Case Study: Helen Schucman

 

Today I am going to present a case study of a person who believes and claims that God does give new revelation about himself today. This person is Helen Schucman. Have you heard of her? If not, you’ve probably been exposed to her teachings through an author and speaker named Marianne Williamson.

Marianne Williamson is the author of many New Age books such as Illuminata: A Return to Prayer, The Age of Miracles: Embracing the New Midlife, and the most widely known, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles.” Marianne currently has her own daily radio show on the Oprah channel for XM Satellite radio. On the show she shares her insights from A Course in Miracles and helps listeners apply these spiritual teachings to their everyday lives.[i] Moreover, Williamson writes articles and blogs for Oprah.com.

What is important to know is that Williamson’s book, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles”, is a revamp of teachings from 1965 by Columbia University professor of Medical Psychology Helen Schucman.[ii] Schucman has said to have heard an “inner voice”, claiming to be Jesus Christ, say to her: “This is a course in miracles. Please take notes.”[iii] After seven years of writing down what the inner voice told her, Schucman created A Course in Miracles. The course teaches that God’s love is in everyone and everything, that we can be divine because Christ is within us, and that sin is an illusion.[iv] Read the following statements from A Course in Miracles:

 

 

• “God is in everything I see.”[v]
• “God is still everywhere and in everything forever. And we are a part of Him.”[vi]
• “The recognition of God is the recognition of yourself. There is no separation of God and His creation.”[vii]

 

These statements clearly show that A Course in Miracles is pantheistic.

Warren Smith, who was once a New Ager but is now a Christian, writes about Schucman in his book Reinventing Jesus Christ: The New Gospel:

 

In the seven and a half years of cumulative dictation that became A Course in Miracles, Schucman’s “Jesus” presents a whole new way of looking at the world. Using Christian terminology, sophisticated psychology, and convincing authority, Schucman’s “Jesus” teaches a completely different gospel than the one found in the Bible. His “new gospel” wholly contradicts the Bible’s Gospel of Jesus Christ. Schucman’s “inner voice,” while claiming to be Jesus, actually opposes everything for which the Bible’s Jesus stands.[viii]

What a perfect example of Matthew 24:5 which says, ” For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” In 1975, Schucman’s A Course in Miracles was published and had a small following through the 1980’s. However, it wasn’t until Marianne Williamson embraced Schucman’s teaching and wrote A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles” that it really took off. In 1992, Marianne was featured and endorsed on the Oprah Winfrey Show, thus spreading Schucman’s false teaching of Jesus Christ across the world.[ix]

Paul writes in his letter to the Galatians:

 

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! (Galatians 1:6-9, NIV)

Helen Schucman is teaching another gospel different than what is taught in the Bible. Paul clearly demonstrates in this passage that people will try to pervert the gospel of Christ. If what is taught is different than what the Bible teachings about Christ, then it is false. We clearly see that this is the case with Schucman and Williamson’s teachings. For instance, Christ did not teach that sin is an illusion. If He did, then why did He die on the cross to free us from sin?

What do you think? Please leave comments! Stay tuned in for the next few blog posts where I will continue this discussion …

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[i] http://xmradio.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=press_releases&item=1550, accessed 8/6/09

[ii] Smith, Warren. Reinventing Jesus Christ: The New Gospel. (Ravenna:Conscience Press, 2002), 9.

[iii] Skutch, Robert. Journey without Distance: The Story behind “A Course in Miracles” (Berkeley: Celestial Arts, 1984), 54.

[iv] Smith, 10.

[v] A Course in Miracles. Vol. 2, Workbook for Students. (Tiburon: Foundation for Inner peace, 1975), 45.

[vi] Ibid, 92.

[vii] A Course in Miracles. Vol. 1, Text. (Tiburon: Foundation for Inner peace, 1975), 136.

[viii] Smith, 10.

[ix] Smith, 10-11.

Is New Revelation About God Still Being Given Today?

 

I posted a series of blogs over the past few weeks that gave short descriptions of different religious belief systems to show they do not all teach the same core truth. After examining these different religions, we came to the conclusion that it’s impossible for all religions to teach the same core truth. Many of these belief systems completely oppose each other. However, still New Age teachers make the claim that all belief systems teach the same core truth.

Well now I am going to take this one step further and show how New Age teachers use this claim to teach that new revelation is given today about God. By “revelation” I mean new knowledge or ideas about God that are different than what is given in Scripture.

The New Age thinking process goes something like this:

 

New Age reasoning #1: If all religions teach the same core truth, then revelation about God doesn’t just come from the Bible or Jesus Christ. Spiritual revelation about God also comes from Krishna, Buddha, and many others. Therefore, we should all consider and practice what these “spiritual gurus” teach and say.

 

 

New Age reasoning #2: If all spiritual teachers of the past (Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, etc.) have given us revelation about God, then it may be very well possible to receive knowledge of a spiritual kind through others today. New Agers believe that these new revelations should be considered and put into practice.

Over the next few days and blog posts, I am going to tell you why I think these two reasoning’s are false. You will learn how these reasoning’s logically do not make sense and how as Christian’s we are to approach and respond to new revelation.

To end this post today, I want to give you two questions to ponder, chew on, and think about before I address this topic again in the next blog post: Is new revelation about God still being given today? If so, do you think it is supported by Scripture?

Feel free to leave a comment!

The Righteous Ponder

 

 

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in its season

And its leaf does not wither;

And in whatever he does, he prospers.

(Psalm 1:1-3, NASB, bold added)

 

The righteous ponder …

The righteous repeat …

The righteous utter in a low sound …

The righteous meditate on the Word of God!

Psalm 1:1-3 gives a picture of a righteous person who meditates on God’s law. Verse 1:2 says that a righteous person “meditates day and night.”

Holman’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines the word meditate as,

 

The act of calling to mind some supposition, pondering upon it, and correlating it to one’s own life. Meditation by God’s people is a reverent act of worship. Meditation is the repetitious going over of a matter in one’s mind because it is the chief concern of life. In Hebrew, it means to be “to utter in a low sound” and to “be occupied with,” or “concerned about.”

I purposely highlighted in bold all of the action verbs in this definition of Meditation to show what meditating is … calling to mind, pondering, correlating, repeating, worshiping, uttering, occupation, and concern.

What might this look like when meditating on a passage of Scripture?

• Bring your chosen passage to mind and ponder it during the day. Think about it.
• Write your passage on an index card and carry it in your pocket so that you can pull it out while you are at work, exercising, or taking a walk. Repeat this throughout the day and week.
• Think about your passage. What does it mean and how does it apply or correlate to your life? Think of one way you can put it into practice.
• Utter your passage! Say it out loud. It doesn’t have to be loud for everyone to hear, but just loud enough for your ears to hear.
• Occupy yourself with the passage. Take 30 minutes out of your day to be concerned about the passage. Journal about it and record any ideas or insight the Holy Spirit gives to you.

This is how Christian’s are to meditate on Scripture and the things of God. The world see’s meditation as the emptying of the mind. However, Scripture teaches that meditation is actually the filling of the mind! Fill your mind with God’s word today! Store it in your heart so the Holy Spirit can bring it up to you when needed.

God bless and have a great weekend!

December Give-A-Way!

It’s Give-A-Way time again! December’s Give-A-Way Prize will be the TNIV – Books of the Bible. See http://www.ibsdirect.com/p-574-the-books-of-the-bible.aspx for information about this neat Bible. This is a reading Bible. All of the chapter numbers and verse numbers are removed so that you can read the Bible without distraction and also notice the natural breaks in the text. Books are also presented in chronological order! 

If you are interested in winning December’s Give-A-Way, the only thing you need to do is subscribe to the blog. People who subscribed to the blog last month will also be added to the drawing for December’s prize. To subscribe, see the right side of the blog where there is a box to add your email address. Once you do this and confirm that you’ve subscribed in the email that will be sent to you, you will be entered into the drawing.

I’m happy to anounce that last month’s winner was Jill from Alabama!

You could be the next winner of this Bible. Just Subscribe!

God Bless you during this Christmas season!

There for what? Romans 12:1-2

 

Raise your hand if you’ve memorized Romans 12:1-2? This passage is one that is always on the memorization list. I had to memorize it a couple years ago for a discipleship group I attended.

Scripture memorization is important. However, if you are like me, many times I memorize Scripture and I store it in my short term memory opposed to my long term memory. Luckily, Romans 12:1-2 stuck and is stored in my long term cabinet:

 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (NIV)

 Notice the “therefore.” What is “therefore” there for? It is referring to something in the previous paragraph or chapter. In Romans 11:30-32, Paul illustrates to the Roman church the value and importance of God’s mercy:

 

Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their [the Israelites] disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. (NIV)

Romans 11:30-32 and 12:1-2 are linked together by the word “mercy.” God’s mercy, what a fantastic gift! He has mercy on us! According to this verse, because of the disobedience of the Gentiles, God had mercy on the Israelites and offered them his compassion. But now (referring to the time that Paul is writing this letter), because of Israel’s disobedience, God has extended his compassion to the Gentiles. What does this mean for us today? It means that He has extended his compassion and love to everyone through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

He didn’t have to do this. God didn’t have to include everyone, but He did. Our thankful response should be to set ourselves apart; to be separate and holy, because of God’s mercy shown to us. By doing this, we sacrifice our old nature and make ourselves pleasing to God. This is one way we worship! Wow! Understanding this concept gives so much more depth and meaning to Romans 12:1-2.

So how is it that we make ourselves holy? Paul tells us in 12:2: “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Our minds are full of sinful stuff … junk, garbage. Start taking out the garbage and replacing it with spiritual wealth! Fill your mind with Scripture! Memorize and store it in your heart! Eventually, your mind will be so full with the things of God that you won’t have room for the junk anymore. All of this will give you the strength to no longer conform to the pattern of this world. Instead, you will conform to God’s pattern. Then, you will be able to discern what are God’s desires and purposes!

I hope today’s teaching has given you new insight into this passage. Sometimes I need to stop, slow down, and take in familiar passages. I have a tendency to glance over them because I “know” them. I encourage you this week to go back to your favorite verse or most familiar passage and soak in it! Read what comes before and after it. What is the subtitle of the chapter? Notice these things. If there is a “therefore”, ask yourself what it may be referring to that was previously written by the author. What impact might it have upon your understanding of your familiar passage? All of these things will give you more insight into Scripture and Bible study.

-God Bless

Book Excerpt: One Important Thing!

Here is the one important thing you must know: The teachings of Christ do not change. The author of Hebrews makes this clear in chapter 13:8-9:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.” (NIV)

It is apparent from this verse that if Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, then His message is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Therefore, we need to be careful we are not carried away by any kind of strange teachings and ideas contrary to the teaching of Christ. Second Timothy 4:3-4 illustrates this reality:

“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (NIV)

So then the question becomes: What must we do to guard ourselves against many of the lies brought to us through television programs and TV personalities? Just as discussed previously, God’s Word must be our foundation so we do not accept new teachings and ideas that are in opposition to the Word of God.

- Let Jesus Be Your Talk Show Host, Ch. 1

What is Your Heart’s Desire?

 

I [Paul] have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel. (Romans 9:2-4, NIV)

Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. (Romans 10:1, NIV)

More than anything, Paul wanted his people to be saved. He wanted the Jews to know Jesus.

I’ve read Romans chapters 9 and 10 over and over again for the last week. It is what I was asked to read for my Bible Study next week. What stuck out to me was Paul’s desire for the Jews to gain salvation through Jesus Christ. He desired this so immensely that, if he could, he would sacrifice his salvation in Christ and eternity in heaven so that his fellow brethren could spend eternity with God.

What is your heart’s desire? It may be for a family member or someone close to you to know the Lord. It may be for your daughter or son to return to the Lord because they’ve gone astray. Or perhaps, it is for other Christian brothers and sisters you know to grow closer to the Lord.

As you’ve probably noticed, my desire is for Christian women to know the truth. My desire is for women to be strong in what they claim to believe; to be knowledgeable of Scripture and the biblical foundations that make up our faith. If we do not know what we believe, we will be easily deceived by new ideas and false doctrines that arise around us. This is the reason I am writing Let Jesus Be Your Talk Show Host (see “The Book” link above).

Spend this week thinking about your heart’s desire. Go to God in prayer and ask him to give you opportunities to express your desire to others and see it fulfilled! Be the Lord’s vessel and let Him use you to bring others to Christ.

November Give-a-Way!!!

I’ve decided to start a Give-a-Way prize each month to those who follow my blog! In the spirit of Thanksgiving, thank you for following the blog! I hope my articles bless and encourage you to learn more about God, Scripture, and the deception of New Age spirituality that is so prevalent in our culture today.

This month’s prize will be a $5 gift card to Starbucks Coffee. How do you enter to receive the gift card? If you notice, I just added on the right side of my blog an area where you can subscribe to the blog and receive email updates when a new article is posted. All you have to do is add your email address and subscribe. ***Then, send me an email at letjesusbeyourtalkshowhost@hotmail.com to let me know you have subscribed. Email me your name and email address so I can contact you!!!*** At the end of November, I will do a drawing and choose one person to receive the gift card. I will then notify you and get your address so I can mail you the card.

Thank you for participating and encouraging me as I strive to build this ministry and reach others!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Gina

Photo by Bill Longshaw: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=341

Survey: What Do You Think is the #1 Difference in Teaching that Separates Christianity From Other Belief Systems?

Today I’m asking you to be part of a survey based on the blog series I posted about different belief systems and if they teach the same core truth. Over the last two weeks I’ve posted blogs about Hinduism, Buddhism, Kabbalah, Islam, and Taoism. I contrasted their teachings to those of Christianity and came to the conclusion that each belief system has completely different teachings. There is no way you could say that they teach the same core truth. I’ve also shown how the New Age movement takes something from each of these systems and incorporates it into New Age spirituality.

Now I’d like to hear from you!

What do you think is the #1 difference in teaching that separates Christianity from other belief systems? There are many, but I want to know from you which one you think is the most significant! The following is a list of differences that I noticed right away. Which important element of Christianity do you think separates it from other religions?

• The belief in heaven and hell.
• The teaching of sin and the need for salvation.
• The belief that Jesus is God.
• The belief that Christians worship a personal/relational God and not an impersonal one.

These are just a few suggestions. Please leave a comment and let me know your answer. You can choose an answer from what I listed or add your own!

 

God Bless,

Gina

Clip art photo from Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Christianity vs. Kabbalah

 

Today’s blog features the last belief system we will be examining in this series about different religions. Our goal has been to see how each belief system differs from Christianity and also to show how each system does not teach the same core truth.

Our teaching today is about Kabbalah. How much do you know about Kabbalah and what is the first thing that you think of? Personally, the first ideas that comes to my mind are red bracelets and Madonna! The singer/celebrity Madonna has been the poster child for Kabbalah in the last decade. Sporting the red bracelet, she’s embraced this form of Jewish mysticism and has encouraged others to do the same. I have to admit, that’s pretty much the extent of my knowledge. I’m guessing that it might also be the same for you. Therefore, we are going to unpack this mystical practice and examine the basic beliefs that make up the system of Kabbalah that we see today.

The following is a list of basic beliefs and facts about Kabbalah:

• Kabbalah originates from Judaism and can only be completely understood in view of its Jewish roots.
• Kabbalist’s claim it is a hidden or secret doctrine. The Hebrew word Kabbalah means “to receive.” Thus, Kabbalah is to receive hidden knowledge.
• Kabbalah teaches that God gave Moses the written law and the oral law. Kabbalah comes from the oral law and is seen as feminine. The masculine side of Judaism is the written law.
• Hidden knowledge comes only from the oral law but is understood within the context of the written law.
• Kabbalah is a mixture of philosophy, white magic, and meditative practices.
• Even if a person does not fully understand Judaism, he or she can still gain many insights into life by studying Kabbalah’s concepts.
• Kabbalah seeks to understand the fusion between the physical and spiritual, how humans control the universe, and how they are one with God.
• The red string some Kabbalist’s wear is to ward off evil and misfortune.

There is so much more to learn about Kabbalah than what I’ve indentified in this list. Therefore, for the sake of this blog post and length, we are going to focus on the aspect of Kabbalah as a secret knowledge. You can learn more about Kabbalah from the links listed below.

Christianity doesn’t teach that there is a secret knowledge. The New Age movement, like Kabbalah, claims that the Bible teaches a secret knowledge that must be looked for beyond a passages literal interpretation. However, when looked at closely, this is not the case. Even when Jesus speaks in parables, He reveals the true meaning to the disciples. The disciples were they only people who were willing to hear and understand the Kingdom of God, unlike the Jews whose ears and eyes were hardened (See Matthew 13:13). Jesus spoke in parables to fulfill prophecy and also because if his adversaries knew what He was talking about, it would create chaos and persecution. In the end however, Jesus wanted everyone to know about the Kingdom of God. He didn’t keep it a secret!

The Kabbalist’s approach to finding truth is very different than the Christian’s approach. A Christian reads the Bible for what it is. A follower of Kabbalah reads Torah and looks beyond it’s most simple interpretation to find other meanings. They also rely on other teachings and writings beyond the Bible. In addition to Kabbalah’s rejection of Jesus as God and other important doctrine we hold to as Christians, this approach shows again that Christianity and Kabbalah do not teach the same core truth. This is because they are not coming from the same sources. If they do come from the same source, they are not interpreted in the same way. Thus, resulting in two different interpretations and meanings.

I hope this post is clear and easily understood. Again, this is only a very brief survey of a few beliefs taught from Kabbalah. For more learning and information see the links that I posted below!

www.kabbalahmadeeasy.com, www.wikipedia.com: red string