Movements & Organizations

A prayer practice taught in Spiritual Formation which is becoming increasingly popular. Other names are Breath Prayer, Centering Prayer, Listening Prayer ... The participants desire to enter an altered state of consciousness and of emptiness. They employ one or several mantras, a (biblical) word repeated over and over, focus on their breathing, sometimes add images or icons and go deep within themselves. The effects are very similar to those found in Eastern Religions and specifically in Transcendental Meditation (TM; roots in Hinduism).

1 Contemplative Prayer mirrors the practices of the Desert Fathers / Desert Monks / ~Christian~ Monasticism. The reproduction of the wilderness temptations of Jesus and austere simplicity oriented towards CP had to be the route to holiness. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

2 It usually includes emptying one's mind (Kenosis). This is a misapplication of Jesus having temporarily emptied Himself from His divine power. We do not have divine power to be emptied from. To the contrary, we want the Spirit to fill us to prevent demons from filling an unoccupied house (Mat 12:44). [1] [2] [3]

3 Closely related to New Age practices - equally entering a meditative state with the emptying of the mind or rote repetition of a word. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

4 Brother Lawrence and Teresa of Avila are two of the key figures of Kabbalistic mysticism. BL showed regularly demon-possessed behavior and TdA levitated on a number of occasions. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

5 The movement has its own 'Spiritual Formation Study Bible' (Renovaré). It places a heavy emphasis on mysticism.

6 Mysticism is a fundamental and inseparable part of the Emerging Church. -Every- proponent of Mysticism is involved in a number of other problematic practises / teachings.

Catholics: Henri Nouwen, John Mark Comer (Jesuit), Richard Rohr, Teresa of Avila, Thomas Merton.

Non-Catholics: Ann Voskamp, Beth Moore, Bill Hybels, Dallas Willard, Donald S. Whitney, Eugene Peterson, Jack Hayford, James Bryan Smith, Jim Wallis, John Eldredge, John Ortberg, Ken Shigematsu, Mark Driscoll, Kyle Strobel (son of Lee), Mike Bickle, Max Lucado, Philip Yancey, Pete Greig, Peter Scazzero, Richard Foster, Rob Bell, Ruth Haley Barton, Timothy Keller, Tyler Straton and Walter Brueggemann, et al

Organizations: 24/7 Prayer, Canadian Church Leaders Network (CCLN), International House of Prayer (IHOP), Renovaré, The Gospel Coalition (TGC). 

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]

7 List of 'Christian Colleges that Promote Spiritual Formation' by Lighthouse Trails Research Project [1]. In Greater Vancouver, Columbia Bible College and Regent College strongly promote Christian Mysticism, which has led to a strong prevalence of Mysticism in local, especially Calvinist churches. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

The concept and principle that believers who belong to different religions / denominations should work together to develop closer relationships among their churches and promote 'unity'.

1 A Protestant / Evangelical would invite a Roman Catholic, or a Catholic invite a Muslim imam to meet or even speak in his pulpit, or a protestant church may get together for a joint conference, prayer or service. [1]

2 Biblical Christianity and Roman Catholicism are two different religions that practice and believe fundamentally different things about how one is saved (see separate discernment). [1]

3 The Catholic Church openly promotes a One World Religion. Pope Francis signed in 2019 a covenant with Muslim leaders. The official Catechism, p. 230 says "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful G-d ..." [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

4 Leaders promoting Ecumenism: Billy Graham, Carolyn Arends, Charles (Chuck) Colson, Charles Spurgeon, C. Peter Wagner, C.S. Lewis, Dallas Willard, Danielle Strickland, Darrell W. Johnson, David Bryant, Elizabeth Elliot, Enoch Adejare Adeboye, Eugene H. Peterson, Franklin Graham, Henri Nouwen, Jack Hayford, James Bryan Smith, Jean-Luc Trachsel, Jentezen Franklin, J. I. Packer, Johannes Hartl, John Mark Comer, John Wimber, Josh McDowell, Ken Shigematsu, Lee Strobel, Luis Palau, Mark Driscoll, Max Lucado, Michael Green, Michael W. Smith, Mike Bickle, Nathan Söderblom, Os Guinness, Paul and Jan Crouch, Paula White-Cain, Pete Greig, Peter Scazzero, the Pope, Ray Comfort, Richard Foster, Richard Rohr, Rick Warren, Sean McDowell, Thomas Merton, Timothy Keller, Tyler Staton ... [1] [2] [3]

5 Movements / organizations promoting Ecumenism: 24/7 Prayer, The Alpha Course, Biola, Emerging Church, ECT (Evangelicals and Catholics Together), Fuller Theological Seminary, Global Harvest Ministries, The Gospel Coalition (TGC), International House of Prayer (IHOP), Moody Bible Institute, Regent College Vancouver, Roman Catholic Church, Southern Baptist Convention, Unification Church, World Congress on Evangelism, World Council of Churches, World Prayer Center (WPC), World Vision ... [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Principle Idea: as culture changes, a new church should emerge in response; much larger and even less defined than the New Apostolic Reformation.

1 Liberal doctrine / Relativism over sound theology · Personal interpretation (eisegesis) over exegetical or expository Bible study · Experience over reason · Subjectivity over objectivity · Spirituality over religion · Christianity as a Relationship only, not a Religion · Images over words · Outward over inward · Feelings over truth · Seeker Sensitive · Non-confrontational · It's not my place to judge · It's just me and Jesus. [1] [2] [3] [4]

2 Often with a strong focus on Ecumenism. [1] [2] [3]

3 Practices more akin to New Age teachings: meditation (sometimes 'christianized' yoga), (Catholic) Mysticism and Contemplative Prayer. [1] [2] [3] [4]

4 It is just principally repackaged liberalism. Phyllis Tickle has already renamed it "The Hyphenated Church, but in reality it ought to be called the Regurgitated Church - it is just Medieval Mysticism and its practices ruminated and brought up all over again." [1]

5 Prominent figures: Brian McLaren, Dan Kimball, Doug Pagitt, Jason Ballard, John O'Keefe, Jonny Baker, Erwin McManus, Scot McKnight,Tony Jones. (Formerly) involved: Mark Driscoll, Rob Bell. [1] [2]

6 Some voices conclude that Bono "seems to be the chief theologian of the 'emerging church movement'". Rob Bell told that the first time he experienced 'G-d' was at a U2 concert ... Bono is often endorsed or interviewed by Emerging Church leaders such as Bill Hybels, Brian McLaren, Brian Walsh, Rick Warren, Tony Campolo ... [1] [2]

Typology of 9 interconnected personality types; Principally derived from the teachings of the Bolivian psycho-spiritual teacher Oscar Ichazo (1950s) and the Chilean psychiatrist Claudio Naranjo (1970s).

1 "87% of individuals were able to accurately predict their Enneagram type (before taking the test) by being read descriptions of each type. [...] "While the Enneagram system shares little with traditional Christian doctrine or spirituality, it also shares little with the methods and criteria of modern science [...] "when used as a means of spiritual growth introduces an ambiguity in the doctrine and the life of the Christian faith". [1]

2 Occult origins - Derived through the occult practice of 'automatic writing'. [1] [2] [3] [4]
[5] [6] [7]

3 Ungodly counsel - it gives the 'counsel of the ungodly'. [1]

4 Unscriptural - The teachings cannot be supported by Scripture, and they go against G-d's Word. [1] [2] [3]

5 Worldly wisdom - Not based in objective reality, truth, reason, or Scripture. [1]

6 Harmful - "We can use it as a helpful tool" is a classic warning sign for when erroneous and harmful ideas or practices are being introduced. [1]

7 Universalist - The main proponents are New Age-ish and mystical, if not outright universalists. Also, almost all Christians who are former New Agers warn of the dangers and deceit of the tool. [1] [2] [3]

8 Self focused - encourages us to discover our 'true self', to get in touch with our true nature, to realize self-actualization - ( > New Age). [1] [2] [3] [4]

9 It weakens the dependency on THEOS. [1]

10 The majority of those who teach the Enneagram are proponents of Contemplative Prayer. [1]

Counterfeit philosophy that appeals to the feelings of individuals.

1 Acupressure, acupuncture, all roads lead to heaven, alternative spirituality, astrology, automatic writing, bypassing the mind, channeling, 'cosmic consciousness', crystal balls / power, denial of moral boundaries, each individual is G-d, Eastern mysticism, Enneagram, Esotericism, follow your heart, gradual ascent into enlightenment as 'being born again', 'guided tours' of the unseen world, handwriting analysis, harmony, Hindu mantras, horoscopes, instrumental music promoting relaxation, hypnosis, Law of Attraction, love and light, meditation, mediums, mind control, mind dynamics, New World Order, no distinction between good and evil, occultism, out-of-body travel, Pantheism, past-life recall experiences, 'psychic self', reincarnation, rejection of the personal G-d, rejection of original sin, self-help, semi-divine non-human entities such as angels and masters, spiritual energy healings, the third eye, 'touch' healing, 'trance channeling' (séances), Yoga, zen disciplines ... [1] [2] [3]

2 Spiritual energy healings. [1]

3 Infiltration of the Christian Church. [1] [2] [3]

Dominionist movement with an unhealthy emphasis and often erroneous application of the offices of Apostles and Prophets).

1 "Accessing the gates of heaven, activation of the gifts, advancing the kingdom, alignment, angelic visitation, anointing, apostolic, appealing to heaven, ascending into new levels of glory, atmospheres, awakening the gifts, birthing, breakthrough, bringing heaven down to earth, changing the atmosphere, come up higher, contemplative prayer, covering, decreeing and declaring, dimensions, dreams, encounters, experiencing G-d, FIRE!, fire tunnels, for such a time as this, fresh revelation, fulfilling your destiny, getting drunk, glory carriers, glory clouds, G-d is doing a new thing, going deeper, going to another level, gold dust, healing rooms, hosting the presence, impartation, increase, intimacy with G-d (greater), Joel's Army, jumping in the river, legacy, levels of anointing, little gods, mandate, manifestations, mantles, marinating in the spirit, moving into your destiny, moving in the supernatural, mystical, new breed, new revelation, new sound, new wine, outpouring, paradigm shift, open heaven, open portals, prophetic words, rain, receive a double portion, receive a double anointing, releasing (whatever) into the atmosphere, restoration, revelation knowledge, seasons, secret place, Seven Mountain Mandate, shifting, slain in the spirit, soaking, spiritual mapping, staying in alignment, Strategic Level Spiritual Warfare, taking dominion, "the presence," third heaven, touch not G-d's anointed, transformation, transforming cities, transforming cultures, trances, trips to heaven, vibrations, visions, wind, world changers.

If you are attending a church, and you are hearing words or phrases from the above list, you can be sure that your pastor or church is involved in some way or another." From the book 'A Hidden Path: Bethel Redding and Beyond'

2 NAR members: Bill Johnson, Brian Simmons, Che Ahn, Chuck Pierce, Doug Addison, Guillermo Maldonado, James Goll, Kenneth Max Copeland, Lou Engle, Mike Bickle, Mike & Cindy Jacobs, Peter & Doris Wagner, Rick Joyner ...    [1] [2] [3] [4]

3 ACPE members: Chuck Pierce, James Goll, Kim Clement, Lou Engle, Mike & Cindy Jacobs, Paul Keith Davis, Peter & Doris Wagner, Stacey Campbell, Steve Schultz ...    [1] [2] [3] [4]

Protestant Charismatic Christian movement which emphasizes direct personal experience of THEOS through baptism with the Holy Spirit.

1 A tenet is the unbiblical requirement of speaking in tongues as evidence of salvation. [1] [2] [3]

2 Experience often, if not usually trumps scriptural teaching. [1]

3 Strong focus on divine healing, sometimes in exchange for (certain amounts of) donations. [1] [2]

4 Jesus-Only crowd. All religious activities should be performed in the name of Jesus only. Rejection of uncomfortable facets of the character of THEOS. [1] [2]

5 Prophecy is often taken very lightly, is rarely being tested and is sometimes false. [1]

6 The Prosperity Gospel is over-proportionally being spread through Pentecostals. Positive confessions to enrich oneself financially and materially. Seed-Faith (Seed sowing). The 'Hundredfold' return. [1] [2]

It teaches that one of the promises of the Christian life is health and wealth. The book 'God, Greed and the (Prosperity) Gospel' (no endorsement of the Calvinist theology of the author which is thankfully absent in the book) describes best what this theology is all about: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

1 The prosperity gospel overcomplicates faith.
Faith isn't giving money to get His love.
Faith isn't paying a fee for His saving grace.
Faith isn't going broke to get healed.
Faith isn't a special healing service to get His anointing.

Any religion that says you need to do good works, give enough money, or speak enough positive declarations to unlock G-d's saving grace or abundant blessings on your life is a false religion. The Prosperity Gospel turns faith into a works-based system.

2 The Prosperity Gospel distorts the biblical Gospel.
It is rather about the gifts than the Giver.
It is rather about the redeemed than the Redeemer.
It is rather about earthly riches than eternal rewards.
It is rather about monetary gain than the glory of G-d.
G-d is not a cosmic magic genie granting our wishes. Jesus did not die to provide us earthly riches. He is not the cherry on top of materialistic satisfaction.

3 The prosperity gospel twists Scripture.

4 It produces false converts. It fills pulpits with imposters and pews with people who either want to be fooled or are being deceived.

5 It ruins Christianity's witness.

6 Wealth is not a sign of elite spiritual status. To the contrary, the poor and afflicted are given special attention when it comes to spiritual care.

1 Proponent of the Bridal Paradigm, which injects a Jesus-believer love affair into the Song of Solomon. [1]

2 The so-called 'Toronto Blessing' began in a Vineyard Church (it afterwards distanced itself from that particular phenomenon). [1] [2]

3 When one of England's best-known evangelicals, David Watson, was diagnosed with cancer, Wimber flew in and announced how 'G-d' had shown him that Watson would get well. When Watson died, they tried to 'limit the damage' as best they could. The gullibility of his followers (…) enabled him to continue relatively unscathed. [1] [2]

4 Kevin Prosch was a prominent worship leader within the Vineyard movement. In 1999, he confessed to a string of adulterous relationships. Despite this confession, he led worship at an IHOPKC conference and later had an affair with Misty Edwards, before his marriage ended in a divorce. [1] [2]

5 The movement is associated with the following characters / groups: Brian Doerksen, Calvary Chapel, Don Francisco, Kansas City Prophets, Keith Green, Kevin Prosch, Mike Bickle, Paul Cain, Promise Keepers, Signs and Wonders, the Toronto Blessing, Wayne Grudem ... [1] [2] [3]

1 The book 'The Story of 24-7 Prayer, Red Moon Rising' has its foreword written by Bill Johnson
and is endorsed by Mike Bickle (IHOP). [1] [2]

2 Extensive use of the Message Translation (MSG) and endorsement of Eugene Peterson in several books. Pete Greig even appears in the introduction of the Message 'bible': "His Message translation of the bible and the Lectio Divina complement one another like fish and chips!" [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

3 They also offer a course on Lectio Divina, a dangerous practise connected to Contemplative Prayer. [1] [2] [3] [4]

4 Greig in the Prayer Course: "I am passionate about Contemplative Prayer. [...] You can meditate on anything. [...] You don't need a Bible verse to justify breathing well, that's just good medicine [...] it could be using the Franciscan prayer [...] There was this desert father, more than 1700 years ago, praying in the Egyptian desert, Anthony of the Desert." Direct promotion of Teresa de Avila (levitated; demon-possessed) and Richard Foster in the video [1]. Richard Foster in turn promotes Greig's books through the Renovaré website. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

5 Front-page-endorsement through John Mark Comer: "24/7 Prayer is on the bleeding edge [...] return to a neo-monastic life of deep prayer [...] a pole star for the future church." [1] [2]

6 Tyler Staton (Pastor at Bridgetown Church with JM Comer) is National Director of 24/7 Prayer US and taught at Greig's Emmaus Road Church precisely Contemplative Prayer, specifically referring to the Russian Orthodoxy 'Poustinik'. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

7 Pete Greig is also the director of prayer for Alpha International. Nicky Gumbel wrote the foreword for 'How to Pray'. [1] [2] [3]

8 Invitation of Danielle Strickland to their conference. Greig: "I admire her enormously." [1] [2]

9 Endorsement of Heidi Baker. [1]

1 Main contributor to Ecumenicalism. Nicky Gumbel: "Differences between Protestants and Catholics are totally insignificant compared to the things that unite us"; "Ultimately, unity is not doctrinal, it's relational"; "I've come to love the [Roman] Catholic church." [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] 

2 Most professional interview partners in the series have a Catholic background:

• Christoph Schönborn (Austrian Dominican friar and theologian; Cardinal of the Catholic Church; Archbishop of Vienna). He approves same-sex marriages and reinstated (!) a man living in a registered same-sex partnership to a pastoral council. [1] [2] [3]
• C.S. Lewis (Anglican; see separate discernment). [1]
• Francis Collins (see separate discernment). [1]
• Luigi Gioia (Benedictine monk; also invited to HTB LeadershipConference; teaches on Purgatory and Contemplative Prayer). [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
• Ranerio Cantalamessa (Catholic cardinal, personal preacher to 3 popes); several books published under the label of 'Alpha'; 6 (!!) interviews in the Alpha series (Sessions #8, 10, 11 and 15). [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]

3 Their hall-of-fame of martyrs includes: [1]

• Joan of Arc (a patron saint of France, Venerated in Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Communion). [1]
• Saint Philip the Apostle (stories and feasts added to the Bible). [1] [2] [3] [4]
• Vladimir Bogoyavlensky (Bishop, Russian Orthodox Church). [1] [2]

4 Direct quotes from Pope Francis and his book. The Pope himself appears in session #16, which is often excluded by Protestant churches. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] 

 5 Specific production of a Catholic Alpha format. The 1st Alpha Conference for Catholics was held in 1996. [1] [2] [3] [4]

 6 Alpha appointed a Roman Catholic bishop, Michael Byrnes, to its Board of Directors. [1]

 7 "Encourage others to start to speak in another language - tell him / her you will do so yourself." ... "Everyone can receive the gift of speaking in tongues". [1] [2] [3] [4]

 8 Nicky Gumbel tells unbelievers to ask Jesus to 'come into their heart' - an unbiblical teaching. [1]

 9 Promotion of, and interviews with Joyce Meyer. [1] [2] [3]

 10 Promotion of Bono from U2 in one of their videos. Bono on the other hand had several private audiences with at least 2 popes. [1]

This discernment is based on the structure and main findings of the book 'A Hidden Path: Bethel Redding and Beyond'. No partnership or financial benefit.

False Doctrines

1 ​Johnson takes the position of Kenosis (the doctrine of Christ's 'self-emptying' in His incarnation) as a way to suggest that all 'Christians' can achieve the very same anointing that Jesus had. [1]

2 The slogan 'On Earth as it is in Heaven' is being used by Bethel and the New Apostolic Reformation they are part of. They believe that everything we expect to experience and see in heaven, we can experience and see now on earth, which includes especially signs & wonders, healings and miracles. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

3 They teach a mix of Word of Faith and Pentecostalism. Faith (rather in self) is a force and our words and thoughts are carriers of that force. Positive confession causes what is said with words. The magic formula 'I decree and declare ...' is supposed to bring prosperity, healing and health. Wealth and Prosperity ought to be the norm. All sickness is eliminated. Believers are little gods. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

4 ​In Dominionism, 'Apostles' such as Bill Johnson and thousands of self-made prophets such as those coming from their School of Supernatural Ministry ought to subdue and rule the earth, then and only then will Christ return ... [1]

5 ​They teach the heretical doctrine that Jesus was born again in the resurrection. [1] [2]

6 ​Bill Johnson emphasizes the need for experiencing G-d through extra-biblical information also known as 'Revelation Knowledge', which includes Contemplative Prayer, out-of-body trips to Heaven, receiving messages from departed angels and saints, prophetic word, open visions, dreams and trances. [1]

7 Doctrine of the 'Manifestation of the Sons of God (MSOG)', which teaches similar to Dominionism that there will be an elite, end-times remnant 'super church' that will transform the world and bring Heaven to earth. A huge revival of a billion souls ought to occur before Jesus comes again. [1]

New Age Fascination

8 ​Johnson's book 'The Physics of Heaven' is an unabashed promotion of New Age. [1] [2] [3] [4]

9 ​Shawn Bolz is a frequent guest and practices at the facilities of Bethel Cold Reading (techniques used by mentalists, psychics, fortune-tellers, and mediums), and even 'received' prophetic words from specific dead people. [1] [2]

10 Even the children at Bethel are trained to 'go to heaven' and to 'hang out there'. Bethel's Children Leader, Deborah Reed confirms this practice: "Yes, we take our kids to heaven, who doesn't? People who know how to do heaven things take our kids to heaven." [1] [2] [3]

11 Their 'Alabaster House Prayer Center' carries an illuminated pyramid on its top which glows red at night (occult symbol). [1] [2]

12 They are fascinated and heavily focused on angels, profess to speak to them daily and believe to have authority to 'release' angels to perform different 'ministry' functions. [1]

13 Beni Johnson (Ben's wife) believed that we can use tuning forks for the purpose of healing. [1]

14 Kris Vallotton once asked 'G-d' for the 'mantle' of William Marion Branham. Branham is known as the father of the Latter Rain / Charismatic Movement. [1]

Some of the many false doctrines of Branham were: The Trinity is of the devil; the three forms of G-d's Word are the Bible, the Zodiac, and the Egyptian pyramids; his 'Serpent Seed' doctrine which suggests that the serpent in the Garden had sexual intimacy with Eve that resulted in the conception of Cain; his angel who taught him that he (Branham) was Elijah before the 2nd coming as well as being the messenger of the last church age, Laodicea; believers will reach immortality before Christ returns and become a super race (also known as Joel's Army).

Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry

15 Students practice 'Grave Soaking', the belief of absorbing the deceased's anointing from G-d. [1] [2]

16 They also practice 'Treasure Hunting', by going on the streets of Redding and 'healing' people through 'Words of Knowledge' they receive in advance. [1]

Other Things

17 Official endorsement of 'The Passion Translation' on their website. "One of the greatest things to happen with Bible translation in my lifetime." Johnson also writes blog articles for Brian Simmons." [1] [2] [3] [4] 

18 A common practice are 'Fire Tunnels' in order to receive 'anointings' through a 'touch from G-d'. They form two lines and have others walk through that tunnel while shouting 'fire' which supposedly re-fills them with the Spirit. Many people are then slain in a satanic spirit, similar or identical to the Kundalini Spirit known as 'serpent power'. [1]

19 Church staff put gold dust in the ventilation system. [1] [2]

20 Johnson publicly prophesied over Todd Bentley and commissioned him in an 'Apostolic Alignment' ceremony. See separate discernment on Bentley, who is outmost evil. [1]

21 Jesus Culture / Bethel Music. "We have heard it said that Jesus Culture is the 'gateway drug to the supernatural'. Another has described Jesus Culture music as 'Hansel and Gretel's crumbs' that is used by Bethel as a way to lure and indoctrinate unsuspecting people, especially youth, into the New Apostolic Reformation's cesspool of deception." [1]

Network Committed to Serving Church Leaders in Canada. Led by Darrell W. Johnson, Scholar at CCLN & Pastor at The Way Church, also Teaching Fellow at Regent College; Brandon Peterson COO at CCLN & Pastor at The Way Church / formerly Alpha Canada; Jason Ballard MC at CCLN & Pastor at The Way Church / currently Alpha Canada.

1 Explicit promotion of Catholic Mysticism, including teachers such as Brother Lawrence, Dallas Willard, Henri Nouwen, Pete Greig, Peter Scazzero, Richard Foster, Ruth Haley Barton and even Teresa de Avila (levitated on a number of occasions; see separate discernment!!). [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

2 Specific mention of "different formats for prayer including The Examen, Lectio Divina & Centering Prayer". Their Spiritual Formation Cards are provided by Vineyard Churches. [1] [2] [3]

3 They declared Mark Buchanan to be a guide in Christian mysticism. Mark rejected this notion in his answer to Jason Ballard. [1]

4 Organization of The Emerging Leaders Lab (see also Emerging Church movement). [1] [2]

5 Promotion of Pope Francis, John Mark Comer, Rick Joyner and Tyler Saton (see separate discernment). Collaboration with Practicing The Way. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

6 In 09/2024, they invited Father James Mallon, Catholic priest from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Dartmouth, to their podcast. [1] [2] [3]

Darrell Johnson / The Way Church
7 Female teaching pastors at The Way Church. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

8 Strong support of Orthodox churches; "our friends". [1] [2]

9 Johnson teaches the Enneagram: "people are calling the Enneagram into question; we work with it; it is useful; that is a secret to know". [1]

10 Eugene Peterson was close to Darrell Johnson. Use of the Message 'bible' in their newsletters. [1] [2] [3]

Evangelical Christian media magazine founded in 1956 by the highly problematic teacher Billy Graham.

1 Open promotion of the Roman Catholic church. "One Christianity Today article in 2015 titled 'Pope Pious: What Evangelicals Like About Francis' was subtitled 'Disagreement over religious authority and salvation fades as piety trumps doctrine.' Even a few decades ago, this would have been virtually unheard of. The Catholic Church and the pope would have been seen as standing in opposition to all that evangelicals hold dear." [1-quote] [2]

2 CT is involved in the Catholic Mysticism / Contemplative Prayer movement. Specific endorsement of Renovaré (stronghold of Spiritual Formation) through the interview with Rachel Quan. [1] [2]

3 Their 'Books of the Century', published in 2000, include: The Lord of the Rings (no redemption of any evil character, written by a strict Catholic), Orthodoxy (G.K. Chesterton, Catholic), The Seven Storey Mountain (Thomas Merton, Catholic Monk), Celebration of Discipline (Richard Foster, Catholic Mysticism), The Prophetic Imagination (Walter Brueggemann), Pilgrim at Tinker Creek (Annie Dillard, Catholic author), Civilization and Its Discontents (Sigmund Freud), The Chronicles of Narnia (C. S. Lewis), The Cloister Walk (Kathleen Norris, Catholic), The Wounded Healer (Henri J. M. Nouwen, Jesuit), Knowing God (J. I. Packer, Calvinist), The Jesus I Never Knew (Philip Yancey) [1]

4 Sexual harassment scandal involving the editor-in-chief, Mark Galli, a Roman Catholic (and former Presbyterian). [1] [2]

5 Ed Stetzer is contributing editor and executive director of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College. [1] [2]

6 Open endorsement of Henri Nouwen (Jesuit). [1] [2] [3] [4]

7 "Eugene Peterson Has Completed His Long Obedience". [1] [2]

8 CT skirted journalistic ethics in dealings with disgraced former megachurch pastor James MacDonald. [1] [2]

9 CT almost worships the band U2 (see discernment on Bono) through dozens of articles. When Episcopalian ministers Whiteley & Maynard published the book 'Get Up Off Your Knees: Preaching the U2 Catalog', CT responded with a review entitled 'The Legend of Bono Vox: Lessons Learned in the Church of U2'. [1] [2] [3]

10 CT chose in 2016 the outmost heretical book 'Christian. Muslim. Friend.' as winner for the 'Christianity Today Book Award'. [1-review] [2]

1 Timothy Keller was the founder and the organization propagates his false theology, such as Calvinism, Contemplative Prayer, Ecumenism, Mysticism, Social Justice Gospel, Theistic Evolution et al. [1] [2]

2 Ecumenism and explicit promotion of the Catholic Church. TGC asked their readers to individually sign the Manhattan Declaration which reads: "We, as Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical Christians, have gathered ..." and was originally signed by 15 Catholic bishops. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

3 Strong promotion of Catholic Mysticism and Contemplative Prayer. Explicit promotion of Henri Nouwen, Thomas Merton, and Teresa of Avila, who levitated. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

4 They hold to Cessationism, essentially saying that Christians do not receive anymore spiritual gifts. [1]

5 Heavy emphasis on the Social Justice Gospel. [1] [2] [3]

6 TGC defends trans**nder pronouns! "Your inability to use their preferred pronoun could actually be offensive." [1] [2] [3] [4]

7 Very problematic position on homos**uality. We ought to "affirm their legal right to marry". [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

8 Explicit promotion of R-rated films that feature underage sex, les**an sex, or*l sex, pro-abortion propaganda, and blasphemy of the name of Christ ... [1] [2] [3]

9 TCG endorses Jackie Hill Perry's books and articles on their website (Evangelical Sexual Revolution; Bethel Church; open lesbian). [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

10 TCG endorses Rebecca McLaughlin (Biologos; Same Sex Attracted spokesperson; feminism; identity politics, racial 'privilege'; LG**Q+ rights) [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

11 TCG endorses Theistic Evolution, writing the Creation Week off as a 'literary analogy'. [1] [2] [3] [4]

12 TGC endorsed Eugene Peterson (Message 'bible'). [1]

1 Lead Marketing agency: Haven with Jason Vanderground (President), Bill McKendry (Founder+CCO). Creative Agency: Lerma (Jon Lee); Ditore Mayo [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

Vanderground: "Ultimately, the goal is inspiration, not recruitment or conversion." [...] "... many Catholics are involved in the development of the campaign and it has received positive feedback from Catholic media [...] it is vital that we engage Catholics who represent 70 million people in the U.S." [1] [2] [3]

2 Producer: Stephen Ostrander, charter member of North Point Community Church (Andy Stanley). [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

3 The Book 'He Gets Us' shares some core truths of the Gospel, but leans towards Universalism, fails to direct seekers to the next steps and contains theological errors. Written by Max Lucado, a problematic teacher. See review. [1] [2] [3] [4]

4 Allusions to social justice movements, referring to Jesus not as Savior, but as example: an "influencer, an immigrant, a refugee, a radical, an activist for women's rights and a bulwark against racial injustice and political corruption". [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

5 The campaign reinforces [1] the problematic idea that Jesus's followers have Jesus all wrong. [1] [2]

6 Their video 'The Birth' portrays Jesus as being born through fornication with a boyfriend. Blasphemy. [1]

7 HeGetsUs, LLC is a subsidiary of Servant Foundation (Missouri), financed by donor-advised fund 'The Signatry'. Both are headed by Bill High (until recently by Stephen French). [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Financial support (year 2015 / 2020) of:
Alpha USA ($0 / $500,000), Andrew Wommack ($20,200 / $15,700), Bethel Church ($0 / $525,280), at least 27 Roman Catholic churches / organizations (> $492,438 / $656,938), the Gospel Coalition ($5000 / $0), IHOP (Mike Bickle, $60,290 / $29,650), Joyce Meyer Ministries ($20,100 / $10,600), Kenneth Copeland Ministries (na / $5100), Lakewood Church (Joel Osteen; $10,100 / $10,600), North Point Min. (Andy Stanley; $118,200 / $33,000), Oral Roberts University ($41,500 / $17,000), at least 16 Presbyterian Churches ($2,161,717 / $1,327,689), Ravi Zacharias ($589,400 / $604,278), Redeemer (Presbyterian) Church (Timothy Keller, $1,005,300 / 1,007,800) and Salvation Army ($347,745 /$572,448) and Turning Point For God (David Jeremiah; $2,002,400 / $757,705). [1] [2] [3] [t]

8 Donors: "A diverse group of Christians from a range of denominational backgrounds". [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

www.familyarc.com (founder is Bill High) "... generous members, Independent Presbyterian Church (IPC), The Signatry, National Christian Foundation, Provision Bridge, Hobby Lobby, Broadhorn Foundation ..." [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

9 Partners include the Alpha Course (Catholic tool; see separate discernment), Christianity Today (Catholic propaganda tool; including Christine Caine), Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Gloo (Christian Big Data company; runs the program), Luis Palau Assoc., National Assoc. of Evangelicals, OneHope, Salvation Army, the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center and Youversion. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

1 Cultic origin and worship style, Emotionalism, Gnosticism, denial Sola Scriptura ... [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

2 Proponents of Contemplative Prayer / Catholic Mysticism and endorsement of Henri Nouwen. IHOPKS's bookstore contains dozens of titles promoting contemplative prayer. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
[6] [7]

3 Ecumenism: Mike Bickle in his foreword to Stacey Campbell's book: "... they [House of Prayer Augsburg, Germany] needed to launch a 24/7 HoP with the spirituality of the Catholic charismatic renewal movement and a focus on ecumenism." [1]

4 The 'Kansas City prophets' admitted that their prophecies were often inaccurate. IHOP essentially views prophets as Christian psychics, with prophetic hotlines, prophetic readings, and an emphasis on personal prophecy. Alleged cases of spiritual abuse and manipulative uses of prophecy. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

5 Extreme overemphasis on the miraculous gifts of the Spirit. Miraculous healings, visions, dreams, prophecies, tongues, words of knowledge, signs, wonders, etc., are claimed to be constant within IHOP. [1] [2]

6 Part of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

7 2023 sexual abuse scandal of Mike Bickle. Very probable cover-up over many years and strong hesitancy in investigation. [1]

8 Collaboration with Bill Johnson, Lou Engle, Rick Pino ... [1]

[1955] This evangelical Christian organisation was founded on June 5, 1955 by the Presbyterians Francis Schaeffer and his wife Edith in Huémoz-sur-Ollon, Switzerland, after they had moved as missionaries for the Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions (IBPFM) in Europe. [1] [2]

[late 1960's] The Anglican Os Guinness, who signed the infamous 'Evangelicals and Catholics Together' [see 2, 3], who claims in his book 'The Call' that "1/2 of the world's population follow the Great Abrahamic faith", and who lied that the Reformation had reduced antisemitism (Luther strongly increased it) [4], was an early leader at the L'Abri. [1] [2] [3] [4]

[early 1970's] Nancy Peacey, who grew up Lutheran and goes now as Neo-Calvinist, 'converted' at L'Abri to 'Christianity'. Not coincidentally, she is a mouthpiece for the 7-Mountain Mandate (see next point). While Neo-Calvinists sometimes hold that the Cultural Mandate is as important as the Great Commission, she even holds that it is more important. She teaches intensively about it in her popular book 'Total Truth' [see 2].  [1] [2] [3]

[1975] It is probably not a coincidence relating to its name, that Schaeffer was in his time at L'Abri one of the founders, of what would later be termed the Seven Mountain Mandate. 

He created this heretical doctrine along with fellow evangelists Bill Bright (Presbyterian; Campus Crusade for Christ) and Loren Cunningham (Lutheran; YWAM). The concept centers around Christians taking dominion of seven societal spheres of influence: 'Family, religion, education, media, art, economics, and government'. 

While this idea of 'Dominion theology' originated within Calvinism (specifically Presbyterians), it is most commonly associated today with the New Apostolic Reformation, which are best represented by Bethel Church pastor Bill Johnson, who further popularized this idea.

Other mouthpieces are James Davison Hunter in his book 'To Change the World' [see 2; he heavily references Nancy Pearcey], Lance Wallnau and Nancy Pearcey in her popular book 'Total Truth' [see 3], among others.  [1] [2] [3] [4]

[1972] The L'Abri now served via R.C. Sproul as inspiration for the Ligonier Valley Study Center, which later developed into Ligonier Ministries, which is distinguished by its teaching of Calvinism. [1] [2]

[~1976] The Presbyterian teacher Sarah Young, most widely known by the New Age book 'Jesus Calling', expierienced a New Agey mystical moonlight conversion at L'Abri, where she lived and studied, and first experienced the presence of a 'Sweet Jesus'. [1] [2] [3] [4]

[1984] Death of Francis Schaeffer.

[2011] L'Abri has now also residential 'Study Centres' in Australia, Canada, Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden, UK, and the US, plus 'Resource Centres' in Brazil and Germany.

Members include: Anglicans, Baptists, Church of God, Lutherans, Methodists, Roman Catholics, Presbyterians and Quakers.

1 Teachings which often contradict Scripture are principally inspired by Thomas Merton and Thomas Keating; Scripture is seen as secondary; many half-truths in their teachings; Universalism; rejection of Isaiah's prophecies pointing to Christ; sin is not normative prior to repentance; THEOS is not our judge; works-based 'self-transformation'; meditation with repeated 'sacred words' based on 'Christian mantras' of Zen-practicing Catholic monks; prayer using meaningless repetitions; teachings include Taoists, Zoroastrians, and Zenpracticing Catholics; discipline of solitude; homos**uality up for debate ... [1] [2] [3]

2 The movement has its own 'Renovaré Spiritual Formation Bible' which includes the Apocrypha.

It places a heavy emphasis on mysticism to the detriment of solid theology, and has packaged the mystical thinking of its editors Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, Walter Brueggemann, and Eugene Peterson into 'study notes'. The 'Bible' claims that 'Genesis' was not written by Moses, but borrowed from pre-historic mythology !!! Jesus is being described as a 'human agent' in Isa 9:6-7. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

3 Dallas Willard and James Bryan Smith are found­ing mem­bers of Ren­o­varé. Jack Hayford sat on the Renovaré Board. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

4 Presidents: Richard Foster (see separate discernment); 2008: Christopher Webb (an Anglican Benedictine Franciscan Priest); 2012 Executive Director: Rachel Quan; 2015 president: Chris Hall. [1] [2] [3]

5 Director of Community Life: Nathan Foster (son). His books are endorsed by Eugene Peterson, John Ortberg, Philip Yancey and Ruth Haley Barton; and include teachings from Brother Lawrence, Henri Nouwen, Thomas Merton; and are listed on Amazon as [Christian Books & Bibles > Catholicism]. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

6 Vice Chairperson: Richella Parham, she teaches in her books ideas from Dallas Willard and Richard Foster. She also quotes Thomas Merton. [1] [2] [3] [4]

7 The Canadian site includes extensive teachings from Bernard of Clairvaux, venerated in the RCC, an abbot, mystic and co-founder of the Knights Templars (a Catholic military order). [1]

8 They openly endorse Agnes Sanford through a dedicated part of their website. [1]

9 Promotion of books by John Mark Comer and Pete Greig (24/7 Prayer). [1]

1 During the 19th and most of the 20th century, it played a central role in racial segregation while opposing interracial marriage. In 1995, the organization apologized for its history. [1]

2 Strong prevalence of Freemasons in their ranks. In the 1990s, 14 percent of SBC pastors and 18 percent of deacons were Masons. At the June 1992 annual conference, an unsuccessful attempt was made by a minority of representatives to root Freemasonry out of the Convention. The SBC 1993 Report on Freemasonry states: "... consistent with our denomination's deep convictions regarding the priesthood of the believer and the autonomy of the local church, membership in a Masonic Order be a matter of personal conscience." [1]

3 Adoniram Judson, the 'great' missionary to Burma, was a Freemason, specifically a member of the fraternity 'Philermenian Society' since the year 1804 (even his son Elnathan became member of this fraternity, meaning that Adoniram continued his membership probably until his death). [1] [2] [3]

Judson's change to the validity of believer's baptism, and subsequent need of support, led to the founding of the first national Baptist organization in the United States and subsequently to all American Baptist associations, including the Southern Baptists that were the first to break off from the national organization. [1] 

4 In 2006, SBC President Gaines allegedly waited six months to fire a pastor who had confessed to sexual molestations. In 2018, investigations showed that the organization suppressed reports of sexual abuse and protected over 700 accused ministers and church workers. In 2022, a report indicated church leaders had stonewalled and disparaged clergy sex abuse survivors for nearly two decades; reform efforts had been met with criticism or dismissal from other organization leaders; and known abusers had been allowed to keep their positions without informing their local churches. In 2022, the denomination was facing a federal investigation into the scandal. In 2024, alleged abuse victims accused the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention of 'maliciously and systematically' covering up sexual abuse. [1] [2]

5 In the 1960s, the Southern Baptist Convention predominantly supported the abortion rights movement. In 1971, the SBC passed a resolution urging a loosening of abortion laws in the US. [1] [2]

6 Around 30% of SBC churches admit to be Reformed / Calvinists. In 2007, Ed Stetzer, said that nearly 30% of recent seminary graduates serving as pastors are Calvinists.

Robert D. Jones, who is a Calvinist, serves as associate professor of biblical counseling at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Similarly Heath Lambert. [1] [2] [3]

7 The highly problematic Billy Graham was an ordained Southern Baptist minister, spoke at 13 SBC annual meetings, served as a trustee of two SBC entities, and was even nominated for SBC president in 1963. [1] [2] [3]

8 Unfriendly takeover of McLean Bible Church through their middlemen Dale Sutherland and David Platt. Embezzlement of several million dollars. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

1 Significant Ecumenism. The book 'Tortured for Christ' endorses the Calvinist C.H. Spurgeon and Jesuit priest and psychotherapist Anthony de Mello. The movies 'Tortured for Christ' and 'Sabina: Tortured for Christ - The Nazi Years' endorses the 'Anglican Mission to the Jews', the 'Lutheran Church' and prominently features live music from Calvinists (The Gettys). The Chairman of the Board of Voice of the Martyrs Canada is Peter Jardine, an Anglican cleric.   [1] [2] [3] [4]

2 Financial abuse of donations. The CEO in the US paid himself in 2013 a yearly salary of $158,000. Their headquarters was custom-built with $28 million of the donations collected for persecuted Christians around the world. [1] [2]

3 For many years, Isaac Oluwole Newton-Wusu, the head of Voice of the Christian Martyrs (VOCM) Nigeria, had been raping and impregnating orphan girls at the VOM-financed St. Stephens Children Home in Abeokuta and then forcing them to kill their babies via abortions. VOM continued to finance them although having been aware of the court charges. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

4 Richard Wurmbrand's successor Tom White sexually abused a 10-year-old girl. Hours before his arrest, he committed suicide. 4 days after Richard's son asked for an independent investigation, he was laid off from VOM US. [1] [2] [3] [4]