Session 5 Final Assignment

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1 Session 5 Final Assignment Matthew Timmons Colorado Christian University PHL-205A-35014-FA23 - Worldviews Professor Quintana December 24, 2023

2 I. Introduction Have you ever wondered if the New Spirituality worldview was just like Christianity? Have you wondered what a worldview is to begin with? A worldview is a collection of values, ideas, beliefs, and expectations of how we interpret and view the world. In some ways, Christianity and the New Spirituality movement have similarities and differences. This paper will analyze the similarities and differences between both worldviews using Myers & Noebel’s (2015) “Ten Ways to Look at the World” (p. 20). This paper will also give some background information and answer whether these two worldviews could coexist to help shape society. II. The Central Ideas New Spirituality is an ancient worldview impersonating a new way for people to reach enlightenment. “New Spirituality is hard to define because it lacks a definitive core of belief” (Myers & Noebel, 2015, p. 129). New Spirituality has gained followers as an alternative journey to self-discovery and Spirituality. Any movement, although appealing, will have its share of concerns and problems. According to Abuallah (2023), the problem with New Spirituality is “its potential for superficiality, lack of critical thinking, and cherry-picking of beliefs” (p. 2). The central theme of this worldview is self- spirituality and detraditionalization. New Spiritualists believe that you will have a spiritual awakening by exploring oneself. New Spirituality rejects the Bible and organizations such as churches. The goal of the New Spiritualist worldview is to achieve collective consciousness. Christianity is the most predominant religion in the world. Myers & Noebel (2015) defines Christianity as “a theistic worldview centered on the person of Jesus Christ that it derives its understanding of the world through the teachings of the Holy Bible” (p.33). Jesus’s teachings are a theme of Christianity. God requires us to love him with all heart, mind, and soul. We should love our neighbors as ourselves and forgive others who have transgressed against us as God has forgiven us for our sins. A Christian is also to love their enemies and pray for them. Repentance of all sins is a vitally

3 important theme. The core idea of Christianity is the belief in the one true living God. He is the creator and sustains the universe. The view of Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Jesus lived on earth to be our sacrifice for our sins, so he now sits at the Father's right side and intercedes on our behalf. A Christian believes in the Holy Spirit, and salvation comes only through Jesus Christ. Christians believe in the resurrection of Christ, and he ascended to Heaven after being dead for three days. Christians are to spread the gospel's good news, telling of how good God is. You take on the responsibility of being stewards through acts of love and help and support those in their time of need. To be a Christian is to know God and his mighty good works, and if you have love in your heart, then you have God in your heart as well. The goal of Christianity is not just to get to Heaven but to rejoin what we lost in Eden and to be back where God is as he created us to be. “In a place of dominion and authority; not as owners, but as stewards of the Kingdom of God over the earth!” (Miller, 2013). III. Compare and Contrast: The Ten Ways of Looking at the World Theology Christians believe that God is everlasting. Heaven and Hell exist for all believers. Christians believe God is our designer, and we have been made in his image. Myers & Noebel (2015) stated that “Christianity posits the existence of God as a personal, relational, creative being who has made himself known through nature and scripture” (p. 476). New Spirituality is sometimes called NAM (New Age Movement), new consciousness or Spirituality. Spiritualists believe that everything is consciousness. For New Spiritualists, "Everything is energy, even thoughts" (Myers & Noebel, 2015, p. 474). Christianity says theology is the study of God, but New Spirituality says they believe that God is the universe. Philosophy God created not only the world but the entire universe. God reveals his plan, and he reveals himself. God is transcendent and immanent. God expressed his thoughts, and the universe came into

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4 being. God manifests in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. New Spirituality teaches that everything and everyone are connected through consciousness. Spiritualists believe everything is spiritual. Spirituality emphasizes that we are a part of a single whole. Christianity says the love and pursuit of wisdom and knowledge is a part of the philosophy, while New Spirituality says we are ourselves and God, and we can achieve a higher self without God. Ethics For Christians, the Bible is the source of their morality. Christianity condemns those who subvert ethics by calling good evil and evil good. Christians are to obey God’s will. Christians are to follow the natural law and live as Christ did. Christian ethics believe humans can know and recognize truth and moral good through reason and revelation. Myers & Noebel (2015) says, “In New Spiritualist writings, indifference to suffering is the basis of a good life” (p. 145). New Spiritualists feel love, and compassion makes things worse. New Spiritualists believe in the law of karma and sending good vibes out into the world. In Christianity, we are obligated to help those in need from an ethical standpoint, whereas New Spirituality focuses on self and transcendence. Biology Biology being the study of life, Christians adopt a creationist viewpoint on biology. Christians can look at nature and see God’s handiwork before them. Christian believers believe they are children of God. In New Spirituality, they dispensed the First Cause (God) notion and said the universe was uncaused. “The search for a cause of nature or the beginning of the universe has been fruitless, say New Spiritualists” (Myers & Noebel), 2015, p. 139). Christianity says God is the creator of life in biology, but New Spirituality says that biology is that the universe is eternal with no cause or beginning. Psychology

5 Christians believe we all have souls. Christians understand that something is wrong with us and we need a savior. New Spiritualists believe “we can live in greater mental health if we are cleansed of ego” (Myers & Noebel, 2015, p. 139). In psychology, Christianity believes in communing and conversing with God, while New Spirituality states that one should connect with God within. Sociology Christians feel society functions best when organized around the family. God said to man and woman to be fruitful and multiply. Christians believe the glue to humanity is in the family unit. As Christians, we are caretakers and watch over creation. New Spirituality feels there is no such thing as a ‘self’ or an individual person. New Spiritualists believe in only consciousness. In sociology, the New Spiritualist is described by the collective consciousness and having a healthy and happy society. Still, Christianity says sphere sovereignty is needed so “society functions best when each sphere is properly managing its area of responsibility” (Myers & Noebel, 2015, p. 338). Law Followers of Christianity believe God gave us divine laws to follow and discover. Christians believe God has character, and his character is the law of the universe. God will judge all humans through Christ according to his standards of good and evil. New Spirituality puts forth little effort in discussing the law. New Spiritualists concentrate on inner development rather than laws. Christianity's direction says to follow and obey the laws and rules made by God. At the same time, New Spirituality focuses on developing your inner self to channel your inner God and have self-law so he or she has legal authority.

6 Politics In Christianity, the Bible does not direct its followers to political activism. Christianity feels that getting involved with political matters would intrude on the purpose of its mission. The Bible does say the government is to help preserve order. New Spirituality puts more emphasis on transformation than Christianity. New Spirituality says, “If we want good government, we must first of all govern ourselves; this approach to governance autarchy, which means the governing self” (Myers & Noebel, 2015, p. 393). Christianity says to obey the government and not get involved in politics, but New Spirituality teaches its followers to self-govern, and that personal power could lead to political transformation. Economics Christians believe no economic system can save or usher in God’s kingdom. In Christianity, having little wealth and righteousness is better than having abundant wealth with deceit. In New Spiritualist economics, “The more attuned a person is to higher consciousness, the more the universe will demonstrate this level of enlightenment by mirroring more god-money in action.” The more enlightened a person is, the more money and success will naturally occur in life” (Myers & Noebel, 2015, p. 429). Christianity teaches you not to steal and covet, while New Spirituality teaches you to be selfish and only worry about your inner self. History Christian History is the unveiling of God’s ultimate plan for humanity. Christians believe God is the beginning and the end of history. New Spiritualists place their faith in evolution as being a savior. Consciousness only exists in New Spirituality. In New Spirituality, history only now exists, while Christianity says to study the world God created and tell the truth about the past even if it is uncomfortable.

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7 IV. A Logical Defense The Christian worldview is far more compelling and offers better benefits than the New Spirituality worldview. Christianity provides a way of being saved by the Lord, our strength, rock, and redeemer. Christianity brings truth to the table. In studying the Bible, you learn the history of our worldview and what Christ endured to redeem us. I believe in Christianity because not only was it because I was taught to believe in it, but it helps me to view this world through a different set of lenses. God does not compel anyone he offers. I believe in God because he offers salvation, a gift. I believe in him because his word is encouraging, infallible, and teachable. Belief in God is fundamental because I have nowhere else to place my hopes, fears, mistakes, and sins and trust that I will be forgiven and cleansed. I cannot put hope in myself; that would be unwise and foolish. I do not know the future or can see the end. Only God can, and he knows all the consequences of our mistakes or mistakes, and we do not. I believe in Jesus and the Resurrection; it provides comfort to know that if you please God and when you see him, you can live with him for eternity. God is significant to me; even though I cannot see or hear him, I feel he is with me. Just relying on God is helping me to change from the person I used to be. I was a person who was short-tempered, quick to wrath, used profanity, and was immoral in many ways. People did not want to be around me and were afraid to say anything to me because they did not know what would upset me. I understand and believe in God because I am not the same person anymore. God is changing me for the better. I know God is real because I prayed to be changed, and he did it. People want to be around me now. I do not rush to wrath; I think things out, think about both sides and focus on God. I know God is real because I am a changed person with a new spiritual heart and full of his love. Any price of ridicule is worth the prize he has waiting for us at the end of this race.

8 V. Common Ground Most of the discussion has been on the differences, so let us focus on the similarities and how they can help people. A primary commonality between Christianity and New Spirituality is the shared focus on personal growth and transformation. Philips (2023) says, “Both belief systems emphasize the importance of developing oneself spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically to achieve greater levels of enlightenment or fulfillment.” New Spirituality and Christianity also have a common emphasis on community. Whether attending church or spiritual retreats, both seek supportive, like-minded communities with similar values. Love is another shared belief between the two worldviews. In Christianity, Jesus taught us to love your neighbor as yourself. The new Spirituality emphasizes love for all. Both worldviews encourage followers to live a moral, ethical life spotlighted around kindness. Society can benefit if an alliance is formed between the two and a bridge is built. The first benefit is that with the bridge, our spiritual growth will benefit both worldviews, which would help society to achieve less hypocrisy. The second benefit is that the message of Christ would get to be spread worldwide to people in new ways, so its truth can be understood while both worldviews respect one another regardless of background. VI. Conclusion Christianity and New Spirituality have much to offer us. Yes, they both do have their differences. One offers salvation through a savior and only higher consciousness salvation. Christianity interprets the world through the belief that a savior who died for our sins will return to set things right again. At the same time, New Spirituality is mainly based on everyone reaching a higher collective consciousness to bring about spiritual and worldly change. Can these two coexist? I do think if we can respect each other's differences, there might be more happy endings, talks of peace, and love on the news than mostly stories of tragedy and suffering. Both these worldviews can, in some ways, help our world, but to be

9 honest, as a Christian, these two cannot coexist because Christianity is truth, and anything that contradicts it is not truth.

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10 References Myers, J. & Noebel, D. (2015). Understanding the times: A survey of competing worldviews. Manitou Springs, CO: Colorado Springs, Summit Ministries Miller, P. (2013, April 10). A Word in Season. The Ultimate Goal of Christianity. https://haroldmillerjr.com/2013/11/28/the-ultimate-goal-of-christianity/ Abdulla, A. K. (2023, October 23). Spiritual Echo. The Problem with New Age Spirituality for Enlighten of The New Age Movement. https://spiritualecho.com/the-problem-with-new-age-spirituality/#scent-as-a-spiritual- trigger-exploring-the-deep-connections-involved-in-randomly-smelling-your-ex Phillips, A. (2023, August 11). The Witness. Similarities between Christianity and New Age Movement. https://thewitness.org/similarities-between-christianity-and-new-age-movement/ #Similarities_in_beliefs_and_practices

Session 5 Final Assignment

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