Understanding Christianity and the New Age Movements and Religions

To understand the connection between the “New Age” religions and Christianity is quite often a daunting, but necessary task. Christians need to be well aware of the New Age movement and how it affects their belief system and Christian Theology. For the purpose of this article, I will refer to Anthroposophy and Theosophy as part of the “New Age”. As it has been highlighted, Steiner was a known Theosophist before creating Anthroposophy. He attempted to intertwine Christian theology into his Anthroposophical religious system. It is not uncommon for Anthroposophists, Theosophists and Steiner advocates to state Steiner was a Christian, or that their beliefs incorporate Christianity, therefore aligning themselves with Christians. However, as we shall see briefly here, this is nothing more than a deception to the truth of traditional Christianity and theology. Please note the material here is by no means exhaustive.

In previous articles, we have explored Steiner’s roots and philosophies related to life and education and in particular, Theosophy. This is relevant because we have already discovered that Anthroposophy is somewhat based on Theosophy and goes back to Gnosticism and eastern "wisdom". To further understand Steiner’s view and philosophy on life and education, it is important to examine quick facts about the Theosophical Society. As highlighted by Martin (2002, p. 280) in his book “Kingdom of the Cults”, these facts are:

  1. Theosophy teaches a pantheistic, impersonal Supreme Being
  2. Jesus Christ is not unique: Jesus is the reincarnated being separate from “Christ.” All men become christs.
  3. Mahatmas or Masters communicate esoteric truths through reincarnated emissaries, of whom Madame Blavatsky and Annie Besant are among the few.
  4. Theosophy draws its authoritative teachings from Hindu, Buddhistic, and early Gnostic sources. The Bible is used minimally to proof-text preconceived Theosophical notions
  5. Reincarnation is the way of salvation.

Walter Martin (2000, p. 289), signifies that from a biblical perspective, there is much evidence which separates God forever from the pantheistic God of Theosophy. This evidence includes:

  1. God remembers. “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins” (Isaiah 43:25)
  2. God creates. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1)
  3. God knows i.e., He has a mind. “The Lord Knoweth that that are his” (2 Timothy 2:19). “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord” Jeremiah 29:11).
  4. God is a personal spirit. “ I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect” (Genesis 17:1.
  5. God has will. “Lo, I come to do thy will, O God” (Hebrews 10:9).

When we attempt to understand and explain Anthroposophy, it is wise to acknowledge its complexity and often multiple diversities. Put simply, one can research and explore Anthroposophy for some time and still come up without a complete understanding of the Steiner movement. For the lay follower, I can only imagine how hard this may be. According to Anthroposophical followers, humans have been reborn many times but have reached the point where they have forgotten their spiritual origins and have become lost in the material world. The connection with Gnosticism makes it hostile to earthy pleasures. Steiner believes the human being consists of three entities: The body, the soul and the spirit. If the soul is too closely bound to earthy pleasures, it will be reincarnated in a new body and will not be able to reach the higher worlds where it will eventually be aligned with the spirit. Similarly, in Ahern’s book ‘Sun at Midnight’ (1999, p. 17) he states,” through improving their karma in spiritual struggle, followers think they will be in a purer inner state, when as they suppose, they are reborn.” In essence, Anthroposophy ‘lives within people’.

Often, I hear many Anthroposophists commenting that Anthroposophy is nothing like Theosophy (to form an argument). Although there are many differences, it is clear that there are also many similarities. Karma, reincarnation, soul work, astral worlds and astral traveling are only just a few. A careful review of Anthroposophy (through such books as “Sun at Midnight” by Geoffrey Ahern), give a basic foundation to any reader looking to understand Anthroposophy from a critical viewpoint. To find out more about Anthroposophy (from a Christian perspective) one also only needs to ‘Google” it with certain key words such as cult or Christianity. However, the resulting information can often be confusing for the lay Christian, given the current debate on this subject. For the Christian, reading much of the Waldorf literature available will help, as long as the reader has a firm basis and understanding in Christian Theology and knowledge. According to all traditional Christians, this means acknowledging that the Bible is the only true Word of God.

On another note, many Christians lay claim to the fact that Anthroposophy has helped them become better Christians. Again, an examination of the man Steiner was (and claimed to be) may prove useful in deciding if this is possible or acceptable from a biblical point of view. As highlighted by several leading Christian theologians, the trouble becomes clear and questions are raised when Christians don’t accept the Bible as the true and only Word of God, but look at other ways of creating spiritual experience, knowledge and understanding.

Importantly, according to Christian theology, there is one major event that should forever removed all possibilities of realising Christian fellowship with Theosophists and Anthroposophists. As detailed by Martin, (2000, p. 295) the resurrection of Christ and its subsequent effect on all mankind is proof that God exists, that Christ is his Son, and that the redemption of all believers is assured by His personal triumph over the grave (1 Corinthians 15, Acts 1:3). In essence, “The resurrection of Jesus Christ and, for that matter, the resurrection of all mankind leave no room for the Theosophical dogma of concurrent reincarnations.” Martin (2000, p. 295). There is no doubt this is also true for Anthroposophy.

The Bible in Romans 5:67; Hebrews 9:26; 10:12 clearly tells the Christian that Christ died to fully redeem, and that reincarnation is not man’s destiny nor is it God’s plan for perfecting the souls of all men. For further clarification, Hank Hanegraaff from Christian Research Institute also clearly sums up the biblical perspective in relation to reincarnation very succinctly. “Few people today are surprised when they hear someone claiming to have lived before. Thanks to celebrities like Shirley MacLaine, reincarnation has become a household word. Additionally, she numbers among those who maintain that even the Bible espouses reincarnation. But just how accurate is that assertion?

Reincarnation asserts that death is but an intermediary stage in a cycle where the eternal soul passes from one physical body to another. This cycle of death and rebirth continues until the person finally attains a state of utter perfection. For many, this includes becoming "one with the universe." Can such a view be found within the pages of the Scriptures? The answer is an emphatic NO! Reincarnation blatantly opposes the message of God's Word. It is essentially an attempt to bootstrap one's way out of this world, a system of works righteousness condemned by Scripture. "(God) saved us," Paul wrote to Titus, "not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy" (Tit. 3:5; cf. Eph. 2:8-9). Furthermore, reincarnation does away with the uniqueness and sovereignty of Christ. No longer is Jesus "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29) nor the Messiah pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities (Isa. 53; cf. John 1:41). Instead, the eyes of reincarnation see human beings as healers of their own wounds, arduously striving to settle a debt Christ had already paid in full.

Reincarnation is especially dangerous because it denies the reality of eternal torment resulting from the rejection of God's gift of salvation. It peddles the message that there remain countless chances to try harder and do better during upcoming lifetimes. In contrast, the Bible explicitly teaches that "it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment" (Heb. 9:27-28). There are no second chances. There is no coming back.

Scripture tells us that upon death "the spirit returns to God who gave it" (Ecc. 12:7), that "to be away from the body" is to be "at home with the Lord" (2 Cor. 5:8). Indeed, the Christian's hope rests not on the reincarnation of the soul, but in the resurrection of the body (1 Cor. 15:42-55).”

Even in these brief examples, we can see crucial differences between the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ and the impersonal God of Theosophy and in essence, Anthroposophy. Similarly, as Martin highlights, the “….pantheistic views of the deity are drawn from the deadly trinity of Hinduism, Buddhism and Gnosticism. And one wonders why Theosophy even attempts to use Christian terms at all, except when it is realised that it is easier to reach the Western mind in terms of the Christian religion than in the language of Hinduism, Buddhism and Gnosticism.”

According to Eaton (2002, p. 69) “The goals of the New Age Movement and Christianity have a lot in common: however, they are two different ways of obtaining similar goals (e.g. a new world in which there is unity, love, peace, healing a benevolent hierarchy, etc).” Similarly, Eaton, a world-renowned cult expert (and Senior Christian Pastor) states that New Agers “… see themselves as advanced in consciousness, rejecting Judeo–Christian values and the Bible in favour of Oriental philosophies and religion.” In a nutshell, the new-age movement shares a common belief that all is one, believing that everything exist together and composes one essential reality or substance. As Eaton clearly portrays, “This ultimate reality is identified as God, usually seen as an in personal consciousness and power. This is basically the Hindu concept of the monistic pantheism: “Everything Is God,” and stands in contrast to the nature and character of a personal God as seen in the person of Jesus Christ.” It is interesting to note that the new age movement has incorporated the Christ as one of many gods, in essence demeaning him as being a mere avatar and revealer of truth. In reality, as highlighted by Eaton, the Lord Jesus Christ is relegated to the role of a demi-god or one of many equally good ways to find truth.

Interestingly, and clearly highlighted by Eaton (2000, p. 76), one of the more common ways that the new age has penetrated Western society is through astrology. Although we are told not to place God’s creation before God, it is clear astrology is more related to idolatry and in essence demonology. In the Bible, we are told not to worship the sun or the moon (Deuteronomy 17:2-5). Again, Isaiah 47: 13-14 clearly highlights this and it becomes crystal clear a choice must be made. “Let them come forward now and save you, those who analyse the heavens, who study the stars and announce month by month what will happen next…They will not save their lives from the power of the flame.

If the reader is interested, there are multitudes of references clearly detailing how New Age religions perpetrate to be like, or as Christianity. In reality, this is far from the truth and Christians need to be very careful how New Age religions (or belief systems) such as Anthroposophy and Steiner weave their beliefs into Christianity, therefore making them believable or credible to many uninformed or lay Christians. It would also not be unfair to acknowledge that some well respected theologians need to be far more aware and vigilant of how easy it can be for anyone (including themselves) to be seduced away from the truth of the Word of God from the Bible, in search of ‘spiritual enlightenment”. The fact is, on deeper exploration, New Age religions are nothing like Christianity and Christian readers must be very careful about what they read, believe and listen to.

On a final note, Craig Branch has an article that may be of interest to all parents on the New Age movement in schools. Although unique to America, it has implications for both Australia and in particular, Waldorf schools (which get a mention). In summary, this article infers that “Public schools and children in America have become strategic targets for conversion to the ideology of the New Age movement. It can be conclusively demonstrated that occult, New Age philosophy and practices have been integrated into public educational curricula and programs” (http://www.equip.org/free/DN118.htm).