EP. 90 - Contemplative Prayer and the New Monks: A Dangerous Deception

In Episode 90 of Discerning the Drift, Addie K. Miller continues the investigation into contemplative spirituality and its growing influence within evangelical Christianity. Building on previous discussions about Richard Foster, Thomas Merton, Henry Nouwen, and the emergent church movement, this episode examines the teachings of Brennan Manning and the rise of what some have called the "New Monks."

Drawing from John Caddock's analysis of Manning's book The Signature of Jesus, Addie explores the language, practices, and theological concepts associated with contemplative prayer, centering prayer, spiritual formation, practicing the presence, and altered states of consciousness. The episode highlights concerns that many of these practices originate from monastic mysticism, Eastern meditation techniques, and New Age spirituality rather than biblical teaching.

Listeners will hear an examination of how terms such as salvation, prayer, spiritual growth, and union with God are being redefined within contemplative circles. The discussion also explores the influence of figures such as Thomas Merton, Richard Foster, Karl Rahner, Meister Eckhart, Teresa of Avila, and other mystical writers whose teachings continue to shape modern spiritual formation movements.

Addie warns that contemporary Christianity is increasingly being challenged by teachings that prioritize personal mystical experiences, inner consciousness, and contemplative practices over the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. The episode encourages believers to carefully test every teaching, compare spiritual practices with the Word of God, and remain grounded in biblical truth rather than subjective spiritual experiences. 

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Dive deep into scripture with Addie as current events, teachings in the modern church, testimonies, trends, important biblical teachings, and the sweeping drift away from the basic truths in the Bible across the modern-day Church are all brought to light to be tested only against the infallible, un-changing, Word of God on Discerning the Drift.

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