Becoming More Fully Alive, More Fully Human - Jesus and the Gods of the New Age

Well-done Hamo, setting up a stand at your local healing festival! It would have taken a huge amount of courage for me to do something similar down here. See here and here for Hamo’s original post (and a subsequent one with some really interesting comments)

It is however an area that interests me - the interface between Christian Spiritualities (and all that the historical tradition offers – particularly pre-Reformation) and so-called "New Age" spiritualities. Of particular interest is the interface between spiritual direction (as a Christian practice) / becoming more fully human (after the likeness of Jesus - the "last" or "second" Adam) and alternative spiritualities and their ways of addressing the questions of making whole what is broken; their ways of addressing what it means to be a fully alive human being etc.

In answer to Hamo’s question, my hunch is that most churches (if they put on a combined healing event…and these guys asked to be part of it - the reiki girls, the crystal balancing lady, all the practices that we would see as not compatible with a Jesus worldview... would we allow them into our festival?)

would say “no” in no uncertain terms – faster than the blink of an eye! That said, I’m not sure how I would respond if I had to make the decision – on what theological and missiological grounds would I make a decision, but this section from a recent post by Andy Goodliff (thanks for the heads up Stephen) would be a part of the mix. Andy is quoting from an essay Brian Walsh and adding his own comments:

…if homes are to resist the temptation to become self-enclosed fortresses – that is, if homes are to have windows and doors that are open – then homes must be sites of hospitality ...

hospitality is the unique boundary that constitutes home as home, yet keeps that home open, keeps the boundaries suffused with welcome and protection, not exclusion… (Walsh”)

“The last sentence is the most important and challenging in the whole paper. Boundaries remain exclusive if there is no embrace, no hospitality shown. In the church we need to learn again the art of hospitality, not the occasional Sunday lunch with friends, but hospitality that welcomes the other/the stranger/the outsider into our home (Goodliff)…”

Books that I’ve found really useful in exploring the whole issue of a Christian response to so-called New Age spiritualities include:

Jesus and the God’s of the New Age: Communicating Christ in Today’s Spiritual Supermarket by Ross Clifford and Philip Johnson.

Beyond Prediction: The Tarot and Your Spirituality (published by Lion) by Ross Clifford, John Drane and Philip Johnson

“Tarot cards have long held a fascination for those interested in spiritual experimentation, and a horror for many church-goers. But where do the mysterious images on the Tarot cards come from? Ross Clifford and Philip Johnson have pioneered a unique spiritual exploration of the meaning of the Tarot that has been widely acclaimed at the twice-yearly Festival of Body, Mind and Spirit in Australia. In this fascinating book they, together with well-known British writer John Drane, reveal that many of the Tarot symbols have their roots in what is perhaps the most unlikely place - the Bible. They go on to explore their links with religious phenomenology, folk-lore, Jungian analysis and archetypes from the world of literary fantasy and demonstrate how the symbols are expressions of the spiritual needs of people of all times and all places. And they investigate the enormous swell of interest in the Tarot in recent years, particularly within the New Age movement.”

What is the New Age Saying to the Church? By John Drane.

The Spiritual Revolution: Why Religion Is Giving Way to Spirituality (Religion in the Modern World Series.) By Paul Heelas and others

The Spirituality Revolution by David Tacey

Re-Enchantment: The New Australian Spirituality by David Tacey

New Age, Paganism and Christian Mission by Steve Hollinghurst – published in 2003 as part of the Grove Evangelism Series

Any more titles you’d add? Leave a comment….

Comments

[bill]

That is an interesting question. I haven't thought on those terms in a few years but I suppose your worldview comes in to play here, doesn't it? Are the other spiritualities merely human constructs or is there an alternative spiritual power at work? I would hardly call participating in the same festival with New Age religions to be syncretism but there could be the possibility that folks would see it as simply one more option. Again, I'm not trying to rule out outreach or hospitality but I wonder if the Gospel can behave itself (i.e. not be prophetic) Might be interesting if you came back the next morning and all the other displays were toppled over.

[Andrew Hamilton]

Great stuff Paul - I like your thoughts. It is a difficult question because rhere are many variables to consider