Claremont School of Theology Embraces Interspirituality

Following up on a recent post about the interspirituality at Claremont School of Theology, Worldnetdaily’s news story quotes leaders from the school who believe that their embracing of other paths to salvation other than Christ is a cutting-edge way to make peace and be like Jesus.

Saying that not all Muslims – or Christians or Jews for that matter – believe their faith is the only way to God, the United Methodist Church’s Claremont School of Theology has launched a program to train leaders for the often-conflicting faiths together.

The unorthodox program was announced on the website for the school, and detailed in a statement released by school media-relations officer Claudia Pearce.

President Jerry Campbell declined to be interviewed, although a video of a news conference with him was featured on the school website.

Christians, Muslims and Jews will now have the opportunity to take classes together to learn about each other’s religious traditions, to study topics that deal specifically with interfaith issues and to build bridges through coursework that assists them, our society’s future religious leaders, to act collaboratively in response to the various issues that face our society and world,” the statement said.

The statement from Pearce said the program the school calls “the university project” isn’t compromising the basic truths of Christianity.

In answer to a question concerning the reality that all three faiths have exclusive truth claims, the statement says only some of each religion’s followers hold to exclusivity.

“There are a variety of beliefs regarding exclusivity in each of the traditions, and not all Christians, Jews and Muslims believe that their way is the only way,” the school said. Read the WND piece here.

How the Shack Seduced Evangelicals

There is an excellent new book out that warns about the heretical teachings of The Shack, a book which has been widely hailed by evangelicals. Worldnetdaily.com offers this assessment of the new book:

As a seminary professor and a former colleague and neighbor of the author of “The Shack,” James De Young has a unique perspective on the mega-best-selling work of fiction that has captured the hearts of many wounded Christians and skeptics and become the topic of sermons and Bible classes in churches nationwide.

While well aware of the testimonies of many who claim they have experienced emotional and spiritual healing from the book’s portrayal of God, De Young warns in a newly released book of his own that “The Shack” author William Paul Young’s primary intent was not to tell a good story that happened to contain theology but to teach an unorthodox view of God he claims changed his life.

Undergirding “The Shack,” De Young told WND in an interview, is an age-old heresy – universal reconciliation – that diminishes the work of Jesus on the cross and the holiness and justice of God by asserting that everyone eventually will be saved from eternal damnation.

Get “Burning Down ‘The Shack’” autographed by author and professor James De Young now exclusively at the WND Superstore.

Paul Young has vigorously and repeatedly denied he is a universalist, but De Young says he was personally acquainted with Young’s spiritual journey over more than a dozen years. De Young points to a 103-page paper Young wrote that presented his embrace of universal reconciliation and rejection of the “evangelical paradigm.”

DeYoung’s new book, by WND Books, is his attempt to warn of “The Shack”‘s seductive theology and present what he believes are the biblical answers to the questions it raises.

“I think it is very clear ‘The Shack’ is written to teach theology,” said De Young, a New Testament language and literature professor at Western Seminary in Portland, Ore. “It’s not just written to tell a mystery story.” Read this story here.

Crosstalk Today: Jim Wallis at Lifest, Jim Wallis Exposed

Political and religious Leftist, Jim Wallis of Sojourners, will be the speaker at the huge Christian rock festival known as Lifest held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin every year. Wallis is not only an open supporter of our radical pro-death President, he is an advocate of interspirituality where those of every religious tradition drink from a common spiritual well. His economic program for this country is socialism and the Marxist redistribution of wealth. He will be influencing tens of thousands of young people at Lifest.

Crosstalk will be addressing the radical teachings of Jim Wallis and his role as political front man for the emerging New Spirituality. We will also be asking how supposedly evangelical Christian organizers of this event could be so spiritually blind and historically ignorant as to promote someone like Jim Wallis. Tune in live at 2pm Central as I interview Mary Danielson who has written a booklet called, “The Gospel According to Sojourners.” Here is just an example of what Mr. Wallis supports.

Hindus Ask World Council of Churches to Sponsor Interfaith Summit

Newsblaze.com reports the following:

Hindus have welcomed “inter-religious dialogue and cooperation” program of World Council of Churches (WCC).

“In our increasingly pluralistic societies, more inter-religious dialogue and cooperation are needed if conflict fueled by religion is to be constructively addressed… we must learn to live our faith with integrity while respecting and accepting each other”, this WCC Program points out.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that serious and honest interfaith dialogue was the need of the hour and WCC, being one of the largest religious organizations of the world, should come forward in organizing one.

Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, suggested that WCC should invite leaders of major world religions and denominations and initiate the dialogue. Story here.

Pro-Homosexuality Anglicans Seek U.S. Government Help

Well, the United Methodists initially pulled ahead in the race towards hell today with their spiritual blender seminary announcement, but the Episcopals, running a close second, have now won by a nose at the finish line. This news broke late today, giving the Hall of Shame prize to the Episcopalians.

“Liberal Episcopalians want the U.S. to punish Africa for not accepting homosexuality. Will the Obama Administration heed their calls for cultural imperialism? ” – Jeff Walton, IRD Anglican Spokesman

WASHINGTON, June 11 /Christian Newswire/ — Decrying as “missionaries of hate” U.S. Christians who preach in Africa against homosexual practice, a former bishop of the Anglican Church of Uganda has called upon western countries to use their influence to promote acceptance of homosexuality in Africa.

During his appearance in Washington, Christopher Senyonjo was hosted by Bishop Gene Robinson of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, the first openly homosexual bishop in the Anglican Communion. The two spoke at the liberal Center for American Progress about anti-homosexuality legislation in Uganda, which they blamed on U.S. evangelicals. They also called for a broader effort to decriminalize homosexual practices in Africa. Senyonjo’s appearance at CAP was part of a six-week speaking tour of the United States, sponsored by Integrity USA, an unofficial homosexual caucus in the Episcopal Church.

While Senyonjo has been removed from the Episcopate by the Church of Uganda, he continues to portray himself as an Anglican bishop. During his visit, Senyonjo was scheduled to meet at the White House with foreign policy officials of President Obama’s administration.

A talk on June 8 between Robinson and Senyonjo began with opening remarks from Michael Posner, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Posner said he was there to “lend the support of the U.S. government to this very important subject.”

“LGBT rights are human rights and we are working on a daily basis to promote them as we would any other human rights,” Posner said.

“Where I hope we are headed is to discover the enormous diversity in human sexuality,” Robinson said. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were as many sexualities as there are human beings?”

IRD Anglican Spokesman Jeff Walton commented:

“Not content to compel Americans to surrender to their agenda of constantly fluid notions of gender and sex, liberal Episcopalians who resent Africa’s traditionalist beliefs now want the U.S. Government to compel poor African societies to bend to permissive, secular Western mores.

“These same liberal Episcopalians and other U.S. religionists are often indifferent to international religious persecution, even when churches around the world are under attack. For them, seemingly sexual freedom is more important than religious freedom.”

www.TheIRD.org

Christian Newswire

Seminary Plans Cross-Training with Other Faiths

John Wesley would certainly be surprised to see what his Methodist offspring are up to now. Just when you think the Episcopalians take the prize for the most revolting displays of apostasy, the United Methodists close in and pass them up.

According to a Christian renewal alliance, a California seminary affiliated with the United Methodist Church is revisiting its plans to launch schools of ministry for non-Christians.

Two years ago, officials at the Claremont School of Theology (CST) set in motion its plans for “The University Project” to “rethink classical models of theological education” as part of an effort promoting “interreligious cooperation” and training leaders in a number of religious traditions such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and others. One of the objectives, according to the project website, is to teach students to recognize the “legitimacy and integrity” of other religious traditions they will encounter in society. Read the story here and here.

Lifest 2010 to Feature Leftist Revolutionary Jim Wallis

Lighthouse Trails reports on the upcoming speaking gig for political leftist and apostate evangelical, Jim Wallis. Let’s just say that progress has been made since the time that guys like Wallis hung out in camouflage attire at backwater conferences held at run down hotels. They are now triumphantly coming into their own, discipling clueless evangelical youth in the economic doctrines of Karl Marx and anointing the redistribution of wealth as the real “gospel.” You’ve been warned.

On July 7-11, emergent-liberal leader, Jim Wallis, will be one of the speakers at Lifest 2010 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. After you read this article, you will understand why Lighthouse Trails and others are so concerned that evangelical ministries, such as evangelist Luis Palau, (who will share a platform at Lifest with Wallis this July), Cedarville University (who recently had Wallis speak to their students), and Joel Rosenberg (who recently shared a platform with New Age sympathizer Leonard Sweet) are co-mingling in public venues with those who promote opposition to the biblical Christian faith – a co-mingling that is helping to bring about the spiritual decline and apostasy in the Christian church today. Here’s more from Lighthouse Trails.

Franklin Graham Uninvited to Pentagon Prayer Service

Rev. Franklin Graham has been uninvited to the Pentagon prayer service because of his true and biblical statements about Islam. Two points:

1. The US military is increasingly going on record as hostile to historic Christianity. They want an American civil religion that passes politically correct muster. That civil religion would include most of the other religions of the world…except Christianity. Not surprisingly, an Islamic cleric, known for his anti-Christian hate speech, is attending the Pentagon prayer service in good standing with our military.

2. The outrageous double standard aside, Franklin Graham should take it as a compliment that he was uninvited to the American pantheon of idols to offer up a prayer along with the pagans. God is not honored by these heathen American solemn assemblies where they pray to the moon god, or the thousands of gods of Hinduism or any other counterfeit god of mankind’s imagination and then intone the name of the Almighty as though He is just one of many. It’s an insult to the One True and Living God to participate in such an event.

The National Day of Prayer has increasingly been just another meaningless expression of our polytheistic culture. It’s no coincidence that Franklin Graham was uninvited. The shock should be that he was invited in the first place.

“…And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you…”

–2 Corinthians 6:15-17

Word has it that the Pentagon prayer service planners are looking for a better choice than Graham to represent “Christianity.” It will be interesting to see who will agree under the circumstances.

To the Army officials who uninvited Graham, a reminder from Kipling’s Recessional as our nation recedes from greatness:

If, drunk with sight of power, we loose
Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe–
Such boasting as the Gentiles use
Or lesser breeds without the law–
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget – lest we forget!

USA Today Carries Eckhart Tolle Puff Piece

New Age author and teacher, Eckhart Tolle, was featured this week in USA Today. He believes he’s a spiritual leader whose time has come. Disturbingly, the same concepts Tolle talks about, going into the silence to find peace and shutting down your mind, are being taught by emergent and evangelical authors and leaders. The new mysticism is making its way into evangelical churches in a big way. For more on that click here for a listing of just some of the evangelical leaders now promoting contemplative spirituality.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Are you weighted down by your past? Anxious about tomorrow? Stewing over how to face today?
Stop. Drop those thoughts. Breathe. Be still. Just be.

Spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle will tell you this is the ultimate path to inner peace, available to you any time. All you have to do is let go of all your thoughts.

Of course, that’s a lot trickier than it sounds. Hence, Tolle’s soaring popularity as a guide to living in the present un-tense.

His most recent book, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose, a sequel to his earlier best seller, The Power of Now, has sold 6 million copies. When Oprah Winfrey read it, she was so inspired that she invited him to co-host a 10-week set of Internet seminars on how to simply be. So far, 35 million people worldwide have viewed these “webinars.”

In July, he launched Tolle TV, an Internet channel featuring his videotaped teachings and meditations. And his 2010 speaking tour, from Australia to five countries in Northern Europe to the USA, winds up in Madison Square Garden this fall.

Religious critics have called him the Antichrist for claiming you can save yourself, no God or Jesus required. Secular critics call his ideas and looping ways with language New Age twaddle.

This is someone who in conversation uses the term “is-ness” (the state of “being in the now”) who, when he says “human being,” means “being” as a verb. “I am, you are” — and nothing more need be said.

Sort of. Actually, it takes many words to map out an earthly path to Tolle’s “new heaven.” Read the USA Today article.

Build-a-Faith is Hot

Like the Build-a-Bear chain offering countless ways to build a stuffed bear, evangelical churches now offer Build-a-Faith where nothing is too pagan, too occult, too unbiblical to encounter “God” and build a faith that’s right for you. This article from the L.A. Times reports on the popularity of Christian yoga where you can “breath down Jesus” at evangelical churches.

Rayna Mike said she was skeptical of yoga before she started going to Brock’s class at the Church at Rocky Peak, an evangelical congregation. “I never did it before because I considered it Eastern philosophy and I didn’t want any part of it,” said Mike, a Bel-Air businesswoman.

Mike changed her mind when her trainer at the Church on the Way in Van Nuys recommended the yoga class, and she said the practice has improved her health while feeding her soul.

“You can go and sweat anywhere, but that’s not the point,” she said. “This is a beautiful thing. It’s an answer to my prayers.”

Brock completed a 200-hour accredited course in Phoenix designed by Brooke Boon, author of the book “Holy Yoga.” Boon has trained nearly 200 Christian yogis, about a dozen of whom are teaching in Southern California.

“Christ is my guru. Yoga is a spiritual discipline much like prayer, meditation and fasting,” Boon said in a telephone interview. “No one religion can claim ownership.”

Here’s one group that is proud of its “do-it-yourself” religion under the guise of a new Christianity.

“These days, religion is intellectual masturbation. It’s not experimental enough,” said Mark Scandrette, the founder of the group, called ReImagine, and author of the book “Soul Graffiti.“

So what does Scandrette’s new thing look like?

After Scandrette moved to San Francisco from Minnesota 12 years ago, he began calling himself a recovered fundamentalist Christian. He says he was like many young Christians who migrate to the Bay Area from a conservative setting: burned out on institutional Christianity, but not ready to give up on Jesus. Rather than focus on the savior from eternal damnation, he wanted to focus on Jesus as a guru of simplicity, a fighter against poverty and oppression.

“We think spiritual formation that’s really vibrant looks more like a karate studio than a conference hall,” he said. “It’s like a Jesus dojo.”