The New Age movement is a spiritual and philosophical movement that developed in Western nations during the 1970s. It draws inspiration from Eastern religions, mysticism, and indigenous beliefs, as well as alternative medicine and the occult. New Age ideas have become mainstream and can be seen in areas such as books, films, seminars, retreats, and stores. Some key elements of New Age spirituality are:
Spiritual But Not Religious
New Age followers consider themselves spiritual rather than religious. They seek direct spiritual experience over religious dogma and often mix together practices from different religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and paganism. There is no official church or membership for New Age followers.
Divinity Within
New Age spirituality emphasizes that the divine resides within human beings. Rather than looking outward to find God, the focus is on inward spiritual growth and self-development. Humanity is viewed as divine and empowered to achieve its higher spiritual potential.
Holistic Health
Physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of health are seen as interconnected within the holistic health approach of New Age. Alternative health practices such as homeopathy, acupuncture, qi gong, yoga, meditation, and massage therapy are embraced. The mind-body-spirit connection is emphasized.
Mysticism and Magic
New Age practitioners draw from mystical traditions and esoteric knowledge. Magic and occult practices such as divination, astrology, spellcraft, spirit channeling, and crystal power are common. The New Age worldview embraces mysticism and unseen spiritual dimensions.
New Worldview
The New Age movement aims to cultivate a spiritual worldview over the scientific worldview of mainstream Western society. In the New Age, mystical experiences and expanded consciousness are valued over rationalism. Oneness and interconnectedness with all creation are emphasized.
Energy and Vibrations
New Age philosophies propose that the universe is composed of energy and humans are energy systems vibrational in nature. Karmic energy from past lives carries over. Things like crystals vibrate at different frequencies and can heal or alter consciousness. Thoughts and emotions also vibrate energetically.
Alternative Creation Myths
Unlike Christianity, New Age thinking embraces alternative cosmologies about how the universe came into being. These may include the universe as manifestation of the divine mind, life originating from extraterrestrial visitations, mythic and esoteric histories of lost continents, and cyclical concepts of time.
Evolution of Consciousness
New Age thought views humanity as entering an Age of Aquarius of higher consciousness, harmony, and peacefulcoexistence. Human consciousness is evolving in progressive stages toward realizing full human potential and unity with the divine.
What does the Bible say?
The New Age movement’s spiritual beliefs are fundamentally incompatible with biblical Christianity. Some key contrasts include:
God is Personal and Transcendent
The Bible depicts God as personal and transcendent, not just an impersonal divine energy or consciousness within creation (Isaiah 40:13-14). God is distinct from His creation and holds ultimate authority over it.
Jesus is Divine and Savior
Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, not simply one of many ascended masters. He alone is mankind’s Savior and only through Him can anyone be reconciled to God (John 14:6, Acts 4:12).
Sin and Salvation
The Bible teaches that sin has separated humanity from God. Self-salvation is impossible. We must receive Christ’s sacrifice on the cross by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). New Age principles deny the reality of sin and need for salvation.
Scripture Over Experience
Divine revelation given in Scripture is objective truth from God. Mystical experiences and spiritual encounters must be carefully evaluated against the Bible’s teachings to avoid deception (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Creator Over Creation
All creation, including mankind, is under the sovereign dominion of God the Creator. While God’s qualities are reflected in what He has made, creation itself is incapable of fully revealing or manifesting all there is to know about God Himself (Romans 1:25).
Supernatural Over Natural
Reality consists of both natural and supernatural realms, not just the physical universe discernible by science. The Bible teaches of a spirit realm involving angels, demons, spirits, and the afterlife not found in New Age principles (Ephesians 6:10-12).
Dangers of New Age Spirituality
New Age beliefs may seem harmless on the surface but ultimately fail to answer humanity’s deepest spiritual needs according to Scripture. Dangerously, New Age spirituality can actually lead people away from God’s truth through deceptive spiritual practices and faulty worldviews.
Counterfeit Spirituality
Seeking impersonal spiritual energy, inner divinity, and occult powers promises self-empowerment but undermines the need for repentance and trust in God’s power. New Age practices derived from non-Christian religions can open doors to spiritual confusion and deception.
Denies Sin and Guilt
By denying human fallenness and dismissing sin and guilt, New Age principles bypass Christ’s atonement on the cross and offer false assurance. Work-based enlightenment and self-redemption are impossible (Romans 3:23-24).
Relativizes God’s Truth
New Age pluralism claims that conflicting beliefs are equally valid, that there are many paths to God, and biblical doctrine is intolerant. Jesus’ assertions of being uniquely God’s way, truth, and life are dismissed (John 14:6).
Focus on Self Over God
Emphasis on self-development, fulfilling human potential, mystical experiences, and psychic powers leads to self-centered spirituality. Seeking self over seeking God dethrones Him (Jeremiah 17:9).
Christian Response
New Age influences are everywhere so Christians must exercise discernment. When encountering New Age beliefs, Christians can respond by:
Test teaching against Scripture
Carefully compare any teachings about spiritual matters, salvation, God, Jesus, and the afterlife against God’s Word (Acts 17:11, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Recognize the mind, body, spirit connection
Understand that New Age practices often recognize real health benefits while also opening subtle spiritual doors. Focus should remain on Christ (Colossians 1:15-20).
Avoid syncretism
Do not mix incompatible New Age beliefs and practices together with biblical Christianity. God expressly forbids spiritual compromise (2 Corinthians 6:14-16).
Be a witness
Share the exclusive salvation message of Jesus Christ with compassion. Make use of New Age interests to point people toward true spiritual freedom found only in Christ (John 8:31-32).
Walk in godliness
Stay centered on Christ through obedience, prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers. Godliness and sound doctrine inoculate against deception (1 Timothy 4:16).
Conclusion
The New Age movement reflects spiritual hunger and the human desire for meaning, self-transcendence, unity, and purpose. Yet it ultimately offers a false path devoid of God’s deeper truth as revealed in Scripture. Christians should continue reaching out with God’s love while standing firmly in their faith. Walking closely with Christ day by day is the best defense against the deceptions of the New Age.