A new report says Calvary Chapel Senior Pastor Brian Brodersen is an active promoter of contemplative mysticism. Last November Brodersen led the Calvary Chapel split, quit his leadership position at the Calvary Chapel Association, and announced he is establishing a new Calvary Chapel Global Network.
Today a new EmergentWatch news article reports that Brodersen is now actively promoting contemplative mysticism, that he is now not merely liking or sharing a post of a known contemplative – He himself is now an active promoter of contemplative practices. There is extensive documentation on the EW post, and I encourage you to visit the site and examine the evidence for yourself.
What is Contemplative Prayer?
Contemplative prayer (also referred to as centering prayer, breath prayer, meditation or listening prayer) is one of the most esteemed spiritual disciplines taught in spiritual formation. In both practice and purpose, contemplative prayer stands in contrast with what Scripture teaches about prayer. Practitioners believe that one must clear the mind of outside concerns so that God’s voice may more easily be heard and that one may be united with the “divine spark” within. (Check out our White Paper on Contemplative Prayer.)
Advocates of contemplative prayer believe and teach that it is a necessary practice if one desires to become more like Christ. In claiming this, however, they often appeal to the practices of ancient Roman Catholic mystic monks rather than the Word of God.
How did Jesus teach us to pray? Compare how our Lord Jesus taught us to what these apostates teach.
Matthew 6:9-13
9 In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Where did Jesus say we must enter an altered state? Of course He doesn’t! Clearly the Bible says this:
Isaiah 2:6
“You, Lord, have abandoned your people, the descendants of Jacob. They are full of superstitions from the East; they practise divination like the Philistines and embrace pagan customs”
Contemplative praying is nothing more than eastern mysticism under a new name. This is straight from RCC monks that adopted “Eastern Ways.”
“Centering Prayer was developed as a response to the Vatican II invitation to revive the contemplative teachings of early Christianity and present them in updated formats. In this way, the method of Centering Prayer is drawn from the ancient practices of the Christian contemplative heritage, notably the traditional monastic practice of Lectio Divina and the practices described in the anonymous fourteenth century classic The Cloud of Unknowing and in the writings of Christian mystics such as John Cassian, Francis de Sales, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Therese of Lisieux, and Thomas Merton.”
That’s from a site dedicated to centering prayer:
https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/history-centering-prayer
Folks, this is part and parcel of The Great Apostasy unfurling before our eyes! This will lead back to Rome, to the arms of the false prophet and the antichrist.
For those that apologize for this man, you either believe in what he is doing, or you’re going to have to call a spade a spade.
Is this another sign that Apostasy in the Christian church is here today? Meaning falling away from the truth of God’s Holy Scriptures.
Before Calvary Chapel split and before Pastor Chuck Smith went home to be with the Lord, Calvary chapel taught the simplicity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul in Acts 20:27, told the Judaizers, “I have shunned teaching the whole counsel of God.” What is the whole counsel of God? From Genesis through Revelation; book by book, chapter by chapter and verse by verse. Pastor Chuck, the founder of Calvary Chapel led Calvary in that path of teaching – The Church of Philadelphia (Chapter 3 in the book of Revelation) is an example of a Calvary Chapel.
I was really stunned when Brian Broderson who took the helm of Calvary chapel wanted to go in a new direction. Now this. . . .
Fortunately, my whole family continue to attend Calvary chapel where our Pastor Derald Skinner continues to teach the whole counsel of God, including prophecy updates. A good example of the Philadelphia church (Revelation chapter 3).
Melvin P. This is what the Calvary Chapel pastors always say, that they teach the whole counsel of God. After spending many years in this movement at CC Philly, I know that is not true. When it pertains to the Doctrines of grace, there is no in debt study on this, the reason is because it is in conflict with the ” free will ” doctrine.
Don’t tell me that you are in agreement with 2 Timothy 3:16 . I went to the Calvary Chapel Pearl Harbor website, and I noticed a sermon that your pastor preached on
2 Thess. 2 And what I noticed when he came to the verse 2:13 hardly any mention what this verse really meant. Why is this so? It’s because that is the way Pastor Chuck want them to teach. Another thing I noticed that your church is partnering with the AWANA ministries, that pollute the mind of the children. There is a lot being said about AWANA on this website, I suggest you check it out and relay this to your pastor, for the good of your children.
I would attempt to make an apologetic for BB, but as much as he has read the Bible, he is left without excuse. A Calvary pastor has pointed out that he believes BB is trying to hasten the work of the Holy Spirit by ecumenical bridge building. When institutions die they always reach out to other institutions for life.
As the philosopher Will Durant has stated, when men try to change the institution without having changed the spirit of men, they inevitably resurrect the institution (I think he was paraphrasing Rousseau).
Or what the functioning atheist Skinner is stated as saying: One of the problems of religious communities, underscored and boldly documented by B. F. Skinner, is that in maintaining their structures they often lose sight of the positive relationship of their purpose: Holiness, Goodness, Truth, Justice, and Love.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/alive-inside/201409/b-f-skinner-s-struggle-god
It’s sad indictment of the church today when the spiritually dead and ignorant philosophers of our day and hundreds of years past observe in history a natural law as which defines as dying what is being purported as the soul-saving work of the Holy Spirit.
…a natural law which defines as dying…
What’s also interesting is the lack of comments on this. People are sick of the Calvary Squabble, imo. I think the institution itself rings as hollow as the Druckerist philosophy it incorporated at the start.
9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?
So sad to hear the out poor of death to Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa!
If Chuck Smith were here today Im sure his heart would grieve at the lack of coucel and or
warnings Brian is getting from his brothers in Christ.
Shouldnt we be praying and pleading with our brother who has been takin captive by Satan!
Sister in Christ. I my view this is the best thing that happens is to break up this movement, I believe that God has His hand in this all. Jesus said ” I will built my church.” Calvary Chapel has a lot of tares, it is not a church that Jesus built. They don’t make a distinction between a believer or non-believer, according to the pastor everybody that sits there is going to heaven. I attended the Calvary Chapel church of Philly for many years, I have seen it first hand. They make a mockery of the Lord’s Supper, I have to say out of ignorance. According to the pastor everybody is allowed to participate in the Lord’s supper, believer and un-believer. That is not what the Bible says, it says you can’t participate in a unworthily manner.
They also have an altar call every Sunday. Altar calls produce many false converts. The pastor likes to scare you to come forward by saying things like, ” You can leave hear and on the way home you can get hit by a truck and be lost forever, or you can come forward and say this prayer and go to heaven when you die.” Just think you stand on your tippy toes on the edge of heaven. These sayings area lies out of hell. When that time comes when they die and stand at heavens gate they will hear Jesus say ” Depart from Me I never knew you.” I understand that this goes on in many Evangelical churches, because they do not believe in their heart that God is the only one that saves, on His time. I was duked by this pastor, but thank God He opened my eyes.
“They don’t make a distinction between a believer or non-believer, according to the pastor everybody that sits there is going to heaven.” I attend Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, and they teach no such thing. CCCM goes through the Bible cover to cover, and it is simple and straight forward. I don’t know anything about what this “new report” speaks of, but there is no meditation/ mysticism happening at CCCM.
I am sorry you had the experiences that you had at the Calvary Chapel in Philadelphia, I think it just goes to show that pastors and the congregation need our prayer. Any prayers you might have for Calvary Chapel, and all other christian churches for that matter, are definitely welcomed. I hope this reply finds you well. May God Bless you.
Your knowledge of CC is woefully ignorant of the practices of other CC churches. The CC I attend in Yelm WA has a purposeful warning by our pastor to not participate in communion if you are a non-believer. He explains to non-believers the aspects of communion for a believer and for non-believers. They are encouraged to worship and study with us, but not to partake in communion if they haven’t declared Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, and repented of their sins.
Please be in prayer about your disappointment with CC Philly and assigning similar traits to all CC Churches.
We have all sinned and fall short of HIS Glory, but your sin isn’t necessarily my sin.
I’m reading many harsh criticisms of Calvary Chapels in general. Let me first start off by stating that Satan is certainly having a field day over the difficulties that the church is having. Many of us have been Christians for many years. We have been well taught in the scriptures and we have been taught to put on the full armor of God and contend for what is truth which is clearly outlined in the scriptures! If you sense your Pastor is leading the congregation away from the principles outlined in the Word of God do not be afraid to pick up that sword of truth and challenge him lovingly and privately. We have a duty as mature believers to leave a legacy of faith to those who will follow us. We cannot run away, we must stand up as Sunday school teachers, ushers, greeters, or whatever ministry each of us serves in and defend what is good and what is true.
Descant, the reason there’s so few comments here about it, is because pretty much all of us that think according to Scripture alone, have abandoned Calvary Chapel already. In doing my own research on the matter, Calvary Chapel has always been ecumenical. I’m tired of Calvary, calvinist, baptist, and every other formal structure. I’m to the point of just sitting with my Bible, and believing it alone, which is where Jesus wants us anyway.
We left Calvary Chapel after 20 years. This happened shortly after Chuck died. Things were not going well for Calvary Chapel and we started looking into it more. Found things we did not agree with such as the Moses Model, etc etc. Look into it for yourself there is lots of info about Calvary Chapels.
Yes they are ecumenical and they support Hillsong and play their music. They are a prosperity church and nothing else.
CC church can’t call themselves a ” church “. A “club” is more appropriate. A church is a gathering of believers, also called the body of Christ.
They are very much a church. Your statement says more about you then it says about Calvary Chapel.
There is no difference between a believer or unbeliever at CC. All you have to do is say the sinners prayer. And the pastor will say,” welcome to God’s family”
Marinus, only God knows who believes deep down in their heart and soul. If they do they are going to paradise! Look at Jesus promise to the thief on the cross next to Him.