How Dan Boone Hides His False Teaching In Plain Sight

Dan Boone, President of Trevecca Nazarene University, cannot be trusted with disseminating biblical truth. In a recent post on his blog, he suggests three basic areas in which, as he says, “ the church today needs a greater degree of trust.”  I believe he strikes out in all three areas, especially his final point.

I would point out that since I am well familiar with his writings in the past ten years or so, I note again a taste of arrogance, as well as a subtle disdain for those Christians who dare to stick to a biblical principle and not deviate from it.  He can’t help but look down on those kooky “fundamentalists”, and he always uses that term in a derogatory, less than “charitable” manner, as he expressed in his book, “A Charitable Discourse.”

Here are his three points:

“An older generation needs to trust the missional spirit of a younger generation as they seek to reach their changing world.”

“The church needs to trust the Christian college to do its thought-work in a complex world.”

In these first two points, the answer should be a resounding no! Trust must come conditionally, especially in these days.  The younger generation has been poisoned with so much nonsense and unbiblical ideas, especially from people like Dan Boone, that there is no way they should be trusted without scrutiny based on God’s word.  And the same goes even more for trusting a Christian college. All Christian colleges need to be held up to the light of scripture, and be held accountable for their actions and what they teach.  There is no such thing anymore as trusting Christian colleges without subjecting them to accountability.  And I’m sure Mr. Boone does not wish to have Trevecca held accountable, which it should always be.

Finally, point number three, which is the most concerning to me:

If we are to have “in essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity,” the million dollar question is—what is essential and what is nonessential?

I would suggest the essential things include a saving experience in which the Spirit of God bears witness with our spirit that we are the sons and daughters of God. I would also include the core of Christian faith as expressed in the Apostles’ Creed and the stated doctrines of the church. (For me this is my denomination’s sixteen Articles of Faith rooted in historic Methodist and Anglican belief.)

My nonessentials list is a lot longer—creation theory, political party, hawk or dove, role of government, method of befriending the homosexually oriented, church music preference, preferred eschatology, favorite authors, method of baptism, church architecture, budget priorities, whether there is one or three authors/chronologies of Isaiah, interpretation of Gen. 1, the death penalty, the right of a woman to preach (although this comes close to being an essential for me), social drinking, reading from the early church fathers, yoga, blessing pets in the church sanctuary, speaking in tongues, Catholic theology, real wine or Welch’s at Communion, casual or coat-and-tie on Sunday, Left Behind opinion, national health care, and so on.

The main mistake Dr. Boone makes in listing a bunch of items as “non-essential”, is that he does not realize that everything that God says in His word, or everything that Christ commands us to do, is essential! Note that he “suggests” some non-essentials, which is good, because he apparently does not know for sure what is essential or non-essential.

The only measuring stick as to what is essential or non-essential is Holy Scripture! And you certainly cannot suggest that something that is clearly taught in scripture cannot be an essential. And the fact that he cannot be specific about what he believes about each of these items makes his list irrelevant, and no one can reasonably agree or disagree with these points, unless he specifically says what he believes about them!

Hiding His False Beliefs Behind Words

What Dr. Boones does is hide his false teachings behind words.

He hides his belief in evolution: For example, his “non-essential” of creation theory.  He wants to shut off discussion of his false belief in evolution, and his rejection of the literal account of creation. This very idea alone makes him a false teacher, since belief in evolution rejects the creation account and the actual existence of Adam and Eve. He makes God a liar by rejecting God’s simple story of creation.

He hides his love of contemplative mysticism and works written by heretics: therefore, his non-essentials of “reading from the early church fathers”, and “yoga’.  This is a reflection of his affinity for contemplative mysticism and Eastern practices such as yoga, practicing the silence, and prayer labyrinths, which he finds nothing wrong with. There are many “early church fathers” who are outright heretics, so no Christian ought to agree that this is non-essential, unless Dr. Boone specifies which ones he is talking about.  And yoga is certainly not a non-essential, because it is based on Eastern mystical practices, and is actually a religious practice which Christians should avoid.  Mr. Boone is well known for his liking of Thomas Merton, and prayer labyrinths, and trips to Merton’s Abby of Gethsemani.  So certainly, he would want these subjects to be non-essentials.

He hides his ecumenicalism: his non-essential of Catholic theology is also disturbing. Dr. Boone is a good example of the many Nazarenes who have compromised biblical truth and who consider Roman Catholic teaching to be okay, and therefore we can get along with them. Catholic theology is so full of heresy, and yet Boone and other misguided Nazarene leaders today are leading people to accepting Catholic theology as no big deal. This is shameful, and this is part of what is destroying the Nazarene denomination-thanks to Dan Boone and many others.

In all these other items, it all is based on what the context is. Even a subject as “speaking in tongues” is all determined by what scripture teaches about it! The matter of “the right of a woman to preach” can also be answered by scripture. Dan Boone does not seem to realize the essential of “obey the word of God and all it teaches.”

The bottom line is, Dan Boone wants all Christians to agree on the things he suggested as being essential, which I agree are essential- but he wants to then leave open anything else as being non-essential. Including his own heretical neliefs.

You can read the entire article he wrote, and perhaps leave your thoughts with him. Since he has advocated a “charitable discourse” in the past, he ought to let everyone give their honest opinion of his writing.

http://www.danboone.me/trust/?fbclid=IwAR1FgLJATwYK7klKsuwbrb5OKt1Y2G6w9fvO4cBNdTKURDcGcFDKVFhzoJw

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Dan Boone Praises A Racist, Pro-Abortion “Pastor” Who Will Speak At Nazarene Theological Seminary

Dan Boone, President of Trevecca Nazarene University, is one of the most influential and important people in the Church of the Nazarene today.  However, this is not meant to be a compliment, if Mr. Boone is reading this. The “importance and influence” of this man is one of serious significant theological error. I may actually be inaccurate in calling it error.  Dan Boone not only falls short of good biblical discernment, he is one of the wolves in sheep’s clothing who are taking a wrecking ball to the foundations of the Nazarene denomination. He knows exactly what he is doing. And what is more alarming is that he represents the mindset of many other leaders in the denomination!

The most recent evidence is his comment below, which was posted by the seminary as well, to no surprise.

 Boone praises Frank Thomas, who is scheduled to speak at the seminary in September. Thomas is a proven racist, based on his own writings, his tweets, and even some of his preaching.  Not only that, Thomas recently showed in series of tweets and re-tweets his disapproval of the striking down of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court. It is clear that he is pro-abortion, a stance that goes against scripture, and even goes against the Nazarene position on human life. And yet, he is to speak at Nazarene Theological Seminary.  And Boone is delighted.

Back to my reference to “wolves” in describing Dr. Boone. In 2017, he was one of the most, if not the most, instrumental church leaders in re-writing the statement on human sexuality and removing the word “perversion” from the language. Dr. Boone will certainly not admit it if asked, but he is pro-LGBT.

His muddied views on human sexuality have been referenced posititively in several papers written by the rebellious Holland Nazarene Church District. This is the Holland District which is blessing same sex unions, and which has not been disciplined in any way by the Church of the Nazarene leaders. (As far as I know). Dan Boone is in good company with them, because the General Superintendents have all been derelict in their duties to uphold biblical doctrine, even as they claim otherwise that all is well.

This lack of discernment is not new to Mr. Boone.  Sometime around 2010 or 2011, I wrote about the prayer labyrinth in use at Trevecca Nazarene University. Mr. Boone defended the labyrinth (which he re-named later as a ‘prayer walk’), which is used in contemplative mysticism as a way to empty the mind and pray to God, but not in a scriptural manner. He also has allowed for years an annual trip to the Abbey of Gethsemani in Trappist, KY.  It is the spiritual home of Thomas Merton, a monk who was steeped in contemplative mysticism. In these trips, Nazarene students are even encouraged to “practice the silence”, and to pray alongside Roman catholic monks and be involved in their rituals. See this article:
https://reformednazarene.wordpress.com/2018/02/15/trevecca-nazarene-university-continues-to-promote-mystical-silence-instead-of-biblical-prayer/

Years ago, Mr. Boone used to have the following statement in his bio at Nazarene Theological Seminary: “I am deepening in the mystical forms of prayer.”  The statement is no longer there. He also has stated outrageous unbiblical things such as claiming that many of the Psalms were “borrowed”  from pagan religions:

“What I find more exciting and authoritative is the thought that the people of God were exiled in the pagan land of Babylon, listening to pagan stories about the origin of the universe, and the breath of God spoke through a prophet giving them a different understanding. They hijacked the Babylonian tale of creation and declared God to be the one who, in the beginning, created creation and came to take up residence with us in the cosmic temple. Now that’s authority” (from letter to area pastors in response to Sue and Don Butler’s article)

“The Hebrew creation account is a re-telling of the Babylonian tale. Their Hebrew feast days are re-interpretations of the Canaanite days. The Royal Psalms in the collection of Psalms were once Canaanite songs.” (Dan Boone)

He has compared Bible-believing Christians to jihadists. He wrote a book called “A charitable Discourse”, but Mr. Boone is far from charitable towards those who wish to uphold biblical principles. He insults them:

“Religious fundamentalism is one of the hot topics in the world today and this website has given me the best model, other than Islamic fundamentalism, to demonstrate to students how religious fundamentalism works.”

“I only argued with them in the first place because they were making false claims about Trevecca, and to expose them for who they really are—religious fundamentalists.   But you can’t have discussions with people whose minds are already made up… Rational conversation with them is not possible”

Dr. Boone has called Thomas Merton and Ignatius of Loyola spiritual giants.

Merton was not a spiritual giant- he was a monk who said that he was “deeply impregnated with Sufism” because he believed that Eastern mysticism was compatible with and could be incorporated into Christianity.  He placed Mary high on a level equal to Jesus, and he prayed to many catholic saints.  He was influenced by Aldous Huxley, who found enlightenment through hallucinogenic drugs.
Ignatius of Loyola was no wiser, and as the founder of the Jesuits he brutally persecuted Christians and swore complete submission to the pope.  As most Roman Catholics do, he venerated Mary.  He practiced extreme asceticism, living in a cave for a year and never bathing.  He also promoted and taught visualization prayers, breath prayers, and other unbiblical practices
(Source: Way of Life).  Yet, Dan Boone calls Thomas Merton a spiritual giant.

In a Letter to Pastors that he wrote in 2009, Dr. Boone not only erroneously claimed that the Roman Catholic church was the only church for 1500 years after Christ, but he also exposed more error along with his ecumenical get along with everyone philosophy.  How is it that we can “be one” with the Roman Catholic Church?

“While Nazarenes are different from Catholics in very significant ways, we believe that we will share eternity with them in the presence of the Christ who prayed that we might be one.” (Dan Boone)

To be fair, Mr. Boone is not alone in his lack of discernment and his unbiblical love of contemplative mysticism. There are other leaders as well who love the writings of false teachers such as Merton, Henri Nouwen, and Richard Foster, to name just a few. Nd so that is the problem. Leaders and ordained pastors alike are going down the same road that Dan Boone is going.  And need I say that the General Superintendents continue to be either oblivious to anything wrong, or some are complicit in all that is harming the Church of the Nazarene.

I have also had conversations via email with Dan Boone, and this article details some of that: https://reformednazarene.wordpress.com/2010/02/08/conversation-with-a-university-president/

I have concluded that the denomination is beyond repair as it stands. The only “fix” is that either more faithful Christians in the denomination will have to leave eventually, or there is a seismic shift in leadership with a thorough housecleaning to save the denomination.  Most likely acceptance of homosexuality will be the deal breaker for many Nazarenes who are “sticking with it” for now. But there are already plenty of good reasons to leave what is now an apostate denomination. I used to be a member, yet it breaks my heart to say it.

With “leaders” such as Dan Boone, and other “leaders” who have turned a blind eye to the truth of what is happening, the Church of the Nazarene is well on its way to irrelevance, along with all the other mainstream “Christian” churches that have compromised biblical truth and sold out to satan.

Additional related articles:
https://reformednazarene.wordpress.com/2012/10/11/dan-boone-goes-after-bible-believers-again/

https://reformednazarene.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/a-response-to-dan-boones-report-on-soulforce/

https://reformednazarene.wordpress.com/emergent-church-what-is-it/dr-boones-comments-on-trevecca/

https://reformednazarene.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/the-road-to-catholicism-in-the-nazarene-church-mindless-retreats/

Trevecca Nazarene University Continues To Promote Mystical Silence Instead of Biblical Prayer

“…I am deepening in the mystical forms of prayer.” (Dan Boone)

Thanks to the undiscerning “leadership” of President Dan Boone, Trevecca Nazarene students will have the opportunity to go on a mystical ride. Once again, it time for the “Spiritual Formation” retreat at the Gethsemani monastery in Kentucky, spiritual home to the famed Roman Catholic mystic, universalist, and Buddhist sympathizer Thomas Merton. (https://www.trevecca.edu/community-life/faith-service/spiritual-formation-retreat)
Merton, who is dead, is a rising star amongst many undiscerning, confused or deceived Nazarene pastors of today. Along with his spiritual brother, Henri Nouwen, and other modern day proponents such as Richard Foster, they have risen to a prominence equaling and perhaps surpassing that old out of style book called the Bible.

Contemplative prayer uses the same meditative exercises used in Eastern religions and New Age cults. Practicing the silence has absolutely no basis in scripture, yet Dan Boone has deceived many students at Trevecca by sending them on yearly retreats alongside Roman Catholic nuns and monks. Dr. Boone also promotes the use of prayer labyrinths, and has had one there for years at Trevecca. After I exposed this more fully, he made excuses about it, and later re-named the labyrinth and called it something else.

Practicing the silence is simply another form of contemplative mysticism (or contemplative spirituality), which is often excused for by Boone and others by abusing the meaning of Psalm 46:10. Dr. Boone once said on his profile page at Nazarene Theological Seminary, “…I am deepening in the mystical forms of prayer.” (It is no longer there). Well, this is exactly where the Church of the Nazarene is going, and even more boldly than nine years ago when I first saw this coming.

The affinity for mysticism has taken over the Nazarene universities and the seminary and Bible college so much, that the holiness denomination is transforming into a reflection of the Roman Catholic Church combined with Eastern mysticism and contemplative prayer rituals. In the promotion for the retreat, students are given the option of spending time with the nuns during their prayer hours, almost certainly with the chance to hear prayers to Mary the co-redemptrix with Christ, and even the prayers to dead “saints.” When you view the video promotion, there is nothing that connects “silence” with any biblical teaching or instruction.

Forms of contemplative prayer include: centering prayer, labyrinth meditation, stations of the cross, breath prayers, the silence, lectio divina. The goal of contemplative prayer is to clear one’s mind so that you can hear God better. It seeks to empty the mind and enter an altered state of consciousness by repetition of a mantra; focusing on one’s breathing; contemplating images or icons. I suppose that through this method, the person will receive new revelation from God.

But biblical prayer is based on the scriptures:
See: Micah 7:7; Ps. 4:3; 1 John 5:14, 15

True prayer is with both spirit and mind, not one or the other. 1 Cor 14:15

True prayer talks to God the Father (Phil. 4:6) through Jesus Christ (John 16:23), in the power of the Holy Spirit. And we understand that what God has revealed in His Word is sufficient; any new revelation is unnecessary. 2 Tim. 3:16–17

The Retreat At Gethsemani And Its Purpose

Here is what Trevecca’s website says as it promotes what is basically a “Christianizing” of pagan practices:

“How does one learn about silence?  By being silent.
How does one hear the voice of God?  By listening”

But scripture says that, “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  Rom. 10:17

What is being promoted in this retreat is not a focus on hearing the voice of God through His word, but to become silent and somehow have God speak to you directly.  But if someone tells you that he heard God’s voice, how would you know if it was not actually a demonic voice?  They also say this:

“Are you looking for a true retreat, a chance to read, pray, rest, and enjoy nature? There will be no agendas, no meetings, and no requirement—just being quiet before God and listening for His voice.”

So what they are saying here is, to truly listen to the voice of God, we must be silent.  Is this how we are taught to listen to God?  Where is the biblical basis for this?  Is this the technique Neal Donald Walsch used before he wrote his book, Conversations With God, in which he claims he actually had conversations with God?  How does one believe him, and not me, or someone else?

“Union with God in prayer requires us to learn to quiet ourselves–yes, from the noises which surround us, but also from inward noises (restlessness, fears, our agenda’s, etc.)  It is this stillness and emptiness which allows us to be open to hearing the voice of God.”

Union with God?  Stillness?  Emptiness?  Emptiness allows us to be open to the word of God??  Where is this remotely taught in scripture?  I can tell you, it is not.  Dan Boone and the emergent church people try justifying practicing the silence by quoting Psalm 46:10.  (“Be still, and know that I am God”).  He needs to read all of Psalm 46 in context, and he should know that it has nothing to do with practicing the silence.  Why do so many ordained elders in the Christian church today twist scripture for their own agenda? Emptying the mind is a dangerous practice that is inviting demons to come in, not God.

This is a constant promotion of not only mysticism and pagan prayer methods invented by man and not found anywhere in scripture, but also an encouragement of ecumenism and fellowship with those who practice a false works-based religion.  Instead of rescuing their students from the clutches of the false system of Rome, these leaders are sending our students directly back to what those from the Reformation were rejecting, year after year now.

Dr. Boone’s Love of Thomas Merton and Other Roman Catholic Mystics

Dr. Boone has called Thomas Merton and Ignatius of Loyola spiritual giants.
Merton was not a spiritual giant- he was a monk who said that he was “deeply impregnated with Sufism” because he believed that Eastern mysticism was compatible with and could be incorporated into Christianity.  He placed Mary high on a level equal to Jesus, and he prayed to many catholic saints.  He was influenced by Aldous Huxley, who found enlightenment through hallucinogenic drugs.
Ignatius of Loyola was no wiser, and as the founder of the Jesuits he brutally persecuted Christians and swore complete submission to the pope.  As most Roman Catholics do, he venerated Mary.  He practiced extreme asceticism, living in a cave for a year and never bathing.  He also promoted and taught visualization prayers, breath prayers, and other unbiblical practices (Source: Way of Life).  Yet, Dan Boone calls him a spiritual giant.

In a Letter to Pastors he wrote in 2009, Dr. Boone not only erroneously claimed that the Roman Catholic church was the only church for 1500 years after Christ, but he also exposed more error along with his ecumenical get along with everyone philosophy.  How is it that we can “be one” with the Roman Catholic Church?
“While Nazarenes are different from Catholics in very significant ways, we believe that we will share eternity with them in the presence of the Christ who prayed that we might be one.” (Dan Boone)

“Be one” with the Roman Catholic Church and all its false doctrines? His philosophy seems to be that anyone who claims the name of Jesus, no matter their belief otherwise, will spend eternity with Christ. This is contrary to Jesus’s teaching, and indicates Dr. Boone’s dangerous and ignorant thinking as he misleads others.

Nazarene Pastors Love Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen and Other Mystics

Although Merton and Nouwen are proven false teachers who were universalists and Buddhist sympathizers, an alarming number of Nazarene leaders and pastors love their heretical work. Here are some recent comments by Nazarene pastors on a closed Nazarene FaceBook page, in a very “enthusiastic” discussion with Bible believers. Their names are not mentioned because it is a closed group, but I would love to challenge them to promote these false teachers openly at their churches and in public. Listen to some of them defend Henri Nouwen who promoted doctrines of demons:

“One of my favorite authors since my sophomore year of university (Compassion). Grounded me as a new pastor (Return of the Prodigal Son). Helped me through an evacuation due to civil war and three moves in my first six months as a Nazarene missionary (Way of the Heart). Helped me see the significance of my work with organic church movements in west Africa and north America (Reaching Out). Love this guy, a real spiritual mentor for me. I encourage people to read his books whenever I can.” (A Nazarene college professor)

“In the Name of Jesus” has given me such encouragement time after time since college. And “Compassion” is a powerful, powerful book.” (a Nazarene pastor)

It is sad to see so many pastors in the Church of the Nazarene being deceived by the writings of a man who was not even a Christian. He was a false Christian, and a universalist. No wonder the church is in such pitiful spiritual condition. Those who are in positions of leadership and pastoring a Christian church will be held much more responsible by the Lord for promoting this man’s writing that is inspired by satan, not the Spirit of God.

The Fifth Column: Corrupt Leaders

I have seen material sent out by the New England District Superintendent that promotes writers who are mystics. My former pastor was proud of his library, once showing me his books which included such authors as Henri Nouwen and Thomas Merton. Books by Merton, Nouwen and other mystics are being used in theology curriculums in the universities and seminary. Pastors are quoting Mother Theresa and other heretical mystics from Roman Catholicism- in their sermons! A pastor preached a Christmas sermon recently- all about Mary, and her co-partnership with the Savior. This stuff is straight out of Roman Catholicism!

I recently listened to a sermon titled “The Fifth Column.” It starts by describing this phrase that was used by a military leader, to describe how he will use a stealth group of loyalists hidden within the city, to weaken it and prepare for a final and decisive assault. The destruction of the church will be from within, as corrupt pastors slowly deceive undiscerning church members with the demonic influence of these mystics. We can no longer just call it “dubious”. We cannot just call it “not advisable”. We absolutely must not call it “a difference of viewpoints.”

We must call it what it is: demonic, unbiblical, destructive to the church, and we must call out the leaders and pastors who are promoting these false teachings.

Manny Silva

Links:

Free ebook resource:

https://www.wayoflife.org/free_ebooks/evangelicals_and_mysticism.php

Articles:

https://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=618&more=1&c=1

https://reformednazarene.wordpress.com/emergent-church-what-is-it/prayer-labyrinths-what-are-they/

https://reformednazarene.wordpress.com/2010/02/01/trevecca-nazarene-university-promoting-mysticism-and-pagan-practices/

https://www.wayoflife.org/database/thomasmerton.html

https://www.wayoflife.org/database/beware_of_henri_nouwen.html

https://www.wayoflife.org/database/richardfoster.html

Why Can’t They See It? Demonic Activity In Nazarene Schools and Churches

Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.  James 4:4

An Alarm That Needs to Be Sounded But Will Largely Be Ignored
(John Henderson)

http://youtu.be/Nk_I3fNCWxQ   ENC Harlem Shake
http://youtu.be/iExjofik6wg  Unmasked Version of Harlem Shake
http://youtu.be/9dxWxv376xM  “Original Version” at Mid America
http://youtu.be/Tm23MxS6xz8  Olivet Nazarene University
http://youtu.be/yNCP7YOM3Pk  Olivet Coaches
http://youtu.be/4kHaOnOSGNc  Point Loma Nazarene University
http://www.treveccalive.com/angelotate/harlem-holiness-shake/  Trevecca “Holiness” Shake
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9gh-XlOMvm0#!  Northwest Nazarene
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FpUABrTCfY  Southern Nazarene

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dtn1Fp5e8A Africa Nazarene University

The above You Tubes clearly demonstrate there is something wrong in our Church of the Nazarene.  Except possibly for the second one (and there were others so vile I could not share them here), they are all at Nazarene Universities.  The one at Olivet is set up by who is apparently the chaplain.

I might say that this is the ultimate emergent heresy unabashed and out of control.  I would be right.  I might say it is just a cousin to the demonic kundalini and I would be right because it is demonic through and through.  People who are demon possessed are not born again because God’s saved cannot be demon possessed.  They can be harassed but not possessed of demons.  These people are demon possessed.

What I do say is a serious question:  Where on God’s green earth are the university presidents, administration, and faculty?  Where, in the precious name of Jesus are the university board members?  Where are the general superintendents, department heads, district superintendents, and major pastors in the Church of the Nazarene?  Why is no one calling a halt to this?

It is ironic that we Nazarenes who stand for the truth of the Scriptures are snubbed, insulted, and demeaned because we raise a voice against this stuff from hell!  It is ironic that pastors are bemoaning the exodus of people and offerings from their churches while they “hee-hee” this filth and continue to offer up cultic substitutes for worship and prayer.  It is ironic that we wring our hands at the consequences of the lawsuit out of the Bethany sex scandal that now forces every Nazarene church to conduct a “background” check on everyone who has direct contact with its children.

Isn’t it high time that we Nazarenes start being Nazarenes?  I tell people that I am a traditional Nazarene, that I am not an emergent Nazarene, a postmodern Nazarene, a new age Nazarene, a progressive Nazarene, and so on.  I take the Bible at its word—God’s Word to be precise.  I believe the creation was a real event.  I believe that God is omnipotent, omni-present, and omniscient—that He knows the future just as if it was today.  I believe that sin is awful and damning and that if anyone is not fully trusting Christ as Savior that person is lost and has only Hell to anticipate and dread.  I believe the Bible is totally true and accurate by divine action.

I believe that God expects us to live above the world in attitude, conduct, speech, and even our outward appearances—we are to live beyond the world-order in holiness of heart, mind, body, and soul.  We are not of the world so we are not to take on its identity in any form.

This world cannot teach us a thing.  We are on a divine mission to win and teach them.  There is to be no compromise or accommodation on our part.  We have a clear message that has often been summarized accurately in three words—repent or perish.

It is so pitiful that we have received a call to intercessory prayer by our denominational leaders leading up to the 2013 general assembly.  It is clear that we need to do that.

A Failure Of The Shepherds To Exercise Leadership In The Church Leads To Such As This
(Manny Silva)

The worldwide phenomenal popularity of a new dance video craze called the Harlem Shake is clearly obvious.  YouTube videos with well over 40 million hits collectively prove that.  It is yet another fad that soon will die out as many other fads do.  Briefly explained, as described in an article by Stand Up For The Truth:

First you see a subdued, well-behaved group or crowd. Suddenly you hear music audio declaring, “Con Los Terroristas!” A sole individual is then seen dancing while wearing a helmet or mask, while the others seem oblivious to the gyrations in their midst. When the song breaks into “Do the Harlem Shake!” the video cuts and shows the room filled with people in costumes dancing wildly and seductively. It is reminiscent of the Golden Calf scene in the Ten Commandments movie.

By the way, Con Los Terroristas  means “with the terrorists.” When you see one of these from a Christian viewpoint, it is clearly a worldly performance that most of the time looks demonic.  Much of it is sensual, oftentimes bordering on the pornographic, with many of the participants often scantily clad, dressed in devilish costumes, and making extremely vulgar gestures.  Certainly not something any professing born again Christian would do, right?

Wrong.

It is now a craze that is sweeping evangelical Christian schools and even church youth groups.  In the Stand Up For The Truth article, they document how Christian organizations such as Liberty University, Rick Warren’s Saddleback Youth Ministry, Kentucky Christian University, Cedarville University, and others, have jumped onto this bandwagon and brought this phenomenon into their chapels and churches!  In one of the videos from a church in San Antonio, Texas, you even see this being performed in the middle of a sermon, with the pastor joining in enthusiastically.  And in a blasphemous performance, a C3 church in Australia did it while re-enacting Jesus Christ’s crucifixion.

But… what about Nazarenes?  After all, we are a holiness denomination, are we not?  Surely not us!

Out of curiosity, I did some research.  Why am I not surprised?  The first one I found was actually from my alma mater, Eastern Nazarene College. Probably the many years of a liberal “kids will be kids” attitude, coupled with an ecumenical philosophy and the emergent rejection of doctrine in favor of being like the world, has poisoned the minds of our youth.  And this is the result.  Worldliness in a Nazarene school, or a Nazarene church, and many of the youth and many of the adults have no problem with this at all.  More likely, they think this is cute and so much fun, and think that the world will love how we like to have a good time.

Such is the state of the church, and how it continues to go deeper and deeper into worldliness until it will no longer have any kind of distinction from the non-believers.  (At the end, you will find a full list of what I have found (so far) at our Nazarene universities, churches and youth group meetings).

And will anyone in Nazarene leadership say a word?  Why should they?  They have not taken a serious stand on all the apostasy that has started to destroy the Nazarene denomination, so clearly I do not expect any of our General Superintendents, or our District Superintendents, or any of our college presidents, to say a peep about this.

But if I’m wrong, I guess I’ll be pleasantly surprised.

You make your own judgment about this, but I agree with my friends who have said that this is nothing but demonic activity, and it is truly sad how our university and church leaders have contributed so poorly to the spiritual development of our youth.  The result is this and much more that we have already sounded the alarm about.  And the majority of the sheep sit quietly in the pews, meekly listening to feel good sermons and bragging about how they are proud to be Nazarene.  Well, for the first time in my life, I am no longer proud to be a Nazarene.

As Scripture clearly teaches us, those who are in such positions as supposed shepherds in the church will have much to answer to the Lord someday.

 “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”  James 3:1

APPENDIX: (Viewer discretion advised.  As John said, some of these are pretty vile in their content)

Mid-America Nazarene University:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dxWxv376xM

Wenatchee Nazarene Student Ministries:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSwhbacXGz0

Muncie First Church:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MZViVviAgE

Point Loma Nazarene University:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laryefkPsTY

Olivet Nazarene University:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhK6pfgo72U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iExjofik6wg

Bethany First Church Youth Ministry:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25UqkFylwHY

Chicago First Church, Edge Student Ministry:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe1iI8Y-iEQ

Maysville Nazarene Church:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG-YBKawRkg

Southern Nazarene Univ. student bus:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FpUABrTCfY

Eastern Nazarene College:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk_I3fNCWxQ

ENC’s Facebook page brags about it:  http://www.facebook.com/EasternNazarene

Trevecca Nazarene University:
http://www.treveccalive.com/angelotate/harlem-holiness-shake/

Northwest Nazarene University:http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9gh-XlOMvm0#!

A Nazarene church in MN:
http://www.ffnaz.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=555:harlem-shake-youth-ministry-style&catid=22:youth-ministry&Itemid=132

Dan Boone Goes After Bible Believers Again

[Dan Boone likens Bible believing Christians to Islamic fundamental “jihadists”; Dan Boone believes that parts of the Psalms were borrowed from the Pagans; Dan Boone promotes pagan prayer labyrinths, contemplative mysticism and false teachers; Dan Boone is an ecumenist who compromises with a false religion.]

Dan Boone: “Religious fundamentalism is one of the hot topics in the world today and this website has given me the best model, other than Islamic fundamentalism, to demonstrate to students how religious fundamentalism works.”

Dan Boone: “I only argued with them in the first place because they were making false claims about Trevecca, and to expose them for who they really are—religious fundamentalists.   But you can’t have discussions with people whose minds are already made up… Rational conversation with them is not possible”

Dan Boone “Hinduism. I even reminded the writer that God’s people have often taken elements of other religions and sanctified them for Christian use—Canaanite songs became Jewish psalms, pagan feasts became Christian meals, and so on.” (email to a concerned Nazarene)

Dan Boone: “Now, I must confess a sin. I did not listen to some friends who told me that I would not find a rational conversation here. I am most likely viewing these websites for the last time and would urge all thinking Christians to join me in the exit. Maybe we can stun them with our silence.

Dan Boone: “My concern is that we have diminished God by elevating the Bible.” 

Dan Boone: “I believe that God is pained over the tenor of the discussion between the literalists of seven-day creation theories and the evolutionists of the slow creative-process theories. To prove either one correct is not a saving act. God is not wringing his hands hoping we defend the literal interpretation of Gen. 1.”

Dan Boone: “What I find more exciting and authoritative is the thought that the people of God were exiled in the pagan land of Babylon, listening to pagan stories about the origin of the universe, and the breath of God spoke through a prophet giving them a different understanding. They hijacked the Babylonian tale of creation and declared God to be the one who, in the beginning, created creation and came to take up residence with us in the cosmic temple. Now that’s authority” (from letter to area pastors in response to Sue and Don Butler’s article)

Somewhere in his Christian journey, I believe Dan Boone (and the many Nazarenes who believe the way he does) took a detour down the wrong path.  It is evident in his writings, and it is evident in what he believes, practices and defends.  Although we must continue to expose the lies of the emergent church, we must also pray for those who have been deceived by satan into believing the lies, such as Dr. Boone.  Remember that their primary goal in relation to us is not to educate us, but to shut us up.

When it comes to folks who challenge the things he teaches and believes, there is nothing charitable about Dan Boone.  In spite of suggesting a few years ago that people like me should be “stunned with our silence”, he just could not resist again.  President Boone of Trevecca Nazarene University wrote a book a few years ago called A Charitable Discourse, although the content is far from charitable.  Who can take the book seriously when the author suggests that fundamental Bible believing Christians are no better than fundamental Islamic jihadists?

 Now he has written an article in Holiness Today entitled The Screwtape Letters Meets A Charitable Discourse.  If you are not familiar with the fictional book by C.S. Lewis, it is a series of 31 letters written from the perspective of a senior demon, Screwtape, addressed to one of his underlings.  In the letters, Screwtape acts as a mentor to Wormwood, his nephew, giving advice and counsel on how best to lead to damnation a man referred to as “The Patient.”  It is a cleverly written series of letters which among other things, suggests that even intellectuals are susceptible to demonic enticement and trickery.

The article seems somewhat clever, and it never mentions anyone in particular, but to those of us that it is directed at, we understand.   In my opinion, it has no business being published in a magazine whose purpose was originally to write on holiness and other uplifting topics.  I wonder if the editor of HT would give equal time for someone to respond to yet another attack piece on Bible believers (remember Rev. Kevin Ulmet’s article?).

This is simply another old attempt to send a message to Bible believing Christians that we are the problem in the church, and that satan is using us to divide the body of Christ.  Perhaps Dan Boone has never given one thought to the possibility that satan is using him and others to divide the body of Christ, not us.  Keep in mind that the difference between many of us and the Dan Boones of the church is that we always point out the specific teaching or practice, and let the word of God condemn it or uphold it.  The strategy of folks such as Dan is to employ personal attack and unsupported accusations. This is their only viable weapon.

Here are a few excerpts from the article, which should be online now:

“By enticing them with the wonders of electronic media, you have whetted their appetites for religious blood in the water.”

The tactics of Dan, as well as that of Rev. Kevin Ulmet in his “loving” article in Holiness Today a few months ago, are exactly the same.  They practice the very “jihadist attacks” Dan mentions in his book, while at the same time promoting a “holy conversation.”  In his book, he talks about “speaking truthfully without fear of reprisal.”  Yet he compares Bible believers who dare to speak truthfully as nothing more than equivalent to “jihadists.”  I have now seen that this is the only reliable defense they have.

“As the dominant conversation of their gathering centers on the trivial…”

Perhaps Dr. Boone is complaining that focusing on such things as his promotion of prayer labyrinths, mysticism, and re-writing of plain Scriptural teachings, will reveal the falsehoods that he so tenaciously clings to in spite of clear Biblical teaching to the contrary.  But if anyone thinks I am picking on just Dan Boone, let me be clear.  He is just one of the upfront spokesmen for a movement which many church leaders, pastors, and district leaders have wholeheartedly bought into.  He speaks for them, and so what is written here is just as much about them as it is about Dan Boone.

Let’s take a look at some of his beliefs again:

Dan Boone believes that parts of the Psalms were borrowed from the Pagans

Dr. Boone believes that the Psalms were just different renderings of Babylonian myths, and that parts of the Bible were just the Israelites copying what they heard the pagans say.  Here is what he sent in an email to a concerned Nazarene:

“The Hebrew creation account is a re-telling of the Babylonian tale. Their Hebrew feast days are re-interpretations of the Canaanite days. The Royal Psalms in the collection of Psalms were once Canaanite songs.”

If that is the case, then Dr. Boone clearly does not believe that the scriptures are wholly inspired by God, but that some parts come from pagan traditions!  Who else believes this stuff?  Has Dan Boone ever shown us through the word of God that what he says here is true?

Dan Boone promotes pagan prayer labyrinths, contemplative mysticism and false teachers

Trevecca Nazarene University has had a prayer labyrinth on campus for years.  After we brought that to light, he changed the name of it to “prayer walk.”  It’s still a pagan practice, yet Dan Boone and others think that Christians can “redeem” these pagan practices for their own use.  Trevecca also allowed the advertising of a yoga class on their campus, and part of Dr. Boone’s response to me was that he had no opinion about yoga.

Dr. Boone promotes one of the leading teachers of contemplative mysticism, false teacher Richard Foster (see the attached letter to pastors).  See also the article Richard Foster: Evangelicalism’s Mystical Sparkplug, and decide if his teachings reflect sound Biblical doctrine.  Foster, for instance, makes the amazing claim that non-believers can also practice the Christian spiritual disciplines: “We need not be well advanced in matters of theology to practice the Disciplines. Recent converts–for that matter people who have yet to turn their lives over to Jesus Christ–can and should practice them” (Celebration of Discipline, 1978, p. 2).

In the same letter,  he called both Thomas Merton and Ignatius of Loyola spiritual giants.  Merton was not a spiritual giant- he was a monk who said that he was “deeply impregnated with Sufism” because he believed that Eastern mysticism was compatible with and could be incorporated into Christianity.  He placed Mary high on a level equal to Jesus, he prayed to many catholic saints.  He was influenced by Aldous Huxley, who found enlightenment through hallucinogenic drugs.  Quote: “I see no contradiction between Buddhism and Christianity. The future of Zen is in the West. I INTEND TO BECOME AS GOOD A BUDDHIST AS I CAN” (Source: Way of Life)  Yet, Dan Boone calls him a spiritual giant.

Ignatius of Loyola was no wiser, and as the founder of the Jesuits he brutally persecuted Christians and swore complete submission to the pope.  As most Roman Catholics do, he venerated Mary.  He practiced extreme asceticism, living in a cave for a year and never bathing.  He also promoted and taught visualization prayers, breath prayers, and other unbiblical practices (Source: Way of Life).  Yet, Dan Boone calls him a spiritual giant.

Also, in his profile at Nazarene Theological Seminary, which is no longer posted, he said the following:

“…I am deepening in the mystical forms of prayer..”

Can anyone point me to any Biblical instruction on the mystical forms of prayer?

Dan Boone is an Ecumenist Who Compromises With A False Religion

In a Letter to Pastors he wrote in 2009  he not only erroneously claimed that the Roman Catholic church was the only church for 1500 years after Christ, but he also exposed more error along with his ecumenical get along with everyone philosophy.  How is it that we can “be one” with the Roman Catholic Church?

“While Nazarenes are different from Catholics in very significant ways, we believe that we will share eternity with them in the presence of the Christ who prayed that we might be one.”  

And for years Trevecca has sponsored a trip for students to the Abby of Gethsemani, a monastery in Kentucky which was home to Thomas Merton.  They openly promote practicing the silence, which Dr. Boone has erroneously justified by twisting the meaning of Psalm 46:10 totally out of context.  (Read article here)

So could it be that Dan Boone and his intellectual friends have succumbed to demonic enticement and trickery, to the point that they are blinded to the truth and now believe a lie?  Has he been duped by another Wormwood into believing a lie?  Or is it that myself and other Christians who are opposed to his ideology and the practices he promotes, are the ones who have succumbed to demonic lies?  For you see, it is either the one, or the other.  Dan Boone cannot be right, and at the same time, we who oppose his philosophy cannot also be right.  Truth is truth, and the rest is doctrines of demons.

I just ask again for anyone to contrast with Scripture, and make up your mind.

Related Articles:

 

https://reformednazarene.wordpress.com/2010/02/08/conversation-with-a-university-president/

http://sadnazarene.wordpress.com/category/dan-boone/

https://reformednazarene.wordpress.com/2011/08/30/a-charitable-discourse-or-compromise/

https://reformednazarene.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/a-response-to-dan-boones-report-on-soulforce/

Dan Boone sermons at College Church of the Nazarene:

Gods That Must Be Carried (9/18/2012)

Revival Chapel (9/18/2012)

The Neighbors (9/19/2012)

Overwhelmed (9/19/2012)

Overprotected (9/20/2012)