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Discover effective strategies for engaging with New Agers and challenging their beliefs. Learn how to define Christian terms, ask critical questions, expose contradictions, and share the gospel in a gentle and respectful manner.
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Intro. • New Agers may have the hardest of beliefs to witness to, so here are some tips to help penetrate their relative thinking: • Define your Christian terms • Ask questions • Show contradictions and weakness in basic New Age beliefs • Be Prepared! • Explain your definition of God- as a personal and loving God • Don’t forget the gospel!!!
Explain What You Speak • New Agers interpret the Bible to fit their beliefs (they believe the core of all religions is Pantheism) • i.e. Jesus was just an enlightened man (in touch with his “inner godhood”) and could tap into his power to heal others. • They believe that Jesus was only a god in the sense that we are gods also • Don’t let them use Christian words and put them into an unbiblical context • Question the terms that they use and make sure that when you use a Christian term, they understand exactly what you are speaking of
Questions to Ask • If we are all God, then why do we act so badly? • Why do our realities contradict each other? • i.e.—if you could create your own reality…then would you want to go driving with me if I believed that red lights are really green?
New Age thought Future Perfect World Order All is one and all is God Impersonal God Biblical Contradiction 2Tim. 3:1 “But mark this and there will be terrible times in the last days.” Genesis 1:31 “God saw all that He had made [diversity], and it was very go.” John 1:14 “No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only who is at the Father’s side as made him known.” Contradictions and Weakness
Evil is non-existent Spirit guides communicate universal truth to others (usually contradicts the Bible) Jesus is only one of many ways to God Isaiah 5:20 “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness…” Galatians 1:8 “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the on preached to you, let him be eternally condemned.” Jesus said in John 14:6 that He is the only way to God Contradictions and Weakness (cont.)
Things You Need to Know • Be prepared for spiritual battle • An apologetic encounter involves clash between God and Satan • Remember the enemy is Satan—not the New Ager! • Don’t categorize New Agers as all the same • Every New Ager is different so find out each one’s personal opinions • Remember treat them with “gentleness and respect”! (1Peter 3:15)
Share the Gospel • Show common ground between beliefs but make sure they know where they differ! • Stress the logic and idea of a personal God that cares for them • Underline the difference of God and mankind • Focus on Jesus making sure to use scripture and tell them the truth about sin and salvation