On the March 28, 2009 Battle Lines broadcast we addressed the New Age Movement. The New Age Movement is not an organized religion but rather a set of philosophies. And it’s anything but new. New Age is the thought of ancient Eastern religions, for instance Hinduism and Buddhism, repackaged for Western culture. It is “a pop form of ancient humanism” (McDowell). And the movement is very popular. According to New Age author Marilyn Ferguson, “…if all [subscribers to the movement] were brought together in a church-like organization, it would be the third-largest denomination in America.” But perhaps more disturbing is the pervasive influence of New Age philosophies and practices in almost every facet our culture. New Age gurus like Deepak Chopra and Rhonda Byrne (the author of The Secret) regularly appear on Oprah. A full 1/3 of Americans believe in the abilities of psychics. Every major newspaper publishes the horoscope. Acupuncture has roots in the ancient Chinese philosophies of Taoism and monism. The self-help movement, leadership and business seminars, and even our education system espouse the New Age philosophy of human potential. The YMCA teaches yoga. And New Age philosophy litters television and the movies, perhaps most clearly in George Lucas’ Star Wars trilogies. In Yoda’s own words, “My ally is the Force. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. You must feel the force around you – between you me, the rock, the tree… everywhere.” New Age philosophies are pervasive in our culture. On the broadcast, we discussed five common philosophies of the New Age Movement. First, monism, the belief that all is one. This “oneness” is where we come from, the ground of all being, and is that into which we will all be absorbed. There are no distinctions, not even between good and evil. Actress and New Ager Shirley MacLaine: “Until mankind realizes that there is no good and there is no evil, there will be no peace.” All differences and distinctions are only apparent, not real. The Bible, however, teaches a world of order and distinction, particularly between humanity and the rest of creation. Humanity alone was created in the image of God. Second, pantheism, the belief that all is God. There is no distinction between Creator and creation. God is not a personal being distinct from creation, but an impersonal, universal consciousness. But the Scriptures teach that, while God is present with His creation (particularly in the God-man Jesus Christ), He is distinct from His creation. He is holy and transcendent. Third, metaphysical amnesia, the belief that we are all divine but that we have simply forgotten who we are. According to MacLaine: “You are unlimited. You just don’t realize it.” This idea is rooted in the Hindu concept of Brahma, the infinite, impersonal ground of all being, deposited into each person, the Atman. God is realized in every human personality. Through activities such as centering, self-actualization, or meditation we “…awaken the god who sleeps at the root of the human being” (Theodore Roszak). Both Deepak Chopra and Rhonda Byrne teach this philosophy. But Christianity stands in stark contrast: we are not God. Humanity is not divine. Humanity is created in the likeness, as a reflection of, God. But we are not him; we are his creatures, dependent on Him. And because of our sin, we need salvation, not enlightenment. Fourth, syncretism, the practice of combining and synthesizing different religions and teachings. “Like a huge cosmic sponge, the New Age movement absorbs the teachings of all the world religions” (Rhodes). God has revealed Himself in Jesus, but also in Buddha, Mohammed, and Krishna. But the Scriptures teach that there is one way to God, Jesus Christ. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me.” And fifth, reincarnation, the belief in cyclical rebirth. After death, a person is physically reborn into the world until he reaches a state of perfection. But Christianity teaches not reincarnation but resurrection.