Metamorphosis: Reflections 3

[continuing on from my previous reflections here and here]

During the Metamorphosis student conference, there are a couple of things I would like to comment on — the Prayer Labyrinth and the Worship.

The Prayer Labyrinth is basically an interactive place where people can come to spend some time in prayer and solitude with the Lord and His Word. At least, that is what it was made out to be. It was featured in the first two Metamorpohosis which I attended, of which I went for it as I was ignorant at that time for what it stood for, and it made a cameback this year.

The Prayer Labyrinth has its roots in the occult, as documented here and here. This is indeed highly disturbing. Having gone through the labyrinth before in my ignorance, I roughly know how an 'evangelical' labyrinth is laid out. With regards to this Metamorphosis's labyrinth, I deliberated and ultimately decided not to go, even though the labyrinth was said to be 'Christianized' and the various stations inside it were based on the book of Psalms. Since the labyrinth was supposed to be 'Christianized', the issue that I had to consider was whether you can 'gut' paganism out of the labyrinth, and also the occultic association the labyrinth has. From the association the labyrinth has with the occult, and especially since it was stated explicitly in the introduction of its link with the ancient occultic tradition of 'contemplative prayer', I have decided not to go, since I am not going to give any credibility to practices with heretical connotations, regardless of how biblical the activity may actually be. Anyway, the other question which concerns us is whether you can 'Christianize' such an occult practice in the first place.

Judging from my two previous labyrinth trips, and comparing those with the labyrinths as they are described in other websites, especially liberal church websites, it can be seen that 'evangelical' labyrinths are basically made up of stations utilizing some of the visualization techniques commonly used for most labyrinths PLUS the use of Scripture; removing occultic practices while retaining some of its fundamental methodology. It is thus syncretist and as such not biblical. No doubt that most of the material used is biblical, and the motive behind its setting up is pure, but the fact of the matter is that we are not to unite Christ and Belial (2 Cor. 6:14-18) in any way, which includes methodology as well, especially since such a method is not commanded in Scripture.

Now, I know that some Evangelicals may have been blessed by the Labyrinth, and I was too during those years when I went (2003, 2004). However, that does not make the practice correct. God, in His mercy, may bless us as we strive to spend time with Him, and anytime we read His Word we will be blessed if we are His, even though our methodology may not be correct. That said, it is sad that such practices are condoned. It is my hope that such a practice is done out of ignorance, and as such, should be discontinued. Instead of having a prayer labyrinth, why not just use the room, break it up into cubicles for the various stations where we can individually silently pray and read and meditate on God's Word, and as such be blessed? I would guess such an alternative would keep the spirit behind the motive for having such a practice in the first place, and also be biblical and edifying to the saints.

[to be continued]