Francis Chan, Neo-Calvinist, New Age Gnostic and a sellout.

 

Francis Chan, Neo-Calvinist, New Age Gnostic and a sellout.

Francis Chan has a Hellenistic view of scripture as he attempts to explain away using human reasoning and philosophy, in the Gospel of John, John 6:63 Jesus shows how his word is spiritual and cannot be understood by the carnal mind. Romans 8:7

Francis Chan in his video Erasing Hell (Francis Chan)

This book promotion by Francis Chan is a response to Rob Bell’s Love Win’s, Rob Bell rejects the Believe in a literal hell, but with Francis Chan, he attempts to give a philosophical rational mixing scripture with visualisation exercises.

What are the biggest problems with Francis Chan?

The Bible teaches in Galatians 5:9 Your glorying is not okay. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

The Fruit of Francis Chan is mixed between Catholic mystical and gnostic practices such as Lacio Devina as Francis Chan can be seen with Beth Moore, Lecrae, John Piper is a supporter of Rick Warren and the Ecumenical movement this includes the Lausanne Movement that is known for bringing Catholics and evangelicals together [1]

This is the problem false teaching and misleading people causes offense especially when we mix truth and error together, but they don’t realise what damage they are causing. “Unto the pure all things [are] pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving [is] nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” (Titus 1:15 – 16)

For those who do not know what the practice of Lectio Divina is explained by Archbishop Thomas Collins popular monthly Lectio Divina series at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Toronto (Roman Catholic) teaching heresy of experiential and mystical practices.

In a book by Collins Pathway to Our Hearts, Collins welcomes readers into a nourishing encounter with the word of God, adapting the ancient practice of Lectio Divina for today’s Catholics. At this time of revival of the tradition of Lectio Divina, including a strong endorsement by the 2008 Synod on the Word, Collins models a simple approach that anyone can take to reading scripture.

That goes back to the desert fathers.

This is what is promoted as a practice as seen by Francis Chan, this practice has been more correctly used by both Catholics and Gnostics, a typical diagram can be seen below.

The four movements of Lectio Divina: read, meditate, pray, contemplate

It is stated that “Lectio Divina” are now also practiced in Charismatic churches. When you see the translation, it may sound right to those who are ignorant of what Roman Catholicism teaches at first glance, but anything with a Roman Catholic root, this should worry you as it also centralises around the Catholic Mass.

Wikipedia:

“In Christianity, Lectio Divina (Latin for divine reading) is a traditional Catholic practice of scriptural reading, meditation, and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God’s Word. It does not treat Scripture as texts to be studied but as the Living Word.

One gnostic website stipulates [2] (a) (b)

Lectio Divina (Divine Reading) is described as a way of listening to the texts of scripture as if we were in a conversation with Christ and He was suggesting the topics of conversation.

Christian Mystics believe that Christ was at work in the Spirit from the beginning (well before the historical Jesus Christ manifested on earth). This work is apparent in all the religions of the world and therefore recognized and accepted by Christian Mystics.

In other words, Mysticism bridges across religions. We should realize that the various techniques of prayer and meditation used by all Mystics (regardless of religion) are available to us and can be very beneficial as we continue our spiritual journey.

Lectio Divina can be used with any scripture, any spiritual text (regardless of religion).

I must say that I have been pleasantly surprised at the techniques of prayer and meditation being taught by Christian Mystics. The explanations of Lectio Divina I have read from various sources were something I could relate to personally.

The explanation of the “Method of Centring Prayer” (prayer of consent) that I have heard/read from Fr. Thomas Keating, OCSO has blown me away. As a result, I plan on reading three of his books. The first I already have, “Open Mind, Open Heart“. The second “Manifesting God” I will pick up sometime this week and the third I will have to wait to be released (coming this fall).

Lectio Divina and Centring Prayer are two distinct prayer forms…this thread is about Lectio Divina. With that in mind, I wish to share with you that I have practiced it unknowingly during a time of intense spiritual growth. This was something I was guided to do.

The unity Mysticism provides is remarkable.

It is a practice rooted in Contemplative Prayer; Lectio Divina is explained as:

[3] The purpose of centring prayer is to clear the mind of rational thought in order to focus on the indwelling presence of God, whereas other methods have some contemplative goal in mind: with the rosary, the Mysteries of the Rosary are contemplated; with Lectio Divina, the practitioner thinks about the Scripture reading, sometimes even visualizing it; and with hesychasm as understood in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the practitioner seeks to “see” the energies of God which appear as “uncreated light”…source: Centring Prayer

Francis Chan has entered into deep spiritual corruption using the Bible to practice this deep method of Gnostic/Mysticism.

Francis Chan has compromised with David Platt, Rick Warren and others as can been seen below.

Response to Radical and Radical Together

I love this book! Please read it. God is using David Platt to lead his church into much-needed reform. Radical Together is filled with tremendous insight from a man who loves Christ’s church. I don’t know of a church leader that I trust more.

— Francis Chan

Best-selling author of Crazy Love

Who is David Platt ?

Wikipedia:

Platt graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.A. in journalism. From there he attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. There he received the degrees of M.Div, Th.M, and also a Ph.D. After he finished his doctorate, Platt served at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary as Dean of Chapel and Assistant Professor of Expository Preaching and Apologetics. He also served at Edgewater Baptist Church in New Orleans and resided in a parsonage when Hurricane Katrina hit, flooding the parsonage.

At the age of 28, Platt was hired to lead the congregation of The Church at Brook Hills, and he became known as the youngest megachurch pastor in America. He said, “I believe that God has uniquely created every one of His people to impact the world. Some may count it as idealistic, but I believe it is thoroughly biblical, rooted in Psalm 67:1-2, yet covering Scripture from beginning to end. God is in the business of blessing His people so that His ways and His salvation might be made known among all people.”

Way of Life web site David W Cloud writes about David Platt:

[4] The Elephant Room is a dialogue forum invented in 2011 by emerging star Mark Driscoll, together with James MacDonald, Steven Furtick, David Platt, Matt Chandler, Greg Laurie, and Perry Noble. The stated objective is to discuss controversial doctrinal issues with “guests from all places and belief systems” with the goal of theological sharpening. Digging a little further, we see that the real objective is ecumenism. Driscoll and friends say plainly that their “goal is unity” and that they are opposed to “crouching behind walls of disagreement.” Though they claim to “hold the essential tenets of the faith with a ferocious intensity,” in typical emerging style they contradict this by saying we should “not isolate ourselves from relationship even with those who believe much differently.” There is a Hegelian dialectic at work here. By having public “conversations” with people who “offend you or deny the faith as you see it,” walls are broken down and attitudes are changed. At first we are shocked by theological error, but through dialogue with heretics the very concept of heresy becomes quaint. Through the Elephant Room we learn that “heretics” are likable people who “love Jesus” and merely have another way of looking at things. We are told that we all “see through a glass darkly,” so no one can claim a corner on the truth. Therefore, instead of separating and condemning, let’s relax and dialogue. The apostle Paul was so old-fashioned and non-emerging when he persisted in pronouncing God’s curse on the Galatians heretics instead of inviting them to a dialogue. How could he have been so sure that he even understood the fine nuances of their position? Apparently he just wasn’t clever enough. And he certainly wasn’t cool enough to build a big church in Seattle. (See also “Hegelian Dialectics: The Devil’s Winning Tool” at the Way of Life website. There is a search engine.)

The Acts 29 Network:

Francis Chan is mentioned as being featured on the Acts 29 Network, The Exponential Conference features some great speakers: Some of the speakers will include Acts 29’s own: Scott Thomas, Darrin Patrick, Matt Chandler, and Matt Carter. You will also have the chance to listen to people like Ed Stetzer, Francis Chan, Larry Osbourne, Billy Hornsby, Louis Giglio, and Alan Hirsch.

How can truth and error mix, when truth and error do not walk in accord with one another,John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Jesus is the only truth then we should not be mixing falsehood.

The Acts 29 Network was founded by Mark Driscoll who can be seen with Francis Chan.

What is the great controversy with Mark Driscoll?

The Baptist Press article begins by stating: “An in-depth New York Times Magazine feature on a controversial Seattle pastor has generated a new wave of debate about vulgarity in the pulpit.” [5]

Another Report [6]

The second conference was Southeastern Seminary’s 20/20 Conference, held February 6-7, which included as its featured speaker Acts 29 president Mark Driscoll. Less than a month earlier, the New York Times introduced Driscoll to its readers as the one “whom conservatives call ‘the cussing pastor.’”

The BP article dealt with a growing concern among many Southern Baptists about Driscoll’s vulgarity – specifically his recent sermon series entitled “Peasant Princess,” and the sexually explicit Q & A that followed and was posted on his church website. The most recent round of criticism against Driscoll was the result of the Q & A where he places his theological stamp of approval on “anal sex” within marriage and the use of “sex toys.”

In answering the question, “Can I perform anal sex on my wife?,” Driscoll writes: “The body is not well suited for this so make sure your wife is agreeable, do your homework, be careful if she is willing, and do not go from this to normal intercourse since you will infect her with bacteria.” In regard to the use of sex toys, Driscoll writes: “This is a matter of conscience” and notes that the use of sex toys “should be used together [with your wife] for building oneness.”

In regard to the issue of anal sex, Driscoll refers his readers to a website called “Christian Nymphos.” Stating that he does not endorse everything on this website, Driscoll writes: “…if you want to read some commentary on the issue [of anal sex] from Christian married women, you can go to Christian Nymphos.”

In regard to the issue of sex toys, Driscoll writes: “If you choose to purchase toys discreetly and without indecent packaging, www.covenantspice.com is a Christian-run website that can assist you with this, although we do not necessarily endorse everything on the site. Please be aware that the typical ‘toy’ stores and Web sites contain pornographic images that can be disturbing.”

Why would anyone want to be in the company of an ungodly man for the reason Psalm 1 warns us that these people would corrupt our thinking, the second point is Mark Driscoll should not be meddling what married people do.

Mark Driscoll also promotes the practices of Contemplative Worship.

Mark Driscoll stipulates in his Resurgence website: How to Practice Meditative Prayer [7]

Driscoll Instructs people to experience God in using these meditative techniques.

Designate a quiet place. In a world full of distractions, we need a quiet place where we can allow God to speak to us. The most effective place to pray is where you are least likely to be disturbed.

Give yourself 20-30 minutes. Many people only spend a few minutes each day in prayer. Very few people actually spend time in meditative prayer. It takes time to drown out the cares of the world, sit, prayerfully meditate on God’s word, and then allow him to speak to us.

Choose Scripture to prayerfully meditate on. Prayerfully select a passage of Scripture that means something to you. Let it either focus on the goodness of God, the promises of God, or the worship of God.

Allow God to speak to you. This is the hardest part. Many people never hear the Lord speak to them simply because they don’t allow him to. We need to sit and listen for the voice of the Lord. Samuel was open to hearing from the Lord (1 Samuel 3). He said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”

This practice is known as Contemplative prayer this is a technique invented by Thomas Keating and Thomas Merton, in Driscoll’s Acts 29 website does not give clear instruction to study the word, rather than adapt an ancient practice that is rooted in Catholic Mysticism and developed by the Desert Fathers.

This is simply to experience God through his word to receive an enlightenment, this is as expressed and shown by a diagram.

In a book called Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard J. Foster

This is described as: offers crucial new insights on simplicity, demonstrating how the biblical view of simplicity, properly understood and applied, brings joy and balance to our inward and outward lives and “sets us free to enjoy the provision of God as a gift that can be shared with others.” The discussion of celebration, often the most neglected of the Disciplines, shows its critical importance, for it stands at the heart of the way to Christ. Celebration of Discipline will help motivate Christians everywhere to embark on a journey of prayer and spiritual growth.

This practice is stepped in Mysticism but very popular amongst some of the prominent emergent church leaders.

“If everybody in the country could read—and heed—this book, what a difference it would make to the planet.” (Madeleine L’Engle )

“Foster has challenged us to see Christian faith … as a life of spiritual transformation.” (Brian D. McLaren, author of A New Kind of Christian )

“Foster has taught me more about prayer and living faithfully than just about any other living author.” (Lauren Winner, author of Girl Meets God )

“This seminal work on the practice of spiritual disciplines is never outdated.” (Relevant Magazine )

“Richard Foster has given us a rare gift. The celebration of each discipline in this book hands us a tool that can be useful in helping us to integrate our inner and outer lives.” (Macrina Wiederkehr, O.S.B., author of A Tree Full of Angels )

“The best modern book on Christian spirituality… No other book apart from the Bible has been so helpful to me in the nurturing of my inward journey of prayer and spiritual growth.” (Ronald J. Sider, executive director, Evangelicals for Social Action )

This is the very Book that Driscoll supports and promotes states: [8] “What do we mean by meditative prayer? Is there such thing as Christian meditation? Isn’t meditation non-Christian? According to Richard Foster, “Eastern meditation is an attempt to empty the mind. Christian meditation is an attempt to fill the mind” (Celebration of Discipline). Rather than emptying the mind we fill it with God’s word. We must not neglect a vital part of our Judeo-Christian heritage simply because other traditions use a form of meditation. Christian meditation has its roots in the Hebrew tradition of the Bible. There are numerous Biblical references to prayerful meditation:”

Here Driscoll is wrong on his expiation to this form of Meditation,

Designate a quiet place. In a world full of distractions, we need a quiet place where we can allow God to speak to us. The most effective place to pray is where you are least likely to be disturbed.

Give yourself 20-30 minutes. Many people only spend a few minutes each day in prayer. Very few people actually spend time in meditative prayer. It takes time to drown out the cares of the world, sit, prayerfully meditate on God’s word, and then allow him to speak to us.

To remove any distraction is an instruction for more than simply praying it is also involves removing any thought so that we can hear God we read the same instruction given to us by Roman Catholic Priests.

In Driscoll’s website titled Obedience the reader is instructed to read Celebration of Discipline, by Richard Foster, and Sacred Pathways, by Gary Thomas.

Ray Yungen by his research shown that Fosters work is based on Thomas Merton were he promoted Contemplative Prayer.

Featured by Lighthouse Trails Ray Yongan stated:

In Celebration of Discipline (1978 ed., p. 13), Richard Foster says that “we should all without shame enroll in the school of contemplative prayer.”

Gary Thomas, in his book Sacred Pathways (the one Driscoll recommends), Thomas tells readers to repeat a word for 20 minutes in order to still the mind. This is the basic principle in all Eastern and occult methods. This is not an idle charge. Anglican mystic Richard Kirby astutely observes in his book The Mission of Mysticism that with this spirituality the method differs little than that of occultism:

“The meditation of advanced occultists is identical with the prayer of advanced mystics; it is no accident that both traditions use the same word for the highest reaches of their respective activities: contemplation (samadhi in yoga).”

Lacio Divina [10]

You’re currently reading “Trinitarian Prayer | Mark Driscoll,” an entry on Lectio Divina

In its’ broadest definition prayer is communicating with God. This can be done audibly as God hears our words, or silently as God knows our thoughts. And, because communication is two-way, prayer can include both speaking to God and listening to God speak. Sometimes prayer moves the hand of God, but it often changes the hearts of men and women as in prayer we capture something of God’s heart and are brought into agreement with and trust in him.

While, there are times when we pray to God the Son (as Stephen did in Acts) or to the Holy Spirit, generally speaking prayer is Trinitarian. This means that Christian prayer is to Father, through the Son, by the presence and power of the indwelling Spirit. Furthermore, Jesus prayers are a glimpse into the loving communion found in the Trinity. And, our prayers as Christians are our participation in the life of the Trinity.

The author of this blog promotes the practice explained that Driscoll’s explanation shows the components to the Lacio Devina practice I would see why Driscoll is leading his followers and those who support Driscoll into these practices such as Francis Chan.

Crazy Love – Francis Chan

I having read my own copy of Crazy Love there are area’s that is a great concern as to Fracis Chan’s overtly ecumenical ties, for example in at the front of the book we read four questionable name’s Joni Eareckson Tada, and Louie Giglio, Chris Tomlin and Henri Nouwen n and other Contemplative Prayer Leaders.

This review highlights where Francis Chan is leading his readers to Knowingly or out of his own ignorance.

We also find Contemplative Worship is also being pushed, within the first few pages of the books it shows some of the names that are important to Francis Chan to give the Book Crazy Love credibility.

Joni Eareckson Tada is known for her ecumenism and involvement with the Roman Catholic Church, her name is very much promoted from over 2000 Catholic websites.

Joni is known to be featured on a Catholic Broadcasting Company KNXT TV (Catholic Television): Fresno, CA

Joni also promotes ecumenical/interfaith groups like L’Arche, Joni states: today L’Arche USA communities are ecumenical and welcome people of all faiths. L’Arche USA is part of the International Federation of L’Arche Communities. L’Arche International serves as the umbrella organization to nine zones around the world.

Joni is also has known ties to the Lausanne Movement this is also ecumenical that even includes Christian Mystics such as John Piper in the Lausanne Movement.

 Another name of concern is Louie Giglio, he is also given his endorsement of Francis Chan’s book Crazy Love, Francis Chan was with Louie Giglio at the 2012 Passion Conference event.

There is allot of controversy surrounding Louie Giglio such as “I told you here at Apprising Ministries in Beth Moore And John Piper Set For Passion 2013 With Louie Giglio that once again those two well-respected mainstream evangelicals would be appearing at Giglio’s Passion conference which, as of this writing, is in full swing.”

Giglio, Chan, Moore and Piper return to Passion from last year and now we have sinfully ecumenical emerging musician David Crowder1 added to the mix. Another couple of special guests are: Jesus Culture and Judah Smith.

Apprising Ministries is among those online apologetics and discernment ministries (OADM) who’ve been covering Louie Giglio, Passion 2013, And Jesus Culture this week.

FRIENDS OF BETHEL CHURCH, HOME OF JESUS CULTURE

In Jesus Culture—Of Bethel Church—And Practicing Raising The Dead I also reminded you that Jesus Culture (JC) bills itself as not “just a band, but…a ministry of Bethel Church.”1

Why is this important? I’ll tell you; because we have some 60,000 college age youth people who’ve filled the Georgia Dome and now had JC lead them in worship at Louie Giglio’s annual Passion conference.2

In addition these same young people have now seen and heard Southern Baptist quasi-elder Beth Moore and New Calvinist mentor3 John Piper at this very same event along with JC.

Now, as I pointed out before, I’m not saying that by appearing at Passion 2013 Moore and Piper personally ascribe to all JC and BC is about spiritually. However, their appearance at Passion will have an effect.

There are many of these young people drawn in by the “worship” music of JC who will be under the impression that JC must be okay if Beth Moore and John Piper are at an event where JC leads worship.

So, this is why I’m drilling down on JC, and their spiritual train wreck of a church, where pastor Bill Johnson and his wife pastrix Brenda (Beni) hold court with e.g. BC Associate Pastor and “prophet” Kris Vallotton.

I’ve also clearly documented for you before that BC pastor Bill Johnson aligns himself, and the BC ministry JC, with a wild assortment of spiritual wingnuts like NAR “Apostle” Lou Engle and “respected prophet” Cindy Jacobs.

This is not guilt-by-association; this is guilt by endorsement, period. No way around it. It isn’t like I’m saying, for example, that supposed “apostle” Cindy Jacobs once rode by Bill Johnson’s house so they’re “connected.”

Jacobs regularly speaks at JC events. If your spiritual discernment is so far off that you can’t see this woman is absolutely a false prophet, and you think she’s speaking for God, you best question, your own relationship to Jesus.

In the ACKNOWLEDGMENTS and Forward of Crazy Love:

Chris Tomlin is one of the main featured writers for this book, end this with —Chris Tomlin, songwriter and worship leader of Passion Conferences the Passion Conferences is where Francis Chan is a regular speaker as reported by Christianity Today, “Beth Moore, International Justice Mission president Gary Haughen, and pastor Francis Chan led Passion’s main sessions Wednesday. The conference will continue today with presentations from Seattle City Church pastor Judah Smith and pastor John Piper. Fundraising and contributions to the End it Movement will continue throughout the day, and the conference will conclude Friday afternoon.”

Approximately 60,000 students from 54 countries and 2,022 college campuses gathered in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome Tuesday night to worship with Christian music artists Chris Tomlin, David Crowder, Kristian Stanfill, and Christy Nockels

Francis Chan is known for speaking at the Passion Conference since 2008.

Uploaded on 25 Sep 2007

Francis Chan shares his heart for Awakening ’08. Francis is a main speaker for Awakening 08. He is also a main speaker for Passion Conference with Louie Giglio. Francis is so amazing, you won’t want to miss his heart for Jesus.

Chris Tomlin who was at the passon confrences is admittingly ecumenical, this is all relevant, as I believe Chris Tomlin is one of the biggest tools for the Catholic Church to bring us all back to mother church, since Vatican II the Catholic Church has been attempting to change its image and increase its influence around the world. The two main areas that the Catholic Church has concentrated on has been the Charismatic Renewal and also the role of music in the church.

The center for this in the world is the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. Especially since the 1980’s altitude amongst Evangelicals towards Catholicism has relaxed and the catholic Church is now considered by many to be a legitimate expression of the Body of Christ. There has been a deliberate tactic of the RCC to promote unity amongst all groups. This began as early as the 1950’s when Bishop Fulton Sheen (the former Bishop of New York) began to promote the RCC’s involvement with the Billy Graham Crusades as Billy Graham was having huge success in bringing people back into the RCC.

The Ecumenical Movement of the RCC is simply to increase the RCC’s influence and power. The RCC has not compromised on any of its dogmas and doctrines whereas Evangelical protestants have bent over backward to accommodate the RCC.

This is very much shown in Francis Chan’s book Crazy Love, whilst some may like some of Chris Tomlin’s songs and may have been introduced to Chris Tomlin and his music, Chris Tomlin has an agenda behind his music. It is skillfully crafted and worded in such a way as to promote Ecumenical Unity. His music is officially sanctioned by the RCC to be used during the Mass and other RCC events, such as his songs “How Great is our God”, “Everlasting God”, and “Enough,” which were included in the program of the 2009 Diocesan Youth Conference at the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg Virginia.

Life Teen is one of a number of Catholic Youth Ministries that actively support Chris Tomlin and recommend their youth attend his concerts. Matt Maher is music leader at this year’s Life Teen Conference events.

Chris Tomlin obviously has no problem with this or else he would not have sanctioned the RCC Steelehouse Media group producing a video for his “The Wonderful Cross”:

Chris Tomlin “Arriving” – Behind the Songs

Chris Tomlin Stipulated concerning a song he wrote “Your Grace is Enough”, “The band and I were leading at a Youth Specialties convention. We were asked to back up Matt Maher for one of the sessions. Matt handed us the chord charts and, with less than 5 minutes of practice, we were playing it live. I fell in love with this song immediately. You can’t hear the message of God’s sufficient grace too many times. Matt is a great lead worshiper and is a part of Life Teen, a growing worship movement in the Catholic Church.“

“Along with Chris Tomlin, Matt Maher is best known for his song, “Your Grace Is Enough,” which CCM artist Chris Tomlin recorded on his 2004 platinum release, Arriving. The two worship leaders met at a Youth Specialties conference held in Phoenix, when Tomlin’s band was asked to back Maher up. Tomlin instantly fell in love with the song, later recording it with some changes. Since then, the song has become a popular worship anthem sung in a broad variety of churches. Maher recorded a new version of the song, combining both his and Tomlin’s versions, for the album Empty and Beautiful. ” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Maher

 

Chris Tomlin & Natt Maher together being interviewed:

“Maher wrote Chris Tomlin’s current Top 10 CCM hit “I Will Rise” and contributed two songs to Tomlin’s upcoming Christmas CD (10/6).”:

“CHRIS TOMLIN, author of “We Fall Down,” “Holy Is the Lord,” and “How Great Is Our God,” holds the non-judgmental, ecumenical philosophy. He says, “Conservatives and charismatic’s can stand in one room, listening to the same music, worshiping the one true God. Music unites” (“The United State of Worship,” Christianity Today, Aug. 2003). Tomlin is a former staff member of Austin Stone Community Church in Texas, which holds the emerging church philosophy. It has an extremely weak doctrinal statement that allows the widest possible ecumenical relationships, and its objective is not just to preach the gospel to lost souls but to “redeem” the city of Austin, which is definitely what the apostles sought to do in the Roman Empire.”: – David W. Cloud.

Chris Tomlin is “Worship leader” at Passion City Church (a Mega Church) in Atlanta under the leadership of Louie Giglio. Giglio founded the Passion Movement which is a major outreach to young people. Hillsongs United (under the leadership of Joel Houston) were actively involved in leading this year’s Passion 2010 in Atlanta including Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band, Beth Moore, Charlie Hall, Matt Redman, John Piper this includesFrancis Chan, the same can be seen for 2013.

Chris Tomlin and The Shack.

The Shack author on Music Boat gig with Chris Tomlin, Newsboys, Mercy Me

Multi-platinum and multi-Dove Award winning Chris Tomlin makes his first and only cruise appearance on the Music Boat along with Dove winners Brandon Heath, Mercy Me, Israel Houghton, Sanctus Real, Salvador and KJ-52. 2010’s New Artist of the Year Sidewalk Prophets is also sailing the Music Boat. Paul Young, author of the New York Times best-seller The Shack; NY Inner-City Pastor Tom Richter and Biggest Losers Phil and Amy Parham are among the inspirational speakers for the cruise. For the kids, Veggie Tales’ Bob and Larry will be featured guests on the Music Boat. And, additional artists and speakers will be added soon.

Paul Young: Wm. Paul Young was born a Canadian and raised among a Stone Age tribe by his missionary parents in the highlands of former New Guinea. He suffered great loss as a child and young adult and now enjoys the “wastefulness of grace” with his family in the Pacific Northwest. The Shack, the novel Young started in 2005 to explain to his six kids how he coped with tragedy, spent over a year on the New York Times Best-Seller List and has sold more than 11 million copies.

In an interview Paul Young rejects the gospel in this interview:

Quotes from Paul Young’s interview with Pastor Kendall Adams on KAYP Radio:

Kendall Adams: “I, I take it that you wouldn’t, you wouldn’t agree that the cross was a place of punishment for our sin.”

Paul Young: “No. I don’t, I am not a penal substitution … reformation … point of view.”

Adams: “But isn’t that the heart of the gospel? Is that the heart of the gospel?”

Young: “No! Ha, no!”… I’m not saying that I don’t agree with some sense of substitutionary atonement.”

Adams: “But you disagree..”

Young: “But it’s way broader (muffled) than that.”

Adams: “But if you reject a penal substitution that Christ died as a penalty for our sins, it seems like that is the, that is the Christian faith.”

The Book teaches new age philosophy here are some examples

QUOTES FROM – The Shack

“This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ did for his. It’s that good!” —–Eugene Peterson, author of The Message (Front cover endorsement)

“God, who is the ground of all being, dwells in, around, and through all things…” [panentheism] —–The Shack’s “Jesus.” [William Young, The Shack (Windblown Media, 2007), p.112]

“Those who love me come from every system that exists. They were Buddhists or Mormons, Baptists or Muslims… I have no desire to make them Christian, but I do want to join them in their transformation into sons and daughters of my Papa, into my brothers and sisters.” —–The Shack’s “Jesus.” [William Young, The Shack (Windblown Media, 2007) ,p.182]

QUOTE FROM – A Course in Miracles

“The esoteric spiritual traditions — whether Christian mystics, Hebrew Cabalists, Zen Buddhists, Islamic Sufis, or Hindu yogis — all have specific practices to help individuals overcome this great ‘illusion of separation’ and to experience the One True Self, which is in us all.” —– A Course in Miracles, as “dictated” to channeler Helen Schucman in 1977 by her spirit guide who claimed to be “Jesus.” (Foundation for Inner Peace, 1976) ,p.149]

There are reasons why Crazy Love cannot be trusted the first point it try’s to explain the scriptures with human reasoning the scriptures warn us not to trust in our own understanding, Proverbs 3:5 the second point it crosses over into Catholic Mysticism for example Francis Chan is showing he is being influenced by Roman Catholic leaders even by leading his readers into receiving what these mystics had written.

[P17] Francis Chan quotes François Fénelon, The Seeking Heart, François Fénelon was a Jesuit and a Mystic it is know that Fénelon burned his writings to stay in favour with Rome as at that time Mysticism did not abode well with Rome.

A bit of his background Born on Aug. 6, 1651, François Fénelon was educated by the Jesuits. He became a priest at the famous Seminary of St-Sulpice and spent 3 years preaching to Protestants. He became an ardent disciple and friend of Jacques Bossuet. Fénelon produced his Treatise on the Existence of God as well as his Treatise on the Education of Young Girls at this time. Both were highly successful.

In 1688 Fénelon met Madame Guyon, who claimed to have mystical experiences and to have the secret of loving God this would have influenced François Fénelon, The Seeking Heart.

Mysticism has been one of the main practices that had lead many astray, in a book titledFrançois Fénelon : a biography—the apostle of pure love / Peter J. Gorday

This book states clearly Roman Catholic Archbishop François Fénelon was a Catholic Mystic, states “ The point at which “mysticism” enters the picture is with the contention that this abandoning of ourselves or giving ourselves over to God must proceed by means of a rediscovered, intensely felt, and profoundly inward sense of the immediate presence of God.”

The consequent yielding of the self to this experience of God must happen at a hidden location deep within the individual’s inner “space,” often called the “center” or “fine point” of the soul. “Mysticism” then denotes this sense of
being “filled” with divine presence deep within. We should notice as well that the sense of being “filled” may be expressed positively or negatively.

That is, God may be present, for example, as a burning fire (positive) or, paradoxically, as a desolating emptiness (negative). Likewise the presence may be depicted with vivid imagery (positive) or, contrariwise, by means of an abstract language of negation (negative). The experience may be
one of joy (positive) or agony (negative). And so on. There was also the issue, often heard in Fénelon’s time, of whether mystical experience was reserved only for adepts or something to be desired for all Christians.

Now in the early stages, this inward experiencing of the mystic is marked by a retreat from the mundane, from the outward, superficial, and distracting world of daily concerns and activities, in order to pursue a re-centred, “purified” sense of the self (a “losing of the self to find the self”
experience).

François Fénelon did also “mystical prayer” this was known because of his form of religious mysticism known as Quietism

The Catholic Encyclopedia states Quietism “(Latin quies, quietus, passivity) in the broadest sense is the doctrine which declares that man’s highest perfection consists in a sort of psychical self-annihilation and a consequent absorption of the soul into the Divine Essence even during the present life. In the state of “quietude” the mind is wholly inactive; it no longer thinks or wills on its own account, but remains passive while God acts within it.”

The origin of these Quietistic tendencies is not hard to discover. However strongly the Pantheistic conception of the world may appeal to the philosophic minded, it cannot do away with the obvious data of experience. To say that the soul is part of the Divine being or an emanation from God enhances, apparently, the dignity of man; but there still remains the fact that passion, desire, and moral evil make human life anything but Divine. Hence the craving for deliverance and peace which can be obtained only by some sort of withdrawal from action and from dependence on external things and by a consequent immersion, more or less complete, in the Divine being. These aberrations of Mysticism continued even after the preaching of Christianity had revealed to mankind the truth concerning God, the moral order, and human destiny. Gnosticism, especially the Antinomian School, looked for salvation in a sort of intuitive knowledge of the Divine which emancipated the “spiritual” from the obligation of the moral law. The same Quietistic tendency appears in the teaching of the Euchites or Messalians, who maintained that prayer frees the body from passion and the soul from evil inclination, so that sacraments and penitential works are useless. They were condemned at the Synod of Side in Pamphilia (383) and at Ephesus (431). The Bogomili of the later Middle Ages were probably their lineal descendants.

In the Book Gnostic Wars: The Cold War in the Context of a History of Western Spirituality by Stefan Rossbach [p90]

It is very clear to me that in Chapter One page 23 Francis Chan is very much promoting this form of Mysticism and Gnostic teaching and directing the reader to practice it.

What if I said, “Stop praying”? What if I told you to stop talking at God for a while, but instead to take a long, hard look at Him before you speak another word? Solomon warned us not to rush into God’s presence with words. That’s what fools do. And often, that’s what we do. We are a culture that relies on technology over community, a society in which spoken and written words are cheap, easy to come by, and excessive. Our culture says anything goes; fear of God is almost unheard of. We are slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to become angry. The wise man comes to God without saying a word and stands in awe of Him. It may seem a hopeless endeavor, to gaze at the invisible God. But Romans 1: 20 tells us that through creation, we see His “invisible qualities” and “divine nature.”

Chan, Francis (2010-01-01). Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God (p. 23). David C. Cook. Kindle Edition.

Frederick Buechner writes, “Intellectually we all know that we will die, but we do not really know it in the sense that the knowledge becomes a part of us. We do not really know it in the sense of living as though it were true. On the contrary, we tend to live as though our lives would go on forever.” 1

Chan, Francis (2010-01-01). Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God (p. 38). David C. Cook. Kindle Edition.

Frederick Buechner is a known mystic also sympathetic to the RCC as he was an ecumenist and is well received by the RCC, Frederick writes:

“About twenty years ago I was in Rome at Christmastime, and on Christmas Eve I went to Saint Peter’s to see the Pope celebrate mass. It happened also to be the end of Holy Year, and there were thousands of pilgrims from all over Europe who started arriving hours ahead of when the mass was supposed to begin so that they would be sure to find a good place to watch from, and it was not long before the whole enormous church was filled. I am sure that we did not look like a particularly religious crowd. We were milling around, thousands of us, elbowing each other out of the way to get as near as possible to the papal altar with its huge canopy of gilded bronze and to the aisle that was roped off for the Pope to come down. Some had brought food to sustain them through the long wait, and every once in a while singing would break out like brush fire — “Adeste Fidelis” and “Heilige Nacht.” I remember especially because everybody seemed to know the Latin words to one and the German words to the other — and the singing would billow up into the great Michelangelo dome and then fade away until somebody somewhere started it up again. Whatever sense anybody might have had of its being a holy time and a holy place was swallowed up by the sheer spectacle of it — the countless voices and candles, and the marble faces of saints and apostles, and the hiss and shuffle of feet on the acres of mosaic.“

Mark Buchanan is also promoted by Francis Chan he writes, “Physical sickness we usually defy. Soul sickness we often resign ourselves to.” 2

Mark Buchanan, The Rest of God (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2007), 158.

Chan, Francis (2010-01-01). Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God (p. 96). David C. Cook. Kindle Edition.

Mark Buchanan is very much participating and involved with Willow Creek.

Mark Buchanan is also a practitioner of Contemplative Pastor, an example of this was in one of his books called Spiritual Rhythm”Mark invites us to respond to every season of the heart, whether we are flourishing and fruitful, stark and dismal, or cool and windy. In comparing spiritual rhythms to the seasons of the year, he shows us what to expect from each season and how embracing the seasons causes our spiritual lives to prosper. “

An example of spiritual rhythms can be found by the National Pastors Retreat this says Experience a Deeper Connection with God

Experience God’s transforming presence in this special overnight retreat designed specifically for you. “Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership” challenges participants to forge a connection between their souls and their leadership. This National Pastors Retreat provides leaders with a safe place to be honest about the challenges of spiritual leadership, to experience spiritual rhythms of solitude, prayer, and community, and to deepen their understanding of leadership that flows from one’s authentic self. Led by The Transforming Center leaders Ruth Haley Barton and Joe Sherman, this retreat offers a meaningful introduction to the community, spiritual rhythms, teaching themes, and guided experiences that will come to characterize National Pastors Retreat.

This is not an endorsement or promotion of Eric Barger, based on his research he says:

Ruth Haley Barton – Co-Founder and President of The Transforming Center (Wheaton, IL). She was trained through the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation (Bethesda, Maryland). Educated at Wheaton College (Wheaton, Illinois) and has been on the pastoral staff of Willow Creek Community Church. She is also on the Christianity Today/Building Church Leaders Advisory Board.

Tilden Edwards, founder of the Shalem Institute that trained Barton states: “mystical stream is the Western bridge to Far Eastern spirituality (and to that of Sufi Moslems and some Hasidic Jews in the West as well). The Zen warning not to confuse the pointing finger…for the moon to which it points is a saying that a Christian mystic easily understands. It is no accident that the most active frontier between Christian andEastern religions today is between contemplative Christian monks and their Eastern equivalents. Some forms of Eastern meditation informally have been incorporated or adapted into the practice of many Christian monks, and increasingly by other Christians.” (Spiritual Friend by Tilden Edwards; page 18)

This is not an endorsement or promotion of Eric Barger, based on his research he says ” John Ortberg – Menlo Park (CA) Presbyterian.

In Ortberg’s 2005 book, God is Closer Than You Think, Ortberg quotes favourably from contemplative’s such as Anne Lamott, Annie Dillard, Gary Thomas (Sacred Pathways), Brother Lawrence (who danced violently like a mad man when he practiced), inter spiritualists Tilden Edwards (Shalem Institute), Thomas Kelly (Divine Center in all), Jean Pierre de Caussade, Frederick Buechner, Meister Eckhart as well asDallas Willard and Thomas Merton.“

NOTE: German, Meister Eckhart was an alleged Christian monk / occult mystic (perhaps the earliest Contemplative Emergent!?) who lived in the 14th century A.D. He is also the inspiration and assumed name-sake for modern New Age author, Eckhart Tolle. Tolle changed his name from “Ulrich Tolle” to “Eckhart Tolle” because of the immense spiritual connection he felt for the ancient mystic. Tolle became world famous in 2008 through being featured by Oprah Winfrey when she spotlighted his book “A New Earth”on her television program. Winfrey’s adoration for Tolle’s spirituality inspired her to host and participate in a 10 week series of webcasts on her Internet site in which Oprah herself entered altered states of consciousness utilizing Tolle’s instruction and techniques. These New Age and occult practices were nearly identical to those endorsed by Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, Ortberg and the other contemplative emergent practitioners.

Francis Chan in his book Love wins leads his readers to Henri Nouwen, With Open Hands (Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria Press, 2006),

Henri Nouwen writes about this in his book With Open Hands: “It is hard to bear with people who stand still along the way, lose heart, and seek their happiness in little pleasures which they cling to.… You feel sad about all that self-indulgence and self-satisfaction, for you know with an indestructible certainty that something greater is coming …”

Chan, Francis (2010-01-01). Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God (p. 96). David C. Cook. Kindle Edition.

The late Henri Nouwen was a Dutch Roman Catholic Priest he wrote books promoting contemplative spirituality he died in 1996.

Henri Nouwen is known for his books such as The Inner Voice of Love and The Way of the Heart promoting the practices of the Desert Fathers and Mothers.

Henri Nouwen for example promotes St. Anthony named the “Father of Monks” as one of the best guides on solitude the practices that Henri leads his readers is into monasticism in the book The Way of the Heart.

St. Anthony is considered to be among the best mystical writers, it is also said that Saint Anthony is also a mystic.

Anthony at the time he lived was a philosopher, is animated by another more noble ambition, that of the theologian who becomes a contemplative. He writes that contemplation is the most precious of all deeds, and none of the things that one could desire are comparable.

In the book Henri Nouwen also promotes a known mystic and a practitioner of eastern meditation Thomas Merton a Catholic Monk, the description of Mertons book On Eastern Meditation states.

Merton’s biographer, George Woodcock, once wrote that “almost from the beginning of his monastic career, Thomas Merton tentatively began to discover the great Asian religions of Buddhism and Taoism.” Merton, a longtime social justice advocate, first approached Eastern theology as an admirer of Gandhi’s beliefs on non-violence. Through Gandhi, Merton came to know the great Hindu text, Bhagavad Gita and in time came to have dialogues with the Dalai Lama and Taoist leader D. T. Suzuki. Merton then became deeply interested in Chuang Tzu and Zen thought. On Eastern Meditation, edited by Bonnie Thurston (author of Merton and Buddhism), gathers the best of his Eastern theological writings into a gorgeously designed gift book edition.

This book also promotes Taoism on page 48 the name of a Taoist Philosopher Chaung Tzu is mentioned.

Merton was also an advocate of the Labyrinth Walks this is responsible for leading so many in the churches into occult practices.

Francis Chan and Rick Warren.

Refs:

[1] http://mnnonline.org/article/14871
[2] http://www.symbolicliving.com/forum/showthread.php/2701-Lectio-Divina
[3] http://desertfathers.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/contemplative-prayers.html
[4] http://www.wayoflife.org/index_files/friday_
church_news_13_5.html
[5] http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=30700
[6] http://www.mbla.org/Acts29.htm
[7] http://theresurgence.com/2009/12/15/how-to-practice-meditative-prayer
[8] http://theresurgence.com/2009/11/22/meditative-prayer-filling-the-mind
[9] http://theresurgence.com/2008/09/05/obedience
[10] http://lectiodivina.wordpress.com/2010/02/14/trinitarian-prayer-mark-driscoll/