New Age Deception In The World and In The Church
Warren B. Smith
1. What Is The New Age?
In its simplest terms, the New Age movement was, and still is, a deceptive spiritual movement that goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden. It was there, at the beginning of creation, that the serpent cast doubt on God’s Word while simultaneously suggesting that men could be like God (Genesis 3:1-5). Emerging from its semi-veiled occult obscurity, the New Age movement suddenly burst forth amidst a growing drug culture and the social and political unrest of the 1960s and 1970s. It seemed to offer an exciting and adventurous spiritual alternative to what was perceived by many to be a tired, outdated, and obsolete Christian faith.
Gathering momentum in the 1980s and beyond, what was formerly called the occult, and then the New Age, is now mainstream. In the late 1990s and into the new millennium, the term New Age seemed to disappear. But the New Age never went away as most people thought—it was simply repackaged as a New Gospel, a New Spirituality, and a New Worldview. Over the past two decades, this New Age/New Spirituality/New Worldview has not only integrated itself into the world, but it has made great inroads into the church itself. However, as a rose by any other name is still a rose, so the New Age by any other name is still the New Age.
In a nutshell, the New Age/New Spirituality is based on the foundational false teaching that all of humanity is “One” because God is alleged to be “in” everyone and everything. And because God is said to be “in” everyone and everything, we are all “connected” because we are all God. This foundational bottom line of the New Age belief system was captured in a photograph sent to me several years ago by a pastor in southern California. In the photo, a young man is wearing a T-shirt that says—“I used to be an atheist until I realized I was God.”
But man is not God, and God is not “in” everyone and everything. God makes it clear in Hosea 11: 9 when He states, “for I am God, and not man.” Galatians 6:3 states, “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.” Ezekiel 28:2 says—“yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God.” Nevertheless, all of Satan’s devices are cunningly devised to bring the world—and the church—to believe this foundational lie that God is “in” everyone and everything. But, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3).
Many years ago, I was recruited into the New Age movement to help implement its deceptive peace plan. The same devices used to deceive me into accepting its teachings are the same devices being used today to deceive the world—and the church. These devices are preparing everyone for a seemingly “wonderful” peace plan that is being euphemistically described as God’s Dream for the world. The following are ten of these deceptive spiritual devices.
Gathering momentum in the 1980s and beyond, what was formerly called the occult, and then the New Age, is now mainstream. In the late 1990s and into the new millennium, the term New Age seemed to disappear. But the New Age never went away as most people thought—it was simply repackaged as a New Gospel, a New Spirituality, and a New Worldview. Over the past two decades, this New Age/New Spirituality/New Worldview has not only integrated itself into the world, but it has made great inroads into the church itself. However, as a rose by any other name is still a rose, so the New Age by any other name is still the New Age.
In a nutshell, the New Age/New Spirituality is based on the foundational false teaching that all of humanity is “One” because God is alleged to be “in” everyone and everything. And because God is said to be “in” everyone and everything, we are all “connected” because we are all God. This foundational bottom line of the New Age belief system was captured in a photograph sent to me several years ago by a pastor in southern California. In the photo, a young man is wearing a T-shirt that says—“I used to be an atheist until I realized I was God.”
But man is not God, and God is not “in” everyone and everything. God makes it clear in Hosea 11: 9 when He states, “for I am God, and not man.” Galatians 6:3 states, “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.” Ezekiel 28:2 says—“yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God.” Nevertheless, all of Satan’s devices are cunningly devised to bring the world—and the church—to believe this foundational lie that God is “in” everyone and everything. But, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3).
Many years ago, I was recruited into the New Age movement to help implement its deceptive peace plan. The same devices used to deceive me into accepting its teachings are the same devices being used today to deceive the world—and the church. These devices are preparing everyone for a seemingly “wonderful” peace plan that is being euphemistically described as God’s Dream for the world. The following are ten of these deceptive spiritual devices.
2. What Is The New Age Doctrine of "Oneness"?
In 1980, New Age teacher Marilyn Ferguson’s book The Aquarian Conspiracy was published and became an instant cult classic. In her book that is often regarded as a New Age “Bible,” Ferguson wrote somewhat playfully, with tongue-in-cheek, that a growing number of New Age “conspirators” had “a great heretical idea”1— the notion of “God within”—that God was “in” everyone and everything. As I fell deeper and deeper under the spiritual spell of Rajneesh and my other New Age teachers, this God “in” everyone and everything concept of Oneness seemed so simple and true, and felt so right to my misguided heart.
In a booklet titled Be Still and Know That You Are Not God: God is Not “in” Everyone and Everything,2 I showed how this New Age teaching of God “in” everyone and everything is not only in the world but also in the church. It isn’t just New Age leaders who are proclaiming it—I described how church leaders including Rick Warren, Eugene Peterson, Leonard Sweet, Sarah Young, Pope Francis, and William P. Young—among others—have brought this God-“in”-everything teaching into the church.
The Bible says that all of humanity is one blood (Acts 17:26) because we all have an original set of parents—Adam and Eve. But Jesus said what “is born of the flesh is flesh” and what “is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6). That is why He then said to “Marvel not” that we “must be born again” (John 3:7). The Bible makes it clear that God and Christ are not inherently “in” everyone and everything. It is only when we believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and are born again that His Holy Spirit is sent to dwell within us and that we become one in Him. Christ is not in everyone, but we are one in Christ when we believe in Him and are born again—“for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
The New Age “Doctrine of Oneness” that says God is “in” everyone and everything is a lie. It is, perhaps, Satan’s chief device to deceive the world and the church. As seen with His response to the Tower of Babel, God demonstrated that He is definitely not into worldly oneness:
In a booklet titled Be Still and Know That You Are Not God: God is Not “in” Everyone and Everything,2 I showed how this New Age teaching of God “in” everyone and everything is not only in the world but also in the church. It isn’t just New Age leaders who are proclaiming it—I described how church leaders including Rick Warren, Eugene Peterson, Leonard Sweet, Sarah Young, Pope Francis, and William P. Young—among others—have brought this God-“in”-everything teaching into the church.
The Bible says that all of humanity is one blood (Acts 17:26) because we all have an original set of parents—Adam and Eve. But Jesus said what “is born of the flesh is flesh” and what “is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6). That is why He then said to “Marvel not” that we “must be born again” (John 3:7). The Bible makes it clear that God and Christ are not inherently “in” everyone and everything. It is only when we believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and are born again that His Holy Spirit is sent to dwell within us and that we become one in Him. Christ is not in everyone, but we are one in Christ when we believe in Him and are born again—“for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
The New Age “Doctrine of Oneness” that says God is “in” everyone and everything is a lie. It is, perhaps, Satan’s chief device to deceive the world and the church. As seen with His response to the Tower of Babel, God demonstrated that He is definitely not into worldly oneness:
And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. (Genesis 11:6-8)
Endnotes:
1) Marilyn Ferguson, The Aquarian Conspiracy: Personal and Social Transformation in the 1970s (Los Angeles, CA: J.P. Tarcher, Inc., 1980), p. 27.
2) Warren B. Smith, Be Still and Know That You are Not God: God is Not “in” Everyone and Everything (Eureka, MT: Lighthouse Trails Publishing, 2015).
1) Marilyn Ferguson, The Aquarian Conspiracy: Personal and Social Transformation in the 1970s (Los Angeles, CA: J.P. Tarcher, Inc., 1980), p. 27.
2) Warren B. Smith, Be Still and Know That You are Not God: God is Not “in” Everyone and Everything (Eureka, MT: Lighthouse Trails Publishing, 2015).
3. What Is The New Age Doctrine of "Separation"?
While attending a massage program at the Sacramento Holistic Health Institute, one of my New Age classmates gave me a book titled Love is Letting Go of Fear by a psychiatrist named Gerald Jampolsky. This little self-help manual was very engaging as he talked of love, hope, faith, gratitude, and forgiveness in a decidedly unique and spiritual way. The author said his book had been greatly inspired by a set of books called A Course in Miracles. I immediately purchased The Course at a local New Age bookstore. I was surprised to see that the books were said to be channeled by “Jesus” to a Columbia Presbyterian Hospital psychologist in New York City named Helen Schucman. Not knowing the Bible, I read and accepted much of what this alleged “Jesus” said and taught. I had no idea that mingled with lofty statements about God and love and the Holy Spirit, this false Christ “Jesus” turned the actual teachings of the Bible inside out and upside down. Emphasizing the word “separation,” he taught, “The recognition of God is the recognition of yourself. There is no separation of God and His creation.”3 Emphasizing the word “oneness,” he stated that “The oneness of the Creator and the creation is your wholeness, your sanity and your limitless power.”4 This counterfeit “Jesus” denigrated the true Christ’s victory on the Cross of Calvary by teaching that “The journey to the cross should be the last ‘useless journey’”5 and that “a slain Christ has no meaning.”6 These teachings reiterated what I had already been learning from Rajneesh and my other New Age teachers—we don’t need an external Savior because we can save ourselves by recognizing that we are all one because God is “in” everyone and everything.
In her book The Revelation, New Age author and futurist Barbara Marx Hubbard quotes the New Age Christ stating that those who oppose the idea of oneness with God are under the “illusion of separation.”7 In A Course in Miracles, the false New Age Christ states, “The mind can make the belief in separation very real and very fearful, and this belief is the ‘devil.’”8 He further states that those who are under the illusion of separation are “dreaming” and need to be “gently awakened” from their hapless dream of “separateness” by God’s “happy dream” of Oneness.9
There is something that should be of great concern to those keeping an eye on how this concept of separation might be coming into the church: On the fifth episode of his TBN television series Restoring the Shack, William P. Young, citing God as his source, stated that the “lie of separation” has prevented the church from being unified, whole, and one.10 That Young would introduce the New Age Doctrine of Separation is not surprising if you read The Shack carefully. The Shack’s “Jesus” openly teaches New Age “Oneness” when Young has him affirm that God is “in” everyone and everything. The Shack’s “Jesus” states, “God who is the ground of all being, dwells in, around, and through all things.”11 In Jesus Calling, Sarah Young’s “Jesus” also teaches this same New Age Oneness when he declares—“I am above all, as well as in all.”12
A more detailed description of this Oneness vs. Separation heresy is carefully documented in my book False Christ Coming: Does Anybody Care? and in my booklet titled Oneness vs. Separation Heresy Now in the Church.13 The New Age Doctrine of Separation disparages and denigrates those who refuse to subscribe to the Doctrine of Oneness. God is, in fact, separate from His creation. He is not in everyone and everything. But Satan’s twisted New Age take on separation has been—and will continue to be—one of his main devices. Using the word separation scripturally and properly, the Bible tells us to “be ye separate” from the world and from worldly New Age doctrines like the Doctrine of Oneness versus Separation.
In her book The Revelation, New Age author and futurist Barbara Marx Hubbard quotes the New Age Christ stating that those who oppose the idea of oneness with God are under the “illusion of separation.”7 In A Course in Miracles, the false New Age Christ states, “The mind can make the belief in separation very real and very fearful, and this belief is the ‘devil.’”8 He further states that those who are under the illusion of separation are “dreaming” and need to be “gently awakened” from their hapless dream of “separateness” by God’s “happy dream” of Oneness.9
There is something that should be of great concern to those keeping an eye on how this concept of separation might be coming into the church: On the fifth episode of his TBN television series Restoring the Shack, William P. Young, citing God as his source, stated that the “lie of separation” has prevented the church from being unified, whole, and one.10 That Young would introduce the New Age Doctrine of Separation is not surprising if you read The Shack carefully. The Shack’s “Jesus” openly teaches New Age “Oneness” when Young has him affirm that God is “in” everyone and everything. The Shack’s “Jesus” states, “God who is the ground of all being, dwells in, around, and through all things.”11 In Jesus Calling, Sarah Young’s “Jesus” also teaches this same New Age Oneness when he declares—“I am above all, as well as in all.”12
A more detailed description of this Oneness vs. Separation heresy is carefully documented in my book False Christ Coming: Does Anybody Care? and in my booklet titled Oneness vs. Separation Heresy Now in the Church.13 The New Age Doctrine of Separation disparages and denigrates those who refuse to subscribe to the Doctrine of Oneness. God is, in fact, separate from His creation. He is not in everyone and everything. But Satan’s twisted New Age take on separation has been—and will continue to be—one of his main devices. Using the word separation scripturally and properly, the Bible tells us to “be ye separate” from the world and from worldly New Age doctrines like the Doctrine of Oneness versus Separation.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate. (2 Corinthians 6:17)
Endnotes:
3) A Course in Miracles: Combined Volume (Glen Allen, CA: Foundation for Inner Peace, 1975, 1992), (Text) p. 147.
4) Ibid., (Text) p. 125.
5) Ibid., (Text) p. 52.
6) Ibid., (Text) p. 425.
7) Barbara Marx Hubbard, The Revelation: A Message of Hope for the New Millennium (Novato, CA: Nataraj Publishing, 1995), p. 233.
8) A Course in Miracles, op cit., p. 50.
9) Ibid., pp. 377, 584.
10) Restoring the Shack television series, Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), March 12, 2017, Episode 5.
11) William P. Young, The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity (Los Angeles, CA: Windblown Media, 2007), p. 112.
12) Sarah Young, Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2004), p. 199.
13) Warren B. Smith, False Christ Coming: Does Anybody Care? (Magalia, CA: Mountain Stream Press, 2011); Warren B. Smith, Oneness vs. Separation Heresy Now in the Church (Eureka, MT: Lighthouse Trails Publishing, 2018).
3) A Course in Miracles: Combined Volume (Glen Allen, CA: Foundation for Inner Peace, 1975, 1992), (Text) p. 147.
4) Ibid., (Text) p. 125.
5) Ibid., (Text) p. 52.
6) Ibid., (Text) p. 425.
7) Barbara Marx Hubbard, The Revelation: A Message of Hope for the New Millennium (Novato, CA: Nataraj Publishing, 1995), p. 233.
8) A Course in Miracles, op cit., p. 50.
9) Ibid., pp. 377, 584.
10) Restoring the Shack television series, Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), March 12, 2017, Episode 5.
11) William P. Young, The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity (Los Angeles, CA: Windblown Media, 2007), p. 112.
12) Sarah Young, Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2004), p. 199.
13) Warren B. Smith, False Christ Coming: Does Anybody Care? (Magalia, CA: Mountain Stream Press, 2011); Warren B. Smith, Oneness vs. Separation Heresy Now in the Church (Eureka, MT: Lighthouse Trails Publishing, 2018).
4. What Is The New Age Concept of "God's Dream"?
The term “God’s Dream” has become almost commonplace in the world—and the church. “God’s Dream” is now the subject of numerous Christian books, booklets, sermons, songs, and radio shows. But most people using the term “God’s Dream” don’t realize it is a deceptive New Age term that was introduced over a hundred years ago in a 1916 Theosophical Path New Age magazine article.14 As previously mentioned, the term “God’s Dream” is a crucial New Age concept intimately linked to the New Age peace plan. It is at the heart of everything taught in A Course in Miracles by the New Age “Jesus.” The term “God’s Dream” has been used by the false Christ Maitreya who claims to already be here on Earth waiting for humanity to call him forth. It has been used by New Age channeler and best-selling Conversations with God author Neale Donald Walsch who claims to speak for God. It has been used and publicly promoted by New Age sympathizer Oprah Winfrey. All these references and many others are documented in my booklet God’s Dream: Satan’s Ultimate Scheme.15
The New Age term, “God’s Dream,” is also used by a wide variety of pastors, authors, church leaders, and worship leaders. “God’s Dream” was first introduced into the church by the late Crystal Cathedral pastor Robert Schuller in his 1974 book Your Church Has Real Possibilities.16 It was then exponentially popularized by Saddleback Church pastor Rick Warren. It is now commonly used by a wide array of church figures that include Bethel Church pastor Bill Johnson, Shack author William P. Young, Kenneth Copeland, Brian McLaren, Pope Francis, Joel Osteen, Sarah Young, Leonard Sweet, Mark Batterson, Joyce Meyer, Ravi Zacharias, and countless others. Most of them probably have no idea of its New Age origin and how “God’s Dream” is a strategic part of Satan’s New Age peace plan. Curiously, Rick Warren has introduced his own formal P.E.A.C.E. Plan that he has actually titled—“God’s Dream for You and the World.” Over the last several years he has been pushing “God’s Dream” heavily in his sermons and on his radio program—even writing a booklet titled God’s Dream For Your Life. But “God’s Dream” is a false overlapping New Age concept that has now made its way deep into the church. Thanks to Robert Schuller and Rick Warren, the concept of “God’s Dream” has become so widely popularized in church circles that church references now far outweigh the New Age references that once preceded them. “God’s Dream” is one of Satan’s most cunning devices.
The New Age term, “God’s Dream,” is also used by a wide variety of pastors, authors, church leaders, and worship leaders. “God’s Dream” was first introduced into the church by the late Crystal Cathedral pastor Robert Schuller in his 1974 book Your Church Has Real Possibilities.16 It was then exponentially popularized by Saddleback Church pastor Rick Warren. It is now commonly used by a wide array of church figures that include Bethel Church pastor Bill Johnson, Shack author William P. Young, Kenneth Copeland, Brian McLaren, Pope Francis, Joel Osteen, Sarah Young, Leonard Sweet, Mark Batterson, Joyce Meyer, Ravi Zacharias, and countless others. Most of them probably have no idea of its New Age origin and how “God’s Dream” is a strategic part of Satan’s New Age peace plan. Curiously, Rick Warren has introduced his own formal P.E.A.C.E. Plan that he has actually titled—“God’s Dream for You and the World.” Over the last several years he has been pushing “God’s Dream” heavily in his sermons and on his radio program—even writing a booklet titled God’s Dream For Your Life. But “God’s Dream” is a false overlapping New Age concept that has now made its way deep into the church. Thanks to Robert Schuller and Rick Warren, the concept of “God’s Dream” has become so widely popularized in church circles that church references now far outweigh the New Age references that once preceded them. “God’s Dream” is one of Satan’s most cunning devices.
Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:32)
Endnotes:
14) Katherine Tingley, Editor (Theosophical Path magazine, Volume X, No. 2, February 1916), p. 159.
15) Warren B. Smith, God’s Dream: Satan’s Ultimate Scheme (Eureka, MT: Lighthouse Publishing).
16) Robert H. Schuller, Your Church Has Real Possibilities (Glendale, CA: Regal Books Division, G/L Publications, 1974), pp. 176-179.
14) Katherine Tingley, Editor (Theosophical Path magazine, Volume X, No. 2, February 1916), p. 159.
15) Warren B. Smith, God’s Dream: Satan’s Ultimate Scheme (Eureka, MT: Lighthouse Publishing).
16) Robert H. Schuller, Your Church Has Real Possibilities (Glendale, CA: Regal Books Division, G/L Publications, 1974), pp. 176-179.
5. What Is The New Age Concept of "Quantum Spirituality"?
When I was involved with New Age spirituality, Fritjof Capra’s 1975 book The Tao of Physics: An Exploration of the Parallels Between Modern Physics and Eastern Mysticism was a New Age classic. Capra contended that quantum physics was in the process of proving that God was a force and an energy field that interpenetrated all creation. And with quantum physics leading the way, a New Age/New Spirituality was gearing up to make both a proverbial and literal “quantum leap” to a “quantum spirituality” and a “quantum Christ”—not the biblical Christ but a New Age “God” and “Christ” who were “in” everyone and everything. Back then, I didn’t know that the Bible warned about those who falsely use science to try and prove their faith (1 Timothy 6:20-21).
Sadly, church figures like Leonard Sweet are joining this march to New Age Oneness by way of quantum physics. In his 1991 book Quantum Spirituality, Sweet openly proclaims his belief in Oneness by quoting Catholic mystic Thomas Merton:
Sadly, church figures like Leonard Sweet are joining this march to New Age Oneness by way of quantum physics. In his 1991 book Quantum Spirituality, Sweet openly proclaims his belief in Oneness by quoting Catholic mystic Thomas Merton:
We are already one. But we imagine we are not. And what we have to recover is our original unity.19
Sweet’s New Age sympathies become even more apparent when he states that this Oneness and original unity is based on his belief that God is “in” everyone and everything. He writes that his view of postmodern Christianity—spell that New Age Christianity—“entails a radical doctrine of embodiment of God in the very substance of creation.”20 My former New Age teachers couldn’t have said it any more clearly than what Sweet is telling the church. An ordained Methodist who speaks all over the world, Sweet has led workshops with Rick Warren—and is, indeed, teaching the church a “radical doctrine”—the New Age Doctrine of Oneness. Compounding his New Age sympathies, Sweet refers to the father of the New Age movement—Catholic Jesuit priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin—as “Twentieth-century Christianity’s major voice.”21 Sweet also talks openly about the importance of “God’s Dream.”22 While Sweet and others are clearly New Age sympathizers, their unbiblical New Age teachings remain uncontested in a church that doesn’t seem to understand what is really going on. Trying to use science to prove something that is not true—God “in” everything—is just another clever device being used by Satan to deceive the church.
Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 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. (1 Timothy 6:19-21)
Endnotes:
19) Leonard Sweet, Quantum Spirituality: A Postmodern Apologetic (Dayton, OH: Whaleprints for SpiritVenture Ministries, Inc., 1991, 1994), p. 13.
20) Ibid., p. 125.
21) Ibid., p. 106.
22) Leonard Sweet, SoulTsunami, Sink or Swim in the New Millennium Culture (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1999), p. 34.
19) Leonard Sweet, Quantum Spirituality: A Postmodern Apologetic (Dayton, OH: Whaleprints for SpiritVenture Ministries, Inc., 1991, 1994), p. 13.
20) Ibid., p. 125.
21) Ibid., p. 106.
22) Leonard Sweet, SoulTsunami, Sink or Swim in the New Millennium Culture (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1999), p. 34.
6. What Is The New Age "Planetary Pentecost"?
As part of the New Age movement, we believed we would be part of a worldwide effort to bring about world peace. The New Age “Christ” states—and we believed—that Armageddon doesn’t have to happen—that there is an “alternative to Armageddon” that he calls the “Planetary Pentecost.”23 It is described as an ultimate revival for the world and the church. It would engender everyone’s hope for “God’s Dream”—for world peace. But there is no alternative to prophecy, and the Book of Revelation is presented as direct prophecy from Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:1-3). The Book of Revelation does not mention any true revival taking place in the latter times. There will be a false New Age revival that will bring on a false New Age “Christ” and a false New Age peace. But in the end,“God’s Dream” will become a New Age nightmare. They will say peace, but there will be no peace until the true Christ—Jesus Christ—actually returns. Dangling the possibility of world peace through a false planetary revival that will include an apostate “church,” this Planetary Pentecost is perhaps one of Satan’s cruellest devices.
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:3)
Endnotes:
23) Barbara Marx Hubbard, The Revelation, op. cit., p. 157.
23) Barbara Marx Hubbard, The Revelation, op. cit., p. 157.
7. What Is The New Age "Alternative to Armageddon"?
Through the years Hubbard has received voluminous information from her “Christ.” In her 1993 book, The Revelation: Our Crisis Is a Birth (later renamed The Revelation: A Message of Hope for the New Millennium), Hubbard and “Christ” “rewrite” the Bible’s Book of Revelation. In The Revelation, Hubbard’s “Christ” provides specific instructions on how a united humanity, purposefully partnering with God, can literally recreate the future. This “Christ” teaches that the “violent” Armageddon script described in the Bible does not have to happen, that it is only a “possible” future, emphasizing that a more “positive” future can and will manifest when humanity—without exception—openly declares its “oneness” with him and all creation. This positive scenario and the means to attaining it is called “the alternative to Armageddon.”12
Hubbard’s “Christ” describes how planet earth is at an evolutionary crossroads. He states that the world is about to make an evolutionary leap that will take all creation to a new level. Those who awaken to their own divinity, by aligning themselves as one with God and one with each other, will evolve. Those who continue to believe in “fear” and “separation,” rather than in “love” and “oneness,” will not evolve. Hubbard’s “Christ” claims that with his help most of mankind will choose to evolve, calling this evolutionary leap “the Planetary Birth Experience.”13 He refers to it as the coming time of “Planetary Pentecost.”14 The “birth experience” is a shared event in the future, an “Instant of Co-operation,”15 when everyone on the planet will be mysteriously changed in “the twinkling of an eye,” as humanity is collectively born again into a new creation. Those who evolve will actually become a new species as Homo sapiens is collectively transformed into Homo universalis, or the “Universal Humanity.”16 The “Universal Humanity” will live together as a community of “natural Christs” in the “New Heaven” on the “New Earth” that is the “New Jerusalem.”17
The “Christ” of the New Age/New Spirituality has a plan. He calls it “the alternative to Armageddon.” He says that with his plan Armageddon can be avoided, promising that his “atonement plan” (at-one-ment plan) will work if everyone plays their necessary part. But it must be a unified team effort. One for all and all for one. There can be no detractors; there can be no weak links. “Love” and “peace” will prevail when “fear” and “separation” are overcome. “Overcomers,” according to the New Age/New Gospel, are those who have overcome “fear” and “separation” by recognizing they are part of God and “at- one” with all creation.
The “Armageddon alternative” Peace Plan has been given by the false New Age “Christ” to his “avant-garde” channelers who are now in the process of gradually introducing this plan, with its underlying New Age principles, to an unsuspecting general public. But the “Armageddon alternative” is not referred to as such at this time. The terms and concepts are presented in a simple and pleasing vernacular—terms that, while loaded with hidden New Age meaning, remain non-threatening to the average person. The New Age/ New Gospel Peace Plan is presented in simple sound bites about the virtues of “love,” “peace,” and “oneness,” while warning about the dangers of “fear,” “hate,” “self-centeredness,” and “separation.” Because things are being kept purposefully vague, there is no open talk about the plan’s “selection process.” At least not yet.
Hubbard’s “Christ” describes how planet earth is at an evolutionary crossroads. He states that the world is about to make an evolutionary leap that will take all creation to a new level. Those who awaken to their own divinity, by aligning themselves as one with God and one with each other, will evolve. Those who continue to believe in “fear” and “separation,” rather than in “love” and “oneness,” will not evolve. Hubbard’s “Christ” claims that with his help most of mankind will choose to evolve, calling this evolutionary leap “the Planetary Birth Experience.”13 He refers to it as the coming time of “Planetary Pentecost.”14 The “birth experience” is a shared event in the future, an “Instant of Co-operation,”15 when everyone on the planet will be mysteriously changed in “the twinkling of an eye,” as humanity is collectively born again into a new creation. Those who evolve will actually become a new species as Homo sapiens is collectively transformed into Homo universalis, or the “Universal Humanity.”16 The “Universal Humanity” will live together as a community of “natural Christs” in the “New Heaven” on the “New Earth” that is the “New Jerusalem.”17
The “Christ” of the New Age/New Spirituality has a plan. He calls it “the alternative to Armageddon.” He says that with his plan Armageddon can be avoided, promising that his “atonement plan” (at-one-ment plan) will work if everyone plays their necessary part. But it must be a unified team effort. One for all and all for one. There can be no detractors; there can be no weak links. “Love” and “peace” will prevail when “fear” and “separation” are overcome. “Overcomers,” according to the New Age/New Gospel, are those who have overcome “fear” and “separation” by recognizing they are part of God and “at- one” with all creation.
The “Armageddon alternative” Peace Plan has been given by the false New Age “Christ” to his “avant-garde” channelers who are now in the process of gradually introducing this plan, with its underlying New Age principles, to an unsuspecting general public. But the “Armageddon alternative” is not referred to as such at this time. The terms and concepts are presented in a simple and pleasing vernacular—terms that, while loaded with hidden New Age meaning, remain non-threatening to the average person. The New Age/ New Gospel Peace Plan is presented in simple sound bites about the virtues of “love,” “peace,” and “oneness,” while warning about the dangers of “fear,” “hate,” “self-centeredness,” and “separation.” Because things are being kept purposefully vague, there is no open talk about the plan’s “selection process.” At least not yet.
Endnotes:
12. Barbara Marx Hubbard, The Revelation: A Message of Hope for the New Millennium (Novato, CA: Nataraj Publishing, 1995), pp. 264–265.
13. Ibid., p. 298.
14. Ibid., p. 157.
15. Ibid., pp. 243–245.
16. Ibid., pp. 44 and 78–79.
17. Ibid., p. 258.
12. Barbara Marx Hubbard, The Revelation: A Message of Hope for the New Millennium (Novato, CA: Nataraj Publishing, 1995), pp. 264–265.
13. Ibid., p. 298.
14. Ibid., p. 157.
15. Ibid., pp. 243–245.
16. Ibid., pp. 44 and 78–79.
17. Ibid., p. 258.
8. What Is The New Age "Selection Process"?
But Hubbard’s “Christ,” while describing the “birth experience” and professing his love for all mankind, nevertheless warns that there will be no place in the “New Jerusalem” for those who refuse to see themselves and others as a part of God. He describes, therefore, the necessity of a “selection process” that will select out resistant individuals who “choose” not to evolve. This “selection process” is a “purification” that will be accomplished through “the shock of a fire.”18
“Christ” states that those who see themselves as “separate” and not “divine” hinder humanity’s ability to spiritually evolve. Those who deny their own “divinity” are “cancer cells” in the body of God.19 “Christ” warns that a healthy body must have no cancer cells. Cancer cells must be healed or completely removed from the body. He describes the means of removal as the “selection process.” The “selection process” results in the deaths of those who refuse to see themselves as a part of God.
After the “selection process,” the spirit bodies of the departed individuals will continue to be “purified” in the spirit realm. Hubbard’s “Christ” emphasizes that they will not be given another physical body and they will not be able to rejoin humanity until they rid themselves of all “self-centeredness.” He defines “self-centeredness” as “the illusion” that one is “separate” from God. The self-centered temptation to see oneself as “separate,” and not as a part of God, is “evil” and must be “overcome.” He also refers to self-centeredness, or this illusion of separateness, as “Satan.”
In this future described by Hubbard’s “Christ,” anyone who refuses to see themselves and others as “God” and “Christ” will be removed by the “selection process.” Those professing Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour would be subject to this process, as would traditional Jews, Muslims, and all others who refuse to see themselves as a part of God.
“Christ” states that those who see themselves as “separate” and not “divine” hinder humanity’s ability to spiritually evolve. Those who deny their own “divinity” are “cancer cells” in the body of God.19 “Christ” warns that a healthy body must have no cancer cells. Cancer cells must be healed or completely removed from the body. He describes the means of removal as the “selection process.” The “selection process” results in the deaths of those who refuse to see themselves as a part of God.
After the “selection process,” the spirit bodies of the departed individuals will continue to be “purified” in the spirit realm. Hubbard’s “Christ” emphasizes that they will not be given another physical body and they will not be able to rejoin humanity until they rid themselves of all “self-centeredness.” He defines “self-centeredness” as “the illusion” that one is “separate” from God. The self-centered temptation to see oneself as “separate,” and not as a part of God, is “evil” and must be “overcome.” He also refers to self-centeredness, or this illusion of separateness, as “Satan.”
In this future described by Hubbard’s “Christ,” anyone who refuses to see themselves and others as “God” and “Christ” will be removed by the “selection process.” Those professing Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour would be subject to this process, as would traditional Jews, Muslims, and all others who refuse to see themselves as a part of God.
Endnotes
18. Barbara Marx Hubbard, The Revelation: A Message of Hope for the New Millennium (Novato, CA: Nataraj Publishing, 1995), pp. 240 and 267.
19. Ibid., p. 255.
18. Barbara Marx Hubbard, The Revelation: A Message of Hope for the New Millennium (Novato, CA: Nataraj Publishing, 1995), pp. 240 and 267.
19. Ibid., p. 255.
9. What Is The New Age/"New Story"/"New Narrative"?
New Age leaders are teaching that we need a “new narrative”—a “new story” to replace what is perceived to be the tired “old story” of biblical Christianity. As mentioned, the “Jesus” of A Course in Miracles teaches the alleged “new story” of the necessity of humanity being “awakened” from its “fearful” ungodly dream of “separation” by “God’s Dream” of “Oneness.” The “new story”—“God’s Dream”—teaches that as humanity awakens to the truth of Oneness, world peace becomes a real possibility. But the new story warns that those who are under the “illusion of separation”—those who do not believe that God is “in” everyone and everything—hinder and prevent world peace through their disbelief. Thus, the new story of “God’s Dream” for the world and the church isolates those who do not hold to the New Age Doctrine of Oneness—like Christians—and will ultimately lead to their persecution. Biblical believers are disparagingly referred to as those who believe the “old story” of separation. But the Bible’s story is not old in that pejorative sense. It is as true today as when it was originally written and recorded. Humanity is not God, and humanity is not one with God. God and His creation are separate. “God’s Dream” is not a new story. Rather it is a cunningly devised fable that is just another one of Satan’s clever devices.
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (2 Peter 1:16)