John Crowder and “The New Mystics”

Posted by Ingrid Schlueter in Emergent Church, Religion on February 8th, 2010 | Comments

Researcher and author Jackie Alnor reviews John Crowder’s book, The New Mystics. She begins by saying,

In analyzing a book that promotes itself as a manual on “how to become a part of the supernatural generation,” it must be approached with prayer and humility. The temptation to condemn everything in the book risks trampling upon holy things. John Crowder, in his book “Miracle Workers, Reformers and the New Mystics” mixes the holy with the profane. Discerning between the two, especially in gray areas, is a giant task for any believer to take on.

So this analysis will highlight the spiritual quicksand in the book so that fellow pilgrims won’t fall into the mire, just like the two travelers in the book, “Pilgrim’s Progress” put up a road sign warning others not to go the way leading to the slough of despond.

We must watch out for the schemes of the enemy of our souls and hold fast to the Word of God. God is supernatural and His gifts are not to be rejected. But the counterfeit powers of the spirit of antichrist are also metaphysical but are a snare to our souls leading many into spiritual quicksand.

Jackie’s review is important for several reasons. The “new mysticism” is not just being promoted by mainline denominations and the emerging church. It is also part of the charismatic and Word of Faith teachings. Additionally, mysticism is also being promoted within the Southern Baptist Convention. Mysticism is crossing all denominational lines. Take time to read Alnor’s review of Crowder’s book. It will help you understand this trend and where it is taking the church.

Dan

I've had a few dealings with Crowderites (and I use that term deliberately, as they are nowhere and nothing like followers of Jesus), mostly in the form of online Facebook discussions, and the aggressive, proud, occultic and anti-Christian spirit present within them is indeed a wonder to behold. Even if I knew nothing of their unbiblical theology, I would know them as ministers of Satan purely by their behaviour and intolerance towards the true followers of Christ. Make no mistake, the spirit behind these new-age mystics is wholly devoted to the destruction of Biblical Christianity and the conversion of unstable Christians to a mystic, false and new-age Christ.
Maranatha!

Ron42

Commenting as a (Charismatic) pastor who has just been through a painful church split: I've found that the spirit of this movement can be even more dangerous than its teachings. When a group in our church found out that we weren't receptive to mystic teaching and practices, they dedicated themselves to our destruction. The rest is history. Thanks for the article.