OCC:Out on a limb  by Douglas R. Groothuis

   Mysticism for the masses

   Based on the best-selling book (translated into thirteen languages),
the mini-series/docu-drama "Out on a Limb" brings to the watching
masses Shirley MacLaine's conversion to New Age thinking. From the
mystic Andes of Peru, to occult bookstores in California, to
metaphysical discussions with "spirit guides," she takes us on her
spiritual journey.

   Ms. MacLaine's dramatic revelations are a romantic reflection of a
school of thought that is cropping up everywhere - in movies, books,
education, politics and sometimes even in the church. A "New Age"
beckons that promises to deliver us from our personal and social ills;
and Shirley MacLaine is one of its celebrity evangelists.

   The message of her romantic New Age pilgrimage is really not new at
all. It is ancient occultism, the second oldest religion around. Her
New/Old Age gospel is fivefold:

   First, all is One (monism). We are not separate beings, distinct
from nature, God, or each other, but part of a great mystical Oneness.

   Second, everyone and everything is God (pantheism); our goal is to
awaken our "Higher Self" through a mystical experience which is beyond
the rational mind.

   Third, we have lived before and will live again (reincarnation).
There is no death, only birth and rebirth.

   Fourth, we "create our own reality." The world of the paranormal
explodes before us - "mind over matter," e.s.p., telepathy, etc.

   Fifth, we can, and should, communicate with "spirit guides"
(spiritism) like her own discarnate friends "John" and "Tom McPherson."

   Her new book, 'Dancing in the Light', elaborates and expands on
these themes. It is an almost encyclopedic exposure to the New Age in
autobiographical form. It, too, is a best-seller.

   Out on a Broken Limb?

   But there is a dark side to this "dancing in the light," making us
wonder if Shirley MacLaine sees Jesus as simply one of many mystic
masters who taught the old occultism. Basing her views on occultic
misinterpretations and bogus documents, she ignores the testimony of
Christianity's prime document, the Bible, which flatly contradicts
this. Jesus taught not "the Higher Self" but "our Father who art in
heaven" (Matthew 6:9). He taught the resurrection of the just (to
heaven) and of the unjust (to hell) not reincarnation (Matthew 25:31-
46). He called everyone to believe in Him for salvation, not to look to
themselves for unlimited potential or to work out their own karma (save
themselves) through multiple lifetimes. He said, "I am the way, the
truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but by me" (John 14:6).

   Simply put, Shirley MacLaine's Jesus is pure fiction, a false
Christ, Her contention that we are all really gods puts us on a par
with Christ and makes us pitiful impostors of deity.

   Who are these "spirit guides"?

   We should also question the source of Ms. MacLaine's "revelations."
Much of her new-found New Age faith comes through "trance channeling"
(mediumship) during which "spiritual guides" discourse about the nature
of reality. Jesus Himself warned that there would be false Christs and
false prophets working signs and wonders to deceive many people
(Matthew 24). The Apostle John cautions to "test the Spirits to see if
they are from God." Spirits that confess Jesus as Lord are from God;
others are anti-christ (1 John 4:1-3).

   The Apostle Paul tells us that Satan disguises himself as "an angel
of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14). The demonic host will masquerade as
various interesting characters so long as they can keep people from
Christ's gospel. Demons are real. They are also deceptive. Paul warns
that if anyone should preach a gospel other than the one we preach to
you, let him be eternally condemned!" (Galations 1:8).

   Even if the purported "spirit guides" are really figments of
overactive imaginations, interest in the phenomena tragically keeps
people from Christ.

   The occult - off limits!

   The Bible clearly prohibits occult practices for our own protection,
that we might seek the one true God. The law (Lev. 19:13; Deut.
18:9-13), the prophets (Isa. 18:19,20; 47:12), the Old Testament
historical books (1 Chron. 10:13,14), the Acts of the Apostles
(13:4-12); 16:16-18), the Epistles (Gal. 5:20), and Revelation (22:15)
are united in condemning occultic activity.

   Our spiritual communication should be through Jesus Christ who
offers eternal life to all who call upon Him in faith to forgive their
sins and give them new birth (John 3). As Paul says, "There is one God
and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave
himself as a ransom for all men" (1 Timothy 2:5). The kingdom of God is
at war with the kingdom of darkness. Jesus' resurrection from the dead
has insured His ultimate victory, but the struggle rages on.

   Jesus and the New Age

   Jesus Christ does indeed offer a "new age" of life and truth for
those who come to HIm in faith. Paul teaches that "if anyone is in
Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new is come!" (2
Cor. 5:17). And Jesus says:

   Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, I will give you
rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and
humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is
easy and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).

   The New Age gospel of Shirley MacLaine, and countless others, is
really not new but an old lie, tempting people today as it has tempted
millions for centuries by promising spiritual power and knowledge apart
from the Creator's way (Genesis 3). A lie is a lie, and you don't have
to go out on a limb to reject it.

   For more information:

   Douglas R. Groothuis, Unmasking the New Age, Intervarsity Press,
1986,$6.95.

   F. LaGard Smith, Out on a Broken Limb, Harvest House, 1986, $6.95.

   Distributed by: Probe Center, 4750-18th NE Seattle, WA 98105 
(206)523-2170
