Years back, in one of our campuses in Nigeria, a movement of Christian students veered into heretic practices because of their desire for esotericism. They wanted to experience the unusual and have encounters. Satan positioned some leaders to champion this and they took them far to the point where their activities drew the attention of the school management until they intervened.
Lately, there has been undue emphasis on seeking esoteric experiences by some ministers. They recommend a set of 'rituals' like praying at certain times for a specific number of days to have certain encounters like seeing angels and to have access to certain realms and portals as they say. It is looking like reformed Neoplatonism of the 3rd century. Most youths on campuses have subscribed to this subtly.
I have seen some who subscribe to this new wave of teaching praying in certain ways that looks rehearsed and dramatic just because they want to access realms&dimensions. Uneasy body motions&postures in prayers is their trademark with voice raised beyond normal decibel. While I am not against praying but I am also concerned when the purpose of praying&manner is not rooted in God's word.
As one with a little knowledge of church history, things like this has happened before and it always lead people off course because it robs believers of the simplicity that is in Christ. This undue emphasis on ascetic practices employed by spiritists now brought into Christianity is alarming and If unchecked by the word, many will become cultic whilst still calling the name of Jesus. You may read about the Montanist heresy in the early years of the church.
Christianity is simple but some are trying to make it hard by infusing it with rituals and practices that are alien to the gospel. Our faith is about relationship with a loving God who has given us his Spirit and word to guide us in all we do. We are to live by faith not by encounters.
Esoteric encounters without soundness or rootedness in the word will lead to spiritism.
I was shocked when one of those in this movement lend credence to necromancy through one of his illustrations because the person involved is a christian. Please, there is nothing like 'Christian Necromancy'. We have nothing to do with praying/struggling to see into realms, wanting to know names of angels, trying to translocate and bilocate. You may end up demonized if you go this way.
We may have some supernatural experiences like seeing angels and even Christ himself as God permit but that should never be the focus of our Christian walk. It doesn't make us more spiritual. All these are not to be prayed for or obsessed about. Our simple focus should be to know God via his word, live in obedience and walk in love. Let God decide on encounters, that is not up to you to make happen.
