Wednesday, 17 February 2010
Page 84
You may have heard about Emerging
Church with its New Age, Dark Ages Christianity based on experiential
Christianity, rather than on what the scriptures reveal. See my link on the
emerging church by Roger Oakland, for an outstanding presentation of what
the emerging church is and how it is operating.
Well .... here we see other things also emerging. Renovare and Promise Keepers. Also I have something to show you about the new paraphrase of the Bible "the message"
Renovaré
Well .... here we see other things also emerging. Renovare and Promise Keepers. Also I have something to show you about the new paraphrase of the Bible "the message"
Renovaré
Renovaré is an international, New Age,
ecumenical organization that emanates from the religious traditions of
Quakerism, whose message is that today's Church is missing out on some
wonderful spiritual experiences that can only be found by studying and
practicing the "meditative" and "contemplative" lifestyle
"of early Christianity."
In actuality, Renovaré espouses the use of the early pagan traditions of guided imagery and visualization, astral projection, "Zen" prayer techniques for meditation (i.e., Buddhism), and Jungian psychology (i.e., a blend of Eastern mysticism and Roman Catholic mystical spiritual tradition, which nicely fits the New Age model), all as means of obtaining "personal spiritual renewal" in the lives of believers.
(For a more detailed analysis of Renovaré and the teachings of its co-directors, psychologist Richard Foster and William Vaswig, see Media Spotlight's Special Report of March, 1992: "Renovaré: Taking Leave of One's Senses.")
In actuality, Renovaré espouses the use of the early pagan traditions of guided imagery and visualization, astral projection, "Zen" prayer techniques for meditation (i.e., Buddhism), and Jungian psychology (i.e., a blend of Eastern mysticism and Roman Catholic mystical spiritual tradition, which nicely fits the New Age model), all as means of obtaining "personal spiritual renewal" in the lives of believers.
(For a more detailed analysis of Renovaré and the teachings of its co-directors, psychologist Richard Foster and William Vaswig, see Media Spotlight's Special Report of March, 1992: "Renovaré: Taking Leave of One's Senses.")
Promise Keepers is the gigantic
new (1991) "men's movement" among professing evangelical Christians.
Its roots are Catholic and charismatic to the core. PK's contradictory stand on
homosexuality; its promotion of secular psychology; its unscriptural feminizing
of men; its depiction of Jesus as a "phallic messiah" tempted to
perform homosexual acts; and its ecumenical and unbiblical teachings should
dissuade any true Christian from participating. Promise Keepers is proving
to be one of the most ungodly and misleading movements in the annals of Christian history.
To read more on this movement, please click here
Eugene Peterson's The Message has swept into Christian bookstores, homes, and churches from coast to coast. In the first four months after its mid-July, 1993 release, 100,000 copies of this "New Testament in contemporary English" were printed by NavPress and 70,000 books were sold. Apparently, most readers were delighted: "The Message is so good it leaves me breathless," wrote popular New Age author Madeleine L'Engle in her endorsement. Jack Hayford has also endorsed The Message: "The Message is certainly destined to become a devotional classic, not to mention a powerful pastoral tool."
to be one of the most ungodly and misleading movements in the annals of Christian history.
To read more on this movement, please click here
Eugene Peterson's The Message has swept into Christian bookstores, homes, and churches from coast to coast. In the first four months after its mid-July, 1993 release, 100,000 copies of this "New Testament in contemporary English" were printed by NavPress and 70,000 books were sold. Apparently, most readers were delighted: "The Message is so good it leaves me breathless," wrote popular New Age author Madeleine L'Engle in her endorsement. Jack Hayford has also endorsed The Message: "The Message is certainly destined to become a devotional classic, not to mention a powerful pastoral tool."
But The Message teaches
a different gospel and a different morality than the Bible (as well as a
worldly/warm fuzzy view of life)! For example, The Message translates
Jesus' statement in John 14:28, "The Father is the goal and purpose of my
life," versus the Bible's "... The Father is greater than I." In
l Cor. 6:18-20, the words "sexual immorality" are deleted and the
words "avoids commitment and intimacy" are added.
(One could conclude that now "commitment and intimacy," not marriage, set the boundaries for acceptable sex.) In Rom. 1:26-27, the words "God gave them over ..." are deleted and words that qualify homosexuality are added (a loophole is provided for committed homosexuals who "love" each other; thus lust becomes the sin, not the choosing of a same-sex partner). There are hundreds of examples like these in The Message.
(One could conclude that now "commitment and intimacy," not marriage, set the boundaries for acceptable sex.) In Rom. 1:26-27, the words "God gave them over ..." are deleted and words that qualify homosexuality are added (a loophole is provided for committed homosexuals who "love" each other; thus lust becomes the sin, not the choosing of a same-sex partner). There are hundreds of examples like these in The Message.
Peterson himself, in his introduction
to The Message, says, "This version of the New Testament in a
contemporary idiom keeps the language of The Message current
and fresh and understandable in the same language in which we do our shopping,
talk with our friends, worry about world affairs, and teach our children their
table manners ..."
This all sounds like an excuse for "dumbing-down" Scripture to match our culture's downward trends. Should we then rewrite God's holy Scriptures to fit our more shallow and worldly communications? And what does it say about a man like Jack Hayford when he endorses it as an authentic translation of the Bible rather than as Peterson's personal, politically correct interpretation? (Also endorsing The Message were Warren Wiersbe and J.I. Packer.) [Adapted from "What Kind of Message is THE MESSAGE, an article by Berit Kjos.]
This all sounds like an excuse for "dumbing-down" Scripture to match our culture's downward trends. Should we then rewrite God's holy Scriptures to fit our more shallow and worldly communications? And what does it say about a man like Jack Hayford when he endorses it as an authentic translation of the Bible rather than as Peterson's personal, politically correct interpretation? (Also endorsing The Message were Warren Wiersbe and J.I. Packer.) [Adapted from "What Kind of Message is THE MESSAGE, an article by Berit Kjos.]
Labels: Ecumenical Organisations
Specific Info, Errors Of Experiential
Christianity, Heresy Watch, Info On Specific
Ecumenical Organisations, Rise Of Apostasy
John Chingford said...
I am sorry to inform that Josh McDowell endorses
"Promise Keepers". I discovered that he spoke at PK events and
wondered why, so I wrote an email to his organisation.
The following are my emails and the replies I got as follows:
From: anonymousalways2010@yahoo.co.uk
Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2010 9:51 AM
To: Info@josh.org
Subject: Promise Keepers Query
I have always been in favour of Josh McDowall's ministry. However, I have heard something which concerns me. I wonder if you would clarify the issue please.
Is it true that you are a supporter and activist of Promise Keepers?
Did you know that they are highly ecumenical? I have read their 7 promises. It seems that for the sake of unity experience through prayer and worship is more important than following biblical truth.
When scripture teaches to not be conformed to this world (eg unscriptural unity) by being transformed by the renewing of our mind (which comes through scriptural application)it means the bible decides what we do - not experience! On this basis I am wondering how your organisation can be a supporter of Promise Keepers. Please advise. God bless
From: Penny Woods
Subject: RE: Promise Keepers Query
To: anonymousalways2010@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Thursday, 18 February, 2010, 17:23
Josh has been a speaker at Promise Keepers’ events from time to time over the years. I will make Josh aware of your comments and pass your email on to him.
We appreciate your sending your thoughts.
In His service,
Penny Woods
Josh McDowell Ministry
From: anonymousalways2010@yahoo.co.uk
Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2010 20:09 PM
To: Penny Woods
Subject: Promise Keepers Query
Thanks Penny,
I wonder if Josh would be able to answer my question personally. I have many email contacts and a website. As a number of apologetic websites are warning us about Promise Keepers and naming those associated (the name of Josh came up - this is why I wanted his personal response rather than hear it second hand) I would like to clarify things. However, if Josh is endorsing them, then I will have to advise everybody about this.
Doesn't Josh know that any allegiance (in any way) with the Catholic church and popes is going down the road of the apostate, babylonic whore of Revelation? The ecumenical movement is basically the brain child of the Vatican to Babylonise the true faith. Promise Keepers being ecumenical and accepting Roman Catholics as Christian brothers (for the sake of unity) not disputing doctrinal issues is in fact going to bed with Rome.
What should I tell my readers?
Yours in Jesus
From: Penny Woods
Subject: response from Josh McDowell
To: anonymousalways2010@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wednesday, 5 May, 2010, 21:38
John,
I have just received a response from Josh concerning your February email to him requesting the level of his involvement with Promise Keepers. His comment is below:
“I appreciate P.K. but am not a supporter or activist.”
I’m sorry, John, that it’s taken some time to get back to you, but Josh has a busy schedule which prevents him from having speedy responses to those who have questions for him.
In His service,
Penny Woods
Josh McDowell Ministry
To those reading this blog, please advise me how I should understand the response I got from Penny Woods. It isn't a direct email from Josh, but is surely enough to indicate that Josh is ecumenical and therefore not to be trusted?
Is this important enough to place on a specific post?
The following are my emails and the replies I got as follows:
From: anonymousalways2010@yahoo.co.uk
Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2010 9:51 AM
To: Info@josh.org
Subject: Promise Keepers Query
I have always been in favour of Josh McDowall's ministry. However, I have heard something which concerns me. I wonder if you would clarify the issue please.
Is it true that you are a supporter and activist of Promise Keepers?
Did you know that they are highly ecumenical? I have read their 7 promises. It seems that for the sake of unity experience through prayer and worship is more important than following biblical truth.
When scripture teaches to not be conformed to this world (eg unscriptural unity) by being transformed by the renewing of our mind (which comes through scriptural application)it means the bible decides what we do - not experience! On this basis I am wondering how your organisation can be a supporter of Promise Keepers. Please advise. God bless
From: Penny Woods
Subject: RE: Promise Keepers Query
To: anonymousalways2010@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Thursday, 18 February, 2010, 17:23
Josh has been a speaker at Promise Keepers’ events from time to time over the years. I will make Josh aware of your comments and pass your email on to him.
We appreciate your sending your thoughts.
In His service,
Penny Woods
Josh McDowell Ministry
From: anonymousalways2010@yahoo.co.uk
Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2010 20:09 PM
To: Penny Woods
Subject: Promise Keepers Query
Thanks Penny,
I wonder if Josh would be able to answer my question personally. I have many email contacts and a website. As a number of apologetic websites are warning us about Promise Keepers and naming those associated (the name of Josh came up - this is why I wanted his personal response rather than hear it second hand) I would like to clarify things. However, if Josh is endorsing them, then I will have to advise everybody about this.
Doesn't Josh know that any allegiance (in any way) with the Catholic church and popes is going down the road of the apostate, babylonic whore of Revelation? The ecumenical movement is basically the brain child of the Vatican to Babylonise the true faith. Promise Keepers being ecumenical and accepting Roman Catholics as Christian brothers (for the sake of unity) not disputing doctrinal issues is in fact going to bed with Rome.
What should I tell my readers?
Yours in Jesus
From: Penny Woods
Subject: response from Josh McDowell
To: anonymousalways2010@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wednesday, 5 May, 2010, 21:38
John,
I have just received a response from Josh concerning your February email to him requesting the level of his involvement with Promise Keepers. His comment is below:
“I appreciate P.K. but am not a supporter or activist.”
I’m sorry, John, that it’s taken some time to get back to you, but Josh has a busy schedule which prevents him from having speedy responses to those who have questions for him.
In His service,
Penny Woods
Josh McDowell Ministry
To those reading this blog, please advise me how I should understand the response I got from Penny Woods. It isn't a direct email from Josh, but is surely enough to indicate that Josh is ecumenical and therefore not to be trusted?
Is this important enough to place on a specific post?
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