Archive for November 15th, 2008
Last week I was driving to Mechanic Falls and heard some preaching by Pastor Charles Stanley. His subject was the Ancient Stoics. Their teachings reminded me so much of the direction Ardith Keef’s teachings have been going. I believe when we get off center spiritually the enemy misleads us in some direction that he has already established. He has no creativity and therefore where he subtly leads is much like something that has already been , probably even a mixture of philosophies perhaps sounding very Christian.
These are just a few Stoic teachings which are much like Ardith Keef’s teachings in my opinion:
The Stoics considered passionate emotions to be the result of errors in judgment, that a person of moral and intellectual perfection would not have such emotions.
They train their attention to remain in THE present MOMENT (similar to some forms of Eastern meditation)
The Philosophy for the Stoic is an active process of constant practice and self reminder.
Stoicism teaches the development of self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions.
Primary aspect of Stoicism is improving the individuals ethical and moral wellbeing.
Stoics used many of the same terms as the early Christians such as Logos, Virtue, spirit, conscience, inner freedom. They interposed the term “nature” for God.
Everything is subject to the laws of fate. (Ardith Keef’s doctrine says that everything that comes, both good and evil comes from God.)
The Stoics did not seek to extinguish emotions, rather they sought to transform them by a resolute (askesis, Greek) Ascetism , which enables a person to develop clear judgment and inner calm.
Logic, reflection and concentration were the methods of such self discipline.
A transformation of the mind and body by salvation and liberation is taught by Christians, Stoics, Indian religions, and Yoga
All of the above religions led austere lifestyles , refrained from sensual pleasures and the accumulation of material wealth.
The Stoic finds there is very little that is of much importance.
Stoics are not easily upset because they can put up with much negativity. It is as if they were insulated from it.
Stoics have a mood of insensitivity to what is happening around them. They are psychologically “nearsighted” so to speak.
Stoic’s are unaffected by things that provoke others.
The Stoic’s blame fate ( Anchor, it’s Gods will ) rather than learn from their mistakes
Stoics see the hand of God (or it’s equivalant) in everything. They do not want to be guilty of opposing His ordained law. The way to transend this fear is to apply the positive pole of the Complimentary Attitude, attune to the higher qualities and values of life.
I found these statements on line in the Wikipedia under Stoicism. One can see how easy it would be for a Christian when getting offcourse to be moved over into this kind of thinking. Perhaps maintaining some of the true doctrine , but ending up over the years with a seriously flawed mixture of teachings.
The one who said “I will lift my throne above the heavens, I will be be like the Most High God,” (Isa 14:13-15) can easily imitate , simulate, or mimic the truth, deluding the wise, especially when one refuses to believe they can be deceived. They end up pridefully thinking they are wise, but tricked all the same into following the philosophies of men , and the teachings of demons
We pray for the leaders and all the folks at the Anchor Church that they might have their eyes opened , and be restored to the Truth and the clear, untarnished, doctrine of Gods Word, which is the True Gospel of Jesus Christ.