Can You Give Me A Good Definition of 'New Age' and Tell Me Why it's Dangerous?

Pastor Jim Verkest, Mosinee UMC
To define New Age is as difficult as defining Protestant in some ways. The New Age religious movement, just like Protestantism, comes in many forms and flavors. As difficult as it would be to compare how faith is practiced and understood in the Lutheran Church Wisconsin Synod, the United Church of Christ, the Episcopalian Church and a southern Pentecostal Church, so it is difficult to lump all New Age movements into one category.
Some New Age churches have been around for 100 years and some for less
than 100 days. Some were decidedly more Christian in the beginning than they are now. But there are many similar characteristics that are common to the New Age churches that I have experience with.
Most of the New Age churches have a decidedly different perspective on the human condition from orthodox Christianity. Their view sees humanity as inherently good rather than predisposed to sin. Its an Im OK youre OK view of humanity. The emphasis is on what humans can achieve on their own rather then what God can accomplish through them. They essentially see humanity as the center of the universe rather than God.
Most New Age churches do not see a role in salvation for Jesus Christ. He is often referred to as the Way Shower, a great prophet, one of a series of holy men who have come through the ages. Jesus is not understood as the Son of God and unique incarnation of God. He is not thought of as the suffering servant who died an atoning d ...