The New Thought Movement

Too many Christians are cynical and negative. Sometimes this has to do with a distorted and wrongly interpreted end times theology, or contempt for the sinfulness and wickedness of the world. (Matthew 24:12) We are, however, are called by Jesus to rightly interpret the word of God and to be people of faith and compassion for all people, even our enemies.

Goodness is one the most powerful and positive attribute of God. He is the absolute essence of goodness and goodness and is the most positive aspect of all the universe. Surely, those who know God, should be likewise, at least according to the Bible. God is our delight and the only hope of the world. Should we not represent Him correctly and honorably and be people of faith in Him?

It is good to be positive but we only truly appreciate and participate in the good news according to the Bible, when we have knowledge of the bad news. The bad new is that out sin separates us from God here and it will separate us for eternity, unless we receive the remedy for our sin in Jesus Christ. “The Bible says the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). If we got our wages or what we deserve, it will cause us to be in separation from God here on earth and to eternity. Even one sin is enough to separate us to eternity and all have sinned. (Romans 3:10-18; James 2:10) The good news is God loves us and has made the way by taking on Himself the just penalty for the sin of those who receive Him as Savior and Lord. He also gives those born again progressive power over sin. How can we not be positive as Christians as we have found the pearl of great price and that is a love relationship to the living God. Gratitude also expresses itself in positiveness and sharing the good news with others.

The New Thought movement which has infiltrated much of our society and much of the therapeutic counseling culture and the church takes positive thinking to the absolute extreme. The new thought movement believes that by our thinking we create reality. By your thinking we can cause things to come into existence, even our own divinity in its extreme. Some Christians have been influenced by this somewhat ancient and modern movement and believe having faith is created by ourselves thinking it into existence, instead of crediting it to God. This so-called New Thought movement has been adopted by some groups as the name and claim it group or also called the word of faith movement of Christian teachings as well as the prosperity gospel preachers. They believe that by their thoughts and words they create the reality. By them thinking it will happen it will happen. Want to House by the Lake, just believe it and it is yours, at least according to Joel Olsteen.

The New Thought philosophy has also subtlety influenced much of the approach of some evangelical churches who are intimidate to say anything negative lest they be canceled by fleshly Christians, following the cancel culture of our age. They also want to follow the woke culture and not say anything negative such as speaking about sin, holiness, God’s Sovereignty, justice, judgement and hell. They have watered the gospel down such much it can hardly be identified. No wonder that evangelism is on life support in many evangelical churches. Some use general positive prophetic positive affirmations directed to the people, as a so-call word of prophesy. This appeals to the natural man and the flesh of Christians and is somewhat easy to get a following. Oprah Winfrey although she identifies as Christian is a full-blown New Thought person. That is what makes the New Thought movement so dangerous and insipid since it claims to be Christian but it is not Biblical Christianity. Bethel church leader Bill Johnson has written a book called, Physics of Heaven, and other books that are embarrassingly following the New Thought movement and it is presented as orthodox Christianity.

For other Christian groups, God is a miracle working God at demand. Any time we are dictating to God we are way off base. “Demoting God and elevating humanity diminish truth and morality while elevating pride and enlightenment…” Thus “many churches are making customers, not disciples.” (Melissa Doughtery) The Church in trying to reach our culture, but has been unknowingly been too influenced by it and has adopted too much of their thinking and teachings and play by the world’s rules or agenda instead of God’s.

The New Though Movement is not like the New Age movement although it has greatly influenced and is the underpinning of the New Age movement. The New Thought Movement is largely metaphysical and Gnostic and has its ultimate roots in the occult like new age. However, the New Thought Movement is very, very subtle and like the fruit that looks good by appearances it has at it roots a very sinister evil. (Genesis 3:6) As C.S. Lewis stated, “And then she understood the devilish cunning of the enemies’ plan. By mixing truth with it they had made their lie far stronger.”

Another great ploy of the evil one is pragmatism. If it works, people don’t care about the roots, they exalt it. God can make things work and the devil can as well, if it will lead you into his trap. People also exalt experience over the Bible instead of discerning their experiences in light of the Bible. Too often churches use what works to attract people rather than the gospel and it lived out. The question should be, is our methods biblical? Are we acting Biblically? “Nobody chooses evil because it is evil. They only mistake it for happiness.” Mary Shelley.

Most Christians are not equipped to discern what is true and false because they are not students of God’s word and prayer and often adopt cliches without thinking things through Biblically. They often take a very slothful and shallow approach to learning the Bible and putting it all together, theologically. Therefore, they are not able to discern the very subtle deceptions of the evil one. It is one thing to discern blatant deceptions, but other ones that are closer to the truth but teach a happy lie are the most dangerous. As God’s word says, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Rightly dividing the word, means to rightly interpret the word of God and put it together as a whole. The Bible also says, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions” (2 Timothy 4:3). Such is our time.

One of the people who come very, very close to the truth is Norman Vincent Peale in his book, The Power of Positive Thinking. This book is an entry to the New Thought Movement at the fringes. It has helped many people change from a negative mindset to a positive one, however, it also directs people, very gently towards the New Thought Movement. As mentioned before Christians should be the most positive people, but based on the truth of God’s love, sovereignty, grace and truth not the power of our thinking creating reality. Another more blatant advocate of the New Thought Movement are people like Napolean Hill and his book, Think and Grow Rich.

A book that goes more extensively into all the roots and advocates of the New Thought Movement and the thinking that goes along with it and the philosophy behind it, is the book by Melissa Doughtery, Happy Lies: How a Movement You (Probably) Never Hears of Shaped Our Self-Obsessed World. I would highly recommend it.

There is power and it is in God not man. “What better way to destroy God’s beloved image bearers than to turn them inward rather than upward? “(Melissa Doughtery) We place our faith in Jesus to save us and to walk this life as He directs. We don’t get to dictate to God and have Him preform at our whim. We make humble requests to God and trust in His timing, His providence, His Sovereignty, His goodness and His love. As the Psalmist states in the Bible, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help?” (Psalms 121:1). We move at God’s direction, God doesn’t move at ours, although, He does answer our requests when they are for His glory and our good not for our glory, and primarily for our comfort. It is,however, in His timing not ours. His will is for us is to be courageous in the Holy Spirit’s strength. However, the benefits of the not the easy road are peace, happiness, joy, contentment and fulfillment. We should not mix up the benefits as our goal rather than the results of seeking God and HIs glory. Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). Our treasure is found in Him, not ourselves.

The Apostle Peter tells us in the Bible, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Satan wants to deceive us and his deception is often quite subtle and disguised as good. Our whole culture is deeply deceived at this time. However, overcoming Satan is not won by focusing on Satan but on God as the Bible says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Are you submitting to what God says to believe and do in the Bible and how to walk in His love? If you are not submitting to God’s word, if not it is not likely you will win over sin and thus the evil one. Submitting to God is matter of trust and love of God. Fight the good fight and you will win, if you submit to God’s word and Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. (2 Timothy 4:7)

Resources:

Happy Lies: How a Movement You (Probably) Never Heard of Shaped Our Self-Obsessed World, Melissa Dougherty. (I know of no other books that deal with the apologetics of the New Thought Movement. I differ with her on some issues of Christian sanctification but not radially)

Apologetics in the New Age: A Critique of Pantheism, David Clark and Norman Geisler

Unmasking the New Age, Douglas Groothuis

Confronting the New Age, Douglas Groothuis

The Gnostic Empire Strikes Back, Peter Jones.

The Beautiful Side of Evil, Johanna Michaelsen