What is the difference between God’s miracles and mysticism? Amy and Michelle discuss a growing trend in the church that borrows mystical elements from Buddhism and Hinduism and melds or syncretizes them into Christian practices. Mysticism in the church is as old as the church itself, and has been rightly called out over the centuries as unbiblical. But it is a trend in our time as many Christians are now bringing in these practices and normalizing them.
Sadly, a lot of it comes through the church doors from women, bringing in teachings into women’s ministries on Reiki, chakras, crystals, magic energy oils, yoga, karma, energy fields, and even Ouija boards and tarot cards.
Resources:
What is the New Age? A White Paper Amy Spreeman, Berean Research
Christians Mystically Encountering God Berean Research
“Christian” Tarot Cards and Fortune Telling – Fighting for the Faith, YouTube video
The Spiritual Formation Movement – Berean Research
The Interface of Medieval Mysticism and Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation Berean Research
Mysticism: Its Origin and Impact on Contemporary Christian Thought Berean Research
Books and articles by former New Agers:
- The Beautiful Side of Evil by Johanna Michaelsen
- A Wonderful Deception by Warren Smith
Thank you, bless you and Walk Worthy!
Thank you for posting this. Not enough people are talking about it. The Spiritual formation movement is so dangerous and justified in 90 percent of Christian Universities. I have friends who are deeply into it and I’ve shared the Truth about it with them. They disagree that it’s mysticism and say, “well this is ‘Christian’ spiritual formation which is different and encourages biblical ‘disciplines’ and deeper sanctification”. I’m saddened that they don’t want to see the truth of it. It’s not in the Bible. Slapping the Title “Christian” on something, doesn’t mean it’s Christian. Test all things in Scripture!
I agree, Kristi. It’s as if some folks are unwilling to hear.