StarofGod,
There are many, many quotes you can take. Madame Guyon has left us with much to be concerned about.
There are quite a few things about her that are legitimate to be concerned about. I also have been blessed by some things as I read her books but definitely not all. That is how the enemy works. He mixes lies with truth.
When I first read her books 25 years ago, I did not catch anything wrong about what she said. I did not have a great grasp on God's Word and I thought she was awesome with these "experiences" that she had. But that is not the case today. Today, I am concerned about many things that she has said and taught in "Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ" and other books.
The post that momiam13 wrote touched on many things that I noticed also.
Madame Guyon's writings are experiencing a resurgence in popularity because of the Mysticism of Emergent Church Theology and Catholic Ecumenical Theology which has seeped into the Protestant "tributaries". In many ways her books have become the "fuel" for various Christian "mystical" movements.
Madame Guyon's mysticism is described as “the immediate feeling of the unity of the self with God.
She doesn't talk about inner feelings of praise or gratitude for what God has done, but rather “The complete union of the soul with God".
You can read about some of it, here.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07092b.htm
She tends to confuse Creator and creature, because she errantly seeks Christ not in God’s Word but in the self.
What I was concerned about and what I look for now in touted "Christian mystics" is that their mystical experience displaces biblical revelation, becoming the final goal and authority.
Madame Guyon adhered to a school of mysticsm sometime called Quietism, which is an extreme form of Roman Catholic mysticism that emphasized the cleansing of one’s inner life and included the belief that one could see Christ visibly. I know some of have, but the Bible does not teach us that we can see Christ visibly. I think many of the manifestations that she saw were demonic. Satan can appear as an angel of light and will give the soul that is seeking experiences and manifestations, what they want.
In her autobiography, on page 14 she wrote that “divine wisdom is unknown and she made no attempt to speak of God’s revelation of Himself in nature and creation (Psalm 19, Romans 1) and the specific revelation of God in Jesus Christ and His Word. She taught that we can know of God by “passing forward into God, (also on page 14) going into a mindless, meditative state where we can get in touch with the Christ within the self, merge with that Christ and be lifted into ecstasy.
What I am concerned about is the Christian putting themselves into a state of passivity, which is the Devil's playground.
I do appreciate Zac but we must remember than no man is the standard by which everyone else or other teachings are judged. Any of us can be fooled and we see that if it were possible in the end days, even the elect will be deceived.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall DECEIVE the very elect.
Mar 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to SEDUCE, if it were possible, even the elect.
Please remember the Catholic Church uses Catholic Mystics to impress Protestants and make them think they are missing something. This has worked very well for the RCC as many Protestants have "come home to Rome".
Unfortunately, she has become quite big in House Church circles as well, as she has been promoted for some time by Gene Edwards who sells her books. Gene is quoted as saying, "Put your Bibles away for a year and just be led by the Spirit".
God's Word will always be the standard.
Respectfully,
A777
P.S.
Here is an extract from another source I found that has more for you to chew on and pray about.
http://philadelphians.50megs.com/warrencom.html
On p.193 (day 25) Warren quotes a neutral statement by Madame Guyon “It is the fire of suffering that brings forth the gold of godliness.” On his website he promotes the book “Deeper Experiences of Famous Christians” saying This is an anointed little book that reports on the deeper life experiences of Christians such as D.L. Moody, John Bunyan, Madame Guyon, John Wesley, and many others. While these other men are respected Guyon is not. Madame Guyon was a Roman Catholic mystic who lived during the 17th and 18th century that was a promoter of “quietism,” which involved becoming so passive that you become indifferent to everything. This was an extreme form of Roman Catholic mysticism that emphasized the cleansing of one’s inner life and included the belief that one could see Christ visibly.
Misinterpreting Jesus words in Luke 17:21 she began her lifelong journey within. She responded to the Lord, “Thou wast in my heart, and demanded only a simple turning of my mind inward, to make me perceive Thy presence. ... The kingdom of God is within you.”
Madame Guyon said that she had reached the point where she was no longer capable of sinning. She said that sin involves self, and she had become free of self. Therefore, she could no longer sin. ”
“she and La Combe could communicate for hours without words in some kind of strange telepathy. She asserted they could read each others hearts. (Guyon pp. 286-287) That her trance states, which left her unable to speak for days, were good and godly (pg. 281). That she had written under the direct inspiration of God, often not even being aware of what she was writing. She claimed to have found within herself, “latent treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (pp. 321-322). She said her writings were spirit-dictated (Ibid., pg. 324). Evelyn Underhill, herself a promoter of mysticism and myths, refers to Guyon as a “medium” exhibiting clairvoyance, prophecy, telepathy, and automatic writing in bewildering profusion. Evelyn Underhill, Mysticism, 1990, p. 295 (referenced from PFO in the Quarterly Journal article- THE MINDLESS MYSTICISM OF MADAME GUYON Countering the Myth of Intermittent Deification and Sinless Perfection by G. Richard Fisher)
