New Age spirituality promises enlightenment, inner divinity, and spiritual freedom—but what worldview lies behind those promises?
Dr. Douglas Groothuis examines central beliefs in modern New Age spirituality and explains why they conflict with biblical Christianity.
At the heart of what Groothuis calls the “new spirituality” is the belief that reality is ultimately a divine oneness and that human beings can discover the divine by looking within themselves. Rather than looking to God for salvation, the individual seeks truth, wisdom, power, and ultimately the “God within.”
Groothuis explores how this worldview connects with yoga, karma, reincarnation, and self-salvation. He then contrasts these beliefs with the biblical teaching that human beings are created in God’s image but are not divine, that sin separates humanity from God, and that salvation comes through Jesus Christ rather than spiritual discovery within ourselves.
Why are New Age beliefs so attractive? What do karma and reincarnation actually teach? What are the spiritual roots of yoga? And how does Christianity offer a radically different understanding of God, humanity, salvation, and life after death?