What is the Danger of New Age Contamination of Christian Spirituality?

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Enoch111

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So you oppose listening to CD sermons the Bible on CD simply because this "derived from outside the Bible?" Duh!
Who said anything about CDs????
Philip Yancey is one of the most prolific and respected Evangelical authors of the late 20th century.
Perhaps in your estimation. Not in that of others who have investigated his beliefs:

"Philip Yancey is a well-known Christian author of books and magazine articles. He writes on various subjects, but often not with a lot of theological “meat.” But there have been things about Yancey which have disturbed me over the years to the point that I decided to do some research to see if what snippets I’ve read about him are actually indicative of his belief system. I have to report that the snippets were indeed indicative of Yancey’s often dangerous beliefs...

Yancey said about the apostate Emergent Church Movement: ...Now the emergent church has emerged, which brings new forms to an old institution.... Perhaps our day calls for a new kind of ecumenical movement: not of doctrine, nor even of religious unity, but one that builds on what Jews, Christians, and Muslims hold in common, for the sake of mutual survival. ..

The Watchman's Bagpipes: What to do About Philip Yancey
 
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Willie T

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I remember having the Rick Warren study myself - but When I read anything I tend to weigh it up - I also have a number of Phillip Yancy books, reading ' what's so amazing about Grace ' again at the moment. Henri Nouwen - I have a number of his books as well, his testimony is very inspiring.
I have read Richard Fosters book ' Celebration of discipline ' - but that was a long time ago.
I wouldn't say they are ' new age ' , as I have always defined that as meaning ' crystals, herbal remedies, ect ( at least a that is what started to come in when I first started to hear that term ' the things associated with it were always absence of God and very much into power from a natural source ect. )
I do have concerns with the book industry though, and how Christian writing has become a big business. I use to go away to ' Spring Harvest ' in the UK, first year I went I thought it was great, then I started to see that all the ' inspired ' sermons ect were all revolving around the books that they had to offer- one speaking came across as being led by the Holy Spirit in the moment , his talk was inspiring and I have no doubts that originally it had been led , but I had heard his ' inspired message ' before - his motive was to get people to want to buy his book. That was a real eye opener that year, I have never gone again. Sorry that's a digression X
Rita
BTW, Celebration of Discipline just happens to be one of the dozens of books I have on my computer.... if anyone would care to have it in MS Word format.... Free!.
 
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Enoch111

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...can't say i heard the word ' new age ' until the 80's ( in church circles )
The New Age movement started in the 19th century (Theosophy and New Thought), but it was only after the Beatles and the Hippies came on the scene that New Age religion and so-called *spirituality* came to the forefront. This is also when several New Age promoters came on the scene (including Elizabeth Clare Prophet and others). Mark L. Prophet (her husband) started the Church Universal and Triumphant (1975), and its beliefs were syncretistic:

"The church's theology is a syncretistic belief system, including elements of Buddhism, Christianity, esoteric mysticism, the paranormal and alchemy, with a belief in angels and elementals (or spirits of nature). It centers on communications received from Ascended Masters through the Holy Spirit. Many of the Ascended Masters, such as Sanat Kumara, Maitreya, Djwal Khul, El Morya, Kuthumi, Paul the Venetian, Serapis Bey, the Master Hilarion, the Master Jesus and Saint Germain, have their roots in Theosophy and the writings of Madame Blavatsky, C.W. Leadbeater, and Alice A. Bailey. Others, such as Buddha and Confucius, are historical religious figures. Some, such as Lanto, Lady Master Nada,Lady Master Lotus, and Lanello, are Ascended Masters who were first identified as such by Elizabeth Clare Prophet. All in all, she identified more than 200 Ascended Masters that were not identified as Masters of the Ancient Wisdom in the original teachings of Theosophy". (quoted from Wikipedia)
 

Willie T

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You are most likely correct...He was quite radical to the Pharisees especially.
A true thinker. I like that. While this truth doesn't necessarily make anyone today "correct", it does demonstrate your brilliant openmindedness.
 
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Giuliano

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So said the Pharisees to Jesus.
He told people to obey what the Sanhedrin told them to do. Jesus was not interested in taking their positions. They seemed to think he was though, so they attacked him.

John 11:46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

And what they feared came to pass. . . . They were so worried about losing their positions, and they lost them.
 
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Butterfly

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The New Age movement started in the 19th century (Theosophy and New Thought), but it was only after the Beatles and the Hippies came on the scene that New Age religion and so-called *spirituality* came to the forefront. This is also when several New Age promoters came on the scene (including Elizabeth Clare Prophet and others). Mark L. Prophet (her husband) started the Church Universal and Triumphant (1975), and its beliefs were syncretistic:

"The church's theology is a syncretistic belief system, including elements of Buddhism, Christianity, esoteric mysticism, the paranormal and alchemy, with a belief in angels and elementals (or spirits of nature). It centers on communications received from Ascended Masters through the Holy Spirit. Many of the Ascended Masters, such as Sanat Kumara, Maitreya, Djwal Khul, El Morya, Kuthumi, Paul the Venetian, Serapis Bey, the Master Hilarion, the Master Jesus and Saint Germain, have their roots in Theosophy and the writings of Madame Blavatsky, C.W. Leadbeater, and Alice A. Bailey. Others, such as Buddha and Confucius, are historical religious figures. Some, such as Lanto, Lady Master Nada,Lady Master Lotus, and Lanello, are Ascended Masters who were first identified as such by Elizabeth Clare Prophet. All in all, she identified more than 200 Ascended Masters that were not identified as Masters of the Ancient Wisdom in the original teachings of Theosophy". (quoted from Wikipedia)
I love the way you say ' it's only after 'the Beatles ' and the hippie scene, almost as if The Beatles were the first and only band around.
Never heard of hardly any of those people from the Wikipedia quote , definately never heard of the ascended Masters. Obviously the Hippie scene started a lot of alternatives, but I never really got into all that - still haven't. My children were ' encouraged ' to meditate at school once, I made my thoughts perfectly clear that none of my children were going to be encouraged to do that again and that she was wrong to even do it ( it was a church run school ) thats about the closest I got to it within , this quaint English village.
Rita
 
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Butterfly

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Who said anything about CDs????

Perhaps in your estimation. Not in that of others who have investigated his beliefs:

"Philip Yancey is a well-known Christian author of books and magazine articles. He writes on various subjects, but often not with a lot of theological “meat.” But there have been things about Yancey which have disturbed me over the years to the point that I decided to do some research to see if what snippets I’ve read about him are actually indicative of his belief system. I have to report that the snippets were indeed indicative of Yancey’s often dangerous beliefs...

Yancey said about the apostate Emergent Church Movement: ...Now the emergent church has emerged, which brings new forms to an old institution.... Perhaps our day calls for a new kind of ecumenical movement: not of doctrine, nor even of religious unity, but one that builds on what Jews, Christians, and Muslims hold in common, for the sake of mutual survival. ..

The Watchman's Bagpipes: What to do About Philip Yancey
I would prefer to judge a book on its content. People have critised many writers on this forum, Joyce Meyer is one that came to mind. Now I do not agree with everything about her, but it doesn't mean that she cannot speak the truth within her writing.
Rita
 
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prism

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Philip Yancey is one of the most prolific and respected Evangelical authors of the late 20th century. He once confessed to Father Brennan Manning that although he had a strong vibrant faith, he had never actually experienced God's presence in a powerful self-authenticating way. Brennan issued this challenge, "Attend one of my contemplative retreats $$$ and I guarantee that you will experience God's presence!" Yancey accepted the challenge and rejoiced that Brennan delivered on his promise. Brennan Manning's book $$$ "The Ragamuffin Gospel" is considered by many Evangelicals the best modern book $$$ on the experience of the grace of God.
Three points of interpretation included in the text.
 

Soverign Grace

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Over the years, I have heard some of the most spiritually effective ministers being dismissed by Evangelicals as New Agers (e. g. Rick Warren and Richard Foster). Yet Rick Warren is a self-professed Southern Baptist and Foster is a devout Evangelical Quaker. What makes this slander particularly odious is the failure to define precisely what "a New Ager" is. True, channeling, western reincarnationism, astrology, and certain occult arts are rightly labelled "New Age." But practitioners of Yoga, meditation, vegetarianism, and radical environmentalism have often also been characterized as New Agers. So what do you understand The expression to mean?

The question is important because 1 in 3 Americans self-identify as "spiritual" but not "religious" and would constitute the largest religion in America, if "spiritual" could be identified as a religion. Many of these wannabe "spiritual" types seem to fit nicely within the "New Age" label. The important issue for me is this: where is the line between "New Age" beliefs and practices and acceptable evangelical beliefs and practices?

You need to look deeper into Rick Warren - he sold his soul for a seat at the king's table - he sits on the CFR - a notoriously evil institution. They get control of a pastor to lead the sheep like a Judas Goat.

I know someone who was asked out by a lawyer who is something big in Warren's church. He quickly began telling her they should have a baby together - he painted a rosy picture, saying she'd never have to work again. She did some background sleuthing and found a woman who used to date him put a warning post up online. He pulled the same scheme on her and when she gave birth he went to court and got control of their son and took him to be raised by him and his gay lover. He was only looking for a baby machine.

Beware of Rick Warren.
 
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Soverign Grace

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Taking Scripture out of context to defend false Christianity gives you no credibility. Address the actual issues.

Rick Warren and his cohorts are leading evangelical Christians down a slippery slope and away from biblical Christianity. Genuine Christians (not unsaved Pharisees) have come to that conclusion, and all Christians should be warned about these wolves in sheep's clothing.

I agree that Rick Warren is leading others down a slippery slope. So is President Trump. A man who has amassed the fortune that he has is not a stupid man - yet how many times have Christians dismissed his acts as being "foolish." He's dumb like a fox.
 
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Soverign Grace

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I would suggest that New Age as we once knew it has morphed into something far more broad and all encompassing than the crystals and incense shops in quaint villages of rural England. Taking advantage of legitimate concepts, such as the herbal remedies etc that you mentioned. (and vegetarianism ), the devil has brought new age ideas of pantheism and the occult into mainstream Christianity, and by doing so has undermined the truth and introduced mysticism, oblique criticisms of scripture, and pagan religious forms and traditions. What was once the hobby of hippies, has been taken over by and incorporated into witchcraft and the dark arts. New Age is now firmly ensconced within modern politics, as the thread (sorry to sound like this is self-promoting) I wonder where this might lead... reveals, as well as education at all levels. You can also find it throughout the entertainment industry, and has developed and grown into full blown Satan worship in some circles, Luciferianism in others, is the background philosophy of secret societies such as the Freemasons, Skull and Bones, et al and has been the indirect cause of many lives been made shipwreck through placing their faith in things other than the true Christ.

I urge others to read Vigilant Citizen for awhile - it's absolutely shocking to see how evil has overtaken the entertainment industry. They get these young, malleable Disney stars and use them to mislead youth. I was watching American Greed and I saw how these young people think: a young girl in her 20's gushed "who wouldn't want to go water-skiing with Kylie Jenner!!!" I thought how mixed up she was - what is so great about water skiing with Kylie Jenner? Why isn't it fun to water ski with friends or family? They lead the youth by the nose so they think that they are the people who represent fun.

I'm really concerned about what is being pushed in education now.
 

Willie T

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I urge others to read Vigilant Citizen for awhile - it's absolutely shocking to see how evil has overtaken the entertainment industry. They get these young, malleable Disney stars and use them to mislead youth. I was watching American Greed and I saw how these young people think: a young girl in her 20's gushed "who wouldn't want to go water-skiing with Kylie Jenner!!!" I thought how mixed up she was - what is so great about water skiing with Kylie Jenner? Why isn't it fun to water ski with friends or family? They lead the youth by the nose so they think that they are the people who represent fun.

I'm really concerned about what is being pushed in education now.
Vigilant Citizen
From RationalWiki

Not to be confused with The Vigilant Christian (although they have similar content)

Vigilant Citizen
is a website that is dedicated to discovering the hidden "symbolism"(?) in the popular media, usually involving the Illuminati. The outlet is heavily socially Conservative and is always talking about how Socialism is taking over the world [1] So really, it's Infowars but for popular media.

Religious crankery[edit]
Articles on Vigilant Citizen wouldn't be out of place on CBN. [2] [3] Vigilant Citizen makes Pat Robertson jealous with the amount of moral panic and pearl clutching.

The problem with "symbolism"[edit]
Most of the "symbolism" isn't even remotely related to Freemasonry at all (conspiracy theorists consider Freemasons and the Illuminati to be the same.) For example, the Pentagram, while mistakenly related to Satanism, is actually a Pagan symbol. The magical thing about symbolism is it's very subjective, so while everyone else sees a stupid music video, Vigilant Citizen sees the impending Satanic apocalypse [4]

"Sources" for the crankery[edit]
Most of the articles on Vigilant Citizen refer to "Project Monarch" and "Sex-kitten programming," which are terms that were used by promoters of the Satanic Ritual Abuse conspiracy theory. Brice Taylor,[5] Cathy O'Brien and Fritz Springmeier popularized these terms amongst conspiracy theorists.
 
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Nancy

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I would prefer to judge a book on its content. People have critised many writers on this forum, Joyce Meyer is one that came to mind. Now I do not agree with everything about her, but it doesn't mean that she cannot speak the truth within her writing.
Rita

Hi Rita,
Same here on Joyce. And, one of my very favorite Christian theologians (C.S.Lewis) believed in purgatory, I do not...I can't say that I believe every word or doctrine that my favorite writers or teachers teach. But, we don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater! I don't think there is a person alive where someone does NOT have an issue with, lol.
 

Enoch111

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...Joyce Meyer is one that came to mind.
And you think that criticism was unwarranted? Just Google "False Teachings of Joyce Meyer" and there are at least a dozen sources where her false teachings are discussed in depth.

1. First of all she is publicly disobeying God in standing up and teaching the Bible as though she is authorized to do so. Granted that TV is not a local church, but the general public consists of both men and women.

2. She teaches falsely that "Jesus paid for our sins in Hell" and all the hosts of Hell were upon Him (since she could not even properly understand Hades which was translated as "hell" in the KJV). And if you don't believe this nonsense you cannot be saved.

3. When Christ was made Sin for us "He was no longer the Son of God".

4. Jesus was "born again" "after His blood sacrifice was accepted".

5. She misinterprets John 10:34 to suggest that Christians are "gods" -- "I am not saying you are god with a capital G".

6. She claims that she cannot be righteous and a sinner at the same time. [Note: All Christians are deemed to be righteous by God's grace, but no Christian can claim to be sinlessly perfect".

These are just a few *gems from Joyce* who is misleading hundreds if not thousands.
 
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Enoch111

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I agree that Rick Warren is leading others down a slippery slope. So is President Trump. A man who has amassed the fortune that he has is not a stupid man - yet how many times have Christians dismissed his acts as being "foolish." He's dumb like a fox.
Your attacks on Trump are unwarranted. Why don't you read my thread on the sins of Jewish Americans against Trump in the Ethics & Morality Forum? It is written by an honest and unafraid Jewish rabbi. I was hoping this would get more exposure:
Yom Kippur and American-Jewish Sins against Donald Trump
 
B

Butterfly

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And you think that criticism was unwarranted? Just Google "False Teachings of Joyce Meyer" and there are at least a dozen sources where her false teachings are discussed in depth.

1. First of all she is publicly disobeying God in standing up and teaching the Bible as though she is authorized to do so. Granted that TV is not a local church, but the general public consists of both men and women.

2. She teaches falsely that "Jesus paid for our sins in Hell" and all the hosts of Hell were upon Him (since she could not even properly understand Hades which was translated as "hell" in the KJV). And if you don't believe this nonsense you cannot be saved.

3. When Christ was made Sin for us "He was no longer the Son of God".

4. Jesus was "born again" "after His blood sacrifice was accepted".

5. She misinterprets John 10:34 to suggest that Christians are "gods" -- "I am not saying you are god with a capital G".

6. She claims that she cannot be righteous and a sinner at the same time. [Note: All Christians are deemed to be righteous by God's grace, but no Christian can claim to be sinlessly perfect".

These are just a few *gems from Joyce* who is misleading hundreds if not thousands.
I haven't read her books or listened to her broadcasts for years, and even then it was occasionally. I have not heard her teach the things you mentioned, as I said I weigh books up - take them on face value individually and consider the biblical truth at the time. Biblical quotes I look up and weigh up. I do that here as well - as we all should. Just because you read what is written doesn't mean you agree with it all , or that you align with the writer. I dont agree with many things you write, but I still read your posts and weigh up what you say !
I doubt whether you weigh up anything I say because I am a women and therefore you wouldn't consider I could teach you anything - you take the authoritative role, but it doesn't make you right all the time
As for your first comment - well of course you have that opinion -you and others have made that quite clear - the fact that it's mainly women who go along to her conferences doesn't come into it, I guess. So it's now moved on to women not being allowed to teach women.
Rita
 
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Butterfly

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It's also seems hypocritical that Christian's can be critical of other Christian's, but as soon as someone says anything negative about Donald trump, it's a no go - it's always ' fake news ' or ' false claims '
Do you honestly believe he is perfect and can do absolutely nothing wrong, ever !!! ?
Rita
 
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Soverign Grace

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Your attacks on Trump are unwarranted. Why don't you read my thread on the sins of Jewish Americans against Trump in the Ethics & Morality Forum? It is written by an honest and unafraid Jewish rabbi. I was hoping this would get more exposure:
Yom Kippur and American-Jewish Sins against Donald Trump

I can't get over the freemasonry triple 6 he flashes all the time. You're well versed in the bible so you should know something about how the evil one works. I'm really afraid that he's fooling so many Christians while he continues to work against everything Christians stand for - such as placing Betsy DeVos in her position and renegotiating NAFTA that continues it. I strongly urge you to do research on her. Trump is keeping America entertained with his antics - Pelosi, Schumer - they're all in on it - they are not enemies - they're in the same club and you aren't in it. He threw Christians a few bones to keep them thinking he's on their side as he moves to end America's sovereignty. BY 2030 THERE WILL BE NO AMERICA ANYMORE. You know that Satan appears as an angel of light - do you think those words were put in there for nothing? Some people are very very good at fooling others and Satan has had thousands of years to learn his craft. Do you really think that a BILLIONAIRE is the bumbler that Christians make him out to be? Yet we hear the most ridiculous excuses made for him by Christians.

2030.

U.N. war vehicles spotted on American soil.

Mexican and Russian troops on American soil.

FEMA camps that are highly secretive.

Betsy DeVos.

The North America Union.

The Dragon is upon us.
 
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Nancy

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I haven't read her books or listened to her broadcasts for years, and even then it was occasionally. I have not heard her teach the things you mentioned, as I said I weigh books up - take them on face value individually and consider the biblical truth at the time. Biblical quotes I look up and weigh up. I do that here as well - as we all should. Just because you read what is written doesn't mean you agree with it all , or that you align with the writer. I dont agree with many things you write, but I still read your posts and weigh up what you say !
I doubt whether you weigh up anything I say because I am a women and therefore you wouldn't consider I could teach you anything - you take the authoritative role, but it doesn't make you right all the time
As for your first comment - well of course you have that opinion -you and others have made that quite clear - the fact that it's mainly women who go along to her conferences doesn't come into it, I guess. So it's now moved on to women not being allowed to teach women.
Rita

Or, maybe it is the men who should be held to account FOR sitting under a woman's teachings, lol. They don't HAVE to listen to her. :D