Mysticism

Mysticism, Mystical "Science" & the Occult

Topics: The Occult | Postmodern Church | Purpose-Driven Church | America's Spiritual Slide

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Definition of Mysticism: (Encyclopedia): "A wide range of perspectives occur among spiritual traditions and beliefs which embrace direct experiential knowledge of God."

March 2016

A Picture Says a Thousand Words (Newsweek Cover) – Further Proof That Meditation Has Gone Mainstream: "A new symbol has appeared at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa (CCCM). Some may be wondering if this new symbol will be replacing the Calvary 'dove' that has symbolized Calvary Chapel for decades. For now, at least, the dove logo seems to have gone 'undercover..." See Mysticism & Global Mind Change

February 2016

Justice Scalia spent his last hours with members of this secretive society of elite hunters: "After Scalia’s death Feb. 13, the names of the 35 other guests at the remote resort, along with details about Scalia’s connection to the hunters, have remained largely unknown. A review of public records shows that some of the men who were with Scalia at the ranch are connected through the International Order of St. Hubertus....

Members of the worldwide, male-only society wear dark-green robes emblazoned with a large cross and the motto 'Deum Diligite Animalia Diligentes,' which means 'Honoring God by honoring His creatures.'... The group’s Grand Master is 'His Imperial Highness Istvan von Habsburg-Lothringen, Archduke of Austria'..." See The Elite behind the New World Order?

May 2015

Toxic Devotion: A Review of Sarah Young’s — Jesus Calling: "'Jesus Calling' promotes mystical devotion to God and is based on words [supposedly] from Jesus beyond Scripture. As we shall see, Young puts New Age, panentheistic ideas into the mouth of 'Jesus Christ'....

"In the book Young has Jesus repeatedly saying, 'whisper my name.' The romanticism and sensuality evidently appeals to many readers, since the book is a best-seller.... The primary category in Jesus Calling is 'awareness of Presence,' found 58 times. There are also synonyms such as 'consciousness of Presence' and other panentheistic, New Age ideas.

"For example: Shimmering hues of radiance tap gently at your consciousness, seeking entrance. Though I have all power in heaven and on earth, I am infinitely tender with you. . . Let your weakness be a door to My Presence...." See Mysticism & Global Mind Change

December 2012

Fantasy or Reality: "The invasion of monsters began decades ago, and it quickly transformed the world of entertainment. With little resistance, an army of cute-ugly creatures swept into toy stores, television and movies.... And many have pushed their way into children's hearts on the backs of seductive myths that mold their thoughts and manipulate their imagination....

"They entertain. They shift a person's attention from the real world to a more titillating realm created by those who write the myths and steer the imagination. They tempt Christian fans to re-imagine both God and themselves in the new context – thus bending the old realities to fit the new myths. They desensitize their fans to mystical images and symbols of evil. And they stir a craving for more intense excitement of the same kind. Eventually the real world of nature, families, work and Biblical truth becomes too boring to be enjoyed." See Role-Playing Games & Popular Occultism

July 2011

New Theology, Gnosticism and the New Age: "The modern secular (humanistic) concept of truth is relative. Purged of Biblical absolutes, it puts Man at the center of all things. Denying the reality of a personal almighty God, the worldly person simply determines what's true and real according to his own mind, inclination and imagination. While reinventing our Creator, both Gnostics and humanists rejected most of the Bible. It made no earthly sense to them....

"In contrast, those who knew and followed God were given full access to the truths that the world has despised and abandoned....

"By the beginning of the 19th century western intellectuals began to openly embrace Eastern mysticism and the occult as a source of truth because they had abandoned rationalistic thinking. There is a logical inconsistency in man's rejection of the supernatural and his embrace of mysticism as Francis Schaeffer clearly shows in Escape from Reason. These changing views would soon bring revolutionary change to 'progressive' churches and academia." See Mysticism & Global Mind Change

July 2011

The Harbinger: Revealing - or Concealing - "America's Ancient Mystery"? "Setting aside the 'ancient mystery' of the nine harbingers (depicted as pictographic clay seals in Jonathan Cahn’s fictional story), there is another 'secret' message that flows in the subtext of Cahn’s New York Times bestseller, The Harbinger. Evaluating this hidden stream... will reveal that Cahn’s nine harbingers are built not on Scripture but on sinking sand. Cahn’s fictional Prophet recounts the 'consecration' of America by George Washington in a manner which stirs reverential awe among many Christian Patriots. But early in the book, Cahn acknowledges that 'those who laid America’s foundations' came 'long before the Founding Fathers...'”

The Harbinger - A Matter of Critical Discernment: "...although The Harbinger is a fictional account that invites subjective criticism, it makes numerous claims regarding actual signs or harbingers from God—which it attempts to justify by supporting them with Scriptures. God’s Word, however, is not fiction. That subjects The Harbinger to factual evaluation, because the Bible is God’s objective truth. Therefore, we can challenge Cahn’s claims objectively by searching the Scriptures to see if they indeed are true (Acts 17:11). As Isaiah wrote,

"...if they speak not according to [God’s] word, it is because there is no light in them." (Isaiah 8:20)

May 2011

Ahmadinejad allies charged with sorcery: "Several people said to be close to the president and his chief of staff, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, have been arrested in recent days and charged with being 'magicians' and invoking djinns (spirits). Ayandeh, an Iranian news website, described one of the arrested men, Abbas Ghaffari, as 'a man with special skills in metaphysics and connections with the unknown worlds." See Unequal Contenders in the Spiritual War

March 2011

The New Age Christian—An Accepted Oxymoron: "...her comments led me to believe she was an evangelical Christian. Towards the end of our friendly conversation she dropped a bombshell on me when she blurted-out, 'Well, we all have the Christ consciousness!'” See Mysticism & Global Mind Change

May 2010

Contemplative Spirituality = New Age Movement: "The editors of the magazine New Age Journal have put together a book titled As Above, So Below, which they promote as a handbook on 'Paths to Spiritual Renewal,' according to their worldview. Along with chapters on shamanism, goddess worship, and holistic health, there is a chapter devoted to contemplative prayer. In it they openly declare: 'Those who have practiced Transcendental Meditation may be surprised to learn that Christianity has its own time-honored form of mantra meditation. … Reliance on a mantric centering device had a long history in the mystical canon of Christianity.'" See Empowering "my" will

New Age Sympathizer Leonard Sweet to Speak at Calvary Chapel Church: "Leonard Sweet has been a leading figure in bringing the “new” spirituality into the evangelical church for more than a decade and a half. From his book, Quantum Spirituality... to his audio series, The Tides of Change, with Rick Warren in 1995, to his book he co-authored with atonement denier Brian McLaren, A is for Abductive: the Language of the Emerging Church.... show his New Age propensities.... And for him to be included in a conference at a Calvary Chapel church (after the founder of the movement denounced the emerging spirituality a few years ago) speaks volumes about the slide into deception that the evangelical church is making." See From Truth to a New Spirituality

November 2009

Revisiting the Occult-Military Complex: Towards A Mystical Military: "Apparently, participants in this occult-military program where supposed to take down enemies by projecting psychic powers. Training for this was apparently done on goats, and the warrior monks – the term used by these mind solders – would stare at goats in an attempt to kill them using mind power alone.

       "Hocus pocus? Obviously mainline institutions, such as the U.S. Army, recognizes some validity to the paranormal or 'spiritual' – enough, at least, to pursue occult experiments.... So, what can we glean from this brief exploration of such a different topic? Simply put: It demonstrates that society’s fascination with occultism isn’t limited to those who are 'spiritually-minded' or the paranormal fads of popular culture – it even transcends accepted norms of civil service. Therefore, by understanding this context, we have a better grasp of our culture’s spiritual appetite, and hopefully can be better equipped to recognize the inroads made by occultism."

When Students Are Left for the Wolves: "My alma mater, Bethel University in St. Paul, MN, sponsored an Interreligious Symposium promoting some kind of 'common ground' between Buddhism and Christianity.... Abouandatory. The three main presenters were Buddhist monk Witiyala Seewalie from Sri Lanka, Bethel professohttp://www.shepherd.to/index.html is a part of the 'Christian Zen' movement, and Ted Meissner, an active Buddhist layman and meditator in Zen, although he grew up in a Christian home....

     "Zen is a school or division of Buddhism characterized by techniques designed to produce enlightenment. ...being a Buddhist means becoming conscious of one's own divinity. ...

     "The students were encouraged to do meditation that would silence or empty their minds." See From Truth to a New Spirituality

Merton & Nouwen: Sacrificing Truth for Mystical Experiences: "On a rational level, Christianity and Eastern religions will not mix; but add the mystical element and they blend together like soap and water.... Mysticism neutralizes doctrinal differences by sacrificing the truth of Scripture for a mystical experience. Mysticism offers a common ground>... divinity in all....

     "Why would a Hindu monk advocate the Christian mystical tradition? The answer is simple: they are one in the same. Even though the repetitive words used may differ (e.g. Christian words... rather than Hindu words), the end result is the same." See Merging Religion and Mystical 'Science'

Esoteric "Christianity": "....he explained that the spirit within his soul guided him into all knowledge. When I asked him which spirit it was that had control of his soul, and directly challenged whether or not it was an agent of Satan masquerading as an angel of light, he sharply replied that 'as long as you have no fear, it doesn't matter which spirit it is.'

      "This is very dangerous ground! The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, an occult society that had its start back in 1887, teaches that 'Fear is failure and the forerunner of failure...Therefore fear not the Spirits, but be firm and courteous with them...' Yet, God's Word tells us that we are not to believe every spirit, but rather to test them to see if they are from God (1 John 4:1). Please understand, this is nothing to fool around with." See A New Mask for an Ancient Secret

In shambles after 'apparition': "A blistering attack has been launched by the manager of Knock Shrine against thousands of pilgrims who stampeded and left the place 'in a terrible state' on Sunday in the hopes of seeing an apparition of the Virgin Mary.... Up to 15,000 people had gathered from all over Ireland for an apparition of Our Lady.... 'Our basilica was left in a terrible state.... There was food and drink spilled inside, chairs turned upside-down, the carpets were soiled... 'There was pandemonium ...

      "... the apparition told him that she hoped her message of peace would be 'given around the globe in different ways'.... I am the Immaculate Heart, mother of all my children, mother of all God’s children. I am the Immaculate Conception. I am Queen of the Heavens. I am Queen of the Earth." See Mysticism & Global Mind Change

June 2009

The next link gives a glimpse of the type of deceptions our children are exposed to in today's schools, churches and culture.

Transforming Community: "The Rev. David Hett, Minister of Religious Life and Learning, explores the many elements that make up the individual and corporate journey into a new way of being in the world.... 'As I travel to the Scottish island of Iona, 'birthplace' of Celtic Christianity, I become more aware why I themed my sabbatical around mystical lands, traditions, and paths: for greater abiding in, and openness to... 'unitive consciousness, the primal, in-depth oneness of all things with God.' .... Even use of the word, 'God,' becomes problematic.... I often prefer, then, to use euphemisms like 'Divine' or 'Being'..." From God's Truth to the "New Spirituality"

September 2008

Darwin: From Physics to Metaphysics: "The idea of natural selection may have been designed to explain God away, but in reality, through time, it has been the catalyst which has created an environment which has done exactly the opposite. It seems there has been a major shift in thinking over the past few decades. Our present generation has become frustrated with believing in naturalism. Now they are willing to believe that anything and everything is God. There is no question mysticism and superstition, which modern science was supposed to have eliminated has made a comeback..." Mysticism & Global Mind Change

June 2008

Soaking Prayer Seminar -- Serious Problems with this Practice: "The article, titled 'Soaking in the Spirit,' explains that 'the aim of soaking prayer is to put oneself in an attitude of stillness, focusing on Jesus without an agenda....'

"...those who practice soaking prayer will often respond with falling or lying on the floor, where they 'soak in God's presence.'' Instructions for soaking suggest turning on 'intimate worship music with meaningful words that quiet your soul and help you draw near to God.' Results can include: a feeling that a heavy weight is on the body, an electric tingling in the hands and feet, and a warm sensation going through the heart....

"Offering numerous soaking prayer Kits, including one for teens, special soaking prayer music, and 'soaking essentials' (pillow and blanket), along with an entire training seminar on how to start your own soaking prayer center, is evidence that what is being taught goes beyond the realm of a biblical quiet time where a believer reads the Word, meditates mindfully on it, and prays." See From Gnostic Roots to Occult Revival

May 2008

Todd_Bentley (It's strange that any church would trust this man!): "Todd is associated with the controversial ‘Kansas City Prophets’, and has had various ‘prophets’ speak in support of his ministry…. 'I go into intercession and become a partner with the angels by petitioning the Father for the angels that are assigned to getting me money....'

"Todd has a number of impressive [occult] tattoos and piercings which, he claims, God told him to get." See Mysticism & Global Mind Change

March 2008

Meditation Explosion - 17 Million Meditators: "...This means that since A Time of Departing came out, 17 million people in this country have embraced the practice of meditation. Dr. Levy makes it clear that the type of mediation of which he speaks is the eastern-New Age kind as the essence of his book is that meditation is a door way to the 'superconscious.'...

"First is the tremendous explosion of the interest in Yoga... the union with the divine or the Hindu concept of the divine.... Secondly... is the explosion of the interest in contemplative prayer, which is a westernized form of meditation.... The emerging church movement seeks to jettison the traditional doctrinal expressions of Christianity and replace it with a more mystical experiential type of Christianity, one that fits in well with the philosophy of interspirituality."

February 2008

National Pastors Convention: It’s a Leftie-Palooza: “Join Shelly Pagitt for a time of prayer, stretching, and meditative reflection as you begin your day at the NPC. If possible, please bring a mat with you for the stretching time.' Shelly Pagitt, wife of emerging Pied Piper, Doug, will be bowing before the pastors and their wives and saying, 'Namaste'. That’s how a yoga session starts, and the words are Sanskrit for 'I bow to the divine within you.'

     "Yoga journal describes 'Namaste' this way. 'The gesture Namaste represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located in the heart chakra. The gesture is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another. ... Namaste literally means 'bow me you' or 'I bow to you.'

     "When the pastors are done with their Hindu worship, they can cruise into a workshop with Roger Olson. ... 'We will look at how history sheds light on radical evangelical faith that breaks with the status quo and forges new paths in theology, worship and service.' ...

     "Ruth Haley Barton is another speaker at the National Pastors Convention. After sewing her seeds of contemplative mystical spirituality at Willow Creek under Bill Hybels, she has now moved on.... Zondervan, who sponsors the NPC, has brought in political liberals... to make sure that left-wing theology matches left-wing politics.... The National Pastors Convention is an indication of evangelicalism’s future. Only those whose feet are on the rock of the unchanging Word of God will not be swept away by this tsunami of spiritual deception." See From Gnostic Roots to Occult Revival

January 2008

Kingdom Triangle by J.P. Moreland: "J. P. Moreland is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Talbot (Biola) School of Theology and a faculty member at David Noebel's Summit Ministries....But Moreland has another credential that is not being discussed in evangelical circles - he promotes contemplative and emerging spirituality."

See previous links on this topic here