New Age! What is it? The New Age Movement is extremely anti-Christian. It is in total contradiction with God and His Word. As I researched this topic, I was reminded of how fast this movement is growing. The dangers are so great, but appear so small and insignificant. The threat of the New Age Movement is also very alive in education. More and more students are taught the sinful views involved in this movement. I will explain some of the views of this movement and relate them to the classroom.

“Relax! Lie in silence on the classroom floor. Look at the sun and soak in the warmth. Do you want to be perfect? Imagine yourself being whatever you want to be, to be perfect! You are full of wisdom and contain all power.” In the book The Great Depression, Jonathan D. James explains how educator Beverly Gaylean practices this with her twenty-five 1st graders in Los Angeles public school. First graders! At such a young age, children are taught that they are divine and perfect. The Bible clearly teaches against this notion. Jeremiah 17:9 states, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” The heart is wicked; it is not divine or perfect. Romans 3:23 states, “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” No creature can be equal to the glorious, almighty God in Heaven.

All those who maintain the thought of the New Age are pantheistic. This means that everything is God and God is in everything. With this belief system, schools are trying to gain oneness with creation. In a college near my hometown, a class participated in a form of yoga. They relaxed their bodies and became free of all stressful thoughts. Many of the students participated and thought nothing of what they were doing. That is the scariest part. People are participating in the fast-growing New Age Movement without even realizing what they are doing. Ignorance is not an excuse. We must have the knowledge of the Bible to know the truth.

The idea that man is God is definitely wrong. The Heidelberg Catechism explains the depravity of human nature. Our nature is corrupt. Question eight asks, “Are we then so corrupt that we are wholly incapable of doing any good, and inclined to all wickedness?” The answer: “Indeed we are; except we are regenerated by the Spirit of God.” God regenerates His children, but He does not make them to be God. Article two in the second head of doctrine in the Canons of Dordt says, “we are unable to make that satisfaction in our own persons, or to deliver ourselves from the wrath of God.”

If I become a teacher, I will teach my students to humble themselves in the sight of God. I will teach them that God is alone all mighty. We have so much thanks to give to our gracious Father. We are a unique creature born above any beast, but without God we are dead in sin, totally depraved.

When I think of the New Age Movement entering into classrooms, I think of public schools. But today, Christian schools are becoming warped with the New Age Movement. The thought that all religion is tolerated is a view of the New Age. I have come across this idea frequently. With this view, there are no absolutes, no standards. Everything is relative! The Bible stands in complete contradiction with this as is evident in the Ten Commandments. The Bible teaches only truth and does contain standards and norms. If one teaches that everything is relative then the door is open to all sin. Children are taught that homosexuality, adultery, and abortion are accepted. This is so sad!

Schools carry many other New Age signs. In a Lutheran college near my school, teachers tell their students how to use horoscopes and encourage them to use such things. I also see the Ying-Yang symbol on many t- shirts and jewelry. Some people know what this symbol is about, some don’t, and some don’t care. It is sad to see this enter into Christian schools. We must be on our guard and be a witness at all times.

It is so very important to have knowledge in the truth of the Bible, but also in the New Age Movement. In order to prevent this horrible belief system to creep on us even more, we must know what is involved in it. Television, music, video games, and board games all can contain views of the New Age Movement. Parents must be very aware of the toys and games that children have. Cartoons that may seem so innocent can be full of New Age views. As a teacher, I would be aware of the dangers of this movement and alert my students about these dangers. I pray that God will guide me so I may teach to the best of my ability, and that I may teach the truth of God without false practices as of the New Age.

We must constantly give God thanks for directing our lives in the truth. II Corinthians 4:6 states, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” If God did not bestow upon us His grace, we too would follow the spirit of the world. May God bless us in each day to walk the narrow path which is set before us. May we educate our children based on the glorious truth of our Father. Thanks be to God! ❖

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Shanda is a member of Edgerton Protestant Reformed Church in Edgerton, Minnesota.