New Age and the Original Lie

New Age and the Original Lie
June 2, 2002

It’s a time of graduation here and throughout the whole country. I can still remember how I felt when I graduated. It’s a great turning point for a young person. A time when many will leave home perhaps for the first time and be exposed to many new people and new ideas.

Lately, Steve has talked a lot lately about the Antichrist and the events of the last days. 1 Timothy 4:1 says that "in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." This is one of the signs that the end of the age is near.

Early this year, my wife found a book called "Seth Speaks" in a used bookstore. Seth claims to be an entity who was conscious before our earth was formed. He supposedly dictated this book through a medium in the 1960s. Some claim the Seth material launched the modern New Age movement. It seems clear to me, after reviewing the book, that Seth is a demon.

C.S. Lewis says there are two mistakes we can make when it comes to demons. One is not to believe they exist. The other is to fear them or have an unhealthy interest in them. The Holy Spirit protects us from demons so we need not fear them. Because God is Sovereign, demons operate only under his rules. Even Seth says that he cannot even communicate with anyone without permission. Susan read the book not because of an unhealthy interest but because she has a family member who believes that Seth’s words are true. She thought perhaps knowing what Seth said might help her reach this person.

Two things continue to amaze me. One is that many intelligent people believe in the New Age philosophy. The other is that these ideas are nothing more nor less than a repetition of the original lie in Genesis 3. But then if you hadn’t read Genesis 3, I guess you’d be more susceptible.

The serpent said to the woman: "Did God really say, "You must not eat from any tree in the garden?" The serpent implied that God was keeping something wonderful from the woman. Seth says the same thing: "How can your soul have boundaries, for boundaries would enclose it and deny it freedom."
The serpent said, "You will not surely die." Seth assures his readers, "There is no death as you think of it." The doctrine of reincarnation is accepted uncritically by many intelligent and educated adults in America today.
The serpent said, "When you eat of it your eyes will be opened." Seth says: "There are other realities all about you, but you ignore their existence. Little by little you must wake up. My purpose is to open your inner eyes."
The serpent said, "You will be like God, knowing good and evil." Seth says we are all incipient gods. He denies the existence of evil, claiming that everything is part of the greater good, regardless of appearances. He says, "Limited, dogmatic, or rigid concepts of good and evil can hold you back."

I was especially interested in Seth’s comments about Christianity and Christ’s crucifixion. He said little about the other world religions.

There was a historical Christ. He was not crucified.
Others felt a crucifixion was necessary to fulfill the Jewish prophecies.
There was a conspiracy to make a martyr out of Christ.
Another man was drugged and told he was the Christ.
Judas pointed out the imposter in order to save the life of the real Christ.
Christ was a great psychic who caused wounds to appear upon his own body because others expected Him to have them.

The true Christ, Seth claims, is an entity like himself who will come to earth again at the "Second Coming." He will be known as a great psychic and will straighten out Christianity and set up a new system of thought. Through it, the inner nature of man will free itself from the constraints that have bound it. Everyone, even small children, will be in touch with their divine inner nature. This sounds suspiciously like the Antichrist, the counterfeit who will be eagerly accepted by most as the savior of the world.

New Age ideas have infiltrated mainstream culture and are even found in many churches. They are positive, upbeat, appealing, even alluring. Seth repeatedly asserts that there is no devil, no death, no sin, no evil, no hell and no predestination. The apparent difference between good and evil is an illusion, he says. Everything is really just part of the greater good.

Our graduates will come into contact with New Age ideas in college if not before. The best defense is to really know the Bible. New Age ideas are subtle and may appear at first to be compatible with Christianity. Since this particular counterfeit is so popular, it is very important to teach children to recognize the original lie. We are in spiritual warfare. One principle of warfare is to know the enemy. By reading and studying the Bible, we innoculate ourselves from deception.

There is one truth. There are endless lies and counterfeits. What I appreciate about this church is the in-depth teaching. Before I began in-depth study, I believed the Bible, but I didn’t really KNOW the Bible. It would have been much easier then to believe attractive lies that appear compatible. Before I knew the Bible, I was nearly influenced by a friend who had recently become a Jehovah’s Witness. Yet the Bible says there are eternal consequences to our choice of who and what to believe.

Let’s pray.

Father who art in heaven., thank you for the gift of your written word, the Bible, and the Living Word, Jesus Christ. Thank you for the opportunity we have in this church to learn your word in depth. Truth is the armor you give us to protect us against deception. Open our hearts to all that is true and right.

We pray for all of our loved ones and your loved ones who do not believe that your word is true. Help us remember that we are not their judges. You are the only true and righteous judge. Our role with others is to speak the truth in love, to live lives that are the aroma of Christ (2 Cor. 2:15), and to pray that the Spirit will work in people’s hearts and minds. Jesus wept for the lost, for those who rejected and turned away from His loving sacrifice. Help us to have Christ’s heart for the lost. Help us to know what to say and do to communicate your truth in ways our loved ones can understand.

We pray for the offering now. May each person give as he is able so that we will continue to be able to provide a place where your word is taught in depth and detail. We pray that you will guide us toward a permanent church building. We pray for Pastor Steve and his family, for their health and for encouragement in the work they are doing.

In Christ’s name, Amen.