Ecumenism Leads To Compromising The Gospel

Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

I would like to share some thoughts about ecumenism.  I am not the world’s foremost authority on this topic, but I do read the scriptures and what it has to say, and my approach is strictly from a biblical view. One comment recently made in response to an earlier posting is typical of a perspective held by many Christians today, and the comment included a statement that how I was critiquing certain positions “does not reflect an ecumenical spirit” and is “very divisive”.  My reply after reflecting on that is this: achieving an ecumenical spirit is not necessarily my goal.  (And being “divisive” is often unavoidable according to the scriptures, i.e. Rom. 16:17-18, Titus 3:10-11, 1 Tim. 6:20-21, Titus 1:9-2:1, James 4:4-8).  It is often a consequence of defending the gospel).  So I am generally opposed to the idea of the “ecumenical spirit” or ecumenical movement as it is practiced by many today, because I believe that it is one of the many philosophies that are working towards the perversion of the Christian church and the watering down of the gospel.

In the Windsor Hills post, I criticized Professor Doug Hardy of Nazarene Theological Seminary for recommending a great number of books as good resources to be used in the Hardy Library of Spiritual Formation.  The vast majority of these books were treatises on a number of saints, monks, priests, and theologians from the Roman Catholic tradition, as well as some current proponents of emergent ideology and “spiritual formation” practices, such as Richard Foster, whose “Celebration of Discipline” is popular in many Nazarene circles.  My objection to these books, was not that they were simply to be available for research into unbiblical practices; but that they were recommended for reading as a healthy spiritual resource, as evidenced by the two declared purposes for the use of these books.  My objection was on the basis that these books are not the kind of books that ought to be anywhere near a Nazarene or any other Christian library, for the purposes of encouraging spiritual growth or learning about the scriptures! So, to view these books favorably like they are by Dr. Hardy, reflects the “ecumenical spirit” held by so many today in the “evangelical” church.  If you honestly look at the facts concerning the mystics in these books (Mystics Who Are being Promoted To Nazarenes) , you would be hard pressed to say these are acceptable for Biblical Christians to use as good resources.

I understand full well that the idea of criticizing the Roman Catholic Church can be a lightning rod that triggers accusations of bigotry, anti-Catholicism, hatred, insensitivity, and on and on. It comes from an erroneous idea that all who verbally profess belief in Jesus Christ  are true Christian brothers and sisters, and that we need to get along and ignore our differences, instead focusing on what we share in common.  That is a direct oppositional view to the doctrine of separation.  Instead of the doctrine of separation, which is biblically grounded, many have chosen the doctrine of ecumenism, which has brought disastrous results.  And the most volatile opposition seems to arise when anyone criticizes the doctrines of the RCC.  Just to be clear, I am focusing here on the official doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church that it teaches dogmatically (Roman Catholicism And Its Heresies), not on individual members of the RCC.  We cannot judge what is in the heart of an individual, but we can judge the doctrine of any church or person in the light of scripture.

So what is the ecumenical movement like?  Here is a statement from the ecumenical World Council of Churches website that describes their goal:

“The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches which confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Savior according to the scriptures, and therefore seek to fulfill together their common calling to the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is a community of churches on the way to visible unity in one faith and one eucharistic fellowship, expressed in worship and in common life in Christ. It seeks to advance towards this unity, as Jesus prayed for his followers, ‘so that the world may believe’ (John 17:21).”

This statement is admirable on it’s face.  But who should we fellowship and join together with, and who should we not join together with?  While varying groups can express the shared sentiment of “confessing the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Savior”, does that mean that we are brothers and sisters with all who verbally profess to believe that way?  Jesus said in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” It would seem that doing the will of My father includes obeying the commands in scripture that are clear and absolute, not just simply saying that you believe in the Trinity and a few “essentials of the faith”, ignoring the supposed “less important” teachings.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13

Does the teaching of the RCC and other groups such as the Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses fall in line with doing the will of our Father in heaven, and if not, what is the rationale for pursuing an ecumenical joining with them?  We should have fellowship with one another as Christians, but when fellowship with some professing Christians gets compromised by their continual and clear disobedience to the commands of scripture and adherence to a perverted gospel, are we to really continue in fellowship with them, and how would that be justified biblically, which should be the only criteria?  It is interesting that many who have argued with me about having fellowship with the RCC, do not argue that same point regarding the Mormon cult, or the Jehovah’s Witnesses.  That is inconsistent with their argument that joining hands with the RCC is okay.  Mormons believe in a perverted view of the nature of Jesus Christ (Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers), and so do the Jehovah’s Witnesses (Jesus was a created being).  Do we really want to say they are true Christian brothers and sisters, just because they profess a belief in Jesus with their mouths?  Therefore if someone does not believe in going to ecumenical services with Mormons and and JW’s, what difference is there in going to ecumenical services at a Roman Catholic church?

And so there is a pursuit of this ecumenical spirit with the Roman Catholic Church, which many in the Nazarene denomination seem to be embracing, including those from our seminary, evidenced by their sponsorship of a spiritual formation retreat just before General Assembly, as one example.  The RCC believes dogmatically in the following: the veneration of Mary; the praying to saints and icons; the bread of the Mass as the actual body of Christ; the belief in purgatory; the means of salvation being attributed to baptism, works, and the sacraments, instead of grace alone by faith alone through Christ alone.  There’s even more.  These declarations from the Council of Trent hundeds of years ago still hold full authority today.  So for Biblical Christianity and Roman Catholicism to be seen as the same is a total contradiction, and holding to that view completely ignores the vast differences.  One has to compromise their Biblical beliefs as taught in the scriptures, to say that we are one and the same with the Roman Catholic Church.  If I am wrong, I would challenge anyone to show me otherwise using the scriptures as the only authority.

But you will not find anything in scripture that justifies the ecumenical philosophy as it is practiced by Rick Warren and many others, and even the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has had 50 years of compromise with the Roman Catholic Church (this is well documented and disturbing, and I report this in spite of my admiration for Graham’s great sermons and his longtime service). Even such admired men as Chuck Colson, who has done some great work, have succumbed to the seduction of ecumenism.

Our motivation should not be an immediate desire for a kind of unity with any professing body that says Jesus is Lord, but rather to spread the gospel that is true and pure to the whole world.  Joining hands with those who preach another gospel does not help that goal, it hurts it, and serves only to bring confusion and compromise, which Jesus and the apostles never taught.  Instead, they seemed to be the most condemning and harsh when addressing those who preached another gospel, another Jesus.  What you will find is this and many other admonitions:

2 Cor. 6:13-19:  Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? ¹⁵ And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you^[a] are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“ I will dwell in them, And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people. Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.”

We must be careful and only join hands with those who believe in the biblical definition of the gospel, not simply jump up and join with anyone who claims to follow Christ.  Paul had particularly harsh words to say to those who would pervert the gospel and preach another gospel:

Galatians 1:6-9 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

In practice, I believe many in our denominational leadership seem to be rejecting the doctrine of separation, and instead are moving towards a higher degree of ecumenism that is very troubling to many other Nazarenes who are aware of it.

But I contend that the price of “unity” must not come at the expense of compromise.

Are Emergents Trying To Negate The Reformation?

By Reinaldo T. De Almeida


Would there be a protestant church today if someone as courageous as Martin Luther had not rightly rebuked the erroneous ways of the Catholic Church? Definitely not! Praise be to God whose Spirit acts on those who search him with all their hearts and minds.

Today, to talk about judging has become an offense to many people. “Everyone must be included” is the new fad. But the Bible tells us to “not sit with mockers”! “Everyone is included” is actually not what the Bible has ever taught, but that there would be a ‘narrow door’ (Matt. 7:13) , and many false teachers (Matt. 24:5). That is a guarantee.  Instead, many look at judging others as completely forbidden by scripture.  They quickly point out perhaps the most widely misused scripture: Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.” They never understand the context of this passage in full.  They forget that Jesus goes on to say, take the plank out of your eye FIRST, before you judge the other person.  Furthermore, Jesus says later on in verse 15: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”

Can anyone explain to me, how can I ever beware of false prophets, UNLESS I am able to judge?  Can this be any clearer?  It is impossible not to judge, and then be able to know who is a false prophet!  Nevertheless, we are admonished to judge with righteous judgment. (John 7:24 “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”)

Acts 20:28-31 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard!

I believe this warning Paul gave applies so well to what is happening in our denomination today.  I am so disappointed when I hear Nazarenes giving examples of so many ‘humble people’ who are not even evangelicals or Nazarenes. Can’t we find enough examples within the Nazarene denomination? Perhaps not, if today’s preachers and missionaries are following the teachings of others who are not even close to the true message of the cross.

I always heard my father preach of those Nazarene missionaries who walked up mountains and traveled miles to preach the gospel. That is how the Nazarene church became a big organization. Today, unfortunately, some disciples and preachers frequently mention pagans and others who pray the rosary, who use labyrinths and other methods to get close to God, and who worship idols and the Virgin Mary as symbols of humility and Christendom. What a shame and embarrassment to see where this organization of 100 years is going and leading its flock. One particular thing about the Nazarenes is that in its formation it did not follow the majority, it was a union of churches that had something in common, a search for true holiness. Can others teach a Nazarene to be holy? Perhaps, but can the Catholics or emergents, with their aberrant and heretical doctrines?

Praise God for Martin Luther’s attitude. Because of him we are what we are. He had the guts to preach the right thing. That’s why many churches are dying today; many preachers refuse to talk about clothes, about holiness, about modesty, about judging with righteousness, about false teachers, or anything else, because all these topics offend people. They perceive us as foolish if we talk about such things as dressing modestly and not conforming and compromising with the world. Too bad!

1 Cor. 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Unfortunately many people who are not Nazarenes are the ones teaching the Nazarenes what they should believe and how they should behave according to their own philosophies or points of view, which most of the time, viewed in the light of scripture, are dangerous.  We are reminded in the scriptures not to get caught in the trap of man’s wisdom.

Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

Others, who should know that the Nazarene church was founded on some imperative biblical principals, insist on working for such an organization, but not wholeheartedly, as it used to be with former Nazarene employees.

Martin Luther left his organization for specific reasons, for the right reasons. Unfortunately we have some who will not repent, who will not leave the organization, but who will unfortunately stay in it to follow the teachings of their non-Nazarene mentors.

Is your pastor a Nazarene in the Wesleyan-holiness tradition?  More directly, is he a pastor who puts his full confidence and faith in the infallible, inerrant word of God?  Or is he a double-minded professional?

To get an honest answer for such a question might take months and lives away from churches. That is ‘too personal’!

May God help us

Reinaldo

Windsor Hills Camp Promotes Error Filled Books To Nazarenes

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

I was not sure exactly where to start with this, and it might take you about 10 minutes to read it all, but this is important.  After you finish this, please come back and ponder these questions: Are these books the kind of reading material and teaching that I want to have as a Nazarene?  Do these books reflect the holiness tradition of the Nazarene Church? Why in the world would anyone in the Nazarene church want to use books about Roman Catholic figures whose practices and teachings are clearly heretical and false?  Is the Nazarene denomination proclaiming traditional holiness teaching “on paper”, while going in a totally different direction under the radar of most Nazarenes? Will I as a Nazarene just close my eyes to this since it’s not “affecting me” anyway?  Do I care about  what just might be happening in my local church, or do I care about all Christians who may be touched by false teaching? What is going on with our seminary that at least one professor is recommending this kind of reading material?  What would our General Superintendents have to say about these books? If the practices of all these Roman Catholic mystics are so good, why are they not openly promoted at District Assemblies, or widely announced in places like our Holiness Today magazine, as something good for ALL Nazarenes?  When did all this start coming into the Nazarene denomination, and why?

With that in mind, I have stumbled onto some really disturbing information that comes right out of the Windsor Hills Camp and Retreat Center in New Hampshire, in our New England District.
On their website, the Neilson Renewal Center is asking people to donate books to the The Hardy Library for Spiritual Formation.  These books are being suggested by Dr. Doug Hardy, a graduate of ENC and currently professor of spiritual formation at our Nazarene Theological Seminary.
I downloaded the pdf file at the website with a list of books they are looking for, and when I opened the file, that is where my jaw figuratively dropped to the floor.  I have already written two articles asking whether Roman Catholicism is being taught to Nazarene youth.  I will now ask the same question here for adults: are Roman Catholicism mystical practices and ideology being promoted openly now to our pastors and adults?  Apparently, it is at Windsor Hills Camp!
From reading the list of books that are being requested, a great majority of them are books written about or by Roman Catholic monks and mystics, or they are books written by modern day proponents of “spiritual formation”, which many Nazarenes are still not aware of what that term really means.  Spiritual formation as it is being used now by the emergent and New Age crowd, is nothing more than the use of unbiblical contemplative spirituality practices and ancient Roman Catholic practices and rituals in order to supposedly experience God and become one with God.

So what books are being asked for, and why are they so bad?  As a quick summary, a great many of the titles are books about such Roman Catholic monks, saints, and mystics as: St. John of the Cross; St. Theresa of Avila; Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity; St. Therese of Lisieux; Madeline de St. Joseph; Aelred of Riveulx; Catherine of Sienna; Richard Foster (the modern day father of spiritual formation), George Fox, founder of the Quaker movement; Bernard of Clairvaux; Ignatius of Loyola; Meister Eckhart; Julian of Norwich; Mother Teresa.   There are some Wesleyan related books as well, but not much compared to these others.  It is interesting to note that one of the goals for the library is for “the increased understanding of the scriptures”, but ironically, many of these mystics are the very people who have twisted the scriptures, or substituted their own warped thinking in place of the scriptures!  The other goal is for “the spiritual encouragement/formation of God’s servants”.  How?

I have a followup page (Mystics Who Are Being Promoted To Nazarenes) where I give some brief biographical data and highlight the false teachings and heresies of many of these mystics.  Granted, there are some good books listed here, but there is no excuse for mixing in the bad ones!  Ironically, the only Bible asked for here is the Spiritual Formation Bible, which came out of the Renovare project affiliated with… Richard Foster of course.

Let me just give two short descriptions of some of the mystics promoted by these books.  Are these appealing to you as a Christian?:

Nouwen, Henri (1932-1996)
Roman Catholic monk who believed that there are many paths to God and each individual can claim their way to God.  Was deeply into contemplative prayer, lectio divina.  Has a vast influence within the emerging church and evangelicalism.  He claimed that contemplative meditation is necessary for an intimacy with God.  He taught that the use of a mantra could could take the practitioner into God’s presence.  He said that mysticism and contemplative prayer can create ecumenical unity because Christian leaders learn to hear “the voice of love”.  He combined the teaching of eastern gurus with ancient Catholic practices.  He taught a form of universalism and panentheism (God is in all things).  He claimed that every person who believes in a higher power and follows his vision of the future is of God and is building God’s kingdom.  He also taught that God is only love, unconditional love (of course that also is contradictory to scripture) (Contemplative Mysticism, by David Cloud, pg. 317-321)

St. Teresa of Avila
She was part of the Carmelite order, which was devoted to Mary.  She hated Protestants, and believed that they brought damnation to themselves by rejecting Rome and the Mass.

She was greatly influenced by books on mystical asceticism.   She believed in works salvation.  She was devoted to Mary, other saints,  and especially to Joseph. She believed that the consecrated wafer in the Mass is Christ.  She believed in purgatory.  She inflicted tortures on herself and practiced extreme asceticism.  She practiced mindless meditation and often went into ecstatic “raptures.”  She often feared that she was possessed or influenced by the devil.  She alleged to have seen Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and God the Father.  She also claimed to have seen many demons, and that the most effective thing against them was holy water.  She claimed to have seen and talked with many dead people. (Contemplative Mysticism, by David Cloud, pg. 374-384)

=====================================================
Following is the original list as published at the Camp website.
I highlighted the more troublesome authors and titles in red, that I know of.  My comments are in green.
There are a couple of links you can go to to see what some of these are about, but I will have a more complete summary of most of these people on my blog… go to Lack of Discernment From Our Seminary.
The Wesleyan resources were listed last.

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From the website of Windsor Hills:

 

Send us a book!  Buy us a periodical subscription!  Here’s how and why . . .

The Nielson Renewal Center will include the Hardy Library for Spiritual Formation.  It is our dream to create a library that will encourage and support pastors, while providing resources for the tasks that are theirs.  We also want this library to resource spiritual formation events that take place on the campground.

While we do have some money set aside for book purchases, we can maximize our funds if we also receive donations to the library.  All material in this library must meet an important test. These books are for (1) the spiritual encouragement/formation of God’s servants or (2) for increased understanding of the scriptures.

If you would like to donate any of the works listed below, please mail them to Dan Whitney.
If you decide to purchase any of these books at Amazon.com,  please access Amazon through the Reynolds Institute (www.reynoldsinstitute.org) website, so that the district can get credit for these purchases.

In addition to the books listed below, we would love to receive donations of any biblical commentaries published after 1980.  We will keep a list of books received. You may want to call ahead to make sure you are not purchasing a duplicate.

We thank you for this investment in the life of our ministers and their families.

Suggestions for a Spiritual Formation Library
Windsor Hills Renewal Center
New England District Church of the Nazarene
Compiled by Dr. Doug Hardy, Nazarene Theological Seminary

Periodicals

Spiritual Life: A Journal of Contemporary Spirituality. Published by the Discalced Carmelites. www.spiritual-life.org
A publication of the Carmelite Friars. Among other pursuits, it focuses on “examining the meaning of the lives and writings of St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, and St. Edith Stein.
Spiritus: A Journal of Christian Spirituality. Published by The Johns Hopkins University Press.
http://muse.jhu.edu/journal/scs (This link seems to be missing)
Weavings: A Journal of the Christian Spiritual Life.  Published by Upper Room Ministries.
www.weavings.org

Prayer/Devotional Books

Benson Sr., Bob & Michael W. Benson. Disciplines for the Inner Life. Henderson, TN: Deeper Life, 1989.
deSilva, David A. Praying with John Wesley. Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 2001.
Job, Ruben P. A Wesleyan Spiritual Reader. Nashville: Abingdon, 1998.
Job, Rueben P. & Norman Shawchuck. A Guide to Prayer for All God’s People. Nashville: Upper Room,1990.
The Book of Common Prayer (Episcopal Church). New York: Seabury, 1979.
The Book of Common Prayer is the common title of a number of prayer books of the Church of England and of other Anglican churches, used throughout the Anglican Communion.

Basic Reference Works

The Spiritual Formation Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1999.
Isn’t this something?  The one Bible recommended, and it is the Renovare version of the Bible, right out of Richard Foster’s Renovare Institute.  Not KJV or NKJV, but Foster.

Series: Christian Spirituality, Vols. 1-3 (Volumes 16-18 of the series, World Spirituality: An
Encyclopedic History of the Religious Quest). New York: Crossroad, 1987-1990.
Beasley-Topliffe, Keith. The Upper Room Dictionary of Christian Spiritual Formation. Nashville: Upper Room, 2003.
Cunningham, Lawrence S. & Keith J. Egan. Christian Spirituality: Themes from the Tradition. New York: Paulist Press, 1996.
Downey, Michael. Understanding Christian Spirituality. New York: Paulist Press, 1997.
Holmes, Urban T.  A History of Christian Spirituality. Seabury Press, 1980.
Holt, Bradley P.  Thirsty for God: A Brief History of Christian Spirituality. Augsburg, 1993.
Wicks, Robert J. (ed.). Handbook of Spirituality for Ministers (vol. 1 and 2). Paulist Press, 1995.

Classic Spiritual Readings

Series: The Classics of Western Spirituality: A Library of the Great Spiritual Masters.  New York: Paulist Press. Includes writings by the Catholic mystic Madeleine de Saint-Joseph

Series: Upper Room Spiritual Classics. Nashville: Upper Room
Includes John Wesley, but also has writings by Theresa of Avila- Catholic mystic!  and John Cassian also!

Aelred of Riveaulx. Spiritual Friendship, tr. by Mary Eugenia Laker.  Cistercian Publications, 1974.
He was Abbot of Rievaulx in England, homilist and historian (1109-66), became a Cistercian monk.  This is a link related to Aelred: http://www.glbtq.com/literature/aelred.html

Asbury, Francis.  Journals and Letters, ed. by Elmer E. Clark, J. Manning Potts, and Jacob S. Payton.  (3
vols.) Nashville:  Abingdon Press, 1958. (1821)
Augustine. Confessions. New York: Penguin, 1961. (387)
____. The Enchiridion on Faith, Hope, and Love. Chicago, IL: Regnery Gateway, 1961. (d. 430)
Baillie, John.  A Diary of Private Prayer.  New York: Scribner’s Sons, 1949. (1936)
Barclay, William.  William Barclay: A Spiritual Autobiography.  Grand Rapids:  Eerdmans, 1975. (1971)
Baxter, Richard.  A Call to the Unconverted to Turn and Live.  Baker Book House, 1976. (d. 1691)

Bernard of Clairvaux. The Steps of Humility. tr. by George B. Burch.  Cambridge: Harvard University
Press, 1940. (d. 1153)
Another Roman Catholic monk and mystic.

Bonaventure.  The Soul’s Journey Into God,The Tree of Life, and The Life of St. Francis, tr. by Ewert Cousins.  New York: Paulist Press, 1978. (1259)
A Franciscan Friar, venerated Mary, promoted mysticism.

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich.  Letters and Papers from Prison.  New York: Macmillan, 1972. (1951)
Calvin, John. A Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1982. (1550)

Caternia da Genova. Purgation and Purgatory: The Spiritual Dialogue. tr. by Serge Hughes.  New York:   Paulist Press, 1979 (Classics of Western Spirituality). (1551)
A Roman Catholic saint.

Catherine of Siena. The Dialogue, tr. by Suzanne Noftke.  New York:  Paulist Press, 1980 (Classics of Western Spirituality). (1377-1378)
Another Roman Catholic mystic!

Gregory of Nyssa. From Glory to Glory, tr. & ed. by Henry Musurillo.  New York:  Scribner’s, 1961.   (d. 394)
A Roman Catholic saint from around 400 A.D.

Fenelon, Francois de Salignac de La Mothe. Let Go, Springdale, PA: Whitaker House, 1973. (c. 1600’s)
French Roman Catholic theologian.  One of the main advocates of quietism, a philosophy with much influence on many mystics.

Foster, Richard J. and Smith, James Bryan (eds.)  Devotional Classics: Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups,  Harper San Francisco, 1993.
Foster, Richard J. and Griffin, Emilie (eds.)  Spiritual Classics: Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups on the Twelve Spiritual Disciplines,  Harper San Francisco, 2000.

The “godfather” of spiritual formation.  Some quotes from his book Prayer:

“Contemplatives sometimes speak of their union with God by the analogy of a log in a fire: the glowing log is so united with the fire that it is fire …”

“What is the goal of Contemplative Prayer? … union with God…. our final goal is union with God, which is a pure relationship where we see nothing.”
“Christians … have developed two fundamental expressions of Unceasing Prayer. The first … is usually called aspiratory prayer or breath prayer. The most famous of the breath prayers is the Jesus Prayer. It is also possible to discover your own individual breath prayer…. Begin praying your breath prayer as often as possible.”

Fox, George. Journal of George Fox.  London:  J. M. Dent & Sons, LTD, 1924. (d. 1691)
Founder of the Quaker movement. A universalist, here are a few statements by him to illustrate how he thought:

“Walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in everyone.”
“The Light shines through all.”
“There is that of divinity in all things.”

Hugh of St. Victor. Selected Spiritual Writings.  New York: Harper & Row, 1962. (d. 1141)
Mystic philosopher from around 1000 A.D.

John of the Cross.  Dark Night of the Soul, tr. by Allison Peers.  Doubleday, 1959. (d. 1591)
Again, another Catholic mystic!

Julian of Norwich. Showings, tr. by Edmund Colledge and James Walsh.  New York:  Paulist  Press, 1978, (Classics of Western Spirituality). (d. 1443)
Again, another Catholic mystic from England, thought to be one of the greatest!

Kempis, Thomas A. The Imitation of Christ, paraphrased by Donald E. Demaray.  Grand Rapids MI:  Baker Book House, 1982. (1471)
German Augustinian monk.  This book is filled with Roman Catholic heresies.

Kierkegaard, Soren.  Purity of Heart, tr. by Douglas V. Steere.  New York: Harper & Brothers, 1938.    (d. 1855)

Law, William.  A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life and The Spirit of Love, ed. by Paul G.
Standwood.  New York: Paulist Press, 1978 (Classics of Western Spirituality). (1728)
Leech, Kenneth. Experiencing God: Theology as Spirituality. San Fransico, CA: Harper and Row  Publishing, 1985.

Loyola, Ignatius.  The Spiritual Exercises, tr. by Louis J. Puhl.  Loyola, 1981. (1521)
Another Catholic mystic!  He wrote mystical heresy which can be found in the Barefoot Ministries book! This same book is actually recommended and quoted in one of the Barefoot books.

Luther, Martin.  Letters of Spiritual Counsel, ed. by Theodore G. Tappert.  Westminster, 1955. (d. 1546)
Meister, Eckhart. A Modern Translation, tr. by Raymond B. Bla.  New York: Harper, 1941. (d. 1328)
A German Dominican priest.  Taught that man at his highest level is one with God.

Murray, Andrew.  The Inner Life. Whitaker House, 1984. (d. 1917)
Muto, Susan Annette. John of The Cross For Today: The Dark Night. Notre Dame, Ind.: Ave Maria  Press, 1994.
____. John of The Cross For Today: The Ascent. Notre Dame, Ind.: Ave Maria Press, 1991.
Pascal, Blaise.  Thoughts, ed. by Thomas S. Kepler.  Cleveland: World Pub. Co., 1955. (d. 1662)
Philo of Alexandria.  The Contemplative Life, tr. by David Winston. New York: Paulist Press, 1981  (Classics of Western Spirituality). (c. 50)

Rahner, Karl. Theological Investigations, Vol 3: The Theology of the Spiritual Life. London: Darton,  Longman and Todd, 1967.
Sales, Francis de. Introduction to the Devout Life, tr. by John K. Ryan.  Harper, 1950. (1608)

Scupoli, Lorenzo. The Spiritual Combat, tr. & rev. by William Lester and Robert Mohan.  Westminster,  Maryland: Newman Press, 1945. (1589)
Roman Catholic priest and writer

Steere, Douglas V. Doors Into Life: Through Five Devotional Classics.  New York: Harper & Brothers, 1948.
____. (ed) Quaker Spirituality: Selected Writings.  New York: Paulist Press, 1984 (Classics of Western Spirituality).
Steere is a Quaker.  Among other things, Quakers teach that all Christians have a special “Inner Light”.  Also, that God is IN ALL human beings.  Many of them believe in universalism.
Here is a quote from their UK website:

“Quakers share a way of life, not a set of beliefs. We base our faith on silent worship, and our own experiences of the divine.”

Teresa of Avila. The Interior Castle, tr. by Kieran Kavanaugh and Otiho Rodriguez.  New York: Paulist Press (Classics of Western Spirituality). (1577)
Roman Catholic mystic, practiced a lot of heresy including scourging herself daily.

Mother Teresa. A Simple Path: Compiled by Lucina Vardey. New York: Ballantine Books, 1995.
Roman Catholic nun, who led many astray by mixing Christianity with all religions as being equal.

Walsh, James (ed).  The Cloud of Unknowing. New York: Paulist Press, 1981 (Classics of Western Spirituality).
This contemplative mysticism book is by an unknown Catholic mystic from medieval times, but is popular with emergents and pastors alike. It is considered a classic in contemplative mysticism.

The Way of a Pilgrim, tr. by R. M. French.  Harper, 1952.
Weil, Simone.  Waiting for God, tr. by Emma Crawford.  Harper Torchbooks. (d. 1943)
Wesley, Charles.  The Journal of Charles Wesley.  Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City (1980), 2 vols. (1736-1756)
Wesley, John.  The Journal of Rev. John Wesley, ed. by Nehemiah Curnock.  London: Epworth Press, 1938. (1790)
Whaling, Frank (ed.)  John and Charles Wesley: Selected Writings and Hymns. New York: Paulist  Press, 1981 (Classics of Western Spirituality).
Woolman, John.  The Journal of John Woolman.  Seacaucus, NJ: Citadel Press, 1972. (d. 1772)

Resources for Guided Retreats

Job, Rueben P.  A Guide to Retreat for All God’s Shepherds. Abingdon Press, 1994.
Payne, Joseph A. Befriending: A Self-Guided Retreat for Busy People. New York: Paulist, 1993.
Rupp, Joyce. Meeting God in our Transition Times: A Five-Part Group or Person Guided Retreat (Audio tape & book). Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria, 1995.
You can check out her homepage here: Rupp, Joyce

Spiritual Formation of the Pastor

Harbaugh, Gary L.  Pastor as Person. Augsburg, 1984.
Hinson, Glenn E.  Spiritual Preparation for Christian Leaders.  Nashville:  Upper Room, 1999.
Holmes, Urban T.  Spirituality for Ministry. Seabury Press, 1982.
Job, Rueben P.  A Guide to Retreat for All God’s Shepherds. Abingdon Press, 1994.

Nouwen, Henri. The Wounded Healer. Garden City, NY: Image Books, 1972.
You remember him perhaps.  Roman Catholic monk who believed that there are many paths to God.  Was deeply into contemplative prayer, lectio divina.

Peterson, Eugene H. Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity. William B. Eerdmans, 1987.
Author of The Message- a very corrupted “paraphrase of the Bible even Peterson does not consider it a true translation.
He has lots of New Age / occultic ties and influences.
A sample corrupted version from the Lord’s Prayer: instead of “on earth as it is in heaven”, he writes “as above, so below”, an exact quote of an occultic phrase!

____. Subversive Spirituality. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1994.
____. A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, 2nd Ed. Downers Grove, IL : InterVarsity Press,  2000.
Rice, Howard.  The Pastor as Spiritual Guide.  Nashville:  Upper Room, 1998.

Wesleyan Resources

Series: The Works of John Wesley. Nashville: Abingdon.
Chilcote, Paul. Praying in the Wesleyan Spirit: 52 Prayers for Today. Nashville: Upper Room, 2001.
Clapper, Gregory S.  As if the Heart Mattered:  A Wesleyan Spirituality.  Nashville: Upper Room, 1997.
deSilva, David A. Praying with John Wesley. Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 2001.
Dunnam, Maxie. The Christian Way: A Wesleyan View of our Spiritual Journey. Zondervan, 1987.
Dunning, H. Ray.  Grace, Faith, and Holiness. Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 1988.
Greathouse, William M.  Wholeness in Christ: Toward a Biblical Theology of Holiness.  Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press, 1998.
Harper, Steve. Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition. Nashville, TN: The Upper Room, 1983.
Harper, Steve. Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition: A Workbook. Nashville, TN: The Upper Room, 1995.

Harmon, Mark A.  The Warmed Heart : 30 Days In The Company Of John Wesley.  Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press, 1995.
Job, Ruben P. A Wesleyan Spiritual Reader. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1998.
Langford, Thomas.  Practical Divinity: Theology in the Wesleyan Tradition.  Abingdon, 1983.
Maas, Robin. Crucified Love: The Practice of Christian Perfection. Abingdon Press, 1989.
Matthaei, Sondra H. Fatih Formation in the Wesleyan Tradition. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2000.
Tracy, Wesley D., E. Dee Freeborn, Janine Tartaglia, and Morris A. Weigelt  The Upward Call. Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 1994.
Wynkoop, Mildred  A Theology of Love. Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press, 1972.

END OF LIST —————————————————————————————

May God help the Nazarene denomination.
Sincerely in Christ,
Manny

Unbiblical Meditation Methods On The Rise In Hospitals

Although the topic below is unfamiliar to many Christians, it is something that is affecting many, especially those who may be in hospitals for rehabilitation or some type of treatment.  The spirit world is real, and the scriptures warn us about divination and other methods of “meditation” that might be meant to experience God, but instead results in experiencing something ungodly.  Now these methods are being used in many hospitals and health facilities (Reiki, Quantum Touch, Therapeutic Touch), and thus a warning is needed to be given.
Manny

ALERT: Christian Family Encounters Quantum Touch

LTRP Note: While the article below deals with a spiritually sensitive topic, we think once you read this article, you will understand why we must issue this warning. What we are about to report is not some far-out silliness. Rather, it is something that can potentially affect millions of people.
This week, Lighthouse Trails was told a story that just happened to a Christian couple’s twenty-one year old son. Josh (not his real name), who is a devout Christian, was in a car accident five years ago. Because of that accident, Josh has had to receive physical therapy from time to time for his injuries. This past week, he was seen by a physical therapist in a major Oregon city, one that he had never seen before. At one point during the session, the therapist seemed to be meditating and then began performing some type of therapeutic touch on Josh. Afterwards, Josh asked the therapist what he had been doing. The therapist told him it was something called Quantum Touch.

According to the Quantum-Touch website (featuring founder Dr. Richard Gordon), QT is: “a method of natural healing that works with the Life Force Energy (LFE) of the body to promote optimal wellness. Life Force Energy, also known as “chi” in Chinese and “prana” in Sanskrit [Hinduism], is the flow of energy that sustains all living beings.

While many people may not be aware of the term Quantum Touch and would not suspect anything from their health practitioner if he or she mentioned that term, Josh was concerned. He informed his parents, who in turn requested the help of a family friend, researcher Ray Yungen. Yungen did know about Quantum Touch, and when he was told that his friends’ son had come under the influence of Quantum Touch, he was shaken.

In Dr. Richard Gordon’s book, Quantum Touch, the signature book for the practice, Gordon says that he learned certain meditation techniques from a “spiritual teacher” named Lazaris (pp. 18, 92, 107). In another book, in which Gordon wrote the foreword, Supercharging Quantum Touch: Advanced Techniques, it states that Lazaris is one of Richard Gordon’s “teachers” (p. 37).

Who is Lazaris?

In Ray Yungen’s book, For Many Shall Come in My Name, Yungen discusses Lazaris:

[A bookstore owner] related how she attended a powerful workshop with “Lazaris” and discovered his techniques were practical and usable. That doesn’t sound too extraordinary until you find out Lazaris is not a person but a spirit guide. Considering the possible nature of that workshop, listen to what a brochure on Lazaris had to say:

There will be several incredible Guided Meditations and the very touching Blendings with Lazaris. A Blending is when Lazaris combines his energy with ours to touch us individually either to impart knowledge into our Subconscious or to help us create the reality we desire. The Blendings are very intimate times to just be with Lazaris.1 …

A newspaper reporter who did an article on [the bookstore owner] informed me that she was “one of the most calm, serene persons I have ever met.” The reporter added, “People want what she has.”

I wonder what [the reporter] would have said had she known this serenity was probably the result of blendings with a spirit guide and that this [bookstore owner] was promoting the same state-of-being to others on a wide scale.

Yungen goes on to explain more about “Lazaris”:

Jach Pursel [a well-known channeler], who channels the immensely popular “Lazaris,” explains how this entity first came to him:

Early evening. Sitting on the bed, plumped up in pillows, I am preparing to meditate (ha!). I am going to seek insight (ha!) to help guide our lives…

Two hours later, Peny [his wife] didn’t hear my sheepish apology for having dozed off. She was excitedly tumbling over words trying to tell me that an entity had spoken through me. She thought I had fallen asleep again, too. This time, however, my head didn’t bob, so she waited. Some minutes passed, and then a deep, resonant voice began where mine had left off. The answers, however, were powerful, not of the caliber of mine. She listened. She wrote as fast as she could….

The entity explained that he was Lazaris! … Lazaris requested two weeks of our time to finalize the necessary adjustments so he could “channel” through me. He provided Peny with a simple, but detailed, method I should use to enter trance more easily. He assured her that this experience would never be detrimental, that although he had neither a body nor time, he appreciated that we did, and he would never abuse either.2

(FMSN,2nd ed., pp. 39-40, pp. 84-85)

We believe Lazaris is a demon. Yet, he has inspired the author of a popular book on healing. In turn, this book and its author have inspired countless health care practitioners in North America and over 43 other countries.

Reader, do not underestimate what is going on here. Reiki, Quantum Touch, Therapeutic Touch – these are all interrelated, and there are currently millions of practitioners. Just in Germany alone, there are over a million Reiki practitioners. There are many more than that in North America. Both Reiki and Quantum Touch are based on the chakras (please read Out of India to understand the chakras), which means that to tamper with these practices is to tamper with danger.

Next time you go to any kind of therapist (including counselors), make sure you ask if he or she does Reiki, Quantum Touch, or any chakra-based energy healing. If he or she says yes, you better high tail it out of there and find a different health care practitioner. Or you might be taking home with you more than you bargained for.

The chakra system is based on the spiritual perception that man is God. For those of you who understand and dearly love the preaching of the Cross, you will clearly see that the previous assertion is not unfounded. And it is more likely than not that it is in the region in which you live. If that sounds preposterous, then ponder this. On Yahoo’s search engine, the term “Quantum Touch” comes up over 900,000 times!

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. II Corinthians 11: 14-15

Note: After this incident, Josh and his parents joined together in prayer and renounced any influence that may have occurred because of the Quantum Touch session. “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” I John 4:4

Notes:
1. “Lazaris,” Concept: Synergy, Promotional Flyer (Fairfax, California).

2. Jach Pursel, “Introduction from the Sacred Journey: You and Your Higher Self,” taken from Jach Pursel’s website, http://www.lazaris.com/publibrary/pubjach.cfm.

Related Information:

Reiki, Thomas Merton, and Richard Foster

Research on Reiki

Posted on April 27, 2009 @ 2:54 am
Source URL: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com

New Age Sympathizer Leonard Sweet Influencing Nazarenes

Over at the Church of the Nazarene Northwest District, they are promoting a one day “conversation” at the River Church of the Nazarene, on Nov. 20, 2009.  This District includes churches in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.

The title of the seminar is “Beautiful Future: Hope for the Church in Transition”.  The speaker is Leonard Sweet.  I ask the question here: why is Leonard Sweet being invited to Nazarene churches and campuses? Now, you may in turn ask me, why are you questioning whether Leonard Sweet should be in any Nazarene venue, or any Christian venue for that matter?  Let me explain.

Who is Leonard Sweet? In the promo for this seminar he is described this way:

Leonard Sweet is a historian of American culture; a futurist who “sees things the rest of us do not see, and dreams possibilities that are beyond most of our imagining.”  He is a preacher and writer who communicates the gospel powerfully to a postmodern age by bridging the worlds of academics and popular culture.

First, it almost sounds to me as if they are describing a prophet of some kind (’sees things the rest of us do not see”).  Besides that, however, if you dig deep enough into his background, you will find much disturbing information, if you are one who believes in the Biblical Christianity that is not mixed with New Age or anything pagan.  Leonard Sweet is the author of several popular books, including Quantum Spirituality. I’ve done a lot of research on him, and if I gave you all the information here, it would be too long.  I advise that you do more if you need to, but I think what I give you here will be enough to make you wonder, “where is the discernment of any Christian church or university that invites Leonard Sweet to speak at their school or church, if they are aware of what he teaches?”

Leonard Sweet’s ideology is a mix of Christianity, paganism and New Age.  He promotes “the new spirituality”, and the “christ-consciousness”. He promotes visualism, guided imagery, breath prayers; all practices of contemplative mysticism.  Please be aware that “new spirituality” is the new way of saying “New Age”, since that already is a loaded word for many people.  (Its like putting lipstick on a pig- but its still a pig).  The new spirituality includes authors like Eckhart Tolle who emphasizes the “god in you”.  He has appeared on Oprah’s show many times.
I have never read any complete work by Sweet, but that does not stop me or you from having the discernment to judge from the vast amounts of excerpts from his books that are available, and from his messages on YouTube and other sites.  Many emergents make the claim that unless we read an entire work from cover to cover, we cannot get things in proper context and we don’t understand what he is saying.  That is not necessarily so, and Leonard Sweet’s writings confirm that he is not orthodox in his “Christian” theology.  He also co-authored a book with Brian McLaren in 2003 called A Is For Abductive: The Language of the Emerging Church.  So he is also a supporter of this heretical movement.

Here in his own words, are some hints at what his new spirituality entails, taken from Lighthouse Trails Research:

“The first of these five untheorized observations is that New Light embodiment means to be “in connection” and ‘in-formation’ with other Christians. Deeper feeling and higher relating go together. The church is fundamentally one being, one person, a comm-union whose cells are connected to one another within the information network called the Christ consciousness.” —Quantum Spirituality, P. 122

“Energy-fire experiences take us into ourselves only that we might reach outside of ourselves. Metanoia is a de-centering experience of connected-ness and community. It is not an exercise in reciting what Jesus has done for me lately. Energy-fire ecstasy, more a buzz than a binge, takes us out of ourselves, literally. That is the meaning of the word ‘ecstatic.’” —Quantum Spirituality, P. 93

Note: This ecstasy Sweet speaks refers to the New Age ecstasy that occurs in an altered state of consciousness.

The power of small groups is in their ability to develop the discipline to get people “in-phase” with the Christ consciousness and connected with one another. P. 147

New Lights offer up themselves as the cosmions of a mind-of-Christ consciousness. As a cosmion incarnating the cells of a new body, New Lights will function as transitional vessels through which transforming energy can renew the divine image in the world, moving postmoderns from one state of embodiment to another. P. 48

A surprisingly central feature of all the world’s religions is the language of light in communicating the divine and symbolizing the union of the human with the divine: Muhammed’s light-filled cave, Moses’ burning bush, Paul’s blinding light, Fox’s “inner light,” Krishna’s Lord of Light, Bohme’s light-filled cobbler shop, Plotinus’ fire experiences, Bodhisattvas with the flow of Kundalini’s fire erupting from their fontanelles, and so on.” P. 235

What Sweet means by “Christ consciousness” can be determined through his book, Quantum Spirituality. For instance, in the Acknowledgements pages Sweet thanks the “New Light leaders” whom he has followed in his spiritual journey. He names interspiritualists/universalists such as Matthew Fox (author of The Coming of the Cosmic Christ), Episcopalian priest/mystic Morton Kelsey, Willis Harman (author of Global Mind Change) and Ken Wilber (one of the major intellectuals in the New Age movement). In the Preface of Sweet’s book (p. 3), he (referring to other New Agers such as Gary Zukav) says: “Unfortunately, little of this literature is known or celebrated in the religious community.” Zukav’s book, The Seat of the Soul, teaches people how to get in touch with their spirit guides.

Another sample from his book Quantum Spirituality: Under the topic of Sevening (On the seventh day [God] rested and drew breath.) he gives some 10 deep breathing exercises. “1. Get in touch with your lungs by closing your eyes. Visualize in your mind a tennis court” 8.“Hold your Bible and breathe meditatively. The breathtaking, nay, breathgiving truth of aliveness is more than Methuselean in its span: Part of your body right now was once actually, literally part of the body of Abraham, Sarah, Noah, Esther, David, Abigail, Moses, Ruth, Matthew, Mary, Like, Martha, John, Priscilla, Paul… and Jesus. 9. Keep breathing quietly while holding your Bible. You have within you not just the powers of goodness resident in the great spiritual leaders like Moses, Jesus, Muhammed, Lao Tzu You also have within you the forces of evil and destruction.” Resident in each breath you take is the body of angels like Joan of Arc and devils like Gilles de Rais, Genghis Khan, Judas Iscariot, Herod, Hitler, Stalin and all the other destructive spirits throughout history” (Quantum Spirituality p.300-301) (Courtesy of Mike Oppenheimer at Let Us Reason Ministries)

END OF QUOTES (is that enough?)

So many buzzwords of New Age, occultism and paganism: Christ consciousness, Kundalini fire, New Light, energy-fire ecstacy, the divine image, the “union of human with the divine”.   This is not what you will find anywhere in scripture, and there is nothing in scripture close to suggesting that these ideas are within the bounds of orthodoxy.
And the numerous mystics that he quotes and recommends is well documented, such as Thomas Merton, the Roman Catholic monk who said that everyone must find there own way to God.  These associations or connections go against the admonishment to not be “unequally yoked with unbelievers.”  And if this is how he “communicates the gospel powerfully to a postmodern age”, I don’t want it.  If he wants to communicate the gospel, he ought to communicate the gospel once given to the saints, without inventing new ways of “finding the divine in you.”

Mike Oppenheimer says in his article Spiritual Fusion: East Comes West:

“How much can you change the church and still have it be part of the Christianity that began with the apostles. These men may consider themselves innovators and think deeply about the future but it seems that they do not know when to stop philosophizing and read the Bible to see if their direction they are going is the right direction. Yet we are reminded by the wisest man who ever lived (besides Jesus), there “Is nothing new under the sun.” The early church saw the Gnostics and Mystics within their ranks and were willing to oppose them; we see those of the same pursuit among us today, but what will we do? Our decision today will affect our tomorrow, our future. Do we return to the ancient path or pursue what is new?

Leonard Sweet is a false teacher, according to the scriptures.  So why is a false teacher being invited to speak at a Nazarene church?  I don’t know, but I believe this is just another example of poor discernment at best, and worst, the intentional acceptance of New Age and emergent ideology into the Nazarene denomination.  Another bit of bad news which seems to be too plentiful nowadays in the Nazarene denomination.

Unless Leonard Sweet has renounced his New Age ideas and repented, it seems to me that he has no business speaking at any Nazarene church or school, or other Christian denomination for that matter.  Please pray for Leonard Sweet.

Romans 16:17-18 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

Some places where he has spoken at, or his books are used as a resource, are: Mid America Nazarene University (podcast); Southern Nazarene University in Oct. 2006;  Nazarene Eastern Michigan District in 2003; Danville Nazarene in Virginia;  Eastern Nazarene College Pastors/Leaders Enrichment Conference in June 2006; Northwest Nazarene University Missional Leadership resource list.  Also Tennessee Nazarene District speaker in October, on church growth.
He was a featured speaker at the 2003 M3 Church of the Nazarene Conference in Nashville, but his video presentation has been removed from the link I went to.  You can see some info about his session here.
He is also on the schedule to speak at the National Worship Leaders Conference in 2010 in June and October.

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Extra research: For a better understanding of the fusion of Eastern mysticism with Christianity and how the emergent church uses it, read Mike Oppenheimer’s article at Let Us Reason Ministries:  Spiritual Fusion: East Comes West
(Mike is a featured speaker on the DVD The Emerging Church, which you can receive a free copy by emailing a request to me).

Leonard Sweet on YouTube (highlights of Northwest Ministry Conference).  having research emergent ideology for so long, I know exactly what is behind his thought process in this short video)