The centrality of the Cross of Christ is the true Gospel and without mentioning this important aspect the hope of salvation for mankind is totally lost. Any other message without Jesus Christ dying on the cross for the sins of the whole world should be a great concern for the church, the Bride of Christ. This can be used as a plumb line to discern truth from an error and in order to discern this we must pay attention very closely to the counsel of God. “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jn 3:16
What is new age belief?
Bible is not considered as inerrant and reliable without error. Much weight is given to mystical spiritual experiences and has more authority even if they contradict with God’s Word written in the Scriptures. Their belief is that God is in all things, because God is allegedly “in” every atom which is the smallest particle of an element. Quantum Physics, Chaos theory, fractal theory are used by new agers and Occultists to scientifically prove that God is in everything.
I happened to read the book Shack and noticed that Bible is consistently devalued and marginalized and it is directed towards the New Age belief that ‘mystical experiences with God’ is more authoritative even if they conflict with the Scriptures. Through out this book the word creation is spelled with a capital letter ‘C’ many times and emphasizes that “God’ is the ground of all beings, dwells in, around, and through all things (pg.112). Having studied Quantum Physics, I noticed that this book subtly introduces Quantum Physics, Chaos theory, fractal theory by referring to “quantum stuff” (pg 95). It refers to “subatomic level”(pg.95); “chaos” (pg. 128); and ‘fractals” (pg. 129) along with the strong teaching that God is in every sub atomic particles, and every atom (pg 112).
What is simplicity in Christ?
The Word of God talks about the simplicity of Christ in 2 Cori 11:3. Jesus Christ lived with very ordinary people, challenged the educated Pharisees and church leaders and choose the fishermen to spread the Gospel. I am afraid we may not need the Quantum Physicists, cellular biologists, mathematicians, New age channelers, and Doctors in different fields to finally understand what Jesus Christ was trying to teach us back in His days. I believe this is the deceptive work of our adversary as he tries to transform the creation into the creator.
In the Book of Romans, Paul wrote that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and when we accept Him as Lord and Savior of our lives, we are free from our sins and are saved. Other Scriptural references which support the above statement are Rom 3:23-24; Rom 5:6; Rom 6:23; and Rom 8:1; “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” It is the unspeakable privilege of all those that are in Christ Jesus, that there is now no condemnation to them. Paul being a learned man, and anticipating Quantum physics and Quantum spirituality warned Timothy not to become spiritually compromised by pseudo-Scientific teachings; 1 Tim 6: 20-21; “O, Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called, which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee; Amen.”
Jesus Christ is Lord and His name is above all name; Phil 2:9. Definitely He is not the “Jesus” of the New age or New Spirituality, and not the “Quantum Christ” of this deceived world and the apostate church. May we not forget that Satan is the god of this world; 2 Cori 4:4, and we are to stand against the schemes of him; Eph 6:11. As we move closer to the second coming of Christ, the Word of God makes very clear references to many deluding spirits which will manifest with increasing intensity and effectiveness. It is written in God’s Word that in the last days even the elect will be deceived; Mat 24:24. This creeping New age and deception will slowly advance at a speed that is not really apparent to the church if we are not careful until one look back over a long period of time.
“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also to her husband with her; and he did eat.” Gen 3: 6. Eve took of the fruit, while it had the appearance of something good, and the consequences of her partaking were detrimental. Very often many of us think ‘satanic’ is something dark and sinister and forget that the Bible paints him, as the angel of light! Satan said, “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.” Isa 14:14. He did not say that he will be the Most High, but he would be like the Most High. The word “like” here means to ‘correspond to’ or ‘equivalent to’. Beloved, it is important to understand that here Satan is trying to eradicate the gap between himself and God!
Apart from the Divine revelation we can not know anything absolutely because our minds have been adversely affected by sin. In our fallenness our sinful minds tent to distort the truth. The only way we can think rightly is to allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds. Rom 1:18-32; 12:2; Eph: 4:23. In our finiteness and fallenness we have no standard by which we can evaluate whether something is true of false except by the Word of God. I will have a healthy skepticism about any theory or insight that does not proceed from Scripture.
References:
1. Warren B. Smith, “ A Wonderful Deception” The Further new Age Implications of the Emerging/ Purpose Driven Movement, Lighthouse Trails Publishing, Eureka, Montana, 2009; Pgs: 139-161.
2. The Shack, William P. Young; Amazon.ca.
3. Ray Yungen, “A Time of Departing” How Ancient Mystical Practices are uniting Christians with the World’s Religions, Lighthouse Trails Publishing, Eureka, Montana, U.S.A, 2002; pgs: 91-110.
4. The Matthew Henry Study Bible, ‘King James version’ The best of Matthew Henry’s Notes in a Handy One Volume Reference Bible, World Bible Publishers, Inc; 1994, Iowa Falls, U.S.A.
Websites:
1. Do not be deceived about the Restrainer - Last Days Mystery
Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the .... to deceive even the elect--if that were possible” (Matthew 24:24). ...
www.lastdaysmystery.info/restrainer.htm - Cached -
2 .Deceive Even the Elect by Dene McGriff
DECEIVE EVEN THE ELECT. Matthew 24:24b. By. Dene McGriff. The Bible tells us thatin the “last days” Christian will deliver up Christian, thinking they are ...
www.the-tribulation-network.com/.../deceive_even_the_elect.htm - Cached - Similar
3. Recognizing Deception and Apostasy Chapter 15 - Can Christians be ...
Do we think the great deception of the last days will be obvious? The Bible ...
www.the-tribulation-network.com/.../ch15_can_christians_be_deceived.htm -Cached - Similar
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4. The Shack; The protagonist of author William P. Young's novel meets God in person. Features author's personal story, blog, online ordering, forum, and news.
The Missy Project - Get the latest news about The Shack - The Shack Interactive
www.theshackbook.com/ -
Other References:
1.John F. MacArthur, JR. Wayne A. Mack & The Master’s College Faculty, ‘Introduction To Biblical Counseling’, “A Basic Guide To The Principles And Practice Of Counseling”(Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers,1994, P. 76-77)
2. Jay E. Adams, ‘The Christian Counselor’s Manual, The Practice of Nouthetic Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973, p. 15-16, 21-23; 92-97)
3. Jay E. Adams, ‘Lectures on Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978, p.192-203)
4. Lewis Sperry Chafer, ‘Systematic Theology’ Volume One, Abridged edition, John F. Walvoord, Editor, Donald K. Campbell, Roy B. Zuck, Consulting Editors, (Indiana: BMH Books, 1988, p. 94-95)
5. Wim Malgo, ‘Biblical Counseling’ From Twenty- Five Years of the International Ministry by Wim Malgo, (Columbia: The Mid Night Call, 1979, p.9-12; 20-21)
6. Gary L. Almy, M.D., ‘How Christian is Christian Counseling?’ The Dangerous Secular Influences That Keep Us From Caring For Souls, (Illinois: Crossway Books, Good News Publishers, 2000, p. 56-63)
7. J.
8. Jay E. Adams, ‘Critical Stages of Biblical Counseling’ Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started, (
9. Jay E. Adams, ‘How to Help People Change’ The Four-step Biblical Process, (Grand rapids: Zondervan, 1986, p. 20-28)
10. David G. Benner & Peter C. Hill, ‘Baker Encyclopaedia of Psychology & Counseling’ Second Edition, (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1985, 1999, p.568-569)
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