Another kind of good Part one

Another kind of good
The New Spirituality and The Christian Spirituality
Deceit – Part one

The defiled man!
Salvation through Christ or self-salvation?
The biblical Christ or the cosmic Christ?

The God-man problem has endured numerous tests and challenges throughout history. Christians have often navigated the world as if passing “under the Caudine Forks,” enduring unimaginable pressures and conditions. Frequently, they have faced humiliation and degradation solely because of their identity—the Christian name.

The Subtle Threat of Modern Spirituality

In these latter days, a new and perhaps more insidious challenge emerges for God’s people. This challenge takes the form of a burgeoning spirituality that, like the proverbial “angel of light,” presents itself as benign or even beneficial. However, it infiltrates the Christian church with the stealth and effectiveness of the legendary “Trojan Horse”.

A Shift in Spiritual Warfare

Unlike the overt pressures faced by believers in times past, this modern spiritual movement doesn’t rely on force or coercion. Instead, it operates through subtle deception and gradual influence. Its power lies in its ability to blend seamlessly with existing beliefs, making it difficult to detect and resist.

The Magnitude of the Threat

The true danger of this spiritual shift lies in its potential for error – a potential that far exceeds what many in the contemporary church might anticipate. While it may not pose immediate, visible threats, its long-term impact on the faith and practice of believers could be profound and far-reaching. The distinction between the challenges faced by Christianity in the past and the new circumstances infiltrating Christian churches today is, as one Christian thinker observed, akin to the difference between overt evil and subtle cunning.

New Spirituality, New Era, New Age

Regarding this matter, it can be argued that it elevated spiritual concepts to a point where the cycle of existence seemingly comes full circle. In essence, it returned humanity to the precipice where their fall into existential sin began – the moment when humans succumbed to the influence of spiritual forces other than those directly associated with their Creator.

The propositions of this new spirituality in these latter days are reminiscent not only of a Babylon rooted in Genesis 11:1-9 but also of the ancient promise made by “the old serpent” at the dawn of human history: “You shall be as gods.” (Genesis 3:5)

In the end times, this spiritual Movement is in its peak form, ready to unfold its full potential and achieve its purpose.

What is its purpose?
The answer given by her followers is very clear: the deification of man!

That is, another good for man, other than that offered by God. A good that brings with it the “opening” of the eyes, respectively, one will know not only the good, but also the bad. This new offering is seen by man, through the first woman, Eve, as ” good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise… ” (Genesis 3:5-6)

This parallel draws a striking connection between contemporary spiritual trends and the temptations that have challenged humanity since its earliest days. This new spiritual Movement appears to address what has long been considered the “Great temptation” for humanity – or perhaps more accurately for the “serpent”.

It seeks to fulfill a desire that has remained unsatisfied for ages. The Movement employs tactics reminiscent of those used at the beginning of time, presenting its offerings in a circuitous manner. It portrays its teachings as a superior alternative – more promising, more fulfilling, and more appealing to human nature. This supposed good is presented as something “to be desired to make one wise” (Genesis 3:6), echoing the temptation in the Garden of Eden.

What exactly is this Spiritual Movement?

As its name suggests, it is a “New Spirituality.” While it claims to be novel, its roots actually extend deep into history. Until the 1960s, it resembled an iceberg, with more than 90% of its substance hidden beneath the surface of time. Gradually, however, it emerged into the mainstream. Its ideas first found expression in literature, art, music, and cinematography.

Over time, its influence expanded to encompass education, politics, economics, and, inevitably, the church. This gradual permeation of various aspects of society has brought what was once obscure to the forefront of contemporary culture.

Unfortunately, many churches failed to recognise the encroachment of this Movement’s “tentacles” into Christian spaces. They did not respond adequately to this new current of thought, nor did they provide appropriate arguments to address this emerging challenge. This shortcoming compounds the already questionable manner in which many churches have been fulfilling the mandate and mission entrusted to them by their “head” – Jesus Christ.

The lack of vigilance and proper response has left many Christian communities vulnerable to the influence of this new spiritual Movement, potentially compromising their ability to uphold and propagate traditional Christian teachings and values.

This New Spirituality is not a compact, cohesive group in structure, but rather an extremely diverse movement comprising a multitude of organisations with varied interests and beliefs. It has a diffuse organisation that encompasses pantheism (the belief that everything is God), monism (the view that everything is one), mysticism (the pursuit of union with divinity), universalism, and syncretism, among other philosophies.
Precisely because of this diffuse nature, it is challenging to spot and identify.

The Movement’s lack of a centralised structure and its incorporation of numerous, often overlapping belief systems make it difficult to pinpoint and define, allowing it to permeate various aspects of society without drawing immediate attention.

We will highlight only a few key aspects that characterise the teachings supported by followers of this belief system:

a) For its adherents, truth is not absolute or singular, but rather relative and subjective. Their teachings draw from multiple sources of “truth.” They assert that this “truth” was communicated to many holy figures besides Jesus, including Buddha, Hermes, Zoroaster, and Orpheus, among others. In this view, Jesus Christ is considered just one of these enlightened individuals:

“We honour the truth and beauty of all the world’s religions, and we believe that each of them contains a part of God, a kernel of truth to unite us all.” (Julia Spangler, “Compass Points”, Lorian Journal 1:2, pg.3)
Source: https://searchnewsglobal.wordpress.com/2014/09/14/miscarea-new-age-sau-oculta-veche-curentul-modern-marca-illuminati-impotriva-crestinismului/

b) The belief system includes the concept of “enlightened Masters” and “Masters of the Hierarchy.”
These “Ascended Masters” are believed to guide the spiritual evolution of all humanity, serving as spiritual mentors for mankind. They supposedly offer revelations and enlightenment to those who are spiritually “attuned” to them. Followers claim that through reincarnation, these “Masters” continue their evolution on a higher plane of existence.

c) In this belief system, Jesus is considered to have been merely a human being who embodied the spirit of Christ.
Blavatsky believed that her revelations originated from the Ascended Masters and marked the beginning of the Aquarian Age, which became synonymous with the New Age Movement.

d) Adherents of this belief system consider the Christian Bible to be complementary to the “Aquarian Gospel of Jesus Christ” (by Levi Dowling).
This includes transcendental revelations from spiritual entities that are supposedly contacted through the method of “channeling,” among other practices.

e) The movement also has a political agenda rooted in a monistic and pantheistic worldview.
Consequently, this agenda is anti-theistic (opposed to the concept of a personal God) and, fundamentally, anti-Christian.

“Mark Satin, the author of the work, “New Age Politics” speaking about the destiny of mankind, says that it, mankind, after a long period of preparation, is on the point of this unity being expressed politically through a one world government. This government will unite nations in actions beyond their individual capacity.” (Mark Satin, New Age Politics)

The unity of all religions is the ideological basis of this Movement’s political agenda, and the “divinity of humanity” is its central truth.

Similarly, Matthew Fox says in his book “The Coming of the Cosmic Christ” that deep ecumenism will be the one that will harness the wisdom of all world religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism, Taoism, and Christianity in all its forms, of native religions and of the gods of religions around the world. He states that in this harnessing of wisdom lies the last hope for the survival of our planet, the planet we call “our home”.

This wisdom is the result of the unity of all religions around a central and universal truth, namely: the divinity of man.

f) According to this ideology, Christianity is reinterpreted and redefined as an “esoteric Christianity.”
David Spangler in “Exploration: emerging aspects of the new culture” talks about a group of people who, interestingly, are now rising up, and who have the “salt of the earth” (an expression by which Jesus refers to the disciples). These are the ones who recognize their divinity. They act within their sphere of influence to inspire the same divinity in others. It is they who give life and form the basis of the government of the future.
Sursa: Apologetică | Un glosar New Age

So, this New Spirituality promises to raise the human standing to the status of God, showing him new ways to achieve this new identity. For humanity to ascend to godhood, the existing God – the One who currently exercises divine function – must first be dethroned. To this end, various tactics and strategies have been set in motion. We will only indulge a few of these, as the subject is far too expansive, and complex, and extends over a timespan that stretches beyond our comprehension.

Tactics and Strategies used to achieve the “Divine Man” objective

1. The New Spirituality movement replaces the concept of a creator God with a pantheistic deity. (It’s worth noting that pantheism, as an idealistic philosophical doctrine, identifies divinity with nature itself.)

2. This movement also substitutes the biblical Christ with a cosmic Christ figure, thereby negating His divinity and the unique attributes that qualified Him to be the Saviour of mankind.

If it were only that, this spirituality would be no more dangerous than others. It would be just another kind of attack on Christianity. What makes it more dangerous is primarily related to the treacherous, seemingly benevolent way in which it presents itself and penetrates Christianity like a “Trojan horse.”
It can be seen to infiltrate deceptively, in a manner that causes you to lose focus on the enemy and consequently, you can’t be on guard. As a result, many of the ideas of this movement are already accepted by Christian leaders at the highest levels, with some even being introduced and promoted from within by influential figures and “opinion makers.”

Let’s delve a bit deeper to understand how it seeks acceptance.

Its followers deconstruct the core doctrines of biblical Christianity and then reconstruct them with apostate beliefs. They achieve this by incorporating pantheistic and universalist doctrines, particularly those found in Hinduism and Buddhism, and presenting them with a benevolent facade. This facade blends contemporary Christian language with modern secular terminology, mixing Christian teachings and truths with their own. The result is then promoted as divine truth from God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Additionally, they justify their beliefs using certain scientific discoveries, especially in the field of quantum physics, which they interpret to suit their own interests.
The surface-level Christian language conceals heretical undertones.

Lothar Gassmann, a German evangelical theologian who experienced New Age beliefs before converting to Christianity, offers valuable insights.

In his book of contemporary Christian apologetics “New Age” (New Era), in the sub-chapter “Christ – the name of God used abusively”, he very clearly warns Christianity, and not only them. He says that the New Age Movement passes itself off as Christian, thus deceiving the world. The New Age movement, – although it is anti-Christ, against God – does not simply go directly, visibly for anyone, against God, against Christ, against conversion, etc. He says that this would be too rude and tactless because in this way it would easily reveal its purpose, its real intention. He warns that basic Christian notions are used, but they no longer have any common features with the biblical content.

It just takes Christian notions, modifies them, and redefines them. Therefore, he urges caution, because this Movement spreads under the same names another God, another Christ, and another Gospel. Thus, God becomes the divine from man and the cosmos, and the universe ends up being an impersonal force, cosmic energy, which, its followers say if we use it, can help us have clairvoyance. Jesus Christ is no longer seen as the Son of God, the only Savior, and the only Way to the Father.
” Jesus said to him: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Unfortunately, Jesus is only presented as one of the many founders of religions. Salvation no longer means the escape of man from sin, from death, from Satan, through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, as the Bible states. For them, salvation means the liberation of consciousness to reach supernatural knowledge. In Hinduism, where the New Age comes from, salvation means enlightenment, the awareness of one’s own divinity in man or of man, of the inner self, which is achieved through mystical merging with the divine.

This is actually self-salvation.”

Source: (Lothar Gassmann, New Age – Noua Eră, edit. Stephanus, pag.21-22; Radio Unison, Zalau, Dan Bercian, Editorial, Atacul New Age asupra Bisericii, prima parte, aprilie 2018)

These elements characterise the New Spirituality as a significant heresy of our troubled times, fully aligning with the warning in God’s Word from Matthew 24:24, which cautions with profound foresight: “…so that, if it were possible, they would deceive even the elect.”

Let’s begin by focusing on just a few key statements from this new Movement. We will explore this topic in greater depth in subsequent articles.

So, what do the Movement’s followers say about humanity?

1. The Man

In his book “A Course in Miracles”, H. Schucman writes:

• When God created man, He made him part of Him;
• The recognition of God is, in fact, the recognition of yourself;

Neal Donald Walsch, in his book “Conversations with God” says, that:
• Man is already a God. But he, the man, simply does not know it;
• Man is both Creator and created;
• Man is the literally the Word of God, made flesh;
He claims that there were many Christs, not just Jesus of Nazareth. And it also affirms that everyone can be Christ;
• He exhorts you, the man, to think, speak, and act like the God that you are.
• N.D. Walsch makes the statement that everyone’s future is createable and urges everyone can create it as he want it.

Ideas similar to these are spread in the Christian area in more or less clear forms, even by Christian pastors who have allowed themselves to be influenced by the New Age orientation.

Kenneth Copeland, the popular American Pentecostal-charismatic pastor, the US dollar multi-millionaire, claimed that man was created “in the class of gods” and that we are all a category of gods. Even, he says, that God Himself created us from His deepest being.

Also, Kenneth Copeland, referring to Exodus 3:14, states on another occasion in a televised sermon, that when he reads in the Bible where God says: “I Am,” he, Kenneth Copeland, smiles and says, “And I also Am !” (Dr. Dave Hunt, “The Occult Invasion”)

Paul Crouch, the founder of the Christian TV station TBN, used the same heresy several times in his TV shows: “We are little gods.”

We only remember the multimillionaire evangelist Benny Hinn, who, in the last part of his life, was also influenced by these ideas. And, the list goes on.

2. Jesus Christ

What does this Movement say about Jesus Christ?

We recall again some things from “A Course in Miracles”, by H. Schucman. She says that
the name of Jesus Christ as it is, is only a symbol. It is a symbol that can be used as a substitute for the many names of the gods you pray to;

She also rhetorically asks herself if He, Jesus, is the Christ? And she answers herself: yes, He is, but He is with you, man.

She makes the statement that a butchered, crucified Christ has no meaning. It does not make any sense;
Moreover, it claims that there is no separation between God and His creation;

(We mention the fact that “separation” in the sense of this Movement means that man realises that he, man, is God, that is, one with Him, equal with Him.)

3. God

What does this New Spirituality say about God?

About God, the promoters of this Movement claim that God is all in all, in a very literal sense. All creation is in Him and God is in all creation. Therefore, they say, you, man, are in Him because your being is His. (“A Course in Miracles” by H. Schucman)

That is, a God taken from pantheism. In other words, God is not the creator God, but He identifies with nature.

Bill Johnson, an important representative of the New Apostolic Reformation, makes a statement that suits many, that God leads, but He is not in control. He, God, has left us the control.

4. The prayer

For followers of the New Spirituality, a very important thing is the fact that man knows the way through which this “cosmic Christ” can be contacted. Thus, the main way is what they call “contemplative prayer”, which, by the way, is a transcendental meditation in a Christian aspect. Ray Yungen, the evangelical researcher, tells us in his book “A Time of Departing” the following:

“The desert fathers mistakenly believed that as long as one is sincere in his desire for God, any means can be used to reach God, to experience God. So if a method works for Hindus to help them to experience their gods, then ‘Christian mantras’ can be used to reach Jesus, to experience Jesus.”

Brennan Manning in his book “The Signature of Jesus” quotes several Catholic monks who say that we should realise that the chasm that seems to separate “sinful” humanity from a righteous God never existed; we are and always have been one with God. For the “New Monks” the unconditional love and grace of God is the only thing to which man should relate. His righteousness is never even mentioned.

Source: http://apologeticindex.info/wpn/2017/06/18/noii-calugari-ai-lui-brennan-manning-si-monahismul-lor-contemplativ-periculos/

We make an important mention, of the fact that many of the promoters of the New Spirituality say that they received revelations directly from God, who dictated to them what they wrote in their books. We mention only two important representatives of this Movement: Neal Donald Walsch, writer and international speaker of New Age orientation, says that God inspired him to write his bestseller “Conversations with God”, and Helen Schucman, who says, also that it was the cosmic Jesus who dictated to her many of the ideas presented in the books she wrote.

When we talk about delusion (in Christian churches, especially), we have in mind, first of all, its devastating effects with direct reference to the fall from faith to the loss of salvation. Therefore, the knowledge of the “benefactor” who presents himself in the form of the “angel of light”, and in “Christian clothes”, is a matter of spiritual life and death, because it aims, in the last instance, to our eternal loss.

From this perspective, this article and the subsequent ones on this topic are intended to serve as an additional resource for those seeking guidance in choosing their faith path or evaluating their current spiritual journey.

Moreover, this article aims to provide extra motivation and encourage increased vigilance in matters of faith. By offering insights and information, we hope to empower readers to make informed decisions about their beliefs and practices, while also inspiring them to remain attentive and engaged in their spiritual growth.

The Bible has warned us about this spiritual battle since its inception, as it has been an ongoing struggle within the Church of Christ from the very first generation. The echoes of its message continue to resonate with us, the current generation, reminding us of the enduring nature of this spiritual conflict.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”

Other sources:
Warren B. Smith, “False Christ Coming. Does Aybody Care?” (“Un Cristos fals vine. Îi pasă cuiva?”);

Russell Chandler, Understanding the New Age (Dallas: Word, 1991);

Alice Bailey, The Externalisation of the Hierarchy (New York: Lucis, 1957)

Beginning with Part Two of this article, we will delve deeper into this topic, which, despite being largely unknown and ignored by the majority, poses significant dangers. The arguments presented will demonstrate the capacity of this “Trojan horse” to deceive even “the very elect.” We will explore the spiritual implications and consequences (as well as other impacts) stemming from the claims and actions of this New Spirituality.

To be continued