Vol. 7, No. 9, 1990

Articles on the New Age

Colleen Ralson

Men have wondered since the beginning of time if there is life after death and if possibly their souls could be reborn into another body, or better yet into a succession of bodies. Millions of people, in fact over half of the world's population, of other cultures, accept reincarnation as fact. In the last few years, more and more people in the Western world are considering it and often taking it more seriously.

Author, Mark C. Albrecht, tells us that, "Reincarnation is based upon the Eastern view of God and the universe," and "is often called gnostic or occult mysticism or monism," (?Reincarnationo, p. 106).

For years Americans could find stories about reincarnation in such widely read publications as Reader's Digest, but in the 1950's a book, The Search of Bridey Murphy catapulted re¬incarnation into the public's focus and the idea gained new acceptability. However, nothing gave the New Age Movement and the reincarnation phenomenon the impetus as did Shirley MacLaine's books, Out On A Limb, and Dancing in the Light, and her many TV appearances discussing how she became a believer in reincarnation.

It has continued to gain momentum until now many famous people of the entertainment world lend their name to endorse reincarnation. "Poets, politicians, doctors, lawyers, and college students by the thousands who have left traditional religious churches are turning to Westernized versions of Eastern religious thought," (Out On A Broken Limb, p. 13).

Like the Mormons and other major cults, the reincarnationists claim the Bible is incomplete and important parts have been left out or lost. They cast doubt on it's inspiration; but, amazingly, many then turn around and try to prove their cases by quoting Bible verses! Of course, they quote them either out of context or incorrectly.

The idea of reincarnation is that after one dies their spirit is born again into another body and they live again. In other words, one can come back again and again, each time gaining new knowledge and becoming better and better until they reach perfection. Not just a second chance but a third and fourth, etc. "One such consequence of reincarnation teaching is moral procrastination," (Reincarnation, p. 100).

The reincarnationists also believe that all life's truths and meaning can be found within self. The author F. LaGard Smith states, "The heart and soul of the New Age Movement, which Ms. MacLaine embraces along with her reincarnation ideas, is nothing less than self-deification (Out on A Broken Limb, p. 178). He quotes Shirley MacLaine in her book, Dancing in the Light, as saying, "I know that I exist therefore I AM. I know that the God source exists, therefore IT IS. Since I am part of the force, then I AM that I AM," (Ibid, p. 180).

The Theosophical Society of America, a branch of a world organization, dedicated to the brotherhood of all men as well as reincarnation, states in one of their publications, "In the close of each life we have advanced a few steps -- toward the great goal, then at the end of a number of such lives, perfection could be achieved," (Reincarnation, Fact or Fallacy?, p. 7).

Reincarnationists claim, too, that there is no good or evil, all is relative. New Agers have realized they can not solve the sin problem so they simply deny that sin exists. Naturally, it would follow, to do away with evil or overlook it if one would ever expect to attain perfection.

How can mankind advance toward perfection if there is no good to do nor evil to shun? It seems if Man is to continually be coming back and be getting better and better, this world would be a whole lot better place than it is now. But folks do not appear to be better than even a generation ago. They still need a Savior.

Because of Jesus and His righteousness man can live again, be born again. Man's spirits can be regenerated -- not reincarnated.

"Another escape route which may be used by the New Ager is the objection, `Well you can't really trust the Bible. It was written so long ago, and it's been translated so many times,'" (Confronting the New Age, p. 91).

It is hard to understand a New Ager's logic when they will not accept the Bible because it is old and out-dated. Yet they embrace Ancient manuscripts, most of which are older than the Bible.

But for the Christian the final word is the Bible, and it knows nothing of reincarnation. In fact, Hebrews 9:27 should end the question once and for all. It clearly states, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."