Labyrinths: What Does the Bible Have to Say?

by Let Us Reason

Can one seek or come to know God by a Labyrinth walk? It may be the latest fashion in spirituality touted as a spiritual tool of meditation and prayer, but is it for a Christian? We are told in Colossians 2:8: "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ."

Some are trying to justify this as a Christian tradition. In fact it couldn't be, not just because it is not found in the Bible, but because it goes against everything the Bible and Christianity teaches for one to practice true spirituality. Walking through the Labyrinth is not a rediscovery of a lost form of Christian spirituality, but pagan spirituality. Though it may be reformed and repackaged to our modern times, we can be assured it has nothing to do with Jesus who gave man the true spiritual way of life.

I don't think one can Christianize this practice, nor justify its use. Especially with what we have already discovered how it is being used. Is it pleasing to God that we walk labyrinths when He has told us not to take up pagan practices? Divine feminine and earth energies have nothing to do with Jesus Christ and the truth He has delivered.

There are already a number of Christians who are practicing the various types of contemplative prayer promoted by Richard Foster, Thomas Merton, Thomas Keating, and others. A good portion is being promoted through the Catholic contemplative prayer movement. Many of these same people are open to or already doing labyrinth walks as a meditative practice.

Walking mediation and stopping to quiet oneself is not promoting prayer. Not all that is claimed to be spiritual is good or from God. We are told as Christians to test the spirits (1 John 4:1). Do we now need experimental prayer elements? Did Jesus look for a Labyrinth to teach people to pray? What happened to going into our rooms to pray quietly (Matthew 6:6)?

Inclusiveness is the goal of the New Age movement, and they have their light bearers influencing churches that are not discerning by the Word of God. With an open-minded approach, certain Christian churches can certainly embrace foreign religious practices to their own ruin.

Artress does not withhold her rejection of the straight and narrow way found within Christianity. She explains the labyrinth is more forgiving and leads its followers forward in a flawless path. God's word states you cannot walk the wide road and claim to follow Christ who says HIS way is the narrow road and has nothing to do with a Labyrinth. In Matthew 7:13 Jesus tells us the only way to practice spiritual life is to enter life through the narrow gate because the wide and easy road leads to destruction. This does not mean entering a labyrinth to walk its path.

In 2 Timothy 3:15 we are told: "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." It is God's Word that we are trained to know and follow for a true spiritual transformation. Discovering the god within is not from the same source.

The very reason people end up using labyrinths and other such methods to find their spirituality is because they are not holding and promoting the word of God which is all one needs to be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Though it is currently fashionable for "Christians" to participate in walking Labyrinths, along with other religions, it is a clear sign the Word of God is not being upheld but is being replaced with subjective feelings through New Age spirituality. Despite testimonials from those who do not know the word of God, labyrinths are essentially a pagan religious practice.

This cannot have any spiritual benefit for a Christian. One can possibly have a relaxing time as they enjoy the walk. But then, getting away into the outdoors into a new environment with the least amount of concentration will relieve you of your stress as well.

There is no basis for those who practice Biblical Christianity to embrace the labyrinth as an acceptable tool for meditation and prayer. It is inherently New Age. Let them have it.