I think it is really good we can talk about these heresies, especially Gnosticism. Because so many people in the media follow New Age beliefs or are in New Age -type cults we do need to learn what it means, and to examine our hearts to see if we have wrongly come to believe in any gnostic type beliefs. I know there are many here that I might not agree with on certain things, but who are very strong in the Lord. So I am certainly not accusing anyone.
But, the words or terms from Gnosticism and other New Age beliefs are so common in Western society. As for me, if I warn only one person (maybe not a member, just a guest reading posts) of the way these words and beliefs have infiltrated our society, and they turn away from them, and towards the real Jesus of Nazaeth, then I feel that is a job well done.
The problem with using words that come out of Gnosticism, or other New Age beliefs, while maintaining faith in Christ, is that it becomes syncretism.
In an earlier post in this thread, someone used a phrase that was very close to "Christ consciousness." I recently made friends with someone with RA, who said he was a monk. So my thought was "Catholicism." Well, no! He lived in an ashram and believed in a variety of religions, including Buddhism and Hindusim. And he said he "believed" in Christ. And that he hoped one day to get to "Christ consciousness." So, I am keeping him as a friend, praying for him to be separated from this insidious sample of syncretism, which takes some parts of the Bible, marries them with a different goal, and different religions in the most syncretistic way. I do not believe the Bible ever says we will be gods, achieving the same level of Christ, who did not study to become an eastern adept or mystic, but instead was God from birth to death and through to his resurrection. Instead, the Bible tells us that God is forming our character, and by following Christ, we can become transformed into his image - but only on the journey in this life not achieving God's perfect goal for our lives until we die, or Christ returns.
"Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." 1 John 3:2
So here are some definitions of syncretism:
"Syncretism, in this case, is the mixing of Christianity with something else such that they become a different gospel. Syncretism can take place with a postive-thinking gospel, a nationalist emphasis, or emerging culture. Syncretism happens more than we might know. When anything is added to the message of the gospel, the uniqueness and sufficiency of Christ is compromised and another gospel can be created that is, well, actually not the gospel. In this, obscurantism and syncretism are closely related, each leading to the creation of a false gospel."
Avoiding the Pitfall of Syncretism | The Exchange | A Blog by Ed Stetzer
"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.
More recently, religious syncretism can be seen in such religious systems as the New Age, Hinduism, Unitarianism, and Christian Science. These religions are a blending of multiple different belief systems, and are continually evolving as the philosophies of mankind rise and fall in popularity.
Therein lies the problem, for syncretism relies on the whim of man, not the standard of Scripture. The Bible makes it very clear what true religion is. Think on just a few things stated in Scripture: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37); "Jesus replied, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'" (John 14:6); "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these 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 20:31-32); and “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Religious syncretism is simply not compatible with true Christianity. In fact, any modification to biblical law and principle for the sake of a “better” religion is heresy (Revelation 22:18-19)."
What is religious syncretism?
But, the words or terms from Gnosticism and other New Age beliefs are so common in Western society. As for me, if I warn only one person (maybe not a member, just a guest reading posts) of the way these words and beliefs have infiltrated our society, and they turn away from them, and towards the real Jesus of Nazaeth, then I feel that is a job well done.
The problem with using words that come out of Gnosticism, or other New Age beliefs, while maintaining faith in Christ, is that it becomes syncretism.
In an earlier post in this thread, someone used a phrase that was very close to "Christ consciousness." I recently made friends with someone with RA, who said he was a monk. So my thought was "Catholicism." Well, no! He lived in an ashram and believed in a variety of religions, including Buddhism and Hindusim. And he said he "believed" in Christ. And that he hoped one day to get to "Christ consciousness." So, I am keeping him as a friend, praying for him to be separated from this insidious sample of syncretism, which takes some parts of the Bible, marries them with a different goal, and different religions in the most syncretistic way. I do not believe the Bible ever says we will be gods, achieving the same level of Christ, who did not study to become an eastern adept or mystic, but instead was God from birth to death and through to his resurrection. Instead, the Bible tells us that God is forming our character, and by following Christ, we can become transformed into his image - but only on the journey in this life not achieving God's perfect goal for our lives until we die, or Christ returns.
"Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." 1 John 3:2
So here are some definitions of syncretism:
"Syncretism, in this case, is the mixing of Christianity with something else such that they become a different gospel. Syncretism can take place with a postive-thinking gospel, a nationalist emphasis, or emerging culture. Syncretism happens more than we might know. When anything is added to the message of the gospel, the uniqueness and sufficiency of Christ is compromised and another gospel can be created that is, well, actually not the gospel. In this, obscurantism and syncretism are closely related, each leading to the creation of a false gospel."
Avoiding the Pitfall of Syncretism | The Exchange | A Blog by Ed Stetzer
"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.
More recently, religious syncretism can be seen in such religious systems as the New Age, Hinduism, Unitarianism, and Christian Science. These religions are a blending of multiple different belief systems, and are continually evolving as the philosophies of mankind rise and fall in popularity.
Therein lies the problem, for syncretism relies on the whim of man, not the standard of Scripture. The Bible makes it very clear what true religion is. Think on just a few things stated in Scripture: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37); "Jesus replied, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'" (John 14:6); "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these 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 20:31-32); and “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Religious syncretism is simply not compatible with true Christianity. In fact, any modification to biblical law and principle for the sake of a “better” religion is heresy (Revelation 22:18-19)."
What is religious syncretism?
But what I do know is that I want to press on for the prize just as Paul did. And I want to know Him as I am fully know. Call it Christ consciousness if you want, but I want to know Him. And I want to grow up in Him. Jesus said when we become reborn we shall see the Kingdom. I believe what we focus on is important. No matter what name we call it, I can not detract from Scripture calls me to do.
