Robert Schuller, the well-known television evangelist, has been listed on many websites as a 33rd-degree Freemason. Let us have Robert Schuller tell us what he really believes and teaches about several relevant topics:
Sermons
Schuller believes that sermons are offensive. Pastor Steve Mitchell tells us that Schuller took "an approach to ministry that all but did away with expository preaching centering on God’s Word and decided to address what he felt were people’s psychological and emotional needs."i
Mitchell also suggests that Schuller's approach "shifted the focus from God to man and ultimately gave birth to a lot of what we see today in terms of a pragmatic or 'do whatever works to get folks in' strategy regardless of whether we see these methods in the Bible or not."ii Here are some thoughts from Schuller himself:
One classical role of the pulpit in Protestantism has been to 'preach sermons' which imply indoctrination more than education. Within this form of communication, there is an inherent, intrinsic inclination to intimidate, manipulate, and, hence, offend the person's most prized quality of humanness—his dignity.iii
The secret of winning unchurched people into the church is really quite simple. Find out what would impress the non churched in your community then give it to them.iv
Read more evidence that Schuller’s beliefs about sin are unBiblical.Schuller seems to be fully in agreement with Vatican II principles of moving from a sermon-based church service to a liturgy-based church service. Read about the Vatican II Council and experiential religion
Ecumenism
Schuller supports and participates in the ecumenical movement:"...what sets me apart from fundamentalists [is that they] are trying to convert everybody to believe how they believe...We know the things the major faiths can agree on. We try to focus on those without offending those with different view-points.v
Dr. Schuller’s theology is anything but Biblical, but it is still being endorsed by many. After Dr. Schuller's 1000th Hour of Power telecast he was congratulated by Mother Theresa, C. Scott King (Widow of Martin Luther King), all the living presidents of the US, entertainer Sammy Davis Junior, and notably, Billy Graham. Does Billy Graham think on similar lines as Dr. Schuller?New Age Visualization
Schuller believes in visualization techniques. Visualization stems from New Age practice, but Schuller recommends it:I discovered the reality of that dynamic dimension in prayer that comes through visualizing...Don't try to understand it. Just start to enjoy it! It's true. It works. I tried it.vi
Visualization is an occult practice, but Schuller has no qualms incorporating it into Christianity:Move into mighty moods of meditation. Draw energy from centers of sacred solitude, serenity, and silence...Find yourself coming alive in the garden of prayer called meditation...Yes, the "New Agers" have grabbed hold of meditation...Hey, Christian! Hear me! Let's not give up the glorious, God-given gift of meditation by turning it over to those outside our faith.vii
It is important to remember that meditation in any form is the harnessing, by human means, of God's divine laws...We are endowed with a great many powers and forces that we do not yet fully understand.viii
The most effective mantras employ the "M" sound. You can get the feel of it by repeating the words, "I am, I am," many times over...Transcendental Meditation...is not a religion nor is it necessarily anti-Christian.ix
I AM is the name reserved for God in the Bible (Exodus 3:14; John 8:58). Is Schuller suggesting that we now claim the name of God? Apparently yes, for he says this in Self-Esteem—The New Reformation:To be born again means that we must be changed from a negative to a positive self-image—from inferiority to self esteem, from fear to love, from doubt to trust…And we can pray, "Our Father in heaven, honorable is our name" (emphasis in original).x
Self-Esteem
In the quote above, Schuller is saying that he is god, and that we can become god. Read more evidence that Schuller’s theology is about the worship of ourselves rather than God:
i. Steve Mitchell, "FGBC Emergent & Pragmatic Compromise Documented," (December 1, 2006).
ii. Ibid.
iii. Quotes from Self-Esteem: The New Reformation, Rapidnet.com
iv. Robert Schuller, as quoted in Gary Gilley, This Little Church Went to Market (Evangelical Press, 2005): 76.
v. USA Today (March 23, 1989).
vi. Paul Yonggi Cho, The Fourth Dimension (Bridge-Logos Publishers, 1979): ix-x.
vii. Robert Schuller, Prayer: My Soul's Adventure with God (Doubleday, 1996): 141, 151.
viii. Robert Schuller, Peace of Mind Through Possibility Thinking (Doubleday, 1977): 115.
ix. Ibid: 131-132.
x. Robert Schuller, Self-Esteem: The New Reformation (Waco, TX: Word Books, 1982): 68-69.
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