tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097262148031014874.post8945792403820733536..comments2023-03-16T02:41:09.963-05:00Comments on My Perspective: A New Church for a New Age: The Depth and Breadth of the New Age Movement’s Influence on Modern ChristianityMatthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14702237042599137338noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097262148031014874.post-60528498564607197992009-09-13T20:20:39.365-05:002009-09-13T20:20:39.365-05:00Jonah,
Thank you for your insight, I appreciate a...Jonah,<br /><br />Thank you for your insight, I appreciate a little fresh perspective once in a while.<br /><br />Before I dive into answering some of your concerns, let me ask you this: DO you believe that New Age doctrine has been ushered into the modern church? I know you mention questioning several classical Christian doctrines, but I'm curious as to whether you recognize some of the more recent trends as finding their roots in New Age.<br /><br />That being said, my initial response to your main reason is a personal one: I trust God, and, in my personal experience, have no difficulty reconciling His love with His justice. Can you be more specific and explain to me where the two don't fit together? I believe that God is every bit as much just and holy as He is loving and protective.<br /><br />And again, I feel the need to respond in a personal manner to your second concern (it seems to fit better here than the rather 'spirited' debates that I often find myself in). Have you fallen into fear and anxiety? I find immense comfort in God, and, even when I sin, if I stay in fellowship with God, I don't experience the fear and anxiety you speak of. When I reflect on both God's love AND His justice, I find comfort, not fear. To me, the notion of an unjust God who is loving only would be more likely to invoke anxiety.<br /><br />What I really want to get across is that my relationship with God is a very personal one, not consumed in legalism and rigid moral conduct, and fully recognizing and embracing God's loving nature, but I don't think I could have the same relationship without recognizing His righteous nature at the same time.<br /><br />Please, tell me your thoughts.<br /><br />In Christ,<br />MatthewMatthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14702237042599137338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6097262148031014874.post-90454014547440003982009-09-13T16:43:17.107-05:002009-09-13T16:43:17.107-05:00Gosh Matthew...where do I start...I have so much t...Gosh Matthew...where do I start...I have so much to say.<br /><br />First of all, I commend your research. I thought your paper was well thought out and placed on paper beautifully.<br /><br />Secondly, I empathize with you in that I too used to believe that we (the church) were being infiltrated by the new age movement.<br /><br />Thirdly, and most importantly, I am now questioning this previous notion. I go to a deeply fundamental church (which I am assuming from your belief system, you do too) and I am now wrestling with the very doctrines you seemingly uphold.<br /><br />My main reason: I cannot reconcile the God who is love and the God who condemns to hell.<br /><br />Another reason: The fear and anxiety that is a result of the fundamentalist doctrine...when God says in Timothy that he did not give us a spirit of fear<br /><br />I think if we look at the life of Jesus He says come one come all...He's inclusive all of the time whereas fundamentalist belief is largely exclusive...you're in if you believe this, this and that...and you're out if you don't. <br /><br />What do you think?Jonahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02013027382686597352noreply@blogger.com