Centering Prayer and Mennonites
Several years ago the Canadian Mennonite Brethren put out an article in the MB Herald called A Church in the image of God, about a new church in Vancouver, B.C. (Canada). It wasn’t really a church, however, it was to be “a multi-campus church expression” called Imago Dei (Latin for “Image of God”).
If the BC MB Conference, with whom Imago Dei is affiliated, knew about the contemplative direction Imago Dei was taking, there was no warning in the MB Herald other than a small mention of “a contemplative service featuring Taize-styled worship” at the end of the article. That alone should have been a red flag.
Today if you log onto the website of Imago Dei, you will find numerous writings from the pens of contemplative mystics from the past and present on spiritual issues and prayer.
For example, here, they list and quote Richard Rohr (one of Oprah’s friends)
of the Center for Action and Contemplation, which teaches the contemplative social gospel.
But especially disturbing to those who have done their research are all the quotes on Imago Dei by Thomas Keating, the father of centering prayer. There is also a piece by Basil Pennington on centering prayer (bottom of the page here).
To see why this is a major concern and a departure from biblical truth, see these:
Who is Thomas Keating?
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/keating.htm
The Danger of Centering Prayer
http://www.bibleguidance.co.za/Engarticles/Centering.htm
Keating, Kundalini and Contemplative Prayer by Brian Flynn
http://onetruthministries.com/KundaliniContemplative.htm
Kundalini Energy (Serpent Power) Same as Contemplative Silence
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/index.php?p=745&more=1&c=1
This last article states:
“According to Thomas Keating, the father of the modern day centering (contemplative) prayer movement that is sweeping widely within evangelical circles, the silence or sacred space that is reached during contemplative prayer/centering prayer is the same state that is reached during what is called kundalini.”
Another fact not known to many who are following these contemplative methods is that Thomas Keating and Ken Wilber teach together about centering prayer (see here). There is more about Ken Wilber on Wikipedia, but if you click on any of the links to his websites, please use caution and discernment, as they are very New Age and may be offensive.
Unfortunately, it has become very obvious that instead of searching the scriptures, as their forefather Menno Simons did, to see if these methods are biblical, the post-modern Mennonites are centering on a dangerous form of eastern meditation instead of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the truth of His Word.
They need to take a lesson from the Bereans:
“Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11
If Menno could see them now!!
ROM Index: HIGH ALERT!!!
Prayer Centering
It is rather interesting that prayer centering is becoming so popular. Is this because it gives people a ‘good’ feeling or is it because we can see results?. But prayer for the born again believer must be bible based. Jesus said to His disciples “…your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before you ask Him”. What a comfort to those who know God as their Father. Jesus also said “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward”. Those, who pray to Jesus, are not to put on a show. “But when thou, prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” Mathew 6:5. This is a promise by the Son of God, to those who are “born of God”.
When Jesus was on earth we read in John17:20 “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word”. Jesus prays to God on behalf of those who would believe on Him because of the disciples’ word.
When God’s children find it difficult to know how to pray the Holy Spirit intercedes for them, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” Rom. 8:26. But note the Holy Spirit intercedes “according to the will of God”, “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God”, not according to the ‘will of man’ Rom. 8:27. Is it not wonderful that we can know the wiil of God, ” “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” Rom.12:2. It is needful that we search the Scriptures “daily” to find the will of God. Jesus promised that He will “manifest myself to him” John 14:21. He also said “…when the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth;” John 16:13. Is this not enough, what more do we need??