LEARNING TO SHARE YOUR FAITH
THE NEW AGE
MOVEMENT
In this part of Reverend Kelso's series, "Learning to Share Your
Faith", he talks about The New Age Movement, explaining how it is ultimately
merely a repeat of the oldest lie told by Satan to Adam and Eve right back at
the beginning.
NOTES TO ACCOMPANY THE TALK ON THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT
New Age Movement
The New Age Movement is a collection of Eastern influenced thought
systems. The term New Age refers to the Aquarian Age. It is supposed to bring
in peace and enlightenment and reunite man with God.
New Age Beliefs
Man is central. He/She is seen as divine, as co-creator, the hope
for future peace. The New Age Movement is tolerant of almost any theological
position but is opposed to Christianity's moral absolutes and insistence that
Jesus is the only way.
- God is not personal but an impersonal force.
- There is nothing that is not God.
- There is no sin, only incorrect understanding of truth. There
is no need of a Saviour.
- Salvation is achieved through understanding your god-likeness
and goodness combined with proper knowledge.
- Jesus was one of many teachers of divine truth. Christ is a
consciousness possessed by all because everyone is divine.
- Hell is not a place but an experience on earth.
- After death the soul is reincarnated.
Two basic beliefs in The New Age Movement
- Evolutionary godhood
- Global unity
Evolutionary godhood
Since everything is God and mankind is part of everything, then
man/woman is God. The New Age Movement believes in the evolution of both body
and spirit. Mankind will soon leap forward into new spiritual horizons .
The New Age Movement teaches that man's nature is good and divine.
This opposes God's Word.
Romans 5:12, Ephesians
2:3
Man has divine qualities and can create his own reality, whatever
is true to him or her. But New Agers are usurping the authority and position of
God. Their belief is deception based on pride. Satan is their master. Isaiah 14: 12-17. See Genesis 3:1-5. New Agers
believe the same lie.
Global Unity
Three major divisions:
- Man with Man
- Man with Nature
- Man with God
Man with Man
We will all learn our proper divine relationship with one another
and achieve harmony, love and acceptance. The New Age Movement attempts to
absorb all religions and cultures and governments. The average New Ager is
looking for a world leader who with, New Age beliefs, will guide the world into
a harmonious whole. But the Bible speaks of such a one as the Anti-Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, Revelation 13:17, 14:9-11,
19:23.
Man with Nature
Nature is also part of God. Man is one with the universe and
animals. This is opposed to Biblical Teaching. Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 2:19. Man is a steward of God's creation. Genesis
2:15. The New Agers call earth Gaia. Some worship the earth and nature,
which is idolatry. Exodus 20:3.
Man with God
The New Age Movement's goal is for people to realise their own
godhood and goodness. This contradicts the Bible. Romans 3:10-12.
New Agers believe God won't condemn anyone, nor does he reveal himself or have
any requirements regarding morality, belief and behaviour. The New Age Movement
says that there are no absolutes. But this an absolute in itself! If morality
is relative then stealing may be right, along with lying, cheating etc. New
Agers don't live what they believe. The New Age Movement is all about self.
New Age Practices
Astral Projection: training your soul to leave your body.
Contacting Spirits so they may speak through you or guide you. Using Crystals
to purify the energy systems of your body and mind. Visualisation; where you
use mental imagery to achieve what you want.
The New Age Movement is a false religious system that contradicts
Christianity in nearly every area. Those who have been involved in it need to
repent and will need deliverance.
How to prove the existence of God?
Many people say that you can't prove or disprove God, that it's
all a matter of faith. This is untrue. When we look at a building how do we
know there was a builder? We can't see him, hear him, touch, taste or smell
him. But the building itself is proof that there was a builder. We don't need
faith to know there was a builder. All we need are eyes that can see and a
brain that works The same principle applies to paintings. The painting is proof
that there was a painter. Everything on this earth that was made has a maker.
The same principle applies with the existence of God. When we look at creation
how can we know there was a Creator? We can't see Him, hear Him, touch, taste
or smell Him. So how can we know He exists? Because creation proves that there
is a Creator. You can't have a creation without a Creator. We don't need faith
to know there was a Creator. All we need are eyes that can see and a brain that
works. The Bible underlines this. Romans 1:20. But if you want
the builder to do something for you then you need to have faith in him, meaning
trust. That's when you look to Jesus.
Sources:
The Bible
New Age Movement by Matthew
Slick |