Contemplative Prayer - Spiritual Formation

[Raven]

I just want to emphasize that I only saw a little bit of that interview, and as I said, Dr. Tutsch used the term rather casually in reference to EGW and I have no idea if she she uses the term in her book. It may be that Dr. Tutsch is uninformed about the inroads of the "emerging church" and the spiritualistic meanings that the phrase 'spiritual formation" contains. I don't want to make a mountain out of a mole hill.

I think that Derek Morris has backed away from his involvement in spiritual formation training. I haven't heard much about S.F. lately. Is it still happening among SDA pastors and members?

I'm not sure that the average pastor even knows the implications and connotations involved with the term "spiritual formation."  Our paster used the term in a  couple of his sermons, but what he was preaching on had nothing to do with the the spiritualistic element associated with the term.  He was speaking on the advancement of the Christian in his spiritual life.  My ears perked up when he used the term, but I could detect no error in how he was using it.

[Agatha]

I'm not sure that the average pastor even knows the implications and connotations involved with the term "spiritual formation."  Our paster used the term in a  couple of his sermons, but what he was preaching on had nothing to do with the the spiritualistic element associated with the term.  He was speaking on the advancement of the Christian in his spiritual life.  My ears perked up when he used the term, but I could detect no error in how he was using it.

The advancement of the spiritual life is how Spiritual Formation is taught. It is meant to guide the saints into a better spiritual life through its many practices. That is what it is - but it is not the advancement the Bible speaks of nor what the Spirit of Prophecy describes. Discipleship is a huge factor in this ... and again, it is not the discipleship the Bible speaks of. The implications are subtle and typically have a man-made formula or practice attached to it - sometimes actual rituals, other times not. It is sneaky, exceedingly deceptive, cunning and typically packaged so beautifully, in the realm of the holy, that it can deceive the very elect.

I am convinced it is the Omega of Apostasy in its infancy. There is more to unfold, IMO. 

[Slingshot]

Stan, I agree that it is sensationalism without much documentation for their accusations. I never got involved with the Global Rain program, but this site does not make much of a case for it being a deception based on Teilhard de Chardin's writing. I doubt if Ivor Myers who originated the program has ever bothered to read any of that material, even if he is aware of it, which I doubt. It is interesting that Pastor Myers gets accused of occultism when pointing out and warning against the widespread subtle inroads of occultism is a major thrust of his TV programs.

I am amazed at the Walla Walla University crest, or seal that is shown. With the triangle which is innocently used by many things besides a masonic symbol, but to have a yin yang symbol in it is really off the wall. That is blatant occultism. I went to Walla Walla's website and could not find the seal or crest that is shown on this site. They show a logo which just says Wall Walla University, with a little drawing which depicts nothing that I can recognize. I tend to doubt that even liberal Walla Walla with no Asian connection would use the yin yang symbol just based on its oriental symbolism let alone its occult meaning.

The site from which this was drawn is rife with errors and exaggerations. I would give absolutely no credence to anything taken from this site.

[Larry Lyons]

The advancement of the spiritual life is how Spiritual Formation is taught. It is meant to guide the saints into a better spiritual life through its many practices. That is what it is - but it is not the advancement the Bible speaks of nor what the Spirit of Prophecy describes. Discipleship is a huge factor in this ... and again, it is not the discipleship the Bible speaks of. The implications are subtle and typically have a man-made formula or practice attached to it - sometimes actual rituals, other times not. It is sneaky, exceedingly deceptive, cunning and typically packaged so beautifully, in the realm of the holy, that it can deceive the very elect.

I am convinced it is the Omega of Apostasy in its infancy. There is more to unfold, IMO. 

Agatha, I think you may well have identified it correctly. Subtle spiritualism posing as something that will bring one to a more advanced level.

[Raven]

The advancement of the spiritual life is how Spiritual Formation is taught. It is meant to guide the saints into a better spiritual life through its many practices. That is what it is - but it is not the advancement the Bible speaks of nor what the Spirit of Prophecy describes. Discipleship is a huge factor in this ... and again, it is not the discipleship the Bible speaks of. The implications are subtle and typically have a man-made formula or practice attached to it - sometimes actual rituals, other times not. It is sneaky, exceedingly deceptive, cunning and typically packaged so beautifully, in the realm of the holy, that it can deceive the very elect.

I am convinced it is the Omega of Apostasy in its infancy. There is more to unfold, IMO. 

This may be buried somewhere on one of these forums, but I know you are equipped with an amazing ability to sleuth these things out.  So, could you either direct me to where I might find a detailed description of the main errors (in the realm of "spiritual formation") to look for in any given sermon, and some of the "buzz words" that are used that should set off warning bells in one's head?  I'm thinking mainly of how it might manifest itself in an SDA setting, rather than how it is used in its original form.  What you posted at the beginning of this thread does not describe anything I've yet seen in our church or conference.  But, I confess my ignorance in this area.  We have not had to deal with it yet in our church, and I'm not sure if it's even reared its ugly head in our confernce (except maybe in the 2 "Willow Creek" churches)  If necessary you can pm me.

[Agatha]

Raven ... I have not seen your post ... sorry. Right now, Samuel Pipim is speaking at the Michigan Campmeeting on the very subject. He will have six sermons that I am aware of - this is the third one on the subject. Each day shortly after they are presented, they are posted on Hope Video. You can download them there.  http://www.hopevideo.com/camp_meeting_2009.htm  Scroll down to Pipim - Trojan Horse

I suggest to anyone with a question on Spiritual Formation, Emergent Church/Contemplative Prayer, listen to this series either during campmeeting or when it is over and all of the sermons have been posted.

Pipim gives us such insight into the background to postmodernism - how these things came in among us and have saturated Catholic and Protestant churches. You will find yourselves saying, "I remember that and wondered about it."

[Deborah Risinger]

For Christianity as a whole..this stuff is "Aids."

God Keep Us All
Deborah

[Pamela Adams]

Well said...Deborah.