The “New Age” is not new. It existed in the Early Church. John’s Epistles were written, in part, to counteract this thinking. New Age is Gnosticism. There was even gnostic gospel to explain this thought. Simply, everyone has divine sparks within them. It is simply a matter of discovering it. In other words, there is no sin. It is just a matter of ignorance. We must discover that we all are God. Thus, everyone is a potential Christ.
The Apostel John makes it clear that there is only one Christ and Jesus is the Christ:
Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. (1 John 2:22-23)
Here is an example of New Age deception in translations of the Bible:
KJV — Matthew 21:42, “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?”
1984 NIV — Matthew 21:42, “Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ” ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
2011 NIV — Matthew 21:42, “Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
Notice that Jesus is referred to as the cornerstone in the KJB and as the capstone in the 1984 NIV, which became a very popular Bible translation for evangelicals. This glaring error was corrected in the 2011 NIV (along with some other unfortunate changes which we cannot go into here.)
What is the difference between cornerstone and capstone? The capstone is the idea that Jesus achieved divinity after much struggle and that we can do the same. This thinking is part of the teachings of the New Age and certain secret societies. In other words, this is Luciferianism. Luciferianism is Satanism with a more deceptive name. (Lucifer is supposed to be the light bearer.)
We remember the Garden of Eden narrative. Satan, or Lucifer, said that we could be like God by obtaining secret wisdom. He is still selling this idea today. People who follow him are supposed to be enlightened. The reality is that their minds have been darkened by Satan’s deception.
In Christianity, Jesus is our foundation. We measure our life by him. We align ourselves to his standards and not the standards of this world or of the dark world of Satan. Jesus is the only hope we have of entering the Kingdom of God. In fact, he is the only way to God the Father:
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:5-7)
The so-called secret knowledge of Satan is not the wisdom of God. God’s wisdom. In the Book of James, we read:
If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. (James 1:5)
Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. (James 3:13-18)
Satan builds up our ego with false doctrine, telling us that we are God, only to tear us down by accusing us of failing to follow God’s law. That is the game he plays. Let us reflect upon what the Apostle Paul teaches in contrast:
For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:19-21)
There are New Age preachers in the Church today telling us that all we have to do to overcome any adversity is to say “I am”. We are not the great I AM. Jesus has overcome for us. In him, we have our victory over Hell and death.
Preaching the Lectionary 