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People, Mandalas are HINDU. They are not, nor will they ever be Christian. They represent something sacred to the unsaved. Something sacred to the unsaved is an IDOL. We are back to the Second Commandment I opened this essay with. Don't believe me? See mandalas defined-
Definition of mandala: Mandala (Sanskrit Maṇḍala, 'circle') is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Indian religions, representing the universe. The basic form of most mandalas is a square with four gates containing a circle with a center point. In Hinduism, a mandala (yantra) is a two- or three-dimensional geometric composition used in sadhanas, puja or meditative rituals. It is considered to represent the abode of the deity. Each yantra is unique and calls the deity into the presence of the practitioner through the elaborate symbolic geometric designs. According to one scholar, "Yantras function as revelatory symbols of cosmic truths and as instructional charts of the spiritual aspect of human experience". (source)Do you really think it's innocent to color a mandala just because some money-grubbing, undiscerning author re-packaged a pagan activity by pasting a line from a beloved hymn over the top of it and adding "Christian" to the title?
That is where Bible art journaling leads. It's a diversion. Just as Catholic labyrinths were re-branded as Protestant prayer walking, just as occult channeling was re-branded as "hearing from God", just as mystical "contemplative prayer" was re-branded as "Protestant contemplative prayer", just as Hindu Yoga was re-branded as 'Christian Yoga', just as Wiccan pentagrams were re-branded as "circle making"...". Remember enneagrams? Those have Sufi roots. Prayer beads emerged into Christianity from pagan roots. Bible art journaling is already melding with Hindu Mandala coloring.
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In June 2013 I'd also warned about mandalas, that time, in the form of prayer circles.
Here is Todd Friel from Wretched.tv on Adult Coloring Books, a 7-minute summation concisely explaining why Christians should not engage in that activity.
Christianity is meant to be distinct, and contain set apart people. (Deuteronomy 7:6-11). The Levitical Laws were to visibly demonstrate this, and nowadays in New Testament times our pursuit should be toward holiness and purity in individual lives and in corporate church lives. We are set apart. (1 Peter 2:9, Psalm 4:3, 1 John 4:4-5).
However with lack of discernment, so many Christians are allowing rituals from pagan religions to filter in. Labyrinthes, prayer beads, Mandalas, Yoga, Contemplative Prayer, Circle Making- it boggles the mind. Yet the acceptance of these non-Christian practices causes one to say- Why 'Christian' No Longer Means What It Used To, as Sunny Shell wrote last month--
As I consider how the Bride of Christ is shamefully defiling herself with vain and worldly philosophies, rather than cleansing and strengthening herself with the Word of God, these words from our heavenly Father come to mind, "Folly is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him" (Prov 22:15), "When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways." (1 Cor 13:11),
Dear precious sister, give up childish ways. As Todd Friel said, adult coloring books are a child's activity, where we learned motor skills and how to color within the lines.
As we grow, we move to adult activities such as killing the flesh, carrying our cross, and persevering in prayer. Put away childish things, and "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." (2 Peter 3:18)
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Further Reading from The End Time
Bible Art Journaling: No, No, No (Reprise)
Showing in pictures how "The Circle Maker" practice is occult/Wiccan
Bible Journaling: Biblical or Occultish?
Should Protestants use prayer beads? Part 1 of 2
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Further Reading/Listening from others
Equipping Eve: Episode 33: Crayolas and Quiet Time
The Last Hiker: Adult Coloring Books and Mandalas- A Warning for Christians
Michele Lesley Books Guest Post: Adult Coloring and Meditation – What Every Christian Should Know
Berean Research: Adult Coloring & Meditation, What Every Christian Should Know
