What is the insider movement?
The insider movement is an attempt to follow Jesus and rely on Him for salvation within the language and customs of one’s native culture. Romans 1:16-17 is given as validation that salvation is a matter of faith, not of a particular culture. The idea actually began with Paul, who fought against the assumption that Gentile…
What are indigo children?
“Indigo children” is a New Age designation for people who appear to have certain spiritual gifts starting in childhood. The term was coined by parapsychologist Nancy Ann Tappe, who claimed that some children have indigo auras. She later self-identified as a synesthete (someone whose senses combine in unusual ways, such as associating numbers with colors)…
What is the New Age movement?
The expression “New Age” came into existence in the 1970s and 1980s. It was promoted by the circulation of the New Age Journal and a book by Mark Satin called New Age Politics. Marilyn Ferguson’s best-selling Aquarian Conspiracy was a presentation of the social agenda and philosophical vision of the New Age. Ferguson’s writing attained…
What is the Universal Life Church?
The Universal Life Church (ULC) is an online, non-denominational organization that offers ordination so that individuals can operate as clergy, primarily for the purpose of officiating at weddings. The Universal Life Church espouses no traditional form of doctrine; rather, it promotes the mantra “we are all children of the same universe.” Ordination with the Universal…
What is the Christian view of Tai Chi (TaiChi)?
Tai Chi is more specifically called Tai Chi Chuan, which can be translated as “supreme ultimate fist.” Tai Chi is a martial art, though it’s often called a “moving meditation” since the movements are done slowly and deliberately, and it is taught more as a meditative and health-enhancing practice than as a martial art. Though…
What is the New Thought movement?
The New Thought movement is based on the teachings of a 19th-century thinker by the name of Phineas Quimby. Quimby was a self-proclaimed healer and a follower of Mesmer, the hypnotist. Quimby believed that illness in the body originated in the mind and that bodily illnesses could therefore be overcome with the “Truth.” His idea…
What is religious syncretism?
Syncretism, as defined by the American Heritage Dictionary, is “the reconciliation or fusion of differing systems of belief.” This is most evident in the areas of philosophy and religion, and usually results in a new teaching or belief system. Obviously, this cannot be reconciled to biblical Christianity. Religious syncretism often takes place when foreign beliefs…
What does it mean to manifest something? What is manifesting?
Manifesting refers to the practice of bringing something into reality through focused thoughts, beliefs, and visualizations. The fundamental idea is that positive thinking attracts desired outcomes. The concept gained worldwide popularity through the New Thought movement and books like The Secret. However, it is important to understand the ideas behind manifesting are unbiblical. Manifesting typically…
Should a Christian participate in acupuncture / acupressure?
The origin of acupuncture is Chinese Taoism. Taoism is the philosophical system evolved by Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu that advocates a life of complete simplicity, naturalness, and non-interference with the course of natural events in order to attain an existence in harmony with the Tao, or life-force. It is closely related to Hsuan Chaio, which is…
What is the qi in traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy?
Qi (chi, ch’i, or ki, pronounced “chee”) literally translated is “air,” but in the religious/philosophical sense it has come to mean “life force” or “energy.” According to some, qi is the animating principle of the universe and goes right down to the sub-atomic level. Qigong (also called inner alchemy) is the practice of manipulating the…