In his sermon I will say it again, and again, and again, Sunday November 16, 2008, Emergent Church icon Rob Bell shares a common mantra of those neo-Gnostics involved in the Contemplative/Centering Prayer of Contemplative Spirituality/Mysticism.

For them it is the mystics in various religious traditions who are the great enlightened ones. Bell says:

It’s interesting how many traditions (pause) When you read the great enlightened ones; meditation, centering prayer, reflection—in every tradition you can find the mystics—and what’s always at the heart of the spiritual lives, the everyday lives of the great ones was always a period of time. Whether it’s prayers, chanting, meditation, reflection, study—whatever you call it—what is it essentially; it’s taking time to breathe. Because when you’ve been breathing, (slight pause) in a proper sort of way, you’re far better equipped to handle what life throws your way.  (5:41-6:23)

From the Crosstalk website concerning this edition:

Pastor Ken Silva is with Apprising Ministries.

How would you feel if your pastor tried to teach you breathing exercises specific to prayer? What if he told you that your deepest fear is that you are powerful beyond all measure, or that unrepentant homosexuals can still be Christians?

These are just a few of the teachings brought to light as Ingrid and Ken look into the philosophies that are shaping the Emergent Church movement, a movement that is just now having an impact upon conservative Christianity.

Popular Emergent leader, Pastor Rob Bell of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is the focal point, as recorded sound bites from Rob highlight the early portion of the program. (Online source)

You can listen to and/or download this important program here.

See also:

ROB BELL, YOGA MASTERS AND JESUS?

ROB BELL RESOURCES FROM APPRISING MINISTRIES

EMERGING EASTERN-STYLE MEDITATION FOR GLOBAL PEACE…AND WORSE…

WHO IS DR. MICHAEL ARMOUR AND WHY IS HE TEACHING SOUTHERN BAPTIST PASTORS?

MANY CHRISTIANS DISCOVERING MEDITATION…AND DONALD WHITNEY

PHYLLIS TICKLE: TICKLING ITCHING EMERGENT EARS

EMERGENT CHURCH THEOLOGIAN TONY JONES AND HIS UNREPENTANT HOMOSEXUAL CHRISTIANS