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A TRUE AND FAITHFUL WITNESS
Are you committed to being a true and faithful witness to the Lord Jesus Christ of the New Testament Gospel?
Richard J. Foster: Quaker Mystic in “Evangelical” Garb
{If you are interested in this subject area you should obtain the 1978
copyrighted edition of Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth
by Richard J. Foster. For your investigation - I have heard that this edition
has many things in it which are not in subsequent editions. And if this is true,
it is not hard to figure out why - the false teachings are overly prominent
and, thus, easily exposed. They are "frightening!" This is convenient for
critique because he overtly states what might only be insinuated in later
editions or may have been left out but should be considered. Especially
since many of his ideas seem to be “bursting forth” in our day.}
The first chapter of Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster is titled
The Spiritual Disciplines: Door to Liberation. In the second paragraph he
states that the spiritual disciplines are for the purpose to explore the inner
caverns of the spiritual realm.
Have you ever seen in the Holy Scripture where this is to be the goal of the
Christian life?
Not only that but then he says in paragraph 5 that even people who are not
Christian should practice them because the only requirement is a longing
after God. Hmmm? Okay. One can only wonder how we long after the true
and living God without coming to Christ - but he makes room for it. See Acts
4:12
The title of the second chapter The Discipline of Meditation. Under this
introductory title he favorably quotes both Thomas Merton and C.G. Jung.
The first sub-heading is: Understandable Misconceptions. In this section he
exalts Catholic mystics and others: these would include Francois Fenelon,
Madame Guyon, Francis de Sales, George Fox, and Meister Eckhart and
favorably quotes Morton Kelsey.) He says there is a vast difference between
“Christian” meditation and Eastern meditation. (We are soon to find out what
his “Christian” type of meditation involves.)
His second sub-heading is: Desiring the Living Voice of God. In this section
he says that we abrogate our role as priests and sights the Old Testament
and specifically the people of Israel and Moses as examples. This is most
unfortunate. Because Moses was the Mediator and God spoke to him. And
through Moses God gave the priests instruction on how they should function
as priest, the nature of the mediation, and the function of the High Priest and
the nature of that mediation. And if you have read the Old Testament you
know that it is detailed instruction. And of course Jesus Christ is our only
mediator in the New Covenant. So he downplays the role of a Mediator yet
"boldly calls us to enter into the living presence of God for ourselves."
Well - it is true that if we are in Christ we are all priests unto God - but it is
ONLY because HE is our perfect High Priest, Himself. So it is HIS mediation
that allows us to be priests. And up to this point he hasn't made mention of
the fact that HIS mediation for us is known to us because we meditate upon
the objective Holy Scriptures. The Scriptures reveal to us just exactly how it
is that Jesus Christ is our Mediator. Meditation is not the mediation. Jesus is
the mediator. And He has sent the Holy Spirit to make known to us our
Mediator, Jesus Christ, as we meditate on the objective Scriptures. I don't
think I am overstating it when I say that up to this point Foster looks at
“meditation” as something special “for its own sake.” It is highly subjective
and man-centered. But you can read it and judge for yourselves. But if that
is all I had - I wouldn't be doing this review.
He has a further subheading in this chapter titled: How to Meditate - First
Steps He no where in this section has the Holy Bible as the object on which
our thoughts meditate! VERY REVEALING! Yet we are to be “open” to the
voice of God. And the only time he has anything about the Gospels in this
section is when he wants us to utilize all five senses in picturing the events.
(The objective thoughts of the texts understood by our minds is not
mentioned.) And yet he soon introduces the idea of being convinced that
dreams can be a key to unlocking the door to the inner world... (p. 23) and
then gives practical suggestions on how to insure this happens to the
greatest advantage.
His next subheading: How to Meditate - Specific Exercises He begins talking
about “centering down” and body positions in prayer. He then takes you
through a step by step process of "concentrating on breathing" with the
instruction become silent outwardly and inwardly. We are to be attentive to
the inward living Christ. And he should have added: Never mind that there is
absolutely no instruction anything like this in Holy Scripture! Never mind that
your “evangelical” church statement of faith probably says something like the
Scriptures are our SOLE authority for faith AND PRACTICE. Just do it
because this is a “door to the inner world” as he has stated.
Unfortunately, this is the door to opening your mind to the “spirit realm.” And
what is so amazing is that he conveys the concept as if we are to understand
that this is what a “Christian” is supposed to do. It is just "matter-of-fact." And
he assumes we all should know this and be helped in our spiritual growth by
doing this. Open yourself to the “spirit realm” through breathing techniques
and dreams. THAT HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH
CHRISTIANITY! In fact, “making contact” with the spiritual realm is strictly
forbidden in the Scriptures and neither you nor I have any idea of what the
consequences might be.
And this is where we can introduce the word “occult” into our discussion. (I
am using the word in its very broadest sense.) This word literally means
“hidden” things or “unrevealed” things. And no human being is supposed to
“look into” those hidden things. This is why God Himself communicates to us
Himself through His revelation - the Word of God. This is done by His Spirit
telling us the truths of who He is through the Scripture and relating Himself to
us by those means. Us knowing God is man-ward! I hope you understand
what I just said. It is because He saved us and sought us and is Himself our
High Priest who mediates Himself to us through HIS WORD that we can come
to Him. But we cannot pick our own path! Foster wants us to pick our own
path and call it gospel. He wants us to pick our own path and call it spiritual
growth. He wants us to pick our own path by entering into the spiritual realm
through techniques. And if you are an American you have the right to pick
your own path and you better not say my path is wrong. Plus, I have
wonderful spiritual experiences just like you. Really?
Foster in a nutshell says you can pick your own path and He will come to
you! (Foster has you “sense” the facts of Calvary as a present active
participant through your imagination and then says “Jesus Christ will actually
come to you.” p. 26) At this point you should get a good dictionary and look
up the word “conjure.” Because the real Deity CANNOT be conjured! We are
not supposed to make “contact” with the spirit realm or have anything to do
with it and then make the silly mistake of thinking “Jesus actually comes to
us” through our spiritual techniques. His true presence in us as Christians or
with us as we are assembled is NEVER conjured through inappropriate
means!!! If we think it is - the wrong deity(ies) is/are showing up and we are
being deceived.
The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed
belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of
the law. Deuteronomy 29:29 NASB
There shall not be found among you anyone who...uses divination...or one
who interprets omens...or a medium...For whoever does these things is
detestable to the LORD;... Deuteronomy 18:10-12 NASB
If this is not bad enough - he takes you through an experience of “guided
imagery” which I can only best describe as a self-induced trance like state of
mind. (p. 27) It is for the purpose of “inner communion” with God. You are
to picture yourself in a quiet place (he describes it vividly) where you end up
on your back looking up. You are to then have a deep yearning to go into
the upper regions beyond the clouds. And then he has you imagine your
“spiritual body” rising up out of your “physical body” for a soothing joy ride
into “outer space” for a brief period of time. And all this guided imagination is
for the purpose of you to rest in His presence and note carefully any
instruction given.
Never mind that the Bible doesn't give us any instruction in regards to us
using our fallen imagination as a means to contact deity!
Foster's book is a sad commentary on the state of those who read these
kinds of things and think they are special. Truth comes to us as light and lies
come to us as “light” and we should know the difference.
Critique of and quotes taken from: Celebration of Discipline: The Path to
Spiritual Growth by Richard J. Foster, Harper & Row Publishers, Inc.,
New York, N.Y., copyright 1978.
Copyright, David Sheldon, 2006, all rights reserved.
For More Articles Like This Go To: www.atrueandfaithfulwitness.com
{If you are interested in this subject area you should obtain the 1978
copyrighted edition of Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth
by Richard J. Foster. For your investigation - I have heard that this edition
has many things in it which are not in subsequent editions. And if this is true,
it is not hard to figure out why - the false teachings are overly prominent
and, thus, easily exposed. They are "frightening!" This is convenient for
critique because he overtly states what might only be insinuated in later
editions or may have been left out but should be considered. Especially
since many of his ideas seem to be “bursting forth” in our day.}
The first chapter of Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster is titled
The Spiritual Disciplines: Door to Liberation. In the second paragraph he
states that the spiritual disciplines are for the purpose to explore the inner
caverns of the spiritual realm.
Have you ever seen in the Holy Scripture where this is to be the goal of the
Christian life?
Not only that but then he says in paragraph 5 that even people who are not
Christian should practice them because the only requirement is a longing
after God. Hmmm? Okay. One can only wonder how we long after the true
and living God without coming to Christ - but he makes room for it. See Acts
4:12
The title of the second chapter The Discipline of Meditation. Under this
introductory title he favorably quotes both Thomas Merton and C.G. Jung.
The first sub-heading is: Understandable Misconceptions. In this section he
exalts Catholic mystics and others: these would include Francois Fenelon,
Madame Guyon, Francis de Sales, George Fox, and Meister Eckhart and
favorably quotes Morton Kelsey.) He says there is a vast difference between
“Christian” meditation and Eastern meditation. (We are soon to find out what
his “Christian” type of meditation involves.)
His second sub-heading is: Desiring the Living Voice of God. In this section
he says that we abrogate our role as priests and sights the Old Testament
and specifically the people of Israel and Moses as examples. This is most
unfortunate. Because Moses was the Mediator and God spoke to him. And
through Moses God gave the priests instruction on how they should function
as priest, the nature of the mediation, and the function of the High Priest and
the nature of that mediation. And if you have read the Old Testament you
know that it is detailed instruction. And of course Jesus Christ is our only
mediator in the New Covenant. So he downplays the role of a Mediator yet
"boldly calls us to enter into the living presence of God for ourselves."
Well - it is true that if we are in Christ we are all priests unto God - but it is
ONLY because HE is our perfect High Priest, Himself. So it is HIS mediation
that allows us to be priests. And up to this point he hasn't made mention of
the fact that HIS mediation for us is known to us because we meditate upon
the objective Holy Scriptures. The Scriptures reveal to us just exactly how it
is that Jesus Christ is our Mediator. Meditation is not the mediation. Jesus is
the mediator. And He has sent the Holy Spirit to make known to us our
Mediator, Jesus Christ, as we meditate on the objective Scriptures. I don't
think I am overstating it when I say that up to this point Foster looks at
“meditation” as something special “for its own sake.” It is highly subjective
and man-centered. But you can read it and judge for yourselves. But if that
is all I had - I wouldn't be doing this review.
He has a further subheading in this chapter titled: How to Meditate - First
Steps He no where in this section has the Holy Bible as the object on which
our thoughts meditate! VERY REVEALING! Yet we are to be “open” to the
voice of God. And the only time he has anything about the Gospels in this
section is when he wants us to utilize all five senses in picturing the events.
(The objective thoughts of the texts understood by our minds is not
mentioned.) And yet he soon introduces the idea of being convinced that
dreams can be a key to unlocking the door to the inner world... (p. 23) and
then gives practical suggestions on how to insure this happens to the
greatest advantage.
His next subheading: How to Meditate - Specific Exercises He begins talking
about “centering down” and body positions in prayer. He then takes you
through a step by step process of "concentrating on breathing" with the
instruction become silent outwardly and inwardly. We are to be attentive to
the inward living Christ. And he should have added: Never mind that there is
absolutely no instruction anything like this in Holy Scripture! Never mind that
your “evangelical” church statement of faith probably says something like the
Scriptures are our SOLE authority for faith AND PRACTICE. Just do it
because this is a “door to the inner world” as he has stated.
Unfortunately, this is the door to opening your mind to the “spirit realm.” And
what is so amazing is that he conveys the concept as if we are to understand
that this is what a “Christian” is supposed to do. It is just "matter-of-fact." And
he assumes we all should know this and be helped in our spiritual growth by
doing this. Open yourself to the “spirit realm” through breathing techniques
and dreams. THAT HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH
CHRISTIANITY! In fact, “making contact” with the spiritual realm is strictly
forbidden in the Scriptures and neither you nor I have any idea of what the
consequences might be.
And this is where we can introduce the word “occult” into our discussion. (I
am using the word in its very broadest sense.) This word literally means
“hidden” things or “unrevealed” things. And no human being is supposed to
“look into” those hidden things. This is why God Himself communicates to us
Himself through His revelation - the Word of God. This is done by His Spirit
telling us the truths of who He is through the Scripture and relating Himself to
us by those means. Us knowing God is man-ward! I hope you understand
what I just said. It is because He saved us and sought us and is Himself our
High Priest who mediates Himself to us through HIS WORD that we can come
to Him. But we cannot pick our own path! Foster wants us to pick our own
path and call it gospel. He wants us to pick our own path and call it spiritual
growth. He wants us to pick our own path by entering into the spiritual realm
through techniques. And if you are an American you have the right to pick
your own path and you better not say my path is wrong. Plus, I have
wonderful spiritual experiences just like you. Really?
Foster in a nutshell says you can pick your own path and He will come to
you! (Foster has you “sense” the facts of Calvary as a present active
participant through your imagination and then says “Jesus Christ will actually
come to you.” p. 26) At this point you should get a good dictionary and look
up the word “conjure.” Because the real Deity CANNOT be conjured! We are
not supposed to make “contact” with the spirit realm or have anything to do
with it and then make the silly mistake of thinking “Jesus actually comes to
us” through our spiritual techniques. His true presence in us as Christians or
with us as we are assembled is NEVER conjured through inappropriate
means!!! If we think it is - the wrong deity(ies) is/are showing up and we are
being deceived.
The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed
belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of
the law. Deuteronomy 29:29 NASB
There shall not be found among you anyone who...uses divination...or one
who interprets omens...or a medium...For whoever does these things is
detestable to the LORD;... Deuteronomy 18:10-12 NASB
If this is not bad enough - he takes you through an experience of “guided
imagery” which I can only best describe as a self-induced trance like state of
mind. (p. 27) It is for the purpose of “inner communion” with God. You are
to picture yourself in a quiet place (he describes it vividly) where you end up
on your back looking up. You are to then have a deep yearning to go into
the upper regions beyond the clouds. And then he has you imagine your
“spiritual body” rising up out of your “physical body” for a soothing joy ride
into “outer space” for a brief period of time. And all this guided imagination is
for the purpose of you to rest in His presence and note carefully any
instruction given.
Never mind that the Bible doesn't give us any instruction in regards to us
using our fallen imagination as a means to contact deity!
Foster's book is a sad commentary on the state of those who read these
kinds of things and think they are special. Truth comes to us as light and lies
come to us as “light” and we should know the difference.
Critique of and quotes taken from: Celebration of Discipline: The Path to
Spiritual Growth by Richard J. Foster, Harper & Row Publishers, Inc.,
New York, N.Y., copyright 1978.
Copyright, David Sheldon, 2006, all rights reserved.
For More Articles Like This Go To: www.atrueandfaithfulwitness.com
HOME
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Forty Days: Which Jesus?
PDL: God's Wisdom
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PDL: A Purpose-Shaped
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Tools?
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"Christ" of Apostolic Government
Mystical Christianity?
Tenney's Mystical Deity Chase
Richard Foster: Quaker Mystic?
Willard and "The Way of Jesus"
What Oswald Chambers
Might Have Thought About
Todays "Christianity"
Rick Warren
Forty Days: False Gospel
Forty Days: A Closer Look
Forty Days: Which Jesus?
PDL: God's Wisdom
PDL: Exalting the Fallen Creation
PDL: A Purpose-Shaped
Worldview
Antichrist
Will Antichrist Be Revealed
Before the Tribulation?
The Great Harlot
"Mystery" Babylon
"Emerging" Church
Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell - Part 1
Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell - Part 2
Church Growth Movement
Schuller, Hybels & Warren
Review of Schuller's "Self-Esteem"
False Apostles, False
Prophets, False Revival
River of Seducing Spirits
Spiritual Warfare Script
Deception of Spiritual Warfare
Flags & Banners...Spiritual Power
Tools?
Davidic Warfare/Worship?
Jesus of the "Signs" Now the
"Christ" of Apostolic Government
Mystical Christianity?
Tenney's Mystical Deity Chase
Richard Foster: Quaker Mystic?
Willard and "The Way of Jesus"
What Oswald Chambers
Might Have Thought About
Todays "Christianity"