What is Visualization? It is being used in many counseling and prayer ministries as a Christian practice but it is not biblical. Visualization is a pagan technique used in the occult and in the New Age. Read the article to see why Visualization is not in harmony with God’s word or with the character of Jesus, and why it can be dangerous.
Some may have noticed that suddenly there are people in the evangelical church calling themselves “Spiritual Directors.” This has come about mostly in the last 10 years (this is written […]
The article, “Mysticism and the Clarity of God’s Word,” by Marcia Montenegro is found in the Theology for Life online journal (from Servants of Grace). Short link for article: https://tinyurl.com/mtzzhmhb […]
This article gives an overview of the background and teachings of the Contemplative movement, also known as Contemplative Spirituality, the Spiritual Disciplines, Spiritual Formation, and mysticism.
The Ignatian Prayer of Examen is spreading through churches like a virus. Is the Examen a good practice? See whether there is a sound biblical basis for it.
These are people, practices, Bibles/Bible apps, and language related to Contemplative teachings listed here due to the increasing influence of the Contemplative Movement. Problems with this movement are multiple and […]
Noted writer Richard Foster recommends a prayer from a book by his mentor, Agnes Sanford, on his Renovare site. This prayer displays in part the very disturbing views of Sanford and demonstrates the deception Foster is in for recommeding the prayer and the book, and for admiring Sanford. See why this prayer technique is not a Christian prayer.
If anything, the Christian faith is one that deals with reality. It does not deny reality or try to conjure up a false one to get a result. Those concepts belong to the New Age and the occult. Methods such as Visualization, Guided Prayer, Guided Imagery, and Affirmations are done as part of relaxation exercises, contemplative practices, and are found on many Bible and Christian apps.
What is the Immanuel Prayer and what is the Immanuel Approach? Both are gaining ground in the church. Before using these methods, one should learn the origins of these and understand the pagan techniques of the Immannuel Approach, including Visualization and Inner Healing.
Richard Foster’s book, “Celebration of Discipline,” has been influencing the church for decades. Why is it that pastors have promoted this book or taught it instead of calling out the blatant unbiblical teachings found in it? This book is full of New Thought concepts and techniques that Foster learned from his mentor, the infamous Agnes Sanford. Sanford was a former New Thought follower and never left those beliefs behind — they are in all her books. Sanford was also the “mother of inner healing,” a New Thought practice. Visualization and using the imagination to heal are not biblical, but Foster teaches them in this book. This is in addition to his unbiblical promotion of contemplative practices.