"The Christ of the New Age Movement," Part One in a Two-Part Series on New Age Christology (an article from the Christian Research Journal, Summer 1989, page 9) by Ron Rhodes. The Editor-in-Chief of the Christian Research Journal is Elliot Miller. ------------- *"Who do you say I am?"* (Luke 9:20, NIV) The question was first asked of Peter by Christ nineteen centuries ago, and has continued since then to the present day to be the litmus test of spiritual authenticity. Perhaps never in the history of the Christian church has this question been more relevant than it is today. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Fundamental to any discussion of New Age Christology is the recognition that New Agers distinguish between Jesus (a mere human vessel) and the Christ (variously defined, but always divine, and often a cosmic, impersonal entity). Part One of this series will therefore focus on the _Christ_ of the New Age, and will provide a brief history of the various views as to his (or its) identity, his purpose, how he aims to accomplish this purpose, and his relationship to humanity. Part Two will focus on the _Jesus_ of the New Age, and will address such issues as the "lost years" of Jesus (as described by Levi Dowling, Edgar Cayce, and others), his supposed training in Eastern/occultic concepts, his "attunement" to the Christ, and his "New Age teachings." Regarding methodology, this article will anchor on two reference points -- one primary and one secondary -- from which the history of New Age Christology will be traced. The primary reference point will be _Theosophy;_ the secondary reference point will be the _teachings of Phineas Parkhurst Quimby._ We might liken Theosophy and Quimby's teachings to two trees which grew side by side, having been planted close to the same time (the mid to late 1800s) in the same soil, fertilized with common ingredients (nineteenth-century transcendentalism, the philosophy of Emmanuel Swedenborg, the influx of Hindu monism, etc.). Certainly, in many respects these two have distinct beliefs and different goals, but they both took root and flourished in the same mystical climate. Taken together, these represent an appropriate starting point for a study in New Age Christology. *THEOSOPHY AND ITS OFFSHOOTS* Theosophy, founded in 1875 by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, teaches that each human being evolves through seven planes of existence (the _physical_ plane, the _astral_ plane, the _mental_ plane, etc.). Each plane a person evolves through brings him or her ever closer to union with the Absolute (God). Theosophists reason that this process can take a very long time, hence requiring innumerable reincarnations. According to "revelations" received by Blavatsky, it is not only individuals who evolve; the human race as a whole also evolves. So far there have allegedly been three races: the _Lemurian,_ the _Atlantean,_ and the _Aryan._ Each of these three (which Theosophists call "rootraces") are divided into "subraces." Mankind is now in the third rootrace -- the _Aryan rootrace_ -- and is about to enter the _sixth subrace_ of the Aryan rootrace. Theosophy teaches that at the beginning of each subrace, the Supreme World Teacher (also known as "the Christ," the bestower of divine wisdom) enters the body of a disciple in order to assist and guide the spiritual evolution of man. Each "incarnation" reveals more to man about God than the previous one. The five incarnations of Christ in the five subraces of the Aryan rootrace were _Buddha_ (in India), _Hermes_ (in Egypt), _Zoroaster_ (in Persia), _Orpheus_ (in Greece), and _Jesus_ (at the River Jordan, where the Christ came upon Jesus at His baptism).[1] Jesus is said to have volunteered his body for use by the Christ. Annie Besant, who took over Theosophical leadership when Blavatsky died, said: "For Him [the Christ] was needed an earthly tabernacle, a human form, the body of a man...The man Jesus yielded himself a willing sacrifice, 'offered himself without spot' to the Lord of Love, who took unto Himself that pure form as tabernacle, and dwelt therein for three years of mortal life."[2] Theosophists reject any suggestion that Jesus died on the cross to pay for man's sins. Man saves himself through continual reincarnations. This spiritual evolution leads men further and further away from the _physical_ plane and closer and closer to _spiritual_ planes of existence. Because of this process, every human being -- regardless of race or religion -- is a potential "Christ." Human beings who continue to evolve through reincarnation eventually become "Masters." This is a group of formerly historical persons who have finished their earthly evolutions and voluntarily help _lesser_-evolved human beings to reach their level. Because Theosophists believe the _fifth subrace_ of the Aryan rootrace (the subrace of _intellectual_ man) is about to give way to the _sixth subrace_ (the subrace of _spiritual_ man), they believe another incarnation of the Christ will soon take place. Note that since this will be the _sixth_ appearance of the Christ in the Aryan rootrace, it is not spoken of as the "_second_ coming." Annie Besant first announced the coming of this Messiah in 1906. Her aim was to groom Jiddu Krishnamurti for the role of World Teacher or Messiah. In 1925 she claimed for this young Indian man the title of "Messianic Leader and Reincarnation of the World Teacher." But by 1929, Krishnamurti became convinced it was all a mistake. On November 20 of that year, he "refused to receive further adoration [saying frankly], 'I am not an actor; I refuse to wear the robes of a Messiah; so I am again free of all possessions.'"[3] Theosophy's Christ remains to appear. Under the leadership of Annie Besant, dissension took its toll on Theosophy. The result of growing discontent within the Society was a _four-pronged theological fork in the road._ Theosophy continued along its traditional path (the _first_ prong). But Rudolf Steiner broke away to form the Anthroposophical Society in 1912 (the _second_ prong); Alice Bailey broke away to establish the Arcane School in 1923 (the _third_ prong); and Guy and Edna Ballard broke away to lead the "I AM" movement in the 1930s (the _fourth_ prong). Each "prong" has made an impact on New Age Christology. *The Christ of Anthroposophy* Dr. Rudolf Steiner was an active member of the Theosophical Society and headed the German charter of the group. However, when a Theosophical subgroup, the "Order of the Star of the East," began promoting Krishnamurti as the new incarnation of the Christ, Steiner threatened to expel any member of the German charter who joined the Order. Annie Besant retaliated by cancelling Steiner's charter. Steiner then founded the Anthroposophical Society in 1912, and most of the German membership of Theosophy joined with him. Steiner's emphasis represents a significant departure from his Theosophical roots. Instead of arguing for a Christ who _periodically_ incarnates into individuals as each new "subrace" begins, Steiner's emphasis is on what the Christ accomplished through his decisive "incarnation" in the human Jesus. Steiner's Christology is based on his investigation into the "Akashic Records." Occultists believe that the physical earth is surrounded by an immense spiritual field known as "Akasha" in which is impressed -- like a celestial tape recording -- every impulse of human thought, will, and emotion. It therefore constitutes a complete record of human history. Steiner claimed to be able to "read" the Akashic Records, thus enabling him to investigate human history without use of written records. Based on this, he discovered that the descent of the Christ on the human Jesus was the absolutely central event of human evolution. In Steiner's theology, the Christ's descent on Jesus became necessary because man's consciousness had progressively become too focused on the material realm and had completely lost touch with the spiritual nature behind physical reality. The danger was that this situation could become permanent. To prevent this, the Christ's _initial goal_ was to "incarnate" into a human being (Jesus) so he could accomplish his _greater goal_ of "incarnating" _from_ Jesus _into_ the "etheric earth." Occultists believe an _etheric_ earth exists behind the _physical_ earth. The etheric earth is thought to be made up of a fine energy substance from which is created the mold for every form that is manifested in the physical plane. Every material object on the physical plane has an etheric counterpart. All material forms in the physical universe find their ultimate source in this energy substance of the etheric realm. The Christ desired to enter this etheric earth so he could bring about spiritual changes among people living on the physical earth. But in order to transfer from his _spiritual_ realm to the _etheric_ realm, he needed a human instrument through which to work. This instrument was found in Jesus. The Christ "incarnated" into Jesus, and three years later was crucified. At the crucifixion, the Christ _left_ Jesus' body and "incarnated" into the etheric earth: The blood flowed from the wounds of Jesus Christ. This blood must not be regarded simply as chemical substance...it must be recognized as something altogether unique. When it flowed from His wounds and into the earth, a substance was imparted to our earth which, in uniting with it, constituted an event of the greatest possible significance...this blood passed through a process of 'etherization'...since the Mystery of Golgotha, the etherized blood of Christ Jesus has lived in the ether of the earth. The etheric body of the earth is permeated by what the blood that flowed on Golgotha became.[4] Because of this, "ever since the Mystery of Golgotha man lives in a spiritual environment, an environment that has been Christianized because it has absorbed the Christ impulse."[5] Having mystically entered the etheric earth via his "etherized" blood, the Christ now seeks to "mass incarnate" into all humanity. This will lead to man's redemption. Steiner says that the "Christ impulse will penetrate humanity...He belongs to the whole earth and can enter all human souls, regardless of nation and religion."[6] This, says Steiner, is the true "second coming." *The Christ of the Arcane School* Alice Bailey had been an active member in the _Esoteric Section_ of the Theosophical Society (an inner group of trusted members who faithfully practiced Theosophy). But she eventually became critical of the organization's policy that one could not become a disciple of a Master (which Bailey believed she _already_ was) unless one was notified by Annie Besant (who seemed to have overlooked Bailey in this). This led to her dismissal from the Society, and shortly thereafter in 1923, she and her husband Foster founded the Arcane School. Like Theosophy and Anthroposophy, Bailey believed that Jesus was a medium who allowed the Christ to use his body. But Bailey distinguished her beliefs from Anthroposophy by arguing that the "second coming" referred to the Christ coming in a _single_ Avatar, not in all humanity.[7] According to Arcane thought, the Christ -- along with his disciples, the Masters -- will draw closer and closer to humanity and eventually appear on the physical plane. Bailey said this return necessitated three conditions that either have already come or are currently coming to pass: (1) catastrophic planetary conditions; (2) a spiritual awakening; and (3) a steadily mounting invocative prayer. This last condition involves use of _The Great Invocation,_ a prayer which is intended to speed the reappearance of the Christ. Preparation for the Second Coming is hence the responsibility of "attuned" human beings. Those who know about this Coming are to help create conditions of "spiritual alignment" which will ultimately draw the Christ forth into our midst. Without this, the Christ is _impotent_ to act. Bailey believed the Christ will come again in a way which will create no divisions or separations between men, either religious, social, or ideological. When he comes, it will be to establish through precept and example (in world service) the principles on which an interdependent world may create a new civilization. While Bailey taught that the Second Coming will be in a single Avatar, she also affirmed that he will be mystically manifested in humanity: "There is a growing and developing belief that Christ is in us, as He was in the Master Jesus, and this belief will alter world affairs and mankind's entire attitude to life."[8] *The Christ of the "I AM" Movements* Guy and Edna Ballard were Theosophists up until Guy was contacted by Saint Germain, an "Ascended Master" who allegedly appeared to him in a physical body. Saint Germain informed him that he lived on Mount Teton with ninety-eight other Ascended Masters. Saint Germain appointed Guy, Edna, and their son Donald as the only "accredited" spokespeople for the Ascended Masters. Saint Germain also taught Guy about the "Great Creative Word" (I AM). The "I AM Presence" is said to be in each person and represents a point of contact with divine reality. One can attune to the I AM Presence by chanting I AM decrees. Such chanting reportedly brings about dramatic results in the life of the one chanting. The Ballards' Christology is distinct in that Saint Germain is considered more important (in the dawning Aquarian Age) than Jesus, and is the primary object of worship among "I AM" devotees. Jesus -- himself an "Ascended Master" -- allegedly said that Saint Germain is "the Greatest Blessing that has ever come to mankind."[9] The reason for this devotion to Saint Germain is that he has brought the Violet Consuming Flame: "The conscious use of the Violet Consuming Flame is the only means by which any human being can free himself or herself from his or her own human discord and imperfection."[10] The I AM presence is invoked by chanting decrees, and this in turn activates the Violet Flame. The Violent Flame then burns away undesirable conditions in one's life. Of course, this nullifies any need for Jesus' work on the cross. *THE NEXT GENERATION* Having discussed the foundation for New Age Christology in Theosophy, Anthroposophy, the Arcane School, and the "I AM" movement, this article will now examine three _representative_ contemporary New Age leaders to illustrate how this Christology has progressed historically. *Benjamin Creme and his Arcane Roots* From 1977 to the present Benjamin Creme has traveled around the world proclaiming that the coming of Maitreya (the Christ) is imminent. Maitreya, says Creme, is the leader of the Planetary Hierarchy and has been living incognito among human beings since 1977 when his consciousness entered a specially created body of manifestation, the "Mayavirupa." Creme originally claimed that by the end of spring 1982, Maitreya would reveal himself via worldwide television on the "Day of Declaration," after which time would begin a new era of planetary happiness. This Christ would come not as a religious, political, or social leader, but as an "educationalist" who would solve all the world's problems in these areas and usher in the New Age of love, peace, and shared wealth. Obviously 1982 has come and gone and the Christ remains to appear. The most common explanation for the Christ's no-show is that the _media_ prevented it. Since the media represents humanity, the media's apathy is indicative of the _broader_ apathy of humanity. And since the Christ's manifestation cannot occur against man's wishes, his "declaration" has been delayed. Some of Creme's ideas are noticeably similar to Theosophy. For example, he divides the world and humanity into astral, ethereal, and physical planes. He also subscribes to the idea that the Christ inhabited the body of Jesus for three years. But despite some Theosophical overtones, his ideas are primarily a reflection of Alice Bailey's writings, particularly her book _The Reappearance of the Christ._ In this book are found almost everything Creme was later to propagate: the Age of Aquarius, world service, _The Great Invocation,_ "overshadowing" (the occult means used by a Master to inhabit a human disciple's body), and "transmission groups" (enlightened groups who "transmit" spiritual energy to the minds of other people in order to raise the Christ-consciousness of the planet).[11] Despite such similarities, there are at least three notable differences between Creme and Bailey. First, Creme is a date-setter regarding Maitreya's coming (i.e., spring 1982). Bailey was convinced the Christ would appear -- and she had some idea about the _general timing_ (sometime after 2025) -- but she refused to set _exact_ dates. She wrote: "It is not for us to set the date for the appearance of the Christ or to expect any spectacular aid or curious phenomena. If our work is rightly done, He will come at the set and appointed time."[12] Second, Bailey used the term "Christ" to refer to a _person_ whereas Creme uses it in reference to an _office_ or _function._ The present holder of this office, says Creme, is the Lord Maitreya, who has held it now for 2,600 years. It was Maitreya who -- while holding this office -- manifested himself through his disciple, Jesus, by the occult method of overshadowing. Third, _Christ_ and _Buddha_ are the central figures in Bailey's theology, while _Maitreya_ is supreme in Creme's thinking. Bailey mentions Maitreya on occasion, but never as the leader of the Hierarchy, as does Creme. Creme's following has understandably declined since 1982. *David Spangler and his Anthroposophic Roots* Like Rudolf Steiner, David Spangler understands Christ to be a cosmic spirit who utilized Jesus' body to make the transfer from His own realm (the _spiritual_ realm) to Jesus' realm (the realm of _matter_). Spangler sees the Christ as a _cosmic principle:_ "Any old Christ will not do, not if we need to show that we have something better than the mainstream Christian traditions. It must be a cosmic Christ, a universal Christ, a New Age Christ."[13] The Christ is not so much a religious figure, "but rather a cosmic principle, a spiritual presence whose quality infuses and appears in various ways in all the religions and philosophies that uplift humanity and seek unity with spirit."[14] Spangler believes a central purpose of the Christ is to act as a "universal educator." He uses "educate" in the sense of the Latin root _educare,_ which means "to lead out." Most often he speaks of the Christ "leading out" man's "inner divinity."[15] The "universal Presence that calls out of form and spirit the higher potentials of Divine life waiting to be released into expression, is the Christ."[16] Like Steiner, Spangler believes the Christ entered the etheric earth at the crucifixion. By so doing, the Christ was able to reverse man's "downward trend" toward a _physical_-oriented consciousness. The Christ is thus an "occult savior."[17] Spangler utilizes Christian terms to describe what the Christ accomplished through Jesus. For example, Spangler says that the Christ was occultly _crucified_ (which resulted in placing his cosmic presence within the _cross_ of matter, space, and time). The Christ was laid in a _tomb_ (the tomb representing a level of life characterized by "great density" [i.e., the physical world], as opposed to the "low density" spiritual realm he was accustomed to). There he would stay until the _resurrection_ (the outflowing of Christ-energies from the etheric earth) and _ascension_ (the ascension of Christ-consciousness in humanity). Through this _sacrifice,_ the cosmic Christ became a _savior_ in that he no longer stood outside the evolution of the earth, but entered into that evolution by becoming _incarnate_ into the earth.[18] There he would function as a guide of man's spiritual evolution. Like Steiner, Spangler believes the Christ is now incarnating into _humanity_ from the etheric realm. This is not unlike what occurred in Jesus 2,000 years ago, for Jesus "was the prototype or the expression of the reality of the Christ consciousness which is inherent in us all."[19] Spangler concludes that human beings can actually become "the Word made flesh." In fact, he says that the Word will eventually be made _all flesh._[20] *Elizabeth Clare Prophet and her "I AM" Roots* While the Ballards' "I AM" movement has considerably declined since its heyday in the 1930s, another "I AM" movement has achieved high visibility and much popularity in New Age circles. This is the Church Universal and Triumphant, founded in 1958 by Mark Prophet and now headed by his widow, Elizabeth Clare Prophet. Foundationally, certain aspects of the Prophets' theology can be traced directly to Theosophy. These beliefs include (1) Masters who guide man's spiritual evolution; (2) revelations to man from these Masters; (3) the Christ's use of Jesus' body; (4) human evolution through progressive stages; and (5) the belief that Blavatsky's revelations marked the beginning of the Aquarian Age. Beyond these similarities, the Prophets derived most of their theology from the Ballards. This is seen not only in their emphasis on the I AM Presence, but also on the prominent role of Saint Germain. Elizabeth Clare Prophet says the I AM Presence has become hopelessly distorted within man due to negative energies from within and without. These negative energies impede spiritual progress, but are effectively combatted by the "Violet Consuming Flame" which is poured out on the world by Saint Germain. This Flame changes negative energy into positive energy. It is therefore an antidote to sin. Like the Ballards, the Prophets believe that Jesus attained Christhood as did other Ascended Masters. The "Christ" of "I AM" theology represents the divinity within _all_ men: "God dwells in every man and not alone in His son Jesus the Christ. The only begotten Son of the Father, full of grace and truth, is the Christ whose Image the Lord has reproduced over and over again as the Christ-identity of every son and daughter who has come forth from the infinite Spirit of the Father-Mother God."[22] The Prophets conclude that "to become the Christ, then, is the goal of every child of God."[23] *PHINEAS PARKHURST QUIMBY* Unquestionably, Theosophy and the groups that emerged from it are the source of many of the essential tenets of New Age Christology. But Phineas Parkhurst Quimby (who died in 1866) and the "metaphysical" groups his philosophy spawned also played a significant role. Quimby espoused the metaphysical idea that the source of physical healing lies in the mind. He was convinced that physical diseases were caused by wrong thinking or false beliefs. These false beliefs are remedied by "the Christ." Like other metaphysical writers, Quimby distinguished Jesus from the Christ. Quimby credited Jesus with discovering the "Truth" of how to correct the error of sickness. "Not that He as a man was any better," said Quimby, "but He was the embodiment of a _higher Wisdom,_ more so than any man who has ever lived."[24] This "Truth" or "higher Wisdom" discovered by Jesus was an impersonal mind-principle Quimby called "the Christ." Quimby's metaphysical concept of the Christ spawned several important movements. *New Thought* New Thought developed slowly during the nineteenth century after Quimby's death in 1866. Quimby did not create an organization himself. But individuals he helped adopted his ideas and passed them on to others, adding to or modifying them along the way. Mary Baker Eddy's Christian Science is a major example of this, though this tradition is too exclusive to meld with today's New Age movement. However, several smaller, more inclusive metaphysical groups also emerged, and in the 1890s the term "New Thought" surfaced as a way of describing them. The Christ of New Thought was an outgrowth of Quimby's metaphysics. The Christ was considered not a person but an impersonal _Divine Nature_ or _Principle._ Jesus was believed to have embodied or appropriated the Christ-principle as no human had before. He had fully realized his Christ-nature. But Jesus was not a savior to mankind; he was merely a "way-shower." Salvation is based not on Jesus but on the recognition of the Divine Nature or Christ-principle within. *Unity School of Christianity* The Unity School of Christianity, an offshoot of New Thought, was founded by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore in 1891. They are distinguished from mainstream New Thought by their belief in reincarnation. In Unity, salvation is attained by "at-one-ment" with God -- a reuniting of human consciousness with God-consciousness. Jesus attained this; all men can: "The difference between Jesus and us is not one of inherent spiritual capacity, but in difference of demonstration of it. Jesus was potentially perfect, and He expressed that perfection; we are potentially perfect, [but] we have not yet expressed it."[25] *United Church of Religious Science* The United Church of Religious Science, another offshoot of New Thought, was founded by "Dr." Ernest Holmes who wrote _The Science of Mind_ in 1926. This book later became the textbook for Religious Science. Holmes was extremely eclectic, attempting to syncretize the metaphysical ideas he sifted from New Thought with psychology, philosophy, and the various world religions. His ideas about Jesus, the Christ, and mankind are similar to other New Thought groups: "Every man is a potential Christ. From the least to the greatest the same life runs through all, threading itself into the patterns of our individuality. He is 'over all, in all and through all.'"[26] Jesus was merely a way-shower who embodied the impersonal Christ. *NOTABLE MENTIONS* *A Course in Miracles.* According to this New Age textbook, the "Son of God" was _created_ by God in a state of "wakefulness." Later, however, the Son fell asleep and had a dream of being separate from God. In the dream, the Son denied that he was created by God, asserting instead that he created himself. This usurping of God's role as Creator marked the beginning of _ego,_ and led the Son to conceive of himself as being _separate_ from God. God then created and commissioned the Holy Spirit to awaken the Son. But the Son wrongly interpreted the coming of the Holy Spirit as judgment from God because the Son thought he was guilty of usurping God's role as Creator. The Son's ego then fragmented into myriads of egos with physical bodies (i.e., human beings), each believing themselves separate from each other and from God. Humanity's basic problem then is its belief in being separate from God. The solution to the problem is a rediscovery of one's Christhood.[27] The _Course_ sets out to help people attain this. *Matthew Fox and the Institute in Culture and Creation Spirituality.* The mystical orientation of Matthew Fox, a Dominican priest, leads him to suggest that we abandon any further quest for the "historical Jesus" and refocus our attention on a quest for the cosmic Christ. He provides several definitions of the cosmic Christ, the most important being "the pattern that connects."[28] The Cosmic Christ connects "heaven and earth, past and future, divinity and humanity, all of creation."[29] This definition of Christ makes it possible for Fox to call for a "deep ecumenism," by which he means a genuine coming together of all persons of all religions at a mystical level.[30] Thus, through Fox a New Age view of Christ has made significant inroads into orthodox (mostly Catholic, but also some Protestant) circles. *NOTES* 1 H. P. Blavatsky, _The Secret Doctrine_ (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1966), 168-89. 2 Annie Besant, _Esoteric Christianity_ (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1953), 90-91. 3 Cited by Jan Karel Van Baalen, _Chaos of the Cults_ (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1956), 52. 4 Rudolf Steiner, _The Reappearance of the Christ in the Etheric_ (Spring Valley, NY: Anthroposophic Press, 1983), 127-28. 5 Rudolf Steiner, _Jesus and Christ_ (Spring Valley, NY: Anthroposophic Press, 1976), 16-17. 6 Rudolf Steiner, _The Four Sacrifices of Christ_ (Spring Valley, NY: Anthroposophic Press, 1944), 19-20. 7 Alice A. Bailey, _The Externalisation of the Hierarchy_ (New York: Lucis Publishing Co., 1957), 222. 8 _Ibid.,_ 592. 9 Mrs. G. W. and Donald Ballard, _Purpose of the Ascended Masters "I AM" Activity_ (Chicago: Saint Germain Press, 1942), 110. 10 _Ibid.,_ 35. 11 Benjamin Creme, _The Reappearance of the Christ and the Masters of Wisdom_ (North Hollywood, CA: Tara Center, 1980), 47. 12 Alice Bailey, _The Reappearance of the Christ_ (New York: Lucis Publishing Co., 1979), 188. 13 David Spangler, _Reflections on the Christ_ (Forres, Scotland: Findhorn Publications, 1981), 107. 14 David Spangler, _Conversations with John_ (Middleton, WI: Lorian Press, 1983), 5. 15 David Spangler, _Revelation: The Birth of a New Age_ (Middleton, WI: Lorian Press, 1976), 117. 16 _Ibid._ 17 _Ibid.,_ 141. 18 _Ibid.,_ 121. 19 Spangler, _Reflections on the Christ,_ 14-15. 20 _Ibid.,_ 86. 21 Mark and Elizabeth Prophet, _Climb the Highest Mountain_ (Los Angeles: Summit University Press, 1974), 279-80. 22 _Ibid.,_ 228. 23 _Ibid.,_ 160. 24 Phineas P. Quimby, _The Quimby Manuscripts,_ ed. Horatio W. Dresser (New Hyde Park, NY: University Books, 1961), 283. 25 Elizabeth Sand Turner, _What Unity Teaches,_ Lee's Summit, MO: Unity School of Christianity, n.d., 3. 26 Ernest Holmes, _What Religious Science Teaches_ (Los Angeles: Science of Mind Publications, 1975), 20. 27 Dean C. Halverson, "A Course in Miracles: Seeing Yourself as Sinless," _SCP Journal 7,_ 1 (1987):18-27. 28 Matthew Fox, _The Coming of the Cosmic Christ_ (San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1988), 133-35. 29 _Ibid.,_ 134. 30 _Ibid.,_ 228. 31 James W. Sire, _Scripture Twisting_ (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1980), 113. 32 Douglas Groothuis, _Confronting the New Age_ (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 121. ---------------------------- "The Jesus of the New Age Movement," Part Two In her best-selling book, _Out on a Limb,_ Shirley MacLaine recounts how a friend once said to her: "You know that nothing is recorded in the Bible about Christ from the time he was about twelve until he began to really teach at about thirty years old. Right?" "Yes," MacLaine replied, "I had heard about that and I just figured he didn't have much to say until he got older." "Well, no," her friend responded, "a lot of people think that those eighteen missing years were spent traveling in and around India and Tibet and Persia and the Near East....They say he became an adept yogi and mastered complete control over his body and the physical world around him....[he] tried to teach people that they could do the same things too if they got more in touch with their spiritual selves and their own potential power."[1] Did Jesus travel to the East to study under gurus? Did He _become_ "the Christ" as a result of what He learned and accomplished there? Are there mystical "gospels" that have been suppressed by the church, keeping us from knowing the _real_ Jesus? In this article, we will look at these and other important questions related to the Jesus of the New Age movement. We begin by examining the claims of a controversial Russian writer. ------------------------------------------------------------------- *Glossary of Key Terms* *Caste.* A term applied to the social groups in India which rank in a hierarchical order. The four primary castes -- from highest to lowest -- are: _Brahmins_ (priests), _Kshatriyas_ (warriors), _Vaishyas_ (peasants), and _Sudras_ (unskilled laborers). *Cosmic Christ.* Variously defined, but always seen as divine. Many New Agers speak of him (it) as a universal, impersonal entity who -- among other things -- indwelt the body of the _human_ Jesus for three years (from his baptism to his crucifixion). *Jains.* Followers of Jainism. Jainism is a religious system of India that arose in the sixth century B.C. in protest against the ritualism of Hinduism and the authority of the _Vedas._ Jains are rigidly ascetic, believing in a strict control of wrong thought and action as a means of escaping from the transmigration of the soul (rebirth) that results from one's past actions (karma). *Monism.* A metaphysical theory which sees all reality as a unified whole. Everything is seen as being composed of the same substance. *Sutras.* Collections of aphorisms (or proverbs) which highlight the teachings of the _Vedas_ and _Upanishads_ (Indian scriptures). *Vedas.* The oldest and most sacred scriptures of Hinduism. (The word _veda_ means "sacred knowledge.") *Zoroastrians.* Followers of Zoroastrianism, a Persian religion founded by Zoroaster (c. 628 B.C.-c. 551 B.C.). Zoroastrianism is an ethical religion which espouses an ongoing struggle between two primal spirits: _Ahura Mazda_ (the good spirit), and _Angra Mainyu_ (the evil spirit). Ahura Mazda will ultimately triumph. Note: Additional technical terms used in this article are defined _within_ the text. ------------------------------------------------------------------- *THE LIFE OF SAINT ISSA* As the story goes, in 1887, Nicolas Notovitch -- a Russian war correspondent -- went on a journey through India. While en route to Leh, the capital of Ladakh (in Northern India along the Tibetan border), he heard a Tibetan lama (i.e., monk) in a monastery refer to a grand lama named Issa (the Tibetan form of "Jesus"). Notovitch inquired further, and discovered that a chronicle of the life of Issa existed with other sacred scrolls at the Convent of Himis (about 25 miles from Leh). Notovitch visited this convent and was told by the chief lama that a scroll did in fact exist which provided details about the Prophet Issa. This holy man allegedly preached the same doctrines in Israel as he earlier did in India. The original scroll, the lama said, was written in the Pali language and later translated into Tibetan. The Convent of Himis possessed the Tibetan translation, while the original was said to be in the library of Lhassa (the traditional capital of Tibet). Notovitch eventually persuaded the lama to read the scroll to him, and had it translated from Tibetan by an interpreter. According to Notovitch, the literal translation of the scroll was "disconnected and mingled with accounts of other contemporaneous events to which they bear no relation," and so he took the liberty to arrange "all the fragments concerning the life of Issa in chronological order and [took] pains to impress upon them the character of unity, in which they were absolutely lacking."[2] He went without sleep for many nights so he could order and remodel what he had heard. From the scroll, Notovitch learned that "Jesus had wandered to India and to Tibet as a young man before he began his work in Palestine."[3] The beginning of Jesus' alleged journey is described in the scroll this way: When Issa had attained the age of thirteen years, the epoch when an Israelite should take a wife, the house where his parents earned their living...began to be a place of meeting for rich and noble people, desirous of having for a son-in-law the young Issa, already famous for his edifying discourses in the name of the almighty. Then it was that Issa left the parental house in secret, departed from Jerusalem, and with the merchants set out towards Sind, with the object of perfecting himself in the Divine Word and of studying the laws of the great Buddhas.[4] According to Notovitch, the scroll proceeds to explain how, after briefly visiting with the Jains, young Issa studied for six years among the Brahmins at Juggernaut, Rajagriha, Benares, and other Indian holy cities. The priests of Brahma "taught him to read and understand the Vedas, to cure by aid of prayer, to teach, to explain the holy scriptures to the people, and to drive out evil spirits from the bodies of men, restoring unto them their sanity."[5] While there, the story continues, Issa sought to teach the scriptures to all the people of India -- including the lower castes. The Brahmins and Kshatriyas (higher castes) opposed him in this, and told him that the Sudras (a lower caste) were forbidden to read or even contemplate the Vedas. Issa denounced them severely for this. Because of Issa's controversial teachings, a death plot was devised against him. But the Sudras warned him and he left Juggernaut, establishing himself in Gautamides (the birthplace of the Buddha Sakyamuni) where he studied the sacred writings of the Sutras. "Six years after, Issa, whom the Buddha had elected to spread his holy word, had become a perfect expositor of the sacred writings. Then he left Nepal and the Himalayan mountains, descended into the valley of Rajputana, and went towards the west, preaching to diverse peoples the supreme perfection of man."[6] Following this, we are told, Issa briefly visited Persia where he preached to the Zoroastrians. Then, at 29, he returned to Israel and began to preach all that he had learned. According to Notovitch's "scroll," by the end of Issa's three-year ministry, Pilate had become so alarmed at his mushrooming popularity that he ordered one of his spies to accuse him falsely. Issa was then imprisoned and tortured by soldiers to force a confession which would permit his being executed. The Jewish priests tried to act in Issa's behalf, but to no avail. Issa was falsely accused and Pilate ordered the death sentence: At sunset the sufferings of Issa came to an end. He lost consciousness, and the soul of this just man left his body to become absorbed in the Divinity...Meanwhile, Pilate became afraid of his action and gave the body of the saint to his parents, who buried it near the spot of his execution...Three days after, the governor sent his soldiers to carry away the body of Issa to bury it elsewhere, fearing otherwise a popular insurrection. The next day the crowd found the tomb open and empty. At once the rumor spread that the supreme Judge had sent his angels to carry away the mortal remains of the saint in whom dwelt on earth a part of the Divine Spirit.[7] Following this, some merchants in Palestine allegedly traveled to India, came upon some people who had known Issa as a casual student of Sanskrit and Pali during his youth in India, and filled them in on Issa's demise at the hands of Pilate. And, as the story concludes, _The Life of Saint Issa_ was written on a scroll -- author(s) unknown -- three or four years later. *Nicholas Roerich.* In _The Lost Years of Jesus,_ Elizabeth Clare Prophet documents other supporters of Notovitch's work, the most prominent of which was Nicholas Roerich. Roerich -- a Theosophist -- claimed that from 1924 to 1928 he traveled throughout Central Asia and discovered that legends about Issa were widespread. In his book, _Himalaya,_ he makes reference to "writings" and "manuscripts" about Issa -- some of which he claims to have seen and others about which people told him. Roerich allegedly recorded independently in his own travel diary the same legend of Issa that Notovitch had seen earlier. Throughout the twentieth century, many individuals have responded positively to the work of Notovitch, including Janet and Richard Bock (makers of the film, "The Lost Years of Jesus"), Swami Abhedananda, Sai Baba, Paramahansa Yogananda of the Self-Realization Fellowship, and Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. Evidence abounds that the Issa legend is alive and well today. Max Muller, J. Archibald Douglas, and Edgar J. Goodspeed have all presented solid refutations of the legend. These should challenge any serious Issa advocate to reevaluate his or her position. I shall offer further arguments later. But first, it is necessary to examine additional features in the New Age profile of Jesus. *THE AQUARIAN GOSPEL OF JESUS THE CHRIST* Another major source for the New Age Jesus is _The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ,_ written by Civil War army chaplain Levi Dowling (1844-1911). The title page of this "gospel" bears the words: "Transcribed from the Book of God's Remembrances, known as the Akashic Records." (Occultists believe the physical earth is surrounded by an immense spiritual field known as "Akasha" in which is impressed every impulse of human thought, will, and emotion. It is therefore believed to constitute a complete record of human history.) Hence, unlike Notovitch whose conclusions were based on an alleged objective ancient document, Levi's book is based on an occult form of subjective (nonverifiable) illumination. The bulk of Levi's gospel, first published in 1911, focuses on the education and travels of Jesus. After studying with Rabbi Hillel (a Jewish scholar), Jesus allegedly traveled to India where he spent years studying among the Brahmins and Buddhists. Jesus supposedly became interested in studying in the East after Joseph (Jesus' father) hosted Prince Ravanna from India. During his visit, Ravanna asked "that he might be the patron of the child; might take him to the East where he could learn the wisdom of the Brahms. And Jesus longed to go that he might learn: and after many days his parents gave consent." So "Jesus was accepted as a pupil in the temple Jagannath; and here he learned the Vedas and the Manic laws."[23] Jesus then visited the city of Benares of the Ganges. While there, "Jesus sought to learn the Hindu art of healing, and became the pupil of Udraka, greatest of the Hindu healers."[24] And Jesus "remained with Udraka until he had learned from him all there was to be learned of the Hindu art of healing."[25] Levi proceeds to chronicle a visit to Tibet, where Jesus allegedly met Meng-ste, the greatest sage of the East: "And Jesus had access to all the sacred manuscripts, and, with the help of Meng-ste, read them all."[26] Jesus eventually arrived in Egypt, and -- in what must be considered a climax of this account of the "lost years" -- he joined the "Sacred Brotherhood" at Heliopolis. While there, he passed through seven degrees of initiation -- Sincerity, Justice, Faith, Philanthropy, Heroism, Love Divine, and THE CHRIST. _The Aquarian Gospel_ records the bestowal of this highest degree: "The hierophant arose and said...upon your brow I place this diadem, and in the Great Lodge of the heavens and earth you are THE CHRIST....You are a neophyte no more; but God himself will speak, and will confirm your title and degree....And then a voice that shook the very temple said, THIS IS THE CHRIST; and every living creature said, AMEN."[27] Later, following his three-year ministry as THE CHRIST and his subsequent death, Jesus' resurrection is described by Levi in terms of a "transmutation" which all men may accomplish. He made many appearances to people all over the world to substantiate this transmutation. For example, he appeared to the "Silent Brotherhood" in Greece and said: "What I can do all men can do. Go preach the gospel of the omnipotence of man."[28] *THE READINGS OF EDGAR CAYCE* Like Levi, Edgar Cayce claimed the ability to read the Akashic Record while in a trance. During his life, he gave over 16,000 readings, 5,000 of which deal with religious matters. It was from the Akashic Record that Cayce set forth an elaborate explanation of the early years of Jesus. The person we know as Jesus, Cayce tells us, had 29 previous incarnations: "These included an early sun worshipper, the author of the _Book of the Dead,_ and Hermes, who was supposedly the architect of the Great Pyramid. Jesus was also Zend (the father of Zoroaster), Amilius (an Atlantean) and other figures of ancient history."[29] Other incarnations include Adam, Joseph, Joshua, Enoch, and Melchizedek. This particular soul did not become "the Christ" until the thirtieth incarnation -- as Jesus of Nazareth. The reason Jesus had to go through so many incarnations is that he -- like all other human beings -- had "karmic debt" (sin) to work off. Jesus received a comprehensive education. Prior to his twelfth year, he attained a thorough knowledge of the Jewish law. "From his twelfth to his fifteenth or sixteenth year he was taught the prophecies by Judy [an Essene teacher] in her home at Carmel. Then began his education abroad. He was sent first again into Egypt for only a short period, then into India for three years, then into that later called Persia....From Persia he was called to Judea at the death of Joseph, then went into Egypt for the completion of his preparation as a teacher."[30] During his alleged studies abroad, Jesus studied under many teachers (including Kahjian in India, Junner in Persia, and Zar in Egypt), and learned healing, weather control, telepathy, astrology, and other psychic arts. When his education was complete, he went back to his homeland where he performed "miracles" and taught the multitudes for three years. *JESUS THE CHRIST AND HIS TEACHINGS* There are many differing views regarding how Jesus attained "Christhood." As we have seen, Levi said Jesus went through seven degrees of initiation, the seventh being THE CHRIST. Cayce said Jesus became "the Christ" in the thirtieth incarnation. Many modern New Agers say the _human_ Jesus merely "attuned" to the _cosmic_ Christ, or achieved _at-one-ment_ with the Christ by raising his own "Christ-consciousness." But however Jesus attained "Christhood," New Agers agree that he was a teacher _par excellence_ of New Age "truths." New Agers generally do one of two things with the teachings of Jesus. Some merely reinterpret the _gospel sayings_ of Jesus to make it appear that Jesus was actually teaching New Age "truth." Others add that _long-lost (New Age) sayings_ of Jesus have been rediscovered. These "rediscovered" sayings can have one of two sources: reputed ancient _extracanonical writings_ (like the "Gnostic gospels" which were allegedly suppressed by the early church and rediscovered at Nag Hammadi in 1945) and the _Akashic Record._ Let us now consider samplings of each of these. *The Gospel Sayings of Jesus.* According to New Agers, we must all seek first the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 6:33), recognizing that the "kingdom" has reference to our inner divinity.[31] For indeed, Jesus said "Ye are gods" (John 10:34). The parable about those who foolishly build a house on sand (Matt. 7:24-27) teaches us that those who fail to recognize their divinity will not be able to stand against the storms of life. *"Newly Discovered" Sayings from Extracanonical Sources.* Jesus taught a form of pantheism according to _The Life of Saint Issa,_ for he said that "the Eternal Spirit [God] is the soul of all that is animate."[34] He also taught that all humans have unlimited potential: "I came to show human possibilities....that which I am, all men will be."[35] And, according to the Gnostic gospels, Jesus spoke of "illusion and enlightenment, not of sin and repentance."[36] Indeed, man can save himself: "If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you."[37] *"Newly Discovered" Sayings from the Akashic Record.* According to Levi's _Aquarian Gospel,_ Jesus was just a way-shower: "And all the people were entranced, and would have worshipped Jesus as God; but Jesus said, I am your brother man just come to show the way to God; you shall not worship man."[38] Jesus also taught _pantheism_ and _monism_: "The universal God is one, yet he is more than one [i.e., he takes many forms]; all things are God; all things are one."[39] Jesus also tells us that "the nations of the earth see God from different points of view, and so he does not seem the same to every one."[40]