The Hidden Heresy inNew Age Christian Churches

by Jeremy James

A surprising number of Christians who profess to be born again are joining churcheswhich teach a popular but distorted version of the Gospel of Christ.Few seem to realize the spiritual damage that this is doing, both to themselves and toothers. In addition to neglecting the strict application of the Word of God in their ownlives, they are spreading an erroneous gospel and attracting many thousands into thechurch who are not truly born again and probably never will be.This is a very strong assertion but the facts bear it out.For example, many churches, which profess to comprise only born-again Christians, possess or profess several of the following characteristics and beliefs:oA belief that, even though man is fallen, there is still some good in him.oLittle or no emphasis on repentance.o Only a vague understanding of the need for strict obedience to God’swill.oDoubts about the literal accuracy and inerrancy of the Bible.oA strong desire for signs and visible confirmation of God’s power, andeven his existence.oA strong emphasis on earthly success and personal prosperity.oA belief in the need for high self-esteem.oAn emphasis on God’s love which omits, or refuses to accept, that hislove also includes judgment and retribution.oA desire to find common ground with other religions and religiousgroups.oAn emphasis on the need to solve the world’s problems through social programmes and similar initiatives.oA denial or rejection of the need to fear God (in the true Biblical sense).oThe use of non-Biblical or worldly music and modes of worship.oThe use of introspective contemplation and creative visualization.oA rejection of the principle that the heart is deceitful above all things anddesperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9).oA refusal to accept that hell is an actual place of torment.oA marked reluctance to judge and condemn sin in a Biblical manner.

oA rejection of the Biblical principle of separation, that is non-associationwith unbelievers in a manner consistent with Christian charity.oBelief that it is possible to be saved without undergoing a fundamentalchange in outlook. None of these are Biblical. Each and every one of them distorts or misrepresents theWord of God. But they all have one thing in common – they cater to man’s lazinessand his smug conviction that God is so loving that He will indulge our faults.They are also consistent with New Age philosophy which emphasizes man’screativity, man’s autonomy, man’s fundamental goodness, the universal brotherhoodof man, and the concept that God is love-without-judgment and universal father of all. It is difficult to understand how a true born-again Christian can depart so far from theGospel of Christ. Churches which follow these principles are trying to be positive andup-beat, more in tune with the modern age, and more inclusive in their treatment of other viewpoints and beliefs. They don’t want to emphasize the differences betweentheir beliefs and those of other denominations and creeds. Rather, the emphasis is placed instead on the elements that they have in common (or appear to have incommon). The accent is on applied theology, on finding those elements of Christ-ianity which seem of greatest practical benefit in one’s daily life and disregarding therest.This is pick-and-mix Christianity. It looks Scriptural because the elements that have been selected are Scriptural (or appear to be), but it is in reality a false Gospel becauseit leaves out much that is essential in the life of every truly born-again Christian.The Bible states again and again that we must observe and honour

all

that God hasrequired of us, not just the elements we find appealing:O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep

all

my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and withtheir children for ever! (Deuteronomy 5:29)Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and mystatutes, according to

all

the law which I commanded your fathers, andwhich I sent to you by my servants the prophets. (2 Kings 17:13) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions andoffences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned;

and avoid them

.For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly;and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.(Romans 16:17-18)Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when

they will not endure sound doctrine

; but after their own lusts shall theyheap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn awaytheir ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.(2 Timothy 4:2-4)

No one likes to be told that they have erred, that they have turned down a side roadand are heading into the wilderness. This is why we must be good Bereans and testeverything against Scripture. And there is nothing scriptural about a pick-and-mixgospel. Even if its component parts are scripturally sound (or appear to be), the gospelis false because it is inconsistent with the rest of Scripture.Who are we speaking about here? Well, the list is long, so we name just a fewoffenders:

Churches / Movements

The Alpha MovementChristian YogaDominion TheologyThe Emerging ChurchThe Hebrew Roots MovementThe Latter Rain MovementThe Purpose-Driven ChurchRenovare / Lectio Divina / Labyrinth / EmmausSpiritual FormationThe Willow Creek ChurchThe Word-Faith Movement

Writers / Preachers / Leaders

Tony CampoloKenneth CopelandRichard Foster Kenneth HaginBenny HinnBill HybelsCS LewisBrennan ManningBrian McLarenDonald Miller Sue Monk KiddHenri NouwenEugene PetersonRobert Schuller Neale Donald WalschRick WarrenDallas WillardJohn Wimber William Paul Young.These lists are indicative only. The number of Christian leaders, preachers and writerswith a selective, pick-and-mix gospel is simply legion.