Vol. 7, No. 10, 1990

Articles on the New Age

Rick Branch

To say that A Course In Miracles is filled with biblical errors would be an understatement. The following is but a few brief examples of the many errors contained in the Course.

Creation

Throughout the Course the world is explained as simply a demented illusion created by the ego of Man. The Bible, however, disagrees with this concept.

In Genesis 1:1 the Bible states, "In the Beginning God created the heaven and the earth."

The gospel of John explains, "All things were made by him [Jesus]; and without him was not any thing made that was made," (1:3).

Also, Paul writes, "For by him [Jesus] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth...," (Col. 1:16).

There was a creation; however, it was not accomplished by Man's ego.

Man In Heaven

Although the Course teaches that Man is still in heaven with God, Jesus said something quite different.

He declared, "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also," (John 14:2-3).

Jesus said He was going [to His Father's house] in order that He might prepare a place for Man. If Jesus is preparing a place for Man to go, then obviously, Man is not still in heaven.

Death

While the Course denies the reality of death, the Bible is explicit on this subject.

In numerous places it affirms the reality of Man's death.

In Deuteronomy it is stated, "And the Lord said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die, call Joshua...," (31:14).

The Letter to the Hebrews also makes it clear that "...it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement," (9:27).

It seems apparent that God, the author of the Scriptures, believes in the reality of death.

Jesus' Body - An Illusion

In the Course, Jesus's body is explained away as a mere illusion. Once again, the Bible disagrees.

It was partially in response to this very heretical idea that the Apostle John wrote his Gospel.

"In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us..." (John 1:1 & 14).

John also wrote, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

"Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God..." (1 John 4:1-3).

It would appear that the scriptures are clear on this point. Jesus, the Word, became Flesh - not just manifested the appearance of flesh!

Man's Sin

The Course explains that sin, like Jesus' body, is an illusion. Therefore, Man has never sinned, for it is impossible to commit something that is only an illusion. It is not surprising that the Bible strongly disagrees.

Paul demolishes this erroneous idea when he wrote, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23).

This idea is reiterated by the Apostle John when he declares, "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin.

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

"If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us," (1 John 1:7-10).

Unfortunately for A Course In Miracles and its adherents, sin is real and is a very serious subject.

Jesus As Only Savior

Similar to most other New Age philosophies, the Course says Jesus is not the only Savior. Jesus disagrees.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me," (John 14:6).

Echoing the words of Jesus, Peter stated, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved," (Acts 4:12).

When asked by the prison guard how to be saved, Paul set forth the only way unto salvation. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house," (Acts 16:31).

There are not many way - Jesus is not simply one of the ways or even the latest way - He is THE Way.