The Physics of Heaven #12

by Pastor Larry DeBruyn for Quantum Spirituality, Spiritual Discernment

Quantum Charismatics and “Popping Qwiffs” [1]

A Serial Book Review & Theological Interaction: Part 12 [2]

Review of Chapter 11, Strange Things Are Afoot by Ellyn Davis, [3] and Chapter 12, Quantum Mysticism by Ellyn Davis [4]

Quantum Leap—Mystic Manipulators
Because of the great deal of “strangeness afoot” in quantum physics, it has inevitably attracted metaphysical interpretation. Most of that interpretation has leaned towards using quantum physics to reinforce Eastern mystical beliefs about the nature of the oneness of all reality and the power of human consciousness to create and manipulate that reality. (TPOH, 113)
—Ellyn Davis

Jesus Power—“Popping Qwiffs”
It shouldn’t be a stretch for us to believe that, as “observers” to whom Jesus gave all power in heaven and earth, we can, through faith, intent, prayer and declaration, call things into existence. Jesus has given us the power, through our faith and intent, to “pop a qwiff” and bring things from the unseen world into the visible. (TPOH, 128)
—Ellyn Davis

Introduction
During the last century and one half, science has changed its view of reality; that is, how everything that comprises the universe is understood. The old scientific paradigm advocated by Sir Isaac Newton expected the universe to behave predictably like a clock. But in contrast to this mechanistic understanding of the cosmos, the new science understands the universe to be more of a mystery—that what constitutes the universe’s micro-reality behaves unpredictably. So according to the old scientific paradigm, scientists observed the universe for its obvious and predictable behavior, our solar system being an example. In contrast, quantum science looks at the universe according to its not-so-obvious and unpredictable behavior at the atomic and sub-atomic levels of reality. Physicists have discovered that though the macro universe appears to behave mechanically, the micro universe seems to behave mysteriously. Hence, Ellyn Davis remarks of this observable mystery that, “Quantum physics theories seem more like science fiction than science fact” (TPOH, 111). All of this, and more, raises the question, what is the essence of the cosmos in which “we live, and move, and have our being”? (See Acts 17:28.).

The “Enlightenment” of Physics
Until the beginning of the 20th century, science viewed the observable universe as a combination of matter and energy. This however changed when physicists began to surmise that the essence of the universe was light or energy that could at times appear as matter. The emerging physics proposed that the universe was made up of, as Davis states, “packets of energy” which at times acted like matter while at other times like light waves. The “energy packets” were called “quanta.” So physics “discovered” that as the author puts it, “at the most basic level of existence, everything is constantly vibrating energy and that every particle also possesses a wave character and every wave possesses a particle character.” (TPOH, 110) Hence the science of quantum physics was born.

A Science Shrouded in Mystery
According to the New Physics the essence of everything in the universe, animate or inanimate, consists of vibrating energy which can appear mysteriously as either waves or particles, depending upon how or when the phenomena is observed and who is doing the observing. Hence Davis titles her chapter, Strange Things are Afoot. She notes the baffling nature of the universe caused one physicist to remark, “If you are not completely confused by quantum mechanics, you do not understand it.” (TPOH, 111) Such is the mystery. However, all is not lost. To solve the mystery, some quantum physicists, New Age believers and Charismatics advocate that there’s a “consciousness connection” by which the human mind can find meaning in the universe as it explores and combines mystical spirituality with a scientific worldview.

Science Shrouded in Mysticism
In, of and by itself modern science can provide no ultimate meaning or significance for life. Paul Kalanithi (1977-2015), the brilliant brain surgeon who died of cancer at an early age, returned to the Christian faith of his family upbringing. He explained that, “to believe that science provides no basis for God, you are almost obligated to conclude that science provides no basis for meaning and, therefore, life itself doesn’t have any.” [5] The ability of science (immediate knowing about earth or what’s “down here”) is limited in providing meaning for the soul (ultimate knowing about heaven or what’s “up there”). So to try and make sense of a universe described as “shocking,” “absurd” and “confusing,” some physicists are turning to mysticism to experience the supernatural. In their quest Davis notes that “mystical ideas” inspired several of them. (TPOH, 114) As the German physicist Werner Heisenberg (1901-1976) has been quoted:

The great scientific contribution in theoretical physics that has come from Japan since the last war may be an indication of a certain relationship between philosophical ideas in the tradition of the Far East and the philosophical substance of quantum theory. [6]

Given the growing rapprochement between the science of the west and the spirituality of the east, New Age Religion has incorporated quantum theory to help define and embellish the spirituality it embraces and promotes. Assuming that “many quantum concepts appropriated by the New Age are actually distortions of Christian spiritual truths,” Ellyn Davis and other contributing writers to The Physics of Heaven also seek to find compatibilities between their Charismatic faith with modern science and New Age Spirituality. And to do so, Davis sets forth certain assumptions wherein agreement might be found between Charismatic Christianity and the mysterious-mystical spirituality of quantum physics and New Age spirituality.
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The Physics of Heaven #11

by Pastor Larry DeBruyn for Quantum Spirituality, Spiritual Discernment

A Serial Book Review & Theological Interaction: Part 11
Review of Chapter 10: Spiritual Synesthesia by Larry Randolph [1]

God’s New Sound
I believe we are on the verge of experiencing Pentecost on a new level and in a new measure. Time and time again the prophets have declared that “something is coming,” and our hearts are filled with the expectation to receive all that God has for us. Even so, we still await the “fullness” of what we know is possible in God—a “fullness of Pentecost” for which the original Pentecost provided the down payment. (TPOH, 95)
—Larry Randolph

Introduction
The authors of The Physics of Heaven (TPOH), along with their New Apostolic Reformation associates, believe there’s a more powerful Pentecost coming, the experience of which will both engage and conflate all the human senses—sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing. The sound of this Pentecost will stimulate a synesthesia of supernatural experiences. Human consciousness will be so overwhelmed by the powers of heaven that what will be heard will be simultaneously smelled, what will be touched will be simultaneously tasted, and so on. Previously weighted down by religious dogmas, the synesthesia of the second Pentecost will enable Christian souls to soar in heavenly places. Charismatic Christians will begin to experience “all the different ways Heaven expresses itself.” (TPOH, 106) “Speak to us God!” is the cry of those anticipating the visitation of the second Pentecost.

“Synesthesia” Spirituality
As indicated by the chapter’s title, the term Larry Randolph employs to describe experiencing this anticipated second Pentecost is synesthesia. In his book Alternative Realities, Leonard George states that, “Synesthesia occurs when . . . ‘cross-talk’ between the senses is so vivid that stimulating one sense triggers actual perceptual experiences in the other.” [2] To illustrate: “one’s visual field may be invaded by sparks of light in response to a sudden noise.” [3] According to George, synesthetic experiences can be induced by taking psychedelic drugs, listening to beating rhythms (i.e., drumming), meditating (Among the mystics, St. John of the Cross, St. Catherine of Siena and St. Teresa of Avila described their contemplative states in “synesthetic terms.” [4]), or be the result of “sensory leakage” caused by schizophrenia [5] or a developing brain tumor. [6]

So according to The Physics of Heaven, the anticipated second Pentecost will overwhelm human souls with cacophonies of sounds, kaleidoscopic visions of colors and conflations of numbers which alter recipients perceptions of and powers over reality. With this “cross-wiring of . . . spiritual senses, . . . the neural pathways of the spirit realm” will create “a myriad of spiritual encounters.” (TPOH, 98) As Randolph states, synesthesia spirituality will allow Charismatics to “interact with God in many more ways than . . . ever imagined.” (TPOH, 95) “This is the kind of heavenly sound” adds the author, “for which I’ve been longing.” (TPOH, 98) Welcome to the hallucinatory Pentecost!
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The Physics of Heaven #10

by Pastor Larry DeBruyn for Quantum Spirituality, Spiritual Discernment

A Serial Book Review & Theological Interaction: Part 10
Review of Chapter 9: Angelic Encounters by Cal Pierce [1]

Several years ago, I began asking the Lord about the energy crisis. I knew there had to be a Kingdom answer to the energy crisis. A few months later I went to a meeting where Tim Sheets taught about angels . . . As soon as the session ended, I looked up to see an angel standing in front of me . . . suddenly there was an angel speaking to me, “I am sent by God to answer your question about the energy crisis. I am the energy angel.” (TPOH, 89)
—Cal Pierce

Introduction
We’ve all hard about or seen the Energizer Bunny, the cartoon character who advertises Energizer batteries. Hopping in cadence with a steady drumbeat, the imaginary pink bunny moves around the TV screen like a perpetual energy machine as it promotes a brand of batteries that like the bunny, possesses boundless energy. But in reality, we know batteries die. They, as this planet, do not possess endless energy. So how can this world be spared from undergoing energy death? To the rescue comes the energy angel. He has a plan.

The Energy Angel
Like Al Gore and other environmentalists and as a “manifest son of God,” New Apostolic Reformation prophet Cal Pierce worries about the looming energy crisis hovering over our planet; so much so that he’d been praying that the Lord would reveal to him “a Kingdom answer to the energy crisis.” (TPOH, 89) And how God did answer him! Pierce testifies to being visited by and receiving revelation from “the energy angel.” Not only did this epiphany amaze the prophet, but the angel as well. “I’m amazed too” said the angel, “I’m amazed because I’ve been trying to get your attention for 30 years.” (TPOH, 91) For 30 years Pierce’s indifference had frustrated the angel. (During that 30-year interim, think about how much energy could have been saved if only the prophet had paid attention to the angel.)

The Angel, the Scroll and the “Water Car”
Having gotten the manifesting-son-of-God’s attention, the two retreated to a hotel room to get to know one another. The energy angel told Pierce he wanted to show him “the water car,” a Kingdom answer to our planetary energy crisis. To solve the problem of shortages and pollution below, the angel told the visionary prophet that the world needed to learn how to draw upon “resources from above,” resources that will not pollute the planet or run out. (TPOH, 90) So promising to return, the angel left Pierce. (Would he come back? Pierce wondered.) He came back with a scroll in hand explaining, “This is the water car.” (TPOH, 90) The scroll was a blueprint, a schematic code for building a car that will run on heaven’s energy. The account of the revelation by the angel to Pierce goes something like this:

Being only a partial revelation, the scroll contained a blueprint for building “the water car,” a solution to the energy crisis and planetary pollution. When Pierce confessed he did not understand the car because he was not an engineer, the energy angel reassured the prophet that he was also an engineer angel. As such, he promised to “connect” the prophet with others who would help him to develop and manufacture the water car—whether fellow prophets and/or scientists, who knows? The car’s schematic indicated it would be constructed of a tank, electrodes and a water container within some sort of closed system. Fueled by clean burning water and light, the car’s ignition would be triggered by a creative sound like God’s voice when He first energized the planet (“Then God said . . .”). In a similar manner, the creative “sound” of the prophet’s voice, speaking God’s word according to God’s will in partnership with angels, will ignite the water car’s engine. The Kingdom answer to the energy crisis will be the water car.


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Who Goes There?

by Pastor Larry DeBruyn for Contemplative Spirituality, Spiritual Discernment

Encountering voices in contemplative prayer . . .

“We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”
—The Apostle John, 1 John 4:6, NASB

Introduction
Through practicing the discipline of solitude and silence, contemplative spiritualists hope to hear God personally speak to them. As one nationally known personality stated on the Be Still DVD, “intimacy automatically breeds revelation.” [1]  But if a voice speaks, there is some question regarding its identity. Therefore in the video’s same segment, “Fear of Silence,” Richard Foster offers advice about how to discern who might communicate in the stillness. He said:

Learning to distinguish the voice of God . . . from just human voices within us . . . comes in much the same way that we learn any other voice. Satan pushes and condemns. God draws and encourages. And we can know the difference. [2]

Though there could be others, Richard Foster admits to a cacophony of possible voices that might speak: first, human voices within and without (a source that could involve hearing oneself speak, in which case, contemplators would be listening to themselves); second, the voice of Satan or demons; and third, God’s voice.

Who’s Voice?
In order to determine whose voice might be speaking, Foster provides criteria. If the voice is positive and reaffirming, then the voice is God’s. If however the voice is negative and that like a bully who “pushes and condemns,” then the voice must be that of Satan. To discern whether or not the voice is human, Foster offers no advice.

So if the voice is human, one is left wondering, why go into a meditative trance to hear yourself or another human speak? After all, in the normal concourse of life people talk to themselves and listen to others all the time, unless contemplators feel so isolated and alone, or unless in accord with the eastern monistic worldview, meditators believe they are gods so that when they listen to their voice, they are listening to god’s!
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The Physics of Heaven #9

by Pastor Larry DeBruyn for Quantum Spirituality, Spiritual Discernment

A Serial Book Review & Theological Interaction: Part 9
Review of Chapter 8: The God Vibration by Dan McCollam [1]

All of creation is constantly resonating with the praises of God. (Psalm 19:1-4) God’s voice and the sound of angels can also be heard and experienced by man. A whole new realm of encounter awaits those who possess three simple qualities: expectancy, intentionality, and intimacy. Because God, creation, and the angels are constantly interacting, we can expect to hear from them at times. (TPOH, 85)
—Dan McCollam

Introduction
In a dialectic three step, Dan McCollam dances with deception as he first accepts the Genesis account of creation (no other step need be taken), then synthesizes that account with quantum physics and finally, promotes contemplative spirituality or mysticism as the way to encounter the supernatural realm. [2] In this chapter the author weaves together a combination of Scripture, science and supernaturalism.

Scripture
In his chapter “The God Vibration,” the author employs the Bible to explain the origin of the universe. God the Father, as the opening verses of Genesis state, created “something out of nothing.” (TPOH, 79) To buttress the creation account, McCollam refers to the writings of creation scientist Dr. Henry Morris (1918-2006). [3] He also accepts that the Son is the Creator (John 1:3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2), and that “by” Christ the universe coheres or holds together (Colossians 1:17b). But then he injects physics into the explanation of origins. As the chapter’s preface states, Modern scientific discoveries have recently joined the voice of ancient sacred writings to pull back the veil of ignorance that once shrouded the power of sound in God’s universe. (TPOH, 77)

Science
For example, McCollam defines the action of Holy Spirit’s “moving [or] hovering over the surface of the waters” as “vibrating,” a meaning he imports from quantum physics (Genesis 1:2). The author states: “Therefore it could be said that the Holy Spirit vibrated over the formless universe” even as he proceeds to add, “Vibrations are the forces that hold particle matter together.” (TPOH, 79-80) These continuing vibrations of the Spirit of God McCollum associates with string theory; that theory of quantum physics which proposes that, “there are tiny vibrating strands of energy at the center of all matter.” (TPOH, 81)

McCollam constructs this theory from the Hebrew word used to describe the Holy Spirit as “hovering” (i.e., rachaph) over the dead and dark mass of material God had spoken into existence out of nothing, creation ex nihilo. The author states “hovering” can mean “vibrating” despite the fact that in its only other occurrence in the Old Testament the rare verb pictures an eagle providentially caring for its young eaglets by guarding the nest (Deuteronomy 32:11). So rachaph pictures God’s Spirit protectively hovering “over the surface of the waters” as God (the Father and the Son) was about to energize matter with light and fill the void of an otherwise empty universe.

For McCollam it might be assessed that the Genesis narrative provides the “frame” for his understanding of origins which he then “fills” with inferences extracted from the science of quantum physics (i.e., that the material universe is filled with “vibrations” infused in it by God). [4] As he states, “Quantum physics serves as one of the great scientific disciplines bridging the river of confusion between science and biblical kingdom thinking.” (TPOH, 77) But McCollam does not stop there.

Supernaturalism
In taking his quantum leap of faith and providing a platform for pursuing mysticism, McCollam proposes that “God . . . and the angels are constantly interacting” with a vibrating universe and then proceeds to advocate readers get in on the action by opening their hearts, eyes and ears with “an expectancy to encounter the sounds and sights of heaven on a new level.” (TPOH, 85) Openness to the vibrating oneness of reality, says the author, will breed the spiritual “intimacy” necessary to incubate “increased encounters from the supernatural realm.” (TPOH, 86) So vibrations become the focal point for contacting and encountering nature (of which all earth-bound persons like us are a part) or super-nature (the realm inhabited by God, angels, Satan, demons, Nephilim, space aliens, familial spirits or whatever other invented entities or mythological deities are believed to inhabit and traverse throughout the universe). But how does one make the “contact” to connect with the supernatural beings inhabiting the universe’s upper story or outer space? According to the author, the devout can generally do so by cultivating the right attitudes and taking the proper action. [5]
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The Physics of Heaven #8

by Pastor Larry DeBruyn for Quantum Spirituality, Spiritual Discernment

A Serial Book Review & Theological Interaction: Part 8

Review of Chapter 6: Sound of Heaven, Symphony of Earth by Ray Hughes [1]

We live in the “Information Age,” an age of increasing revelation, prophetic insight and sensitivity to the spirit realm . . . We live in a time when science fiction can become science fact overnight. . . . I believe that the Holy Spirit has given me some pieces of the puzzle to heaven’s sound, so the information I share with you about sound and light and vibration will be based upon scientific fact, confessed speculation, and spiritual revelation. (Emphasis added, TPOH, 65-66)
—Ray Hughes

Introduction
1965 was the year when the film The Sound of Music was released. The movie’s theme song written by Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960), composed by Richard Rogers (1902-1979), and sung by actress Julie Andrews (1935-    ), has for five decades remained a musical icon. “The hills are alive, / With the sound of music / With songs they have sung / For a thousand years,” go the song’s opening lyrics. [2] But according to Quantum Charismatics, not only are the hills alive with the sound of music, but also everything else God has infused with heaven’s “sound of many waters” (Revelation 14:2). This music, Quantum Charismatics believe, will bring revival to the church as it endows God’s “manifest sons” to interpret life even as mobilizes miraculous powers within them.

Illustration: Sight and Sound, Movie and Music
Ray Hughes illustrates how sound brings understanding to life, especially in the church. As in a motion picture, music provides meaning and creates feelings for what is seen. He refers to a movie portraying a nattily dressed woman walking hurriedly down a sidewalk on a crowded city street. Various types of accompanying music might offer different interpretations of the woman’s situation. Is the accompanying music depressing? If so, viewers could be impressed that the woman is in some kind of trouble. Is the music upbeat? Viewers would conclude she’s not in danger, but only taking a daily exercise walk. Is music romantic? Viewers might interpret that she is hustling to meet her boyfriend at Starbucks. Hughes’ point is that sound “can create a story from dry facts. It [sound] causes our emotions to go beyond facts to feelings.” [3] (TPOH, 69) In Hughes’ view, sound gives meaning to sight.

“Quantum Charismatics”
So music or sound becomes a key for interpreting the experience of life in the church. Music, says the author, impacts prayer, faith and activity in the church. (TPOH, 69) Sound can enhance if not determine spirituality. Reverbs can create revival. To this point, Hughes informs readers that, “With every revival, there has been a release of new music or sound.” (TPOH, 69) He then goes so far as to suggest that, “Whether the music releases the revival, or whether the revival releases the music varies from generation to generation.” (TPOH, 69) Hughes compares the issue to be like asking the old question of what comes first, the chicken (the revival) or the egg (the music). The right music creates the atmosphere of worship and facilitates a working of signs and wonders. This theory of sound or music—primordially infused by God into nature’s elements—drives, as Hughes states, the Quantum Charismatic view of spiritual life. We turn to summarize and look at the theory the author espouses.
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“LITTLE BOY”

by Pastor Larry DeBruyn for Spiritual Discernment, The New Spirituality

An interaction with issues raised by a Roman Catholic film.

For truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you’.
—Jesus, Matthew 17:20b

Little Boy: Believe the Impossible, produced by Metanoia films (the biblical word metanoia means to change one’s mind or repentance, or perhaps in this instance, beyond the mind), tells the story of a young boy, Pepper Flynt Busbee, upon whom psychokinetic power was bestowed to work miracles of faith, even shake mountains. Despite being bullied by other kids, the “little boy” believed the impossible. By believing in the power of faith without doubting he was not only able to perform supernatural feats that astonished the townspeople, but also bring his father and best friend, James Busbee, back from the battlefields and perils of World War II. As one promo puts it,

The movie tells an all-American story of a devoted 7-year-old son whose father goes missing in the battles of World War II. Motivated by Jesus’ words that faith can move mountains, the little boy asks a local priest how he can increase his faith to move a mountain and bring his missing daddy home. The film promises to be a heart moving film. [1]

The executive producer (other of the film’s execs include Roma Downey and Mark Burnett) and handsome actor Eduardo Verástegui  asks of the film’s storyline, “Who is going to be against a little boy who is going to do whatever it takes to bring his dad back from World War II, because he loves him so much he wants to save his dad, and he’s going to do it through a list of actions [Acts of Corporal Mercy] that are universal—feed the poor, visit those who are sick and in prison?” [2] So a trap has been set. Who will dare to criticize a movie that brings people together and unites them to do good to other people? And didn’t Jesus warn His followers against causing “one of these little ones” to stumble?

No doubt the film, by creating the cinematographic feeling of a Norman Rockwell painting and departing from the standard Hollywood fare of sex and gore, will appear as a harmless and innocent fantasy to most viewers. The nostalgia for a long-gone era of American history, vaguely remembered by some of us seniors, will draw the hearts of many viewers into the story. Those who have seen the movie testify to its emotional appeal, and emotions are for most Americans the spiritual gateway to the soul.

The stimulus for making the movie may arise from the director and producers’ desire to influence American culture for the good. One of the 7 Mountains Christian Dominionism aspires to conquer is the media, arts and entertainment industries. Some pre-release reviews of the movie have already praised Little Boy as an artful film though criticizing it for, among a few other things, depicting war violence and hatred of the Japanese.

Though containing elements of goodness in it, the “spirituality” the movie portrays ought to concern biblical Christians. The movie contains a weird spiritual combination of themes that while admittedly Christian, also project a magical and occult worldview like a Harry Potter movie. We turn now to a description and transcript of the movie’s trailer. As you read it, note the occurrences of the words “believe” and “faith.”
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The Physics of Heaven #7

by Pastor Larry DeBruyn for Quantum Spirituality, Spiritual Discernment

A Serial Book Review & Theological Interaction: Part 7
Review of Chapter 6: Good Vibrations by Ellyn Davis [1]

Prophets have long recognized that their words carry a force or power that is more than just words, but is like an energy that empowers what they prophesy. Some Christian leaders have also found that they have a “resonance” themselves that helps people move deeper into God. (Emphasis added, TPOH, 53)
—Ellyn Davis

“Good Vibrations”—the chapter’s title is taken from the song written and engineered by Brian Wilson (1942-    ), sung by the Beach Boys (1966), and which became a #1 song in the United States and other countries. Rolling Stone called it the sixth greatest song in rock ’n roll history. It is considered Wilson’s crowning musical achievement. But inherent with the song, a fact which escaped many of us who were more affected by the sensations of the music, was the message Wilson tried to communicate—a cosmic worldview with a New Age spiritual component. Reflecting the direction the 60s California culture was moving in, Brian Wilson’s life experiences influenced the production of Good Vibrations.

The music, Wilson explained, was rooted in childhood memories that included an abusive father (“bad vibrations”) and a clairsentient mother who “had talked to him about vibrations—invisible forces that filled the air.” [2] She explained that dogs did not like certain people because of negative sensations they detected emanating from certain people (auric effect?). As the learning website Shmoop informs, “The whole thing terrified Brian; invisible currents floating around the cosmos and sending out messages to people and animals was spooky stuff.” [3] So the song Good Vibrations represents his attempt to musically bring “what’s out there down here,” to translate the psychic into the ecstatic. Though scientific evidence remains inconclusive, “Sound vibrations are believed to play a mysterious part in the production of psychic phenomena.” [4]
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The Physics of Heaven #6

by Pastor Larry DeBruyn for Quantum Spirituality, Spiritual Discernment

A Serial Book Review & Theological Interaction: Part 6
Review of Chapter 5: Authentic vs. Counterfeit by Jonathan Welton [1]

I have found throughout Scripture at least 75 examples of things that the New Age has counterfeited, such as having a spirit guide, trances, meditation, auras, power objects, clairvoyance, clairaudience, and more. These actually belong to the church, but they have been stolen and cleverly repackaged. (TPOH, 49)
—Jonathan Welton

Thesis
Ironically, this chapter, Authentic vs. Counterfeit by Jonathan Welton, [2] proposes that Christians should pursue separating the true from the false in New Age Religion, and reclaim the truths that religion stole from the church. The chapter’s “most important point” is,

If there is a counterfeit, there is an authentic that we need to find and reclaim. Every time we see a masquerade, we need too look closely to properly discern what is being counterfeited, because a counterfeit is evidence that an authentic exists. (TPOH, 42)

“Resistors” and “Fearers”
To advance his bold thesis, Welton needs to discredit conservative Christian critics who question the legitimacy of such a reclamation project and therefore states, “The way that God moves in power looks a lot like the New Age, and this has scared many Christians away from the operating gifts of the Holy Spirit.” (TPOH, 45) So he breaks down the way religious people view the supernatural into 3 Groups—1) Those who operate in the supernatural realm authentically (i.e., the signs and wonders crowd of the New Apostolic Reformation); 2) Those who operate in the supernatural realm fraudulently (i.e., New Agers, Buddhists, Hindus and Occultists); and 3) Those who view the supernatural realm skeptically. Welton perceives Group 3 to be comprised of “fellow Christians who believe false doctrines regarding the operation of supernatural power.” (TPOH, 48) In contrast to the charismatic crowd that embraces the supernatural under the “the lordship of Jesus Christ,” Group 3 is comprised of those who fear supernatural phenomena, and presumably do not live under the lordship of Jesus Christ.

The New Normal
Welton compares these “resistors” to the Pharisees who after they observed the miracles Jesus worked by the Spirit, blasphemed the Holy Spirit by ascribing Jesus’ miraculous power to have been Satan’s (Luke 11:14-15). (Note: Unlike the Sadducees, the Pharisees were not anti-supernatural.) [3] To Welton, the new Christian normal involves free operation in the supernatural realm, performing signs and wonders at will. Yet upon their seeing miracles performed by manifest sons of God, Welton states that, “There will always be those who resist the Holy Spirit,” and “what may surprise you (as you become normal) is that the strongest resistance does not come from the sinner but from the fellow saint.” (TPOH, 49) Therefore, “Being a normal Christian” Welton informs, “is not for the faint of heart.” (TPOH, 49) So we turn to give attention to some of the spiritual activities which will comprise the new normal, activities which it is surmised, originally belonged to the church but were stolen by the New Age Movement. Welton writes:

“I have found throughout Scripture at least 75 examples of things that the New Age has counterfeited, such as having a spirit guide, trances, meditation, auras, power objects, clairvoyance, clairaudience, and more. These actually belong to the church, but they have been stolen and cleverly repackaged.” (Emphasis added, TPOH, 49)

We turn now to deal with the “things” Welton claims belonged to the church but were stolen, repackaged and used to promote New Age spirituality.
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The Physics of Heaven #5

by Pastor Larry DeBruyn for Quantum Spirituality, Spiritual Discernment

A Serial Book Review & Theological Interaction: Part 5
Review of Chapter 4: Recovering Our Spiritual Inheritance by Bill Johnson [1]

“God is glorified by not speaking in plain language to you. He’s glorified by speaking in parables, symbols and dark sayings.” (TPOH, 31)
–Bill Johnson

Though this chapter does not fit The Physics of Heaven’s exploration of the ways quantum science can energize the Christian faith (i.e., tap into Pentecostal power by harnessing the universe’s quantum “sounds, vibrations, or frequencies”), the authors decided to include Bill Johnson’s teaching “on recovering our spiritual inheritance . . . because there are whole realms of insights that belong to the people of God we’ve failed to explore and, therefore, haven’t been leaving as a legacy for future generations.” (TPOH, 29) If today’s indifferent Church fails to move forward by reclaiming “lost ‘God truths’,” “a vacuum forms that the enemy fills” and “future generations of Christians” will loose the inheritance this generation should have left to them. [2] (TPOH, 29) In developing this theme, Johnson employs the word “inheritance(s)” and “generation(s)” numerous times. [3] The chapter’s title, “Recovering Our Spiritual Inheritance,” suggests that there’s an inheritance out there to be recovered, reclaimed and bequeathed to future generations. “It’s time to start constructing . . . a hundred-year vision,” he says later. (TPOH, 37) So what does Johnson mean by the “legacy” he wants this generation to reclaim and pass on to future generations of Christians?

The Inheritance—“Hidden Things”
The inheritance has to do with “anointings, mantles, revelations and mysteries that have lain unclaimed . . . because the generation that walked in them never passed them on.”  (TPOH, 30-31) Along with other of the book’s contributors, Johnson believes they possess the potential and possibility “to recover realms of anointing, realms of insight, realms of God that have been untended for decades . . . and perpetuate them [in what he calls a “domino effect”] for future generations.” (TPOH, 31) He believes that “there are realms opening up right now to people because they realize their destiny . . . that God has ordained and given them access to hidden things” [Ed. hidden means occult]. (TPOH, 32) To buttress his hand-me-down theory, Johnson quotes Deuteronomy 29:29 (italics in the NKJV translation, emphasis added), [4]

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (TPOH, 31)

Extracting the word “secret” from this verse, Johnson then leapfrogs to the Gospel of Luke (though he fails to cite the verse’s location) to connect Moses’ statement to one Jesus made to His disciples when He told them (Johnson rewords Luke 8:10), “It’s the Father’s good pleasure to give you the secrets [Greek, musterion, “mysteries”] of the Kingdom.” From this verse Johnson observes that, “Jesus taught in parables, not to reveal truth, but to hide truth.” (TPOH, 31) Then he gave this stunning opinion embracing esotericism (that only a limited number of initiates can comprehend meanings):

Truth is not hidden from you; it’s hidden for you. . . . God is glorified by not speaking in plain language to you. He’s glorified by speaking in parables, symbols and dark sayings. (Emphases added, TPOH, 31)

Seekers of the Secrets
According to Johnson, it thus becomes the responsibility of the “royal priesthood”—the king’s kids—to realize they have “legal access” to explore and unlock the secrets (the parables, symbols and dark sayings) and leave the things they discover as an inheritance for future generations. [5] (TPOH, 31) So “trip out” into the mysteries all ye seekers, and delve into the “realms of science, of politics, of business, of creativity in the arts” to discover God’s secrets. From these realms this generation will discover a legacy to hand down to future generations because Jesus told Johnson, “The things that are revealed are for you and your children forever.” (TPOH, 32) A legacy then “enables us to start our Christian life at spiritual levels that might have taken us years to reach. Another generation’s ‘ceiling’ in God can become our spiritual ‘floor’.” (TPOH, 30) What exactly constitutes an inheritance is vague, but in addition to personal revelations from God, may involve recovering the experiences of “mystics” and “revivalists” that in past centuries “broke into realms of the Spirit to leave something . . . .” (TPOH, 38) But regardless of the past, Johnson says, “We’ve never seen the accelerated spiritual growth that comes from inheritance. We’ve never fully seen what a spiritual ‘jump start’ can mean to the next generation.” (TPOH, 30)

But before addressing other issues raised in this chapter, Johnson’s twisting of Scripture ought to be noted. Bill Johnson’s mixing of words Moses spoke to Israel in Deuteronomy 29:29 and those spoken by Jesus to His disciples in Luke 8:9 serve to illustrate the author’s misuse of Scripture.
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