we’ve been getting a bit of heat from a web article accusing us of embracing eastern religions (here’s the article). This isn’t the first time, of course. Sabbath took tons of hits. Yac did also. And YS has been maligned for years by the LighthouseTrails “research” website .
A couple days ago I got an email from a youth worker who’s been adding some contemplative elements to his youth ministry, and taking a bunch of heat for it. this week, a church member sent him the above article. This youth worker was just looking for some help, and asked three questions (that I thought were good questions). So I took the time to write a fairly long response; partly because I thought we should help him; and partly because I wanted to form some thoughts and responses for what i expect to be an ongoing parade of these complaints and questions.
The youth worker’s questions are in bold; my responses in normal text.
I received this link from a church member today. In her note and in a previous meeting, she brings up the proximity of emergent practices to New Age and eastern mysticism, which I respectfully disagree as a thought pattern grounded firmly in 20th century fundamentalism and in absence of 19 centuries of church histories.
I was wondering how you respond to this type of criticism. I am all about listening to all sides of arguments since I surely am not an authority on everything. At the same time, the more I try to educate and introduce old things responsibly, the more flack I get. So here are a couple of things I wonder about this article.
1. Do you think that the statement “that you introduce students to yoga or to contemplative prayer practices where you say a word over and over again to put yourself into what Youth Specialties says is a ‘semi-conscious state” is something that came from YS or was that something misread from something you’ve published?
Well, first of all, the only place we ever offered “yoga” (it was called “yoga and stretching”) was at the National Pastors Convention. It’s never appeared as a suggestion in any Youth Specialties materials (for youth ministry), nor have we had it at our National Youth Workers Convention. So it is a bit ludicrous (actually, flat out false) to say that YS introduces students to yoga. But that said, yoga is really just about stretching and slowing down. Sure, yoga, I suppose, could focus on Hindi or Buddhist gods or something – but it can also focus on Christ. We received a couple stomping-mad complaints about the yoga at the National Pastors Convention, saying “putting your body in those positions invites Hindi gods to enter your body.” I’m sorry – this just sounds like heresy to me. If we don’t believe Hindi gods actually exist, then why are we concerned about them entering our bodies? And even for those who would say this is about other dark spiritual forces in the world; well, as believers, we have no fear of them. So the whole “don’t put yourself at risk by doing these stretching exercises” argument is just lost on me.
On saying words over and over again: well that sure is taken out of context. It’s not like we would suggest someone grab any word (“Tree!” “Towel!” “Beer!”) and chant it over and over again – which is her implication. There is a wonderful spiritual practice, however, of repeating a phrase from the Bible and seeing what God reveals to you about it (or about Him, or about you). It’s prayer: not a chant. I think of this as similar to rolling a really good piece of chocolate around your mouth to get the full flavor. The argument against this I’ve heard is the scriptural passage about not praying idle words. But these aren’t idle words – they’re the God-breathed, inspired words of scripture! Again, the application of this line of reasoning against praying scripture sounds darn close to heretical to me.
Short answer: yes, I think they’ve completely misread and misrepresented what we’ve suggested in publications, and what we offer at events. But even if they hadn’t misrepresented things, they would probably still not “like” what we ARE suggesting!
2. Were you or anyone at YS contacted for this story?
No, certainly not. I’ll be honest: this type of article is RARELY researched. Had we been contacted, we would have been more than happy to engage in dialogue about what we are and aren’t promoting. There’s a website (lighthouse trails research) that has been maligning us for years on this issue (I’m sure it was one of the sources for the article you forwarded). Look at the list of people and ministries they malign, under the heading “Avenues Through Which Contemplative Spirituality is Entering the Church … “:
-
Rick Warren and the Purpose Driven
The Emerging Church
The Alpha Course
Brian McLaren
Contemplative Prayer
Global Peace Plan
The Message
Willow Creek
Leonard Sweet & Quantum Spirituality
Interspirituality
Youth Specialties
Labyrinths
Richard Foster and Renovare
Brennan Manning
Robert Schuller
Association of Christian Counselors
Misguided Pastors
North America’s Seminaries & Colleges
Ken Blanchard
Robert Schuller
I’m not sure whether to laugh at this (I mean, how did YS ever get on the same list – any list! — as some of these people? And, The Message and Rick Warren and Willow Creek are somehow ushering in Eastern Religion? And, how did Robert Schuller get on the list twice?) or be honored that we’re lumped together with some of these people and organizations.
This organization (lighthouse trails), as well as the book referenced in the agape press “news” piece (I find the name of that news agency to be highly ironic) have a few very interesting (and revealing, and not very helpful) approaches:
-
a. They do not connect with anyone to verify anything. They merely form opinions (which they call fact) based on books and web stuff.
b. They are HUGE into “guilt by association”. For instance: if an author writes a book with a questionable comment in it, and one of our authors says it’s a worthwhile book to read (which, of course, to reasonable people does NOT mean an endorsement of everything in the book!), and we’ve published the endorser, we get accused being part of the problem. There’s a great example of this on the lighthouse trails site (actually, dozens of them): there’s a section called “How are Youth Specialties and Thomas Keating linked?” They have a page about how Thomas Keating is terrible for this or that. Then, they link to a very old webpage from the YS Sabbath event (which hasn’t been offered in three years) that suggests a Thomas Keating book as reading. This is how we are “linked”!
c. This one really troubles me: they seem to (I’m not 100% sure on this, but it seems to be the case) malign anyone who even suggests that we should listen to God. Their position SEEMS to be that God said everything God will ever say in scripture, and that’s that. So this is where people like Rick Warren get lumped in – he has suggested, in print somewhere, that listening to God is a good thing (actually quieting yourself and physically/spiritually listening); and that constitutes eastern mysticism to these folk.
d. They seem to be very threatened by questions. For instance (this is hypothetical, but along the lines of the methodology they often employ): if I were to ask the question, “is there more to understanding the Cross than just Jesus paying the price for our sin?” These people would instantly write me off. Questions (as opposed to answers) seem to be a very quick route to being added to their list.
3. Surely you’ve heard this argument against ancient spiritual disciplines… especially since there are some which share names with Eastern practices, how do you combat the differences between Eastern mysticism and the upsurge in popularity of Christian disciplines?
A few responses:
-
a. Christianity IS an eastern religion. It has all its roots in the East! It’s a bit baffling to me that people lose sight of this, and insist on creating a false separation between eastern religions and (apparently) western Christianity.
b. All truth is God’s truth. By this I do not mean that all roads lead to God. Quite conversely, I’m saying that all truth – any truth that exists on earth or anywhere else in the created universe – emanates and originates from God. Since we are co-heirs with Christ to all God has created, God’s truth is ours to claim. If a Buddhist is using a breathing exercise to bring some peace to her life, well, bless her. But that should have no bearing on whether or not I choose to focus on my God-created breath – every single breath given to me by a loving God – as a way of focusing my otherwise distracted attention on my God.
c. There is a rise in interest in eastern mysticism – this is true. But it doesn’t freak me out. God’s response to Moses, when Mo asks what he should say when the people ask who his God is: I AM. In other words, “the fact that they do not know who I am has no bearing on who I am.” So I don’t spend a ton of effort on “combating” eastern mysticism. Sure, I want kids to understand their faith – which includes theology, not only experiences. But I want them to live their faith – not just understand it. Jesus says, “follow me”; not, “learn about me.” It’s active and lived and calls for experience.
To wrap it up a bit: Youth Specialties exists to serve youth workers; and we are driven by our passion for Jesus, and for helping youth workers expose teenagers to the passionate Jesus who loves them so perfectly. We serve the whole church, from every imaginable denominational persuasion. We’d love to serve the people who are accusing us of ushering in eastern religions – though I doubt they’ll want to be served by us.
amy, go to http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/cp.htm and you will find many links and articles written by other authors about comtemplative prayer, labyrinths, etc. A good book is “A time of Departing” by Ray Yungen which you can order off lighthouse trails web. Also go to Eastern Rejional Watch at http://www.erwm.com/TheLabyrinth.htm where there is a good article about labyrinths. Karen Graves
Hey Marko,
Just got back from YS2005 in Nashville. Thanks again. I don’t know about all of this stuff. I love Jesus and am trying to show my kids about Jesus. I think we all can spend some time with him and he will speak to us. I know that I need to spend more time with him. I like the YS events because everything makes you think and look at what you believe and why you believe. I struggle everytime I leave one of your events and I’m thankful for the struggle. I am a mess and we all are. I don’t get involved with the prayer labrynth and all the other things but I don’t know if I feel comfortable with it. I thank you for the opportunity to be able to get resources and things for people that I don’t naturally relate to (youth 11-20). I’m now 37 and all I know is that Jesus loves me and he died for my messy stuff. I pray for you and everyone here on this blog, including myself. If we are wrong, I pray that our Lord Jesus shows us and that we will be smart enough to realize it. If we aren’t smart enough to realize it, I just love that he will forgive us. Thanks for YS, I was turned on to the conventions in 2003 and have returned 2 years in a row. I can’t wait until next year. Question: What’s up with moving everything away from the east coast? Thanks for everything.
Junior
I’ve been in a big quandary as to whether I should jump in on this … but silence (joke completely and totally intended) sometimes isn’t my strongest suit. I guess, most of all, I’m kinda sad that JESUS keeps getting missed, here.
Just for the record (and specifically for Deborah Dombrowski), I’d be extremely happy to admit EXACTLY what it is YS is “really up to.” May I point you to Marko’s summary statement near the end of his original blog entry on this: “Youth Specialties exists to serve youth workers; and we are driven by our passion for Jesus, and for helping youth workers expose teenagers to the passionate Jesus who loves them so perfectly.” And to our statement of what YS believes: http://www.youthspecialties.com/about/statements/believes.php — the first of which is “We believe in Jesus.” And to our Guiding Principles: http://www.youthspecialties.com/about/statements/principles.php — the second of which is calling the church to be more like Jesus. And yes, to the entire body of my beloved late husband’s life works (Mike Yaconelli, the founder of this “evil empire”) which are so full of Jesus you’d have to be in a coma to not recognize it. He was indeed the most Christ-inhabited man I’ve ever known.
I think some of the most hurtful, destructive things one Christian can do to another is to question the veracity of someone’s faith in Christ and to malign and misconstrue the purity of someone’s motives and intentions regarding their work for the Kingdom. Of course, I’m terribly saddened to see Lighthouse, et. al. behaving in this manner with regard to Youth Specialties. (This, of course, doesn’t apply to all of you who so thoughtfully — and nicely — expressed your questions and concerns.) However, it doesn’t cause me to question the veracity of the people at Lighthouse’s faith. And while I admittedly fall a little short on being unable to question their motives or intentions, I wouldn’t presume to assign them.
Frankly, it’s very difficult to not get wildly angry and craft an extremely scathing and shaming reply — and believe me, I’m capable of doing that far better than most – but the presence of Christ in my life bids me to refrain. (OK,OK, I admit to one little jab in paragraph 2). Instead, I will simply and plainly state that YS is, and always has been, firmly anchored and grounded in the Grace of God and His gift of love as expressed through the redeeming, atoning, and sacrificial death of His Son, Jesus Christ on our behalf. And we are all about sharing that Good News and bringing people (especially youthworkers and teenagers) into relationship with Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit. Period.
As for the whole yoga thing – all I can say is that I was pregnant (and yes, that was MANY years ago, now), and my back was killing me. And the doctor had me get on my hands and knees and alternately hunch, then arch my back … and yes … then push up to my hands and feet with my butt up in the air (there’s a nice visual for a woman great with child, don’t’cha think? If ever there was a way for demons to enter, this had to be it!). In terms of the back pain, these exercises really did help. Many years afterward, I found out they were yoga exercises – something about a cat, and a “downward-facing dog.” All these years later, I remain demon free. (Neither did that baby in my womb — now 27 years old — become a devil child.)
Karla Yaconelli
Extremely Proud, Honored, and Humbled to be the Owner of a Christ-centered organization like Youth Specialties
And I didn’t post at 3:15 a.m., for Pete’s sake! It’s 11:15 p.m. where I am.
Karla
Karla,
I fail to see how it is “hurtful” or “destructive” to point out the fact that contemplative prayer (which YS promotes) is indeed an occult mystical practice. Would you, for instance, think it unloving or uncharitable to warn a loved one of the dangers in dabbling with Ouija boards? Before you respond, please consider those who will read your comments. Souls are in the balance.
Jimmy
Karla,
I am from India (born and bred) and have seen and heard more about the spiritual realm than the average Westerner has ever dreamed of therefor will say this.. It is a HUGE mistake to dismiss simple Yoga stretches as NEVER being associated with the practice of Yoga, an ancient spiritual discipline deeply rooted in Hinduism.
To understand Yoga one has to dig quite deep and not settle for a superficial understanding.
To believe that Hatha yoga is simply concerned with physical development and good health is over simplifying the problem and drawing a VERY fine and very dangerous line. When all is said and done Hatha Yoga’s “physical postures are specifically designed to manipulate consciousness”.
There is a possible distinction between the stretches and spiritual practices, ONLY at the very early stages. So considering the dangers why would a Christian ever want to begin this process?
It would be irresponsible to claim that these stretches are not harmful.. They may or may not not have been to you, but how about the next person who does not have a clue as to where that fine line is.
Carol Brooks
hey marko! i’ve been reading a few of your blog entries today in an effort to get a better grasp what you believe. a previous comment had the url to the ys faith statement “Important Stuff YS Believes (a.k.a., Statement of Faith)” which proved to be helpful since, as i understand, you are an important leader with this group. i have never heard of this group, it’s ministry, or anything like that (probably because of location), so my comments and questions have no bias toward anyone or any organization. many times in your exchanges here with different people you have made comments about how the “I believe (the Spirit has confirmed in my own soul) these practices bring us closer into communion with our living God,” and my question is this: do you check these convictions in light of scripture as we should about any conviction? What does the bible say about praying in “meaningless repetitions” (Matt 6:7)? A reference to repetition by another eastern religion is mentioned in 1 Kings 18:26 when the prophets of baal were requesting their prayers to be answered, and this is not a “thumbs-up” toward this type of practice. You also say, “practiced by believing christians for hundreds, if not thousands, of years” as a reason for it’s being O.K. First of all, who are you referring to and where did that information come from. And secondly, even if people have been doing this for centuries, doesn’t make it right. The same could be said of polygamy – it was practiced for thousands of years and by some of the key men of the faith, Abraham, Jacob, and David (to name a few), but that does not mean that this was done in accordance with the will of God, so we cannot use these men as examples of why we (if we were so inclined) should or could practice this.
Also (not necessarily related to this post), but do you think that the Gospel and the message of Christ is offensive (meaning that it offends my conscience to hear what God says about me in relation to Him [law] making the sacrifice of Christ [grace] necessary)? My understanding of the emergent Church and people like Rick Warren and others try to make the gospel in-offensive in order to bring people into the church gathering without being members of the Church (Bride of Christ). I may be misunderstanding the emergent church and other modern movements, and am willing to learn. Thanks for your time in reading and (hopefully) responding to this.
for His Glory alone.
[By the way, I think that it is a bad idea to describe Christianity an eastern religion (as stated by you in one of your previous comments). It is true that all of the events of the bible (people, places, nations, etc) all were in the Middle East or Asia, but to make the over-generalized comparison of Christianity to Buddhism, Hinduism, and whatever other types of eastern mystic religions is reckless and wrong. To be fair, you didn’t equate it with these in your comments that I have read, but you did reference Christianity as an eastern religion, and because of its broad and non-specific context it gives the impression – intended or not – that I have mentioned]
in my writing the previous comment, I neglected to mention (if it is not understood) that i am questioning the contemplative prayer. sorry for the possible confusion.
I THINK THAT YOU SHOULD JUST LEAVE RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES AND RITUALISTIC IDEAS UP TO THE POPE AND THE CHURCH. WE HAVE NO RIGHT CHANGING THE WAY ST. PETER STARTED UP THE CHURCH AND WILL PISS OFF GOD BY CHANGING THINGS TO BETTER SUIT OUR LIVESTYLES. READ YOUR BIBLE AND YOULL GET IDEAS ON WHAT TO DO AT YOUTH ACTIVITIES CENTERS , AND YOGO IS EXERCISE NOT A RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY, UNLESS YOUR HINDU.
Hello:
I stumbled onto the article about you at LightHouse Trails. I enjoyed reading your response and all the following comments. I realize by now this is old stuff but since I just read it I will comment. I would first like to recommend a wonderful new book, “The Lost Art of Practicing His Presence”, by Jim Goll which is available on Amazon.
I quote him, “For centuries, the Christian Church has virtually abandoned to the enemy the arena of “spiritual” experiences and supernatural encounters. It’s time that we in the Church got over our fear of being deceived. Many of us have been reluctant to enter into the inward life for fear of tapping into the wrong kind of spirit or of proceeding in an unbiblical manner. The fact is, the enemy counterfeits only things that are genuine and authentic. We can no longer afford to sit idly by while satan lures and deceives the world with his cheap, false imitations of the precious truths of God. With holy boldness and Spirit-power we must stand and reclaim the land of meditation, contemplation, quietness, revelation, ecstasy, visions, and angelic encounters for His names sake!”
I would suggest if anyone disagrees to please read his book which represents a years work of research done in preparation for his book. Everything he presents is completely backed by scripture. I doubt if anyone who commented on this subject can say they’ve given that much time to research historial documents recording early practices of the first church which did begin in the east.
Thanks for listening.
Sharon
PS. Can you give me links to find out how to create a labyrinth? Thanks.
Sharon,
Could you tell me what passages of Scripture support the practice of contemplative prayer?
Thank You,
Jimmy
I challenge anyone on this site to provide me biblical support for contemplative prayer (i.e. “the silence”, “centering prayer”). Because some monks in the third century utilized this form of mind-emptying occultic practice, is hardly evidence that it is condoned in the Bible.
Jimmy
DEAR MARKO;
BLESSINGS BROTHER AS MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU IN YOUR EFFORT TO BRING THE ACCURACY OF GODS WORD INTO THE LIGHT AND NOT THE TRADITIONS OF MEN. YES! ON YOUR POINT OF FACT THAT CHRISTIANITY IS EASTERN AS IS JUDISM, HINDUISM, ISLAM AND THE FAR EAST FAITHS. NOW THIS IS A CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE NOT A SPIRITUAL ONE, MEANING TO UNDERSTAND THE INTERPRETATION OF THE BIBLE, AS IT IS NOT OPEN TO PERSONAL INTERPERTATION,1PETER 1:20 “KNOWING THIS FIRST THAT NO PROPHECY OF THE SCRIPTURE IS OF ANY PRIVATE INTERPRETATION” – ONE MUST UNDERSTAND THE CULTURE IN WHICH IS IS PRESENTED NOT FILTER IT THROUGH ANOTHER CULTURE ESPECIALLY ONE THAT IS SO OPPOSITE TO THE ONE IN WHICH GOD GAVE HIS HOLY WORD TO. OUR SOCIETY IS ROMANIC IN ITS ORIGIN A WESTERNIZED CULTURE WHERE THE BIBLE IS EASTERN IN ITS PERSPECTIVE. IF WE DO NOT STUDY TO SHOW THY SELVES APPROVED RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH (EXCERPT 2 TIM 2:15) WE PUT OUR SELVES IN DANGER OF FOLLOWING SEDUCING SPIRITS AND DOCTRINES OF MEN. THIS DOES NOT MEAN WE MEDITATE ON INNACURATE SPIRITUAL TEACHINGS THAT COULD DO US HARM. THE BLOOD COVENANT WITH JESUS, THE RESSURECTED SON OF GOD, IS STILL THE ONLY WAY WE ARE INVITED INTO THE FAMILY OF THE MOST HIGH GOD. WE MUST HOWEVER, STUDY TO WHO THE WORD WAS DELIEVRED AND HOW THEY AT THE TIME UNDERSTOOD IT. WE NEED TO CAREFULLY DIVIDE THE WORD OF TRUTH IF WE DO BELIEVE IT IS THE WORD OF TRUTH AND MUST GIVE IT ITS FULL RESPECT. THIS AGAIN INCLUDES ITS CULTURE, TO WHOM THE BIBLE WAS GIVEN TO, HOW THEY UNDERSTOOD IT AND INTERPRETING THE WORD BY VERSE, CONTEXT, AND WHERE IT IS USED BEFORE, INTERPRETING THE WORD BY THE WORD. PLEASE BROTHERS AND SISTERS LETS SHOW OUR FATHER OUR FULL LOVE AND RESPECT TO HIM AND NOT OURSELVES AND CAST OFF ANY PRECONCIEVED NOTIONS OR DOCTRINES ABOUT HIS PRECIOUS WORD AND LETS START WITH A HUMBLE HEART TO FIND OUT WHAT GOD SAYS AND NOT WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TOLD HE SAYS. AGAPE AND BLESSINGS UPON ALL OF THE FAMILY OF GOD
ELIZABETH HAMMONDS
marko, you basically have said here that since you don’t believe hindu Gods exist then what is there to fear? I think that this thought of yours is at the root of the problem as to why you think Yoga is harmless when used the way you find it to be harmless. Definitely, if you don’t believe “hindu gods” exist than I do see you would not fear yoga. The problem is they do exist, not as gods but as demon spirits. Some call them gods, the bible calls them false gods or demon, anti-christ spirits. And they do exist and they are not harmless, as you suppose. And when we willingly involve ourselves with them, it is an abomination to the Lord. YOUR “slight” problem is that you are causing many to stumble and you don’t know it and they don’t now it. It has SOMETHING to do with that spirit of delusion that God has sent in the last days. karen
Lighthouse Trails hasn’t gotten back to me on my accusations because Deborah is too busy to police her own helpers because she is too busy attacking others.
A forum was set up by another to help promote Deborah’s site and the board owner holds a false view of the Trinity. Deborah has said she would go to her pastor(s)about it but she hasn’t gotten back to me. The hypocricy is more about making money at publishing books about others’ heresy instead of being concerned about heresy in her own camp.
Well, I streched all the time when I do some kind of exer. but I don’t associate it with yoga. Yes, Hindi, Bud, have no god that exist that we know of. But again, this religions behind it no doubt in mind is no other than Satan. Any cultic, or mystic, or any eastern religions, behind it is no other than the mighty Satan. Now I know many Christians will argue that there is no harm done, but, again, if it is not written in the Bible, it is most likely, Satan the adversary is the one brewing it.
But every person is accountable to what they do, so if you are a Christian and want to associate yourself to yoga garbage, this it is your business, and try to explain that to Jesus Christ, when you face Him in the future. Chow, for me, Yoga is nothing but a clever way for Satan to trap those back slidden Christians.
A bit late in coming, but I now have several articles up dealing with Lighthouse Trails and their slander campaign — see http://abanes.com/lighthouseintro.html .
Most of my comments deal with how they have repeatedly misrepresented Rick Warren and related issues (which would included YS). You might also find some interesting and relevant information in my list of materials on Warren that cover many of his critics, who seem to be from the same heresy-hunting gene pool as the ones going after YS. It’s kind of interesting (see http://abanes.com/myarticles.html , under Rick Warren).
R. Abanes
Loving: “ Love is the highest energy and the most powerful one of all. In intending, there must be love so that creativity and abundance can take place. Love is the expression of you to grow and become what you are capable of being. For instance, if you are not doing what you love, you are actually moving away from the The Power of Intention. You begin to attract more dissatisfaction, disharmony and darkness into your life. On the other hand, if you love what you do, you are at the highest state of creation.”
Well obviously secret, is entrenched in witchcraft , so lets not be deceived.Its a sad humor to see so may people being deceived, from looking to the pope to think they can twist and contort the scriptures to try and legitimize these deceptive practices birthed in hell.A wicked and perverse generation seek after a sign.The Master said it on the cross IT IS FINISHED!! there is no need to add anything to the WORD OF GOD. You are complete in Him, by faith not experience.
I struggle with some of the arguments against contemplative prayer.
Firstly, the idea that a Christian, saved by Jesus, is in danger of some kind of spirit because they choose to stretch has no theological justification in my mind!
Secondly, to people who say ‘is contemplative prayer in the bible’, well I don’t know, but I could imagine its not by name. But nor is the hymn sandwhich many churches use, nor are paid ministers in the New Testament.
But what I struggle with most is the judgemental attitude of some who posted here. I would like to believe that if a good arguement were posted I would change my mind. Sadly comparing Christian spiritual practices to witchcraft and the occult is not a good argument. How many religions sing songs to their God? How many football crowds sing songs to their team? Is sung worship therefore occult or secular?
I found this page by typing in the phrase “Christianity is an Eastern religion.” I am an Orthodox Christian and am proud to say that yes Christianity is an eastern religion. I don’t think anyone would argue that Palestine, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria and all the other strongholds of the earliest known Christian communites are located in the west. Christ himself is called the “Sunrise of the East.” I am heartened to see Evangelical Christians moving toward a mystical form of Christianity, which is what it has been since the beginning. The use of the repetition of the name of God goes back to the prophets and the use of the “prayer of Jesus,” the repeated invocation of God using His name, which is Jesus, has roots in the earliest Christian writings. Could it not be that the practices of the East, even in such ways as Krishna consciousness, which could have been a perversion of the Christianity which was taught to them and mixed with hinduism, could be the devil’s counterfeit to the real mystical truth which the devil would have experienced before his fall? I write all this in the hope that you will, in your explorations, investigate the mystical sprituality of the Orthodox Church. Do not worry about your critics, there have been biblical rationalists since the beginning, trying to cut out the mystical truths of the faith and they have always failed and been condemned as heretics by the Church.