Beware

I recently learned of a radio show "Oprah and Friends," in which "A Course on Miracles" is being taught. This is what the website itself has to say about the course:

About A Course in Miracles
According to Marianne, A Course in Miracles is a self-study program of spiritual psychotherapy contained in three books. It is not a religion, but rather a psychological mind-training based on universal spiritual themes. The practical goal of the Course is the attainment of inner peace through the practice of forgiveness.
"A Course in Miracles (often called just "the Course") is an educational program for retraining the mind that is spiritual, rather than religious, in its perspective. Although it uses Christian terminology, the Course expresses a universal experience, and its underlying ontology is reminiscent of ancient refrains, echoing the world's most hallowed traditions." …

The more I read, the more shocked I became. One should be forewarned just by the description: "retraining the mind," "spiritual rather than religious," uses Christian terminology, but...

I couldn't believe this was being taught as truth, even using in some places the name of Jesus Christ. That the course tries to pass itself off as agreeing with Christian theology is maddening. I once heard a pastor say that he believed Oprah Winfrey to be the most dangerous person in our society. I don't think he meant an attack on her personally, and by writing this post, neither do I. I like her show and often watch it myself, and I honestly think she means to help people. I do, however, believe she has power beyond what she may even know, and she is using it (perhaps unknowingly) to lead people away from the Lord. Her influence is amazing, and sadly enough, many people take what she says (or what she endorses) as truth. Brothers and sisters, we need to be aware of what is being taught out there. We need to have an answer for why these are false teachings, and we need to fill our minds with God's Word so as not to become deluded by these New Age philosophies that use (but redefine) terminology and theological elements also found in Christianity. I know we shouldn't be shocked that this is happening. Jesus himself taught: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves." (Matthew 7:15 ) I feel that I have been somewhat naive. I know there are false religions out there, but Satan has been very clever with this one. The Course has parts that sound so close to the truth that I believe it has great power to grasp those who are longing for answers. It will prey on those who believe "Christian things," but who are lacking knowledge of God, knowledge to be found in the Bible alone. We must fill our minds with Scripture and be ready to defend our faith.

Paul says,
"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."  Colossians 2:8

"Certain persons have wondered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teacher of the law without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions." 1 Timothy 1:6-7

"If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing." 1 Timothy 6:3-4

As I was looking on the website of Oprah and Friends radio, I came across this lesson.

A Course in Miracles, Lesson 38

Original Air Date: February 7, 2008

Lesson 38 is one of the most powerful affirmations in A Course in Miracles, reminding you that there is nothing your holiness cannot do. Through the power of your thinking, you can transcend all limitations of the world. Through the power of your holiness, you can transform all situations. Through the power of your love, you can cast out all fear.

There is nothing my holiness cannot do.

Your holiness reverses all the laws of the world. It is beyond every restriction of time, space, distance and limits of any kind. Your holiness is totally unlimited in its power because it establishes you as a Son of God, at one with the Mind of his Creator.

Through your holiness the power of God is made manifest. Through your holiness the power of God is made available. And there is nothing the power of God cannot do. Your holiness, then, can remove all pain, can end all sorrow, and can solve all problems. It can do so in connection with yourself and with anyone else. It is equal in its power to help anyone because it is equal in its power to save anyone.

If you are holy, so is everything God created. You are holy because all things He created are holy. And all things He created are holy because you are. In today's exercises, we will apply the power of your holiness to all problems, difficulties or suffering in any form that you happen to think of, in yourself or in someone else. We will make no distinctions because there are no distinctions.

Lesson 39 says: "My holiness is my salvation"

I included these excerpts so you can read and be aware of some of the dangerous teachings of this course. It wants us to believe that we can be holy and perfect on our own and therefore be like God. It would follow then that we will be our own god, and therefore, don't need God. This is just what the "crafty" serpent told Eve in Genesis 2.

The Bible tells us:

"None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." Romans 3:10-12

God requires holiness of us. But we have all sinned and turned away from God. This is why we need Jesus. It is His holiness, not ours, that is our only plea for the mercy of God.

"For by grace you have been saved, through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

The pain and sufferings of the world will not be absolved by our holiness as The Course teaches, nor will our faith in Christ end these earthly sufferings. Christ tells us in John 16:33 that "in the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." There will be pain and suffering until Christ's return, we are told that. We live in a fallen, sinful world, so these things cannot be avoided. We can be confident of this: Christ came, he lived a perfect life, he died the death that we deserve on the cross, he overcame death, and he lives and reigns. He will come again to claim His bride. The devil will not win. I want to encourage you all to read and learn more about the true God that loves us even though we are unlovable, who sent His only begotten Son to bear punishment for our sin; to read about a Savior, who humbled himself to become a servant for us, who bore our punishment on the cross so that we could have communion with our Lord. Let us, as Peter commanded, in our hearts "regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you." 1 Peter 3:15

Grace and peace to you all from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!