Why on earth are Roman Catholic Mysticism and practices developed in monasteries by men who rejected the gospel of salvation by grace alone through faith alone by Christ's work alone being promoted in supposedly Protestant churches?
Here are a few notable examples:
Rick Warren has invited Pete Scazzero to teach Roman Catholic Monastic Mysticism at the upcoming Radicalis Conference.
Rob Bell and Shane Hipps of Mars Hill Bible Church promote the use of Lectio Divina, the so-called "Discipline of Silence" as well as the Prayer Examen which was developed by one of the arch enemies of the Reformation, Ignatius Loyola.
Scott Hodge of The Orchard is an up and coming innovative leader in the seeker-driven ranks who also promotes and practices Monastic Mysticism.
And the list of supposedly Protestant pastors who are teaching and practicing various forms of contemplative monastic mysticism is growing and growing. Fact is, Roman Catholic Monastic Mysticism is becoming all the rage in today's post-modern, cutting edge, innovative market-driven churches.
But, despite what these men may tell you, these practices are not Biblical, were not practiced by Jesus or any of His disciples and rather than connecting you with the Holy Spirit of the Bible, will instead connect you with the demonic realm.
But even worse, as you'll hear in my interview with Christine Pack of the Solasisters, these practices contradict the scriptures by teaching that we can experience God apart from Christ and His Cross. If the claims of those promoting these Roman Catholic practices were true then Jesus was lying when he said that no one can come to the father except through him. (John 14:6).
Truth be told, I know exactly why Rick Warren and others in the Purpose-Driven community as well as the Willow Creek Association are promoting and adopting the use of these Roman Catholic Monastic practices. However, I will save that answer for a forth coming post.
First, I would like for you to hear from someone that Christ rescued out of the mire of mysticism. Here is my interview with Christine Pack from yesterday's edition of Fighting for the Faith.
A Fair & Provocative Question: Since these pastors have so little Biblical discernment as demonstrated by their promotion of these Roman Catholic Monastic practices, how long will it be before Rick Warren, Rob Bell, Shane Hipps, Pete Scazzero and others begin promoting prayers TO the Blessed Virgin Mary? [Ironically, the exact same Biblical Doctrines come into play.]
Click on the Menu button on the player above and you can embed this radio segment on your blog or website.
Check this out: Is it possible to shed light on the states of grace experienced by mystics and meditators? In Mystical Brain, the documentary filmmaker Isabelle Raynauld shows us the most recent discoveries of scientific research on this phenomenon.
http://www.onf-nfb.gc.ca/eng/collection/film/?id=54758
Posted by: BOB | January 23, 2010 at 09:09 PM
Bob,
Are you a Christian?
The reason I ask is because you would have us believe that Mysticism is a good thing because of a study done on BUDDHIST monks.
I think you are proving my point.
Posted by: Piratechristian | January 23, 2010 at 10:23 PM
Yes I am a Christian.
The point that I was making is that Buddhists and Catholics are experiencing the same thing but it's NOT God.
I think this video provides medical proof that Mysticism is not from God.
These people 'mess' with their minds and open themselves up to something that they mistake for God.
Posted by: BOB | January 23, 2010 at 11:32 PM
On to a different topic.
As much as I may like your Monty Python skit in the middle I'm not sure how it may be received by people unfamiliar with you and what you do.
I would like to send this link to some people I know who are into this and the interview is EXCELLENT but then the bit in the middle really totally changes the focus.
I don't believe that it will be appreciated by those who are into Mystical practices and are being challenged to re-think what they are doing by listening to the interview.
Any way of editing that out?
Posted by: BOB | January 23, 2010 at 11:40 PM
Lutherans are critical of RC monasticism and Protestant pietism for pretty much the same reasons. They are attempts at becoming a kind of "super-Christian" with special, direct insight and experience of God, and use means that are not grounded in the promises of God's Word. The Charismatic movements and modern Catholicism also operate with certain understandings of progressive revelation, which justifies using "means of grace" that were not instituted by Christ and his apostles.
Of course, in Protestant churches that reject the efficacy of the sacraments altogether, something has to step in and take its place. And I think it's not surprising that many Prots or evangelicals that have no connection with church history whatsoever would find Catholic mysticism appealing, for the same reason that they find Jewish ritual appealing. If one's church has no culture and known history of its own, finding something ancient elsewhere, as long as it might fall somewhere in the pale of Christianity, is attractive.
Posted by: Kelly | January 24, 2010 at 01:00 AM
Correction in my 1st paragraph above: that shouldn't read "instituted by Christ and his apostles," but "instituted by Christ and used/taught/proclaimed by his apostles."
Posted by: Kelly | January 24, 2010 at 11:32 PM
I am not sure whether all meditation is bad or not. The Buddhists don't believe that their experiences are from God, but the Hindus do. But I do believe that meditation can be very dangers for some, if not many. Here is a website that speaks of the dangers of Buddhist and Hindu Meditation. http://downthecrookedpath-meditation.blogspot.com/
Posted by: jessaka | February 09, 2010 at 03:11 PM