http://www.lighthousetrails.com/atimeofdeparting.htm
A Time of Departing: How a Universal Spirituality is Changing the Face
of Christianity
Written by Ray Yungen
If you are seeking to better understand the inroads of New Age
Spiritualism on Christianity this book is a must read. It is the very
best book I have read on the subject. Because it is Scripturally
accurate, thorougally researched, well written and totally
understadable, you come away knowing the dangers of some of the
spiritual disciplines, such as centering prayer, that are highly
recommended by a number of well respected evangelical Christians.
Centering prayer can either use a word or phrase (mantra) or focus on
the breath as Rick Warren advocates you do in his book, "The Prupose
Driven Life." In His chapter on "Discernment' Yungan gives you the
facts on everything from the "Chicken Soup For the Soul" books, to
Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Phil, the therapuetic modulities of Rikki and
Therapuetic Touch and so much more. It saves one the work of having to
do all the research for yourself! Yungen also states that he is not
interested in sliging mud on names; but rather is challenging
Christians to look at the facts surrounding the contemplative prayer
movement and other non bliblical practices being embraced by believers,
which really blessed me. Many of the inroads of the new age into the
Christian church are extremely subtle. As Matthew 24:24 warns us,"For
there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew
great signs and wonders, insomuch that it it were possible, they shall
deceive the very elect." The only way to keep yourself from falling
prey to these many seemingly benifical practices which are really of
the enemy is to inform yourself as to what they are really all about.
The Christian Sentinel
April 2003 issue
A Time of Departing
By Ray Yungen
Book Review by Jackie Alnor
=E3 2003 Christian Sentinel
Twenty years ago there was a big outcry by watchmen in the church about
the growing New Age movement that got the attention of the Christian
community. Unfortunately, the "paradigm shift" of consciousness that
New Age promoters were foreseeing has actually taken place. A Time of
Departing gives an update of how those once alien ideas have now become
the norm.
Ray Yungen gives the church a much-needed reminder of the insidiousness
of the philosophy basic to the New Age that poses the biggest threat to
Christian orthodoxy -- panentheism, the idea that "God is in everything
and everything is in God" (pg. 35). This is different from pantheism
that sees God as an impersonal substance that incorporates all of
creation. Yungen traces such ideas to the Catholic mystics of the
Middle Ages who introduced "contemplative prayer" as a way to empty the
mind and encounter God. This mystical prayer has had a revival in the
Catholic Church in recent years as the New Age movement's promotion
of meditation has caught on. And these concepts have infiltrated the
evangelical church as leaders close their eyes to the dangers.
The author points to two influential writers who have popularized such
ideas in the evangelical church, Richard Foster and Brennan Manning.
Both these men have written popular "Christian" books about
contemplative prayer, also called "centering prayer." And, both quote
the Catholic mystics such as Thomas Merton and Thomas Keating. It is
evident that the Roman Catholic Church is the bridge between
Christianity and the New Age movement.
Problems arise for Christians who use "contemplative prayer' to reach
God. Entering into a self-induced trance state is dangerous even when
it is attained by following seemingly biblical talk such as "be still
and know that I am God." When Christian mystics enter what is known as
"The Silence" things can and do go wrong. Yungen quoted one author as
reporting, "Saint Anthony, one of the first desert mystics, frequently
encountered strange and sometimes terrifying psychophysical forces
while at prayer" (pg. 52). And St. Romain "would feel 'prickly
sensations' on the top of his head and at times it would 'fizzle
with energy.' This sensation would go on for days" (pg. 50).
Richard Foster in his book, Prayer: Finding the heart's True Home, he
speaks of the practice of "breath prayer," in which a
Christian-sounding word or phrase is repeated over and over again like
a mantra. Foster wrote that "Christian meditation is an attempt to
empty the mind in order to fill it" (pg. 72), but fill it with what?
This "breath prayer" idea has gained popularity in charismatic circles
that frequently sing of "breathing in Jesus" or variations thereof.
Brennan Manning's fans can get very offended when his books are
critiqued as I have found since placing my review of The Ragamuffin
Gospel on-line. After all, a major evangelical publisher publishes his
books and many Christian music artists recommend him (see my review of
this book and my correspondence with Multnomah Books). "Just because a
writer is emotionally stirring, sincere, and uses Biblical language,"
warned Yungen, "does not necessarily mean he or she advocates Biblical
truths" (pg. 84). Too bad Manning's followers can't see this.
A Time of Departing is the perfect book to buy for someone who has
crossed the line away from biblical truth into New Age practices. It is
not uncommon today to run into people who claim to be Christians yet go
to their local YMCA or gym for Yoga lessons every week. Recently I met
a "pastor" whose job on the side is the New Age medicine practice of
reflexology. And I met an owner of a health food store who has crosses
and scriptures around her store yet practices the occult art of
iridology. Too many Christians today are oblivious to the
contradictions of Christianity and these Eastern practices. They need a
wake-up call.
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