Christianity and the New Age Movement

Originally Posted by TeeHee

1. What are any distinctions between Christianity and the New Age Movement?

I think one of the main differences between Christianity and The New Age would probably be focus. But even that may not be accurate, because both movements have such huge variations. I was raised with "New Age" philosophy by my parents, but later became attracted to Christianity after hearing about Jesus teachings. I discovered very quickly that what passes for Christianity in the 21st century bears little or no resemblance to what Jesus actually taught and practiced. I think Jesus very much focused on practical Love and action, and not so much on theory. IMO both Christians and New age people tend to focus too much on theory instead of the practical issues of loving each other.
I liked what Mayflow said earlier that there should not be any difference between sincere seekers, whether they be "Christian" or New age.

2. How do they relate to each other? Do they contradict each other or compliment each other?

I think Christianity focuses more on recognising our problems and actively making changes, whereas New Age philosophy is more like "just flow with the universe, everything is as it should be" even when things are obviously going wrong!

3. I often find that Scriptures must be reinterpreted or rejected in order to conform with New Age thought. So the next question is, how do you determine what Scriptures are to be rejected and which ones are to be supported? An example of this can be found in John 14:16.

I assume you are talking about John 14:06? Which is a verse frequently quoted by fundamentalists in order to cut out "unbelievers" from salvation.
However there is a possible alternate interpretation which is more universal, which is that while Jesus is "The Way" and that does not mean that people necessarily have to know that he is the way, in order to walk through it.
You see the Bible talks of Jesus dying for the whole World.

1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Luke 3:6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Maybe everyone who loves is "saved" already?

Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment.
Mar 12:31 And the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

When people naturally do these things, do they really need to know the theory?

John 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
(11) These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and [that] your joy might be full. (12) This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
1John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God. (8) He that loves not knows not God; for God is love.

1 John 3:17 "whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
(18) My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth".

Probably too many quotes. Sorry. But I guess I'm just trying to get the point across that Jesus was teaching all about love and people who take his name and don't give a **** about anybody else do not really represent him.

4. Do you consider yourself a New Age Christian? If so, how do you distinguish yourselves from "conservative" Christians? And if you are a Christian how do you distinguish yourself from New Ageism?

I don't think I need to. We are all seekers on a journey together. Organised religion seems to be more about political power and control than really finding enlightenment. Jesus taught that in order to be "great" you must become the servant of all!

5. How do you handle arguments in reference to scriptural meaning, that is when encountering the other side, Christian or New Age?

Not sure how to answer this question. It seems very broad. I think I would need to look at each "argument" independently.

6. Last Question, as a New Age follower who do you draw from as your most inspirational author? example Shirley Maclaine. Same question to Christians, I'm looking for Authors of an extrabiblical nature.

Tolstoy, Mohandas Gandi. ??