A subtle and dangerous shift in Christianity

Back in 2010 when I wrote this article my aim was to inform professing Christians, who had convinced themselves that it’s okay to practice “Christian yoga,” that it is not okay at all.  At that point yoga, which has it’s roots in Hinduism, had taken the Christian community by storm.  As you will see in my piece, Christian yoga is an oxymoron if there ever was one.  But the important thing for readers to understand is that pagan practices such as yoga cannot be christianized, nor should God’s people adopt a pagan practice and attach a Christian title to it so that it’s acceptable to the Christian community. When God says no, He means No! (2 Cor 6:14)

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“‘Namaste’ declares yoga’s quest for enlightenment and immortality through realization of inner divinity.”

It seems everyone’s practicing yoga meditation these days. Physicians recommend it to their patients which means it’s beneficial…right? Meditation is said to relieve stress, anxiety, hypertension, acne and post-nasal drip, so go for it! Just tighten those abdominal muscles, inhale deeply and chant Maaaaaaaaa all in one breath and your concerns will drift away like a feather floating on the wind…

But what if you’re a Christian? Should you practice the same sorts of things as Buddhist, Hindus and New Agers?

Listen to what the Bible says:

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success (Josh.1:8).

Firstly, meditating day and night does not mean to stay awake for 24 hours a day. Secondly, Christian meditation is very different from Eastern meditation. Followers of Jesus Christ are not to sit in the lotus pose in an altered state of consciousness seeking the “God within” like pagans do. The Bible teaches that when Christians meditate our minds are to be fully engaged. We are never to go into a trance-state.

What does meditation involve? “The word ‘meditation’ in Hebrew means basically to speak or to mutter. When this is done in the heart it is called musing or meditation. So meditating on the Word of God day and night means to speak to yourself the Word of God day and night and to speak to yourself about it.”

Before you dive into God’s Word take a moment to ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate your mind and to reveal truth to you. As you read, stop to ponder what God has spoken through the words on the page. Always, always, always consider the context. In Charles Spurgeon’s sermon “Pray Without Ceasing,” he says there are four important questions to be asked:

What do these words imply? Secondly, What do they actually mean? Thirdly, How shall we obey them? And, fourthly, Why should WE especially obey them?

Sometimes you need to read a passage over and over…reflect on it…analyze it…and listen while the Holy Spirit speaks truth to you. A word of warning: Listening to God does not require that you “empty” your mind. This meditative practice, called Lectio divina a.k.a. spiritual formation…the silence…best known as contemplative (centering) prayer (CP) is a growing trend in evangelical churches despite the fact that this sort of prayer ritual comes from teaching associated with Catholic mystics such as Meister Eckhart, Ignatius of Loyola, St. John of the Cross, and St. Teresa of Avila. CP was reintroduced by Thomas Merton, Thomas Keating, Henri Nouwen, William Meninger, Basil Pennington and other mystics.

Many in the Emergent Church movement (ECM) are advancing Roman Catholic mysticism as well. Yet they insist on being seen as mainline evangelicals. ECM has not only introduced aberrant teaching into our churches, it undermines the authority of Scripture. Gary Gilley laments that there has been a shift from infallible scriptures to “psychological and sociological experts, opinions of the masses, trends of the moment and the philosophy of pragmatism. This shift has been subtle, which has made it all the more dangerous. Few have bothered to deny the Bible itself, they just misquote it, abuse its meaning, force their opinion on it, and if necessary mistranslate it to give the appearance that the Scriptures are backing their claims. The affect of all of this scriptural manipulation is to both erode the authority of God’s Word and to give the appearance that what Scripture has to say isn’t really important. It is only a short step from here to a Christian community that no longer has much use for the Bible.” (This is eerily similar to the way liberals/progressives treat the U.S. Constitution.)

The Body of Christ needs to know who these apostates are. Rick Warren for one. Warren has been promoting CP in his books for years. Other important figures are Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, Brian McLaren, Leonard Sweet, Frank Viola, Jim Wallis, Tony Campolo, Richard Rohr, Rob Bell, Tony Jones, Doug Pagitt, Dan Kimball and Shane Claiborne. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

Listen to why it can be dangerous:

It has the potential to become, and often does become, a pursuit of mystical experience where the goal is to empty and free the mind and empower oneself. The Christian… uses the Scriptures to pursue the knowledge of God, wisdom, and holiness through the objective meaning of the text with the aim of transforming the mind according to truth. God said His people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6), not for lack of mystical, personal encounters with Him.

One should also consider that emptying or freeing the mind can put a person in contact with demons:

[T]he dangers inherent in opening our minds and listening for voices should be obvious. The contemplative pray-ers are so eager to hear something — anything — that they can lose the objectivity needed to discern between God’s voice, their own thoughts, and the infiltration of demons into their minds.

Contemplative prayer is almost identical to how the Zen Buddhists meditate. Following is part of the meditation process, “Just be still and know“:

Sit in the lotus pose (cross legged) keeping your spine straight… put your hands on each other in your lap… Now look at your left hand…just look. Aware of the left part of your body… look at the left hand in an empty manner. Just look. Don’t let any thought pop up in your mind…look blankly on your left hand and try to feel the left portion of your body…feel the left part…feel…This very process will activate your right brain. When the right brain activates, it results in disappearance of thoughts. Your thought will start disappearing…[ Slowly after a few sessions of practicing this meditation, you will be able to instantly achieve this state of disappearance of thoughts]

In Buddhism repeating a single word is known as a mantra. Many Buddhists simply murmur ommmm repeatedly. When Christians practice CP a word or phrase from the Bible is repeated. Many believers, especially young people, have been conned into believing that saying “I love Jesus” over and over will get them in contact with God. The fact of the matter is this approach to drawing close to God is unbiblical. Thus it should be eliminated from the serious Christian’s approach to and understanding of meditation and prayer.

With these practices and beliefs comes a “virtual encyclopedia of theological error,” says Gary Gilley. Many change agents in the Church are “Progressive Christians” now morphing into “social justice Christians” (SJC). Social justice is doublespeak for socialism. Spreading the social justice gospel is not the good news the Bible speaks of. SJCs want to mold America into a socialist saturated nanny state. Their aim is to redistribute the wealth. Before you buy into the SJC hype, check your history books. In every country socialism has been tried it has failed. Socialism takes away people’s freedoms and ultimately leads to tyranny. So why on earth does America want to copy it?

SJCs are bent on reinventing, or as Dan Kimball puts it re-imagining” traditional Christianity. Progressives are pushing pluralism. Because….when the Church becomes ecumenical and includes aspects of other religions it will blend nicely into their perception of how the 21st Century is going to be.

Authentic Christianity will never blend in! Christianity stands alone. All other religions are based on works righteousness (if you’re a good person you will ultimately be rewarded). The Bible is very clear that “there is no one righteous, no not one” (Rom 3:10). We are all sinners in need of a Savior. Sin separates us from a holy God. Christians believe Christ died for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. We believe we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ’s righteousness alone. True Christians are willing to die for the Truth. Are counterfeit Christians willing to die for their truth?

So, where was I?…Oh yes.

“Think about these things…”

Progressive Christians are introducing theological error into the Church faster than a starving cheetah chasing down a gazelle. In “How to Practice Meditative Prayer” Acts 29 Pastor, Winfield Bevins, explains:

In Hebrew thought, to meditate upon the Scriptures is to quietly repeat them, giving oneself entirely to God, and abandoning outside distractions. The two main things that we are told to meditate on are God’s word and God’s goodness. Paul tells us, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8).

Paul was not talking about prayer when he said “think about these things.” He was saying that we should let our minds dwell on pure thoughts because what we allow into our minds shapes our actions. Paul finishes his thought in verse 9:

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Do what you have seen me do, says Paul. This is not about finding a quiet place to sit crossed legged and prayerfully meditate — he was telling them to imitate what they have seen in him! According to Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary:

In these things he proposes himself to them for an example (v. 9): Those things which you have learned, and received, and heard and seen in me, do. … What they saw in him was the same thing with what they heard from him. He could propose himself as well as his doctrine to their imitation. It gives a great force to what we say to others when we can appeal to what they have seen in us. And this is the way to have the God of peace with us-to keep close to our duty to him. The Lord is with us while we are with him.

Many Christians lead busy lives so they put off spending time with God. In fact, data shows that most believers spend very little time in their Bibles, even though there’s a whole lot of prayin’ goin’ on! People running hither and yon bombard the Lord with bullet prayers. Now, don’t get me wrong. Praying umpteen times a day is what believers should do — we are commanded to pray without ceasing. (1 Thes. 5:17) We are also commanded to abide in Christ:

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing (John 15:5).

If followers of Jesus Christ are to bring forth good fruit they must stay attached to the Vine. The fruit believers bear when they’re not abiding in Christ may look ripe and juicy on the outside. But it is rotten fruit!

There is a story in Luke 10:38-42 of two sisters, Mary and Martha, who thought differently about how to serve their Master. When Jesus came to their home Martha stayed in the kitchen preparing food for their guests. She had her own ideas on how to serve Christ. Martha became vexed that Mary was not helping with the meal. Instead she sat at the feet of Jesus to hear his word. Martha actually went to Him to complain. Instead of taking her side, Christ publicly rebuked her:

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things…

In his commentary Matthew Henry explains the situation:

He repeated her name, Martha, Martha; he speaks as one in earnest, and deeply concerned for her welfare. Those that are entangled in the cares of this life are not easily disentangled. To them we must call again and again, O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord.

Jesus continues:

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Again, Matthew Henry:

“She had justly given the preference to that which best deserved it; for one thing is needful, this one thing that she has done, to give up herself to the guidance of Christ, and receive the law from his mouth. Note, Serious godliness is a needful thing, it is the one thing needful; for nothing without this will do us any real good in this world, and nothing but this will go with us into another world.”

Certainly there is nothing wrong with cooking for guests. But what we need to remember is that we are children of God before we are servants of God. Like Mary, we must sit at our Lord’s feet. Martha was so busy serving Jesus that she had no time to spend with Him! Have I hit a nerve?

Prayer is intended as praise, confession, thanksgiving, and asking for others. (Phil 4:4-7) In prayer we find God’s love and we will experience peace. Moreover, through prayer we are conformed to God’s will. Prayer is not meant to be an esoteric experience, like the contemplatives would have us believe. The Bible does not teach that God’s people are to go into a self-induced altered-state of consciousness to commune with Him. Again, meditating day and night does not mean we are to look for the “God within,” as Eastern mystics and occultist do. For the Christian to be involved in any sort of pagan practice is strictly forbidden by God! This is because God opposes paganism’s polytheism and blatant immorality. There is no getting around the fact that polytheism and immorality are the pagan way.

The Christian who truly wants to please God will do as the psalmist suggests:

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

Explore the Emergent/Emerging/Emergence Church Movement

Explore “Christian” Yoga

Explore Contemplative Prayer

© Marsha West

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50 Responses to A subtle and dangerous shift in Christianity

  1. Maggie June 19, 2017 at 12:06 pm #

    There seems to be no end to blatant Bible twisting in trying to promote some belief or practice. Some time ago I ran across a website teaching CP which stated that Apostle Paul practiced CP! I don’t remember which biblical passage they used as the basis for this statement, but it was a ridiculous example. Another snare crafted by the devil for those undiscerning.

    • Maggie June 19, 2017 at 12:11 pm #

      On re-read of article, I see that Marsha cited one example regarding Paul.

    • Marsha West June 19, 2017 at 1:27 pm #

      Maggie….Must’ve been a Catholic site. 🙂

  2. Manny1962 June 19, 2017 at 12:15 pm #

    Hi Marsha,

    I remember so many being “offended” by that article……… I hate to say it, but Christians are a dumb lot, we get fooled by our leaders, by false brethren, by false theology, by the world! Is it any wonder we are called “sheep?” Sheep are dumb animals, and if not for the protection of a shepherd, the flock would be decimated by wolves in no time!

    I’m just waiting to see how many “sheep” are going to be offended this time! I can see non-cristians being offended, why not yoga is of this world, it’s origins are pagan and demonic. Sadly, most Christians that defend yoga have never taken the time to research the true nature of the practice, ignorantly they think it can be made “neutral.” Little do they realize yoga is used in preparing yourself mentally to worship Krishna, the demon god of Hinduism.

    • Marsha West June 19, 2017 at 1:24 pm #

      Manny,

      What you said about sheep – true! In my experience very few “Christians” wish to be corrected and they don’t respond well when I tell them that what they believe/are doing is decidedly unbiblical. They just dig in their heels and offer some lame excuse as why they choose to continue in their sin. Sadly, many claim that they’re not breaking any rules…..because they make up their own rules. And this includes my own family as well as a few close friends. The Church is filled with moral relativists.

      Marsha

  3. Gina June 19, 2017 at 1:40 pm #

    I agree with this for the most part. I am seeing so much of this “God told me to…” or “I was praying and then God just said to me…” Yuck. It’s just so sickning how we want to turn our feelings and thoughts into God’s. Having a Catholic and occultic background myself, I see too many similarities between those false teachings/practices and what is being introduced in the Church as Christian practices, such as CP.

    The one area I would have to disagre with is the area you say that believers could be the ones not abiding or producing any fruit, regarding the verse John 15:5. Although we produce different levels of fruit and various times in our walk and we are more fruitful as we read His Word, obey and pray, all believers produce some fruit. Faith is fruit. The ones who don’t abide,or produce fruit, are burned as verses 6 and 7 indicate.

  4. Bob Schoenle June 19, 2017 at 5:35 pm #

    This is an excellent article. Too many ‘professing’ Christians are either uninformed or misinformed and seem to be satisfied with being ignorant about biblical matters and doctrines. As a result, we have witnessed the fulfillment of 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3. Maranatha!

  5. John Campbell June 20, 2017 at 12:01 am #

    Jesus told us that there would be a great turning away and this is what we are seeing. Today’s Christians are Bible and theology ignorant. The Devil is filling the vacuum.

  6. Michael Podeszwa June 20, 2017 at 8:32 am #

    Hi,

    I’m in the process of reading a book on Christian Spirituality called “Grace Upon Grace”. The author, Dr. John Kleinig is a Lutheran Pastor and Professor in Adelaide, Aus. I’ve learned a lot about mediation (we all do it, daydreaming for example, is a form of meditation). And I’m in the section now that deals with prayer.

    • Manny1962 June 20, 2017 at 11:32 am #

      Michael, please be very careful, I’m getting some awfully big red flags here! Daydreaming is not meditation. How did the apostle pray? Did they get into some mind emptying position or trance? The bible is very specific on how we pray! We are to pray in the Spirit! Totally different from Eastern practice and meaning!

      • Manny1962 June 20, 2017 at 11:35 am #

        Also be very, very leery when you see, hear, or read “Christian Spiritually” it reeks of Catholic mysticism.

      • Michael Podeszwa September 12, 2017 at 11:03 am #

        Manny, I apologize for not getting back to you on this. I simply did not see that I had a reply to my comment.

        I’d like to recommend that you read Dr. Kleinig’s book, Grace upon Grace. Dr. Kleinig is a well-respected Lutheran teacher and professor. And yes, while any of us can be led astray, The book is published by Concordia Publishing House, which means that it has gone under doctrinal review by other ordained ministers.

        So, let me address your concerns. First, Dr. Kleinig defines mediation as “a relaxed form of concentration; we dwell on something, so that it, in turn, affects us in some way. ” Kleinig, John. Grace Upon Grace: Spirituality for Today (p. 92). Concordia Publishing House. Kindle Edition.

        Daydreaming, then, is a form of spontaneous meditation. We enter it without meaning to. The same thing happens when we worry about something, get caught up in a song, or think about the person we love.

        “Our passions and our desires often determine the spontaneous meditations of our heart. We meditate quite naturally and effortlessly on what we desire, what we enjoy, and what we love. If we delight in something, whether music or sex, food or money, popularity or success, we spontaneously meditate on it. Martin Luther therefore rightly observes: “For what we want and love, on that we reflect inwardly and diligently. . . . Therefore let delight [desire] be first sent into the heart as the root, and then meditation will come of its own accord.” So then, desire produces meditation. That is so, most of all, for the strongest of all desires—love in all its guises.

        The opposite is also true. We meditate just as naturally and easily on what we dislike, what we fear, and what we hate. Luther notes: “For just as the lover willingly talks at length about his beloved, so the hater keeps on talking and babbling the worst things about him whom he hates.”” Kleinig, John. Grace Upon Grace: Spirituality for Today (p. 93). Concordia Publishing House. Kindle Edition.

        Contrary to spontaneous mediation, there is intentional mediation. This is what we find in scripture, for the apostles and even Jesus. The key here is on what we meditate. If we practice unfocused forms of mediation, i.e., emptying ourselves as what the article warns against, we may (and are probably) opening ourselves to evil powers. It could be powerful, but certainly not spiritually beneficial. And this is not what happens in Scripture.

        Christian meditation (spirituality) focuses on Christ and His Word. It begins and ends with Him. He is the be-all and end-all of Christian meditation. “Blessed is the man,” who’s, “delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Ps 1) (Ps. 119 is also very good on this.)

        When we meditate on Jesus and His Word, we receive grace upon grace through them. Paul even tells us to not have anything to do with silly, empty myths, but devote ourselves to the Scriptures and the sound words for it is through these we are strengthened in the faith.

  7. Doug June 20, 2017 at 8:48 am #

    Here is a huge danger that I have found; we are getting hit from multiple sides with this influx of pagan rites which desensitizes the unwary. If you watch TV take notice of the commercials – yoga is being presented as a legitimate every day activity in Madison Avenue’s America, it’s what you do while waiting for laundry to dry or before you hop into your gleaming new station wagon (ooops! We call those “Cross-overs” now)

    This year isn’t half over and already I’ve had to tell two doctors that I do not participate in eastern mysticism. These are not fresh face grads from some discount med school in Costa Rica, these are highly educated professionals and are passing off eastern meditation practices as “alternative” medicine. Their brand of witchdoctoring is called “Mindfullness” and they are using it as an alternative to potentially addictive medications, which on the surface is a noble idea, but in practice is dangerous.

    Mindfulness as a practice is described as: “Mindfulness is a way of paying attention that originated in Eastern meditation practices” “Paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally” “Bringing one’s complete attention to the present experience on a moment-to-moment basis” – Wikipedia

    I had to explain to one doctor “I’m trying to eliminate my pain, not to celebrate it” and I did get her to realize that it’s better (for me at least) to get the brain busy on positive, constructive actions rather than navel gazing and opening myself to influences that I need to be on guard against. I also told her that if she wants me to do Yoga I’ll get my stretching exercises in physical therapy and not a hindu religious rite thankyouverymuch

    So now the average church goer is being told by their family doctor that eastern mysticism is just peachy and on TV the successful young go getter is dressed in spandex, has a mat rolled up under one arm, and relaxes in strange poses we used to make fun of in the 60s. And what is the local churches doing about it? If your pastor or pastix is New Age in any measure, they’re encouraging it.

    • Manny1962 June 20, 2017 at 11:28 am #

      Very true! Every commercial break is peppered with new age mysticism, if you’re young and hep, you must do yoga or some insane meditation. There’s no getting away from it, even Churchianity is on board!

    • Maggie June 20, 2017 at 11:44 am #

      Doug, I believe yoga is promoted in the medical community because they are only focused on pragmatism and positive physical results. Same with energy healing, like Reiki. Since alternative medicine has been accepted in the West, these Eastern spiritual practices (occult) have also been lumped in with it. Of course, there is no mention of the possibility of channeling demonic forces. (That would make an interesting disclosure when explaining the pros and cons of this sort of treatment to the patient.)

    • berlorac June 20, 2017 at 5:06 pm #

      Doug, very true. I noticed the subtle inclusion of “om” in the Brad Paisley commercial pitching insurance. Paisley had previously professed to be Christian, not sure he still makes that claim. Not that a Christian can’t get sucked into eastern meditation, just saying that Paisley is looked up to by at least a couple of Christians I know because he’s Christian.

      • kat June 23, 2017 at 5:33 pm #

        Yes my brothers and sisters in Christ. Yoga is everywhere you look. So is mindfulness and meditation. Just over the last couple of years it has been introduced even more into the medical fields by doctors and specialists. I even get advertisements from gyms that are advertising yoga, not to mention churches that are promoting it. And contemplative prayer is being promoted by Pastors in many churches also. And Christians are being lured in… hook, line and sinker ! And people want to ” experiences ” instead of reading God’s Word. And books galore ( which I won’t mention ) are all about mysticism and extra- biblical revelation. Christian bookstores have become cesspools of heretical books. We aren’t living in th millennium, we are living in the last days before Christ’s return to rapture us away before the Tribulation begins. Oh how I pray for my lost loved ones as well as all others that are lost. But I’m ready, watching and waiting. Christ’s return could be at any moment. I don’t know when but all the signs are here upon us
        God bless you all
        Maranatha !

      • Sola Scriptura June 26, 2017 at 1:58 pm #

        Paisley is an admitted Freemason and talks about it in interviews. Therefore, Lucifer is his god. It wouldn’t surprise me if he also said he was a Christian sing many Freemasons do.

        • berlorac June 26, 2017 at 2:56 pm #

          Hey Sola, I didn’t know about the Freemason thing. Good to know.

  8. lyn June 20, 2017 at 12:17 pm #

    meditate

    MED’ITATE, v.i. L. meditor.

    1. To dwell on any thing in thought; to contemplate; to study; to turn or revolve any subject in the mind; appropriately but not exclusively used of pious contemplation, or a consideration of the great truths of religion.

    His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Ps.1.
    MED’ITATE, v.t. To plan by revolving in the mind; to contrive; to intend.

    1. To think on; to revolve in the mind.

    Blessed is the man that doth meditate good things. source – http://av1611.com/kjbp/kjv-dictionary/meditate.html

    Meditating on God’s truth is simply filling your mind with His word and mulling over His truth in your thoughts.

  9. Katherine ingram June 20, 2017 at 8:10 pm #

    Thank you for the great article. In Australia Mindfulness is now all the rage. Can you do an article on that please? Right across NSW health personnel are being trained in it. It has spread through the whole system Dug Health where I work, Mental Health, Maternity, Palliative Care . A bit like Aroma Thervapy it is put forward as a remedy for many things. Calling it A Heart of Health a state funded course is being pushed by those at the top which includes 2 days at an ashram which teaches yoga Indra. It is being pushed in nursing to deal with stress associated with poor staffing. I have thought a lot about why this Buddhist meditation is so popular in the healthcare community. I think that it appeals to intellectuals. Yoga still has so many obvious pagan gods whereas Bhuddism has not except of course Buddha and the Dalai Lama. Linked to Mindfulness are special colouring books which work quicker to induce a meditational state. And of course none of this is seen as religious but “science based”. This is how yoga used to be advertised.

  10. Katherine ingram June 20, 2017 at 8:13 pm #

    A few typos in that reply. Yoga nidra not yoga Indra. Drug Health not Dug Health.!

    • Sola Scriptura June 26, 2017 at 2:03 pm #

      Real Buddhism, meaning the non-westernized Buddhism, is full of demonic imagery. In Tibet and Nepal there are countless images of Buddha reclining with the dragon or a 7 headed serpent. Satan was smart enough to hide the demonic imagery associated with Buddhism when it was introduced in the west, yet many demons are worshipped and feared by true Buddhists. I have a friend who married an ex Buddhist and her household was full of demonic statues and images. When she decided to follow Christ she was slammed to the ground in her home multiple times by spiritual forces. It is deep darkness shrouded in the trendy lies of zen.

  11. Gregory Anderson June 21, 2017 at 7:23 am #

    Every option for other so-called religious positions, whether mystic, pagan, ritualist, rationalist or humanist, is wrong, of evil origin, and damned of God.

    This is also true of our worldviews, knowing we are to seek to be transformed by the renewing of our mind (see Rom12). Thus having a mindset dominated by any worldly civilization is a refusal of being like-minded with our Master Jesus Christ. I’ve met more folks than not who claim to be disciples of Jesus but have the same lifestyle, viewpoints, politics, attitudes towards culture, and opinions of obviously pagan people in America. This is being of the world, not just in the world. May we all seek to be obedient in our submission.

    Physical movements utilized in all forms of Yoga may or may not be beneficial in and of themselves, but not because they open channels for energy to flow, or other drivel. Even terrorists walk upright upon their feet, and that association does not invalidate walking for the rest of us.

    • Maggie June 21, 2017 at 11:44 am #

      Gregory, the practice of yoga involves both the physical movements and the use of meditation. From the Yoga white paper on this website: “Meditation is central to all forms of yoga.”

      • gregory anderson June 22, 2017 at 3:53 am #

        Perhaps if you understood me, rather than attack me, you’d understand I do not care what practioners of “yoga” think or judge to be correct.

        Maggie and others, why are you so interested in taking my comments away from the point I was making?

        Indeed, I was warned by an official notice that my response to this was considered spam.

        How dare you.

        • Maggie June 22, 2017 at 11:46 am #

          Gregory, in no way was I attacking you or taking your comments away from the point you were making. I was just adding information in case you understood yoga as just exercise, which many people do.

  12. Manny1962 June 21, 2017 at 1:27 pm #

    Walking s not a specific religious endeavor, yoga is.

  13. lyn June 22, 2017 at 12:09 pm #

    “Physical movements utilized in all forms of Yoga may or may not be beneficial in and of themselves, but not because they open channels for energy to flow, or other drivel. Even terrorists walk upright upon their feet, and that association does not invalidate walking for the rest of us.”

    Here’s why yoga is dangerous and should never be practiced by the born again believer, “The root, “yuj” (meaning “unity” or “yoke”), indicates that the purpose of yoga is to unite ourselves with our highest nature. This re-integration is accomplished through the practices of the various yoga disciplines. Until this re-integration takes place, we identify ourselves with our limitations–the limitations of the body, mind, and senses. Thus we feel incomplete and limited, and are subject to feelings of sorrow, insecurity, fear, and separation, because we have separated ourselves from the experience of the whole.” source – http://www.swamij.com/yoga-meaning.htm – this is NOT a christian link and it is not recommended for God’s elect!

    This is Satanic. It is a form of mind control and it is spiritually dangerous. There is a spirit world that can be ‘tapped into’ IF you dare go there. Call that conspiracy theory, etc. or whatever you want. There is a spiritual demonic world that envelopes this world, Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

  14. Janet annable June 22, 2017 at 2:53 pm #

    But the important thing for readers to understand is that pagan practices such as yoga cannot be christianized, nor should God’s people adopt a pagan practice and attach a Christian title to it so that it’s acceptable to the Christian community. When God says no, He means No! (2 Cor 6:14)

    Question – how do is that not exactly what Christmas and Easter are?

    • berlorac June 22, 2017 at 5:10 pm #

      [Question – how do is that not exactly what Christmas and Easter are?]

      Good question. I don’t celebrate those two festivals and I’ve been ostracized to some extent because of it. Most Christians would say I’m a legalist. Far from it. It is grace through the Holy Spirit that has removed all desire to participate. It’s not that I feel God would be mad at me if I did observe those things; it’s just that pagan things are clear to me now and I have no desire to follow along with the crowd.

      • lyn June 23, 2017 at 12:07 am #

        Well said Berlorac. Both Christmas and Easter have pagan origins as well, and neither are commanded to be celebrated in the Bible. I don’t celebrate either as well and yes, you are right – ‘legalist’ is a frequent title given to us for refusing to participate…..so be it.

        • Mark Gallagher June 25, 2017 at 7:38 pm #

          They are not Pagan origins those are lies to shake the faithful~! http://creation.com/easter-and-good-friday-questions-and-answers

          • lyn June 25, 2017 at 8:39 pm #

            : but what is “Christmas?” Does not the very term itself denote it’s source – “Christ-mass.” Thus it is of Roman origin, brought over from paganism. But, says someone, Christmas is the time when we commemorate the Savior’s birth. It is? And WHO authorized such commemoration? Certainly God did not. The Redeemer bade His disciples “remember” Him in His death, but there is not a word in scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, which tells us to celebrate His birth. Moreover, who knows when, in what month, He was born? The Bible is silent thereon. It is without reason that the only “birthday” commemorations mentioned in God’s Word are Pharaoh’s (Gen. 40:20) and Herod’s (Matt. 14:6)? Is this recorded “for our learning?” If so, have we prayerfully taken it to heart?

            And WHO is it that celebrates “Christmas?” The whole “civilized world.” Millions who make no profession of faith in the blood of the Lamb, who “despise and reject Him,” and millions more who while claiming to be His followers yet in works deny Him, join in merrymaking under the pretense of honoring the birth of the Lord Jesus. Putting it on it’s lowest ground, we would ask, is it fitting that His friends should unite with His enemies in a worldly round of fleshly gratification? Does any true born again soul really think that He whom the world cast out is either pleased or glorified by such participation in the world’s joys? Verily, the customs of the people are VAIN; and it is written, “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil” (Ex. 23:2).

            Some will argue for the “keeping of Christmas” on the ground of “giving the kiddies a good time.” But why do this under the cloak of honoring the Savior’s birth? Why is it necessary to drag in His holy name in connection with what takes place at that season of carnal jollification? Is this taking the little one with you OUT of Egypt (Ex. 10:9-10) a type of the world, or is it not plainly a mingling with the present day Egyptians in their “pleasures of sin for a season?” (Heb. 11:25) Scripture says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). Scripture does command God’s people to bring up their children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4), but where does it stipulate that it is our duty to give the little one a “good time?” Do we ever give the children “a good time” when we engage in anything upon which we cannot fittingly ask THE LORD’S blessing?

            There are those who DO abstain from some of the grosser carnalities of the “festive season,” yet are they nevertheless in cruel bondage to the prevailing custom of “Christmas” namely that of exchanging “gifts.” We say “exchanging” for that is what it really amounts to in many cases. A list is kept, either on paper or in memory, of those from whom gifts were received last year, and that for the purpose of returning the compliment this year. Nor is this all: great care has been taken that the “gift” made to the friend is worth as much in dollars and cents as the one they expect to receive from him or her. Thus, with many who can ill afford it, a considerable sum has to be set aside each year with which to purchase things simply to send them out in RETURN for others which are likely to be received. Thus a burden has been bound on them which not a few find hard to bear.

            Read the rest of the sermon here: http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualNLs/CHRISTMAS-AWPINK.htm

          • lyn June 25, 2017 at 8:55 pm #

            “According to some scholars, such as Dr. Tony Nugent, teacher of Theology and Religious Studies at Seattle University, and Presbyterian minister, the Easter story comes from the Sumerian legend of Damuzi (Tammuz) and his wife Inanna (Ishtar), an epic myth called “The Descent of Inanna” found inscribed on cuneiform clay tablets dating back to 2100 BC. When Tammuz dies, Ishtar is grief–stricken and follows him to the underworld. In the underworld, she enters through seven gates, and her worldly attire is removed. “Naked and bowed low” she is judged, killed, and then hung on display. In her absence, the earth loses its fertility, crops cease to grow and animals stop reproducing. Unless something is done, all life on earth will end.
            After Inanna has been missing for three days her assistant goes to other gods for help. Finally one of them Enki, creates two creatures who carry the plant of life and water of life down to the Underworld, sprinkling them on Inanna and Damuzi, resurrecting them, and giving them the power to return to the earth as the light of the sun for six months. After the six months are up, Tammuz returns to the underworld of the dead, remaining there for another six months, and Ishtar pursues him, prompting the water god to rescue them both. Thus were the cycles of winter death and spring life. source- http://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/ancient-pagan-origins-easter-001571

            Read the entire article at the link above

          • Manny1962 June 25, 2017 at 9:36 pm #

            Revelation 11:10

            “And those who dwell on the earth will gloat over them, and will celebrate and send one another gifts, because these two prophets had tormented them.”

            The parallels are frightening!

      • Mark Gallagher June 25, 2017 at 7:41 pm #

        They are not of pagan origins those are lies to shake the faithful~! http://creation.com/easter-and-good-friday-questions-and-answers

  15. Janet annable June 23, 2017 at 10:50 am #

    I agree you should not be called “legalist”. My understanding is that means trying to obtaining salvation by works. To not practice Christmas or not practise yoga does not make one a legalist, If these decisions come after having received salvation from God. I wonder how much agreement there would be between the writer of this article and those apposed to yoga.

  16. kat June 23, 2017 at 6:33 pm #

    Go to YouTube, type in Wide Is The Gate Caryl Matrisciana The New Spiritualty part 1
    Also an excellent book she wrote is Out of India,, a real eye- opener

  17. Darrel June 25, 2017 at 8:52 pm #

    Mark Gallagher,

    Do the math, Jesus said He would be dead three days and three nights, and then He would be resurrected. Friday afternoon to Sunday morning ain’t three days and three nights no matter how you slice it. So why do you participate in a “holiday” designed and perpetuated by the Roman idol worshippers, unless you are one them yourself? Even on their “Easter Sunday” their jesus is still hanging on a cross and homage paid to the real Jesus’ resurrection is pure blasphemy. You need to have someone grab you by your shoulders and shake you until you wake up. Stay with your idol worshipping holiday, but understand that to do so you are calling Jesus Christ, the Son of God a liar.

  18. Sheryl June 26, 2017 at 2:25 pm #

    “That which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God” – what is more highly esteemed among men than Christmas? Well, sports perhaps. Its impossible to “Christianize” pagan practices as worship to a holy God. Pastors (and some who should know better) celebrate this pagan holiday in their churches, adorned with Christmas trees. Where is their discernment and courage to tell the truth about it? “Put Christ back in Christmas” is a lie – He was never put there by God and was not even born that time of year. There is no example of such a “holy day” in scripture. Pagans would never participate in anything with Christ at the center. Christians should reject man-made traditions, especially when they originate from false religions and even if everyone one else is doing it.

    I believe all of these false practices and beliefs are in preparation to unify the coming one world religion, as they all originate from false religions. The only thing “progressive” is evil deeds. Christianity is a religion based on never-changing facts and the person of Jesus Christ, not on experiences, which are contradictory within themselves with many speaking of dreams, visions, prophecies, tongues, revelations, words from the lord, etc. True Christians seek to learn the deeper truths of God and their experience will be the glory and presence of Jesus face to face eternally.

    • berlorac June 26, 2017 at 3:01 pm #

      Excellent comment Sheryl. When it comes to Christmas and Easter, we need to be careful with those who don’t know the details of these pagan practices. They are so ingrained in our culture that we need to be patient when explaining to Christians why they should flee these traditions of men.

  19. Manny1962 June 26, 2017 at 7:56 pm #

    Sheryl and B,

    Excellent comments. Most Christians do not know the history of “Christmas” or “Easter,” it is so ingrained in the human psyche that most think it’s somehow blasphemous to speak out against both of these “holidays.” Most people that I’ve spoken to about the origins of these holidays look at me as if I’m out of my mind. Remember, Rome for centuries has been at the forefront of this.

    • berlorac June 26, 2017 at 8:03 pm #

      Yes Manny, as I look around at all the heretical or abberant teachings and practices out there in Christendom, I keep finding Rome at the center. Truly, the scarlet woman upon whom the beast rides is descriptive of Rome. Catholicism seems to be the hub. The woman has many children, indeed.

      • Manny1962 June 27, 2017 at 8:26 am #

        Yes that’s true, the mother Harlot who sits on many waters and has committed fornication with the leaders of the world. What other religious organization in the last days fits the description so closely? What other political/religious organization in these days has hobnobbed with leaders? They have their own bank, army, city state, they have one of the best intelligence apparatus in the world that many security experts say surpasses the Mossad in capabilities, they issue their own currency, their bank has been riddled with scandal after scandal, they hoard gold, they name Christ, but deny Him in their traditions. It’s an occultic institution that makes overture and lies down with every religion in the world, from animists to witch doctors, syncretic, ecumenical and rotten through and through. Having a form of godliness, but denying it’s power. Truly the beast will ride on the back of the beast!

  20. Manny1962 June 27, 2017 at 8:27 am #

    *Truly the beast will ride on the back of he Harlot!

  21. Sheryl June 28, 2017 at 5:23 pm #

    Don’t overlook how the pope is worshipped by the multitudes. A friend of the world is an enemy of God and two horns like a lamb but spoke like a dragon come to my mind. I personally believe the office of the pope fits the description of the false prophet during the tribulation. He will readily be listened to and obeyed by the masses. And he is so “loving” and “inclusive” while naming Christ…a candidate set to lead the world into false worship of the beast, in my opinion.

    • Manny1962 June 28, 2017 at 5:50 pm #

      No doubt Sheryl, uncanny how that institution fits the description so well. A singular man head of a billion plus member institute, now affecting other “wayward” religious systems, a conglomerate of false teachers, false gospel, and false religions coming under one umbrella! It’s the religious aspect of the beast’s kingdom. Now we await till the falling away (The Great Apostasy) has run it’s, then the beast of Revelation will be revealed, he will come in peace, performing wonders, will be the ultimate con man, will survive a deadly wound to the head and will cause those of the Earth to wonder after him, Rome proclaiming him the return of the messiah.

  22. Manny1962 July 2, 2017 at 2:54 pm #

    Yoga and the United Nations

    http://www.un.org/en/events/yogaday/


    Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.

    Today it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.

    Recognizing its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131.

    The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga.

    Yoga for Health
    The theme for the 2017 celebration, organized by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, is ‘Yoga for Health.’ The theme highlights the fact that yoga can contribute in a holistic way to achieving an equilibrium between mind and body. The organizers believe that this approach to health and wellbeing can make a direct and useful contribution to humankind’s quest to achieve sustainable development and move towards lifestyles that are in harmony with nature.”

    “Events
    Yoga Session with Yoga Masters
    Tuesday, 20 June 2017, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the United Nations North Lawn

    The event will feature Swami Sivadasananda of Sivananda Yoga Retreat House, Austria; Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh, India. The programme will also include the unveiling of UN Postal Administration’s special Yoga Day commemorative stamp. The event is organized by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in association with the Department of Public Information, United Nations. See the programme. Please RSVP.

    Conversation with Yoga Masters on Yoga for Health
    Wednesday, 21 June 2017, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., ECOSOC chamber, United Nations

    Participants in the panel discussion: Swami Sivadasananda of Sivananda Yoga Retreat House, Austria; Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh, India, Mr. Stanton Kawer, CEO of Blue Chip Marketing Worldwide and Dr. Nata Menabde, Executive Director of World Health Organisation in New York.

    Solstice in Times Square: Mind Over Madness Yoga
    Wednesday, 21 June 2017

    Find your center at the Crossroads of the World. Each year, thousands of yogis from around the world travel to Times Square to celebrate the Summer Solstice with free yoga classes in the heart of New York City. On the northern hemisphere’s longest day of the year, become part of this global celebration with one of the classes taking place all day long. See more information.”

    Demonic, but what would you expect from the UN, the hotbed of political ecumenism and antichristian thought.

  23. Thomas September 12, 2017 at 8:47 am #

    Ummm…Christian meditation is a form of Eastern Meditation since Christianity is an Eastern Religion.

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