PER:Is the New Age movement continuing to gather momentum  by T.A. McMAHON 

   IS THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT CONTINUING TO GATHER MOMENTUM AND WIELD
DESTRUCTION - EVEN WITHIN EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANITY?

   I think so. It's been about six years since the first books were
written identifying the New Age Movement. The reaction from the
church-at- large during the first three of those years has been to
regard it as much ado about nothing. However, in 1985 The Seduction of
Christianity gave ample documentation that New Age ideas and practices
were being successfully passed off as Christian teachings.

   The responses to that book to date have fallen into three categories.

   (1) Numerous individuals have had their eyes opened to the delusion
to which they had once succumbed. We've received thousands of letters
from those who have repented and were subsequently restored and
strengthened in the faith.

   (2) Major ministries which were named as promoting the erroneous
teachings, weathered the setbacks and stiffened their positions. None
have repented.

   (3) Church leadership has begun to acknowledge that the New Age
Movement is somewhat of a threat to Christianity. However, depending on
their individual biases (pro-psychology, pro-inner healing,
pro-positive mental attitude, pro-Kingdom/Dominion/Restoration etc.) a
great many in leadership positions regard The Seduction of Christianity
as extremist in those areas.

   Even though a concern about the New Age has increased, the church's
effort to thwart the movement's growing influence has been negligible.
A major reason may be the pervasive yet deceptively elusive nature of
the beast. With its myriad beliefs and practices, its lack of visible
central leadership, its multiple major thrusts (Education, Medicine,
Politics, Entertainment and Religion), and its wide appeal to anyone
having a penchant for magical solutions and things mystical, the New
Age Movement is a complex, devious and very heavy-weight contender.

   While it has cultic characteristics, the New Age Movement isn't what
the church is used to in the way of cults. Therefore, traditional
methods which the church has relied upon in addressing cults such as
Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, or Moonies, don't seem to apply. This
movement, however, is a collection of organizations, groups and
individuals that appears to be more secular than religious.

   Although the basic tenets of New Age are totally contrary to
biblical Christianity (e.g. viewing God as an impersonal Force, seeing
mankind as a part of God, believing in immortality through
reincarnation, and salvation through occult knowledge and
manipulation), the movement has had great success in drawing
unsuspecting Christians in to its ranks. One of the New Age's most
effectively deceptive ploys is to represent its
mystical/magical/occultic world view as the latest in science. A
primary reason why great numbers of Christians become seduced is
because its metaphysical and spiritual teachings are most often cloaked
in pseudo- scientific language and packaged as psychological self help
programs, success/motivation seminars, and innovative health and
prosperity offerings.

   In addition to all of the above, New Age proposals and promotions
for world peace, universal brotherhood, global unity, economic and
ecological preservation, ending world hunger and solving other world
problems, give it a credibility that appeals to the socially conscious
yet undiscerning masses.

   WHAT OUGHT THE CHURCH TO DO?

   In my opinion, a main reason why the church is continuing to lose
ground is because its efforts to teach discernment in this critical
area are somewhere between few and non-existent. While it is true that
many have become aware, awareness alone has done little to turn the
tide.

   CIB and I are convinced that the establishment of teaching programs
at the local church level is critical for the body of Christ to be
fruitful in these days of unprecedented delusion and deception. To that
end, I'm working with CIB this summer to encourage pastors and
lay-people to start study groups for learning to discern New Age
beliefs and practices, especially the counterfeit spiritual ideas which
have deceived so many within Christianity.

   While we are excited that the Lord has helped us put together a
solid range of excellent teaching tools -- books, audio and video
programs -- we're also concerned that if local churches don't generate
the kind of commitment required to effectively use them for the
protection and edification of their members, this crucial battle to
keep the church fruitful in these perilous times will be lost. If yoiu
can lead a Bible study and have a God-given concern about the times and
the welfare of the body of Christ, we pray that you will get yourself
and your church involved.

   For those who feel they don't yet know enough about the New Age,
CIB's three different video series make up a comprehensive and
complementary teaching package. The "experts" and teachers are on the
tapes. You only have to lead and learn and search the scriptures along
with your study group.

   THE TEACHING TOOLS:

   In the Seduction and Beyond video series, Dave Hunt critically
examines New Age beliefs and include: The New Age Movement, Seduction
and Deception, Visualization, Psychology and Inner Healing, Selfism,
Matthew 16 and the Cross, and Kingdom/Dominion Theology.

   The five-part Video Study Guide based on The Seduction of
Christianity, features co-authors Dave Hunt and myself in a dialogue
format. Each tape is uniquely designed with stop-action cues to
encourage viewers to interact, to be like "the Bereans," discussing
questionable beliefs in light of the scriptures. Topics for these
half-hour programs include: Faith, Sorcery, Self, Christianized
Humanism, and Godhood.

   The New Age: A Pathway to Paradise? video series is an eye-opening
investigative documentary produced by WCFC-TV in Chicago and written by
me. It has recently been re-edited for church or home use and features
an update by Dave Hunt. In addition to insights by leading Christian
authorities, candid interviews with New Age leaders give the viewer a
"first hand" perspective from the New Agers themselves.

   While these video tapes are ideal instructional devices for
individuals, their most promising value for starting a study group is
the fact that they are excellent visual presentations that will bring
the people ouit and keep them interested. Churches that have used them
tell us they have had great success. They also can be used over and
over again which give them an advantage over a one-time event such as
having Dave or someone else come to speak.

   If you are as concerned as we are that your local body is not
prepared to "earnestly contend for the faith" in these days of New Age
delusion and deception, and you want to make a commitment to getting a
teaching program started, give us a call here at CIB. I'll make every
effort to be available to talk to you and discuss the available
teaching tools and how they might be effectively implemented.

   It is my prayer that we all "may be sound in the faith" (Titus 1:13)
and be effective workers in our Lord's service.

   T.A. McMahon

   P.S. Some of you may not be aware of how damaging the New Age
Movement has been to the Church in the area of witnessing to the lost.
As recently as five years ago Christians could effectively witness to
their lost friends and loved ones by pointing out the fact that
material success could do nothing to fill the spiritual vacuum within
each person. The experience of most was a testament to that fact.
Today, however, the New Age is filling that vacuum with a powerful
spiritual counterfeit - and few Christians are prepared to explain the
difference.
