Customer Reviews

A Time of Departing

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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.

If you are seeking to better understand the inroads of New Age Spiritualism on Christianity this book is a must read. It is the very best book I have read on the subject. Because it is Scripturally accurate, thorougally researched, well written and totally understadable, you come away knowing the dangers of some of the spiritual disciplines, such as centering prayer, that are highly recommended by a number of well respected evangelical Christians. Centering prayer can either use a word or phrase (mantra) or focus on the breath as Rick Warren advocates you do in his book, "The Prupose Driven Life."

In His chapter on "Discernment' Yungan gives you the facts on everything from the "Chicken Soup For the Soul" books, to Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Phil, the therapuetic modulities of Rikki and Therapuetic Touch and so much more. It saves one the work of having to do all the research for yourself!

Yungen also states that he is not interested in sliging mud on names; but rather is challenging Christians to look at the facts surrounding the contemplative prayer movement and other non bliblical practices being embraced by believers, which really blessed me.

Many of the inroads of the new age into the Christian church are extremely subtle. As Matthew 24:24 warns us,"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch that it it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." The only way to keep yourself from falling prey to these many seemingly benifical practices which are really of the enemy is to inform yourself as to what they are really all about.

Every Christian and ESPECIALLY every pastor concerned about what is going on in Christianity today that threatens to alter the faithful adherance to God's Word needs to read this book as New Age spirituality is quietly weaving its way into the fabric of Christianity. The threat this represents to the souls of many can't be understated.

The evangelical church in North America has been plagued with many facets of apostasy over the past several decades. Ray Yungen documents that the New Age Movement and its Eastern philosophies have insidiously crept into Christianity. Things like yoga and meditation are exposed, along with their Satantic roots. But the New Age is even more subtle that that. Read the book and you'll be surprised what popular teachers and teachings are New Age !! Evangelicals are doing about everything but what we should be doing: praying, studying the bible, and as Jesus said, "feeding the sheep."

The book is an easy read and not overly long. Christians dabbling in the occult need to discern the evil origin of these activities. Mr. Yungen has provided ample warning to all.

I hope Ray Yungen would also write a book about the "Church Growth Movement" "Seeker Sensitive" and other philosophies espoused by Rick Warren, Bill Hybels and others. Seems like the evangelical church is now picking and choosing what parts of the bible it wants to teach. Certain parts of the bible are now politically incorrect and the evangelical church will no longer touch them because preaching them would offend people, hurt attendance and god forbid, result in reduced offerings next week. The entire pragmatic goal is to fill churches, build buildings, and write books about their successes. Who cares what is being (or not being) taught? I am thankful that teachers like Mr. Yungen are out there taking unpopular stands and keeping the truth in print.

All these problems in the evangelical church today are all Satan's attempt to prevent the true gospel from being preached. I heard Mr. Yungen on a Twin Cities radio interview a few weeks ago and he was outstanding. Keep preaching brother !!

Book Review by Cassandrah Batya, April 15, 2006

"Not since Gnosticism at the dawn of the Christian era has there arisen a philosophy as pervasive and threatening to orthodox Christianity as The New Age Movement ... It would be difficult to find any area of life, which has not been touched or redirected to some degree by the concepts of this movement."
- David L. Smith, A Handbook of Contemporary Theology, p. 273

Outside of the Bible, A Time of Departing by Ray Yungen is one of the most definitive books ever written about what is wrong with contemplative spirituality and mysticism. Ray Yungen presents concise documentation of why contemplative spirituality is the most dangerous threat to the Church today. As Ray Yungen points out in his book, mysticism has infiltrated the Church through respected ministers who have either bought into the lie of contemplative spirituality or turned a blind eye and deaf ear. This is a must-read book for any Christian practicing biblical discernment.

Just finished the book. It is comprehensive, relatively well researched, and does a good job of articulating what is wrong with so-called "Christian" mysticism. Bravo!

In Acts 20, Paul tells the elders of the church in Ephesus that after he leaves, "savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them."

Ray Yungen gives the same warning today! Contemplative practices are in the church. Men have arisen and are distorting the truth...and they have many followers. If you are committed to Biblical, Christ-centered Christianity, you need to understand the history, the process, and the promoters of contemplative prayer. This book is the place to start your own study of this not-so-new New Age practice invading the church.

Ray Yungen does an excellent work on exposing the new age filtering into the church today. Thought provoking and never dull, I would recommend this book to anyone who has questions about what is going on in Christiandom today. This book I have used many times to evaluate books that are in question that are being promoted as Christian material today.

The mixture of New age practices in the church is getting more and more prevalent. The term New Age is no longer used, it is now the "New Spirituality". Our pastors and leaders are being mislead that we can use pagan practices to reach God in the name of Jesus. The New Age has a Jesus as well, it is not the one in the Bible though. More christians need to read the information in this book to equip themselves of any deception that might be confronting them or their family.