Ever wonder what trying to communicate with someone from a
different planet would be like? Christians who try to share their
faith with New Agers may have some idea. This communication gap
runs deeper than mere terminology: it involves outlooks on the
world that are themselves _worlds_ apart.
One major reason for this is what I have termed the "relativity
barrier." Underlying much New Age thinking is a relativistic
assumption that _anything_ can be true for the individual, but
_nothing_ can be true for everyone.
To many New Agers, truth is intensely personal and entirely
subjective. In their view, it is the height of presumption to think
that one knows _the_ key truth for all people. On the other hand,
it is the apex of love to "allow" others to have their own "truth."
"Thou shalt not interfere with another's reality" might be called
the First Commandment of New Age revelation. Thus, the New Ager
views him or herself as open-minded, tolerant, and progressive,
while viewing the Christian evangelist as narrow-minded,
intolerant, and repressive.
The "relativity barrier" is therefore a great obstacle to
Christian evangelism. No matter how carefully the Christian directs
his or her testimony, it is deflected with the reply, "That's
_your_ truth."
It is important first of all to demonstrate that the difference
between Christians and New Agers is not a question of tolerance. A
conversation between the channeled spirit "Ramtha" and one of his
"masters" (disciples) will help the reader see what I mean:
*RAMTHA:* Now, if one believes in the devil and
another doesn't, who is right, who is true?
*MASTER:* Both of them are.
*RAMTHA:* Why?
*MASTER:* Because each one of them has their own
truth.
*RAMTHA:* Correct. Correct.
Up to this point we are witnessing classic New Age relativism.
But in the comments which immediately follow Ramtha gives away the
larger metaphysical context behind this seemingly impeccable
tolerance:...
Source File: crj0007a.txt
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