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Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord
MTD, what are your thoughts on contemplative prayer?
Have you visited IHOP prayer room yourself to know if what many say is true? You are coming out in support of these people without possibly really knowing what is going on there, which you cannot see just by reading a webpage.
I am bewildered why you so highly endorse a group who are involved in Catholic mysticism, and contemplative prayer.
I would think you would you visit them first, and find out firsthand if what is being said about them is true, before being such an avid supporter of them?
Below is an article listing reference to a book that Bickle himself has published endorsing contemplative prayer:
http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worl...articleid=7387 |
Hi KBTW,
So I looked at one of the links and found this:
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The technique goes something like this: find a quiet spot to sit or lie down, breathe deeply, and begin to focus on something for the purpose of stilling your thoughts. (The "something" can literally be almost anything: a candle, a word, a phrase, repetitive music, drumming, one's own breath, etc.) After about 20 minutes of practicing this technique, which is simple to do, a person will enter into an altered state of consciousness. In this altered state of consciousness, the mind is no longer active and critically engaged, and able to assess data. In this state, the mind is passive, its God-given barriers down; it is able only to receive information, much like a radio receiver. Mystics from all faith traditions the world over often report ecstatic experiences of becoming yoked to some spiritual energy, leaving them feeling refreshed, energized, and peaceful after engaging in their mystical practices.
So exactly how does this pagan practice manifest itself in Christian churches today? It looks something like this: instead of repeating a Buddhist mantra or the name of a false god, the Christian practitioner of Spiritual Formation would use something like the Jesus Prayer.....
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner."
...or they might repeat a short Scripture.....
"Be still and know that I am God."
...or they might simply repeat the name.....
"Jesus"
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Is this what its all about? Getting quiet before the Lord? We have always called this "waiting on the Lord".
Personally from the first few weeks after I repented I have always repeated scripture over and over. We used to call that "memorizing scripture". I find nothing wrong with that. I was just doing it night before last.
Try to consider this. The web site that has the link where you sent me is also an Evangelical site. They promote once saved always saved among other errors. If you look enough there you will probably find teachings against Oneness Pentecostals. They will distort our beliefs also.
Have I been in IHOP'S Prayer Room? I have been there over the net at least 100 times. All it is is 24/7 people worshipping Jesus. In the midst of the worship people line up to the mic and pray for the Churches worldwide and the nations to turn to Christ. The prayers they pray are actually the most Biblical prayers you could ask for. Most of them modeled after the prayers Paul prayed in the New Testament.
People also may be sitting there reading their Bibles and praying. My knowledge of IHOP does not come from a web page. It comes from seeing what they teach in their public meetings and what comes across the prayer room.
Now there may possibly be really sinister things at IHOP that I don't know about. I personally oppose Trinitarianism strongly and publicly. I also oppose "one step" doctrine strongly and publicly. I don't like all I have seen at IHOP.
Now I will cut this post short and come back and explain my thoughts about IHOP and "Apostolic Churches".
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