Labyrinths are entering Christian churches in North America, and in some cases, Seventh-day Adventism. A (liberal) Presbyterian Church whose roof we worked on, had a labyrinth in the yard just east of the church. When I asked a church employee what the purpose of it was, the employee said “I’m not sure, but some people like it and claim that it is spiritual.”
ok…
Presbyterian Church in Ohio.
So what is a labyrinth? To the average person, a labyrinth is just a maze that's easy to get lost in with winding paths and dead ends. But a labyrinth is more than that, much more. Labyrinths are pagan instruments used as occult gateways into the supernatural, leading you to discover your ‘enlightened center.’
Paradoxically, while the Christian community talks about "spiritual warfare" and "putting on the full armour of God," many of these same churches can be found embracing that which they claim to oppose. In seeking relevancy, many have become dangerously "experiential" in nature, and old forms of mysticism are becoming center-pieces in "experiences of faith."
Christians looking for ways to bring in new relevancy within church worship did not "rediscover" the labyrinth as a spiritual tool. The labyrinth has been part of the mystical world for a very long time. Which is why, today, labyrinth walks and "prayer journeys" are being promoted by Rosicrucian groups, at progressive spirituality festivals and celebrations, and throughout the neo-pagan world. Not surprisingly, one of America's largest witch, shaman, and neo-pagan assemblies, the Pagan Spirit Gathering at Wisteria, OH (less than two hours from where I live), held a night-time Summer Solstice Labyrinth ritual several years ago, which was described as a "transformative, walking meditation through an all night labyrinth formed by 1000 lighted candles.” They claim that it helps you find the ‘divine’ within.
Rubbish. What we really need is a connection with the Almighty Ruler of the universe, the Everlasting Father, the Faithful and true Witness, the beginning of the creation of God (Isaiah 9:6; Revelation 3:14).
The prayer labyrinth is nothing more than a fancy Ouija Board marketed to gain wisdom and hidden mysteries of life, but is in reality a portal for demonic influence. To use pagan rituals in a Christian context is wrong. The Lord says,
“These are the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the Lord God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth. Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place" (Deuteronomy 12:1-3).
Labyrinths in Adventism
The Still Waters Retreat. This retreat is located 10 miles from Berrien Springs, and owned and nurtured by Tom and Delcy Kuhlman. Delcy Kuhlman is an adjunct professor of Spiritual Formation at Andrews Theological Seminary. The Kuhlmans are members of the Village Church. We have counselors in our Church & University who send many people to the Still Waters Retreat. This retreat has a labyrinth on site. See Image:
Still Waters Retreat, 16495 W. Clear Lake Rd. Buchanan, MI 49107
Loma Linda, California. There is a labyrinth in Loma Linda. While it is not on school or medical center property, it is nestled comfortably among the housing block of Lawton Avenue and Sunshine Way. This is a neighborhood populated with Adventists.
Loma Linda, CA
Closeup of labyrinth, just north of Lawton Avenue, east of Sunshine Way.
Southeastern California Conference
In 2013, the SECC voted—in defiance of General Conference world church decisions—to elect a woman (Sandra Roberts) as President of the Conference. What many people may not know about Mrs. Roberts, is that she received a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2006 from Claremont School of Theology. The theme of the degree? Spiritual Formation—as a tool to teach youth leaders in the Seventh-day Adventist church.
In her Spiritual Formation dissertation, Mrs. Roberts refers to a ‘Prayer Path’ (page 53) as a resource for youth pastors. The footnote:
"The Prayer Path: A Christ-Centered Labyrinth Experience," (Loveland, CO: Group Publishing) [online] available www.grouppublishing.com/prayerpath/kit.htm.
There are also what appears to be two labyrinth circles near La Sierra University in Riverside, CA. We are waiting to hear back from the Riverside Park district, as to whether they are indeed labyrinths or some sort of circular planting areas. We wish to give them the benefit of the doubt.
But it doesn’t really matter, because the above labyrinths are clearly pagan labyrinths, coupled with mystical labyrinth references in the dissertation of a rebellious female Conference president. These things are evidences of portions of our beloved Church turning from good to bad, from light to darkness, from the West to the East, and from life to death (Deuteronomy 18:9; Ephesians 6:11-12; Jeremiah 10:2; 27:9—10).
Summary
Those who follow the path of the magic arts are on the wrong path — a road that leads away from God, not toward Him. In one way or another, the end will be disaster.
What is needed? Repentance. Forgiveness. A renouncing of sin. And freedom! And peace.
“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord GOD. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. “Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit” (Ezekiel 18:30—31).
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. “There is hope” (Proverbs 10:28).
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