Snares of the Modern Church - Part XIII: Christian-Cloaked Occultism

In Part XIII of our hard-hitting series on the Snares of the Modern Church, we unmask one of the most pernicious yet insidious traps that have ensnared unwitting believers—occultism. Yes, you read that right. We're talking about occult practices that have slithered their way into modern Christianity, camouflaging themselves as "spiritual disciplines" or "deep prayer methods." From Lectio Divina promoted by well-known figures like John Piper, to Contemplative Prayer endorsed by many leaders including the late Tim Keller, these practices have wormed their way into mainstream Christian thought.

Cloaked in biblical language and endorsed by such highly-regarded Evangelical figureheads, they gain credence and spread like wildfire, undetected by the undiscerning believer. But these are not simply benign practices with no consequences—they are deeply rooted in mysticism and unbiblical ideologies, drawing believers away from the solid foundation of Scripture and into a murky world of subjective, emotional, and experiential spirituality. And this isn't merely a fringe issue either, it's pervasive in many Evangelical churches on many different levels and demands immediate and unyielding scrutiny.

Let's drill down further into the mechanics and origins of these troubling practices, beginning with Lectio Divina. Although the phrase may evoke a sense of scholarly depth or even holy mystery, its roots are, in fact, mired in traditions that stand at odds with sound biblical theology. Originating from monastic customs, particularly those dating back to the Middle Ages, Lectio Divina operates on a principle that can best be described as "praying the Scriptures" on the surface, but this surface-level description belies its underlying ideology. The practice consists of a repetitive, even mantra-like, recitation of selected Bible verses. This chanting is not done merely for memorization or reflection—rather, it aims to unlock special "insights" or mystical "revelations" that are not apparent in the plain text of Scripture. In essence, it attempts to go beyond what the Bible explicitly says, seeking hidden truths through a form of spiritual alchemy.

While the highly-regarded John Piper has given his nod to Lectio Divina as a method to deepen one's relationship with God, the sobering reality is that this practice fundamentally diverges from the Bible's explicit guidelines on how we are to interact with God's Word. According to Scripture, we are instructed to approach the Bible with a studious, diligent mind, "rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). We are encouraged to investigate its teachings, apply its principles in context, and meditate on its truth in a way that engages both mind and heart. This is vastly different from murmuring verses in a quasi-mystical manner in hopes of conjuring new, hidden revelations.