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"I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock" Acts 20:29
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Emphasis Mine In Bible Verses
Foreword:
Although there are an uncountable number of people who teaches one or another form of mysticism, I have limited this section (chapter VII of the article on Contemplative Prayer) to four of the most popular and influential teachers of contemplative prayer and Lectio Divina. More information on the sources and dangers of this form of ‘prayer’ is in the preceding chapters.
Thomas Merton (1915-1968),
Thomas Keating (1923 - 2018)
Henri Nouwen (1932-1996),
Brennan Manning (1934-2013),
If you imagine that these modern mystics have some sort of special connection to the Father by way of their contemplative practices, chances are you either have not taken the time to find out what is behind these practices and the people that teach it.
All four of the men listed above were prolific authors with numerous books to each one’s credit. They were also Catholic to the core. There is no question that it can be very easy to like, to agree with, or even be deeply touched by some of the things they wrote and some of the feelings they expressed. However, virtually anyone can make statements that stir the heart. The problem lies in the fact that most of their admirers are not aware of the full extent of their beliefs and everything they taught.
Touching and/or profound phrases and noble sentiments do not a Scripturally sound book make.
In this case, the issue is the legitimacy or non legitimacy of mysticism.
Catholic Spiritual Leaders?
Too many Catholics are immersed in all things Catholic and, more often than not, place a greater emphasis on church tradition than they do on Scripture. These men (and numerous others), hailed as great spiritual leaders are (or were during their lifetimes) completely Catholic in their beliefs which means they could not even see through Rome's foundational heresies such as the papacy, the Mass, transfiguration, prayers to the saints, the veneration of Mary and salvation through works. See Section on Catholicism
Because a form of contemplative prayer is an ancient tradition in Catholicism especially amongst the 'desert fathers', the mystics, seemingly oblivious to the fact that no such thing is taught in Scripture, saw nothing wrong with it.
However, when they discovered that several other religions had similar traditions they took it many steps further incorporating the spiritual philosophies and religious practices of Zen Buddhism, Sufism, Taoism and Vedanta etc. into Christianity. Instead of warning the Eastern mystics of the dangers of pursuing the paths they were on, it is mind blowing that these supposed Christians fraternized with them, embraced their spiritual philosophies, and insisten their practices were beneficial for Christians to “experience” God. Although they recognized the doctrinal differences, the experiences they felt they had in common apparently trumped all other factors.
To add insult to injury they even endorsed various pagan 'spiritual' books that flatly contradict the Bible.
See The History of Contemplative Prayer
How then can we possibly trust them to point us in the direction of God?
But, somehow or the other - ignoring everything the Scriptures say and even basic common sense - we do.
The Warnings
Remember that anyone who chooses to inform others about Christianity shoulders a tremendous burden and, as the apostle James said, incurs a stricter judgment
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. (James 3:1 NASB)
Jesus was even more explicit,
Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea. (Mark 9:42 NASB)
Unfortunately for them, anyone who teaches doctrine that is not in accordance with the Bible and/or encourages people to experiment with techniques practiced in other religions causes others to stumble. They are not legitimate Christian teachers but little more than the ravenous wolves Paul warned us about in the book of Acts. I dread to think of their end at the hands of a wrathful God.
And us? All I can say is we repeatedly and emphatically state that Scripture is the final arbitrator of all thing spiritual, but when Scripture clearly commands us not to have anything to do with heretics but to call them out at every opportunity, we do just the opposite. We put these men on pedestals trusting them to teach us how to pray and bring us closer to God. See Fraternizing With The Enemy
Yet, because they imagine they feel God's presence, experience oriented and Biblically illiterate Christians have been led by the nose down the very treacherous paths venturing into areas where, I am sure, even angels fear to tread.
We must be even more stupid and careless than they were.
They have been led away from the Father, not towards Him.
Unless of course, the Bible just forgot to mention 'spiritual disciplines' as one of the ways to achieve a "truly transforming faith" then, realizing His omission, God left our further education and enlightenment to apostate Roman Catholic mystics. Then, centuries later, men like Richard Foster, Thomas Keating, Thomas Merton etc. who ncorporated into Christianity eastern religious techniques and practices
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