Angels of Light

 

5 min. read 

Part 9 in the Challenges series 

(2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."

As we continue in this study of the challenges that the Church is facing going forward, we'll build on the emergence of false Christs, and the deception that inherently follows. 

False apostles and deceitful workers are not just ministering in the pulpits of America, they can be found in other aspects of the ministry as well. We have already touched on the fact that false doctrine is being reinforced by the praise and worship music being welcomed with open arms by many liberal congregations. Unfortunately, this same music has been accepted by ministries that have, for the most part, been extremely evangelical in years past. These ministries have also been historically sound in the "fundamentals" of the faith. 

What undershepherds need to be aware of concerning this type of music, is the "mystical" undertones that it represents. Rather than glorifying God and exalting Christ, it leans more towards catering to the flesh. Moreover, as we will see, it is a vehicle designed to move the church away from traditional teachings and cause its congregants to seek "spiritual experience". 

Once again, what we see is this move reinforcing what Jesus said in Matthew 24 about deception by "signs and wonders". Those worshipers referenced in Matthew 24 are susceptible to deception by the fact that they are basing "truth" on "spiritual experience", rather than sound Bible doctrine. 

Michael Stoebel of Regis College and the University of Toronto has this to say about Mysticism. 

"Mysticism, like spirituality, is a vague word in contemporary culture, used in multiple ways in diverse settings. It can stand for anything esoteric, mysterious, otherworldly or occult-like, and is often used in reference to exceptionally strong aesthetic and religious feelings. This usage has been the norm in modern times. In 1911 Evelyn Underhill, an influential British scholar of mysticism, noted this ambiguity and described mysticism as “the science or art of the spiritual life."

Stoebel continues,

"Perhaps the most prominent aspect of mysticism in its modern sense is that it is a spiritual experience that can stand apart from institutional religion. Indeed, the noun mysticism was coined only in seventeenth-century France. Prior to this time, there existed just an adjectival form, drawn from the Greek mystikos, meaning “secret,” “hidden” or “private,” which qualified certain scriptures, rituals and theology of the Christian religion as “mystical.” These various contexts of religion functioned to engage an adherent in an unusually intimate (“mystical”) relationship with and awareness of the Christian God."

Examining this statement closer, we can glean two important aspects of "mystical religion" and its teachings. 

First of all we see Underhill stating that, "the most prominent aspect of mysticism in its modern sense is that it is a spiritual experience that can stand apart from institutional religion." Secondly, lifting the last sentence that Mr. Stoebel made we can examine it in the context of what we see happening in contemporary worship music today. Once again we read;

"These various contexts of religion functioned to engage an adherent in an unusually intimate (“mystical”) relationship with and awareness of the Christian God."

The article by Mr. Stoebel referenced above, is concerning the teachings of Evelyn Underhill. She, as we see, was very influential in circles of mystic teaching. Notice once again her description of mysticism. She refers to it as “the science or art of the spiritual life."

In this world science, art, and religion constitutes a large percentage of any culture. If an artist can capitalize on this fact by capturing a large audience in both areas of art and the spiritual life, no doubt that artist is going to have a long and prosperous career. There is certainly nothing wrong with a successful career in any endeavor. That being said, let's examine the road that many artists in the Contemporary Christian Music may be leading churches in the areas of doctrine, thelogy, and individual worship. 

If we examine the music of the Bible -- the Psalms -- we will notice a sharp contrast between how the writers approached God then, and how the praise and worship writers claim to be approaching him today.

One prominent artist, claims that she has been "using her gifts to lead people into the presence of God." 

Moses wrote in Psalm 90:7-9

"For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled. Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. For all our days are passed away in thy wrath:we spend our years as a tale that is told."

David writes in Psalm 51:3-5,

"For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me."

If we contrast the worship of the saints of God in the inspired Word of God and the writers of today's praise and worship we will begin to notice the mystical elements of modern songs. We will see, not penitent souls realizing how great that grace is in light of our sinfulness, but rather what Underhill referred to as an unusually intimate (“mystical”) relationship with and awareness of the Christian God."

This mode of thinking helps perpetuate a lopsided gospel in a sense. "Another gospel" that focuses primarily on the love of God, and tends to ignore the judgment of God. There is no mention of sin and repentance. 

In essence, the lyrics lean more towards the false teachings of the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. It also promotes the "little gods" doctrine that originated in the Garden of Eden. This philosophy will be even more apparent going forward in the drive towards ecumenicalism and the One World Religion of the end time.

The purpose of this study is to bring awareness to the methods and the devices that our adversary uses to replace sound doctrine with false teachings. I will link to a video that goes quite a bit deeper into the study of how contemporary praise and worship music is undermining the theology of the professing church. 

Modern Worship=Western White Magic Hypnotism?

Let me close the same way the Apostle Paul does in his Epistle to the Romans. 

"To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen."  

My dear friend, if you have never received Christ as your Saviour, would you do so today? Pray this from your heart. 

Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe you died on the cross for my sins. I believe you were buried and rose again the third day. I ask you now to forgive me of my sins and come into my heart and save me. Amen