Online Missions Trip Day 10

Nicole the New Ager: The New Age is not new. Tenants of New Age doctrine have been a part of human history since Satan in the form of a snake deceived Adam and Eve in the garden with the promises of godhood. Although those in the New Age movement vary in their particular doctrines and practices (because it is not one centrally organized religion) they do have some common core beliefs.

• New Agers believe that the world is poised to explode into a New Age of enlightenment. They are convinced that this 'new world order' will be united under a one world government and initiated by a quantum leap in humanity's spiritual evolution. They see the next step of evolution as people becoming 'gods'.


• New Agers believe in Monism. Monism means 'oneness'. New agers believe that we are all one with each other and the universe. We are all connected by the common cord of the cosmos.


• New Agers do not believe in a personal God. They believe that the totality of all the 'oneness' in the cosmos can collectively be called 'god'. Some call it 'the force'. Others call it 'consciousness'. But by any label it is the deification of the universe and everything in it. That's why the famous New Ager Shirley MacLaine boldly proclaimed, "I am God." She believes that as part of this cosmic consciousness, she is god and so are you and me.


• New Agers believe that the New Age must be experienced to be transformational. Through meditation, drugs, yoga, martial arts, or cosmic experiences, the goal of the New Ager is to become one with the universe. The goal is a state of mind that is at peace with oneself and at one with one's universe.


• In the New Age movement morals are subjective. Since there is not an external objective standard of authority when it comes to behavior then you are free to create your own moral reality. The New Age encourages its participants to experiment and experience their own morals on their journey toward oneness.


• New Agers are convinced that all the power of the universe is available to every person. The more that we can know the god within us the more we can unleash the cosmic force to achieve the unachievable (ESP, telepathy, out of body experiences, and psychokinesis [moving or manipulating objects with our minds] are all evidence of their belief in unlimited human potential).


• New Agers believe that there is an army of spirit guides, extraterrestrials, and entities who are seeking to communicate to humans through mediums or channelers. These channelers are humans who are in touch with the cosmic consciousness and are used by these spirit guides to communicate universal truth to others. Of course, this opens the spiritual door to extreme demonic influence.


• New Agers believe that UFO's and those who have had extraterrestrial encounters prove that there is not only life on other planets, but that these more evolved species have much to teach us. Think Sci-Fi channel on steroids!


• New Agers believe in "Religious Syncretism." This is a fancy term meaning that New Age spirituality is a rather eclectic grab bag of Eastern mysticism, Western occultism, neopaganism, and human psychology. Many New Agers claim to be Christian-although they define it completely different from Christianity. Most Americans today are New Age in at least some areas of their belief system. The whole concept of "it doesn't matter what you believe, it only matters that you believe," flows from the New Age belief system.

Things to Remember:

When talking to Nicole, remember that you are entering a huge spiritual battle, so put on the full armor of God, and remember that the enemy is Satan, not Nicole (Ephesians 6). Also, don't stereotype Nicole and assume every New Ager is the same...they aren't. Every New Ager is different, so take some time and find out what she thinks.

After finding out what she thinks, be sure and clearly define your terms. For example, when Nicole speak of 'Christ consciousness' she refers to a mystical state of 'enlightenment'. In other words, she doesn't mean we should trust Christ for salvation, she means we can become like Christ and make our own 'salvation'.

Finally, point out common ground with Nicole (common belief in the spiritual world, etc.) and focus on the claims of Christ as the "way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).