Justifying Mysticism | thebereancall.org

TBC Staff

The question may arise–how can credible Christian organizations justify and condone meditative practices that clearly resemble Eastern meditation? …Christian terminology surrounds these practices. It only takes a few popular Christian leaders with national profiles to embrace teaching that sounds Christian to bring about big changes in the church.

Moreover, we have many trusting Christians who do not use the Scriptures to test the claims of others. Building an entire prayer method around an out-of-context verse or two is presumptuous, at best. Now morethan ever, it is critical that Christians devote themselves to serious Bible study and discernment regarding this issue.

In the spiritual climate of today, a unifying mystical prayer practice fits the paradigm necessary to unite the the various world religions–the contemplative prayer movement is just such practice! I believe this movement is taking many on a downward spiral that could lead to the great apostasy. For this to happen, as the Bible says, there will be “seducing spirits” who design aspirituality nearly indistinguishable from the truth.

Every Christian must therefore discern whether or not the contemplative prayer movement is a deeper way of walking with God or deception that undermines the very Gospel itself.

—Ray Yungen (A Time of Departing, p. 184)