New Spirituality Directory of Authors Not Recommended

A Directory of Authors NOT RECOMMENDED
Written and Compiled by Chris Lawson

It is no secret these days that Christian bookstore and ministry resource databases are often jam-packed with so-called Christian resources that are actually promoting anything but biblical Christianity. Special care may be taken by bookstore owners and ministry leaders alike to ensure that ministry and business are “in order,” but, when a close look is taken, the sale of spiritually unsafe material abounds. This is the primary reason for these  lists—to help warn and protect you, the reader, and to provide a quick reference guide.

You should know that many of the authors listed here profess to follow or glean from “Jesus,” yet at the same time they assiduously reject the biblical Jesus Christ of Nazareth Who is Savior, Lord, and God. In fact, many of these authors teach the absolute antithesis (opposite) of the historic Christian faith. Books rife with New Age occult teachings and practices abound in many Christian bookstores, and many owners and managers are going to sell them, regardless.

Over the past twenty plus years, I have spent thousands of hours researching, examining, and refuting dangerous cultic and occult practices as a missionary, church planter, and pastor. My purpose in doing so has been to help people escape dangerous occult influences, heretical doctrines both inside and outside the church, and the bondage of satanic genius that holds people captive by the powers of darkness.

The Christian literature marketplace has become utterly dangerous in the 21st century. I never thought I would see the day when New Age, occult, eastern-style meditative practices and all manner of aberrant and heretical teachings would become commonplace among Christian bookstores. What’s even worse is that much of this dangerous material is couched in Christian jargon and presented as spiritual paths to deepen and connect more intimately with God.

Considering these things, most of the authors listed in the first two lists profess to be “Christian,” while at the same time writing, recommending, and/or personally endorsing either outright or by proxy, heretical teachings and/or dangerous practices, which are contrary to sound biblical theology.

Discerning believers have expressed deep concern over the apostasy we face in the 21st century churches. The courage to stand firm and “earnestly contend for the faith” (Jude 3) coupled with a deep personal love for the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word are at the very foundation of these believers’ lives. Their concern for the spiritual welfare of the body of Christ has been a deeply motivating factor in this project.

Our Lord Jesus Christ warned, “Take heed that no man deceive you” (Matthew 24:4, Mark 13:5; Luke 21:8). Paul the apostle warned, “Let no man deceive you by any means (2 Thessalonians 2:3). John, the apostle warned, “Little children [believers in Christ], let no man deceive you” (1 John 3:7). Every single New Testament book except one warns about some form of spiritual deception, false teaching, or false teachers. Should we not “take heed,” as God through His very Word has so clearly warned, especially as the days in which we live grow precariously evil.

Scriptural Admonitions, Commands, and Warnings:
Genesis 1:1-12:20; Exodus 19:1-20:26; Deuteronomy 13:1-18; 18:20-22; 1 Samuel 28; Jeremiah 23; Ezekiel chapters 1-3 and 8-11; Daniel 1:8-21; 3:1-25; Zechariah 5:1-11; Matthew 7:1-5, 15-27; 23:1-39; 24:1-51; Mark 9:42-50; 13:1-37; Luke 9:23; John 17; Acts 8:9-25; 19:19-20; 20: 27-31; Romans 16:17-20; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 2 Corinthians 6:14-15; 11:1-4, 12-15; Galatians 1:6-10; 2:4-5; Ephesians 4:11-16; 5:11-12; Philippians 1:8-11; 4:17-21; Colossians 1:28-29; 2:8-9; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-22; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-2:16; 1 Timothy 1:3-11,18-20; 4:1-11; 6:3-5,11-12, 20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13-15; 2:1-7,14-26; 3:1-4:22; Titus 1:9-2:18; 3:9-10; Hebrews 5:12-14 and chapters 11 and 12; James 1:1-5:20; 1 Peter 3:18-5:14; 2 Peter 2:2-3:16; 1 John 2:18-23; 4:1-6; 2 John 1-13; 3 John 9-12; Jude 1:1-25; Revelation 2:1-3:22; 11:1-14; 13:1-18; 17:1-20:15.

The New Spirituality in the Church

Each of the following authors professes to be Christian and/or uses biblical terminology in his or her writing, yet promotes at least one of the following serious false teachings: contemplative spirituality (i.e., Spiritual Formation), the emergent, progressive “new” spirituality, the seeker-friendly, church-growth movement (e.g., Willow Creek, Purpose Driven) and/or Yoga.

A Abbott, David L. Adams, James Rowe Allender, Dan Arico, Carl J. Armstrong, Karen Artress, Lauren Assagioli, Roberto B Babbs, Liz Bakker, Jay Barton, Ruth Haley Bass, Diana Butler Batterson, Mark Baxter, Mary Bell, Rob Benner, David Bennison, John Bentley, Todd Bickle, Mike Bjorklund, Kurt Blanchard, Ken Boa, Kenneth Bolger, Ryan Bolz-Weber, Nadia Bono Bordenkircher, Susan Borg, Marcus Bourgeault, Cynthia Bronsink, Troy Brother Lawrence Brueggemann, Walter Bruteau, Beatrice Buchanan, John M. Budziszewski, J. Buford, Bob Burke, Spencer C Calhoun, Adele Ahlberg Caliguire, Mindy Campbell, Joseph Campolo, Bart Campolo, Tony Canfield, Jack Card, Michael Carroll, L. Patrick Chalke, Steve Chalmers, Joseph Chinmoy, Sri Chittister, Joan Claiborne, Shane Coe, John Coffin, William Sloane Collins, Jim Crabb, Larry Cron, Ian Crossan, John Dominic Crowder, David D De Mello, Anthony De Waal, Esther Demarest, Bruce Dillard, Annie Dowd, Michael Dykes, David R Driscoll, Mark Drury, Keith Dyckman, Katherine Marie E Edwards, Gene Edwards, Tilden Egan, Harvey Epperly, Bruce Evans, Rachel Held F Felten, David Fleming, Dave Flowers, Betty Sue Ford, Leighton Fosdick, Harry Emerson Foster, Richard Fox, George Fox, Matthew Friend, Howard E., Jr. Funk, Mary Margaret G Garrison, Becky Geering, Lloyd Gibbs, Eddie Gire, Ken Goleman, Daniel Goll, James Graham, Dom Alfred Greig, Pete Griffin, Emilie Griffiths, Bede Gru, Jean-Nicholas Gungor

H Haas, Peter Traban Haight, Roger Haliczer, Stephen Hall, Thelma Hansen, Mark Victor Hays, Edward Hazard, David Healey, Charles Hedrick, Charles Hildegard of Bingen Hazard, David Healey, Charles Hedrick, Charles Hildegard of Bingen I Ignatius Loyola, St. Issler, Klaus J Jager, Willigis Jenks, Gregory C. Johnson, Jan Johnston, William Jones, Alan Jones, Laurie Beth Jones, Tony K Kaisch, Ken Keating, Thomas Kelsey, Morton Kent, Keri Wyatt Kidd, Sue Monk Kimball, Dan King, Mike King, Robert H. Kraft, Robert A. Kreeft, Peter L L’Engle, Madeleine Lamott, Anne Law, William M Madigan, Shawn Main, John Manning, Brennan Martin, James Mattioli, Joseph Matus, Thomas May, Gerald McColman, Carl McKnight, Scot McLaren, Brian McManus, Erwin Meninger, William Meyers, Robin R. Miller, Calvin Miller, Donald Moon, Gary Moore, Beth Moore, Brian P.  Moran, Michael T. Moreland, J.P. Morganthaler, Sally Mother Theresa Mundy, Linus Muyskens, John David N Newcomer, Carrie Norris, Gunilla Brodde Norris, Kathleen Nouwen, Henri O Ortberg, John P Pagels, Elaine Pagitt, Doug Palmer, Parker Paloma, Margaret M. Patterson, Stephen J. Peace, Richard Peale, Norman Vincent Pennington, Basil Pepper, Howard Peterson, Eugene Piper, John Plumer, Fred Pope Benedict XVI Procter-Murphy, Jeff R Rakoczy, Susan Reininger, Gustave Rhodes, Tricia Robbins, Duffy Robbins, Maggie Rohr, Richard Rolle, Richard Rollins, Peter Romney, Rodney Ruether, Rosemary Radford Rupp, Joyce Russell, A.J. Ryan, Thomas

S Sampson, Will Sanford, Agnes Scandrette, Mark Scazzero, Pete Schuller, Robert Selmanovic, Samir Senge, Peter Shannon, William Shore, John Sinetar, Marsha Sittser, Gerald Smith, Chuck, Jr. Smith, Elizabeth Smith, James Bryan Sweet, Leonard T Talbot, John Michael Tasto, Maria Taylor, Barbara Brown Teague, David Thomas, Gary Thompson, Marjorie Thresher, Tom Tiberghien, Susan Tickle, Phyllis Treece, Patricia Tuoti, Frank Twiss, Richard V Vaswig, William (Bill) Virkler, Mark Voskamp, Ann W Wallis, Jim Wakefield, James Ward, Benedicta Ward, Karen Warren, Rick Webber, Robert Wilhoit, James C. Willard, Dallas Wilson-Hartgrove, Jonathan Winner, Lauren Wink, Walter Wolsey, Roger Wright, N.T. Y Yaconelli, Mark Yaconelli, Mike Yancey, Phillip Yanni, Kathryn A. Yarian, Br. Karekin M. Young, Sarah Young, William Paul Yungblut, John R. Z Zeidler, Frank P.

New Age Movement

Each of the following authors promotes one or more of the following: New Age/Eastern philosophy and/or meditation, New Thought religion, Kaballah, Sufism, and/or Buddhism.

A Aaron, David Adiswarananda, Swami Aitken, Robert Alexander, Eben Amen, Daniel Anand, Margot Anderson, Joan Wester Anderson, Keleah Armstrong, Karen Au, Wilkie B Bailey, Alice Baker-Fletcher, Karen Ballard, Jim Ban Breathnach, Sarah Barnstone, Willis Beattie, Melody Berg, Michael Besserman, Perle Bestler, Emily Beversluis, Joel D. Blavatsky, Helena Boon, Brooke Boorstein, Sylvia Bordenkircher, Susan Borris, Dan Borysenko, Joan Boyce, Tillman Bradshaw, John Brandt, Beverly F. Browne, Sylvia Bryant, Christopher Buck, Roland Buri, Fritz Burnham, Sophy Burroughs, Kendra Crossen Butterworth, Eric Lorna Byrne Byrne, Rhonda C Calamari, Barbara Cameron, Julia Camp, Carole Candolini, G.T. Campbell, Peter A. Cannon, Noreen Capacchione, Lucia Childs, Hal Chilson, Richard Chittick, William C. Chodron, Pema Chopra, Deepak Choquette, Sonia Christ, Carol P. Clemens, Nancy Clifton, Chas Cole-Whittaker, Terry Conlon, James. A Connell, Janice T. Cooper, David E. Cousin, Pierre Jean Covey, Stephen R. D D’Arcy, Paula Dalai Lama, The Daley, Rosie Dass, Ram Déchanet, J.M. De Michelis, Elizabeth Dole, George F. Doniger, Wendy Dossey, Larry Downey, Roma Drosnin, Michael Dueck, Alvin Dyer, Wayne W. E Eadie, Betty Easwaran, Eknath Egeberg, Gary Ehlers, Lesley Eliade, Mircea Elkins, Rita Emonet, Pierre-Marie Epstein, Perle Evans, Cheryl Wentz-Evans, W.Y. F Farnham, Timothy J. Fay, Martha Ferguson, Marilyn Fischer, Norman Ford-Grabowski, Mary Fox, Emmet Freeman, Laurence Fried, Gregory Fleming, Dave G Gach, Gary Galdone, Paul Gawain, Shakti Gebara, Ivone Geirsson, Heimer Goehring, James E. Goldsmith, Joel S. Goldwag, Arthur Goleman, Daniel P. Good, Deidre J. Gordon, Jon Gover, Tzivar Gray, John Green, Arthur Gruagach, Ben Guenon, Rene

H Hamilton, Jeffrey D. Hamma, Robert M. Hammer, Olav Hanh, Thich Nhat Harman, Willis Harley, Gail M. Harris, Paul Harvey, Andrew Hay, Louise Hays, Edward Hecht, Richard Heidegger, Martin Heine, Steven Hendricks, Gay Herman, A.L. Herrigel, Eugene Hicks, Esther and Jerry Hinton, David Hite, Sheilaa Hoffman, Lawrence A. Holbrook, George Hornung, Eri Hubbard, Barbara Marx Hulnick, Ron and Mary Huxley, Aldous Hyman, Mark I Idel, Moshe Isherwood, Lisa Ivker, Robert S. J Jackson, Carl T. Jacobs, Alan Jampolsky, Gerald Janis, Sharon Jaoudi, Maria Jesseph, Joe R. Jobarteh, Sona Johnson, Ben Jones, James William Jones, John Miriam Jordan, E. Bernard Jubien, Michael Jung, Carl K Kabat-Zinn, Jon Kadowaki, Kakichi Karma, Glin-Pa Kaufman, Paul Kautz, Richard A. Keizan, Zen Master Kelder, Peter Kellert, Stephen R. Kessler, David King, Karen L. Kirvan, John Klostermaier, Klaus K. Kraftsow, Gary Krohn, Katherine Kubler-Ross, Elisabeth Kuhn, Christian Kushner, Aryeh Kushner, Lawrence L Lawrence, Ronald Melvin Layton, Bentley Lefebure, Leo Leong, Kenneth S. Levine, Stephen Littlejohn, Scott C. Lipton, Bruce Loori, John Daido Lopez, Donald S, Jr. Louthan, Howard Loya, Joseph A. Loyd, Alex Luby, Thia Ludemann, Gerd M MacInnes, Elaine Macqueen, Gailand Maddocks, Fiona Marshall, S. J. Martin, Nancy Mascaro, Juan Matt, Daniel McGinn, Benard McMahon, Edwin M. Metcalf, Franz Meyer, Marvin Momen, Moojan Morgan, Peggy Morrissey, Mary Manin Mozumdar, K. Muller, Wayne Mundy, Jon Myss, Carolyn N Newell, Philip J. Nichols, Steve Nietzsche, Friedrich Northrup, Christiane O O’Donohue, John O’Flatery, Wendy Doniger Oliver, Harold H. Olson, Diane C. Ornish, Dean Öz, Mehmet Cengiz, (Dr. Oz) P Palihawadana, Mahinda Papus (Gérard Encausse) Peck, M. Scott Petulla, Joseph Po, Li

R Ramer, Andrew Rand, William Lee Randazzo, Anthony, Fr. Raub, John Jacob Ray, Michael Redfield, James Ribner, Melinda Richardson, Cheryl Richardson, Jabez Robbins, Anthony (Tony) Roth, Nancy, L. Roth, Ron Rupp, Joyce S Sansone, Leslie Scott, S.M. Schachter-Shalomi, Zalman Schucman, Helen Seidman, Richard Severance, John B. Sharma, Arvind Shaw, Beth Sheldrake, Alfred Rupert Siegel, Bernie, Dr. Silverman, Krishna Smart, Ninan Smith, Huston Smith, Peter Song, Choan-Seng Sosa, Ernest Spangler, David Sri Chinmoy Star, Jonathan Steiger, Brad Steiner, Rudolph Stephan, Danette Storch, Walburga Stryk, Lucien Sturtevant, William C. Sundararajan, K.R. Swami, Sri Purohit Swedenborg, Emanuel T Taylor, Jeremy Taylor, Terry Lynn Teasdale, Wayne Templeton, John Marks Tice, Paul Tide-Mark Press Tolle, Eckhart Tooker, Elisabeth Tracy, Brian Tsu, Lao (Lao Tsu) Tucker, Mary Evelyn U Ulanov, Ann Belford V Van de Weyer, Robert Van Inwagen, Peter Vanzant, Iyanla Virtue, Doreen W Walters, Kerry Watts, Alan Walsch, Neale Donald Walsh, Birell Weiming, Tu Weil, Andrew Weiss, Brian Wilber, Ken Williams, Jacqueline A. Williams, Raymond Brady Williamson, Marianne Wineman, Aryeh Wines, Leslie Whit, David Gordon Wilkinson, Philip Winfrey, Oprah Wolf, Laibl Wright, Dale S. Wyatt, Thomas Y Yogananda, Paramahansa Yoke, Ho Pen Young, Serinity Z Zaleski, Carol Zaleski, Philip Zimmer, Heinrich Zuercher, Suzanne Zukav, Gary