What is the difference between the spiritual transformation that happens through the Holy Spirit, and the Spiritual Formation movement that swept through our churches a few years ago? The difference is night and day. I remember talking about this with the late Ken Silva in 2012. He helped me understand that the Spiritual Formation movement […]
Archive | Spiritual Formation
Remembering the enticing appeal of Richard Foster and Beth Moore’s Be Still film
You’ll want to remember how certain esteemed Christian leaders introduced the evangelical community to contemplative prayer (CP), also referred to as centering prayer, breath prayer, meditation and listening prayer. Why is this important to remember? For the reason that CP is steeped in Roman Catholic mysticism and is highly unbiblical. Yet Christian celebs such as Richard Foster […]
“Psst…Lectio Divina…Your Mysticism is Showing”
The first time I heard the term lectio divina I thought it was from the Harry Potter books, probably a spell cast by Harry to render an enemy helpless. But, no, as it so happens it’s Latin for “sacred reading” and we’re urged to practice it as we read our Bible and pray. Not surprisingly, lectio […]
Book Review: Priscilla Shirer’s “Fervent”
Priscilla Shirer is an actor, author, speaker, and Bible teacher. As such she has influenced many professing Christians, mostly women. Following her appearance in the hit film War Room, much has been written about her. Some bloggers expressed their concerns about her teaching, and rightly so as some of what she teaches is unbiblical. John Lanagan […]
Wisconsin Church Event: “Raising a Jedi: Spiritual Formation and the Force”
The church advertisement quotes John 1:5, with the tagline, “Faith & The Force: A Light Shines in the Darkness.” That verse is supposed to be about Jesus. But here we see a church using it to describe a mystical power from the Star Wars blockbuster franchise. But is this “Force” in the Star Wars films […]
“I’m a Christ Follower, Not A Christian” gong still rings
The old “I’m a Christ Follower, Not A Christian” gong seems to be ringing once again. Thanks to the Spiritual Formation movement, Christian or Christ-follower is a distinction that is being made more and more today, and it claims to make a clear divide between those who truly follow Jesus and those the well-meaning Christ […]
“Psst … Lectio Divina … your mysticism is showing.”
One of the most pervasive of all the Contemplative, er, Contemptible Prayers, is a little practice called Lectio Divina. It comes to us via the ancients of the Catholic monks, and no longer sneaks in the back door of our churches – it marches down the center aisle and sits in the front pew. On […]