What is the New Age Movement?

 

FILING INFORMATION:

2002055

Subject: New Age

Preached Originally: 11/3/02 – Rapid City, SD

 

Introduction:

A.    Been said NA beliefs hard to categorize.

1.    Might be better to say NAM a collection of themes and patterns of thoughts – not doctrines.

2.    Has many subdivisions – but generally a collection of eastern influenced thought systems.

B.    In this lesson we’ll try to summarize the NAM in an understandable way.

1.    The movement has a conglomeration of theologies; hopes; teachings; “correct thinking;” and “correct knowledge.”

2.    It is a theology of “feelgoodism” “universal tolerance” and “moral relativism.”

C.   In NAM man is central.  He is divine; he is a co-creator.

1.    Man is the ultimate source of future peace & harmony. 

2.    NA people want to be relieved from:

a)    Fear of punishment in hell.

b)    Conviction of sin

c)    Narrow-mindedness of Christianity that stresses salvation through Jesus & moral absolutes.

D.   “New Age” refers to the “Aquarian Age” which according to NA followers is dawning.

1.    Supposed to bring peace/enlightenment – and reunite man with God.

2.    Man is considered to be separated from God – not by sin (Isa 59:2) but b/c of a lack of understanding & knowledge concerning the true nature of God and reality.

 

I.  A basic belief of NA is known as “evolutionary godhood.”

A.    This is the next step in evolution.  Not physical; but spiritual.

1.    Man is developing – soon to leap into new spiritual horizons.

2.    NA religious practices designed to push people into that horizon.

a)    Use of crystals to purify body’s mind & energy systems.

b)    Training the soul to leave the body & travel around.

c)    Contacting spirits so they may speak through a person or guide them.

d)    Visualization – using mental imagery to imagine yourself as an animal; or to be healed of sickness; etc.

B.    NA believes mankind will soon see itself as god.

C.   Since man has a divine nature…he has divine qualities.

1.    Since most NA consider themselves to be divine; they can create their own reality.

2.    e.g., person believes in reincarnation.  That’s his reality.

3.    You don’t believe in reincarnation – That’s OK, b/c that’s your reality.

4.    In, NAM – each person has his own reality b/c “each person follows a different path.”

D.   Isa. 44:24 – note this scripture.

1.    NA usurps authority of God in their belief they are divine and able to “create.”

2.    Gen. 3:5 – this is a lie of the devil.  Same one as he told eve – just wrapped in new packaging.  Told eve she would be like God.

E.    Evolutionary godhood also involves reincarnation. 

1.    Most, but not all, believe in some sort of reincarnation.

2.    Some go so far as to say Bible has had verses deleted out of it that teach reincarnation.

3.    Reincarnation easily refuted – Heb. 9:27.

 

II.  Another basic belief of NA is “global unity.”

A.    This consists of 3 divisions.

B.    Man with man.

1.     Once mankind learns it is divine – we will achieve harmony & mutual love/acceptance.

2.     A Goal of NAM = economic unity.

3.     Looking for a single world leader who will guide world into single harmonious whole; and guide world into a single world religion.

4.     Col. 2:4, 8 – this is nothing more than worldly knowledge; and a doctrine of man.

C.   Man with nature.

1.     NAM says God is all and all is God.  Nature is a part of God.

2.     Man must get in tune with nature & learn to nurture it and be nurtured by it.  In this all can unite.

a)    environmentalists wackos.

3.     Indian philosophies popular among NA b/c they focus on earth/nature/man’s relationship to it.

4.     NA seek to place man & nature on an equal level.

a)    Man is no more important or different from a bird; fish; or animal.

b)    Man must live in harmony; understand them; learn from them.

5.     See Gen. 1:26-27; 2:19.  Man has a soul.  Animals; birds; fish do not.

6.     NA calls the earth “Gala.”  “Gala” is to be revered and respected.  Some NA’ers worship the earth & nature.

a)    Prominence of “earth day?”

b)    Ex. 20:3

c)    Rom. 1:18-25

D.   Man with God.

1.     NA goal to get everyone to realize man is divine & once that is realized, the world will have purpose; peace; love; and harmony.

2.     You see, with NA – there is no sin, b/c we are all our own god.  What sin to you may not be sin to me.

3.     Think of how this idea is permeating American society!

4.     This goes directly against Rom. 3:10-12; 1 John 1:8-10.

 

III.  Other misc beliefs

A.     God is impersonal; omnipresent; and benevolent.  He will not condemn anyone.

1.    God does not have specifics on morality; beliefs; behavior; etc.

2.    NOTE:  since NA elevate themselves to godhood; they must lower the majesty and personhood of God.

B.    There are no moral absolutes in NA.

1.    Claim to have tolerance for all “truth systems.”  This is called “harmonization.”

2.    Consequences of this:

a)    To say no moral absolutes is an absolute itself.  Self-contradictory.

b)    If morality is relative; then we could conclude that stealing; lying; cheating; adultery; anything could be right depending on the circumstances.

c)    If reality is relative; as well as truth – it presents all sorts of problems.

1)    NA thinking does not work in the real world!

2)    Red/green light…. collision…. realities come crashing down on them.

C.    NA does believe in honesty/integrity/love/peace.  But it just wants it on its terms – not God’s.

 

Conclusion:

A.    NA movement a direct challenge to the bible.

1.    Cannot believe bible and also embrace NA beliefs.

2.    So many people out there are falling prey to this belief.

3.    It is infiltrating our society; being pushed on us – and becoming fully accepted and embraced.

B.    We need to be informed – and publicly take a stand against such teaching.

C.   Eph. 6:10-13; do you need to obey gospel?   I N V I T A T I O N