This article has two parts. The first examines some of the Sayings of the Desert Fathers; the second part looks at the book by John Climacus, The Divine Ladder. […]
Four videos from the Bible Project made in consultation with Dr. Michael Heiser present several disturbing issues, including claims not found in the Bible and a few contradicting it. This constitutes yet more concern about Tim Mackie and his Bible Project that churches need to be aware of.
Most of the book, Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools, by Tyler Staton, is not about Contemplative practices. Staton uses what is often called the Lord’s Prayer as a template […]
What this adds up to is mysticism, and a mystical view is a natural result of contemplative practices that apparently have captivated Mackie. Mysticism is not a matter of transcending logic or thought; it is actually contra logic and thought. This is why all contemplative teachings downgrade the mind . It is always found in esoteric teachings that there is something profound beyond words and reason that one can experience – a hidden or secret experience and/or wisdom. This is exactly how I thought for over 20 years.
Mackie is planting not only the idea that gaining perception of “another reality” or a “super reality” is positive, but he is offering the means for it through the contemplative practices, which will alter perceptions over time.
Peter Greig, the founder of the 24/7 Global Prayer Movement, and author and teacher on prayer, is heavily promoted by JOHN MARK COMER. The term “24/7 Prayer” sounds good until one investigates what Greig teaches about prayer.
The main theme of Boyd’s book is that God allowed the Old Testament authors and Israel to view and depict him as a pagan war god since they were not able to understand who God was due to their cultural and religious ancient near east (ANE) limitations. Boyd offers biblical texts and ideas in support of this thesis, such as stating that any violent act attributed to Yahweh is against the non-violent Jesus on the cross and has to be interpreted in that light. Boyd writes that he came to this understanding after he stopped trying “to justify the violence that some Old Testament authors ascribe to God” (51).
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 […]
This article is hosted on the blog site of Midwest Christian Outreach (it is similar to but not exactly the same as the article of the same title that is […]
This article is based on an audio discussion about violence in the Old Testament and the book of Revelation found here and here. JOHN MARK COMER, former pastor of Bridgetown […]
Ezekiel allegedly had a “severe alteration of consciousness” when he had his vision in Ezekiel 8. This explains, according to Mackie, the different views of reality Ezekiel and other biblical characters had, and their other “states of consciousness” (starting around 49 min.). This did not need to be spelled out to anyone when the Bible was written, claims Mackie, because they all “took it for granted.” There is no evidence for this in the text; furthermore, I think that seeking such states as well as the belief in “different levels of reality” is contra the Bible, and against God’s character. A subsequent article expanding on this topic and attempting to explain why this is not compatible with Scripture is found in the article, “States of Mind and Reality: Why It Matters…Tim Mackie’s Paradise Talk as an example.”