New Age Movement [Paperback]

Ron Rhodes (Author), Alan W. Gomes (Series Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 11, 1995 | Series: Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements

Reincarnation, auras, and energizing crystals -- surely these are the stuff of fairy tales, nothing more. People don't really speak to ancient Egyptian holy men, or listen seriously to Shirley MacLaine, for that matter -- do they? Drawing from a range of occult, pagan, and pseudo-scientific traditions, the New Age Movement is broad, diffuse, hard to nail down -- and insidiously dangerous. Its belief in the 'divinity of humanity,' its emphasis on 'self-actualization,' and its looking forward to a coming utopian 'new world' have tremendous appeal. But does it have the truth?

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Reincarnation, auras, and energizing crystals -- surely these are the stuff of fairy tales, nothing more. People don’t really speak to ancient Egyptian holy men, or listen seriously to Shirley MacLaine, for that matter -- do they? Drawing from a range of occult, pagan, and pseudo-scientific traditions, the New Age Movement is broad, diffuse, hard to nail down -- and insidiously dangerous. Its belief in the "divinity of humanity," its emphasis on "self-actualization," and its looking forward to a coming utopian "new world" have tremendous appeal. But does it have the truth?

About the Author

Alan W. Gomes (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is associate professor of historical theology and chairman of the department of theology at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University.

Ron Rhodes (ThD, Dallas Theological Seminary) is the president of Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries. He is the author of eighteen books, including two Silver Medallion Award winners. He is heard nationwide on radio.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (May 11, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310704316
• ISBN-13: 978-0310704317
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #889,138 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #74 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Comparative Religion

More About the Author

Dr. Ron Rhodes received his Th.M. and Th.D. degrees in systematic theology from Dallas Theological
Seminary, graduating with honors. He is currently the president of Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries, an apologetics organization located in Texas.

The author of more than 50 books, Dr. Rhodes is a keynote speaker at conferences across the United States and Canada. He also teaches cult apologetics at a number of seminaries, including Dallas Theological Seminary and Veritas Evangelical Seminary. He has been a guest on many national and regional radio and television programs produced by CNN, CBN, Trinity Television, FamilyNet Television, Cornerstone Television, Worship Television, Crossroads Christian Communications, LeSea Broadcasting, Salem Communications, USA Radio, Moody Radio, and others. He and his wife, Kerri, live in Texas with their children, David and Kylie.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A FAMOUS EVANGELICAL APOLOGIST LOOKS AT THE "NEW AGE", June 16, 2011

By 

Steven H. Propp (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New Age Movement (Paperback)

Ron Rhodes is currently President of "Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries," and sometimes teaches cult apologetics at various seminaries. He was formerly Editor/Associate Editor of the Christian Research Institute's Journal and Newsletter, and a frequent guest on the "Bible Answer Man" radio program. He has written many books, such as The Counterfeit Christ of the New Age Movement, The 10 Most Important Things You Can Say to a Jehovah's Witness, Challenge of the Cults and New Religions, The, Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Mormons, Reasoning from the Scriptures with Catholics, Reasoning from the Scriptures with Muslims, Answering the Objections of Atheists, Agnostics, and Skeptics, etc.

Here are some quotations from this 1995 booklet:

"Differences Between the New Age Movement and the 1960s counterculture: a. The New Age spans all ages and does not just cater to youth. b. Rock music is not a rallying point for New Agers. c. New Agers cannot be distinguished from others by the way they dress. d. New Agers are not 'anti-establishment.' e. New Agers are generally not 'druggies' like those in the counterculture movement of the 1960s." (Pg. 28)
"Several scholars have noted that if Jesus had intended to teach 'Esoteric Christianity,' he was a failure as a teacher, for his words led those who followed him in the precise opposite direction than he would have intended." (Pg. 35)
"Though The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ quotes Jesus as teaching a pantheistic idea of God, this 'Gospel' is clearly a human product, derived from occultism, loaded with historical errors, permeated with contradictions, and completely untrustworthy as a source of truth." (Pg. 47)
"Do not assume that just because New Agers are using words that sound Christian---such as 'Jesus,' 'Christ,' 'atonement,' 'ascension,' and so forth---that they are using these words in the same way you are." (Pg. 84)

8 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Christian Resource on the New Age Movement, August 7, 1998

By 

Cameron B. Clark (Bristow, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: New Age Movement (Paperback)

Ron Rhodes is well-known in the Christian Community for his excellent books on Cults and the New Age Movement (NAM). The greatest thing about this book is that it consolidates the best information from Christian and non-Christian sources on NAM and provides concise and clear refutations of major New Age doctrines such as moral relativism, pantheism and reincarnation.

Non-Christians should be aware that the purpose of this book, and other books in this Zondervan series, is to refute anti-Christian beliefs and defend Christian ones. But this shouldn't intimidate those New Agers who are sure about what they believe. Even if they aren't convinced by the counter-arguments, they will find the book helpful to better understanding the NAM. Also, the bibliography is excellent.

Check out the other books in this series, especially the ones on Satanism, Witchcraft, and Astrology. All have the same concise outline format for easy reference.

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Introduction to the New Age Movement, December 4, 2004

By 

Michael Taylor "Michael Taylor" (Indian Trail NC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New Age Movement (Paperback)

In my humble opinion, Rhodes has written an excellent introduction to the New Age Movement and how it compares to true Christianity.

The book's contents are as follows:

1. Introduction to the New Age Movement.
2. Overview of New Age Theology, in its own words.
3. Tips for witnessing to New Agers.
4. Bibliography for further study on the movement.
5. A comparison chart showing what New Agers and the Bible say about: Continuing Revelation, God, Jesus Christ, Humanity is God, Sin, Salvation, Reincarnation, and the Second Coming.

In an age where human self-worship glorified, many people are sure to be offended by the booklet's contents. Sadly, many people refuse to believe there is something larger than themselves and that we are not divine!

For the New Ager: please honestly evaluate what you believe and how it truly contradicts Scripture.

For the Christian: this is an excellent introduction to what New Agers believe and can help you better understand how you can relate to them on spiritual matters.

Recommended!