John Crowder and “The New Mystics”

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.



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6 Responses to “John Crowder and “The New Mystics””

1. Ron42 says:

   February 8, 2010 at 7:03 pm

   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.

   Reply
2. "reformed" says:

   February 9, 2010 at 1:43 pm

   New Mystics: Some recent research has shown John Crowder, his wife and Ben Dunn have buddied with Jay McDaniel, professor of religion at Hendrix College, AR and Northwest Nazarene University, Idaho, to engage in “Tokin the Ghost” at the Slosh Fest in Wales this year. See: http://www.the newmystics.com and http://www.emergewales.com/SloshFest_2010.html.

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3. "reformed" says:

   February 9, 2010 at 4:08 pm

   Nazarene Mysticism: See more on Jay McDaniel at: http://sadnazarene.wordpress.com and a site for faithful Nazarenes trying to counter emergence Christianity and mysticism within the denomination: http://www.concernednazarenes.org/page12.php.

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4. "reformed" says:

   February 9, 2010 at 8:27 pm

   More Kansas based Nazarene mysticism, youth ministry not to be overlooked:
   Mike King's Youth Front at: http://www.youthfront.com and http://www.youthfrontzone.com
   First Third “theology conversation” at http://www.firstthird.org, sponsored by Mike King (of http://king.typepad.com) which will include Dr. Kenda Dean of Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN (specialist in “passion”), and Dr. Andrew Root (specialist in “relationality”).
   One of Mike King's associates is Chris Folmsbee whose Barefoot Ministries (http://www.barefootministries.com) and http://www.anewkindofyouthministry.com, peddles a youth book series (10 books) categorized as “Ancient Faith Series: Lectio Divina for Youth”.

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5. "reformed" says:

   February 9, 2010 at 9:08 pm

   YouTube video of Crowder's & Dunn's testimony of their perpetual “Jehovajuana” high, “intoxicated” interpretation of Pentecost, and other blasphemies, backed up by a passing reference to Piper, for the benefit of addicts who are on crack, but who will not “crack” the Bible. The message here is explicit: “There is no greater high than the Most High”, and you can get an equivalent high if you put your trust in these two. Not a single mention of Christ as Saviour and Redeemer.

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6. "reformed" says:

   February 9, 2010 at 9:10 pm

   See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNdlexU4eT4.

   Reply