Searching for the Truth How Christianity Compares to World Religions New Age Movement Teacher: Tony Griffies

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The New Age Movement

Background

• A movement—not a religion, in the organized sense of the word “religion”.
• Made up of individuals and organizations that hold to common beliefs; have passion to see others become “enlightened”.
• A desire to get in touch w/ the “divine” that resides within.

In the Stars

• Has roots in Hinduism and in astrology
• “New Age” refers to the coming of a new astrological age (the Aquarian Age)
• The Aquarian Age: marked by unity in the cosmos, peace, and a utopian state on earth
• In order for the Aquarian age to begin, people must go through “enlightenment”

Enlightenment

• This is the goal of the New Age movement
• Enlightenment=release of illusion (and ignorance); realization of inner divinity; experience of “Ultimate Reality”
• The “Ultimate Reality” is that God is everywhere and everything around us is god (including self)
• In the process of enlightenment, many will be reincarnated.
• Upon reaching perfect enlightenment, the process stops and the person joins the cosmic force known as god.
• On the path to enlightenment, people will seek help/advice from the dead who have achieved perfect enlightenment (Channeling).

What about…?

• God is an impersonal force.
• God is all and all is god—God is the life within all things.
• Jesus: enlightened teacher (i.e. Buddha)
• The earth: a cosmic goddess, sometimes referred to as “Mother Earth”
• Humankind is god; they posses unlimited potential; they can create their own realities.
• Humans do not have a sin-problem (they are god).
• Reincarnation leads to a reuniting of self w/ divinely cosmic force.
• Perfectly enlightened dead can be contacted through channeling.

Important Writings

• The Bible
• Levi Dowling’s The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• New Age movement also adheres to new revelations revealed through channeling.

Consider this…

• Are there any parts of the New Age Movement that you could follow? What are they and why? Why not?
• Why do you think these beliefs appeal to so many today?
• Does Christianity make more sense than the New Age movement? Why?  

Bible Focus

• Isaiah 45:18
• John 14:6-11
• I John 4: 1-3 (NLT) 
•  Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. This is the way to find out if they have the Spirit of God: If a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ became a human being, that person has the Spirit of God. If a prophet does not acknowledge Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist. You have heard that he is going to come into the world, and he is already here.

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