A Time of Departing: How ancient mystical practices are uniting Christians with the world's religions

Every Christian and ESPECIALLY every pastor concerned about what is going on in Christianity today that threatens to alter the faithful adherance to God's Word needs to read this book as New Age spirituality is quietly weaving its way into the fabric of Christianity. The threat this represents to the souls of many can't be understated.

If you are seeking to better understand the inroads of New Age Spiritualism on Christianity this book is a must read. It is the very best book I have read on the subject. Because it is Scripturally accurate, thorougally researched, well written and totally understadable, you come away knowing the dangers of some of the spiritual disciplines, such as centering prayer, that are highly recommended by a number of well respected evangelical Christians. Centering prayer can either use a word or phrase (mantra) or focus on the breath as Rick Warren advocates you do in his book, "The Prupose Driven Life." In His chapter on "Discernment' Yungan gives you the facts on everything from the "Chicken Soup For the Soul" books, to Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Phil, the therapuetic modulities of Rikki and Therapuetic Touch and so much more. It saves one the work of having to do all the research for yourself! Yungen also states that he is not interested in sliging mud on names; but rather is challenging Christians to look at the facts surrounding the contemplative prayer movement and other non bliblical practices being embraced by believers, which really blessed me. Many of the inroads of the new age into the Christian church are extremely subtle. As Matthew 24:24 warns us,"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch that it it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." The only way to keep yourself from falling prey to these many seemingly benifical practices which are really of the enemy is to inform yourself as to what they are really all about.

What I respect most regarding "A Time Of Departing" is the fact the author, Ray Yungen, makes it crystal clear one cannot have any kind of bent or leaning towards contemplative prayer or anything mystical in nature & yet, rightfully call themselves Christian simultaneously. What is more, he backs it up with direct quotes either from having met in person with those who are the proponents of contemplative prayer & Far Eastern mysticism or from having done exhaustive research on those who are it's proponents and/or have authored books on the subject and/or have made a career out of doing seminars on the topic.Ray does not come at this phenomena that is unfolding in our American secular, media saturated culture or this paradigm shift that is coming into its own in American Evangelical Christian culture from a sensationalist, fanatical, hysteria-based or tunnel vision point of view. Instead, he has devoted over 20 years of research to this topic and has made it his life's work and calling. What is more, he goes straight to the source. He traveled extensively throughout America 20 years going to New Age centers & New Age conferences. He also is a regular patron of a number of libraries and well-known contemporary bookstores in the Portland-Salem-Corvallis-Eugene metropolitan areas. Even as a child, he was interested in what was going on in the world. At age 11 he began reading US News and World Report on a regular basis. Then he began researching history, sociology & geography which became a springboard to researching religion. Even now he continues to keep current with New Age trends and alternately researches marriage and family extensively. Ray Yungen is the researcher's researcher and has a very broad knowledge base in a number of different areas. And... A Time Of Departing is his very best work and best reflects Ray's competency as a natural born, highly-skilled researcher.

The evangelical church in North America has been plagued with many facets of apostasy over the past several decades. Ray Yungen documents that the New Age Movement and its Eastern philosophies have insidiously crept into Christianity. Things like yoga and meditation are exposed, along with their Satantic roots. But the New Age is even more subtle that that. Read the book and you'll be surprised what popular teachers and teachings are New Age !! Evangelicals are doing about everything but what we should be doing: praying, studying the bible, and as Jesus said, "feeding the sheep." The book is an easy read and not overly long. Christians dabbling in the occult need to discern the evil origin of these activities. Mr. Yungen has provided ample warning to all. I hope Ray Yungen would also write a book about the "Church Growth Movement" "Seeker Sensitive" and other philosophies espoused by Rick Warren, Bill Hybels and others. Seems like the evangelical church is now picking and choosing what parts of the bible it wants to teach. Certain parts of the bible are now politically incorrect and the evangelical church will no longer touch them because preaching them would offend people, hurt attendance and god forbid, result in reduced offerings next week. The entire pragmatic goal is to fill churches, build buildings, and write books about their successes. Who cares what is being (or not being) taught? I am thankful that teachers like Mr. Yungen are out there taking unpopular stands and keeping the truth in print. All these problems in the evangelical church today are all Satan's attempt to prevent the true gospel from being preached. I heard Mr. Yungen on a Twin Cities radio interview a few weeks ago and he was outstanding. Keep preaching brother !!

Having just completed this book, I highly recommend it to all who are seeking to distinguish between truth and error with Biblical clarity. This is a time in our history when compromise is abounding, loose thinking is pervasive, Biblical clarity is diminishing, and strange doctrines are encroaching upon the church of Jesus Christ. This book separates truth from error. "A Time of Departing" clearly points to the gnostics of our modern day. Read it and then examine your faith also examine what we are now allowing into the church.