Critical Issues Commentary A BIBLICALLY BASED COMMENTARY ON ISSUES THAT IMPACT YOU

July/August 2004 Issue Number 83

found in the . I will claim that CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN DIVINATION those who borrow practices from the B Y B OB D E W AAY pagans and try to use them as means to come to sin in the same manner “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with Jeroboam sinned. great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves CAN MAN DECIDE HOW teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the TO COME TO GOD? truth, and will turn aside to myths.” (2Timothy 4:2-4) In the previous issue of CIC, I argued that methods are not neutral: either here was a king in Israel who decid- of Aaron’s words. C. F. Keil comments, humans can come to the true God by any ed that he could set up his own “What Jeroboam meant to say by the means that they see fit or God restricts Tway of coming to God. This king’s words, ‘Behold thy God,’ etc., was, ‘this the means by which we can come to story will provide a needed warning for is no new religion, but this was the form Him. This was proven by the fact that those today that do likewise. of worship which our fathers used in the various forms of divination are forbidden The king was Jeroboam. Jeroboam desert, with Aaron himself leading the where divination is defined as any tech- received a prophecy that God was going way.’”1 He did not mean that the calves nique used to gain secret information to tear 10 tribes away from Solomon literally brought them out, but that they that God has not chosen to reveal. If and give them to him (1Kings 11:31) were representative of God who had we could come by any means, then tarot because of the idolatry of Solomon brought them out. Keil goes on to argue cards, Ouija boards, crystal balls, psychic (1Kings 11:33). Solomon then decided that rather than instituting an entirely powers, etc. could all legitimately be to put Jeroboam to death, but Jeroboam different religion, Jeroboam was altering used to contact God. Since certain tech- fled to Egypt until Solomon died (1Kings the worship of God to suit his religious niques are forbidden, then the claim that 11:40). At Solomon’s death the proph- and political needs. Says Keil, “The sin humans can come to God by any means ecy came true and Jeroboam became of which Jeroboam was guilty consisted whatsoever is unbiblical. Therefore, we king over the 10 northern tribes. in the fact that he no longer allowed the conclude that God has restricted the However, once God had made people to go to the house of the Lord means of coming to Him and worship- Jeroboam king, Jeroboam became con- in Jerusalem, but induced or compelled ping Him. cerned. He reasoned: “If this people go up them to worship Jehovah before one or There are restrictions. The question to offer sacrifices in the house of the Lord at the other of the calves which he had is, “Who determines them?” The options Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will set up . . .”2 are that individuals determine them for return to their lord, even to Rehoboam king Jeroboam thought he could come themselves, traditions determine of Judah; and they will kill me and return to to God anyway that he saw fit, that the restrictions, or the Scriptures deter- Rehoboam king of Judah” (1Kings 12:27). he could institute his own version of mine the restrictions. I argue that if So, being a pragmatist, he set up two worshipping God. Prophets of God spoke individuals determine the restrictions for convenient houses of worship: Dan in to him (1Kings 11:31; 13:1; 14:7-10) themselves, there are no restrictions. A the northern part of the realm and Bethel and he was healed by God (1Kings good example is Morton Kelsey, the most in the southern. Then he made priests 13:6), but in the end he was judged as an prolific writer among twentieth century out of non-Levites and instituted his evil doer (1Kings 14:10-14). Jeroboam Christian mystics. Kelsey, open to any own feast day, hoping to keep the people saw no need to follow the prescriptions religious practice that will help in the from going to Jerusalem as required by of Torah concerning how Israel was to “inner journey,” writes, “The inner jour- Torah. worship God. How wrong he was! ney is as individual as our thumbprint. To further make the new way of wor- I believe that God reveals the only We need to guide others on their way shipping God amenable to the people, means by which we can legitimately come and never impose our way upon them.”3 he placed a golden calf in each place of to Him. In this article we will examine Many Christian mystics opt for the worship: “So the king consulted, and made the claims of contemporary Christian second option -- church traditions. They two golden calves, and he said to them, ‘It mystics who assert that they have dis- find that mystics and their practices is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem; covered methods to contact God, hear existed from the very early days of church behold your , O Israel, that brought His voice, and even see inner images of history.4 It is surprising that contempo- you up from the land of Egypt’” (1King that come alive and speak: methods rary evangelicals sometimes cite Catholic 12:28). His words reminded the people borrowed from worldly sources and not and Eastern Orthodox traditions to jus- July/August 2004 2 Issue Number 83 tify their practices; but many do. They divine “force” is within each person to Pharisees took an inward journey using usually try to also find Biblical support, be tapped into if they only knew the laws meditative techniques they would find but such support cannot be found with- that govern that force.7 God’s kingdom! out twisting the Scriptures. Another twentieth century mystic I believe that Scripture alone deter- who taught of the kingdom within was ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS mines the valid means of coming to Ruth Carter Stapleton, the 1970’s teach- In 1980, the movie “Altered States” was God. The Scripture reveals one obvious er of inner healing and sister of President released. It was about a man who used restriction: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the . She wrote, “The concen- hallucinatory mushrooms and an isola- way, and the truth, and the life; no one trated mind is more amazing. It can tion chamber to achieve a terrifying comes to the Father, but through Me’” become a vehicle for communicating altered state of consciousness. The movie (John 14:6). The Bible not only reveals with the core of our being which Jesus showed the dangers of such a journey. 8 the only way to salvation, but it also called ‘the kingdom of God within.’” Interestingly, many of the teachers of provides the means of grace for living the Morton Kelsey also taught this: Christian mysticism also warn of dangers Christian life. God does not leave this up “What meditation does mean is a way that lurk for those who journey within. to man’s ingenuity. He has not left us to for us to unlock and open the door to Kelsey, who learned his version of sift through the religious practices of the the kingdom of heaven. Jesus began his Christian mysticism by integrating many cultures of the world in order to choose ministry by proclaiming that this holy diverse religious practices with the depth 9 which ones to “Christianize.” Those who kingdom was within us and among us.” psychology of Carl Jung,12 claimed that do are modern day Jeroboams who will Jose Silva taught that the kingdom of below our rational consciousness lays a not grant to God the right to tell them God was within us and that we needed whole inner world where one meets the how God will be worshipped. to get into an alpha brain wave level and “Other.”13 The problem is that when our right brain hemispheres to unlock people learn techniques to access this 10 THE CLAIMS OF CHRISTIAN MYSTICS the powers of the kingdom of God. inner realm beyond the conscious mind, Silva is the founder of the Silva Mind In the past few weeks I have studied they often meet horrible forces of dark- Control method that boasted 6 million many books written by Christian mystics ness. According to Kelsey, evil exists followers in the 1980’s, but Silva is rarely between 1947 and 2004. Comparing their there that is both intrinsic and extrinsic confused with evangelicals. 14 teachings, one to another, has led me to to the human psyche. Some who go on Mystics latch onto the idea of the conclude that these mystics differ little this journey do not have a strong ego kingdom within because the idea gives a in their practices and their use of the and a strong connection to the outer, compelling reason for a “journey inward.” 15 Bible. I will cite many of their works, material world, and cannot get back. It dovetails nicely with the thinking explain their beliefs, and show how If it is so dangerous (as other Christian of people in a culture influenced by what they practice flows from their basic mystics besides Kelsey also admit), why New Age ideas and post-modern thought. beliefs. go there? The answer is that mystics Go deep inside of your self through an think that God is to be found within. Eastern technique, and there you will THE KINGDOM “WITHIN” Since the realm of the unconscious mind, meet God, or so they think. But does the demonic powers, Jesus Christ and His One common theme is that the kingdom Bible teach that the Kingdom of God is kingdom, and any other spiritual reality of God is inside the individual. Agnes within human beings? The passage they is hidden from us through normal means Sanford was an early pioneer in bringing are referencing is Luke 17:20, 21: “Now of knowing, they think special teachniqes mysticism to twentieth century evangeli- having been questioned by the Pharisees as are needed. Kelsey describes his beliefs: cals. Her book “The Healing Light” to when the kingdom of God was coming, was originally published in 1947. In it He answered them and said, ‘The kingdom There are various techniques for she said this about the kingdom of God: of God is not coming with signs to be opening up the tight capsule of “‘The kingdom of God is within you,’ observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it space and time. Zen and Yoga, said Jesus. And it is the indwelling light, is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom paying attention to dreams, prayer, the secret place of the consciousness of of God is in your midst.’” The phrase contemplation, meditation, and the Most High that is the kingdom of “the kingdom of God is within you” is the use of biofeedback all can be Heaven in its present manifestation on found in the King James and the NIV. helpful for some people in reaching this earth.”5 Sanford believed there were I believe that the context favors the stillness and opening themselves laws we needed to learn to “turn on” so NASB translation. Jesus was not telling to new experiences within. . . . that we could release God’s power and His enemies, the Pharisees, that the There is a real danger in much work miracles. “Learning to live in the kingdom was within them, but that it of Eastern thought and in our kingdom of Heaven,” she goes on, “is was among them in the person of Jesus own scientific probing into the learning to turn on the light of God Christ.11 If they were going to enter the mind, but is not because there is within.”6 Since she does not explain the kingdom, they would have to repent something dark and evil lurking gospel in Biblical terms, one is left with and turn to Christ for salvation (see in either of them. The danger lies the impression that what she calls the Mark 1:14, 15). There is nothing in this in the fact that Eastern ways of passage that would suggest that if the prayer and scientific interest in July/August 2004 3 Issue Number 83

altered states of consciousness do hope of learning something about the of meditation: not go far enough. The road stops unconscious or subconscious mind or once the relaxation, the peace and contacting the world of the spirits. A person may become open to the detachment, or the extrasen- Christian versions of it suggest that God telepathy and thus know what is sory perception is achieved, and can be contacted by purposely entering going on in other people’s minds, then one is left to wander.16 an altered state of consciousness (though to precognition, . . . to clairvoy- few like to call it that). ance, . . . or to psychokinesis (one’s Kelsey thinks that those on the “inner Foster claims that what he often thoughts have some kind of direct journey” have to navigate the dangers receives through meditation is guidance effect upon physical objects, includ- and press further inward until they meet for solving problems and living a better ing healing of humans beings). God there and find wholeness. life, approvingly citing Kelsey to that These capacities are often found Richard Foster also mentions the end.22 He points out that people who among Hindu gurus, Zen masters, danger: “So that we may not be led are not religious have other uses for or anyone who uses deep medita- astray, however, we must understand that meditation: tion, as well as among Christian we are not engaging in some flippant . They appear to be one of work. We are not calling on some cosmic It may have value in dropping our the results of continued medita- bellhop. This is a serious and even dan- blood pressure or in relieving ten- tion. There is danger, of course, gerous business.”17 sion. It may even provide us with if people enter meditation just to Many Christian mystics think the meaningful insights by helping us find these capacities.28 “kingdom within” is a realm to be get in touch with our subconscious explored by spiritual pioneers who will mind. But the idea of actual con- Kelsey is very frank about the fact that the brave the dangerous journey. Those who tact and communion with a spiri- actual practice is the same for Christians have done so can become guides or tual sphere of existence sounds or people from other religions, as well as “masters” to help the uninitiated on their unscientific and faintly reasonable. the results. Kelsey says, “Alpha waves 29 journey. Kelsey writes elsewhere, “Indeed If you feel that we live in a purely are apparently induced in the brain.” He I would suggest that everyone who is physical universe, you will view even suggests that rhythmical breathing serious about relating to the spiritual meditation as a good way to obtain that is taught in various meditative prac- realm find himself a spiritual director, a consistent alpha brain-wave pat- tices, Christian and otherwise, may “go if there were more men trained and tern.23 along with alpha and theta wave activity in the brain.”30 experienced in this way.”18 He goes on to say for those who live Richard Foster laments the lack of Kelsey, who has done more research in a universe created by an infinite, per- “living masters” and claims that people and writing on this topic than any recent sonal God, meditation is a communica- are turning to Eastern meditation because Christian author, believes that any tech- tion between the “Lover and the one nique that works can be adopted by the church has “abrogated the field.”19 beloved.”24 Since the same techniques If Foster was right when he wrote that Christians regardless of its source. He are being used, this means that when in 1978, he should be very encouraged says, “When we are clear enough about the alpha level is achieved there we now because today the church is awash our own point of view, we can find help hear from God. Christian mystics com- in mystical practices. Some of the most in the methods of Eastern mune with God in an altered state of popular Christian authors promote mys- or in the ways of the Far East, perhaps consciousness. by consulting the I Ching or through tical practices from the middle ages.20 Morton Kelsey describes altered states We now have our own “living spiritual mandala contemplation; we may even of consciousness and the benefits of them. masters” who are putting on seminars in find help in the ways of shamanism or He describes various versions of Eastern a city near you. Islam. If we are clear about where we religion which enable the “conscious The type of meditation that Christian stand and the direction we must take, mind to halt.”25 Writes Kelsey, “In both mystics advocate requires a different such methods may be useful in order to Yoga and Zen meditation, the activity 31 state of consciousness than normal, follow our own way to the end.” The of the brain changes. Alpha and some- awake, thinking. That is why there is so end for Kelsey is described as follows: times theta waves are produced, and in much interest in dreams among mystics. “Only as the whole person is turned both of these the capacity of the mind Sleeping is one time that all humans toward the meditative process does the changes.”26 He says, “[P]sychic gifts often are in a different state of consciousness. experience of the Divine expressed in depend on a state of relaxation like this. 32 The alpha level of brain activity hap- Jesus Christ become a reality.” My ques- The most gifted psychics often have to pens when people are entering sleep and tion is: how does he know it is really relax to the point where silence begins waking up. The theta level is a where Jesus Christ he is meeting through these to take over before they can tune in to people go under deep hypnosis or deep techniques? The assumption apparently these gifts.”27 The following material is meditation, and in the early stages of is that if a Christian goes into an altered Kelsey telling what sort of capacities can state of consciousness using pagan tech- sleep.21Hypnosis and eastern meditative be gained by being in an altered state techniques purposely put someone in an niques, the Christian will meet Jesus of consciousness through Eastern forms altered state of consciousness with the there. Those of other religions evidently July/August 2004 4 Issue Number 83 do not. This is a dangerous assumption. slowly to come forward until your expose ourselves, as it were, to His Kelsey may sound extreme, but con- chin nearly rests on your chest. eternal shining and so receive His sider this: he has a book published by Do this for several moments, pray- image upon ourselves.41 an evangelical publishing house, and ing inwardly something like this: This type of thinking takes away God’s in the 1970’s was an author popular ‘Lord, I exhale my fear over my sovereign right to declare the terms by with people in the Charismatic renewal. geometry exam, I inhale your which we must come to Him and makes Richard Foster quoted him approvingly. peace. I exhale my spiritual apathy, 36 Him a part of the universe to be tapped Greg Boyd in his recently published Seeing I inhale Your light and life.” into by those who know the secret. It Is Believing also promotes a version of strikes me that many of these mystical mysticism and cites Kelsey approvingly. Morton Kelsey suggested using the “Jesus techniques are like “conjuring up” God. Boyd calls his own practice “resting in prayer” (“Lord Jesus have mercy on God does not allow that! Christ” and equates it with one of Kelsey’s me”) repetitively in conjunction with practices.33 Other authors may be better breathing, citing several medieval sourc- 37 REPEATED WORDS AND PHRASES at “sanitizing” Eastern mysticism when es. Kelsey summarizes, “The ancient Christian traditions of hesychasm38 they integrate it into their Christianity, As we saw in Kelsey’s description of the stressed the use of the Jesus prayer and but Kelsey is more honest about where it Jesus prayer, breathing techniques can an imageless sense of God’s presence comes from and more unabashed about be used in conjunction with a repeated as well as awareness of breathing. The explaining the various issues about mysti- phrase to enable the Christian mystic to essential element linking these practices cal practices. These practices do invoke empty the mind and find “the silence.” was the search for silence, for inward an altered state of consciousness involv- The repetition of a word or phrase, over stillness.”39 ing gaining an alpha brain level similar and over, as part of meditation became Agnes Sanford had a slightly differ- to hypnosis. Calling it “resting in Christ” popular in this country with the practice ent process, but still spoke about breath- or by any other name does not change of Transcendental Meditation. TM uses ing. Here is Sanford’s technique: the nature of the practice. the names of Hindu deities, repeating We will now examine some of the In order to receive God’s life in a particular one (given to the devotee) techniques that Christian authors have the body, we must first be able to over and over in an attempt to silence promoted to put people into the form forget the body so that we can the mind. Christian mystics who use of “altered” consciousness we have been quiet the mind and concentrate similar techniques try to dismiss the simi- describing. the spiritual energies of God. . . larities. They often argue that Christians . Many people find it helpful to lost their ability to enter the inner world TECHNIQUES FOR THE JOURNEY meditate with the feet raised, rest- of silence because of Western rationalism INWARD ing upon a footstool or even upon (all of the mystical writers I read blame BREATHING TECHNIQUES another chair. . . . The one who the West and rationalism for the lack of prays will discover the reason for Eastern practices in the church). Ruth Most Christian mystics recommend con- this as he connects more and more Carter Stapleton writes: necting prayer to breathing (we showed closely with the life of God. . . . He why earlier, because rhythmic breathing will notice as he relaxes that even The seldom-considered art of lis- is helpful in achieving alpha level brain- his breathing is altered, becoming tening to God is learned as we bring waves). Ruth Carter Stapleton recom- slow, thin and light, as if to leave ourselves to the place of attentive mends that a person sit upright and erect room for the Spirit of God with- silence. Because as human beings 34 in a chair. To enter meditation she in.40 we need silence, and because our has a breathing exercise: “At last, seated noisy Christianity tends to ignore or lying down, use your breath as an Sanford emphasizes immanence so much that need, into that void has expression of inspiration. . . . Breathe so that she scarcely distinguishes the rushed a variety of Eastern medi- in deeply before meditation, repeating in Creator from the created. She says, tative disciplines, the most pop- your mind as you breathe, ‘I breathe in ular of which it Transcendental the Spirit,’ and exhaling saying, ‘I breathe Having quieted our nerves and Meditation. There is no need to out love.’”35 Richard Foster has his minds by sitting in the most com- argue against such discipline. What own version of this: fortable position and by relaxing, we need is to discover the authen- let us now open our spirits to tic native Christian expression of Having seated yourself comfort- receive the abundant life of God. meditation which makes all other ably, slowly become conscious of How easy this becomes when we disciplines unnecessary and infe- your breathing. This will help you realize that God is not a far-away rior.42 get in touch with your body and sovereign, but is actually the medi- indicate to you the level of tension um in which we live – the very The problem is that the Bible teaches within. Inhale deeply, slowly tilting breath of life! . . . For as we no “discipline” to shut down the mind your head back as far as it will go. tune in our thought-vibrations to in order to make contact with God. Then exhale, allowing your head the thought-vibrations of God, we Stapleton goes on, “Silence intimidates July/August 2004 5 Issue Number 83 when it should bless. It is looked upon Christianity by people who are evidently He argues, based on 2Corinthians 3:18, as a void, when it could and should be not satisfied with the means of grace that only believers can imaginatively “see” considered a profound opportunity for God has provided all Christians. We are an image of Jesus in their minds.52 He communication with God.”43 The Bible not lacking mystical capabilities because argues that this is something we have to never teaches that silence puts one in Western rationalism robbed us of them; learn to do. The problem is that Boyd touch with God. we lack them because God never gave is importing ideas into the text that The techniques of Christian mystics them. They are illicit means of divina- Paul never discusses. There is nothing in differ little from those of Eastern mystics. tion. 2Corinthians 3 and 4 that indicates that An example is Ruth Carter Stapleton. all believers (Boyd admits that it is about Stapleton claims that there is a “sixth Visualization and Imagination all believers) have literally seen a mental sense” by which we should be able to picture of the person of Jesus in their The most recently published book that hear God’s voice: “In the same way minds (or at least should have such a promotes a form of Christian mysticism we who have been unwilling, through mental image). In the context Paul was is written by Dr. Greg Boyd, the of ignorance, to live in the light of silence discussing the fact that those who were a large church in the St. Paul metropoli- have lost the ability to exercise that not believing had hardened minds. There tan area. Dr. Boyd has published eleven divinely bestowed sixth sense which was a veil of unbelief keeping them books and is a well known author. I enables us to listen in meditation to the from seeing the truth of (see know him to be a very kind and person- voiceless voice of God.”44 This is not a 2Corinthians 3:14-16). What they were able man who is passionate about what neglected Biblical practice; the writers of not “seeing” because of the “veil” was he believes. However, I think that the Scripture knew nothing of it. It is simply the truth of the gospel: “And even if our practice he is promoting in his latest book TM that uses a Christian phrase for gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are is dangerously in error. Therefore I have the mantra. After introducing the seat- perishing” (2Corinthians 4:3). included a section in this article that ing and breathing exercises mentioned Boyd has done a category shift and critiques the book Seeing is Believing. earlier, Stapleton gives the next step: uses the resulting confusion to promote Seeing is Believing promotes “cata- “To achieve this concentration [earlier his visualization technique. “Seeing” in phatic prayer,”48 a version of mysticism called “silence”] select a single meaning- the context of the passage was to believe that involves using mental images of ful phrase such as, ‘I am one with God,’ the gospel and be converted. It was not the human imagination to supposedly ‘God is love’ or just the word Jesus or creating a mental image of Jesus in one’s help a person experience God more pro- God. With your eyes closed, quietly and mind hoping thereby to become like that foundly. The following is a definition slowly, begin to repeat this phrase or mental image. Peter makes it clear that of cataphatic prayer published in a word over and over in your mind (not the issue in the is faith Creighton University article: audibly). . . Make no effort to move in the person and work of Christ: “And beyond this repetition because when you Another form of prayer, called cata- though you have not seen Him, you love are ready, you will automatically flow phatic, honors and reverences imag- Him, and though you do not see Him now, into the indescribable, indefinable state es and feelings and goes through but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with of mind we call meditation.”45 them to God. This form of prayer joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1Peter The repeated phrase is designed to also has an ancient and well-attest- 1:8). In the same epistle from which silence the mind and put the practitioner ed history in the world of reli- Boyd claims to find justification for his into an altered state of consciousness. gions. Any sort of prayer that high- practice, Paul wrote this: “for we walk by TM and “Christian” practices that mimic lights the mediation of creation faith, not by sight” (2Corinthians 5:7). it only differ in minor details. It has can be called cataphatic. So, pray- Rather than “Seeing is Believing” (Boyd’s been shown that as far as physiological ing before icons or images of saints; title), the reality is “believing is seeing.” responses go, the word or phrase used the mediation of and This type of “seeing” has nothing to do in this type of meditation makes no dif- sacramentals; prayer out in cre- with images, mental or otherwise. It has ference.46 The research of Dr. Herbert ation - all these are cataphatic to do with the content of the gospel. Benson shows that various techniques forms of prayer.49 Where this goes in Greg Boyd’s book work: “These include repetitive prayers is that through a process he learned, he such as the rosary as in the Catholic Boyd claims support for cataphatic prayer was able to go into a mental world that tradition, centering prayers in Protestant from a long list of people from church came alive. Jesus meets him in this world religions and pre-davening prayers in history including some contemporary and re-interprets his memories for the Judaism. The specific method used usu- proponents: “Such notable authors as purpose of bringing healing. Calling his ally reflects the beliefs of the person elic- Agnes Sanford, Morton Kelsey, David technique, “resting in Christ,” Boyd cites iting the relaxation response (Benson, Seamands, and Richard Foster are among Morton Kelsey and Richard Foster as 1984).”47 these modern advocates of cataphatic proponents of imaginative meditation.53 Do not be deceived. These methods spirituality.”50 He is right that Foster and Kelsey teach are not taught in the Bible. They are To prove the need for this type of a version of this. He is wrong to suggest borrowed from the East and brought into practice Boyd cites this premise: “We that “resting in Christ” as a Biblical become what we imaginatively see.”51 July/August 2004 6 Issue Number 83 concept has anything to do with having ent for him because he was a “bad is God. a mental image of Jesus that comes alive boy.”58Jesus comes to him in that little and talks to you. This practice is never boy memory, tells him he is a “good boy” DREAM INTERPRETATION taught in scripture and has nothing to do and gives him a present.59 Ultimately, One theme common with contemporary with any Biblical passage about resting in to complete the healing, Jesus brings Christian mystics is that dreams are to be Christ. This is another category error. It Boyd’s departed grandmother to him and considered significant and that they are confuses people who are unaware of the the grandmother makes things right with a way that the “Divine” as Kelsey says, semantic slight of hand that is going on. Boyd, and then departs hand in hand is trying to speak to us. As I said before, Kelsey was transparent about where he with Jesus: “She and Jesus joined hands going to sleep and waking up is one time got his ideas, mainly from Carl Jung and and I watched them walk off into the all people enter the alpha brain wave Eastern practices. distance.”60 His memory was “reworked” level. It is in this level where dreams The actual practice of imaginative and he found healing. Not to begrudge can be remembered. Interpreting dreams prayer is similar to what we discussed a person his emotional well being, this is a way to naturally gain information before, but different in one key way. The experience is problematic for several rea- that comes to us in an altered state Christianized versions of TM had as a sons. How do we know this was the of consciousness without resorting to goal the silencing of the mind to contact real Jesus who is changing a person’s techniques to put one’s self in that state. God and hear from God. The goal of cata- memories? The Bible forbids talking to We simply write down our dreams and phatic prayer is to use an inner, mental the dead, how then would Jesus create seek their meaning. image to “see Jesus.” The process involves a chance for a person to hear words Again, Morton Kelsey was a leader in quietness, setting a mental scene, soli- from his departed grandmother? This is exploring this means of gaining informa- tude, and a sitting position similar to a means of gaining un-revealed informa- tion from the spirit world. Kelsey relied those discussed earlier.54 Boyd calls this tion that is not accessible by ordinary on the research and teaching of Carl Jung. “finding one’s inner sanctuary.” The means of knowing. This story fits the According to Kelsey, Jung believed that desire is to experience Jesus “with all five definition of divination. the unconscious mind thinks symbolical- senses.”55 Kelsey cites Carl Jung concerning ly or metaphorically.63 Kelsey shares his Richard Foster recommends using the use of imagination in meditation: “‘In understanding of Jung’s thinking: “The one’s imagination in a similar way. He the same way,’ Jung went on, ‘when you task of dream interpretation, according makes a very bold claim: “Hence, you concentrate on a mental picture, it begins to Jung, is that of learning a strange can actually encounter the living Christ to stir, the image becomes enriched by language with many nuances, of learning in the event, be addressed by His voice details, it moves and develops. Each to understand the symbolic communica- and be touched by His healing power. time, naturally, you mistrust it and have tions of the unconscious – the language It can be more than an exercise of the idea that you have just made it up, of art, literature, mythology, and folklore. the imagination; it can be a genuine that it is merely your own invention.”61 He saw no attempt on the part of the confrontation. Jesus Christ will actually Kelsey adds his own comments: unconscious to deceive or distort.”64 Jung come to you.”56 Boyd cites Foster approv- believed that the unconscious is con- ingly on this point.57 Dear Reader: Please It is usually not too difficult for nected to a larger spiritual reality, a do not misunderstand. This is not about most people to start the process by “collective unconscious.” Kelsey believed someone thinking about Jesus and per- concentrating on something graph- that the Hebrew prophets were tapping haps imagining what He might look like ic. The hard part comes in real- into the “collective unconscious”: “The (whether or not that is a good idea is izing that something could move images of Ezekiel, although little studied worth discussing but it is not at issue unexpectedly inside us without our in recent years, are well known in song here). This is about a technique that will conscious direction. That is why it and literature. They are genuine produc- put one in an altered state of conscious- is so vital in developing imagina- tions of what depth psychology would ness (whether they call it that or not) tion, meditation, or contemplation call the collective unconscious, some- in which an image of Jesus becomes the to realize that our ego is not the 62 thing from beyond the conscious mind living Christ and the person experiences only force operating within us. and often beyond the limits of personal the reality of this Christ who speaks experience.”65 to them. They claim they are gaining I am not denying the reality of the experi- Kelsey followed Jung to the belief information from Christ (if it is really ences that Foster, Kelsey, Stapleton, Boyd that the “Other” as he says, can be Him) beyond what is written in the and others. I am not denying that the found in the unconscious which connects Bible. This information cannot be gained practices that invoked the experiences the individual to a spiritual reality. Kelsey through normal means of study or nor- “work” in the manner described by these said about Jung’s experiences and under- mal means of knowing. It is secret, spiri- authors. I am denying that the tech- standing of “depth psychology”: “From tual information. Therefore, it is forbid- niques that are used are valid means of this fact came the certainty that reality, den (Deuteronomy 29:29). coming to God. They are man-made ways and frequently the best of reality, is found In Boyd’s case, he gains healing from that are not revealed in the Scriptures. in these depths. This is also reality that a painful childhood memory of a mean- There is no assurance that this “force demands a religious attitude from people, spirited grandmother who had no pres- operating within us” as Kelsey calls it, July/August 2004 7 Issue Number 83 and it is found only when we allow God made it. I think a better analogy revealed once for all in the Scriptures. ourselves to be led by the thinking of than a box, is a sheepfold. It is a Biblical the unconscious, symbolic thinking that analogy. CONCLUSION can be found in fantasy and dream and Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he Jeroboam was an innovator when it came in myth and story.”66 So following the who does not enter by the door into the to the worship of Yahweh. He saw no theories of Carl Jung who had a spirit fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other reason for the restrictions about how, guide named Philemon,67 contemporary way, he is a thief and a robber” (John when and where God would be wor- mystics are looking for meaning from 10:1). The true sheep enter the sheep- shipped. He had cultural reasons for mak- the world of the unconscious mind (a fold through the door, Jesus Christ (John ing the changes he did. The people in concept not found in the Bible). Dreams 10:7). He as the Good Shepherd lays the northern kingdom were very prosper- are considered a means of access to this down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). ous agriculturally. The indigenous people world of symbol and myth. He protects His sheep from the wolves, had fertility gods that were concrete and It should be obvious that this Jungian gives them pasture, and abundant life vivid representations of deity. There were understanding of dreams has nothing to (John 10:10-15). Being in the sheepfold also political issues in Jeroboam’s mind. do with how God spoke to the prophets may seem restrictive compared to the Jerusalem was the headquarters of the in the . That God has adventures of exploring the bigger world Davidic kingdom and if the people went spoken in dreams as He has seen fit, does out there unencumbered by the guidance to the pilgrim feasts there and sacrificed not prove that every dream is meaningful of the Shepherd. However the restric- through the Levitical priesthood, they or ought to be taken seriously. Also, the tions are there to save our spiritual lives. may long to be reunited with the south- Bible knows nothing of an art of dream The restrictions God places on how ern kingdom. So Jeroboam “thought out- interpretation that can be learned by and by what means we may legitimately side of the box.” He became a spiritual serious students. God interprets dreams come to Him and receive spiritual truth pioneer who came up with culturally as He sees fit as Daniel and Joseph are for our own good. The spirit world acceptable ways to worship Yahweh. He experienced. that Christian mystics like Morton Kelsey made worship convenient and relevant. Christian mystics have more in com- want to explore is far more complex than Jeroboam was not a pagan; he had mon with occultists and New Age fol- even Jung and Kelsey give it credit for many legitimate experiences with the lowers than the Biblical authors. One being. The dangers of deception are far true God. Yahweh’s prophets spoke to contemporary “prophet” has a website more real. In fact, if we journey into him. He was called by God to be king where one can sign up for so much the world of the spirits by means other over Israel. He was healed, not by Baal, money per month to have his or her than what God has ordained, we will but by God. There is no evidence he dreams interpreted.68 Richard Foster cites be deceived, not may be deceived. The really believed that the golden calves both Jung and Kelsey approvingly con- spirits who inhabit that world have been were God, he simply used them to rep- cerning the language of images.69 Greg there for many thousands of years prac- resent God to the people (in rebellion Boyd says this: “The place where God ticing the art of deception. They willingly against the 10 commandments). He saw usually interacts with his people is in give people whatever experience they the need for feasts and a priesthood; he their imagination. And whether he does would tend to think is from God. Jose just made up his own. He mingled the this while we are awake or while we are Silva, who is Catholic, when he went into worship of Yahweh with the practices asleep, it comes to the same thing.”70 his alpha level to gain guides received of the pagans. Here is the summary of Boyd, like all of these mystic authors, Jesus and Mary.72 The spirits will give you Jeroboam’s life: “And He will give up Israel blames Western assumptions for the fact what you would expect is from God in on account of the sins of Jeroboam, which he that most of us do not take our dreams your own context. They will provide any committed and with which he made Israel seriously and recommends Kelsey’s book experience that serves their deceptive to sin” (1Kings 14:16). God alone will God, Dreams, and Revelations for further purposes, including sending a spiritual determine the means by which people insights on dream interpretation.71 “Jesus” (see 2Corinthians 11:4). The can come to Him. prohibitions on divination are there to Those today who are evangelical PUTTING GOD IN A BOX? protect us from these malicious entities. Christians, who know God through the So we are not putting God in a box, I have debated people about these tech- gospel, yet dabble in the practices of the God is putting us in a sheepfold if we niques many times. They often say, “God pagans, are spiritual “sons of Jeroboam.” are willing to be there. The practices of can do anything and use anything, you They are, like Jeroboam, very creative in “thinking outside the box” that are so are tying to put God in a box.” You prob- making Christianity relevant to the cur- popular today are fatal when it comes ably have heard that argument. When rent culture. The problem is not Western to spirituality. God has not left access to I was doing my research on divination rationalism as the contemporary mystics spiritual truth in the hands of innovative for the previous issue of CIC, I thought all claim. They are fighting an obsolete thinkers who like pioneers blaze new about the “putting God in a box” accusa- battle. The prevailing culture in America trails. God has given access to Himself, tion. The Biblical record shows that it is is very much “spiritual.” They claim the once for all, through Jesus Christ who is God who purposely limits the ways we need for mystical experience to fight our heavenly High Priest. The truth is can come to Him. If there is a “box” against modernity when they are in a July/August 2004 8 Issue Number 83 post-modern culture that has embraced (Luke 18:17); The Kingdom is something cares, submission to an approved master, the East. The danger today is not that that has come near (Luke 10:9, 11); some prayer, especially perfect repose of body people think that the material realm is there will see the Kingdom (Luke 9:27); and will, to see a mystic light; which all there is, it is that they think they People will eat bread in the Kingdom of is none other than the uncreated light of God (Luke 13:29; 14:15); The Kingdom God.” From the Catholic Encyclopedia can contact the spiritual realm their own will be restored to Israel (Acts 1:6, 7) online: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/ way. They are practicing divination. and many other similar issues. None of 07301a.htm Next month we shall discuss means these passages makes sense if the kingdom 39 Kelsey, Silence 145. of grace. God has given us legitimate is internal to humans. The Kingdom 40 Sanford, Healing, 21. means of coming to Him and commun- was present in the person of Christ, so 41 Ibid., 22. ing with Him. None of these require an “in your midst” is the translation which 42 Stapleton, Inner Healing, 163. fits everything else we learn about the 43 Ibid. altered state of consciousness. 44 Kingdom in Luke/Acts. Ibid. 12 Morton Kelsey, Christo-Psychology; 45 Ibid. 165, 166. End Notes (Crossroad: New York, 1982) He devoted 46 See relaxation response therapy: 1 C. F. Keil, “I & II Kings” in Commentary this entire book to integrating Carl Jung’s http://www.mind-body-medicine.com/relax.htm on the Old Testament by C. F. Keil and F. ideas with Christianity. Jung taught the 47 Ibid. Delitzsch; Volume III (Eerdmans: Grand idea of a “collective unconscious” that 48 Boyd, Seeing, 90-95. Rapids, 1986) 198. could be assessed by techniques like those 49 http://www.creighton.edu/~rocsj/liturgy/ 2 Ibid. 199. espoused by Kelsey. Jung himself saw that existentialism_part6.html; from “An 3 Morton Kelsey, The Other Side of Silence, there were dangers involved with going Existential Approach to Liturgy” (Paulist Press: Maywah, New Jersey, 1995) there. 50 Boyd, Seeing, 94. 75. 13 Kelsey Silence, 12, 13. 51 Ibid. 14 52 4 For example, see Greg Boyd, Seeing Ibid. 93. Ibid. 88. is Believing; Experiencing Jesus through 15 Kelsey describes psychosis where “over zeal- 53 Ibid. 103. Imaginative Prayer; (Baker: Grand Rapids, ous” souls lose contact with the outer 54 Ibid. 108. 2004) 90 – 95 for a list of mystics world. Silence 94. 55 Ibid. throughout church history. 16 Ibid. 154. 56 Foster, Celebration, 26. 17 57 5 Agnes Sanford, The Healing Light; (Charisma Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, Boyd, Seeing, 111. Books: Watchung, NJ, 1972 edition) (Harper and Row: San Francisco, 1978) 58 Ibid. 117. 3. That Charisma books republished 16. 59 Ibid. 121, 122. Sanford’s 1947 book shows how mysticism 18 Morton Kelsey, Encounter With God, 60 Ibid. 125. was infiltrating the church. (Bethany Fellowship: Minneapolis, 1972) 61 Kelsey, Silence, 226, 227 citing C. G. Jung, 6 Ibid. 179. AnalyticalPscyhology. 19 62 7 For her understanding of God as “energy” Foster, Celebration 14. Ibid. 227. and a “force” and laws that enable us to 20 For example see Rick Warren, The Purpose 63 Morton Kelsey, God, Dreams, and Revelation; do miracles see ibid.; 1, 4, 15, and she Driven Life, (Zondervan: Grand Rapids, (Augsburg: Minneapolis, 1991) 172. says on page 17, “Knowing then that we 2002) 88, 89. 64 Ibid. are part of God, that His life within us 21 This website describes altered states and 65 Ibid. 45. is an active energy and that He works recommends them for all religious people, 66 Ibid. 173. through the laws of our bodies, let us including Christians: http://www.plim.org/ 67 This website has Jung’s depiction of study to adjust and conform ourselves to meditate.html ; altered states are Philemon: http://www.crmspokane.org those laws.” described here: http:// /Philemon.htm 68 8 Ruth Carter Stapleton, The Experience of www.plim.org/alteredstate97.html The man is John Paul Jackson this is Inner Healing, (Word: Waco, 1977), 165. 22 Foster, Celebration 17. the website: http:// 23 9 Kelsey, Silence; 11. Ibid. www.streamsministries.com/ 24 69 10 Video Tape; The Silva Mind Control Ibid. 18. Foster, Celebration, 22, 23. Method; The John Ankerberg Show 25 Kelsey Silence, 149. 70 Boyd, Seeing, 205. (Ankerberg Theological Research 26 Ibid. 71 Ibid. 205, 206. Institute: Chattanooga, 1986). This video 27 Ibid. 72 Ankerberg, Silva; video tape. features a debate between Silva and Dave 28 Ibid. 150. Hunt. I highly recommend it. The issues 29 Ibid. 150. they debate are even more pertinent 30 Ibid. 143. today. 31 Ibid. 155. 32 Critical Issues Commentary 11 Ibid. Whether “within” or “in your midst” is the copyright © 2004 33 Boyd, Seeing, 103. preferable translation is often determined Twin City Fellowship by one’s eschatological views. Many wish 34 Stapleton Inner Healing 164. P.O. Box 8068 to teach that there never was or will be 35 Ibid. 165. Mineapolis, MN 55408 36 612-874-7484 a visible manifestation of the Kingdom; Foster, Discipline, 25. 37 www.twincityfellowship.com but that it only exists inside of people. Kelsey, Silence, 144, 145. [email protected] However, those who favor “within” are 38 Here is a definition: “Hesychasts not considering the many other passages (hesychastes — quietist) were people, near- Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture taken from in Luke/Acts about the Kingdom. The ly all monks, who defended the theory the New American Standard Bible, © Copyright Kingdom is something people enter by that it is possible by an elaborate system 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, faith, not something that enters them of , detachment from earthly 1977, 1988, 1995 The Lockman Foundation.