Deepak Chopra on a "Third" Jesus

New Age spiritualist Deepak Chopra has a new book out on "the third Jesus". The Washington Post has a story regarding the book and Chopra's views on Jesus online this week.

Chopra is a proponent of contemplative meditation. I have not read Chopra's book, but from skimming articles on-line, I do not think he would align his contemplative meditation with the Christian spiritual disciplines that I am promoting on this blog.

Christian meditation and Christian contemplation focus on bringing the believer of Christ into a more full and robust relationship with God. These spiritual disciplines and others were practiced by early church fathers and mothers many generations before the New Age movement.

I'm not going to play the role of apologist for Christian spiritual disciplines. My fingers can't take that much typing.

I will, however, draw the line in the sand for myself.

I believe in an appropriate form of Christian mysticism missing from the faith of many earnest believers in the 21st century. I believe that intentionally focusing our mind and spirit on the person of Christ and on God the Father orients a consecrated believer so the Holy Spirit can do its work. I believe there is value in prayer, meditation on Scripture, contemplative prayer, and other appropriate disciplines.

These disciplines are part of my Christian heritage and need to be reclaimed. Too many seeking believers live a shallow faith that lacks intentionality and strong connection to the Holy Spirit.

Chopra and others may promote contemplation and meditation, but unless the focus is on the Cross and it's Truth, the exercise is futile.