Richard Rohr is a prolific author and popular speaker. His biography states that he “is a globally recognized ecumenical teacher bearing witness to the universal awakening within Christian mysticism and the Perennial Tradition.” In 1987, Rohr founded the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and has been a strong force in the contemplative prayer movement. Oprah has interviewed him twice. Richard Rohr is a heretic in the robes of a Franciscan priest. To be more specific, he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a false teacher, and a deceiver (see Matthew 7:15–19; Acts 20:29–31). Basing his teaching primarily on eastern mysticism rather than biblical Christianity, Rohr counsels us to find our “true self” instead of knowing a Savior distinct from the self, and his teaching on contemplative prayer emphasizes letting go of thoughts instead of focusing them on Christ. He also helped introduce the pagan-based and psychologically unsupported practice of the enneagram to Roman Catholics and Protestants. Yet some of his forty-five books have been bestsellers, and his influence runs deep.

This Postmodern Realities episode is a conversation with Journal author Douglas Groothuis about his online-exclusive article, “A Heretic’s Christ, a False Salvation: A Review of The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope for, and Believe by Richard Rohr.” 

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