Mike Bickle of IHOP promotes Catholic mystics

Mike Bickle of IHOP wants book about Catholic mystics to be "manual for IHOP-KC"

Much of the literature being sold through the International House of Prayer's online FORERUNNER Bookstore indicates a contemplative influence. One such book being offered is Fire Within, written by Father Thomas Dubay. IHOP founder Mike Bickle states, "I want this book to be the manual for IHOP-KC." [1]

That is high praise indeed from Mike Bickle. The full title of the book is Fire Within: St. Theresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and the Gospel–On Prayer. Incredibly, Bickle's "manual" is about Catholic, contemplative mystics! Also for sale on the website are books by and about St. John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, and even Madame Guyon.
 
Another book being offered is The Forgotten Desert Mothers, by Laura Swan. Swan writes, "We begin to discard our old ways and go in search of new ways of communicating with God. Our prayer matures and takes on new forms." [2] And what are these new forms? Swan states, "Centering prayer, lectio divina, Christian meditation, Taize, and the Divine Office are all sought. Prayer moves us toward the simple: often sitting silently before the Divine–in contemplative or centering prayer–is all we feel drawn to do." [3]

Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline is for sale; as is Clowning in Rome and The Way of the Heart by Henri Nouwen.

James Goll's Dream Language can also be purchased through the IHOP bookstore. According to Product Description, "After centuries of neglect, the church is rediscovering the realm of dreams and visions as a legitimate avenue for receiving divine revelation." [4]

Goll, too, is a contemplative. In his study guide on Consecrated Contemplative Prayer, Goll writes, "I wish to express thanks to our Lord for the writings of Richard Foster." [5]

I am not trying to aggravate those who support IHOP, but is it possible Bickle's…odd…interpretation of certain Bible passages is the result of contemplative prayer? Make no mistake: contemplative practices can change–or determine–a person's theology.

In an audio message, Mike Bickle apparently voiced great enthusiasm for contemplative prayer. Jocelyn Andersen has transcribed some of what was said, which you can find HERE. Kim Olsen of Discernit has reproduced IHOP's promotion of contemplative prayer HERE. Perhaps it is not surprising that these have vanished from the web but can still be examined because of the diligence of these two saints.

One last thing: If you are wondering what contemplative prayer is, here is a link to an excellent article, What Is Spiritual Formation? READ

We are in a war. Through contemplative practices a false christ–many false christs, actually–have great opportunity to deceive.

Endnotes:

1. http://store.ihop.org/store/product/163/Fire-Within/
2. Laura Swan, The Forgotten Desert Mothers, pg. 160 HERE
3. Ibid., pg. 160
4. http://store.ihop.org/store/product/6275/Dream-Language/
5. http://www.encountersnetwork.com/pdf/free_downloads/contemplative_prayer. pdf

Source: http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldview-times/article.php?articleid=7387

Related:
Evangelical Mysticism?
Mike Bickle On Contemplative Prayer (part 1)
Former IHOP Member Explains Why IHOP (International House of Prayer) Is A Cult