The Problem with Contemplative Prayer

[@os6og]

Wow this was really insightful and well done. Thank you so much. Over a year ago the church we were part of started teaching contemplative spirituality and focusing on spiritual formation (silent prayer / breath prayer / imaginative prayer / Richard Foster’s spiritual disciplines / etc) and recommending books by John Mark Comer, Richard Foster, Ruth Haley Barton, and many others. Most people didn’t (and still don’t) seem to have an issue with it. I think it’s partially because Bible verses are quoted and it’s packaged as “silence and solitude” (which people assume means typical quiet time), or a deeper way to “be with Jesus” (which may sound good), so there’s no automatic red flags. Unless someone studies the verses in context on their own and sees how they’re misused, they assume the pastor and the church leadership are teaching truth. 💔 I appreciate you talking about this in such a clear way.

[@thepostscriptshow]

Thank you so much for such a thoughtful comment. We are so glad you found this video insightful! God Bless.

[@lauriemilam8805]

@os6og- same thing we are dealing with- same authors/ ‘teachers.’ Heartbreaking for sure.

[@JJ-fs8fu]

Thank you for highlighting this. I’m seeing first hand the damage this can do churches as it can be extremely subtle. I’ve been searching for someone to raise the alarm. Thank you again

[@thepostscriptshow]

Thank you very much for listening!

[@nathanpack-sz1bo]

​@thepostscriptshow My family and I have been at the same church for over 10 years. Sunday our pastor extensively quoted and taught from a Henri Nouwen book. I looked into him and addressed concerns with the pastor. He defended his position and went on to recommend contemplative prayer to me along with lectio divina. I feel heartbroken and sick....thoughts?

[@thepostscriptshow]

Hi @nathanpack-sz1bo , Thank you for the question and we are so glad that this episode reached you. Our advice would be to pray diligently about if the church you attend is a biblical one. We are praying for you! Let us know if you have anymore questions. God bless. - Admin of the Postscript

[@lauriemilam8805]

@nathan pack-sz1bo- same here. Really heart-breaking situation! We are in the same situation. These practices have invaded evangelical churches as well.. Spreading like a cancer. Praying for eyes to be opened, and for guidance for us to find a Biblically-sound Church.

[@StephenLoney]

I was getting led into this years ago. It was taking me away from scripture. It ended with the thought "If I hear directly from God, do I even need the Bible?" You think you are drawing closer to God while the opposite is happening. Now, with my life being built on the Word, my life is blessed with peace.

[@viconmypc]

Awesome. Thank you for this! It could almost sound like a good idea until you finish out the thought and consider where it might lead. Thanks guys, God bless!

[@thepostscriptshow]

Thank you for tuning in! Glad you enjoyed the episode!

[@jennifercandace1]

My church just introduced lectio devina at a night of prayer. My spidey senses were on full alert and i turned in my seat to see everyone thinking the same as me, only to see nothing but acceptance. My husband and i brought this with references to the dangers of it to our pastor who assured us that the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Not sure of our next steps but I'm watching everything now.

[@thepostscriptshow]

Praying for you as you consider your next steps. We are so glad that this episode reached you. God Bless.

[@angelinahudspeth8865]

Interesting I came across this. Our church has been going through a very dramatic time and still are in regard to spiritual formation,and all it entails. Some of us in the body have researched for months I personally have had a check in my spirit for over a year as there have been flags of its presence. Many have left the church that have been members for 20, 30 over 40 years. I for one have been actively serving for over 30 years We are waiting, watching and praying against what is taking place. We have addressed our pastor and wife of their silence in not rejected this movement. It doesn't matter what verses are used out of contents this is a very destructive movement which is based on Mysticism, New Age and Catholicism. Connect with a great source called "Lighthouse Trails Publications" to stay informed of false teaching, this is truly one to run from. Acts 17:11 calls us to search the scriptures daily to see if what we are being taught is true. God's word.....nothing more, nothing less. 2Tim.3:16

[@user-hi8rg7bl2s]

Thoroughly biblical. Helpful! Thank you.

[@thepostscriptshow]

We are so glad this was helpful! Thank you for listening!

[@republiccooper]

I'm hearing the debate but it sounds very theoretical. Could you bring a case of someone being harmed by this practice? Like contacting a demon or losing sanity or any sending from the faith. I need something more concrete. Thank you.

[@KingdomPersonalties]

Amen. Great observation.

[@reallybro1611]

Good stuff! Thank you!

[@thepostscriptshow]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for listening!!

[@majo.aguilar]

Great episode!

[@nancym4049]

Thank you for doing this. Very helpful.

[@steps2truth6885]

Thank you for this. I live in the UK and a church I almost moved to did a so called "bible study" on contemplative prayer 24/7 by Pete Greig from Emmaus Road Church. After much prayer God has given me the gift of discernment and has protected me from deception. Why do some Christians who have a knowledge of the Truth fail to recognise a cloud without water when they see one?

[@colinfoster7655]

Thank you for this. It is in our church but more subtly which seems in some ways even more sinister as they promote this but use different words to describe it and then use this as evidence that it is not what it actually is.

[@thepostscriptshow]

Glad this episode found you. We will be praying for you. God bless.

[@dfel549]

This was an excellent episode.

[@thepostscriptshow]

Thanks for listening!

[@pinkglow7]

What do you think of lectio divina? A friend is turning members of our church to this. It makes me very uncomfortable.

[@thepostscriptshow]

They need to avoid it. Might end up connecting to a wrong spirit. A great account on Facebook covers a great deal on new age problem. They are Catholic, but are hard core against all the new age craziness. They do a lot of research on all the latest fads. Examples. (13) Christian Answers for the New Age | Facebook They have many posts on the subject. You can also just search Christian Answers fo the New Age into Facebook search. Let us know if this helps. God Bless! - Answer given by Pastor Sam Miles

[@debravan-aalst4723]

What is Lectio Davina please?

[@thepostscriptshow]

The Lectio Divina is a Benedictine monastic practice originating in the 6th Century. The principles we discussed in the contemplative prayer episode would apply. It's our position that contemplative prayer practices (in general Catholic tradition manifestations) do more to disconnect you from the will of God than connect you. Answer given by Brandon Briscoe. God Bless.

[@debravan-aalst4723]

@@thepostscriptshow thank you

[@SibleySteve]

Good discussion, some of the voodoo elements comes from non-Hebrew Gentile philosophy like Hermeticism, or Neoplatonism, or Gnosticism or other Egyptian-Alexandrian Greek and old Roman pagan mystery religions. There’s like an anti-Semitic rejection of the Old Testament or unhitching of the Old Testament and to fill the void they turn to old Mediterranean religion. It seems like if we stick with the psalms, Isaiah, and the story of Gods remnant people of Israel, then we won’t get bored with our prayer life and go looking for new exciting ways to pray. A lot of this is Christians getting bored and wanting to spend money on new books and retreats, and authors wanting to make a Buck offering new products to a starving market. It’s easier to buy a book than to open up the psalms and pray. I’m as guilty as anybody looking for short cuts. Jesus gives us the Lord’s Prayer and we say NO THANKS I think I would rather sit here and naval gaze, and pretend that it’s prayer.

[@Seraphim33AD]

Are you guys Catholic or Protestant or Orthodox?

[@thepostscriptshow]

Thank you for your question. We hold to a baptistic theology and believe the Bible is the final authority concerning faith and practice. We do not fit within any of the popular definitions of what it means to be Orthodox, Catholic, or Protestant historically or theologically. We recommend our Church History playlist for more information on this topic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eV6UoGyXqdClaK8 Thank you for listening! God bless.

[@shizlegizmgar]

“I believed the voice of my belly.” Paul- “Their god is their bellies.”