THE QUEST FOR SPIRITUALITY

Philip C. Parks

 

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears"  (II Timothy 4:3).

        Recent tragedies upon our nation, and in particular, that which occurred on September 11, 2001, has caused the greatest number of America’s population to think seriously about questions regarding the meaning of life, our purpose for existing, and why good and evil coexist.  We have always asked ourselves and others these questions but usually lightly and fleetingly.  None are exempt from considering them for humans of every nation, religion, and societies have searched  for their answers.

        Catastrophes of a nature which affects our lives so deeply that we will never be the same again usually cause us to ponder these questions and search for their answers as deeply as they deserve.  It seems as if the national wounds we recently received has caused the entire nation to consider their importance on a much deeper level.  To whom or where should one go to find the answers to these important questions? 

        The search is for an assurance that good will win over evil, that there is hope for positives in the future.  For many, that hope rests in the able arms and safety of spirituality, if it can be obtained.  They believe achieving a state of spirituality is good, not only for them personally, but that the whole world could use a good dose of it for the benefit of all.  The problem these burdened people face is determining whose brand of spirituality is best, the source of that particular spirituality, how to obtain it, and then how to apply it by living by its requirements

        The most likely, and presumably, the most obvious source for knowledge and application of spirituality would come from the pulpits of pastors and Bible study teachers of the innumerable churches and religious organizations found on practically every corner of our communities.  But more and more people are turning to secular and professional sources.  Rest assured, there is no shortage of individuals and groups who are more than willing to usurp and even replace the church by imparting their own brand of knowledge on the subject of spirituality. 

        There is an increasing trend moving in our nation of people seeking spirituality from venues other than their religious affiliations.  There are numerous reasons Christian and religious leaders are being ignored and unconsulted in this issue.  This writer believes the first and foremost reason is that the general population, whether they be church members, or curious folks seeking spirituality without the burden of religious affiliation, have lost their confidence in, and departed from, their spiritual leaders due to the widespread corruption which is so prevalent in their leaders’ ranks.

        Regularly our news media reports sensationalize the dishonesty and depraved vices of so-called spiritual leaders when their deeds are discovered.  There is an alarming trend common in our current religious circles of arrogant pastors and church leaders caught red- handed stealing from the church tithes and offerings, cheating on their spouses, open drunkenness, and preying on the innocent lives and physical bodies of the youths in their charge.  It is also regularly reported of those in the ranks of clergy being accused and found guilty of hiring murderers, or, personally murdering those who make their lives inconvenient in some trivial way.  Moreover, the pastor’s counsel, all too often, is shrouded with a hidden agenda designed to take advantage of and to use their counselees in a despicable manner.  These counselees find too late, that the result of consulting, heeding, and following the counsel of their pastors in good faith has proved to be to their hurt and sometimes even to their ruin.   

        The majority of those who once confided in spiritual leaders now despise them as they witness the lives of the leaders they once honored and respected act out such flagrant God-dishonoring behavior and activities. In a word, spiritual leaders have proven themselves even less spiritual than those who so desperately need to be instructed in spirituality.

Hence, the searchers turn to other sources.

        One such source is called "Science and the Spiritual Quest II" as reported in a recent article.¹  The founders of this movement proclaim they have the answers to life’s hard questions and are able to help those who attend their forums find and apply spirituality in their personal lives.  The teachers of "Science and the Spiritual Quest II" flaunt their credentials as equal to those of religious leaders and blend their science with religion.  The article describes the Quest speakers as "Ivy league" quality for they are credentialed in scientific fields and hold such titles of psychologists, biologists, medical doctors, and even a few even label themselves as "spiritual strategists." 

        Among them are notable people including Philip Clayton, an organizer of the Quest movement.  According to him, "We needed to turn to anybody who could help us out of the morass (of meaninglessness and amorality).  We started to look to scientists."  Jane Goodall, a Quest movement spokesperson and the respected and very popular scientist who studied the behavior of primates for four decades in Africa related how the primates attack and butcher one another in the same manner humans do.  It is doubted she has the answers regarding spirituality, but she is probably more knowledgeable on the subject of human depravity than most of her colleagues for she compares the brutality of humans as equal to beasts.  Wonder if she realizes Apostle Peter pointed out this truth a multitude of centuries ago?

Peter writes of the brute beasts:  "But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption"  (II Peter 2:12).  Lorri Ann Perrin, a psychologist and self described spiritual strategist was also a Quest spokesperson.  According to her, those who attended the Quest forum were "looking for proof.  That’s why they are listening to scientists."

        Men and women who hold such lofty educational degrees often command rapt attention from the less educated for obvious reasons.  The term "spiritual strategist" was not explained, but it sounds intriguing and mysterious to the spiritually ignorant, enough to arouse their curiosity and command their attention. 

        Being the ultimate counterfeiter of religious mystery, Satan uses this mystery to his advantage by counterfeiting "the mysteries of the kingdom of God." (Luke 8:10).  Satan’s spiritual strategists also counterfeit Christ’s method of preaching by speaking "in parables; that seeing they (their listeners, pcp) might not see, and hearing they might not understand."

Only those who have divine revelation can be "given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God."

        What makes these scientific forums for spirituality so sinister is the settings the Quest forums are held.  They are held in houses of worship with an atmosphere "of some sort of revival."  Satan can be credited for a stroke of genius for these settings.  This dupes the attendees to believe their religion is sanctioning such a search for spirituality from science and the church’s approval gives credibility to the Quest speakers. 

        Memorial Church in Harvard Yard, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, recently hosted a three day "Science and the Spiritual Quest" seminar. During this particular Quest seminar the article reports, "But this was no ordinary revival.  Speeches came from scientists, not preachers (bold emphasis by pcp)."  Choosing a house of worship to hold secular, scientific, Quest seminars certainly is no accident for this is the best avenue to introduce, wrest, and propagate "the grace of Christ unto another gospel:  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ" (Galatians 1:6-7). 

        Our current age is ripe for the great falling away as Apostle Paul warns Timothy the young pastor:  "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (I Tim. 4:1).  Ah!, there is no better setting than a house of worship which has the appearance of religiosity to introduce secular humanism.  It is the same setting Christ described of the church at Pergamos, for the members of that church "dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is" (Rev. 2:13).  These Quest counterfeiters, "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" (II Timothy 3:5), have free reign to dupe their spiritually ignorant listeners as they take their respective attentive "places among Bibles, hymnals, and video-conferencing equipment." 

        During the recent Memorial Church Quest "revival," it is reported, "More than 600 souls (the word "souls" is an interesting choice of words, pcp), packed the pews day and night to hear heartfelt words on good and evil, redemption and God."  While Bibles were prevalent and readily accessible during this event, it is not reported they were opened and researched for the answers to questions regarding morality and spirituality.  Memorial Church can be placed in the category titled, "thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead" (Rev. 3:1).

        Those who propagate spirituality other than that which God requires certainly would not dare give answers directly from God’s Word.  By ignoring God’s Word, secular humanists are able to control and manipulate their audience on the level of "children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine."  These Quest speakers and all secular humanists are very clever indeed for they are able to "by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness...lie in wait to deceive" (Eph. 4:14). They are masters of deception for "they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple" (Rom. 16:18).

        In the end, the Quest humanists can proclaim a huge success and all those who swallowed their doctrines feel much better, at least until such time when another catastrophe clouds their faith in their new found spirituality void of Godliness.  The article’s final analysis regarding the search for spirituality from Quest secular humanists was summarily correct by stating, "Conclusions were tentatively spiritual in nature, not pronouncements of ultimate truth."  How can they speak the truth outside the authoritative truth of God’s Word for God proclaims through Apostle Paul, "yea, let God be true, but every man a liar" (Rom. 3:4)?

        Let Apostle Paul’s warning be heeded by all those who determine to know the indisputable truth regarding true, Godly, spirituality:  "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them" (Rom. 16:17).

 

1. MacDonald, G. Jeffrey; "A Quest: Scientist tackle issues of the spirit"; Winston-Salem Journal; Winston-Salem, NC; Saturday, November 10, 2001; Page B7, Column 1