New Age author Shirley MacLain expressed a very common sentiment when she wrote: "I found myself thinking a great deal about what was going wrong in the world. You can't avoid it when you actually see the destitution, the starvation, the hatred. I began traveling when I was nineteen, and now, at mid-forty, I could objectively say things had steadily progressed downhill."
Similarly, people everywhere are tired of religious hypocrisy and falsehood. They are frustrated by the negligence and inadequacy of governments. They are alarmed by the perceived casual attitudes and blunders of the medical establishment. And many are victimized by racist or sexist bias and bigotry.
Many of the concepts embraced and promoted by the New Age movement promote mental and physical well-being as well as good nutrition, exercise, relaxation, a natural approach to health care and a concern and awareness for the environment, all of which are highly important to the success of whole and balanced living.
Today, as more people become disillusioned with conventional health care, realizing that more often than not it teaches that pain means sickness, treating it as a powerful enemy, and assaulting the symptoms with prescription medicines that usually either mask, or drive the problem underground - a practice that usually means it will resurface later with increased complications.
Author of the book Healthy Healing, Linda Page, reports that naturopathy is increasingly becoming the most popular choice of health care options. Why? Because naturopathy is seen as offering the best combination of both orthodox and natural medicine. They are well trained in therapeutic nutrition, and psychological counseling, subjects not required in traditional medical school.
At the same time they usually also have an educational background similar to that of a conventional M.D., and because of this they may even work in conventional hospitals and are more likely to be accepted by the medical establishment than other alternative practitioners.
Finally, naturopathy teaches that not every problem requires costly, major medical attention. A sensible and thus 'whole' and balanced lifestyle, with good healthy food, regular exercise and restful sleep is still the best medicine and that knowledge is still the best prescription.
Today health care is making a shift from the emphasis on disease treatment to focus on disease prevention. We should be respectful to the vast field of medical options. It's just that most of us don't realize we have a choice. Yet, how can we fully enjoy life with the prospect of sickness and death hanging over our heads? Can plausible solutions to these problems be given? From what source?
Admittedly, conventional religion has not relieved the general spiritual starvation. One newspaper only denounced the "failure of the church to reach out to those feeling isolated, untouched, unloved." The newspaper described modern religion as bland, "robbing the individual of any sense of a direct encounter with God."
An Ancient Sacred Book of Future Answers
Many nominal Christian religions have altered Bible truths. Likewise, many New Age doctrines are also contrary to Bible teachings. Take, for instance, the New Age idea that humans can bring an absolute cure to earth's problems. The Bible clearly states at Jeremiah 10:23: "It is not within the power of man to map his life and plan his course."
Another scripture says: "Salvation belongs to Yahweh." - Psalm 3:8. The bible does not teach that humans have an immortal soul that lives as an independent entity, separate from the body. According to the scriptures, the soul dies, and death marks the end of all thought and activity. (Numbers 23:10; 35:11; Ecclesiastes 9:5,10) This is the exact opposite of the New Age concept of reincarnation.
According to the Bible, communication with the dead is impossible and any alleged communication with the dead is actually communication with demons - spirit enemies of God and humanity. God's law made the practice of spiritism, including every form of divination, astrology, and mediumship, a capital offense. - Leviticus 19:31; 20:6, 27; Deuteronomy 18:10-12. The Bible contains true spiritual healing. It has a body of teachings that help Christians to get in touch with their inner self and transform their personality. (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Ephesians 4:21-24) It teaches self-discipline, soundness of mind, and respect for self and others.
The Bible supplies spiritual light and the hope of a totally renewed and restored earth as promised by God: "'Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them, and he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.' And the One seated on the throne said: 'Look! I am making all things new.' Also, he says: 'Write, because these words are faithful and true.'" - Revelation 21:3-6.
The Bible puts us in touch with the highest power in the universe, our Creator. (Acts 17:24-28) It shows that by putting faith in the ransom sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ, humankind may attain to everlasting life on the renewed and completely restored earth. (Romans 6:23) It provides satisfying answers to such questions as: Why has God permitted so much suffering? Who are the powerful entities in the invisible realm? Are they responsible for much of the so-called paranormal phenomena?
For the future, the Bible promises perfect health and everlasting life and a perfectly restored and renewed earth of peace and harmony, with a clean environment. (Isaiah 33:24; 2 Peter 3;13) In that new world, humans will undoubtedly increase their knowledge and, under God's direction, unravel many mysteries about the human body, our planet, and the rest of the universe. All of this will be accomplished by the power of Jehovah (Yahweh), a God who loves humanity.
When The Real New Age Comes
The Bible teaches that these blessings are available to all. (Proverbs 4:18; 19) It is not possible to subscribe to unscriptural beliefs and at the same time believe in the Bible. - 1 Corinthians 3:18-20; 10:18-22; James 4:4. We here, at The New Earth Concept avoid becoming involved with the unscriptural elements of the New Age movement and acknowledge that sound perception and reasonableness are needed.
It should be acknowledged that the "New Age" label has come to be widely used for things that did not originate with the New Age movement and that may not necessarily be unscriptural at all. This is true especially in the concept of holistic health, herbology, homeopathy, naturopathy, organic nutrition, world culture, art and New Age/world music.
We take discernment and balance while avoiding anything contradictive to the Bible. Proverbs 14:15 wisely says: "Only a simpleton believes what he is told! A prudent person checks to see where he is going."
We
Accept:
We
Reject:
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