---------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 1993 by the Christian Research Institute. ---------------------------------------------------------------- COPYRIGHT/REPRODUCTION LIMITATIONS: This data file is the sole property of the Christian Research Institute. It may not be altered or edited in any way. It may be reproduced only in its entirety for circulation as "freeware," without charge. All reproductions of this data file must contain the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright 1993 by the Christian Research Institute"). This data file may not be used without the permission of the Christian Research Institute for resale or the enhancement of any other product sold. This includes all of its content with the exception of a few brief quotations not to exceed more than 500 words. If you desire to reproduce less than 500 words of this data file for resale or the enhancement of any other product for resale, please give the following source credit: Copyright 1993 by the Christian Research Institute, P.O. Box 500-TC, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693. ---------------------------------------------------------------- "Addressing the 'Positive Gospel' of the Metaphysical Movement" (an article from the Christian Research Journal, Fall 1988, page 7) by Dean C. Halverson. The Editor-in-Chief of the Christian Research Journal is Elliot Miller. ------------- Before we can accept Jesus Christ as our Savior we must first acknowledge our need to be saved. When we do so, we are saying that we have become aware of our enslaving sinful nature, of the alienation that our sin has caused in our relationship with God, of God's impending wrath on that sin, and of our total inability to save ourselves. Try telling someone in the Metaphysical movement (Religious Science, Unity, _A Course in Miracles,_ etc.) about the wages of sin, though, and they will look at you as though you are an anachronism -- a throwback to a less-enlightened age. The ideas of an enslaving sinful nature, of being alienated from God, and of God's wrath are, to them, extremely offensive. If there is one word that best characterizes the Metaphysical movement, it is _optimism._ In a sense their approach could be _nothing but_ optimistic, because the Metaphysical belief system declares all that is negative (e.g., sin, disease, poverty, disharmony, and death) to be unreal. They are unreal, says the Metaphysician, because such things are not found in God, who is the First Cause and the Source of all that is real. The source of all that is negative is therefore our _own_ negative attitudes and false beliefs. We falsely believe we are sinful and separated from God, when, in fact, we eternally emanate from the impersonal Mind of God. The God of the Metaphysical movement, who is the very Principle of Goodness in all things, is not at all interested in judging us, but only in providing for us all that is good. We can realize that goodness when we recognize that we are one with God in our true nature. One Religious Science minister wrote in a brochure, "Once you realize your own true nature, you will find that health, prosperity, love and peace are all fundamental parts of you." So, how does one share the gospel of Jesus Christ with someone in the Metaphysical movement when their beliefs appear to be so positive, and when the prerequisites for accepting the Christian gospel appear to be so negative? I suggest you point out how the Metaphysical way of salvation differs from the Christian way. While the Metaphysical gospel begins with good news, it ends with bad news. When considering how the Metaphysical movement denies all that is negative, it may be surprising to hear that the Metaphysical gospel has bad news in it. There is indeed bad news in the Metaphysical gospel, though, and that bad news can be found in the very words that Metaphysicians use to describe their way of salvation. When witnessing, it is best to let the Metaphysicians state these words themselves. The way to elicit these words is to ask them to talk about their understanding of the way of salvation or the path to enlightenment. As they talk, listen for key words that speak of salvation as being based on _human effort,_ as being accomplished through _a gradual process,_ and as being dependent on _manifesting a standard of perfection._ Concerning human effort, when Metaphysicians talk about the path to enlightenment they will use words like _achieve, attain, obtain, manifest, demonstrate, prove, earn,_ and _embody._ Charles Fillmore, co-founder of the Unity School of Christianity, said, "The real object to existence is to bring forth the perfect man and _attain_ eternal life. Eternal life must be _earned._" (_Dynamics for Living_ [Lee's Summit, MO: Unity, 1967], 326; emphases added.) Often Metaphysicians will use the analogy of God being like a mountain where all paths lead to the top. Notice, though, where this analogy places the emphasis: on human effort. The spiritual seeker must climb that mountain to reach God. With respect to the path to enlightenment being a gradual process, listen for key words like _reincarnation, path, journey, goal, step, progression,_ and _program. A Course in Miracles_ states that all people are given "_a slowly-evolving training program,_ in which as many previous mistakes as possible are corrected." (_Manual for Teachers,_ vol. 3 of _A Course in Miracles_ [Tiburon, CA: Foundation for Inner Peace, 1975, 25; emphasis added.) What is meant by "slowly-evolving" is not merely a few years, but numerous lifetimes. Shirley MacLaine writes that "reincarnation is like show business. You keep doing it until you get it right." (_Out on a Limb_ [New York: Bantam, 1986], 233.) The final characteristic of the Metaphysical way of salvation is that it is dependent on _manifesting_ some standard of perfection. Metaphysicians assume that humanity is already inherently perfect. What this means for their concept of salvation is that before they can say they have attained salvation they must _first_ manifest their inner perfection. External imperfections -- whether physical, emotional, or relational -- reveal inner imperfections (i.e., lack of enlightenment) that must be dealt with. This requirement of proving one's perfection may be stated in various ways, such as _manifesting the Christ within, taking total control of one's life, demonstrating unconditional love and forgiveness, manifesting perfect health,_ or _bringing about global peace._ After the Metaphysicians have finished talking about their path to enlightenment, then help them become aware of the kinds of words they have used: words of human effort, of a gradual process, and of salvation being dependent on manifesting perfection. Explain that while the Metaphysical gospel began with what may have appeared to be good news, it ends with the bad news that salvation must be earned by incomprehensible striving over myriads of lifetimes to manifest one's supposed inner perfection. Experience should teach us that this goal is not just difficult to attain -- it is impossible. The Christian gospel, on the other hand, begins with the bad news that humanity is sinful and that the wages of sin is eternal death, but it ends with the incredibly good news that salvation (including forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and the ultimate realization of a perfect nature) is a free gift. Salvation, according to the Bible, is not based on human effort or on our ability to manifest perfection, but it is based on God's grace alone (Eph. 2:3b-5, 8-9). Neither is the Christian's salvation a gradual process, but it is a gift that can be received immediately through faith in the completed work of Jesus Christ. Finally, Jesus Christ met the standard of perfection on our behalf. When we place our faith in Him, His righteousness is transferred to our account (2 Cor. 5:21). In the end, the difference between the Metaphysical gospel and the Christian gospel is like the difference between earning a wage and receiving a gift. Paul writes, "Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness" (Rom. 4:4-5). The way of salvation that is the best news is clear. ------------- End of document, CRJ0028A.TXT (original CRI file name), "Addressing the 'Positive Gospel' of the Metaphysical Movement" release A, February 7, 1994 R. Poll, CRI (A special note of thanks to Bob and Pat Hunter for their help in the preparation of this ASCII file for BBS circulation.) ---------------------------------------------------------------- The Christian Research Journal is published quarterly by the Christian Research Institute (CRI) -- founded in 1960 by the late Dr. Walter R. Martin. While CRI is concerned with and involved in the general defense of the faith, our area of research specialization is limited to elements within the modern religious scene that compete with, assault, or undermine biblical Christianity. These include cults (that is, groups which deny essential Christian doctrines such as the deity of Christ and the Trinity); the occult, much of which has become focused in the contemporary New Age movement; the major world religions; and aberrant Christian teachings (that is, teachings which compromise or confuse essential biblical truth). Regular features of the Journal include "Newswatch," "F.Y.I." (Relevant material in recent media), witnessing tips and book reviews. CHRISTIAN RESEARCH JOURNAL RATES: (subject to change) One Year Two Years California Residents [ ] 17.24 [ ] 31.25 (state tax included) U.S. Residents [ ] 16.00 [ ] 29.00 (except California) Canadian Residents [ ] 30.00 [ ] 55.00 (in CANADIAN funds, payable to CRI's Canada headquarters at: Post Office Box 3216, Station B, Calgary, Alberta, T2M 4L7) Outside U.S. & Canada [ ] 32.00 [ ] 58.00 (U.S. currency only) Please make checks payable to CRI To subscribe to the Christian Research Journal, please print this coupon, fill in the necessary information and mail it with your payment to (Canadians please use above address): CRI, P.O. Box 500-TC, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693-0500 [ ] Yes! I want to subscribe to the Christian Research Journal. Name: ___________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________ City, State, ZIP: __________________________________________ Country: _______________ Phone: ____________________________ YOURS FOR THE ASKING Did you know that CRI has a wealth of information on various topics that is yours for the asking? In fact, a free subscription to the Christian Research Newsletter is yours if you contact CRI and ask for one saying that you found out about the offer from this computer text file. We offer a wide variety of articles and fact sheets free of charge. Write us today for information on these or other topics. Our first-rate research staff will do everything possible to help you. Christian Research Institute P.O. Box 500-TC San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693 (714) 855-9926 --------------- End of file.