Click to join the conversation with over 500,000 Pentecostal believers and scholars
Click to get our FREE MOBILE APP and stay connected
| PentecostalTheology.com
When I was checking out Asbury Seminary and Church online, something jumped out at me, and it gave me a ‘check’ in my spirit. I’m quite sure the reader knows what I mean. It was their emphasis on learning and practicing ‘Spiritual Formation.’
This is not unique to Asbury. I believe that this practice has infiltrated most Evangelical churches in the world today. If leadership and members of churches do not have discernment, this is very dangerous. Spiritual Formation is New Age. It is mystical, and that alone should alarm any child of God.
From gotquestions.org
What is the spiritual formation movement?
The spiritual formation movement is very popular today. It is, however, in many ways a move away from the truth of God’s Word to a mystical form of Christianity, and it has infiltrated, to some degree, nearly all evangelical denominations. This idea of spiritual formation is based on the premise that if we do certain practices, we can be more like Jesus. Proponents of spiritual formation erroneously teach that anyone can practice these mystical rituals and find God within themselves.
Too often, adherents of the current spiritual formation movement believe the spiritual disciplines transform the seeker by his or her entering an altered realm of consciousness. The spiritual formation movement is characterized by such things as contemplative prayer, contemplative spirituality, and Christian mysticism.
True biblical spiritual formation, or spiritual transformation, begins with the understanding that we are sinners living apart from God. Our faculties have been corrupted by sin so that we cannot please God. True spiritual transformation occurs as we yield ourselves to God so that He may transform us by the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. At least half of every New Testament epistle is geared toward how to live a life well pleasing to God—by obedience and submission to the Holy Spirit in all things. Scripture does not only call us the redeemed, saved, saints, sheep, soldiers, and servants, but teaches us that only through the power of the Spirit we can live up to what the names mean.
The following passages address various aspects of spiritual formation, the work of God in the life of the believer.
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29). Here is the aim of transformation: that we may be like Christ.
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). This is part of a passage that teaches that we are changed into the image of Christ, not by following rules and laws but by following the leading of the Spirit by faith.
“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:3-7).
Here, Paul reminds us of our before and after life. We have responded to the “kindness and love of God” shown to us by the death of Christ for our sins, repented of our sins, and now respond to the Spirit’s continual prompting and empowerment to live differently as God’s children. As a result, we have been transformed by the “rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (v. 5). This, then, is true spiritual formation—the reforming of our spirits by His Spirit into the image of Christ. Source
I will prove to the reader that Spiritual Formation is not only NEW AGE but also embraced in Hinduism and Yoga.
Don’t believe me? Well, I came upon a website that should convince you that Spiritual Formation is NOT for born-again believers in Christ.
Please hear me when I say that the following is taken from a “Yoga” website!
From yogakali.com
What Is Spiritual Formation?
1/7 What is spiritual formation?
2/7 The process of being formed or shaped spiritually
3/7 The role of spiritual formation in the life of a Christian
4/7 The benefits of spiritual formation
5/7 The importance of spiritual formation in the life of the church
6/7 The challenges of spiritual formation
7/7 The future of spiritual formation
****Brethren – nowhere on this website are these people claiming to be Christians, yet they are “teaching” Christians how to practice Spiritual Formation!!
This excerpt comes from “The future of Spiritual Formation” Read it carefully to see what this practice is REALLY about. I am bolding the most important words:
“It is also worth noting that spiritual formation is not just for people who are religious. In fact, many people who would not consider themselves to be religious are finding value in spiritual practices. This is because spiritual formation is not about following a set of rules or believing in certain dogma. Instead, it is about creating a personal connection with the divine and finding a sense of peace and calm in the midst of a chaotic world.“
Brethren – if you cannot glean the blatant NEW AGE verbiage in that paragraph, then I think that you may need to examine your walk with Christ. Did you repent of your sins and trust the Lord Jesus Christ (ALONE) for the forgiveness of your sins to be saved?
Do you see that long before churches were teaching about “Spiritual Formation,” this was being used in mystical New Age circles?!
It is hard to believe the extent of deception in the body of Christ today. It saddens me. The Word of God has everything we need, and the Holy Spirit within us helps the child of God to become more and more Christ-like.
Here is an article I wrote about YOGA and how it is NOT for Christians:
Christian Yoga: Bringing the Kundalini Serpent into the Church
MARANATHA!
Articles at grandmageri422.me
The post What is Spiritual Formation, and is it for Christians? :: By Geri Ungurean appeared first on Rapture Ready.
Anonymous
again be very careful from any content by the Ungureans.
Anonymous
ATS has been teaching spiritual formation for over 40 years. Welcome to the party. Again Gerri Ungurean is late in her awareness and doesn’t appear to have much spiritual discernment as she has to be shown most of what she writes about.
Anonymous
John Mushenhouse many moons ago I helped PTS then called something different with their Pentecostal Foundations classes Neil Steven Lawrence Oscar Valdez
Anonymous
Troy Day CoG School of Theology.
Anonymous
John Mushenhouse that too and a seminary at 1 point I think
Anonymous
Troy Day Yes that was what it was called.
Anonymous
Troy Day that’s where I read Donald Dayton’s book. Steve Land was supposed to be co-teaching that but he was busy working on his doctorate degree and I think he only showed up once for one session. 
I distinctly remember two things they emphasized in that class:
1. Beware if your education becomes elevated beyond your spouses – you must compensate for that.
2. Check your motives for getting theological education – if it’s to promote the kingdom or if it’s to sound smarter ; pride unchecked will not be helped by theological education 
Both were helpful to me as a young theologian and minister. 
3. A third thing they emphasized was “Pentecostal distinctives“
The way they couched it was, I think very healthy with the idea that Pentecostals bring something to the body of Christ and other denominations do as well. 
Anonymous
Neil Steven Lawrence, Troy Day what I am not reading –1 cor 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. — We must return in our study to the supremacy of the living Christ in this man -centered religious world. We often fail to see this truth in all of our study – Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 1 Peter 2:4 – that rock is Christ. hear so much talk about everything else. Jesus is the light of the world and He in turn called us that. With our religious talk as of first importance, I can see why this world is a very dark place.
Anonymous
6For it stands in Scripture: “See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” 7To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed.… 1 Peter 2
Anonymous
To bring back truth, on a practical level, the church must encourage Christians to be not merely consumers of culture but makers of culture. The church needs to cultivate Christian artists, musicians, novelists, filmmakers, journalists, attorneys, teachers, scientists, business executives, and the like, teaching its laypeople the sense in which every secular vocation-including, above all, the callings of husband, wife, and parent–is a sphere of Christian ministry, a way of serving God and neighbor that is grounded in God’s truth. Christian laypeople must be encouraged to be leaders in their fields, rather than eager-to-please followers, working from the assumptions of their biblical worldview, not the vapid clichés of pop culture.”
― J. Gresham Machen.
Anonymous
Some have argued that Arminianism offers little assurance that one will finally be saved due to the notion, which many Arminians hold, that a believer can lose his or her salvation. What may astound you is that Arminianism actually holds to a more firm case for the believer’s perseverance than does Calvinism.
First and foremost, a believer cannot lose his or her salvation (cf. John 3:16, 36; Rom. 5:1), since he or she by definition remains in the state of belief or trust in Christ and is hence a believer. The one who falls away from salvation is the one who is no longer believing or trusting in Christ alone and is thus not a believer. Second, the believer does not lose his or her salvation by falling into sin. Though sin may lead one to deny Christ, the act of sin itself does not cause one to lose his or her salvation. A person is justified by faith in Christ (Rom. 5:1). And a person is not justified due to unbelief. If a person no longer believes in or trusts in Christ Jesus for salvation, then that person will not be justified by God — accounted righteous in Christ and by His merit.
Anonymous
The first 50 years the church branded most of Hollywood’s productions as worldly and even evil and we were strongly warned to stay out of movie houses.
Then along came television and hollywood moved into our homes. Little by little we developed a taste for news and their views and then entertainment, including killing and sexual licenses until such a time that we are spending big money every month on cable TV that let’s in all kinds of options from the good and important to the base and the wicked. What has Hollywood done to us? For us? Against us?
Anonymous
Troy Day3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not [a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, …7 Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even [b]so we are Christ’s. 8 For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave [c]us for [d]edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed 2 cor 10– Our authority is for edification and not for destruction. -But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude.
Anonymous
Troy Day Here is what we are to do for Hollywood– 22 And on some have compassion, [j]making a distinction; 23 but others save [k]with fear, pulling them out of the [l]fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.– We are to treat different people differently, but always share Jesus.– Then Jude tells us how we can be in the world, but not of the world. That is only by our precious rock of our foundation. Jesus the Lord
24 Now to Him who is able to keep [m]you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To [n]God our Savior,
[o]Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and [p]power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.
Anonymous
WE must return to seeing Jesus being the first and the last.
Anonymous
Troy Day how thrilling it was to see the Holy Spirit’s teaching of my wife and I as we exegeted the book of Jude. So many just see the first half, but the true meat is in the second.
Anonymous
CAN ONE LOSE THEIR SALVATION.??
13 Bible Verses about Guarding Yourself..
1 Peter 5:8
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1 John 5:21
Little children, guard yourselves from idols.
Proverbs 4:23
Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.
1 Timothy 4:16
Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.
Psalm 39:1
For the choir director, for Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
I said, “I will guard my ways
That I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle
While the wicked are in my presence.”
2 John 1:8
Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
2 Timothy 4:15
Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching.
Deuteronomy 4:9
“Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.
Ecclesiastes 5:1
Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil.
1 Timothy 6:20
O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”—
James 4:7
Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.