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Here's Why Christians Should Avoid the Teachings of Richard Rohr

11/23/2020

36 Comments

 
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Tracy grew up in the church, but when her identification as queer contradicted her Evangelical upbringing, she decided she no longer fit within that tradition. Through the teachings of Richard Rohr, she found a spiritual home with the practice of contemplative spirituality. Tracy’s experience mirrors that of many millennial ex-Evangelicals who have discovered a spiritual mentor and teacher in the Franciscan priest, author, and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC), Richard Rohr.  

The CAC website describes Rohr as “a globally recognized ecumenical teacher bearing witness to the universal awakening within Christian mysticism and the Perennial Tradition.” Rohr’s teachings are gaining influence, especially among millennials who grew up in the Evangelical church. He is particularly influential in the progressive Christian movement and is referred to as a spiritual father, hero, and mentor by well-known progressive voices. He is endorsed by progressive leaders like Rob Bell, Jen Hatmaker, William Paul Young, Michael Gungor, and Brian McLaren, to name just a few. As Rohr gains popularity, it becomes increasingly more important for church leaders to be aware of his teachings and their widespread influence. In this article, I’ll take a look at Rohr’s view of the Bible, the cross, and the gospel. 



​Richard Rohr’s view of the Bible
 
Historically, Christians have believed that the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God. Following Jesus’ own example, Christians have affirmed over the centuries that the Scriptures are internally coherent, without error, and infallible. However, Rohr holds a much different view of the Bible: 
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The Jewish Scriptures, which are full of anecdotes of destiny, failure, sin and grace, offer almost no self-evident philosophical or theological conclusions that are always true. . . . We even have four, often conflicting versions of the life of Jesus in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. There is no one clear theology of God, Jesus, or history presented, despite our attempt to pretend there is.

 Rohr interprets the Scriptures using what he calls the “Jesus Hermeneutic.” He writes: 

…The text moves inexorably toward inclusivity, mercy, unconditional love, and forgiveness. I call it the “Jesus Hermeneutic.” Just interpret Scripture the way Jesus did! He ignores, denies, or openly opposes his own Scriptures whenever they are imperialistic, punitive, exclusionary, or tribal. 
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Contrary to what Rohr teaches, Jesus never ignored, denied, or openly opposed the Old Testament Scriptures. In fact, as I argue in this paper, Richard Rohr’s “Jesus Hermeneutic” not only fails to offer any legitimate Scriptural support, but taken as a whole, the biblical data gives us an entirely opposite view of how Jesus handled the Scriptures. The truth is Jesus never once declared or implied that the Scriptures were anything but fully truthful and to be obeyed. Jesus affirmed the Old Testament to be the inspired, authoritative, historically reliable, inerrant, infallible, imperishable Word of God—and that it was all about himself. 
 

​Richard Rohr’s view of the cross
 
Historically, Christians have believed Jesus died on the cross for our sins, taking our deserved punishment upon himself. This is not only affirmed in Scripture, and taught by Jesus himself, but it goes back to the earliest creed in Christianity, which pre-dates the New Testament by about twenty years. However, according to Rohr, the idea of a God who would require the blood sacrifice of his son is “problem-oriented.” Of the atonement, Rohr writes: 
 
I believe that Jesus’ death on the cross is a revelation of the infinite and participatory love of God, not some bloody payment required by God’s offended justice to rectify the problem of sin. Such a story line is way too small and problem-oriented.

 
According to Rohr, Jesus didn’t need to die on the cross. It’s your “false self” that needs to die, not someone else. He refers to substitutionary atonement as a “strange idea” that leads to a “transactional” theology. Contrary to Rohr, Scripture teaches substitutionary atonement, Jesus affirmed it, along with early Christians. 
 

​Richard Rohr’s view of the gospel

Historically, the Christian gospel is the proclamation of the good news of salvation. This has been understood through the lens of God’s redemptive acts throughout history. It began with the creation of the universe and mankind. After sin was introduced into the world by the rebellion of Adam and Eve, God provided a means of redemption and reconciliation through the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. Those who accept this provision of salvation will be given eternal life with God. But for those who reject this gift of grace, the Bible describes their eternal punishment separated from God's love and goodness.   

However, according to Rohr, the idea of a God who “doles out punishment” is unhealthy, cheap, and toxic. He does believe Jesus died, was buried, and was resurrected. However, he separates Jesus and Christ into two separate entities, with Jesus being nothing more than a “model and exemplar” of the human and divine united in one human body. And in Rohr’s view, Christ is a cosmic reality that is found “whenever the material and the divine co-exist—which is always and everywhere.” He implicitly denies the deity of Jesus. He writes: “We spent a great deal of time worshiping the messenger and trying to get other people to do the same. . . . [Jesus] did ask us several times to follow him, and never once to worship him.” This “Cosmic Christ” is a New Age idea that Rohr is promoting as “Christian.” 
 
Rohr also believes all religions share the same core truth and are all paths to truth (perennialism). He openly affirms panentheism
, a view of the nature of God that teaches God is in all, all is in God, but God also transcends the world. This carries troubling implications for his view of the Trinity and the nature of Christ. He said: "The Universe is the body of God….yes, it’s the second person of the Trinity in material form." 

He denies original sin, the atonement, the exclusivity of Christianity, and he has an unorthodox understanding of heaven and hell, and the literal second coming of Christ. Rohr's views stand in stark contrast to the historic Christian view of the gospel. 
 
Through his books and his highly popular teachings on the Enneagram, Richard Rohr is rapidly gaining influence in the Christian church. But church leaders would do well to be aware of what Rohr actually teaches about the Bible, the cross, and the gospel. Faithful Christians should avoid his teachings at all costs. 


36 Comments
Bill (cycleguy) Grandi link
11/24/2020 05:06:05 am

Thanks so much Lisa for this concise "introduction" to Rohr. After dealing with some of the other names of people influenced by him (with a dismissed staff person) this article gives me the shivers to know of this man's influence. Instead of leading people to the True Savior, he is leading them to a false one which surely lead them astray and keep them lost. Your book is a phenomenal read and it is my recommendation for 2020 Book of the Year. (I was right about Rebecca's book in 2019). I have loaned my copy to someone and just now bought them their own copy. Thanks for your honesty in writing about your struggle.

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Aurelia Lambrechts link
11/24/2020 09:15:33 am

Wowwww! THANK YOU for explaining what Richard Rohr believes and teaches. I've hears a couple of Christian friends mention his name - and they also have read Madame Guyon's old books on contemplative prayer. Do you know about her?

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R.L. Solberg link
11/24/2020 09:22:22 am

Thank for for this, Alisa, and all the work you do with Progressive Christianity. This article is a great resource I will use often!

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Noah
11/24/2020 09:24:37 am

Very well thought out, pointed analysis. We need to keep calling these heresies out as they continue to come along and lead people away from the Lord.

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Peter Snyder
11/24/2020 09:34:11 am

Thanks for the summary. While spiritually a disaster, the intellectual dishonesty of Rohr and others is also very frustrating, as is their desire to still be known as Christian. If they are so convinced that what they teach is true, they should just be honest and let it be known that they have a new religion that claims a false Christ. But Satan is too crafty to allow them to do this.
Again, I appreciate your commitment to pointing out the dangers of such false prophets and their teachings and your commitment to the gospel. I have your book and can't believe I haven't read it yet. I will soon.
Blessings in Jesus.

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Sheryl Pellatiro link
11/24/2020 09:41:48 am

Thank you again, Alisa, for a powerful post. You have been selected for a time such as this to bring awareness to the Progressive Christianity movement, among other false teachings. Thank you. I would love to send you my new Bible study on Revelation. If you would message me your address, I would LOVE to do that. Here's the link to it, but I would love to send you a complimentary copy. You've blessed me so much with your teaching, I would love to bless you.... https://www.amazon.com/Revelation-Message-Church-Sheryl-Pellatiro/dp/B08DBHD759/ref=sr_1_1?crid=52Q4PSLEZRQE&dchild=1&keywords=sheryl+pellatiro+revelation&qid=1606232440&sprefix=sheryl+pellatiro%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-1

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Doug smith
11/24/2020 11:00:50 am

Excellent. God is using Alisa to expose Progressive Christianity as not Christianity at all. It is in the same family as LDS or JW. It uses similar Christian words but redefines them .

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David Hernandez
11/24/2020 10:18:58 am

Thank you for your email. Very timely. I feel like a giant wave is approaching the church. Thank God we will prevail in the power of the Holy Spirit. Marcia Montenegro's book on the Enneagram has 2 chapters devoted to RRohr.

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Sheree
11/24/2020 10:40:10 am

Thank you for exposing yet another false teacher. I just read Another Gospel and am sharing it with a friend as well. I wondered where the "emergent" church had gone...oh, now they are "progressive!" Keep speaking truth! God bless!

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Chantelle
11/24/2020 01:47:50 pm

I'm so thankful you are writing about this and shedding the truth and light. I got swept up in the enneagram and have since repented of my time spent in something that is rooted in the occult. I have some good friends that deconstructed their faith and turned to Richard Rohr. Thankful for you speaking and sharing God's truth!

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Jane Gruber
11/24/2020 03:02:49 pm

Thank you for this information, Alisa! Very well written and as always, based on the Truth. I appreciate you sharing your studies with us.

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Steve Muse
11/24/2020 03:50:57 pm

Thank you for writing this article. Rohr is one of many over the years that continue to bring the same message and so many Christians open the door letting the lion in to be devoured. The names are endless that the Church has embraced over the years to their detriment.

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John Noack
11/24/2020 09:54:37 pm

It appears that Evangelicals, who like to claim that every propositional statement in the Bible is inerrant and that all of the actions and conduct in the Bible are infallible, have turned a blind eye to three biblical texts. Psalm 96:10 informs us, as it did the Reformers, who were using it to oppose the cosmic helio-centric view of Copernicus, that “the Earth is firmly stablished; it cannot be moved”. However, we now reject this statement on scientific grounds, as being false and we accept that the Earth both rotates daily around its axis and it revolves annually around the sun.
Exodus 17:14 and Numbers 31:7 inform us that the Hebrews’ Deity decreed that all of the Amalekites and the Midianites, including mothers and children, must be slaughtered and these races annihilated. Only the young girls, whom the Hebrew males were allowed to keep for themselves, were spared from the slaughter. There was no Christian-inspired “loving your enemies” here.
Since we now know that the Earth does in fact move annually around the sun and that racial genocide is now universally condemned, Evangelicals need to be much more honest and truthful about their claims that there are no erroneous or false statements and no fallible or immoral actions recorded in the Bible. So far as I have read, such essential honesty and truthfulness about the Bible has not emerged so far in any Evangelical Writings. No wonder the Millennials are deserting this ship, in their search for honesty and truthfulness.



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PJ Trimble
12/1/2020 09:47:16 pm

I was thinking about this comment when I was purchasing small birds for my sacrificial blood offering at my church, which certainly SEEMS positioned in the center of my world.

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Wayne Ballinger
1/12/2021 10:02:40 pm

The Evangelicals have created their own demise. I know my brokenness and their god is far too small for me. As the son of a Church of Christ pastor (retired) , I will introduce legislation throughout the U.S. in 2021 ELIMINATING the tax deduction (501 C3) for ALL churches based upon their 'Hate' speach (according to the culture).
Let's see how many folks return the Sunday after they can't write off their tithe anymore!
True 'Separation of Church and State' is coming rapidly and THEN we'll see how right, true, strong, your American god is !!!!!

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Heather M Davis link
11/25/2020 10:47:39 am

I looked into Rohr's teachings, too. It's intensely disturbing that anyone would promote him as Christian. Almost like saying Carlos Castanada wrote from a Christian worldview...

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Mike
11/25/2020 03:45:45 pm

You piqued my interest in the opening paragraphs and had me locked in by the end. I've only read some of Rohr's work and listened to several years of homilies but I will definitely seek out more. I hope you will as well in an effort to see past your narrow view of God and the scriptures. There is so much more there that you seem afraid to see.

Embrace the work of Rohr, Rob Bell, Thomas Oord and everyone else you mark as dangerous. Their work is bringing people to faith and an understanding of Jesus. Your work however, I feel is doing quite the opposite. People that are singing your praises for your teachings are people who are looking for you to confirm what they already believe.

You are not opening minds and hearts with this work...you're slamming doors in the faces of people who are seeking an understanding of who Jesus really was and is.

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Dean Love
12/4/2020 09:41:22 am

Mike Your claim that those who praise Alisa because she confirms what they already believe, misses a crucial point. What they already believe is what the Scriptures actually teach about Jesus and what He in turn taught about Himself, eternal life and damnation, etc. Alisa simply confirms what the Scriptures teach, which if language means anything, is pretty clear.

On the other hand, those who follow Rohr, do so I believe, because he confirms what they actually WANT to believe. They prefer to believe that God doesn't hold people eternally accountable for their sins and that Jesus was more of an example of how we should live, rather than the Saviour of all who believe and Judge of all who refuse. They prefer Rohr's new religion over the one founded on the teachings of Jesus and his apostles. For them, it's all about what they like, not what is real.

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Brian Shaw
11/26/2020 09:40:12 am

Richard Rohr is a heretic! The 2nd century heretics taught that Jesus and Christ were different persons. Irenaeus taught this in Against Heresies, Book 3, Chapters 16-18.
https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103316.htm

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Stephanie Dennis
11/27/2020 11:03:06 am

Thank you thank for revealing these false teachings that have been around since the beginning and have been condemned as heresy in the early church. The progressive “Christians” question over and over again why the church is losing young people and older people alike and it is not because we hold to the Truth of the Gospel but because of false teachers leading people astray. I am thankful for your voice and your new book.

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Brian Shaw
11/27/2020 06:16:48 pm

Thank you! It is not my book, nor is it new - written in the 2nd century A.D.

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Wade
11/30/2020 12:37:47 pm

I love Richard Rohr's teaching....wish I had known of him 40 years ago!

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PJ Trimble
12/1/2020 09:39:10 pm

Amen to that !
I have long been aware that understanding science and the trajectory of humanity are not part of the fortress mentality (presented here as apologetics) that encourages us continue to condemn others. It's sad to see this "return to barbarism" advocated as Godly (Christian or Otherwise). Action and Contemplation might be a solution.

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WG
12/1/2020 10:35:05 am

Alisa, thank you for this post and the defense of the faith in Christ alone.
Some of these comments are heart breaking but not unexpected. Only the Holy Spirit can transform a heart and that is by hearing the Word of God, which many many false teachers are rejecting and twisting the Word of God.

To the critics here, please Romans Ch 1-3. The entire world is under God's just condemnation and Jesus did provide the only way of salvation, he was our substitute.

This is good news because it addresses the truth, the bad news of our sin. If your gospel doesn't also contain the bad news, if it only pleases you, then it is probably not the gospel that saves.
Love you all in the Lord and keep seeking the Lord.

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Garry Turner
12/2/2020 06:52:28 am

Thanks for all your work in this area, Alisa. It is much appreciated.

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CARMEN NAVARRO
12/14/2020 01:17:35 pm

Hi Alisa,


I enjoyed this blog, your YouTube channel, and your book, which I already read. Thanks for the great contexts and subjects. I am pretty sure I will have many questions for you soon.  😁

--
Shared via Shareaholic 

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stephen argent
12/15/2020 09:53:30 am

thank you for this review of Richard Rohr and his teaching, After reading your response I am drawn towards his perspective even more.

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Kathy Hoppe
12/21/2020 03:29:13 pm

I respectfully disagree with your analysis which is not based on fact, theological education, or a personal conversation with Richard Rohr. Many of your own summations about Christian theology represent only a part of Christianity. My husband & I have personally met Richard. The first thing one discerns is the presence of the Holy Spirit. I think to critique a theologian one should be more educated and check one’s facts.

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Dean Love
12/21/2020 04:45:28 pm

Kathy; Alisa's "summation" of Christianity was narrowly focused on addressing the areas where some of Richard Rohr's teachings directly contradicted what Jesus said about Himself, eternal life, salvation, the OT scriptures, etc. In my opinion, she demonstrated a full knowledge of the facts related to those subjects and how Mr. Rohr's beliefs deviate from those facts.

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Agnieszka
1/9/2021 02:40:37 am

I send you love and light so your false, narrow believes may crumble and you may open your heart and mind to the Truth.
And thanks God for teachers like Richard Rohr and others who will help this sick institution that church became to fall apart.
I hope all of you blindly following scriptures will one day wake up to the living reality of Christ Consciousness.

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Padraic link
1/10/2021 10:54:46 am

Hi Agnieszka
The world is following the rainbow New Age which is antichrist and it has a new messiah too soon to make his debut. The New Age says everything is ok, God doesn't mind. It will only last a few years though and the real Jesus will return and all mankind will see Him and face judgement by Him, He wants to save everyone, He will return as the King of mercy but not all will be saved, 'one will be taken and one left', the ones who are taken perish because they won't be able to repent.
I think this video is a preview of the return of Christ:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF0_ysUivxE
Fr Adam Skwarczynski is interesting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dELrJYluNCs
God bless,
padraic

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Agnieszka
1/14/2021 08:51:44 am

Hi Padraic,
To be honest, I'm not that good in all the names, labels and distinctions, I don't know what New Age is, what old age is, I have never heard of new messiah either. I had to leave church to find God and so I am, on my path to Truth, Love, God. And here's what works for me as is logical and resonates with my innermost, highest truth and understanding - God doesn't mind because there is no EGO in God. For our different purposes we created God on our image and likeness, a person like us just more powerful, more potent...more vengeful... In our little minds we can not comprehend that maybe the reality is a bit more complex, more complicated...
Whenever I see the word 'judgement ' in religious context I wonder - why I was given free will if I can not use it??? What would be God's plan and intention in that "gift" then??? (Please enlighten me).
Return of Jesus - yes, He is returning, but again -maybe taking it literally as physical return of a person is not the right way to see it? What if the return of Jesus means the awakening of Christ Consciousness in each of us?
I can go on and on but instead I will recommend beautiful and very wise book by Cynthia Bourgeault: The Wisdom Jesus (beware she's somehow connected to Richard Rohr!). Read if you want to understand Jesus on deeper level, if you want to understand His true teaching and the true sacrament of His life.
Love and light
Agnieszka

Padraic link
1/14/2021 04:43:41 pm

New Age/old age? There is a widespread theory in Astrology that after the Age of Pisces (Fish) there is the New Age of Aquarius. And since early Christianity used the symbol of the Fish for Christianity they think that the Age of Christianity is basically over and it is time for a new messiah and new age. They believe every 2,000 years or so there is a new guru/Buddha/Krishna to teach the world new enlightenment. It is a very clever plan but bogus imo, the seeds of it were planted a very long time ago. There is a guru who claims to be the real messiah and the new Buddha/Krishna and the Muslim Mahdi, he claims to be the one man to unite all religions in himself.

If God has an ego i don't think He would mind, if you ask me, God minds because God loves. He loves us, He loves goodness, He wants our salvation, it breaks His heart having to refuse salvation to a creature He loves but it is not His fault. In my opinion God created hell in order that those who reject Him can exist for eternity but they must be fairly punished for their unrepented sins. Good must suppress evil always. I think we are given free-will because God respects us so much and He hopes we will freely choose the path of real love which leads to eternal life with Him.

Julie
1/9/2021 10:42:32 pm

I am currently reading one of Rohr's books and am enjoying listening to another perspective. I grew up in conservative tradition and over the years have benefitted greatly from listening to others. Having our constructs challenged is a healthy thing. I am thankful I am not in the same box I started in and believe that is God's intent. I'm not sure why you have decided you have the corner on the truth and thus should instruct Christians to "avoid" the teachings of this man or others.

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Padraic Kelly link
1/10/2021 11:00:09 am

Julie
A liberal Christianity without Christ is being taught by these famous teachers. In this day and age everything goes, nothing is seen to be offensive to God if it involves love but that is not always true.
God bless,
padraic kelly

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Agnieszka
1/16/2021 07:24:10 am

Dear Padraic,
I know I should probably leave it as it is (as there is not even REPLY button under your last post to reply) but I just can't.
First - thank you for clarifying what the New Age actually means, I have heard about the Age of Aquarius but haven't connected the dots...
Second - what kind of free will would that be? "You have free will but if you don't do what I want you to do you will suffer eternally"??? I wouldn't call it respect, I wouldn't consider it loving. What such interpretation would make out of God? And I think deep down in your heart you sense it's somehow not right.
Third - again, please read The Wisdom Jesus, I can't recommend it enough. Just yesterday I was reading in this book about the meaning of Jesus's passage through the realms of hell after His death on the cross (your "Good must suppress evil always" - yes, but not by means of eternal punishment but the power of love). True meaning of hell, of repentance, of sin...it's all there explained beautifully by someone much wiser than me (and in proper English, not mine)
Fourth and last - let go of fear! Do not be affraid. Question, doubt, search, ask...you will not be condemned or punished forever for that. Listen to your heart and trust it, there are all the answers you need. Just don't be affraid. I
God bless you

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