~ By Greg Reid
In the 1980’s there were several groundbreaking books that clearly defined the New Age movement and its dangers and why we needed to recognize it and fight it, including Constance Cumbey’s Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow, Johanna Michaelsen’s Beautiful Side of Evil and then Like Lambs to the Slaughter, and The Seduction of Christianity by Dave Hunt.
The seminal works of these writers and others cracked the code of this very real, very determined spiritual worldwide agenda to move the world toward a one-world, one-religion order which would eventually introduce “The Christ” (Antichrist), returned to bring world peace. There was a definite, if evolving vocabulary which was key to recognizing its intrusions: Global peace, Earth Day, the Christ Spirit, etc. We vigilant warriors from within were ready to fight this dangerous movement that was OUTSIDE the church.
Well, it got inside. And wiped clean in three decades were all the warnings, the teachings, the basic understanding that made it recognizable.
But as the intrusions of New Age/New Spirituality get bolder and face less resistance from Christian pastors and leaders, the need has become greater for at least SOME working knowledge of the New Age and its agenda.
Because like it or not, their writings have made that clear that the church will either comply or will eventually be eliminated. It is a spiritual agenda pushed by Satan since the moment Adam sinned, to set himself up as God and ruler over mankind.
This is being forwarded by those who are often sincere and sincerely convinced that world unity is a necessity and that opposers must change or be removed, eventually fulfilling once again that they will kill you thinking they are doing God a service (JOHN 16:2).
I offer this very basic primer in hopes of helping to arm and prepare believers once again – to spiritually fight this ugly intrusion into the church and begin to push the battle line forward in this fight for the heart of truth in the church. Read it, pass it on, copy and share it if you can.
A short couple of decades ago, the entire church was being awakened to the very real and dangerous spiritual threat of what was called “The New Age.” Even though our understanding of it was rather limited, it was vital information and Bible-believing Christians took it very seriously.
There were New Age books, like Jonathan Living Seagull, New Age actors like Shirley McLaine whose beliefs were put on film in the adaptation of her book, Out on a Limb. People understood that things like earth day, crystal energy, reincarnation etc. were unbiblical. They knew that there was going to be a “last days” push to bring all religions together as the false church that the false prophet would use to prop up the Antichrist. They understood that there was a vocabulary to the New Age, specific teachings that indicated that the teacher was part of that growing New Age movement.
Fast forward a few decades, and not only does nearly no one in the church understand what the New Age is (now called “New Spirituality”) but I hate to report, but must, that New Age teaching, thought, teachers and practices have almost completely infected the western church, and many sincere and genuinely saved believers have been touched by it, are either believing or practicing some of its elements, are using their vocabulary without understanding what it means, and following blindly albeit innocently along with the NEW New Age/New Spirituality plan for bringing every religion together under one banner.
I think it is vitally important in this time that we RE-educate the church as to what the New Age/New Spirituality movement is, and why it matters, and most importantly, how to extract themselves from all practices, people and influences related to it.
The very truth of the church is at stake.
I trust I will be forgiven for the edited understanding of these things, which is why I titled this “The Least You Need To Know.” There is much I will no doubt neglect to include, but I trust this will at least give you enough of a basic understanding that you will be well-armed to resist the seductive and insidious intrusion of New Age/New Spirituality into your life and church and will be prepared to recognize it easily when it does come near.
What Is The New Age? New Spirituality?
The term “New Age” came into prominence during the 1980’s through a number of books, movies, television shows and other avenues. It became kind of catch-all phrase for a movement of people who were involved in a number of esoteric/mysical/occultic practices and studies including, but not limited to:
- Astrology
- Tarot cards
- Trance Channeling (talking to the dead or other “spirits”)
- Palm reading
- Crystal magick
- Wicca
- Spiritualism
- Universalism
- Ouija boards
- Yoga
- Transcendental Meditation
- ESP
- Kaballah
- Numerology
- Paranormal studies
- Angelology
What Do “New Agers” Believe?
Again, this is a limited list, but these are some of the basic beliefs of those identified with the “New Age”
- All paths lead to God
- There is no hell
- Everyone goes to heaven/nirvana/eternal bliss when they die
- We all have “The Christ Spirit” within us
- Heaven and hell are here on earth
- Everyone has their own truth
- Jesus was a master teacher, but He was not the only way to God
- The Bible may contain the words of God or sacred teachings, but it is no different or better than the Koran, the Hindu scriptures or Buddhist writings
- Reincarnation
- Past life regression
- “Divine coincidences”
- The family of man, we are all the children of God
- All religions must come together as one
- Together we will heal the world
- There is no judgment for sin or “end of the world”
- Sin is just wrong thinking, sin is not realizing that separation from God is an illusion and that we are already one with Him
- The illusion of separation
Again, this is a partial list, but an important one, as many of these beliefs are being subtly introduced into Christian circles.
The Vocabulary of the New Age
There is a vocabulary that tends to be common in New Age circles, and although some of these words and concepts are used outside of that realm, they mean specific things to New Age believers, and are slowly being adopted by people in evangelical circles. Again, a partial list:
Oneness (We are all one because God is in everything and everyone)
Global Village
Frequencies
Awakening
Acceleration
Shift
Emergent
Enlightenment
Paradigm, paradigm shift
Alignment
Common Ground
The Christ, the Christ Spirit
The Divine Within
Journey
Passion, passionate
Actualized, self-actualization
Avatar
Aura
Ascended Masters
Sacred tribes
Centering
Co-creation
Guided Imagery
Astral
Attunement
Gaia
Globalism
Impartation
Karma
Spirit guide
Syncretism
Transformation
Visualization
Vision casting
God’s Dream
Imagine
Activation
As above, so below (key to all magick)
Be still, stillness, quietness
Mindfulness
Portals
Intentional
Imagine, Imagining
Reimagining/Reimagining Jesus
Source
Source Energy
The Force
Authentic
Again, this is just a partial list, and as I have stated in Trojan Church, using one or a few of these words may just be the result of cultural adaptation, but if the usage is frequent and growing, it may indicate a more deliberate insertion of New Age thought into the teachings or people it comes through.
It would take a book to go into all the details and all the vocabulary and beliefs of the New Age, so I trust this limited list will help you get a grasp on what the New Age is. And in light of the fact that some evangelical leaders are now saying the New Age movement is nothing to be concerned about anymore, I feel it is imperative that you understand that it is alive and well, has been perfected and repackaged as “New Spirituality” and has become very attractive to the evangelical church in its subtler forms.
It has now managed to hide itself and its real beliefs behind “Christianized” (and almost entirely unbiblical) practices and trends, books and movies, such as Circle Making, labyrinths, breath prayers, Christian Yoga, Contemplative prayer, guided imagery and imagination, visitations or heaven visits with dead saints or loved ones, eastern-like meditation practices, etc.
In addition, a lot of the new Christian books and literature and even teachings are taking away, lessening or disregarding the scriptures of truth. As a result, there are several fundamental and crucial truths that they are trying to change, disregard, deem “cultural-specific” and not “relevant,” or reinterpreting.
These are the truths they are attempting to alter to fit their New Age/New Spirituality theology:
- That Jesus is the only way to God. (JOHN 14:6; ACTS 4:12)
- That hell is real (MATT 25:41; JOHN 3:18)
- That Jesus was born of a virgin, died on the cross, was resurrected the third day, ascended into heaven and is coming again to judge the living and the dead ISAIAH 7:14; 2 COR 5:21; PHIL 2:8; 1 COR 15:20; ACTS 1:9; 2 THESS 1:8).
- That the cross is the only way to forgiveness and salvation (1 PET 2:24)
- That repentance is a prerequisite for salvation (ACTS 3:19; MARK 6:12)
- That only the blood of Jesus the Lamb of God can cleanse from sin (MATT 26:28; HEB 9:21; JOHN 1:7)
- That there is a coming tribulation, and judgment before God for every soul (MATT 24:21; 2 COR 5:10; REV 20:11:15)
- That there is no such thing as reincarnation (HEB 9:27)
- That talking to the dead is necromancy and forbidden by God (ISA 8:19; LEV 19:31)
- That we are told to fill our mind with the Word of God, not empty it and try to visualize things (JOSH 1:8; PSALM 1:2; PHIL 4:8)
- That we are just disciples of Jesus, we do not have “the Christ spirit.” (MATT 24:24-26)
- That we are not all the “children of God,” but that mankind has been separated from God through sin and only through repentance and surrender to Jesus can one be “born again” and become children of God. (JOHN 1:12; 1 JOHN 3:2; JOHN 8:44)
Reject anyone who attempts to alter these unalterable truths!
Who Are Some of the Prominent New Age/New Spirituality Teachers and Leaders?
Rhonda Byrne, John Roger, Marianne Williamson, Neale Donald Walsch, Barbara Marx Hubbard, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Alice Bailey, Edgar Cayce, Jeane Dixon, Ruth Montgomery, Jane Roberts (Seth Speaks), Marilyn Ferguson, John Edwards, Deepak Chopra, Eckhart Tolle, Tony Robbins, Robert Holden, etc.
Who Are Some of the Prominent Christian Leaders/Writers who either promote the New Age/New Spirituality or whose written works and theology are knowingly or unknowingly being used to promote these teachings?
Sue Monk Kidd, Sara Young, Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, Thomas Merton, Fredrick Beuchner, Brennan Manning, Eugene Peterson, Tony Campolo, Jimmy Carter, Leonard Sweet, Ken Blanchard, Mark Batterson, Richard Rohr, Erwin McManus, etc.
Note to Readers from James Fire: Many of these prominent Leaders/Writers are involved in the Emergent Church Movement; read a two part TTUF article on this here: PART 1 and PART 2.
(Note: These names are not randomly chosen, but names of people whose works, writings and and teachings contain significant material or beliefs that aligns more closely with New Age teachings than Biblical ones: for example, downplaying the second coming of Jesus and the last days, promoting the syncretism of all religions We will be happy to provide documents if needed.)
My prayer is that in outlining some of the beliefs, vocabulary and practices of the “New Age/New Spirituality” movement, you will begin to sharpen your discernment and recognize its intrusion into the church.
If the above essential Christian beliefs are not things that you believe, I would suggest that you ‘examine yourself, whether you be in the faith.” are not a Biblical believer, and perhaps you have never surrendered to Jesus.
I pray that somehow you will, that you will read the scriptures above and ask yourself: If I do not believe these things in the Bible to be true, what CAN I believe about it?” And you might find yourself faced with the decision I was faced with years ago as a New Age occult practitioner coming out of it and into Jesus: “You either believe all of this Word, or none of it at all. You can’t pick and choose truth.” And may you find yourself surrendered to Jesus Christ, who said clearly and without hesitation, “I am the way, the TRUTH and the life.” No one comes to the Father except by Me.” (JOHN 14:6)
Truth matters.
Gregory R Reid
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