Martin, W. (1989). The New Age cult. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers.

OVERVIEW

Walter Martin, a leading authority of cults throughout the world, spent his entire life studying cults and the occult so that he could offer Christians a better foundation for witnessing. He founded the Christian Research Institute, which continues the study of cults and the occult. Martin died shortly after writing this book. He expressed concern about the New Age movement long before it was prevalent in Western culture.

Martin offers a very readable book in The New Age Cult. This book supplies the reader a solid understanding of the New Age. The book is helpful to those in lay ministry, as well as to new, uncertain Christians, as it describes the dangerous doctrines behind the New Age. While this book provides the fundamentals, for those who prefer an in-depth study, Martin includes a resource file of other deeper, more detailed books.

OUTLINE OF THE BOOK

THE WORLD OF THE OCCULT AND THE NEW AGE

This provides basic information on the roots of New Age. The chapter also shows readers the dangers behind the movement, noting how New Age thinking tears away Christian truths.

TEN KEY DOCTRINES OF THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT

Each doctrine, in some way, addresses Christian tenets. Yet, each totally distorts the Christian view. These ten doctrines follow: God, the Trinity, Jesus Christ, the Atonement, Salvation, Heaven and Hell and the last Judgment, Demonic Powers, the Second Coming of Christ, Reincarnation, and the New Age. These all appear to correspond with Christianity (except for reincarnation), but the New Age interpretation misuses scripture.

BIBLICAL ANSWERS TO NEW AGE TEACHINGS

It is in this chapter that Martin biblically refutes the above doctrines. He offers strong scriptural answers to each New Age teaching, while also sharing effecting witnessing tools.

DANGERS OF THE NEW AGE: A SHADOW OF JONESTOWN

Martin shows two instances in which individuals used New Age philosophy to perform serious evil. The first was Father Divine and the Peace Mission Movement of the early 1900s. It was from this man''s teachings that Jim Jones'' belief systems developed, leading to the death of 915 people. Many still wonder, "How could so many people be led by such a lunatic?" It is the power behind the movement that one must recognize.

DANGERS OF THE NEW AGE TODAY

Martin identifies how the New Age movement is penetrating society today. The New Age has permeated education, politics, and most institutions of society. Martin illustrates how educational material is being dominated by this philosophy, and how children are being forced to participate in it. Politics is also being infiltrated by the New Age movement. Some political groups are open about their philosophy (The Green Party, Planetary Citizens), while others are subtle in their stands. One must recognize the emergence of New Age in society before effectively combating it.

THE NEW AGE AGENDA

This chapter reveals the plans of the New Age movement. The unity of all religions is one important aspect. New Agers believe that there is truth in all religions and that salvation can be found in each. They also endorse a universal government, believing that it would be able to supply perfect peace on earth.

REINCARNATION AND THE NEW AGE

This chapter addresses the New Age doctrine of reincarnation. This key doctrine is founded in misinterpreted Old and New Testament Scriptures. Reincarnation is the belief that human beings are repeatedly reborn until they finally reach their full potential and find Nirvana (Heaven, in Christian terms). Martin biblically refutes every New Age belief on reincarnation. He highlights how these New Agers have incorrectly used scriptures to prove an unsound doctrine. The fatal flaw of this doctrine is also described: the fact that no one will ever be perfect; therefore, no one will ever reach Nirvana.

CHRISTIAN CONFRONTATION WITH NEW AGERS This provides excellent advice for witnessing to anyone in society, including New Agers. His suggestions for good communication include the following guidelines:

• Preparation of prayer.
• Repeat and reword.
• Communicate your love.
• Seek common ground.
• Define terminology.
• Question, do not teach.
• Read the Word, avoid criticism.
• Commend.
• Study the New Age.
• Define ''Jesus.''
• Reveal the weakness of moral relativism.
• Show the Bible to be reliable.
• Reveal the inconsistency of the New Age world view.

IDENTIFYING NEW AGE GROUPS AND LEADERS

Martin lists groups and leaders involved with the New Age movement.

QUOTATIONS

The following noteworthy quotes are found within Martin''s book:

C.S. Lewis ''...noted that in the final conflict between religions, Hinduism and Christianity would offer the only viable options because Hinduism absorbs all religious systems, and Christianity excludes all others maintaining the supremacy of the claims of Jesus Christ.'' (p. 5)

The deification of man by the New Age Cult requires the abandonment of absolute truth, worship at the altar of relativism, and obsession with reincarnation. (p. 22) New Age Movement denies the biblical doctrine of sin and substitutes reincarnation as the means of atonement, evading the significance of the cross. (p. 40)

The mass suicide at Jonestown began with the recognition of an authority higher than God and His Word, an authority self-conferred by a spiritual child of Father Devine''s Peace Mission. (p. 52)

In summary, with the confluent education, guided imagery, values clarification, meditation, globalism, and yoga making their way into schools, it becomes clear that the New Age Movement has made significant inroads into the educational system. (p. 82)

There is a danger that the New Age thought may cause some Christians to develop a paranoia about anything appearing to be associated with the movement, especially in regard to conspiracy theories. But as the old joke says, ''Just because you are paranoid does not mean they are not really after you!'' (p. 68)

One of the key teachings of the New Age Movement, a doctrine virtually essential to its entire concept of ''salvation,'' is the doctrine of transmigration of the soul-or as it is known in the Western world, reincarnation. (p. 85)

As we think about encountering confronting the New Age Cult, we ought to remember that Christians sometimes can be influenced and even led astray by New Age thinking. (p. 107)

In dealing with the New Age Cult, we are really dealing with spiritual warfare against the forces of darkness, and we are told by God to put on the whole armor of heaven so that we will able to withstand the forces of Satan (Ephes. 6:11). (p. 108)

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. After reviewing this summary, what is new to your understanding of this movement?
2. How could this information be helpful for informing others about the New Age movement?
3. After seeing the New Age doctrines, what biblical information do you know to refute their stands?

IMPLICATIONS

1. It is important to remember that most people who follow New Age are innocently misled. Most New Agers are not evil people. Approach them lovingly.
2. This is a great book to offer to someone who wants a quick understanding of the New Age.
3. This issue is so very important to all Christians in today''s society, because it is infiltrating all societal institutions.
4. Those working with youth need to be more open and committed to research on this topic so that kids may be given the information they need to make informed decisions about the New Age movement.

Kurt Fehrs and Anne Montague cCYS