A while back I noted a quote in the bulletin
by Henry Nouwen. I am concerned that the one who used the quote may not realize
that Henry Nouwen was a Catholic Mystic who was a proponent of the New Age philosophy
of contemplative spirituality, contemplative prayer, and universalism. https://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/why-christian-leaders-should-not-promote-henri-nouwen/
Perhaps one of the biggest battles the church is encountering
today is against the infiltration of New Ageism. Many pastors do not realize
how prevalent this issue is. We are being bombarded with teachings such as the
Word of Faith idea that we are all little gods, Bethel Church’s endorsement of “
spirit” boards which are just Ouija boards with a Christian label, and “Angel”
cards which are tarot cards with a Christian label. Believers are being
encouraged to seek the experiential over the hard work of Biblical study.
Unfortunately, instead of building a strong base of Biblical knowledge, those
who seek an experiential experience find that the experience in itself has an
addictive quality. The modern church, to become more culturally relevant, has
embraced some New Age practices with open arms. I'm sure that there is a
certain amount of naivete within these churches. Most would not realize that
through music, rhythm, repetition, lighting, and special effects they are
opening their congregations to altered states of consciousness, manipulation,
and mind control. Also, Christian colleges are known to promote the practice of
walking the labyrinth, a contemplative prayer exercise. Under the guise of
exercise, yoga has been introduced into many churches. This Hindu practice of
venerating Hindu gods and goddesses through exercise poses (asanas) does not
belong in our churches.
The sad thing is that there are prominent spiritual leaders who
are knowingly or unknowingly leading the sheep to enter the fold of the enemy. Rick
Warren and Billy Graham are prominent proponents of ecumenism to name only two.
There are so many false prophets and teachers and, it seems, more come to the
front every day.
Currently, under the guise of patriotism, the Reawaken
America rallies that have been happening over the last few years disguise Dominionism/Kingdom
Now teachings. In addition to those teachings, some of the presenters have
brought their New Age philosophy to the stage. For example. Scott McKay and
Sasha Stone drop the words “the Christ consciousness” and “becoming ascendant”
quite often. Amanda Grace channels her words of prophecy (seeking revelatory knowledge
outside of the Bible is a dangerous path to trod) and Michael Flynn led those
at a rally into a prayer almost word for word from the Mystic Elizabeth Claire Prophet,
referencing the 7 Points of Light which comes straight from Theosophy.
Books, like The Shack, Jesus Calling, and A Course in
Miracles have been used as study guides in various churches. The first
espouses God as being a mother figure and the concept of universalism and the
other two are books channeled by spirits. The television program “The Chosen”,
while claiming to present the “authentic Jesus” surreptitiously presents a
Mormon Jesus with Roman Catholic overtones (definitely not the Jesus of the
Bible).
As believers, we need to get into the habit of defining
terms when we're faced with what appears to be a new and exciting concept. For
example, when the Mormons say they believe in Jesus, if we don't ask them to
define their Jesus, we will not see that their Jesus is the spirit brother of
Lucifer and the Jehovah's Witnesses see Jesus as the Archangel Michael. The New
Age definition of at-one-m
ent is not our definition of atonement but rather
becoming one with the Christ consciousness, the God within us. The yoga
greeting “namaste” is not merely a greeting. It is literally saying, “The God
within me bows to the God within you”.
Believers today have a great responsibility to use
discernment, research, and to be Bereans in searching the Scriptures to see
that what they are encountering is of God. With only 11% of Americans reading
their Bibles daily and just 6% having a Biblical worldview, it is easy to see how
many are being influenced to head down a deceptive path.
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