When did the church become so tolerant and willing to embrace false religions and heretical theology that it now accepts Catholics as Christian brothers and no longer identifies Mormonism as a cult? How did the church become so lukewarm and ineffective that it winks at sin while embracing the sinner, all in the name of love and ecumenicalism?

In times past I often wondered how it would be possible that even the elect would or could be deceived, but now, it has become much easier to understand how it would, could and seemingly has happened.

With the passing of time it appears solid Bible teachers from mainstream Christianity those once trusted to speak The Word are detouring from truth, embracing the false while compromising and condoning contemplative/centering prayer and ecumenicalism all in the name of unity and brotherhood. Albeit ever so slightly they move from an adherence to scripture to careless neglect of truth. Beth Moore, Rick Warren, Kay Arthur, John Piper, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Focus on the Family… without discernment twist and tweak scripture - here a little, there a little. Advocating contemplative spirituality they embrace Catholic mystics such as Brother Lawrence or neo-Gnostics like Richard Foster and Dallas Willard. Referring to their books or quoting emergent teachers such as Leonard Sweet and Tony Campolo directs the unsuspecting to read and embrace these false teachers and their teachings.  
 
"Christian leaders are changing. Putting financial security, popularity, fear of loss, and personal pride above doing what is right without compromise, they have begun to take on the characteristics of those they have endorsed, promoted, and stood next to.

Where once many of them preached the unadulterated Word of God, now they speak of community, unity, mystical experience, and a kingdom they call God’s that in actuality is a kingdom of this world. They say the Gospel cannot be effective unless everyone is willing to work together, and when they say everyone, they mean everyone." from the article: Danger of Contemplative Spirituality

The blind leading the blind. Subtly, without notice a thought, an idea begins to form. Taking shape the form changes from an idea to acceptance of what once would have been considered unacceptable.

...a seed has been planted.

And so it begins.

Lighthouse Trails writes: “It is when morsels of deception are hidden within quantities of truth that the most danger lies.”

“But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:14