Vol. 8, No. 6, 1991

Articles on the New Age

Bud Press

Whether it is caused by whining children, income taxes, employment, holidays, marital relationships, barking dogs or VCR instructions written in Egyptian hieroglyphics, all of us - to some degree - suffer from stress.

Stress is best described as mental or physical tension that is brought about by urgent situations, pressure, anxiety or worry. And, of course, there are varying levels of stress that may be termed both beneficial and harmful.

For example, our inability to decipher those once-a-year "revised" income tax forms - can and will produce harmful stress. However, getting money back (when none was expected) produces beneficial stress.

Or, take for instance, the harmful stress produced by the next door neighbor's barking dogs - usually at 3 o'clock in the morning. But, on the other hand, consider the beneficial stress that is produced from watching your children play with the neighbor's dogs - as the dogs playfully bark and submit to those much-coveted back scratchings.

The comparison goes on and one - with one exception - hooking up the VCR. There is no beneficial stress involved. None whatsoever!

Yes, young or old, rich or poor, we all experience different forms of stress; much of which comes from worry.

Our worries are similar to the monthly bills - once they are taken care of they go away for awhile - only to return later on like clockwork. Of course, the same can be said of stress. Problems cause worry and worry causes stress, then the stress becomes a problem - that could produce either emotional or physical problems, or both.

Enters The Villain

In our efforts to exist in a fast-paced, stress-filled world, Christians are being confronted with the various stress reduction techniques that have flooded the market in the past few years.

The newspaper, radio and television advertise books, audio-tapes, and video-tapes that guarantee the termination of stress - whether on the job, or in our homes. And, to the would-be sufferer, these materials act as an age old "elixir" for "whatever ails" the customer.

On the job, Christians are being subjected to eastern meditation techniques such as Transcendental Meditation (TM) and yoga - which are designated to produce a calmer atmosphere and increase in production - or so it seems.

In the home, Christians drift off into "never-never land" while listening to sounds of nature or ocean waves crashing in on some far away beach - wondering if there is a hidden message on the subliminal tape.

But, the question remains: "What about these techniques for reducing stress - should Christians be concerned and where do they come from?"

In 1988, a four-part seminar/workshop was conducted at a prominent Baptist church here in Florida. During the fourth and final session, certain stress reduction techniques - that paralleled those being used in TM, yoga, and the New Age Movement - were both encouraged and demonstrated to the audience by the instructor. And, although it is impossible to cite the exact number of participants from the audio-tape, it is assumed that most of the audience participated along with the instructor.

Using certain Biblical passages for a foundation, the instructor led her willing audience through techniques such as:

1. eye-closure (closing the eyes);

2. deep breathing exercises;

3. self-talk/body-talk (telling your body to relax);

4. concentrating on specific body parts for healing or relaxation;

5. visualization of certain body parts becoming relaxed;

6. self-hypnosis technique;

7. clearing the mind;

8. guided imagery (picturing a beautiful outdoor scene in the mind);

9. creating an image of Jesus in the mind;

10. talking to the "Jesus" created in the mind;

11. praying to the "Jesus" created in the mind;

12. returning to the room after the relaxation session.

Do the above techniques sound strange or "off the wall?" Yes. Do these techniques really work? Yes, much of the time. Do the techniques have a clearly defined Biblical foundation, and should Christians participate in workshops or seminars when conducted as above? No!

Why? Elliot Miller (former "New Ager") of the Christian Research Institute, shares his answer:

"...one should steer clear of all techniques for increasing relaxation, creativity, concentration and so forth that involve repeating words, or visualizing objects in order to suspend normal though processes. Such altered states of consciousness are the breeding ground for mystical and occult activity of all kinds....

"This warning also applies to using the imagination (whether on one's own or in some form of guided imagery) to leave the body, contact `counselors' or `wise persons' or in any way manipulate the spiritual realm." (A Crash Course On The New Age Movement, p. 187.)

Therefore, there is an obvious danger, both spiritually and physically, to the Christian and non-Christian as well. Moreover, the individuals who take part in these seminars or workshops should be furnished with both sides of the story, as well as the complications that may arise through the use of these techniques in the future.

But where do these relaxation techniques come from? Ultimately, the ancient art of Hinduistic meditation, which incorporates the same techniques, while encouraging individuals to realize that they are, in fact, "god" (which is the core of New Age theology).

Unfortunately, space does not permit an exhaustive critique on the subject of "Stress Management" techniques and the Christian. However, for an in depth perspective of New Age influence in the church, the following books are highly recommended:

The New Age Cult, Walter Martin; Confronting The New Age, Douglas Groothuis; The Beautiful Side of Evil, Johanna Michaelsen; The Lure of the Cults & New Religions, Ronald Enroth.