Over the last several days I’ve been asked: What is New Age anyway?” Maybe you wonder the same thing.
Contemporary Use of the Term New Age
The above source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Age
What Does this Mean for Christians?
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. (Mat 10:16 KJV)
Yes, we need to be wise because we are in a world that is full of false teachers and wolves in sheep’s clothing. They fool many Christians today. Don’t be one of them.
As Christians there are several “red flags” we can look for that might indicate someone is a New Ager.
Some New Age Beliefs
Because the New Age is simply an umbrella term which covers a myriad of groups, with scores of authors, it is impossible to identify all its doctrines.
The following, however, is a brief overview of the basic teachings of the majority of the New Age groups.
1) All is one: all reality is a unitary whole;
2) Everything is God (god) and God (god) is everything;
3) You (as an individual) are God. You are divine; God is within you;
4) You will never die; You have lived before and you will live again (reincarnation);
5) You can create your own reality or transform your own consciousness;
6) All religions are true and, therefore, one;
7) A new world is coming; a New Age is dawning.
(Belief Bulletin: New Age Movement, Southern Baptist Home Mission Board, p. 1). Source: http://www.watchman.org/na/nadefine.htm
Some New Age Practices and Methods
- meditation – Eastern
- hypnosis
- yoga
- Reiki – meditation using “life force” channeling to evil spirits
- Transcendental mediation
- psychology
- Kriya Kirtan – a form of meditation
- Alternative medicine
- Visualization – go to a “peaceful place” in our mind.
- Holistic medicine – body, soul, and mind.
Several of these techniques will allow our minds to go into an altered state of consiousness. This is dangerious because it can open our minds up to the evil spirit world of Satan. This is against all the Word of God teaches us. God has never told us to do this. Instead He has told us to renew our minds with the Word of God.
I’m sure there are other things I could add to this list, but that will give you an idea of what to look for.
Some of these practices are actually being done in churches today. I find that unacceptable and we need to become educated about what we are taught in church, so we can identify the enemy and not be duped by the Devil’s workers.
What Does God’s Word Say?
(Deu 18:9-13 NASB)
“When you enter the land which the LORD your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations. “There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. “For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD; and because of these detestable things the LORD your God will drive them out before you. “You shall be blameless before the LORD your God.
I pray if you are a Christian you will walk in a way that is honoring to our precious Lord and Savior. If your church is entertaining any of the New Age practices please inform your leadership and help them understand the dangers.
Recommended Reading: “False Christ Coming: Does Anybody Care?” Warren B. Smith, available at www.Amazon.com.
Good for you donna, stick with Christ till the very end for He is the only truth we know and need.
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You are so right! Thanks for the reminder and encouragement.
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*My books for the Kindle: Panic Buster: Learn to Conquer Panic Attacks and Agoraphobia, a self-help book for those suffering from panic disorder http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007BWGTMS. The True Gospel Message, Bible tract http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007QW4Y8O *
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Bonnie, I agree with your assessment of New Age philosophy/religion for the most part. In reality, New Age embraces the beliefs of many of the ancient Gnostic cults, and Eastern Mysticism. The view of nature as God is quite related to the New Age philosophy which sees God as immanent, that is within nature, rather than as a transcendent, personal God who sent his son to atone for humankind’s sins.
I do not share your view of all alternative or holistic medicine being a part of the New Age movement however. The great Monastic Medicine tradition that existed under the church during the Middle Ages was holistic and had a philosophy of healing that recognized the effects of sin on the physical body, as well as other holistic principles. John Wesley, the great preacher and founder of the Methodist Church believed in, and practiced, holistic medicine for the sake of the impoverished. There were many more Christians who shared in this tradition.
A few interesting places to explore regarding a modern day resurgence of Christian holistic medicine is The Christian Natural Health Network, The Monastic Medicine website, and Naturally Healthy (Shonda Parker’s site).
Please feel free to check out my own site, http://www.thedailyherb.com A couple of posts you might find interesting are May Day and the Redemption of Nature, and Katharine Von Bora Luther: Herbalist, Gardener, Farmer and Patron Saint of the Protestant Reformation.
I enjoy your site and I’m glad to have found it. Stand firm in the faith.
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Bonnie,
That is good about the warnings you have given about this new age mess going on today. I have personally experienced a wiccan group that had taunted me on facebook. They worship mother earth and use what they call “white magic”. They also deny worshipping God and can go so far as to practice black magic. I’ll stick with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and listen to His voice.
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