By Ray Yungen
The New Age and Christianity definitely clash on the answer to the question of human imperfection. The former [the New Age] espouses the doctrine of becoming self-realized and united with the universe, which they see as God but in reality is the realm of familiar spirits. On the other hand, the Gospel that Christians embrace offers salvation to humanity through grace (unmerited favor). Romans 3:24 boldly states: “… being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” In Romans 6:23 we read: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This gift is not earned or given as a reward for earnest or good intentions as Scripture clearly states:
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
This Scripture that tackles the issue of pride sharply distinguishes all of man’s religions from Christianity. Religion persuades us that man is innately good and, therefore, can earn his way to heaven through human perfectibility or, better yet, through the realization of his own divinity. Christianity emphatically states the opposite view that man needs to humbly recognize his own sinfulness and fallibility, and consequently needs salvation through grace.
The Holy Spirit, through the Scripture, convicts the sinner of his sinful and lost condition and then presents to the despairing and repentant man God’s solution–salvation through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the Cross: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7) and then:
[I]f you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9-10)
Salvation is entirely a gift of grace bestowed on whoever believes in Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross as both God and man. Consequently, we must receive Him as Lord and Savior, understanding that it is by grace and grace alone that we are made acceptable in Christ before a holy God. Justification is God’s gift to the believer. This saving faith, also a demonstration of God’s grace, is more than an intellectual belief in Jesus’ death on the Cross but involves committing and entrusting one’s life to Jesus as both Lord and Savior–Christ’s going to the Cross was a finished work, and we as believers are now complete in Him. Nothing else can be added to this. How totally opposite from New Age thinking is God’s plan of salvation!
It all comes down to the preaching of the higher self versus the preaching of the Cross. New Agers may say God is synonymous with a person’s higher self, and the experience of God can only be discovered by way of meditation. However, the Christian admits his or her sinfulness before a Holy God and remembers he is saved only by the grace and mercy of God through the sacrificial shedding of Christ’s blood for his sins.
The message of Jesus Christ reaches out to the lost human race with the love of God who sacrificed His only begotten Son for the Swami Muktanandas of the world. The Bible teaches that man has an inherently rebellious and ungodly nature (which is evident), and his ways are naturally self-centered and evil in the sight of God. The Bible teaches that God is not indifferent to us. The sacrifice of Christ for the ungodly to reconcile us to God reveals the Lord’s love toward Man.
This explains why Christianity must be steadfast on these issues. If a belief system does not teach the preaching of the Cross, then it is not “the power of God” (I Corinthians 1:18). If other ways are correct, “then Christ died in vain,” rendering His shed blood unnecessary and immaterial (Galatians 2:21).
Because of this conflict, we can safely assume that Christianity is the most formidable obstacle to the New Age, standing like a bulwark against this tidal wave of meditation teachers and practical mystics. But, incredibly, many of the most successful practical mystics are appearing from within Christendom itself. Ironically, instead of stemming the momentum of New Age spirituality, it is our own churches that may very well be the decisive catalysts to propel this movement into prominence. Certain spiritual practices are becoming entrenched in our churches that, like an iceberg, seem beautiful and impressive on the surface but in reality will cause severe damage and compromise of truth. (from A Time of Departing, pp.24-26)
Victor — Yes, I meant pulling some out of the fire. I believe we agree on this. 🙂
CW: If by real change you mean widespread cultural one, I’d disagree, apostasy is on the horizon, not revival, but if you mean pulling some out of the fire before the apostasy, then with that I’d agree
Victor, ITA with you that all the events prophesied in the Bible, all the way through Revelation, will indeed come to pass. At the same time, I do believe there is a crying need for strong, Bible-believing Holy Spirit-filled intercessors, because there is so much deception Everywhere, including churches. I truly believe believers can make a real difference in significant ways. There are a multitude of promises throughout the Bible which show this to be true. Christ Jesus told us to occupy until He comes and taught us to pray (and fast) . God bless you, brother.
Climb to the top of any continental divide you could see it is capped with snow. It looks like a single unit on both sides of the divide. When it melts the opposing sides form rivers flowing in opposite directions. In America everything ends up in the Gulf or in the Pacific thousands of miles apart. One one side are Bible believing Churches and on the other are Bible doubting churches. They can look the same but in the end are not just miles apart they are in conflict. Doubt always creates more doubt. Loosing a little trust in the Bible leads to having no trust in the Bible. This doubt leads to searching in all the wrong places for an alternative belief system. Few things tickle the ears more than the old lie of the new age.
You wrote “This Scripture that tackles the issue of pride sharply distinguishes all of man’s religions from Christianity.” I would add “Biblical” before Christianity since we know that JW’s. Mormons, Roman Catholics, etc. claim to be Christian and preach ‘a’ Jesus and ‘a’ cross, but not the biblical one. We also know that the Christian cults like them will come under the spell of AntiChrist, mysticism and universalism as a part of the apostasy. We need prayer and we need the Holy Spirit but we also know this cannot be stopped, it will happen, it is only a matter of when.
In First Samuel chapter 28 we have the case of a woman with a familiar spirit showing the presence of witchcraft in Palestine at that time when Saul was King in Israel. (New Age teaching is nothing new) The essence of all idolatry is the displacing of God; and where He is ignored, we may be sure that Satan exalts himself in God’s place. Is this not the case of the clash between the New Age Movement and Christianity? Which world are we Christians looking for? King Saul seeked a witch with a familiar spirit. What happen? He was killed not long after asking for help from the witch. Some church leaders today are opening the door to dangerous false teaching that the new agers are using. Is your pastor preaching of the higher self (it’s all about me) or Preaching for all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God. We preach Christ and Him Crucified. Repent, for The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Pray for Gospel preaching till He come.
Yes! They are incompatible and mutually exclusive from one another. The cross is the only way.
From the article: << Certain spiritual practices are becoming entrenched in our churches that, like an iceberg, seem beautiful and impressive on the surface but in reality will cause severe damage and compromise of truth.>> The Lord showed me this iceberg analogy years ago when He was showing me that big changes (not good) were coming in this nation. That was about 25 years ago, and yes, that has definitely come to pass. Christians everywhere need to be interceding by the power of the Holy Spirit. I truly believe this is our only hope. A faithful remnant, no matter how small, can make a real difference. Christ Jesus said that if just two or three believers agree together in prayer, we can have what we’ve asked for (I do believe our prayers must be led by the Holy Spirit, based on God’s own Word). That is a powerful promise, and I hope that believers everywhere are taking it to heart, acting on that Word in faith. The prayers of a righteous man avail much. James 5