Episcopal Watch
There is a popular wave of teaching in churches, colleges and conferences today that revolves around a type of mysticism. For the most part, as popular speakers go, Beth Moore is spreading this unbiblical view. To begin with, anyone who lets Beth Moore, Joyce Meyer, Christine Caine or any other so-called woman preacher to preach [sic] before men contributes to the violation of scripture regarding that issue. This includes Louie Giglio who invites her to his Passion conferences (2012) to speak. She shared the stage with John Piper and Frances Chan, both who should know better but contribute to her so-called preaching by participating with her on stage in this errant teaching of Roman Catholic origin. (The funny thing about them all on stage and closing their eyes to “to be still and let Jesus speak to them” was when Frances Chan was caught “peeking” at the audience. Was he “peeking” to see how many others had their eyes closed or was he “peeking” to see how many were looking at him?)
“Be still”…she says. Let “Jesus speak to us”…she says. At the conference she read the Bible then makes the request to her listeners to “Be still…and let Jesus speak to us.” Does not Jesus already speak to us through the Bible? Beth Moore, et al. teach that through their “Be still” moments that they can hear God speak. Louie Giglio also uses the term of “hearing God’s voice.” This is an example of their view of the insufficiently of scripture. But scripture alone is sufficient and complete and honest and inspired of God. To say that we need to hear the voice of God or Jesus dims the light of sufficiently of scripture. Beth Moore has also said that God tells her to write down words He wants her to speak. Has this not already been called scripture? Is Beth Moore, et al. adding to scripture?
This teaching that she and others are propagating is called lectio divina, prayer centering, breath prayer or contemplative prayer. It originated from 4th century Roman Catholic monks and has crept into so-called evangelical circles. Anytime the Roman Catholic Church is given credit for something then that should be a “red flag” for any evangelical who cares about the veracity of scripture. This prayer teaches a different type of prayer where one is to empty their mind and let God speak to them. This is not much different than many of the cults who practice the same form of empty-mindless consciousness. They encourage a repeated mantra, even if it is saying “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus…” But the Word of God never taught such. In fact, we are told in Matthew 6:7 to not repeat prayers. And where is the guarantee that the demons will not enter an empty mind. The cult of Transcendental Meditation teaches the exact same thing about emptying the mind. It is the same process that Beth Moore teaches when she tells people to “Be still.”
But does scripture not teach that same thing? Actually, we find in Psalm 46:10 that the Psalmist writes, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” But is this the “Be still” that Beth Moore is teaching. Certainly, she takes her subject matter from this verse but is her exegesis biblically sound? Is her interpretation correct in understanding that we are to “Be still” and empty our minds (mysticism) to hear directly from God? What is the Psalmist telling us here? As always, we should look at the context. Psalm 46:1 begins by saying, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in struggle.” The entire chapter is about the protection from God and His magnitude. It has absolutely nothing to do with Beth Moore’s command to “Be still.” It is saying in verse 10 to know Who God is in all His sovereignty. It nowhere hints at us to follow Beth Moore’s order to “Be still” and empty our minds but it is telling us that God is the sovereign creator and protector of His people.
Should we “Be still?’ Absolutely, but we are to “Be still” in our humbleness to God, not to emptying our minds “listening for an audible word from Jesus” as Beth Moore, et al. exhort. This type of prayer is a false teaching. The word “discernment” seems to be noticeably missing from many of the churches today.