The New Age movement is a misnomer. The principles, practices, and philosophies it promotes are far from new, tracing their roots back to ancient pagan and occult traditions. Despite this contradiction, the New Age movement has subtly permeated the cultural fabric over the decades, with its influence silently infiltrating the Protestant Church. This silent infiltration presents a significant challenge as these ancient pagan practices stand in stark contrast to biblical Christianity.
Ancient Practices Cloaked in Modernity
A key way the New Age movement and its pagan origins have infiltrated Protestant churches is through the repackaging of ancient practices. One of the most pervasive examples is guided meditation. Derived from Eastern religious traditions, guided meditation and similar practices like energy manipulation often sneak into the church under the banner of “Christian mindfulness” or “prayerful yoga.”
While these practices may initially seem benign or even beneficial, they have roots in pagan spirituality. They distract from the central focus of Christian practice: communion with God through prayer and contemplation of His Word. Rather than focusing on achieving an altered state of consciousness or manipulating ‘spiritual energies,’ Christians are called to meditate on God’s law day and night (Psalm 1:2) and to be transformed by the renewal of their mind (Romans 12:2).
The Mirage of Pluralism and Universalism
Ancient pagan religions were characteristically pluralistic, recognizing and worshiping multiple deities. This concept has been revived in the New Age movement’s emphasis on relativism and pluralism—that all spiritual paths are equally valid and lead to the same ultimate reality. Unfortunately, this perspective has subtly crept into some Protestant churches, leading to a soft universalism that undermines the uniqueness of the Christian faith.
However, the Christian message stands in stark contrast to this belief. Christ declares, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The dilution of this exclusive claim presents a significant risk to the church’s commitment to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and the declaration of Christ as the only Savior.
Prosperity Gospel and Its Echoes of Ancient Cults
The prosperity gospel, emphasizing health, wealth, and personal success, has parallels in ancient prosperity cults where blessings were sought from deities for material prosperity. This prosperity-focused message, influenced by New Age thinking, is a far cry from the self-denying, cross-bearing call of Christ in Matthew 16:24. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6), a far cry from the materialistic focus of the prosperity gospel.
Word of Faith Movement and New Thought Philosophy
The Word of Faith movement, which exists within some Protestant circles, has alarming parallels with New Age thought and ancient magical practices. The teaching that positive thoughts or declarations can alter reality reflects the New Age law of attraction and the use of incantations in pagan religions.
However, this belief system is not biblically sound. It shifts the source of blessings from God’s sovereign grace to the supposed creative power of human words and thoughts. Such a belief undermines the biblical portrayal of God as the one who “works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Ephesians 1:11).
Syncretism and The Danger of Compromise.
The New Age movement’s subtle influence can lead to syncretism, a blending of Christian faith with elements of other religions. This blending is not a new phenomenon. The Israelites, despite their covenant relationship with Yahweh, repeatedly fell into syncretism, adopting the practices of the pagan cultures around them (Judges 2:12). Today, the New Age movement facilitates a similar trend, challenging the exclusivity and sufficiency of Christ.
The Apostle Paul warns about the dangers of spiritual compromise in his letters. In 2 Corinthians 6:14-16, he writes, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?”
Emergence of the Self
The focus on self-empowerment, self-realization, and self-divination is another key aspect of the New Age movement that has found its way into some Protestant teachings. This approach, which echoes ancient Gnostic heresies, places the individual at the center of their spiritual experience.
This is directly opposed to the Christian belief that Christ should be the center of our lives. In Galatians 2:20, Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Christianity calls believers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24).
Angel Cards: Not as Innocuous as They Seem
Among the most prominent and seemingly innocuous New Age tools infiltrating Christian practices are Angel Cards. These are a type of oracle card that claim to offer guidance and insight by connecting individuals with supposed “angelic” messages. The process of selecting a card and interpreting its message is presented as a way to “tune in” to angelic wisdom and guidance.
It may be tempting to see this practice as a harmless, even spiritual, activity, with its emphasis on angels – beings recognized in Christian tradition. However, biblical understanding of angels significantly differs from the New Age interpretation. In the Bible, angels are messengers of God, obedient to His will and commands, serving His purposes (Psalm 103:20). They do not act independently, nor do they provide personal guidance or fortune-telling services.
The practice of seeking personal guidance or attempting to foretell the future, often associated with angel cards, runs contrary to biblical teaching. According to Deuteronomy 18:10-12, divination and fortune-telling are detestable to the Lord. Instead, Christians are encouraged to seek wisdom and guidance directly from God through prayer and the study of Scripture (James 1:5, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Thus, while Angel Cards might seem to offer spiritual insight, they fundamentally diverge from Christian principles and beliefs. The Bible reminds us to guard our hearts and minds, discerning what is true and noble, and to focus on God’s word for wisdom and guidance (Proverbs 4:23, Philippians 4:8).
This growing acceptance and use of Angel Cards within Christian circles, then, is not a benign trend, but a clear manifestation of the creeping influence of New Age practices. It underscores the necessity for discernment and a robust understanding of Christian doctrines and beliefs to safeguard the integrity of the Christian faith.
Conclusion
The New Age movement, with its roots in ancient paganism, presents a significant challenge to the contemporary Protestant Church. As Christians, it is imperative that we maintain a strong understanding of our faith and its foundational principles. By remaining rooted in Scripture and relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can discern and counteract the subtle influences of this movement, ensuring our faith remains undiluted and focused on Christ.
Paul’s admonition to the Colossians is apt for us today: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8). In a world where the boundaries between biblical Christianity and popular spirituality can blur, we are called to hold steadfast to the truth of the Gospel and maintain our commitment to Christ.
Discussion Questions:
- How has the historical context of ancient pagan practices, as well as their New Age reinterpretations, influenced some practices seen in Protestant churches today? Can you identify any specific examples?
- In what ways might the incorporation of New Age practices into Christian worship conflict with core Christian beliefs and values? How can this be addressed in a respectful and constructive manner within the church community?
- Considering the origins and purposes of practices such as mindfulness and angel card reading, how might Christians navigate the balance between societal trends and faithfulness to biblical teachings?
Want to Know More?
- “Christianity in Crisis: 21st Century” by H. J. Hanegraaff: This book critically analyzes the prosperity gospel and other New Age teachings that have influenced modern Christianity, making it a relevant source for the sections on prosperity gospel and self-centered spirituality.
- “Truth Decay: Defending Christianity Against the Challenges of Postmodernism” by Douglas Groothuis: Groothuis’s book deals with the threat of postmodernism to Christianity, including the challenges of pluralism and relativism. This makes it pertinent to the section discussing the pluralistic tendencies of the New Age movement.
- “The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog” by James W. Sire: Sire’s work provides a comparative study of major worldviews and philosophies, including New Age thought and Christianity, offering crucial insights into how these two worldviews diverge.
- “Ashamed of the Gospel: When the Church Becomes Like the World” by John MacArthur: MacArthur’s work critiques the ways in which worldly trends, including New Age practices, have infiltrated the church. It is a relevant source for understanding the overall influence of the New Age movement on the Protestant Church.
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