Christianity vs. New Ageism

Christianity • A religion based on teachings of

Jesus of Nazareth.• "But God commendeth his love

toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Roman 5:8, NIV)”

• Most widespread religion• Divided between

• Roman Catholic• Protestant• Eastern Orthodox

• Origination of Jewish descent

History of Christianity• Originated among Jewish followers of Jesus of Nazareth

• Believed he was the “Messiah”• Belief to have originated some 2000 years ago during the life of Jesus.• Has roots of Judaism• History of the Israelites were recorded within the Bible

• A collection of writings conveying God’s relationship with humanity.• Scriptures and the Book of Genesis states that God create the heavens

and earth,• It was after mankind's creation that rebellion began

Beliefs of Christianity• That Jesus was the Messiah

• Jesus Christ is the Son of God

• Jesus was resurrected on the third day

• Belief in the holy book; the Bible

• Belief in holy days such as Easter and Christmas

• Belief that there is only one God

• Belief in the three elements to one God; the Trinity.

• Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19, NJV).”

Bible as Proof of Christianity• Bible states that if sins are confess then god is faithful and forgives you.

• Bible is accountable collection of irrefutable proof that we were made in the likeness of the Trinity.

• Then God said, "Let US make man in OUR image, according to Our likeness (Genesis 1:26).”

• In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God(John 1:1).”

• Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures ( 1 Corinthians 15: 1-4).”

Practices & Worship• Church Worship• Bible Study• Communion• Baptisms• Repentance

Rites & Rituals• Christians worship in church• Confirmations• Eucharist• Christian Funerals• Marriage & Weddings• Divorces

Counteracting New Ageism• Christianity is not a philosophy such as New Ageism, but a looking to

God. • "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of

witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God(Heb. 12:1-2, NIV).”

• Any problem with mankind can be solved by seeking Jesus Christ, not by brainwashing and alternative practices.

• "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.".

Human Nature & Purpose• Live and walk in the likeness of Jesus Christ• Repent our sins and ask for forgiveness• Living eternal life in the kingdom of heaven• Based on the Bible, the purpose of life is for God’s Glory.

• "Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made (Isiah 43:7).”

• Therefore praising him, and accomplishing his will.

How does Christianity Differ?• The Gospel

• Personal claims of Jesus and implications of life, death, and resurrections

• The Gospel Means “Good News”• Promises that everything has

already been done for you• No other religion promises this

• Jesus is viewed as a teacher and role model.

New Ageism• Religious philosophy

composed of complex spiritual and consciousness movements

• Origins in the 1980’s• Themes range from

spiritualism to reincarnations• Holistic Approaches

• Health• Ecology

What is the New age Movement?

• A collection of Eastern influences & metaphysical thoughts

• Has many subdivisions• Theologies• Hopes• Eclectic teachings of salvations

• Man is central & viewed as the creator.• "I am affected only by my thoughts. It needs but this to let salvation come

to all the world. For in this single thought is everyone released at last from fear (A course in Miracles, The Foundation for Inner Peace, Huntington Station, N.Y. Lesson 228, p. 461).”

New Age Movement • Not easily defined.

• No know hierarchy, dogmas or collection plates.

• It is centrally a common collection of threads in toleration and divergence; a Universal Truth.

• The “Aquarian Age”• A supposed “New Dawning” for

followers. Alleged peace and reunite man with God.

• “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear ( Isaiah 59:2 )”

History of New Ageism• Became popular in the 1970’s after the perceived failings of

Christianity.• Started in England in 1960’s then quickly spread.• Roots are traced back to:

• Astrology• Channeling and Hinduism• Spiritualism and Taoism• Neo-Pagan traditions

New Age Beliefs• Evolutionary Godhood & Global Unity• Teaches man’s nature is good and divine, which opposes God.

• that we are sinners: "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned (Rom. 5:12, NIV).”

• and that our nature is corrupt: "All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath (Eph. 2:3, NIV).”

• Reincarnation• Also opposes the word of God.

• And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment (Heb 9:27, NIV).

Influences & Practices• Tarot Readings• Yoga• Meditation & Binaural Music• Astrology• Medium-ship• Chakras

The Infinite Way• Founded by Joel S. Goldsmith (1892-1964).

• “The Infinite Way” published in 1947

• Transcendence and Rebirth• Do not turn to God for anything• Do not seek God, just inherit what already is• Good & Evil are illusions

New Age Religion as Therapy• These alternative therapies

claim to provide healing• Astral Projections• Channeling• Creating own reality• Mantras• Visualizations• Hypnosis• Reiki• Homeopathy• Feng Shui

Dangers of Alternative Therapies• Occult Associations• Demonic Possessions• Mental Damage• Bondage Spiritually during

Astral Projections• Spiritual Entities• Cult Associations

Human Nature & The Purpose of Existence

• The understanding of human nature and purpose varies.• Suggests that individuals are not part of the divine, but are divine

themselves.

• Uses several practices to bring one to a conscious mind, that unites all.

• Recognition of all beings as Gods• The unconscious mind holds fears, desires and hopes. Whereas the

unconscious mind functions as Gods.

Summary:New Ageism Beliefs• God is an impersonal force.• Heaven & Hell do not exist, but are

a state of mind• There are no sins, just

misunderstandings• Jesus is a main who demonstrated

“Consciousness” & divinity of man.• God is all, and all is God. We are all

part of creation.

Christianity Beliefs• God is personal & our Heavenly Father.• Jesus paid for our sins. Only through him

can we be saved.• Heaven & Hell are literal.• Jesus is the Son of God and is part of the

Trinity.• God is the almighty creator of the

universe. Man is finite and a creation of God.

• Rebellion from God is sin• All have sin and must be saved

ReferencesEscher, D. (2013). How Does Religion Promote Forgiveness? Linking Beliefs, Orientations, and

Practices. Journal For The Scientific Study Of Religion, 52(1), 100-119. doi:10.1111/jssr.12012 Re02, Retrieved on Aug 02, 2014 from http://0-eds.a.ebscohost.com.library.regent.edu/eds/detail/detail?sid=70026c90-d075-4b2d-ad1c-dbc60a635c57%40sessionmgr4003&vid=0&hid=4110&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d#db=hlh&AN=85862270

Flere, S., & Kirbiš, A. (2009). New Age, Religiosity, and Traditionalism: A Cross-Cultural

Comparison. Journal For The Scientific Study Of Religion, 48(1), 161-169. doi:10.1111/j.1468-5906.2009.01435_1.x retrieved on Aug 02, 2014 from http://0-eds.a.ebscohost.com.library.regent.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=322df9ca-d378-40b6-af8c-e9895249d03a%40sessionmgr4004&vid=1&hid=4110

Tucker, J. (2002). New Age Religion and the Cult of the Self. Society, 39(2), 46-51. Retrieved on Aug.02,

2014 from http://0-eds.a.ebscohost.com.library.regent.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=97442ef5-f9d6-4418-9506-ae3ad5ac773e%40sessionmgr4005&vid=1&hid=4110

Valk, J. (2012). Christianity through a Worldview Lens. Journal Of Adult Theological Education, 9(2), 158-

174. Retrieved on Aug. 02, 2014 from http://0-eds.a.ebscohost.com.library.regent.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=04394979-5dde-4b62-9ca2-b9dec65139f2%40sessionmgr4002&vid=0&hid=4110

Van Woudenberg, R. (2012). Limits of Science and the Christian Faith. Science & Christian Belief, 24(2),

129-148. Retrieved on Aug 02, 2014 from http://0-eds.a.ebscohost.com.library.regent.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=ff6aafac-a6a2-47e2-8da6-ca967b1d27e6%40sessionmgr4003&vid=1&hid=4110