"Contemplative prayer is an imperfect science." So says Mike Bickle, one of the Kansas City Prophets and a proponent of introducing Christians to what he refers to as, "CP" (contemplative prayer). Bickle has the following to say of contemplative prayer:
“… this is an imperfect science… it (the term CP) is not a term that is a biblical term… it’s an idea. … there’s no place where Paul the apostle said the term CP means this… different ones throughout church history define it differently… I have 30, 40, 50 titles on CP in my home… any book on CP, I just buy 'em… at first it confused me because one person talked about it so different from another person, it took me a few of years to figure it out that there is no clear infallible definition…” --Mike Bickle in his audio message “Contemplative Prayer part 2”
Analysis of what Bickle said in the above quotes:
Editor comment: There is a reason the Protestant world is really narrow on resources of contemplative prayer. It is not found in the Bible!
During the protestant reformation, people rightly claimed the Bible alone tells us everything we need to know about life and godliness. They formed their theology from the Bible and rightly rejected extra-scriptural revelation that did not line up with what had already been written (Isaiah 8:20).
Contemplative prayer is not found in the Bible--except to forbid it.
“… this is an imperfect science… it (the term CP) is not a term that is a biblical term… it’s an idea. … there’s no place where Paul the apostle said the term CP means this… different ones throughout church history define it differently… I have 30, 40, 50 titles on CP in my home… any book on CP, I just buy 'em… at first it confused me because one person talked about it so different from another person, it took me a few of years to figure it out that there is no clear infallible definition…” --Mike Bickle in his audio message “Contemplative Prayer part 2”
Analysis of what Bickle said in the above quotes:
- CP is an evolving thing
- Contemplative prayer cannot be found in the Bible
- To one it means one thing. To another, it means something else
- He will read anything on CP, regardless of who writes it
- CP cannot be defined (This, as we will show, is not true)
Editor comment: There is a reason the Protestant world is really narrow on resources of contemplative prayer. It is not found in the Bible!
During the protestant reformation, people rightly claimed the Bible alone tells us everything we need to know about life and godliness. They formed their theology from the Bible and rightly rejected extra-scriptural revelation that did not line up with what had already been written (Isaiah 8:20).
Contemplative prayer is not found in the Bible--except to forbid it.
Yet proponents of it, go right on assuring their followers that it is perfectly OK to pursue an unbiblical spiritual activity.
Contemplative prayer is an unbiblical spiritual activity, and it is not "perfectly OK," neither is it safe. So, if it is an unbiblical spiritual activity, what does that make it?
The Holy Spirit certainly cannot be a part of any spiritual activity that is unbiblical. So, what spirit is behind it? There are only two choices.
As for Bickle's statement about Protestants lacking resources. That is a blatant lie. Christians are not lacking in resources to help us understand more about relationship with our God. The written Word of God, the Holy Spirit of God, and the ministry gifts provided by our Creator give children of God all we need to walk in the fullness of God.
It doesn’t get any simpler than that.
There are no gifts like HIS gifts. Don’t fall for cheap, soul stealing, counterfeits.
Heed the words of the apostle: "I fear lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity which is in Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3)
Contemplative prayer is an unbiblical spiritual activity, and it is not "perfectly OK," neither is it safe. So, if it is an unbiblical spiritual activity, what does that make it?
The Holy Spirit certainly cannot be a part of any spiritual activity that is unbiblical. So, what spirit is behind it? There are only two choices.
As for Bickle's statement about Protestants lacking resources. That is a blatant lie. Christians are not lacking in resources to help us understand more about relationship with our God. The written Word of God, the Holy Spirit of God, and the ministry gifts provided by our Creator give children of God all we need to walk in the fullness of God.
It doesn’t get any simpler than that.
There are no gifts like HIS gifts. Don’t fall for cheap, soul stealing, counterfeits.
Heed the words of the apostle: "I fear lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity which is in Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3)
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