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"The Christ of the New Age Movement," Part One in a Two-Part Series
on New Age Christology (an article from the Christian Research
Journal, Summer 1989, page 9) by Ron Rhodes.
   The Editor-in-Chief of the Christian Research Journal is Elliot
Miller.
 -------------

    *"Who do you say I am?"* (Luke 9:20, NIV) The question was
first asked of Peter by Christ nineteen centuries ago, and has
continued since then to the present day to be the litmus test of
spiritual authenticity. Perhaps never in the history of the
Christian church has this question been more relevant than it is
today. One reason for this is that New Agers have taken the New
Testament sculpture (if you will) of Christ, crafted an
esoteric/mystical chisel, and hammered away at this sculpture until
a completely new image has been formed.

    The new sculpture is one that fits nicely on a display shelf
with sculptures of Buddha, Krishna, and other "holy men." This
Christ is broad-minded and nonjudgmental. He is a "Master" among
"Masters," who -- with the others -- is leading the human race into
a New Age of enlightenment and harmony.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

*Glossary of Key Terms*

    *Avatar.* One who "descends" into human form from above, never
having gone through reincarnation. Such a one is considered a
manifestation of divinity and seeks to reveal divine truths
especially important to a particular age.

    *Christology.* The doctrinal study of the person and work of
Jesus Christ.

    *Esoteric.* A word used to describe knowledge that is possessed
or understood only by a few.

    *Esoteric Christianity.* A mystical interpretation of
Christianity which sees its "core truth" as identical to that of
every other religion (i.e., man is divine). This approach seeks
hidden or inner meanings in Scripture.

    *Karma.* Refers to the "debt" a soul accumulates as a result of
good or bad actions committed during one's life (or past lives). If
one accumulates good Karma, he or she will be reincarnated in a
desirable state. If one accumulates bad Karma, he or she will be
reincarnated in a less desirable state.

    *Mass Incarnation.* An incarnation of the Christ in all
humanity. Some say this incarnation is now taking place on a
planetary scale, and is not unlike the incarnation of the cosmic
Christ in the body of Jesus, 2000 years ago.

    *Medium.* Traditionally, the word refers to an occultist
through whom disembodied spirits communicate. New Agers use the
word of Jesus acting as a bodily vehicle for the Christ.

    *Metaphysics.* A branch of philosophy which focuses on the
ultimate nature of reality. In New Age circles, the term has become
synonymous with the "mind science" school of thought developed by
P. P. Quimby (_see_ article) and with New Age philosophy in
general.

    *Monism.* A metaphysical theory which sees all reality as a
unified whole. Everything is seen as being composed of the same
substance.

    Note: Additional technical terms used in this article are
defined _within_ the text.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

    Fundamental to any discussion of New Age Christology is the
recognition that New Agers distinguish between Jesus (a mere human
vessel) and the Christ (variously defined, but always divine, and
often a cosmic, impersonal entity). Part One of this series will
therefore focus on the _Christ_ of the New Age, and will provide a
brief history of the various views as to his (or its) identity, his
purpose, how he aims to accomplish this purpose, and his
relationship to humanity. Part Two will focus on the _Jesus_ of the
New Age, and will address such issues as the "lost years" of Jesus
(as described by Levi Dowling, Edgar Cayce, and others), his
supposed training in Eastern/occultic concepts, his "attunement" to
the Christ, and his "New Age teachings."

    Regarding methodology, this article will anchor on two
reference points -- one primary and one secondary -- from which the
history of New Age Christology will be traced. The primary
reference point will be _Theosophy;_ the secondary reference point
will be the _teachings of Phineas Parkhurst Quimby._ We might liken
Theosophy and Quimby's teachings to two trees which grew side by
side, having been planted close to the same time (the mid to late
1800s) in the same soil, fertilized with common ingredients
(nineteenth-century transcendentalism, the philosophy of Emmanuel
Swedenborg, the influx of Hindu monism, etc.). Certainly, in many
respects these two have distinct beliefs and different goals, but
they both took root and flourished in the same mystical climate.
Taken together, these represent an appropriate starting point for
a study in New Age Christology.


*THEOSOPHY AND ITS OFFSHOOTS*

    Theosophy, founded in 1875 by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky,
teaches that each human being evolves through seven planes of
existence (the _physical_ plane, the _astral_ plane, the _mental_
plane, etc.). Each plane a person evolves through brings him or her
ever closer to union with the Absolute (God). Theosophists reason
that this process can take a very long time, hence requiring
innumerable reincarnations.

    According to "revelations" received by Blavatsky, it is not
only individuals who evolve; the human race as a whole also
evolves. So far there have allegedly been three races: the
_Lemurian,_ the _Atlantean,_ and the _Aryan._ Each of these three
(which Theosophists call "rootraces") are divided into "subraces."
Mankind is now in the third rootrace -- the _Aryan rootrace_ -- and
is about to enter the _sixth subrace_ of the Aryan rootrace.

    Theosophy teaches that at the beginning of each subrace, the
Supreme World Teacher (also known as "the Christ," the bestower of
divine wisdom) enters the body of a disciple in order to assist and
guide the spiritual evolution of man. Each "incarnation" reveals
more to man about God than the previous one. The five incarnations
of Christ in the five subraces of the Aryan rootrace were _Buddha_
(in India), _Hermes_ (in Egypt), _Zoroaster_ (in Persia), _Orpheus_
(in Greece), and _Jesus_ (at the River Jordan, where the Christ
came upon Jesus at His baptism).[1]

    Jesus is said to have volunteered his body for use by the
Christ. Annie Besant, who took over Theosophical leadership when
Blavatsky died, said: "For Him [the Christ] was needed an earthly
tabernacle, a human form, the body of a man...The man Jesus yielded
himself a willing sacrifice, 'offered himself without spot' to the
Lord of Love, who took unto Himself that pure form as tabernacle,
and dwelt therein for three years of mortal life."[2]

    Theosophists reject any suggestion that Jesus died on the cross
to pay for man's sins. Man saves himself through continual
reincarnations. This spiritual evolution leads men further and
further away from the _physical_ plane and closer and closer to
_spiritual_ planes of existence. Because of this process, every
human being -- regardless of race or religion -- is a potential
"Christ."

    Human beings who continue to evolve through reincarnation
eventually become "Masters." This is a group of formerly historical
persons who have finished their earthly evolutions and voluntarily
help _lesser_-evolved human beings to reach their level.

    Because Theosophists believe the _fifth subrace_ of the Aryan
rootrace (the subrace of _intellectual_ man) is about to give way
to the _sixth subrace_ (the subrace of _spiritual_ man), they
believe another incarnation of the Christ will soon take place.
Note that since this will be the _sixth_ appearance of the Christ
in the Aryan rootrace, it is not spoken of as the "_second_
coming."

    Annie Besant first announced the coming of this Messiah in
1906. Her aim was to groom Jiddu Krishnamurti for the role of World
Teacher or Messiah. In 1925 she claimed for this young Indian man
the title of "Messianic Leader and Reincarnation of the World
Teacher." But by 1929, Krishnamurti became convinced it was all a
mistake. On November 20 of that year, he "refused to receive
further adoration [saying frankly], 'I am not an actor; I refuse to
wear the robes of a Messiah; so I am again free of all
possessions.'"[3] Theosophy's Christ remains to appear.

    Under the leadership of Annie Besant, dissension took its toll
on Theosophy. The result of growing discontent within the Society
was a _four-pronged theological fork in the road._ Theosophy
continued along its traditional path (the _first_ prong). But
Rudolf Steiner broke away to form the Anthroposophical Society in
1912 (the _second_ prong); Alice Bailey broke away to establish the
Arcane School in 1923 (the _third_ prong); and Guy and Edna Ballard
broke away to lead the "I AM" movement in the 1930s (the _fourth_
prong). Each "prong" has made an impact on New Age Christology.


*The Christ of Anthroposophy*

    Dr. Rudolf Steiner was an active member of the Theosophical
Society and headed the German charter of the group. However, when
a Theosophical subgroup, the "Order of the Star of the East," began
promoting Krishnamurti as the new incarnation of the Christ,
Steiner threatened to expel any member of the German charter who
joined the Order. Annie Besant retaliated by cancelling Steiner's
charter. Steiner then founded the Anthroposophical Society in 1912,
and most of the German membership of Theosophy joined with him.

    Steiner's emphasis represents a significant departure from his
Theosophical roots. Instead of arguing for a Christ who
_periodically_ incarnates into individuals as each new "subrace"
begins, Steiner's emphasis is on what the Christ accomplished
through his decisive "incarnation" in the human Jesus.

    Steiner's Christology is based on his investigation into the
"Akashic Records." Occultists believe that the physical earth is
surrounded by an immense spiritual field known as "Akasha" in which
is impressed -- like a celestial tape recording -- every impulse of
human thought, will, and emotion. It therefore constitutes a
complete record of human history. Steiner claimed to be able to
"read" the Akashic Records, thus enabling him to investigate human
history without use of written records. Based on this, he
discovered that the descent of the Christ on the human Jesus was
the absolutely central event of human evolution.

    In Steiner's theology, the Christ's descent on Jesus became
necessary because man's consciousness had progressively become too
focused on the material realm and had completely lost touch with
the spiritual nature behind physical reality. The danger was that
this situation could become permanent.

    To prevent this, the Christ's _initial goal_ was to "incarnate"
into a human being (Jesus) so he could accomplish his _greater
goal_ of "incarnating" _from_ Jesus _into_ the "etheric earth."
Occultists believe an _etheric_ earth exists behind the _physical_
earth. The etheric earth is thought to be made up of a fine energy
substance from which is created the mold for every form that is
manifested in the physical plane. Every material object on the
physical plane has an etheric counterpart. All material forms in
the physical universe find their ultimate source in this energy
substance of the etheric realm. The Christ desired to enter this
etheric earth so he could bring about spiritual changes among
people living on the physical earth. But in order to transfer from
his _spiritual_ realm to the _etheric_ realm, he needed a human
instrument through which to work. This instrument was found in
Jesus.

    The Christ "incarnated" into Jesus, and three years later was
crucified. At the crucifixion, the Christ _left_ Jesus' body and
"incarnated" into the etheric earth:

     The blood flowed from the wounds of Jesus Christ. This
     blood must not be regarded simply as chemical
     substance...it must be recognized as something altogether
     unique. When it flowed from His wounds and into the
     earth, a substance was imparted to our earth which, in
     uniting with it, constituted an event of the greatest
     possible significance...this blood passed through a
     process of 'etherization'...since the Mystery of
     Golgotha, the etherized blood of Christ Jesus has lived
     in the ether of the earth. The etheric body of the earth
     is permeated by what the blood that flowed on Golgotha
     became.[4]

Because of this, "ever since the Mystery of Golgotha man lives in
a spiritual environment, an environment that has been Christianized
because it has absorbed the Christ impulse."[5]

    Having mystically entered the etheric earth via his "etherized"
blood, the Christ now seeks to "mass incarnate" into all humanity.
This will lead to man's redemption. Steiner says that the "Christ
impulse will penetrate humanity...He belongs to the whole earth and
can enter all human souls, regardless of nation and religion."[6]
This, says Steiner, is the true "second coming."


*The Christ of the Arcane School*

    Alice Bailey had been an active member in the _Esoteric
Section_ of the Theosophical Society (an inner group of trusted
members who faithfully practiced Theosophy). But she eventually
became critical of the organization's policy that one could not
become a disciple of a Master (which Bailey believed she _already_
was) unless one was notified by Annie Besant (who seemed to have
overlooked Bailey in this). This led to her dismissal from the
Society, and shortly thereafter in 1923, she and her husband Foster
founded the Arcane School.

    Like Theosophy and Anthroposophy, Bailey believed that Jesus
was a medium who allowed the Christ to use his body. But Bailey
distinguished her beliefs from Anthroposophy by arguing that the
"second coming" referred to the Christ coming in a _single_ Avatar,
not in all humanity.[7] According to Arcane thought, the Christ --
along with his disciples, the Masters -- will draw closer and
closer to humanity and eventually appear on the physical plane.
Bailey said this return necessitated three conditions that either
have already come or are currently coming to pass: (1) catastrophic
planetary conditions; (2) a spiritual awakening; and (3) a steadily
mounting invocative prayer. This last condition involves use of
_The Great Invocation,_ a prayer which is intended to speed the
reappearance of the Christ.

    Preparation for the Second Coming is hence the responsibility
of "attuned" human beings. Those who know about this Coming are to
help create conditions of "spiritual alignment" which will
ultimately draw the Christ forth into our midst. Without this, the
Christ is _impotent_ to act.

    Bailey believed the Christ will come again in a way which will
create no divisions or separations between men, either religious,
social, or ideological. When he comes, it will be to establish
through precept and example (in world service) the principles on
which an interdependent world may create a new civilization.

    While Bailey taught that the Second Coming will be in a single
Avatar, she also affirmed that he will be mystically manifested in
humanity: "There is a growing and developing belief that Christ is
in us, as He was in the Master Jesus, and this belief will alter
world affairs and mankind's entire attitude to life."[8]


*The Christ of the "I AM" Movements*

    Guy and Edna Ballard were Theosophists up until Guy was
contacted by Saint Germain, an "Ascended Master" who allegedly
appeared to him in a physical body. Saint Germain informed him that
he lived on Mount Teton with ninety-eight other Ascended Masters.

    Saint Germain appointed Guy, Edna, and their son Donald as the
only "accredited" spokespeople for the Ascended Masters. Saint
Germain also taught Guy about the "Great Creative Word" (I AM). The
"I AM Presence" is said to be in each person and represents a point
of contact with divine reality. One can attune to the I AM Presence
by chanting I AM decrees. Such chanting reportedly brings about
dramatic results in the life of the one chanting.

    The Ballards' Christology is distinct in that Saint Germain is
considered more important (in the dawning Aquarian Age) than Jesus,
and is the primary object of worship among "I AM" devotees. Jesus
-- himself an "Ascended Master" -- allegedly said that Saint
Germain is "the Greatest Blessing that has ever come to
mankind."[9] The reason for this devotion to Saint Germain is that
he has brought the Violet Consuming Flame: "The conscious use of
the Violet Consuming Flame is the only means by which any human
being can free himself or herself from his or her own human discord
and imperfection."[10] The I AM presence is invoked by chanting
decrees, and this in turn activates the Violet Flame. The Violent
Flame then burns away undesirable conditions in one's life. Of
course, this nullifies any need for Jesus' work on the cross.


*THE NEXT GENERATION*

    Having discussed the foundation for New Age Christology in
Theosophy, Anthroposophy, the Arcane School, and the "I AM"
movement, this article will now examine three _representative_
contemporary New Age leaders to illustrate how this Christology has
progressed historically.


*Benjamin Creme and his Arcane Roots*

    From 1977 to the present Benjamin Creme has traveled around the
world proclaiming that the coming of Maitreya (the Christ) is
imminent. Maitreya, says Creme, is the leader of the Planetary
Hierarchy and has been living incognito among human beings since
1977 when his consciousness entered a specially created body of
manifestation, the "Mayavirupa."

    Creme originally claimed that by the end of spring 1982,
Maitreya would reveal himself via worldwide television on the "Day
of Declaration," after which time would begin a new era of
planetary happiness. This Christ would come not as a religious,
political, or social leader, but as an "educationalist" who would
solve all the world's problems in these areas and usher in the New
Age of love, peace, and shared wealth.

    Obviously 1982 has come and gone and the Christ remains to
appear. The most common explanation for the Christ's no-show is
that the _media_ prevented it. Since the media represents humanity,
the media's apathy is indicative of the _broader_ apathy of
humanity. And since the Christ's manifestation cannot occur against
man's wishes, his "declaration" has been delayed.

    Some of Creme's ideas are noticeably similar to Theosophy. For
example, he divides the world and humanity into astral, ethereal,
and physical planes. He also subscribes to the idea that the Christ
inhabited the body of Jesus for three years.

    But despite some Theosophical overtones, his ideas are
primarily a reflection of Alice Bailey's writings, particularly her
book _The Reappearance of the Christ._ In this book are found
almost everything Creme was later to propagate: the Age of
Aquarius, world service, _The Great Invocation,_ "overshadowing"
(the occult means used by a Master to inhabit a human disciple's
body), and "transmission groups" (enlightened groups who "transmit"
spiritual energy to the minds of other people in order to raise the
Christ-consciousness of the planet).[11]

    Despite such similarities, there are at least three notable
differences between Creme and Bailey. First, Creme is a date-setter
regarding Maitreya's coming (i.e., spring 1982). Bailey was
convinced the Christ would appear -- and she had some idea about
the _general timing_ (sometime after 2025) -- but she refused to
set _exact_ dates. She wrote: "It is not for us to set the date
for the appearance of the Christ or to expect any spectacular aid
or curious phenomena. If our work is rightly done, He will come at
the set and appointed time."[12]

    Second, Bailey used the term "Christ" to refer to a _person_
whereas Creme uses it in reference to an _office_ or _function._
The present holder of this office, says Creme, is the Lord
Maitreya, who has held it now for 2,600 years. It was Maitreya who
-- while holding this office -- manifested himself through his
disciple, Jesus, by the occult method of overshadowing.

    Third, _Christ_ and _Buddha_ are the central figures in
Bailey's theology, while _Maitreya_ is supreme in Creme's thinking.
Bailey mentions Maitreya on occasion, but never as the leader of
the Hierarchy, as does Creme.

    Creme's following has understandably declined since 1982.


*David Spangler and his Anthroposophic Roots*

    Like Rudolf Steiner, David Spangler understands Christ to be a
cosmic spirit who utilized Jesus' body to make the transfer from
His own realm (the _spiritual_ realm) to Jesus' realm (the realm of
_matter_).

    Spangler sees the Christ as a _cosmic principle:_ "Any old
Christ will not do, not if we need to show that we have something
better than the mainstream Christian traditions. It must be a
cosmic Christ, a universal Christ, a New Age Christ."[13] The
Christ is not so much a religious figure, "but rather a cosmic
principle, a spiritual presence whose quality infuses and appears
in various ways in all the religions and philosophies that uplift
humanity and seek unity with spirit."[14]

    Spangler believes a central purpose of the Christ is to act as
a "universal educator." He uses "educate" in the sense of the Latin
root _educare,_ which means "to lead out." Most often he speaks of
the Christ "leading out" man's "inner divinity."[15] The "universal
Presence that calls out of form and spirit the higher potentials of
Divine life waiting to be released into expression, is the
Christ."[16]

    Like Steiner, Spangler believes the Christ entered the etheric
earth at the crucifixion. By so doing, the Christ was able to
reverse man's "downward trend" toward a _physical_-oriented
consciousness. The Christ is thus an "occult savior."[17]

    Spangler utilizes Christian terms to describe what the Christ
accomplished through Jesus. For example, Spangler says that the
Christ was occultly _crucified_ (which resulted in placing his
cosmic presence within the _cross_ of matter, space, and time). The
Christ was laid in a _tomb_ (the tomb representing a level of life
characterized by "great density" [i.e., the physical world], as
opposed to the "low density" spiritual realm he was accustomed to).
There he would stay until the _resurrection_ (the outflowing of
Christ-energies from the etheric earth) and _ascension_ (the
ascension of Christ-consciousness in humanity). Through this
_sacrifice,_ the cosmic Christ became a _savior_ in that he no
longer stood outside the evolution of the earth, but entered into
that evolution by becoming _incarnate_ into the earth.[18] There he
would function as a guide of man's spiritual evolution.

    Like Steiner, Spangler believes the Christ is now incarnating
into _humanity_ from the etheric realm. This is not unlike what
occurred in Jesus 2,000 years ago, for Jesus "was the prototype or
the expression of the reality of the Christ consciousness which is
inherent in us all."[19] Spangler concludes that human beings can
actually become "the Word made flesh." In fact, he says that the
Word will eventually be made _all flesh._[20]


*Elizabeth Clare Prophet and her "I AM" Roots*

    While the Ballards' "I AM" movement has considerably declined
since its heyday in the 1930s, another "I AM" movement has achieved
high visibility and much popularity in New Age circles. This is the
Church Universal and Triumphant, founded in 1958 by Mark Prophet
and now headed by his widow, Elizabeth Clare Prophet.

    Foundationally, certain aspects of the Prophets' theology can
be traced directly to Theosophy. These beliefs include (1) Masters
who guide man's spiritual evolution; (2) revelations to man from
these Masters; (3) the Christ's use of Jesus' body; (4) human
evolution through progressive stages; and (5) the belief that
Blavatsky's revelations marked the beginning of the Aquarian Age.

    Beyond these similarities, the Prophets derived most of their
theology from the Ballards. This is seen not only in their emphasis
on the I AM Presence, but also on the prominent role of Saint
Germain.

    Elizabeth Clare Prophet says the I AM Presence has become
hopelessly distorted within man due to negative energies from
within and without. These negative energies impede spiritual
progress, but are effectively combatted by the "Violet Consuming
Flame" which is poured out on the world by Saint Germain. This
Flame changes negative energy into positive energy. It is therefore
an antidote to sin.

    This makes Jesus' work on the cross unnecessary. In fact, Mark
and Elizabeth Prophet dismiss the idea of Jesus' atonement on the
cross as an "erroneous doctrine...which he himself never
taught."[21] Like the Ballards, the Prophets believe that Jesus
attained Christhood as did other Ascended Masters. The "Christ" of
"I AM" theology represents the divinity within _all_ men: "God
dwells in every man and not alone in His son Jesus the Christ. The
only begotten Son of the Father, full of grace and truth, is the
Christ whose Image the Lord has reproduced over and over again as
the Christ-identity of every son and daughter who has come forth
from the infinite Spirit of the Father-Mother God."[22] The
Prophets conclude that "to become the Christ, then, is the goal of
every child of God."[23]


*PHINEAS PARKHURST QUIMBY*

    Unquestionably, Theosophy and the groups that emerged from it
are the source of many of the essential tenets of New Age
Christology. But Phineas Parkhurst Quimby (who died in 1866) and
the "metaphysical" groups his philosophy spawned also played a
significant role.

    Quimby espoused the metaphysical idea that the source of
physical healing lies in the mind. He was convinced that physical
diseases were caused by wrong thinking or false beliefs. These
false beliefs are remedied by "the Christ."

    Like other metaphysical writers, Quimby distinguished Jesus
from the Christ. Quimby credited Jesus with discovering the "Truth"
of how to correct the error of sickness. "Not that He as a man was
any better," said Quimby, "but He was the embodiment of a _higher
Wisdom,_ more so than any man who has ever lived."[24] This "Truth"
or "higher Wisdom" discovered by Jesus was an impersonal
mind-principle Quimby called "the Christ." Quimby's metaphysical
concept of the Christ spawned several important movements.


*New Thought*

    New Thought developed slowly during the nineteenth century
after Quimby's death in 1866. Quimby did not create an organization
himself. But individuals he helped adopted his ideas and passed
them on to others, adding to or modifying them along the way. Mary
Baker Eddy's Christian Science is a major example of this, though
this tradition is too exclusive to meld with today's New Age
movement. However, several smaller, more inclusive metaphysical
groups also emerged, and in the 1890s the term "New Thought"
surfaced as a way of describing them.

    The Christ of New Thought was an outgrowth of Quimby's
metaphysics. The Christ was considered not a person but an
impersonal _Divine Nature_ or _Principle._ Jesus was believed to
have embodied or appropriated the Christ-principle as no human had
before. He had fully realized his Christ-nature. But Jesus was not
a savior to mankind; he was merely a "way-shower." Salvation is
based not on Jesus but on the recognition of the Divine Nature or
Christ-principle within.


*Unity School of Christianity*

    The Unity School of Christianity, an offshoot of New Thought,
was founded by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore in 1891. They are
distinguished from mainstream New Thought by their belief in
reincarnation.

    In Unity, salvation is attained by "at-one-ment" with God -- a
reuniting of human consciousness with God-consciousness. Jesus
attained this; all men can: "The difference between Jesus and us is
not one of inherent spiritual capacity, but in difference of
demonstration of it. Jesus was potentially perfect, and He
expressed that perfection; we are potentially perfect, [but] we
have not yet expressed it."[25]


*United Church of Religious Science*

    The United Church of Religious Science, another offshoot of New
Thought, was founded by "Dr." Ernest Holmes who wrote _The Science
of Mind_ in 1926. This book later became the textbook for Religious
Science. Holmes was extremely eclectic, attempting to syncretize
the metaphysical ideas he sifted from New Thought with psychology,
philosophy, and the various world religions.

    His ideas about Jesus, the Christ, and mankind are similar to
other New Thought groups: "Every man is a potential Christ. From
the least to the greatest the same life runs through all, threading
itself into the patterns of our individuality. He is 'over all, in
all and through all.'"[26] Jesus was merely a way-shower who
embodied the impersonal Christ.


*NOTABLE MENTIONS*

    The groups and individuals described above have all contributed
to the emergence of a mystical and esoteric theological climate.
This has paved the way for numerous other individuals and groups to
hop on the New Age bandwagon and offer their own reinterpretations
of the person and work of Christ. Two of the more notable
developments are the following:

    *A Course in Miracles.* According to this New Age textbook, the
"Son of God" was _created_ by God in a state of "wakefulness."
Later, however, the Son fell asleep and had a dream of being
separate from God. In the dream, the Son denied that he was created
by God, asserting instead that he created himself. This usurping of
God's role as Creator marked the beginning of _ego,_ and led the
Son to conceive of himself as being _separate_ from God.

    God then created and commissioned the Holy Spirit to awaken the
Son. But the Son wrongly interpreted the coming of the Holy Spirit
as judgment from God because the Son thought he was guilty of
usurping God's role as Creator.

    The Son's ego then fragmented into myriads of egos with
physical bodies (i.e., human beings), each believing themselves
separate from each other and from God. Humanity's basic problem
then is its belief in being separate from God. The solution to the
problem is a rediscovery of one's Christhood.[27] The _Course_ sets
out to help people attain this.

    *Matthew Fox and the Institute in Culture and Creation
Spirituality.* The mystical orientation of Matthew Fox, a Dominican
priest, leads him to suggest that we abandon any further quest for
the "historical Jesus" and refocus our attention on a quest for the
cosmic Christ. He provides several definitions of the cosmic
Christ, the most important being "the pattern that connects."[28]
The Cosmic Christ connects "heaven and earth, past and future,
divinity and humanity, all of creation."[29] This definition of
Christ makes it possible for Fox to call for a "deep ecumenism," by
which he means a genuine coming together of all persons of all
religions at a mystical level.[30] Thus, through Fox a New Age view
of Christ has made significant inroads into orthodox (mostly
Catholic, but also some Protestant) circles.


*AN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN RESPONSE*

    In responding to New Age claims about Christ, it is best to
focus on several key issues rather than attempting to debate every
nuance of New Age thought. The following represents a starting
point for an orthodox rebuttal of New Age Christology.

    *An esoteric system of interpreting the Bible is unreliable.*
The primary problem with this kind of system (which seeks hidden,
inner meanings in Bible verses) is that it bypasses _rationality_
in favor of _mysticism._ In such a system, there is no way to
_prove_ that a given interpretation is right or wrong since "proof"
presupposes rationality and objectivity. James Sire comments that
"there is no way to tell if the system that derives from
esotericism is really so or merely a figment of the esotericist's
imagination -- or worse -- a direct plant by the Father of
Lies."[31] Incidentally, Jesus -- whom New Agers claim to revere as
a Master -- clearly believed in a literal interpretation of
Scripture (cf. Matt. 5:18).

    *Jesus was not a mere enlightened Master.* The New Agers'
rendition of Jesus as an "enlightened Master" in a class with
Buddha, Zoroaster, and others is a radical distortion of the Jesus
found in Scripture (which is to say, the Jesus of _historical_
record rather than the Jesus of the mystical _Akashic_ Records).
The Jesus found in Scripture clearly believed and taught that He
alone among men is God (John 8:58; 10:30; 14:9-10). Douglas
Groothuis comments: "If Jesus thought he was uniquely God incarnate
but he wasn't, he was far less than 'an enlightened master' -- he
didn't even know who he was! If he knew he was not uniquely God
incarnate, but said he was, he was a flaming fraud, and in no sense
was he an 'enlightened master.' Worse yet, he would have been a
deceiver, leading a multitude astray."[32]

    *Jesus alone is the Christ.* New Agers typically say "the
Christ" came upon Jesus at His baptism and departed three years
later at the cross. But even as a babe in Bethlehem -- decades
before His baptism -- Jesus is called Immanuel, "God with us"
(Matt. 1:23). When the angel announced the birth of Jesus to the
shepherds he identified Jesus this way: "Today in the town of David
a Savior has been born to you; _he is Christ_ the Lord" (Luke
2:11). Simeon, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, recognized the
babe Jesus as Christ, in fulfillment of God's promise to him that
"he would not die before he had seen _the Lord's Christ_" (Luke
2:26).

    John's first epistle warns us: "Who is the liar? It is the man
who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist
-- he denies the Father and the Son" (1 John 2:22). This doesn't
mean that David Spangler, for example, is _the_ Antichrist, but
certainly Spangler (like other New Age teachers) is _an_
antichrist.

    *The Incarnation is personal and permanent.* Contrary to the
typical New Age scenario (a three-year incarnation of an
_impersonal_ Christ in a _human_ Jesus), Scripture asserts that
Jesus Christ -- _personal_ and _eternal_ God -- became incarnate
via the virgin birth, and _this_ incarnation lasts forever.

    Of course, the real miracle here is not the virgin birth, but
the _virgin conception._ Mary is told: 'The Holy Spirit will come
upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and
for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God'
(Luke 1:35). _This_ is when the Incarnation occurred.

    Moreover, the Incarnation was not a temporary arrangement.
After Christ resurrected He made numerous appearances, proving
beyond any doubt the _continuance of his human-divine union._ Jesus
ascended _bodily_ into heaven after the resurrection (Luke 24; John
20:22-28; Acts 1:1-11; 7:56). When Christ returns in glory, He will
sit on the throne as the _Son of Man:_ "You will see the Son of Man
sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the
clouds of heaven" (Matt. 26:64).

    *Jesus is uniquely and exclusively man's only means of coming
into a relationship with God.* Jesus asserted: "I am the way, the
truth, and the life; _no one comes to the Father, but through me_"
(John 14:6). A bold Peter proclaimed that "there is salvation _in
no one else;_ for there is _no other name_ under heaven that has
been given among men, by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). And
recall that previous to the birth of Jesus, an angel of the Lord
appeared to Joseph saying, "you shall call His name Jesus, for _it
is He_ [emphatic] who will save His people from their sins" (Matt.
1:21). Paul likewise affirms that "there is one God, and _one
mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus_" (1 Tim.
2:5).

    *Jesus Christ will come again in glory.* In contrast with the
New Age idea that the coming of Christ is contingent on man's
ability to prepare the earth spiritually for this coming, Scripture
says that Christ is coming as _King of kings_ and _Lord of lords,_
and man has power neither to _invoke_ His coming nor to _prevent_
it (Rev. 19:16). The phrase "King of kings and Lord of lords"
emphasizes His _supreme sovereignty and authority_ over mortal,
weak man.

    In conclusion, the true Christ is the Christ of the gospels.
The many miraculous signs He performed attested to His supreme
identity, not some divine potential we _all_ possess: "These
[miraculous signs] are written that you may _believe_ that _Jesus
is the Christ,_ the Son of God, and that _by believing_ you may
have _life_ in his name" (John 20:31).


*NOTES*

 1 H. P. Blavatsky, _The Secret Doctrine_ (Wheaton, IL:
   Theosophical Publishing House, 1966), 168-89.
 2 Annie Besant, _Esoteric Christianity_ (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical
   Publishing House, 1953), 90-91.
 3 Cited by Jan Karel Van Baalen, _Chaos of the Cults_ (Grand
   Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1956), 52.
 4 Rudolf Steiner, _The Reappearance of the Christ in the Etheric_
   (Spring Valley, NY: Anthroposophic Press, 1983), 127-28.
 5 Rudolf Steiner, _Jesus and Christ_ (Spring Valley, NY:
   Anthroposophic Press, 1976), 16-17.
 6 Rudolf Steiner, _The Four Sacrifices of Christ_ (Spring Valley,
   NY: Anthroposophic Press, 1944), 19-20.
 7 Alice A. Bailey, _The Externalisation of the Hierarchy_ (New
   York: Lucis Publishing Co., 1957), 222.
 8 _Ibid.,_ 592.
 9 Mrs. G. W. and Donald Ballard, _Purpose of the Ascended Masters
   "I AM" Activity_ (Chicago: Saint Germain Press, 1942), 110.
10 _Ibid.,_ 35.
11 Benjamin Creme, _The Reappearance of the Christ and the Masters
   of Wisdom_ (North Hollywood, CA: Tara Center, 1980), 47.
12 Alice Bailey, _The Reappearance of the Christ_ (New York: Lucis
   Publishing Co., 1979), 188.
13 David Spangler, _Reflections on the Christ_ (Forres, Scotland:
   Findhorn Publications, 1981), 107.
14 David Spangler, _Conversations with John_ (Middleton, WI: Lorian
   Press, 1983), 5.
15 David Spangler, _Revelation: The Birth of a New Age_ (Middleton,
   WI: Lorian Press, 1976), 117.
16 _Ibid._
17 _Ibid.,_ 141.
18 _Ibid.,_ 121.
19 Spangler, _Reflections on the Christ,_ 14-15.
20 _Ibid.,_ 86.
21 Mark and Elizabeth Prophet, _Climb the Highest Mountain_ (Los
   Angeles: Summit University Press, 1974), 279-80.
22 _Ibid.,_ 228.
23 _Ibid.,_ 160.
24 Phineas P. Quimby, _The Quimby Manuscripts,_ ed. Horatio W.
   Dresser (New Hyde Park, NY: University Books, 1961), 283.
25 Elizabeth Sand Turner, _What Unity Teaches,_ Lee's Summit, MO:
   Unity School of Christianity, n.d., 3.
26 Ernest Holmes, _What Religious Science Teaches_ (Los Angeles:
   Science of Mind Publications, 1975), 20.
27 Dean C. Halverson, "A Course in Miracles: Seeing Yourself as
   Sinless," _SCP Journal 7,_ 1 (1987):18-27.
28 Matthew Fox, _The Coming of the Cosmic Christ_ (San Francisco:
   Harper and Row, 1988), 133-35.
29 _Ibid.,_ 134.
30 _Ibid.,_ 228.
31 James W. Sire, _Scripture Twisting_ (Downers Grove, IL:
   InterVarsity Press, 1980), 113.
32 Douglas Groothuis, _Confronting the New Age_ (Downers Grove, IL:
   InterVarsity Press, 1988), 121.

-------------

End of document, CRJ0035A.TXT (original CRI file name),
"The Christ of the New Age Movement"
release A, April 11, 1994
R. Poll, CRI

*NOTE TO THE READER:* Since he wrote this article, Ron Rhodes has
published a related book on the subject titled _The Counterfeit
Christ of the New Age Movement_ (Baker Book House, 1990).

(A special note of thanks to Bob and Pat Hunter for their help in
the preparation of this ASCII file for BBS circulation.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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