The New Age Movement

From: The Christian Shepherd: 1997 By:

• 6 min. read • grade level: 8

“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun” (Eccl. 1:9⁹The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9)).

The subject of the New Age Movement is a lengthy one. I could not possibly cover all the details of this modern-day apostasy. By God’s grace, I’ll attempt to give what I believe are the main features of this awful system. It is interesting that the elite of society are the ones who often seem to fall away so quickly to this modern “tripe” of Satan. What a commentary on our day! Certainly the heart of man has not changed. One among us has coined the phrase so well, “The devil is the greatest salesman of antiques this world has ever seen.” It is called “New Age,” but beyond question it has been around since the fall of man. The New Age Movement is nothing more than Americanized Hinduism. Other things may be added to it, but basically this term best describes this “doctrines of devils” (1 Tim. 4:1¹Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1 Timothy 4:1)).

The main features of this heresy are:

1. The theory of evolution: the universe is evolving and man with it.

2. Pantheism: the universe is God.

3. Channeling: contact with the unseen world through spirit guides, crystals and other mediums.

4. Self-realization: getting in contact with one’s “real self” or “higher self.”

5. Reincarnation: the belief that after death we live again in another life form.

6. The law of karma: the law that determines, upon your behavior in this life, where you will be placed in your next life.

Let us now examine these six points and test them by the Word of God “the holy Scriptures, which are able to make [us] wise unto salvation” (2 Tim. 3:15¹⁵And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:15)).

The Theory of Evolution

“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Heb. 11:3³Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3)).

“For by Him [our Lord Jesus Christ] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him” (Col. 1:16¹⁶For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (Colossians 1:16)).

To “create” means to bring into existence out of nothing. Only the God of the universe possesses this power. The order of the universe must also be maintained. “And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist [subsist]” (Col. 1:17¹⁷And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Colossians 1:17)). This means all things are held together by Him.

Pantheism

“Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” (Rom. 1:25²⁵Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Romans 1:25)).

“Now to the King of the ages, the incorruptible, invisible, only God, honor and glory to the ages of ages. Amen” (1 Tim. 1:17¹⁷Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17) JND).

“But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in [or, by] Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him” (1 Cor. 8:6⁶But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. (1 Corinthians 8:6)).

These verses plainly show that the God of the Bible is superior to time, space and matter. The universe was created. The Creator always was!

Channeling

“There shall not be found among you anyone that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer [one who makes contact with the dead]. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations [despicable practices] the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God” (Deut. 18:10-13¹⁰There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, ¹¹Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. ¹²For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. ¹³Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God. (Deuteronomy 18:10‑13); see also Rev. 9:20-21²⁰And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: ²¹Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. (Revelation 9:20‑21)).

The scriptures which we have just read strictly forbid these wicked and soul-destroying practices.

Self-Realization

“These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me: and to him that ordereth his conversation [manner of life] aright will I show the salvation of God” (Psa. 50:21-23²¹These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. ²²Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. ²³Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God. (Psalm 50:21‑23); see also Isa. 55:7,11⁷Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55:7)
¹¹So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)).

“I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing” (Rom. 7:18¹⁸For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (Romans 7:18)).

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jer. 17:9⁹The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)).

As believers we are to reckon ourselves dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Blessed be His wondrous name! None of self and all of Thee, Lord Jesus!

Reincarnation

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many: and unto them that look for Him [who is our life] shall He appear the second time without sin [having nothing more to do with it] unto salvation” (Heb. 9:27-28²⁷And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: ²⁸So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:27‑28)).

“But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death [separation from God spirit, soul and body] hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years” (Rev. 20:5-6⁵But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. ⁶Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:5‑6)).

How solemn is God’s estimation of such wicked, foolish reasonings of the unregenerate heart of man: “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind” (Rom. 1:28²⁸And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (Romans 1:28))!

The Law of Karma

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.... For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:12¹²Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. (Romans 8:12)).

“For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Rom. 8:29²⁹For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29)).

Please read the remaining verses in this precious chapter it is the divine, revealed mind of God for man!

Though much more could be written, we believe that these passages from the Word of God are sufficient to show that the whole foundation of the New Age Movement is bad. And if it is bad, the whole structure is bad. How wonderful to rest our souls on the matchless love, grace and truth of God revealed in our blessed Lord Jesus Christ.

E. Wilson

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