Deception within the church. The prosperity gospel and New Thought. Pt.3

Deception within the church. The prosperity gospel and New Thought. Pt.3

While New Thought claims its beginnings in the first century their major focus lies in the gains made in the power of Universalism in the 1800’s. Universalism is the view that all human beings will ultimately be restored to a right relationship with God. There are no penalties, no condemnation no matter what you believe. Universalism is labeled under many names like Unity, Unitarian, Universalist, Liberal Christianity, Progressive Christianity and Spiritualism.

David Vitale, contributor to the book “The Secret” states, “New Thought gives us the ability to transcend reality, into a divine degree, to create magic and miracles.” He claims the book “The Secret” was designed specifically to introduce the Law of Attraction and New Thought theosophy. This stands in direct opposition to God and his role as The only Creator. Mr. Vitale is not alone in this theology.

“We are creative beings, our thoughts, ideas and beliefs are a catalyst for a creative law that responds to us” says Rev. Dr. Kristin Hawkins. She continues, “The essence of the universe desires and wills to say “yes” to us.” This philosophy places the human being in total control of the universe. This is replacing God with You!

The replacement of God with humans at the control is exactly the desire Satan wants us to have. This begins in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:5 “In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” This sentiment is echoed by New Thought guru Mary Baker Eddy when she explains ‘Affirmative Consciousness’.

Mary Baker Eddy established the Church of Christ Scientist and The Christian Science Monitor, a global newspaper that has won seven Pulitzer Prizes. She wrote and published the movement’s textbook, ‘Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures’ and 15 other books. She started several weekly and monthly magazines—the Christian Science Sentinel, The Christian Science Journal, and The Herald of Christian Science.

The endless accolades for Ms. Eddy only proves the point made in scripture. That Satan can bring you the kingdoms of the world (Matthew 4:8-9) and then you will die spiritually. Romans 1:25 tells us about this, “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen.”

One of Eddy’s students, Rev. Maureen Bass, tells us about her prayer life. She says, “I don’t ask God for my life to good. I affirm that my life IS good.” Since when does a mere human tell The Almighty God what is good? This does not sound like prayer at all. This is blasphemy at its finest! How can you justify this type of behavior?

Looking at another student of New Thought (and of Ms. Eddy) we see Bishop Carlton Pearson explain this situation. “There is no right or wrong, just decisions made and subsequent sequences to their manifestation.” ~ Pearson. This is without a definite line in the sand of what is acceptable to God and what is not acceptable. This is a deadly theology.

The lack of penalty for sinful behavior is the fuel for this self-affirming and self-promoting religiosity. Pearson goes on to say, “They {heaven and hell} are not ‘places’ they are spaces within your mentality. You can experience your divinity of heaven or hell here in this dimension of your mind.” I can only guess that Pearson has not yet completely read the Bible, or Revelation specifically.

 

Here is proof of a real Heaven:

• Isaiah 65:17 “For I will create a new heaven and a new earth; the past events will not be remembered or come to mind.”
• 2 Peter 3:13 “But based on His promise, we wait for the new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will dwell.”
• Revelation 21:1 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed.”

 

Here is proof of a real hell:

• Matthew 5:29 “If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”
• Matthew 10:28 “Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
• Matthew 23:33 “Snakes! Brood of vipers! How can you escape being condemned to hell?”

It is not mentioned by the New Thought crowd specifically, but the evidence is overwhelming, they seek fame and fortune. In Genesis 11:4, the Tower of Babel is the epicenter for the glorification of man and self-promotion.  “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky. Let us make a name for ourselves.” And who do you think planned and fueled this project? Yep, you guessed it, Satan’s own construction company.

Satan is, as we know, the father of all lies. (John 8:44) We also know that he wants to imitate the actions of God while deceiving us completely. In Exodus 3:14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.” This is now the catch phrase for the New Thought crowd. “I am” and they fill in the blank afterwards.

When God calls himself the I AM what he is saying is “הָיָה hayah (haw-yaw) v. to come into being, i.e. to happen, to occur.” God tells Moses that the reason things in this world exist is that He exists first. It is not within our human ability to make things exist. Before you argue the ideas that you can build something out of wood or have a baby, trust me when I say, if God doesn’t want that to happen it will not. That is a discussion for another time.

This “creating something out of nothing” or just by thinking positively that “this is the way things will be” mirrors the lies of the Big Bang Theory and evolution. All three deny the need or existence of God. Wally “Famous” Amos says New Thought is “tuning into a vibration that circles the earth and is all about thoughts creating our lives”. This is, in actuality, nothing more than transcendentalism.

The core belief of transcendentalism is in the inherent goodness of people and nature. Adherents believe that society and its institutions have corrupted the purity of the individual, and they have faith that people are at their best when truly “self-reliant” and independent. Again denying the need for God as our provider and protector.