gaia, etc., II Cor. 4:4 describes this evil influence as the “god of this world,” who has blinded the minds of those who do not believe in Jesus Christ as Lord. These gods and goddesses are personifications of life forces or manifestations, but in reality those worshiping them are worshiping demons- unclean evil spirits. The Bible states so in Revelation 9:21 when it says”humanity…did not repent of the works of their hands. so that they did not stop worshiping demons and idols,” Psalm 96:5 states “For all Gods of the nations are worthless idols.”
I have read that most witches teach that we are “divine”. But this is the same lie that Satan told Eve in the Garden of Eden. Gen 3:5 “Your eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as Gods”. See…the lie is still the same today. People want to be like God instead of worshiping God. This belief has eternal implications.
Many of the things you believe are filtering into the churches. The Gospel is being ignored. The Gospel is that Jesus died and rose again. He took our sins upon Himself, so that we are forgiven and will live forever with HIM, if we repent and put our trust in HIM. Repentance means we acknowledge our faults to Him, die to ourselves, following the commands of Jesus as a child obeys its Father, and serving Him as a subject serves its King. There couldn’t be anything further from teaching that we are “divine” than this.
********
A couple days went by after I dropped off the letter to her. Then early one morning at 4:00 am, I was awoken by a chanting/singing. I immediately knew that this had to do with Marilyn and I knew she was casting a spell. I believe the Lord allowed me to hear this in my spirit so that I would pray. I prayed for her and His protection for myself.
********
Just recently I was talking with an IHOPian (who I am very concerned about because he is involved in this ministry) who told me that witches had put a curse on his house and had left a dead black cat on his property.
Someone else who has left this ministry gave me an interesting account of how the local witches were frequenting the IHOP (International House of Prayer in Kansas City) prayer room and going to the altar for prayer. This person told me that going to the altar became a problem because it was an open forum and anyone could lay hands on anyone and there was a sense of something demonic from the other person praying.
This person asks….. why aren’t witches fleeing in such a powerful environment of prayer and how could a curse get through the protection that prayer would provide through constant 24/7intercession?
Good question don’t you think? The answer is that territorial and spiritual warfare as proposed and conducted by IHOP is ineffectual.
Upright Pentacle/Pentagram
Upright pentacles and pentagrams are among the most widely used religious symbols. They have been used in many eras and by many cultures and religions of the world: by ancient Pagans, ancient Israelites, Christians, magicians, Wiccans and others.
Wiccans have attempted to reconstruct a Pagan religion similar to that of the ancient Celts. They have adopted the upright pentacle/pentagram, since it was the symbol of Morgan, an ancient Celtic goddess. Many wear it as jewelry and use it on their altars. The symbol is frequently traced by hand using an athame (a ritual knife) during Wiccan rituals. It is used to cast and banish their healing circles. Some Wiccans interpret the five points as representing earth, air, fire, water, and spirit — the five factors needed to sustain life. Others relate the points to the four directions and spirit. Some Wiccans and other Neopagans bless themselves and others with the sign of the pentagram. Their hand passes from their forehead to one hip, up to the opposite shoulder, across to the other shoulder, down to the opposite hip and back to the forehead. Some of the more highly structured Wiccan traditions have used an inverted pentagram to represent a second or third degree status. “Many of these groups have since substituted a triangle form for the same degrees because of the association of the inverted form of the pentacle with Satanism and black magic.“
Witchcraft (divination): a means for extracting information or guidance from a pagan god.
When most people think of witchcraft, they think of worshipping the devil. Howbeit, most people that worship the devil, do NOT worship him directly–They worship idols or other pagan gods. Did you know that behind every idol is a demon! Read the following Scripture:`
1 Corinthians 10:19,20: “What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.”
There is a real danger in playing with the occult. Charms, idols (statues), crystals, tarot cards, candles, potions, magic recipes, astrology, horoscopes, palm-readings, fortune-tellers, psychics, crystal-balls, spells, trinkets, etc.–There are demons behind all of these!!! If your seeking guidance, power or information from them, you are practicing witchcraft. There are many people today who are placing emphasis upon astrology, rather than upon the Bible. Remember, seeking guidance or information from a pagan god is witchcraft according to the Bible. Stores and magazine racks are loaded with material on occultic practices. The media is promoting it. Oprah Winfrey has done much to promote it. Author’s are promoting it. We see it everywhere we turn! My friend, astrology and all such practices are an abomination unto the Lord. God calls it “an abomination.” Why is it an abomination?–Because it takes people away from the living and true God, Jesus Christ. It plunges them into darkness and demonism (the real gods of the occult). There is reality in the world of demons. There are fallen angels and a spirit world around us. This stuff is real folks, and today people are fascinated with it. Ozzy Osbourne went straight to the top of the rating’s chart in 2002. He is known for upside-down crosses and blasphemies against Christ. People are intrigued with the occult. People use drugs and every other means they can think of to try to make contact with this unseen world (and the Satanic world is eager to make contact with them). A child of God must leave this mess alone! To dabble in astrology is to turn away from the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. God has given us warnings concerning this. His warnings have been very accurate in the past. His batting average, friend, is excellent–He hasn’t missed yet. God hits a home run every time, and I am going to go along with Him. You would be wise to do the same.
http://jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Wicca%20&%20Witchcraft/witchcraft_is_satanic.htm
GODDESS WORSHIP
When I hear and learn about the sad condition of the church today, I am truly burdened. Then something like this comes along and truly knocks me right back down on my knees in prayer. (You know those huge kneepads carpet installers wear? I need me some of those!) Anyway..
I learned from Richard Coombes http://aoreport.com that there was a United Methodist Church (a mega-church) near him in Kansas City “engaging in various non-standard variations along the lines of referring to the Holy Spirit as a goddess or the great goddess or mother goddess – and even praying to this goddess.” Apparently, this applies to the entire mainline UMC denomination, with the exception of those who have withdrawn and become independent. I am thinking…What? What is going on?
I looked into the United Theological Seminary. They have a pitiful Portrait of Jesus.
This link gripes me no end with the seminary advocating mystical experiences.
http://www.united.edu/portrait/spirit1.shtml
Here is a portion:
“Spirit person or religious ecstatic is one who has frequent and vivid experiences of the sacred.”
“Most of these experiences involve non-ordinary states of consciousness such as vision, shamanic journeys, mystical experiences, or enlightenment experiences.”
Then read this statement by Dr. Marcus Borg who is involved with the United Theological Seminary.
To be Christian, I would say, is to live within the Christian tradition as a metaphor of the sacred, and also as a sacrament of the sacred. The tradition as a whole has as one of its main purposes mediating the reality of the spirit or the reality of the sacred—that is, entering into a relationship with the sacred. It’s about entering into a relationship with suchness, with is-ness. I think of God, to use very abstract language, as is-ness without limits. Our relationship to is-ness matters profoundly. It will shape our whole way of being in the world. If we see is-ness as indifferent, we will be concerned with our own self-protection. If we see is-ness as threatening, we’ll be even more paranoid about life. But if we see is-ness as giving us life, it creates the possibility of relating to life in a non-threatened kind of way. That makes possible the lives of the saints.
What?? Where is Jesus Christ in our Christian life, and what is…”is-ness”..? Good grief, it is no wonder that the Church is in trouble, if this is what the seminaries are teaching. I don’t mean to pick on the UMC because these things are happening straight across the board in all the denominations.
This link below is an article called “The March of Sophia” (Paganism in Our Churches) This is part III of a series of 5. This article describes how a Lutheran church (my denomination), sponsors a yearly retreat called “Retreat with She Who Is”, led by a Lutheran pastor.
Excerpt: The pastor “invited us to form our own images in clay of Asherah, the mother goddess of the Canaanites…with a sacred body just like mine”. All ten of us prayed the Goddess rosary. Pastor Stacy called us to “remember the sea as the primal water from which life emerged, to think of it as the amniotic fluid of our mothers’ wombs”.
http://www.chalcedon.edu/articles/article.php?ArticleID=274
If you have a chance to read all of the series you should be shocked as I was.
Richard also gave me other sites to look at. Please take a look at:
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/609/CFI/cfreport/index.htm
The Church in Bondage Timeline of Goddess Worship in the Churches
http://cmpage.org/bondage/appendixd.html
Re-Imagining Revival
http://www.jeremiahproject.com/prophecy/feminist4.html
from the above link:
RE-Imagining Revival
“Sophia, Creator God, let your milk and honey flow, Sophia, Creator god, shower us with your love..Our sweet Sophia, we are women in your image. With nectar between our thighs, we invite a lover, we birth a child; with our warm body fluids, we remind the world of its pleasure and sensations…”
Thus went the prayer offered up in their pagan service along with replacing the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper with bread, milk and honey. They continued by singing songs to the goddess Sophia, the source of their divinity, the creator who dwells within them and unleashes within them their divine power. Conference participants worshipped the divine in each other by marking red dots on their foreheads to signify their divinity, and then bowing to each other in an act of reverence.
National staff and leaders of the Presbyterian Church (USA) gathered with feminist leaders from other World Council of Churches denominations including United Methodist, Lutherans, Roman Catholics, United Church of Christ, Baptists, Episcopalians, Mennonites, United Church of Canada, the church of the Brethren and the Church Women United.
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The above list of denominations is frightening. The feminist movement has a great deal to do with the infiltration of goddess worship in the church and according to the occult world the New Age that is dawning will be a feminine age. The feminine goddess is being accepted in the liberal church and prevalent in witchcraft, especially Wicca. The woman of today is being asked to realize her god nature in her spiritual search. If you ever watch Oprah, she is a total advocate of New Age philosophies and continues to feature New Age women on her show.
There is so, so much information on all these practices that I feel that I have not really done you justice by the lack of content, but I hope to have sparked your interest and that you will continue to research. Most of all the information I have read comes from the blogroll.
All these issues from Yoga to Goddess worship involve the same principles. These principles that range from the altered consciousness to contact and worship with the spirit world, lead us away from Christ. All these apostate traveled roads are leading right to the New Age Spirituality. When the church is deemed harmless and determined nonexistent, the world will be ready to accept the Antichrist with open arms. He will fit right in because the world is now being prepared for his arrival.
Are you ready? Are you wearing God’s spiritual armor and using his Word to defend yourself or are you spiritually compromised by involving yourself in the occult world?
There are only two choices!!!!
kim
In 1875 Helena Petrovona Blavatsky founded the Theosophical Society in New York. What is Theosophy? Theosophy translates into Divine Wisdom. Theosophy holds that man is evolving spiritually and that someday will be as one with God. Blavatsky wrote “Isis Unveiled” and “The Secret Doctrine” which were channeled to her by an Ascended Master Kuthumi who lived in the 19th century. Djwal Khul also called the “Tibetan” was also an Acsended Master who channeled to HPB. She introduced Buddhism and Hinduism into the West .
“Blavatsky saw her mission as sublimely messianic: to save the world…Theosophy had been associated with the Gnostics and the Kabbalists. Madame Blavatsky’s Theosophy was nothing less than an attempt to synthesize Brahmanism, Buddhism, and Occultism into a new religion. The plan was to introduce these occult teachings throughout the West, and this in turn has created what we now know as the New Age. It advocated a universal brotherhood of humankind, wise men of superhuman knowledge who lived in the Himalayas. It was her conviction that these men had trained her and then sent her out into the world with permission to disclose some the secret knowledge that could light up a pitiless and incomprehensible universe” (Meade).
Madame Blavatsky wrote:
“I was the first in the United States to bring the existence of our Masters into publicity; and . . . exposed the holy names of two members of a Brotherhood hitherto unknown to Europe and America (save to a few mystics and Initiates of every age), yet sacred and revered throughout the East, and especially India.”
If you have read any of my previous articles you know who i think Spirit Guides, Ascended Masters, deceased relatives, and inner voices are. They are truly fallen angels or demons who are stepping in to deceive those who think they are in commune with some higher being. The allure is gaining some kind of secret knowledge, and who doesn’t want to be in on a “secret”, but if you use occult methods, expect occult results. As you may see, the plan that was put in effect so long ago is coming to pass. More and more people are accepting yoga and meditation as a way to improve their life, improve spirituality, and come closer to God. But in truth, deception is taking place as predicted in the Bible. Even Christians are buying into Contemplative Spirituality which can lead to communion with the pit.
Alice Bailey
After the death of HP Blavatsky…. enter Alice Bailey who claimed that her teachings came from the same Occult Brotherhood that taught HP Blavatsky . . . . Bailey’s guide professed to be the same Djual Khool that was one of HPB’s teachers. Bailey also declared that her guru was the same Master Kuthumi that Blavatsky knew.
After misfortune in Alice Bailey’s life she and her three children settled in California where she met two women who introduced her to Theosophy. She had her first contact with a master calling himself the “Tibetan” in 1919. He wanted her to take dictation. Alice states:
I heard a voice which said, “There are some books which it is desired to be written for the public. You can write them. Will you do so?”
She wrote 19 books that were channeled directly to her between the years 1919-1949.
Here is an excerpt from “For Many Shall Come in My Name” by Ray Yungen
To occultists, the significance of the Alice Bailey writings was that they foretold that in the coming Aquarian Age “the teachings of the East and West must be fused and blended before the true and universal religion–for which the world waits–could appear on earth.”* There also would be a “Coming one”, whom she called “the Christ”, who would not be the Lord Jesus Christ whom Christians await the return of, but an entirely different individual. This man would embody all the great principles of occultism, chiefly the divinity and perfectibility of man, and consequently expect recognition and honor as to his own lordship and divinity. (page 32)
The Lucis Trust
“The Lucis Trust is the Publishing House which prints and disseminates United Nations material. It is a devastating indictment of the New Age and Pagan nature of the UN. Lucis Trust was established in 1922 as Lucifer Trust by Alice Bailey as the publishing company to disseminate the books of Bailey and Blavatsky and the Theosophical Society. The title page of Alice Bailey’s book, ‘Initiation, Human and Solar’ was originally printed in 1922, and clearly shows the publishing house as ‘Lucifer Publishing CoIn 1923. Bailey changed the name to Lucis Trust, because Lucifer Trust revealed the true nature of the New Age Movement too clearly. (Constance Cumbey, The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow, p. 49). A quick trip to any New Age bookstore will reveal that many of the hard-core New Age books are published by Lucis Trust.”
This quote can be found here:
http://freemasonrywatch.org/lucistrust.html
Those who are unaware of the New World Order influence on the United Nations need to open the above link. It is truly frightening.
*this sentence sums up the entire theme of “A Time of Departing”
Here is a photo of a Taize service…..I finally remembered that i had found information about Taize on the Lighthouse Trails Research website. Taize is a prime example of how contemplative spirituality is compromising the church. It appeals to the youth and is Buddist oriented with a Catholic flavoring.
Taize – Another Avenue Through Which Contemplative is Entering the Church
Taize Community is an international, ecumenical communityin France. Taize Worship is practicing the silence with icons, candles, incense and prayer stations, and is a very contemplative/Buddist oriented community attracting young people from around the world.
As an article on Taize worship explains:
Short chants, repeated again and again, give it a meditative character,” the brothers explain in a brief introduction printed in the paperback songbook. “Using just a few words, [the chants] express a basic reality of faith, quickly grasped by the mind. As the words are sung over many times, this reality gradually penetrates the whole being.
While it is apparent that Taize is rooted in Eastern mysticism, it is equally apparent that it is being incorporated more and more into Christendom. Below are some examples of Christian ministries and schools that are introducing people to Taize worship.
Columbia Bible College (BC, Canada)
Eastern Mennonite University (Virginia)
Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
Seattle Pacific University (Washington)
Renovare (Richard Foster) – page 2
Here is a link to the newsletter containing this article
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/newsletter020507.htm
Here is the link to my orginal article about Taize
https://kimolsen.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/crisis-in-the-church-taize-what-is-it/
Scanning the Religion section in our local newpaper a couple months ago I came across an article inviting people to come to a Taize (pronounced teh-ZAY) outdoor worship service for music and chanting… Huh? What is this all about?..I wondered. I kinda forgot about it till yesterday when I ran across a church web-site promoting a Taize service.
A google episode revealed that Taize started in the little village of Taize in the heart of the Burgundy region of France. Taize was founded by Brother Roger Schutz (murdered by a worshipper in 2005)and was established in 1949. In this monastic community the brothers sought to awaken spirituality, promote peace and unity by ecumenism.
The worship service consists only of music, chanting, and silence. There are no sermons, programs, announcements, etc. I never did find out if they took an offering but I will assume probably so. (They light lots and lots of candles) On the Taize web-site in France there were some snippets of a CD to listen to. This music was extraordinarily beautiful, monastic in nature. When I got to the videos on YouTube though the music sounded more like the strained uncertain singing in my own church. The lyrics are most commonly Latin. This is so everyone will have a tough time learning the words, I guess. Actually it was stated that the phrases were easier to sing in Latin. I looked at alot of videos and they only showed the singing and not the chanting. No one filmed the silence. Not good viewing material I suppose.
I found many churches are using the Taize services including, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian and other non-descript denominations. This makes me very nervous. Below are a few excerpts of the web-sites I found among many. I included the web address for verification.
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Good Friday – SERVICE
LIGHTS: Scene 1. The Worship Leaders enter the sanctuary from the side doors. In silence they reverence the altar, then sit in their regular chairs. The Lector reads the lessons from the ambo, but the Pastor may deliver the sermon while seated. All stand for the bidding prayer.
As the cross is carried to the altar and during the reverencing of the cross, the tower bell may toll with at least 30 seconds of silence between each ring. Tolling may continue until the beginning of the final hymn. Alternatively, the bell may be tolled three times.
Members of the congregation who wish, come forward singly or in small groups to reverence the cross or pray, while the congregation sings Taizé chants. At the end of the Adoration, LIGHTS: Scene 3, (dim, Jesus window off). The congregation sings a hymn, a final sentence is said, and the Pastor and Worship Leaders leave in silence through the double doors at the side. Members of the congregation may remain in the sanctuary for prayers and meditation.
Taize service brings peace, healing to congregation
in Bethel Park
Thursday, July 26, 2007
By Margaret Smykla
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07207/804283-55.stm
Of the Taize Sung Prayers service at Christ United Methodist Church, Linda Williams, minister of music and worship, said “we like to think of it as an oasis from the hustle and bustle of our lives.”
Taize is a peaceful service of quiet prayer, songs, meditation, anointing of oils and prayers for healing and reconciliation. The prayer songs are often sung over and over again like a mantra, and are sometimes drawn from holy scripture.
The songs are frequently sung in different languages. There are no sermons or announcements.
The Bethel Park church, 44 Highland Road, holds the roughly 40-minute service at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month in its sanctuary.
The next Taize service will be on Wednesday. It is open to the public.
http://www.ctkelc.org/worship/TaizeWorship.html
A meditative service in the tradition of the ecumenical community of Taizé, France is held every Saturday at 6:00 pm. The services are centered around the silent meditation on Holy Scripture and the celebration of the Eucharist. The songs which have become the hallmark of Taizé spirituality are woven through the entire service.
Taizé Service to Include Prayer Around the Cross on the first Saturday of each month.
.A wooden cross on the floor of the altar sanctuary confronts worshipers with the suffering of Christ on behalf of humanity. In its presence the suffering of the world and our own burdens come to light. Christ gave salvation to all on the tree of the cross. It is the tree where life might be restored. Worshipers may choose to meditate on the cross from the pew or may enter the altar sanctuary and kneel at the cross.
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What bothered me was the chanting and the silence which can fall into contemplative spirituality. This is definitely a red-flag area so I am not endorsing Taize. I didn’t find any teaching from the Bible. There is no call to repentance, no praying for forgiveness, no preaching of the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. No anything really, except the presence of a cross.
How can people come to know Christ without the preaching of the Gospel? But this is becoming more common in the churches of today, a spirituality with no Holy Spirit. No message of sin. People don’t want to hear about sin anymore. They just want to go to a church, sing, meditate, and feel good about how “spiritual” they are. I guess that’s fine if that is all you want, but I pray that you long and thirst for the Word of God.
Look here for more information about Taize:
https://kimolsen.wordpress.com/2007/08/02/crisis-in-the-church-more-about-taize/
kim
I have been studying discernment issues for awhile now, but posting these issues have put me in touch with real people having real problems and real people who have totally turned away from unbiblical practices. I want to thank those who have taken the time to speak up for Christ because previously their eyes had been opened by the Lord and have left false ministries and have denounced mysticism. Many have completely “come-out” of new age practices but unfortunately, there are others who retain a blend.
The seduction of new age pratices can truly have a hold on Christians because they think they are exempt from deception. This is a very dangerous stance to take because it removes discernment. Jesus told us over and over again to beware, that the end times will be filled with false prophets and the doctrines of demons.
What courage these folks have that have turned away from apostate teachings and practices and then share their experience with others. What humility and love for Christ they have to want to help others who may be in the same situation they found themselves in. This is truly surrendering all to Christ.
Some of the greatest teachers against new age practices have been deeply involved with them. Some well-known examples are Warren Smith who wrote “Reinventing Jesus Christ”, (his e-book is available on the blogroll or below), Ray Yungen who has two great books out, ” A Time of Departing”, and “For Many Shall Come In My Name”, and Kevin Reeves who wrote “The Other Side of the River”. I am currently reading “Spellbound”, The Paranormal Seduction of Today’s Kids, by Marcia Montenegro. Every parent or anyone involved with children should read this book. There is a huge assortment of occultism available to kids today and this is a must read that will help you protect them.
Here is how to find these books:
Anything from Warren Smith – “Another Jesus Calling”
“A Time of Departing” &
“For Many Shall Come in my Name” http://lighthousetrails.com
“Spellbound – The Paranormal Seduction of Today’s Kids”
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/kdqz4
Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/escjy
The Other Side of the River http://lighthousetrails.com
Kevin Reeves in the “The Other Side of the River” bravely tells of his own experience about the movement called the “The River” which claims to be spreading the kingdom of God through signs and wonders. Other names for this counterfeit “revival” is the Third Wave or the Latter Rain.
He covers issues he experienced in his church such as being “slain” in the spirit, holy laughter, visions of angels and “messages” from God?, word of faith, and experience over scripture. What I found very interesting was the compulsion he felt to stay within a church that felt it was on “the cutting edge” and the resistance he received whenever he questioned any of the practices. His story is amazing and if you have any questions about practices in your church you should read this book.
Lately I have been talking with a woman who has come out of a false ministry. It has been three years and she is still recovering. She is so very worried about the others still involved because she knows those still there are being deceived. Later she told me that even though she memorized scripture, did bible studies, she was still deceived. Others there who have mental problems seem to only fall deeper into their sin.
Another friend is totally out of the new age practices and she is walking only with the Lord now. She had a blend of Christianity and mysticism, (visions, meditation, altered states) for awhile but now holds true to the faith.
Another woman wrote to say that she had been deceived by the many false teachings on TBN but came to the truth. (I believe that there a few good people on TBN but they do not correct the false teachings so they can stay on air)
I get so discouraged at times, but then the Lord brings to mind those who He has brought out of deception, those whose eyes He has opened, and I am encouraged again.
kim
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