Discovering the New Age Movement / New World Order, Part Three
Submitted by Craig “Lee” Dorsheimer
This is the third installment of this introductory series. My intention is to provide a brief overview, not an all encompassing article. The NAM/NWO is too large to contain in one article. You may view the first part here and the second part here if you’ve not read them previously.
False Ecumenism / Religious Plurality
In its best usage, ‘ecumenism’ is a movement of unity among Biblical Christian denominations.[1] I would call this true ecumenism. However, a push to unite all churches who call themselves ‘Christian’ including the overtly new age Unity Church[2] among others, I would call false ecumenism. Further, the attempt to unite Biblical Christianity to any other non-Christian faith I would term false ecumenism. Unfortunately, the practice of much of the attempted unity today is a false kind and the term ‘ecumenism’ is used for this movement.
The term ‘pluralism’ according to dictionary.com is, “a social organization in which diversity of racial or religious or ethnic or cultural groups is tolerated.”[3] So, here I deal strictly with the religious aspect of pluralism in religious pluralism. While it is certainly alright to tolerate other religious views, (although evangelism is our goal) we are not to attempt to unify at the expense of the purity of Biblical Christianity.
Recall that one of the goals of the New Age movement is a syncretism of all religions. Since Biblical Christianity is problematic to New Agers with its insistence on one way to salvation – through Jesus Christ – the only way to merge with this movement is to modify the message. In the Alice A. Bailey esoteric/occultic book From Bethlehem to Calvary she – actually Tibetan Master DK (Djwhal Khul) who channeled through her[4] – states:
Christianity will not be superseded. It will be transcended, its work of preparation being triumphantly accomplished, and Christ will again give us the next revelation of divinity.
…Can there not be revelations of God utterly unprecedented, and for which we have no words or adequate means of expression? The ancient mysteries, so shortly to be restored, must be re-interpreted in the light of Christianity, and readapted to meet modern need…[5] [Emphasis Mine]
Compare this to some statements by Mike Bickle[6] [currently of the International House of Prayer[7] (IHOP)] formerly of Kansas City Fellowship[6, 8] (KCF); Bob Jones, formerly one of the “Kansas City Prophets”[6] of KCF; and, Rick Joyner of MorningStar Ministries[9]:
“The Lord said simply, ‘I will change the understanding and expression of Christianity in the earth in one generation.’” [10] (Mike Bickle; Growing in the Prophetic) [Emphasis mine]
“They themselves will be that generation that’s raised up to death itself underneath their feet…a Church that has reached the full maturity of the god-man!…This generation of young people that are coming are going to see the beginning of the worldwide new order…It is going to change the expression of Christianity in a generation.”[11, 12, 13] (Bob Jones; Kansas City Fellowship Interview tape with Mike Bickle, 1988 as quoted by Jewel van der Merwe {Grewe}) [Emphasis mine]
“What is about to come upon the earth is not just a revival or another awakening; it is a veritable revolution. This vision was given in order to begin awakening those who are destined to radically change the course and even the very definition of Christianity.”[14] (Rick Joyner The Harvest) [Emphasis mine]
And, during Todd Bentley’s “commissioning” service on June 23, 2008, Bill Johnson[15] said:
…We shape the course of history by partnering with you giving honor where it’s due. You welcome the glory as well as anybody I’ve ever seen in my life – I long to learn from you in that and I bless you. And, I pray with the rest of these that the measure of glory would increase, that Moses would no longer be the high water mark with the glory shown from his face but instead the revelation of the goodness of God would change the face of the church. And that he would use your voice, he would use your grace, your anointing, to alter the face of the Church before the world…[16] [Emphasis mine]
Has ‘the expression of Christianity’ and ‘the face of the church’ changed? Will it in the future?
8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. [Hebrews 13:8 NIV]
27But you remain the same and your years will never end [Psalms 102:27 NIV]
19God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should change his mind [Numbers 23:19 NIV]
“On October 13, 2007, …138 Muslim scholars and clerics sent an open letter ‘to leaders of Christian churches, everywhere.’”[17] So began Loving God and Neighbor Together: A Christian Response to A Common Word Between Us and You – a document signed by ‘Christian leaders’ in answer to this open letter.[18] On the home page of A Common Word, “…Thus despite their differences, Islam and Christianity not only share the same Divine Origin and same Abrahamic heritage, but the same two greatest commandments.”[19]
In an apparent effort not to offend, the ‘Christian leaders’ brought reproach upon Jehovah God. This response sent back to Muslim scholars and clerics references “the Prophet Muhammad” [yes that’s a capital ‘P’ Prophet] and refers to God as “the All-Merciful One.” I don’t recall this as one of the names listed for Jehovah God in my Bible. In addition, Jesus Christ, while mentioned a few times, is never referred to as the Son of God or Savior – again in an effort not to offend.
32Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. [Matthew 10:32-33 NIV]
13…Do not invoke the names of other gods; do not let them be heard on your lips. [Exodus 23:13 NIV]
Here is a quote from “A Christian Response:”
When Freedom to worship God according to one’s conscience is curtailed, God is dishonored, the neighbor is oppressed, and neither God nor neighbor is loved [17] [Emphasis mine]
While Jehovah God – the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – gives us all free will to choose to love Him or not, He IS dishonored when we choose not to love Him. And, to truly love our neighbor is to evangelize in hopes of their salvation.
4For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. [Deuteronomy 4:23 NIV]
One more quote from the “Christian Response:”
Abandoning all “hatred and strife,” we must engage in interfaith dialogue as those who seek each other’s good, for the one God unceasingly seeks our good. Indeed, together with you we believe that we need to move beyond “a polite ecumenical dialogue between selected religious leaders” and work diligently together to reshape relations between our communities and our nations so that they genuinely reflect our common love for God and for one another. [17] [Emphasis mine]
Following is a partial list of signatories beginning with the two individuals who were formerly speaking out against the New Age Movement referenced at the close of part two of this series: Rich Nathan, Senior Pastor, Vineyard Church of Columbus; Richard Mouw, President, Fuller Theological Seminary; Rick Warren, Founder and Senior Pastor, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA; Bill Hybels, Founder and Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church; Lynn Green, International Chairman, YWAM; David Yonggi Cho, Founder and Senior Pastor, Yoido Full Gospel Church, Seoul, Korea; Brian McLaren, [Emerging Church movement] Author, Speaker, Activist; Berten A. Waggoner, National Director, Association of Vineyard Churches; Robert Schuller, Founder, Crystal Cathedral and Hour of Power; Kim B. Gustafson, President, Common Ground; Steve Moore, President and CEO, The Mission Exchange (formerly EFMA); John M. Buchanan, Editor/Publisher, The Christian Century; Leith Anderson; President, National Association of Evangelicals; James A. Kowalski, Dean, Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, NY; David Neff, Editor in Chief and Vice President, Christianity Today Media Group.[17] There are about 250 in total.
Here’s more on Fuller Theological Seminary in which they would unabashedly promote religious pluralism as well as New Age ideals and terminology. From a newsletter from 2003 of an event co-sponsored by Calvin College and Fuller Theological Seminary:
Drawing on the resources of scholars from various parts of the world who represent diverse historical and religious experiences of religio-cultural plurality, the consultation will reflect together on its meaning for faithful Christian witness.[17] [Emphasis mine]
In the events schedule of this weekend-long conference lasting Friday through Sunday were topics on Hinduism, Islam, “Primal/traditional religions,” and others.[20] In the newsletter’s ‘Statement of Purpose:’
Since 1945 the forces of globalization have accelerated with the result that people everywhere have become conscious of the ‘world as a whole’ being bound more tightly together. At the same time they experience the “local” more intensely. This global-local dialectic is a key characteristic of globalization.
…This project focuses on religious plurality as an important element in this larger process of globalization and pluralization…[20] [Emphasis mine]
The term “global-local dialectic” is interchangeable with ‘think globally, act locally’ – very common New Age terms. What were the “forces of globalization” which began in 1945? Most likely this is referencing the birth of the United Nations in 1945 which superseded the League of Nations. The UN is “an international organization formed after World War II in 1945 to promote international peace, security and cooperation under the terms of the Charter of the United Nations.”[21] On a website detailing the “Evolution of The Great Invocation”[22] – a prayer to the Antichrist – is found the following:
The United Nations Conference on International Organization convened on April 25, 1945 in San Francisco, for five days right at the time of the Wesak. (That year the Taurus full moon fell on April 27.)[23] [Emphasis mine]
The Wesak Full Moon Ritual[24] is a celebration of the “Birth and Enlightenment of Buddha.”[25] It’s interesting that this initial meeting of the UN was held right smack in the middle of an important occultic/esoteric holiday.
The Charter of the United Nations was signed on June 26 (exactly one month after the Gemini full moon of 1945, on May 26) and enacted on October 24, 1945, with the 51 signatures representing all sections of the planet.[23] [Emphasis mine]
The Pope’s ties to the United Nations
The papacy has had close ties to the UN since its inception.[26] Pope Benedict XVI “supports robust global governance, in a fashion that has long bewildered neoconservative critics of the United Nations in the United States and elsewhere.”[26] [Emphasis mine] Prior to the Pope’s visit of April 18 of this year, the President of the UN General Assembly, Serjan Kerim anticipated that the visit would be “special” since “more than a billion Catholics in the world share many of the concerns and aspirations of the UN.”[27]
The pope and the UN secretary-general “are two eminent moral authorities in the world,” Archbishop Migliore [Celestino Migliore, the Vatican’s UN nuncio or ‘ambassador’] said noting that the UN secretary-general [currently Ban Ki-moon of South Korea] “is oftentimes referred to as the ‘secular pope.’”
…The Holy See is an international actor of rank and has an important role to play in addressing a number of major international challenges,” he said. One of those challenges, he added, is “religious interfaith dialogue, where the pope has taken important initiatives lately.
…Being at the forefront of the U.N. initiative for an alliance of civilizations,” he said, Spain was “particularly pleased with the pope’s call to interreligious and intercultural dialogue based on the dignity of the human being, which can only be of benefit to the United Nations and international community as a whole.[28] [All emphasis mine]
Is it a coincidence that the Pope’s visit to the US and the UN in New York, which commenced on the 15th of April, ended on the 20th[29] which was a full moon[30] tying into what’s known as “the Festival of the Christ?”[25] [Again, “the Christ” is actually the Antichrist.] There are three important festivals to theosophists/esotericists. The first is the “Festival of the Christ” in April, the second is Wesak in May and the third is the “Festival of Humanity” which is in June.[25] All coincide with the full moon.
The Papacy in the New Age
At the 23rd World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia on July 20, 2008 [the trip was actually 6 days total from July 15th through July 20th – note: there was a full moon on July 18] Pope Benedict XVI suggested New Age unity:[31]
“In today’s Gospel, [cf. Luke 4:21], Jesus proclaims that a new age has begun, in which the Holy Spirit will be poured out upon all humanity.”[31][Emphasis mine]
In context the Luke verse is referring to the fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1-2 – a Messianic prophetic passage. While there is no mention of the Holy Spirit being poured out in either the Luke or Isaiah verses, I concede that the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry would ultimately culminate in his death on the cross and outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Acts 2. However, this quote above sounds suspiciously similar to Latter Rain[32, 33] teaching especially when taken together with the following:
At the Mass, the pope prayed that the World Youth Day experience would be a new Pentecost for all the participants, marking a new outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.[34] [Emphasis mine]
Additionally, Pope Benedict in his push for ecumenism warned we should not let doctrine divide the Church – another aspect of Latter Rain.[35]
“…We must guard against any temptation to view doctrine as divisive and hence an impediment to the seemingly more pressing and immediate task of improving the world in which we live.”[35] [Emphasis mine]
Note that the pope uses the term ‘new age’ three times in the following short passage. Certainly, Pope Benedict must be aware of the negative implications of the term.
“…Empowered by the Spirit, and drawing upon faith’s rich vision, a new generation of Christians is being called to help build a world in which God’s gift of life is welcomed, respected and cherished — not rejected, feared as a threat and destroyed,” the Bishop of Rome affirmed. “A new age in which love is not greedy or self-seeking, but pure, faithful and genuinely free, open to others, respectful of their dignity, seeking their good, radiating joy and beauty. A new age in which hope liberates us from the shallowness, apathy and self-absorption which deaden our souls and poison our relationships.” “Dear young friends,” he urged, “the Lord is asking you to be prophets of this new age, messengers of his love, drawing people to the Father and building a future of hope for all humanity.” The world and the Church need this renewal, Benedict XVI affirmed. “The Church especially needs the gifts of young people, all young people,” he said. “She needs to grow in the power of the Spirit who even now gives joy to your youth and inspires you to serve the Lord with gladness…”[36]
And last, but not least, is the following from an article proposing on a beauty pageant for nuns. The contestants must be between the ages of 18 and 40, “and can be either full members of an order or novices.”[37] Does this mean one is no longer beautiful after age 40? Is this the line of demarcation? At least there will be no swimsuit competition and the nuns would not be wearing anything revealing according to the article. The photos will be placed on a blog and viewers can vote on their favorites.
…Father [Antonio] Rungi said that he expected many who applied to be young, attractive – and non-Italian. He said: “Do you really think nuns are all wizened, funereal old ladies? Today, it’s not like that any more, thanks to an injection of youth and vitality brought to our country by foreign girls.” He said there were nuns from Africa and Latin America who were “really very, very pretty. The Brazilian girls above all.”
…He admitted that not all Catholics were in favor of the idea. “I have had some e-mails from Christians who perhaps have not grasped the evangelizing spirit of the initiative, or the potential of the internet, which is a marvelous tool for spreading the Christian message. Unfortunately, some people still have a closed mentality.”[37][Emphasis mine]
Does this seem like effective evangelism or does this seem wrong to you dear reader? I agree the internet is “a marvelous tool for spreading the Christian message” but not in the way he’s thinking.
[1] “ecumenism.” WordNet© 3.0. Princeton University. 26 Aug. 2008. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ecumenism>
[2] <http://www.unity.org/index.php?submenu=What_we_believe&src=gendocs&ref=WeBelieve&category=About%20Us>
[3] “pluralism.” WordNet© 3.0. Princeton University. 26 Aug. 2008. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pluralism>
[4] <http://www.lucistrust.org/en/publications_store/alice_bailey_books/about_alice_bailey>
[5] Bailey, Alice A. “Introduction to Initiation.” From Bethlehem to Calvary. Lucis Trust; copyright 1937 by Alice A. Bailey, renewed 1957 by Foster Bailey; 4th paperback edition, 1989; Fort Orange Press, Inc., Albany, New York; p 20-21
[6] <http://www.ihop.org/>
[7] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Bickle>
[8] <http://www.pfo.org/growingpains.htm>
[9] <http://www.morningstarministries.org/>
[10] Bickle, Mike. Growing in the Prophetic. Creation House. Lake Mary, FL; 1996 p 30
[11] (van der Merwe) Grewe, Jewel. “False Prophets.” Discernment Newsletter. May 1990 Volume 1, No.1 <http://www.discernment-ministries.org/1990_FirstEdition.pdf page 35 (Kansas City Fellowship Interview Bob Jones with Mike Bickle 1988)
[12] (van der Merwe) Grewe, Jewel. “A New Breed.” Discernment Newsletter. June 1990 <http://www.discernment-ministries.org/NL_June1990.pdf page 45 (Kansas City Fellowship Interview Bob Jones with Mike Bickle 1988)
[13] (van der Merwe) Grewe, Jewel. “The Anointed Seed.” Discernment Newsletter. September 1990 <http://www.discernment-ministries.org/NL_Sept1990.pdf> page 5 (Kansas City Fellowship Interview Bob Jones with Mike Bickle 1988)
[14] Joyner, Rick. The Harvest <http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0883685035/ref=sib_dp_ptu#reader-link> 1993. MorningSter Publications. Charlotte, NC; back cover
[15] <http://www.ibethel.org/>
[16] Johnson, Bill. “Todd Bentley ‘Commissioning’ of June 23, 2008.” <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A05WQYi7aQ> 1:30 – 2:10
[17] <http://www.acommonword.com/index.php?lang=en&page=option1>
[18] <http://www.acommonword.com/lib/downloads/fullpageadbold18..pdf>
[19] <http://www.acommonword.com/>
[20] “Christianity and Religious Plurality in Historical and Global Perspective.” April 25-27, 2003 <http://www.fullerseminary.net/news/html/religiousplurality.asp>
[21] American Society of International Law <http://www.asil.org/resource/un1.htm>
[22] <http://www.lucistrust.org/invocation/>
[23] <http://www.souledout.org/gi/gievolution.html>
[24] <http://www.souledout.org/wesak/wesaklegend2.html>
[25] <http://www.wesak.us/articles.php>
[26] Allen, Jr., John L., “The Vatican’s Relative Truth.” The New York Times. <http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/19/opinion/19allen.html> 12/19/07
[27] “UN gets ready for Pope Benedict’s visit.” <http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/detail/9316.html> 04/11/08
[28] Stagnaro, Angelo. “Diplomats welcome Pope Benedict’s visit to United Nations.” Catholic News Service. <http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0802122.htm> 08/20/08
[29] Wooden, Cindy. “Pope says trip to U.S. was opportunity to give, receive hope, faith.” <http://www.uspapalvisit.org/stories/cns_0802384.htm> 04/30/08
[30] <http://www.farmersalmanac.com/2007-2008-full-moons>
[31] Flynn, Father John, LC. “The New Age of the Holy Spirit.” Zenit. <http://www.zenit.org/article-23347?l=english> 07/27/08
[32] <http://www.theopedia.com/Latter_Rain_Movement>
[33] <http://www.letusreason.org/Latrain7.htm>
[34] Wooden, Cindy. “Pope tells young people power of the Holy Spirit can transform world.” Catholic News Services. <http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0803760.htm> 07/20/08
[35] Wigen, Nancy. “Ecumenism ultimately points toward a common Eucharist, Pope tells Christians.” Catholic News Agency. <http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=13290> 07/18/08
[36] “Pope Prays Closing Mass Will Be New Pentecost..” World Youth Day – Cross Media. <http://wydcrossmedia.org/moduli/popupnews.php?i=602> 07/19/08
[37] Owen, Richard, “Priest Antonio Rungi wants beauty contest – for nuns.” The Times. <http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4600534.ece> 08/25/08
45 comments
Comments feed for this article
September 1, 2008 at 4:51 am
Forever young » Blog Archive » Discovering the New Age Movement / New World Order - Part Three
[…] post by DiscernIt Filed under: Youth […]
September 1, 2008 at 8:40 am
cheryl U.
Craig,
Thanks for all of your continuing work on this subject. I’m sure many will benefit by it.
September 1, 2008 at 9:56 am
Craig Dorsheimer [formerly Lee]
You’re welcome! Thanks for your comment.
September 1, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Bud Press
Years ago, many parents laughed when their children were introduced to Yoga, T.M., relaxation, and visualization techniques in the secular schools and YMCA.
Many within the “Christian bookstore” industry laughed and continued to promote and sell books written by New Age authors. The “bottom line” (money) was more important than the spiritual welfare of the innocent and unwary.
Average church-goers laughed when New Age techniques were introduced during church-sponsored retreats, outings, and seminars. They sang the praises of books written by New Age authors, and passed them around like tea and crumpets at a social event.
On the job-site, professing Christians participated in company-sponsored “Stress Reduction” seminars. They laughed under their breath and refused to speak out against it–for fear of losing their jobs.
Many pastors across the land laughed, compromised, and turned a deaf-ear to the “Stress Management” and “Christian Yoga” courses being taught in their own churches.
Years ago, many laughed and brushed-off the New Age Movement as a mere fad that would eventually fade away. But behind the scenes, the New Age slithered into every strata of our society–homes, schools, churches, bookstores, jobs, and pulpits.
But 2,000 years ago, the Apostle Paul refused to laugh when confronted with the New Age of his day. Under divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul provided the following remedy:
“Many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing” (Acts 19:18-20).
Who’s laughing now?
September 1, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Tim H
Many within the “Christian bookstore” industry laughed and continued to promote and sell books written by New Age authors. The “bottom line” (money) was more important than the spiritual welfare of the innocent and unwary.
Maybe this is why scritpure says “…the LOVE of money is the root of all evil…”
Good job Craig. Enjoyed all three articles.
September 1, 2008 at 2:49 pm
cheryl U.
Craig,
I found the article on “The Message” that I referenced on the other site. If you would like to have it, I would rather forward it to Kim and have her get it to you as I think there are some “bones” with the “meat”. While there seems to be a lot of useful info there, I don’t think it wise for me to link it here as it is. If you would like me to get it to you this way, please let me know.
September 1, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Craig Dorsheimer [formerly Lee]
cheryl,
Yes, that would be fine.
September 1, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Craig Dorsheimer [formerly Lee]
Bud,
Who’s laughing now?
Sadly, I believe many do not see the connection. They see snippets here and there yet they don’t see the bigger picture — the amount of influence there truly is within the Church.
September 1, 2008 at 3:59 pm
mbaker
“Sadly, I believe many do not see the connection. They see snippets here and there yet they don’t see the bigger picture — the amount of influence there truly is within the Church.”
Isn’t it amazing that we Christians who have been warned about all this 2000 years in advance, and by Christ Himself, are for the most part ignoring all the obvious red flags? We should be the ones who are warning folks, not having to be constantly reminded ourselves that there are real and dangerous enemies of the gospel of Christ, who will do anything to water it down and make it ineffective.
Thanks for bringing out all the interconnections. Forewarned is forearmed.
September 1, 2008 at 4:05 pm
cheryl U.
Craig,
I sent the e-mail to Kim. I also sent another couple of related links that might be helpful in further research on the subject.
September 1, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Craig Dorsheimer [formerly Lee]
mbaker,
Yes, it’s easy to see the enemy as being outside the church; but, the most effective way to win a war is to subvert the opposition from within. Wolves in sheeps clothing.
cheryl U.,
Thanks!
September 1, 2008 at 4:20 pm
cheryl U.
Craig,
One of the links I sent was a Bible study link with the ability to read parallel translations. I was just remembering that at one time, I found something that was somehow copied wrong or something on one of those sites–don’t know if it was this one or not. So I guess one has to be careful even of online Bible reading! It certainly is a complicated world we live in these days.
September 1, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Craig Dorsheimer [formerly Lee]
cheryl,
Yes, and even today’s translations (The Message is a paraphrase) have some issues with them. My preference is for the NIV; but, it refers to Lucifer in Isaiah 14:12 as ‘morning star’ which is also a reference for Jesus in other passages!
September 1, 2008 at 4:33 pm
cheryl U.
Craig,
Not sure from your comment if you understood what I meant. I was a little ambigous I think. Whatever site it was on, the passage I was reading online was different in that version than it was where I read it elsewhere in the same version. So someone had really fouled things up.
September 1, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Craig Dorsheimer [formerly Lee]
cheryl,
I understand your point about the online version differing from the printed version. It is definitely a problem if there are errors from printed to online version.
I was making a tangential point about problems with all translations in general. None of our printed Bibles are perfect in their translations from the original languages.
September 4, 2008 at 2:42 pm
cheryl U.
Craig,
I don’t remember if you have referenced this article re “The Family” in your articles or not. And I don’t have time to go back now and reread them to check. It is by Constance Cumbey and is a possible explanation of why the church at large didn’t speak out on the New Age movement.
http://www.newswithviews.com/Cumbey/constance22.htm
Kim, if this has been referenced here before, please feel free to delete this.
September 4, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Craig Dorsheimer [formerly Lee]
cheryl,
No, I’ve not yet made reference to “The Family.” I will need to REALLY study this well in order to fully post an article I know Doug Coe is part of it and he is obviously a part of the World Council or Churches (WCC) which has NGO status with the UN. See Coe’s name in this URL:
http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/interreligious/index-e.html
http://www.oikoumene.org/
This group is VERY ecumenical.
September 4, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Craig Dorsheimer [formerly Lee]
The National Council of Churches (NCC) is related somehow:
http://www.ncccusa.org/
September 6, 2008 at 3:09 pm
cheryl U.
This doesn’t exactly fit in this thread, but we touched on “The Message” earlier in regards to the NAM. I just came across this section of Romans 8 from it quoted elsewhere. I’m posting it below along with the same verses from the NASB. My question is, does anyone think Peterson is promoting Manifest Sons of God theology in these verses? (By the way, if you have the chance, read the whole of chapter 8 in a parallel version. It shows very well how he often “paraphrases” in such a way as to say something totally different, IMO, from the original).
The Message:
Romans 8
18 -21That’s why I don’t think there’s any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what’s coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.
22 -25All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it’s not only around us; it’s within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We’re also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.
New American Standard Bible
Romans 8
18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (AJ)are not worthy to be compared with the (AK)glory that is to be revealed to us.
19For the (AL)anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for (AM)the revealing of the (AN)sons of God.
20For the creation (AO)was subjected to (AP)futility, not willingly, but (AQ)because of Him who subjected it, [b]in hope
21that (AR)the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
22For we know that the whole creation (AS)groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.
23(AT)And not only this, but also we ourselves, having (AU)the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves (AV)groan within ourselves, (AW)waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, (AX)the redemption of our body.
24For (AY)in hope we have been saved, but (AZ)hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?
25But (BA)if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
What do you all think?
September 6, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Craig Dorsheimer [formerly Lee]
cheryl,
Well — I’m sure not coincidentally — I was JUST looking up the Condi Rice statement from 2006:
“What we’re seeing here, in a sense, is the growing — the birth pangs of a new Middle East.”
I knew there had to be a connection with New Age; so, I googled ‘Alice A. Bailey’ + ‘birth pangs’ and I find a quote from her The Externalisation of the Hierarchy:
The New Age is upon us and we are witnessing the birth pangs of the new culture and the new civilization. (Externalisation, p. 62)
From here:
http://www.erwm.com/EvangelicalsandNewAgers.htm
So, not only is this MSoG, this is New Age.
Birth pangs are, of course, referenced in Matthew 24:8,
September 6, 2008 at 3:42 pm
cheryl U.
Craig,
It was not only the term “birth pangs” that made me wonder, but the section here, “Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. ” But as I looked at that more, I’m not sure if that is MSOG, because as I understand that theology, the manifest sons will be the ones that release creation, not that they will be released at the same time. Whatever he meant, I don’t seen in Scripture that he, “reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready”, do you?
September 6, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Craig Dorsheimer [formerly Lee]
BTW, MSoG is all over the other Alice Bailey book I’ve been reading (very slowly so as not to become unduly influenced) From Bethlehem to Calvary. Here’s one quote:
Today God is coming closer still, and the new age will not only recognise the truth of the past revelations and testify to their validity and their progressive revelation of divinity, but to all this will be added the ultimate revelation of the Presence of God in the human heart, of Christ born in man, and of each human being manifesting in truth as a son of God.
September 6, 2008 at 3:48 pm
cheryl U.
Yeah, and people think it is actually supported by the Bible! I just don’t get it.
September 6, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Craig Dorsheimer [formerly Lee]
cheryl,
According to New Age thought, once enough people attain “Christ consciousness” then the entire human race will make the next evolutionary leap to homo universalis. Yes, this ties in with MSoG. This is what Joel’s Army is about. Those who are NOT going along with The Plan will be excised like a cancer.
I agree that Peterson’s version is not the same as at least the NASB and the NIV. It has nothing to do with our ‘readiness’ — unless you consider our salvation as ‘readiness’ which of course is the first and only step required to make it as sons of God eventually — on the other side of glory.
September 6, 2008 at 4:00 pm
cheryl U.
Have you read the rest of that chapter according to Peterson? That is only one of his nutty changes of the Word in that one small group of verses. I fear for such a man and for all that read that version and think they are reading the Bible.
September 6, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Craig Dorsheimer [formerly Lee]
I’ve now read the rest of the chapter. Yes, it is different. Besides the ‘as above, so below’ rendition of ‘on earth as it is in Heaven,’ the worst thing I’ve seen is Peterson’s paraphrase of Micah 3:5 in which he actually profanes the Lord’s name!
To my amazement, at a small group I’ve been leading it seems the consensus is that The Message is OK. 😦 I’m just dumbfounded. I’ve pointed both of the problems in the preceding paragraph plus its blatant New Age leanings and this got explained away. So sad.
September 6, 2008 at 4:17 pm
cheryl U.
Your sad smiley face isn’t nearly adequate!
I think the real kicker for me is:
Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!
Romans 15:13
Where in the world did the God of green hope come from in a Bible version???
September 6, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Craig Dorsheimer [formerly Lee]
Well, certainly not in a REAL Bible version. However, I wonder if this a reference to the ‘green’ movements which the UN backs.
September 6, 2008 at 4:37 pm
cheryl U.
For anyone who wants to know what Craig was talking about in the Micah verse he referenced above, here are these verses in the NASB and The Message:
Micah chapter 3 NASB
Mic 3:5 Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who lead my people astray; When they have {something} to bite with their teeth, They cry, “Peace,” But against him who puts nothing in their mouths They declare holy war.
Mic 3:6 Therefore {it will be} night for you–without vision, And darkness for you–without divination. The sun will go down on the prophets, And the day will become dark over them.
Mic 3:7 The seers will be ashamed And the diviners will be embarrassed. Indeed, they will all cover {their} mouths Because there is no answer from God.
Micah 3 The Message
5 -7Here is God’s Message to the prophets,
the preachers who lie to my people: “For as long as they’re well paid and well fed,
the prophets preach, ‘Isn’t life wonderful! Peace to all!’ But if you don’t pay up and jump on their bandwagon,
their ‘God bless you’ turns into ‘God damn you.’ Therefore, you’re going blind. You’ll see nothing.
You’ll live in deep shadows and know nothing. The sun has set on the prophets.
They’ve had their day; from now on it’s night. Visionaries will be confused,
experts will be all mixed up. They’ll hide behind their reputations and make lame excuses
to cover up their God-ignorance.”
I see no reason at all for changing the word war (which is according to the Thayer’s Lexicon the meaning of the word translated here) to the profanity that Peterson speaks here.
September 8, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Mary
Craig, you said:
“To my amazement, at a small group I’ve been leading it seems the consensus is that The Message is OK. I’m just dumbfounded. I’ve pointed both of the problems in the preceding paragraph plus its blatant New Age leanings and this got explained away. So sad.”
oh how I can relate to how your frustration. On another note, I was glad to read Constance Cumbey mention some christian organizations who supported her efforts to expose the new age in the church, namely InterVarsity Christian Fellowship which is near and dear to my heart. This was about the only thing I have found encouraging in all of this. Thanks for your research. Even if it may fall on deaf ears, some will listen.
September 8, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Mary
BTW, I don’t endorse everything IVPress prints. It is really sad.
September 9, 2008 at 5:16 am
Craig Dorsheimer [formerly Lee]
Thanks for your comments. Yes, I’m hoping some will listen.
We must be discerning in order to know which books are in line with scripture and which ones are not. The only way to do this is to study and learn our Bibles so that we can more easily identify the false.
September 9, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Mary
Does anyone know the name of the guy who does seminars on public TV? I caught his new age seminar today and it was disturbing.
September 9, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Kim
Mary,
You have me interested…is this on PBS? Nights?
September 9, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Mary
Kim, I found his mane on the program schedule. It was aired at 3:00 this afternoon. His name is Dr. Wayne Dyer:The Power of Intention. How each person possesses potential to cocreate the life he or she desires.
his website is http://www.wned.org
here is the program description:
“Now, Dr. Dyer brings back his enormously popular PBS special, The Power of Intention, which is based on his New York Times best-selling book of the same title. In this “must see” program, he challenges the conventional view of “intention.” Most of us think of intention as a self-achievement orientation, ego-based, which propels us to “get” what we want. This program and his book turn that thinking upside down. Dr. Dyer brings a fresh interpretation of scientific and metaphysical philosophies to his exploration of intention. Intention, he explains, is better understood as a field of energy to which every person is connected, and from which everyone of us is able to harness its infinite potential. It’s not a question of whether or not we are connected to this field of intention, because the connection already exists! The question he poses to the audience is: how capable are you of keeping your link to this field open? The program posits a very inspirational view of intention, as Dr. Dyer powerfully convinces us that we each have the potential to create absolutely everything and anything we want – when we “clean the connecting link” to our field of intention by practicing love, kindness, creativity, self-respect, abundance, receptivity, and beauty – what he calls The Seven Faces of Intention. ”
It was so sickening -he talked about sorcery as if it were noble practice. I couldn’t even watch it very long. Especially since he stated that all world belief systems including christianity teach this same basic philosophy.
September 9, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Mary
sorry that link is just a PBS site.
September 9, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Mary
I guess I have heard him mentioned but I never saw what he looked like. Really scarey stuff.
September 9, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Kim
Wow..Mary..i have heard his name many times before too. But this is really blatant.
“Metaphyscial philosophies”
“field of energy to which every person is connected, and from which everyone of us is able to harness its infinite potential.”
This is outright New Age garbage, and to say that Christianity teaches the same philosophy? What deception……
September 10, 2008 at 7:18 am
cheryl U.
Quick question, I never saw or read the book Oprah was promoting, “The Secret”, but from I have read, isn’t this a very similar concept?
September 10, 2008 at 7:44 am
Mary
Cheryl,
I noticed that Dyer coauthored a book about manifesting your desires with Ester Hicks (and Abraham the demon she channels) and Ester’s husband. Ester Hicks I believe is one of the instructors of “The Secret”. She has been featured on Oprah’s radio program. It sounds like it’s all the same philosophy from the pit of hell.
September 10, 2008 at 8:16 am
cheryl U.
Thanks Mary.
September 17, 2008 at 1:29 pm
pat holliday
here’s a whole bunch that are feeding the New Age into the church of Jesus and are fifth column agents.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/4878677/TODD-BENTLEY-Magical-DREAM-Weavers-Pastor-Patricia-King-JOHN-CROWDER-JEFF-JANSEN-and-the-new-MYSTICAL-FOLLOWERS-
September 17, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Craig Dorsheimer [formerly Lee]
pat,
Yes, and, unfortunately, many are following after them.
June 19, 2010 at 6:29 pm
Craig Lee
Here’s a recent video of Mike Bickle in which he says God explained to him what was meant by the ‘prophetic word’ “I will change the expression of Christianity in one generation.” At around 58:35 he tells how he heard the “audible voice of God,” and around 1:02:00 is the “change Christianity in one generation quote:
http://mikebickle.org/resources/resource/2932
According to Bickle this ‘word’ refers to the “wine” [obviously the ‘new wine’ which has been talked of in the Apostolic-Prophetic/NAR] which he explains to be the Tabernacle of David & all it entails and Toronto — the “holy laughter” movement at Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship (TACF) perpetrated by Rodney Howard-Browne. Of the wine Bickle states, “Some people don’t like the wine. That’s too bad…”
August 25, 2013 at 4:55 pm
Bob Jones, Mike Bickle and the Occult
[…] here: https://kimolsen.wordpress.com/2008/08/31/discovering-the-new-age-movement-new-world-order-part-three… […]