John Mark Comer claims that the apostle Paul was teaching that transformation happens as we "look at God, looking at us in love" in his epistle to the Ephesians. He states that all of us can become like Jesus if we "let God love us into people of love" through contemplation. We show that the love...

In this episode we continue to examine John Mark Comer’s claim that we can be transformed through contemplation. Comer misuses key verses in Ephesians to do this. Bob exhorts listeners to believe what God has chosen to reveal in Scripture and reject mystical contemplation through which we suppose...

In this episode we compare the mystical Jesus of John Mark Comer’s book to the true Jesus that Paul taught in Acts and First Corinthians. Paul used logical categories that could be understood using our rational minds, not awareness of presence as Comer claims. Paul told Fetus he spoke “words of s...

Bob and Barb discuss the informal logical fallacies that Comer uses to make spiritual formation sound pious. They go on to discuss discerning of spirits as found in 1John 4:1-3. This is not spiritual impressions or feelings; it's testing what is stated by people claiming to speak for God based on...

In this episode we evaluate Comer's claim that God's "burning desire is to know and be known by you. And like in any intimate relationship, there is a kind of knowledge that goes beyond words." What follows is romantic mysticism through contemplative prayer. We encourage listeners to reject mysti...

John Mark Comer claims that Christians today need to recapture the contemplative mysticism of the past or "we will not exist at all in the corrosive soil of the secular West." Comer uses Colossians 1:27 to support his mystical view of “Christ in us.” We show that Christ in us happens through the ...

In this episode we continue to compare the spirit “Jesus” of John Mark Comer’s book with what we find in 1John. We must test the spirits using objective truth from Scripture, not from mystical impressions. Faith is not awareness of presence; it’s grounded in authoritative truth.

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John Mark Comer claims that environment matters for prayer by misusing Jesus’ teaching on prayer in Matthew 6. We examine that passage and show that it’s motive that matters, not environment. In Matthew 6:5-8 Jesus warns against hypocrisy in offering long prayers to gain status among religious pe...

In this episode we continue to discuss John Mark Comer's misuse of Matthew 5:5-6. Comer claims that we need to learn to hide - to find a secret place - to pray. We show that Jesus was warning about hypocrisy, not prescribing a special location to pray. Comer says it's not about what to pray but w...

John Mark Comer makes the claim that the four Gospels demonstrate that "Jesus’ life template was based on a rhythm of retreat and return, like breathing in and then out." Bob DeWaay rejects this claim and shows that Jesus is not a role model for mystics; He is the sinless Savior. He then rejects...

John Mark Comer makes the claim that you must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life. Rather than warning about hurry, Scripture warns about laziness. Being busy and hardworking is not a sin. Bob DeWaay defines and defends a biblical work ethic and shows that Comer’s teaching is more in line w...

Bob DeWaay rejects the Roman Catholic monastic mysticism that is taking evangelicals captive through the teachings of John Mark Comer and Rod Dreher. Both men promote the teachings of the mystic "Saint" Benedict and his "Rule of Saint Benedict." We must reject the darkness of monasticism. We are ...

John Mark Comer promotes unbiblical spiritual formation, again citing Catholic monks rather than Scripture. Bob DeWaay explains why this is unbiblical and points us to many Scriptures that remind us of the finished work of Christ and the future hope of the return of Christ. All who are born of Go...

Bob DeWaay contrasts John Mark Comer's version and definition of spiritual formation with the biblical doctrine of sanctification. Comer's spiritual formation neglects the fall, the sin nature, salvation and sanctification, replacing it with man-centered process of works righteousness. The beginn...

Bob DeWaay describes John Mark Comer’s version of spiritual formation that is sweeping through churches as an invasion of eastern religion that leads people away from the faith once for all handed down to the saints. Comer claims that spiritual formation leads us to our truest self. Bob uses 2Pet...

In this episode we examine John Mark Comer's claim that "Formation into the image of Jesus is a long, slow process, not a one-time event." Bob DeWaay rejects this and clearly defends the biblical position that we are a new creation and secure in Christ the moment we are born again, which is a one...

A common error with mystics and the Roman Catholic Church is an unbiblical definition of the term “saint.” Bob DeWaay and Barb Gretch use Hebrews 10:10-14 to rebuke them and give us a true understanding of what a saint is - a sanctified one. All who are truly born again are saints.

They then dis...

John Mark Comer claims there is an inward journey of self-discovery that is key to Christian spirituality. Comer glowingly cites M. Robert Mulholland Jr.'s book "Invitation to a Journey" to support his position. Mulholland further describes this inward journey, claiming that we will encounter God...

In this episode we reveal the panentheistic gospel of John Mark Comer, which is typical of progressive, liberal theologians today. Panentheism is the belief that God is in everything, which is contrary to biblical Christianity. We define and defend the true gospel, including the essential doctrin...

Is being “in Christ” the same as panentheism? Bob DeWaay explains that union with God is not a feeling or a mystical process. Those who are born again are “in Christ,” but this is a legal category, not an ontological one. Through faith, believers are declared righteous (Romans 5:1) and have peace...

In this episode we show that spiritual formation is not a biblical category and it cannot sanctify God’s people. We address the process presented by Fuller Seminary and cited in the book as a positive example of spiritual formation. This is appealing to religious consumers but fails to give them ...

The "gospel" of spiritual formation is designed for those who don't know Christ. It assumes that everyone in a church is truly converted. Bob DeWaay proves that this is Christianity in name only. It's designed for people who don't truly know Christ. He compares Hebrews 7:25 with the process that ...

John Mark Comer credits Richard Foster with launching a “renaissance” of spiritual formation in the Western Protestant church. But does this movement lead believers toward biblical faith—or away from it?
Bob DeWaay examines the claims of modern spiritual formation and warns that true spiritual gr...

Is spiritual growth produced by our effort, or does it come through faith in the gospel? In this episode, Bob DeWaay examines John Mark Comer's claim that self-effort is central to spiritual formation through surrender and compares it with the Apostle Paul's teaching in Colossians 1:3–6.

Paul te...