What is contemplative spirituality?

Contemplative spirituality is a mystical practice that emphasizes silence, mantras, and subjective experience, rather than prayer rooted in God’s Word.

Why should Christians avoid contemplative spirituality?

Because contemplative spirituality shifts focus from God’s Word to personal feelings and mystical experiences, it can lead to theological error and spiritual deception.

What is contemplative spirituality?

Contemplative spirituality is a mystical practice that emphasizes silence, mantras, and subjective experience, rather than prayer rooted in God’s Word.

Why should Christians avoid contemplative spirituality?

Because contemplative spirituality shifts focus from God’s Word to personal feelings and mystical experiences, it can lead to theological error and spiritual deception.

Contemplative Spirituality and Why Christians Must Avoid It

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Contemplative Spirituality and Why Christians Must Avoid It

Show: Anchored in the Word · Host: Dave Jenkins ·
Date: September 18, 2025 · Length: ~12 minutes

Key Texts: Psalm 1:2; Joshua 1:8; Matthew 6:7

Contrasting mystical practices with the clarity of God’s Word.

Contemplative spirituality often uses biblical-sounding words like “silence” and “meditation,”
but its methods are rooted in mysticism—not Scripture. In this episode, Dave explains what it is,
why Christians must avoid it, and how to stay anchored in God’s Word.

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Resources

Anchored in the Word on Servants of Grace and on YouTube
The Word Matters (Book by Dave Jenkins)

Dave Jenkins

Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.He is the author of The War of Worldviews: Truth, Lies, and the Battle for the Christian Mind (Theology for Life, 2026), Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021).You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.

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