A Time of Departing (Paperback)

~ (Author) "In the decade of the 1980s the term New Age movement inspired a sense of dread in many conservative Christians..." (more)
Key Phrases: contemplative prayer movement, contemplative spirituality, practical mystics, Thomas Merton, Alice Bailey, Basil Pennington (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

A Time of Departing opens a new door to knowledge to those earnestly contending for the faith. -- Christian News And Views - Editor Andy Neckar

A well researched, valuable book. Ray Yungen has hit the nail right on the head! A solid critique. -- Despatch Magazine - Australia, September 2002 issue

After reading A Time of Departing one can come to conclusion contemplative prayer is one introductory gateway into Eastern mysticism. -- Greg Desvoignes, October 2002 - Christian Research Ministries

Ray Yungen reveals how Chrisianity has opened its doors to . . . mystical pantheistic thoughts. -- Eastside Christian Fellowship, Salem, Oregon - Pastor Ron Comer

Ray Yungen reveals how Christianity has opened its door to mystical pantheistic thoughts that all is God. -- Pastor Ron Comer, Eastside Worship Center, Salem, Oregon

This book is a fine addition to contemporary literature - I will have my students study this work. -- Dr. Robert Wright, Western Baptist College, Salem, Oregon, Septmember 2002

This book is crucial for understanding the infiltration of Eastern views in the Church. -- MARCIA Montenegro: CANA (Christian Answers for the New Age)

This book reminds us New Age philosophy has infiltrated much of literature . . . a fine addition that challenges us today. -- Western Baptist College, Salem, Oregon - Dr. Robert Wright --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Description

A revealing account of a New Age spirituality that has infiltrated much of the church today. Exposes the subtle strategies to compromise the gospel message with Eastern mystical practices cloaked under evangelical terminology and wrappings. Topics include: Contemplative Prayer Yoga Labyrinths Spiritual Directors Reiki Desert Fathers Spiritual Formation Spiritual Disciplines Purpose Driven and the Emerging Church Some questions this book answers ... What exactly is contemplative spirituality and how is it New Age? Who are some of the major proponents of contemplative prayer and how are their teachings entering the church? Is Rick Warren s Purpose Driven paradigm promoting the contemplative prayer movement? What is wrong with Christian yoga? What is the emerging church really all about and why is it spiritually dangerous?

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Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Lighthouse Trails Publishing; 2nd edition (April 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972151273
• ISBN-13: 978-0972151276
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #256,534 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wake-Up Call, January 14, 2005

By	Tim Challies (Oakville, Ontario) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: A Time of Departing: How a Universal Spirituality is Changing the Face of Christianity (Paperback)

The silence. This book is all about the silence. Whether that silence is part of the religious practice of Buddhists, Hindus, Sufi Muslims, New Agers or Contemplative Christians, Ray Yungen, author of A Time of Departing argues convincingly that it is all one and the same. As the subtitle suggests, a universal spirituality is changing the very face of Christianity. This universal spirituality is born from the religions of the East and is slowly infiltrating the Christian church, primarily through the New Age movement. Ray Yungen has studied this religious movement extensively and writes this book in response. It is an alarm sounded by one with a deep love for the church. "This book is not just another attempt to explain the New Age, but rather, an alert to the church of how and through whom New Age thinking is currently creeping into our pulpits, Sunday school classrooms, prayer groups, and Bible studies." The primary way the New Age has joined with the evangelical churches is through mysticism and contemplative prayer.

Contemplative prayer has been practiced by professed Christians since the early days of the church. Once a practice known only to a few Catholic mystics, today it is quickly gaining popularity in both Catholic and Protestant circles. Many prominent Protestant leaders have endorsed the practice, either explicitly or by declaring their respect for those who teach it. Rick Warren, Bill Hybels and Robert Schuller, leaders of the church growth movement have all spoken favorably of it and have been involved in conferences where it is taught and practiced. The leaders of the Emergent church endorse the practice as a way of drawing closer to God. Many youth leaders and organizations have begun teaching it to children and teens. Catholic teachers such as Henri Nouwen and Brennan Manning, following in the footsteps of Thomas Merton, teach the value of the practice and are respected by Protestants and Catholics alike. Because of its increasing popularity, Christians need to educate themselves about the meaning and source of this practice.

In the introduction Ron Comer writes, "like two rivers merging together, Easter and Western religious thought are joining together, thus gaining momentum towards a one world religion in which all paths lead to God. A person who understands the unfolding of this new paradigm is Ray Yungen." (Page 15) Sure enough, contemplative prayer is a practice derived from the Eastern religions and is entirely foreign to Scripture. Those who practice it, allowing their minds to enter the silence of contemplation or meditation, open themselves to a practice that is foreign to the Bible, and even more serious, is completely opposed to biblical Christianity.

These words are from the author's conclusion. "Let us be mindful that deception is subtle, and we must be alert. All of life and truth are resting on what God has proclaimed in the Scriptures. Any teaching not supported by the Bible is not of God. May you know in your heart and mind that you are not one of the deceived, and may you, with all your heart, show your love for God by loving His Living Word. And finally, may you press on towards the upward call of God and be found ready - for there will indeed be a time of departing! This book will prepare you to avoid deception and will sharpen you, that you may not be one who departs from the faith. It is short, at 137 pages, and is easy to read. Perhaps its greatest quality is that it is biblical, continually turning to the Scriptures to allow God's Word to bear witness against Contemplative practices. It is alarming without being alarmist. I recommend it to all believers - those involved in these practices and those who would like to know more about the dangers.

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Time of Departing, February 24, 2003

By	Roselee A. Bogosian (Palos Verdes Estates, California USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: A Time of Departing: How a Universal Spirituality is Changing the Face of Christianity (Paperback)

Having just completed this book, I highly recommend it to all who are seeking to distinguish between truth and error with Biblical clarity. This is a time in our history when compromise is abounding, loose thinking is pervasive, Biblical clarity is diminishing, and strange doctrines are encroaching upon the church of Jesus Christ. This book separates truth from error. "A Time of Departing" clearly points to the gnostics of our modern day. Read it and then examine your faith also examine what we are now allowing into the church.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the Contradiction & Oxymoron Of Christian Mysticism, April 13, 2004

By	Joli Darling (Salem, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Time of Departing: How a Universal Spirituality is Changing the Face of Christianity (Paperback)

What I respect most regarding "A Time Of Departing" is the fact the author, Ray Yungen, makes it crystal clear one cannot have any kind of bent or leaning towards contemplative prayer or anything mystical in nature & yet, rightfully call themselves Christian simultaneously. What is more, he backs it up with direct quotes either from having met in person with those who are the proponents of contemplative prayer & Far Eastern mysticism or from having done exhaustive research on those who are it's proponents and/or have authored books on the subject and/or have made a career out of doing seminars on the topic.

Ray does not come at this phenomena that is unfolding in our American secular, media saturated culture or this paradigm shift that is coming into its own in American Evangelical Christian culture from a sensationalist, fanatical, hysteria-based or tunnel vision point of view. Instead, he has devoted over 20 years of research to this topic and has made it his life's work and calling. What is more, he goes straight to the source. He traveled extensively throughout America 20 years going to New Age centers & New Age conferences. He also is a regular patron of a number of libraries and well-known contemporary bookstores in the Portland-Salem-Corvallis-Eugene metropolitan areas.

Even as a child, he was interested in what was going on in the world. At age 11 he began reading US News and World Report on a regular basis. Then he began researching history, sociology & geography which became a springboard to researching religion. Even now he continues to keep current with New Age trends and alternately researches marriage and family extensively. Ray Yungen is the researcher's researcher and has a very broad knowledge base in a number of different areas. And... A Time Of Departing is his very best work and best reflects Ray's competency as a natural born, highly-skilled researcher.