We hear frequently about various apparitions and, though they may be helpful reminders of God’s concern for us, they cannot replace the daily struggle of conversion.
Demetrious Dumm
Cherish Christ Above All
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In 1 Thessalonians 5 we’re told, when it comes to mysticism (“prophetic utterance”), never to despise such, but we’re also told to examine it carefully, take what is good, and leave the rest.
It’s apparent why that passage is relevant. Deceptive spirits operate in supernatural categories (as well as all aspects of life).
There are “miraculous” photographs and weeping statues and bleeding Hosts and luminosities that seem to impart grace, while others — at first glance, on the surface, also “holy” — leave unsettlement, which is an indicator of deception (or at least: contamination, a mix).
In fact, there are all sorts of “gray areas.”
There are questionable visionaries, healers, locutionists, stigmatics, prophets, and near-death experiences.
In the realm of those who “die” and return with testimonies, it seems that in some cases the devil skews recall or forms a twisted interpretation (often putting a New Agey spin on such experiences).
In other cases, for all we know, he may be the author of an experience.
It is why we like to say, “for your discernment.”
Two in the news of late: the experiences of a Harvard neurosurgeon named Dr. Eben Alexander and a woman who nearly died of cancer named Anita Morrjani.
“I looked into the experience of Anita and don’t sense it is of God,” noted viewer Walt Gartner. “The focus is on me. The power is within, New Age perhaps. It’s the kind of philosophy that people like to embrace and become gods unto themselves. ”
As for Dr. Alexander: “I recently read Proof of Heaven and found it to be a well written, compelling story, but there were a few things I found troubling and was glad to see in your bookstore summation the words ‘for discernment,'” said Pat McNamara of Tucson. “Dr. Alexander’s three main take-always from his experience were: you are loved and cherished — ok, you have nothing to fear — maybe, and you can do nothing wrong — not ok, at least not in this life. His insistence on referring to ‘the Creator” as ‘Om’ and the total lack of any Christian sources in the recommended reading I also found disturbing. His references to Heaven as the ‘core’ described as the ‘shining darkness’ reminded me of the messages of the Canadian mystic Jim Singer. I think a scientific skeptic might look at the startling fact of the resurrection of Christ and its implications. All his attempts to make ‘the creator’ personal fell flat for me and I was left to conclude that the universe was the creator.”
We shared those qualms, although likewise found aspects informative and compelling.
Of course, often it is due to clumsy retelling — or, again, placing a modern, non-religious aspect to it. The majority of near-death experiences, including many of the most famous, report encounters with Jesus. Such experiences come through the prism of the person’s belief system (what many call “New Age” are sometimes caused by an upbringing in Muslim or Eastern beliefs). Meanwhile, we must weigh the fact that those who allegedly experience the other side are not only prone to evil attacks afterwards, but come back grappling with ways to express the overwhelming love they encountered (in the process, sometimes neglecting to consider other aspects of Christianity). It is true — said Jesus — that the most important standard of judgment is love (which in these days of rancor is in woefully short supply).
But caution — as with seers, as with locutionists, as with healers — is always in order, while we also pay attention to that other part of 1 Thessalonians that says, “Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances.” How do we discern? Fasting helps. And the main means of discernment (says this very same passage): “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing” (16-17).
[original post]
