There are questions we don’t have the answers to. And there are questions that are not seeking an answer, but rather open “a wide gate” Matthew 7:13 – questions like the one posed long ago: “Has God indeed said, you shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” Genesis 3:1
A New Age of Religion is attracting many and is based on concepts that are irresistible. Like Eve, some are enticed with Lust of the Eyes, attracted by the Flesh, or by the Pride of Life. Faithful followers of Jesus Christ are seen as to rigid and narrow minded, versus the new age of religious thinking that says God would never impose an irrational boundary between us and Himself. Sometimes the lie creeps in subtly, remember “…Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of Light.” 2nd Corinthians 11:14. No matter how uplifting and innocent some religious practices appear, Christians need discernment in these “…perilous times”. 2 Timothy 3:1
We need to understand the distinctions, between the new age of religion and Biblical Christianity. The less vulnerable we are ourselves, the better able to address the confusion of people we witness to who may be earnestly seeking the truth. If we begin to understand the origin of the word “religion” its meaning is to adhere or bind. With today’s religious manifestations, faith is alluring and seductive precisely because it’s driven by propositions that bind a person to a compelling set of ideas that satisfy rationally or spiritually, but always obligate an individual to some form of works. And the common denominator in all of these “isms” is Jesus being displaced from his seat as “…Lord of Lords and King of Kings..”. Revelation 17:14 Some basic examples of this principle we can find in some of today’s religious manifestations are Jehovah Witnesses who believe Jesus is not God, Mormonism; Jesus is the half brother of Satan, Catholicism Jesus is beneath Mary, Mother and Queen of Heaven.
What exactly is this New Age of Religion? It is impossible to narrow down, but it is presented as a vast smorgasbord of beliefs and practices. Each person has his/her own ability to fill their tray with whatever assortment that fits their appetite. All is seasoned with self-centeredness and self-effort. It’s really a Have-It-Your-Way religion – thus its modern appeal. Although there are many branches ranging from meditation to lent – they come from an ancient beginning, the roots stem from the “Garden” with the residue of “…a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.” Matthew 7:18 Instead the new age of religious believers, believe that: God is in everything (pantheism), all things are one (monism), Man is God, mind creates reality and one’s own experience validates the truth, which is opposite of what Jesus said, “I am the way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6
There is a distorted definition of evil. Therefore, they (new age believers) do not accept man’s problem of sin that has separated us from God. Unfortunately, many Christians, living in the twilight of the 21st century, have either forgotten Christ’s warnings or no longer believe them. For whatever reasons, Christians, because of their ignorance, have been seduced into thinking that man-made philosophies are religiously neutral. Thus this new age of religion promises everything, it delivers nothing; and claiming to be one thing, it turns out to be something else entirely! “If any man among you seems to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is useless.” James 1:26 In the end many will be disappointed because they have chosen a different way and that way does not lead to Jesus, “…it leads to destruction.” Matthew 7:13