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 The BIBLE-Word of God
-Versus-
Errors of
"Eastern Mysticism"
---GOD---CHRIST---HOLY
SPIRIT---
---SIN---REDEMPTION---SALVATION---RETRIBUTION---
They received the WORD with all
readiness of mind,
and searched the SCRIPTURES daily, whether those things were so.
Acts 17:11
G
O D
The Bible
PERSONALITY
OF THE GODHEAD ... in
the beginning God created the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1: 1).
He is
God; there is none else beside him (Deuteronomy 4:35). God is a Spirit; and
they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man, Christ
Jesus (I Timothy 2:5).
- Go
. . . and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Jesus was
baptized; the Spirit descended; the Father spoke (Matthew 3:16-17).
Come, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may
not understand one another's speech (Genesis 11:7). From the time that
it was, there am I; and now the Lord God, and his Spirit, has sent me
(Isaiah 48:16).
Eastern Mysticism
- Brahma,
the Absolute, other than which there is nothing else--without qualities,
unknowable, impersonal, beyond all appearances, changes, differences.
- God
is all there is. "All visible objects are but modifications of
self-existence, of an unconscious and impersonal essence which is called
God" (Walter R. Martin, Kingdom of the Cults, P. 239).
- God
is omnipresent and almighty, and is in the heart of everyone
(Transcendental Meditation, p. 61).
- In
his real nature man is divine. The inner man is fully Divine.
Vedanta teaches no other dogma but the divinity inherent in man, and his
capacity for infinite evolution (TM, p. 58).
J E S U S
C H R I S T
The Bible
o In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God (John 1:1). When, as His
mother, Mary, was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was
found with child of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1: 18).
o Behold,
the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel
(Isaiah 7:14).
o God
was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached
unto the nations, believed on in the world, received up into glory (I Timothy
3:16).
o And
the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the
glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth (John
1: 14).
o No
man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of
the Father, he has declared him (John 1:18).
o And
declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of'
holiness, by the resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4).
o And
if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain (I Corinthians 15:17). Wherefore,
he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him,
seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25).
o This
same Jesus . . . shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into Heaven
(Acts 1: 11; cf. John 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
Eastern Mysticism
o All
religions from times immemorial are just different branches of the main trunk
of the eternal religion represented by the Vedas (TM, P. 19).
o "I
don't think Christ ever suffered or Christ could suffer" (Maharishi
Mahesh Yogi, p. 123).
o Christ
is considered to be one of a long line of "Masters" who had
themselves realized divinity. They are recognized as "divine," and
addressed as such. Through such individuals at various times in history, the
"divine truth" was transmitted to men. His picture is frequently to
be seen beside that of Buddha, or of Shankaracharya,
or Yogananda, or other recognized "Divine
Leaders."
o The
"Masters" are considered to be realized expressions of divinity
and, as such, are worshipped. Current Religious Movements from the East
o Bahaism: This emanated from Persian Islam
but is essentially eclectic. All ways are of God, but Baha
has the truth for this age,
o Divine
Light Mission: Guru Maharaj ji
is presented as the Perfect Master, the Lord of the Universe, who has come to
uncover the light of knowledge which is within the disciple himself.
o Krishna
Consciousness (Iskcon): Devotion centers on the god
Krishna.
o Transcendental
Meditation: Deceitfully propagated as nonreligious, this is undoubtedly
Hindu. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is the leader. Mandatory initiatory rites in
Sanskrit address the Lord Narayana, Brahma the
Creator. Daily meditation focuses on the Source of Creative Intelligence
within the individual himself.
o Vedanta
Society (Rama Krishna Mission): This group also teaches the Perennial
Philosophy, that god is the essence of all that is, and salvation is to
"realize" the god (reality) that is within you.
o Yoga:
This is one of the six major Hindu philosophical systems to be followed in
order to obtain union (yoga) with the Ultimate, the Great All-pervading Soul.
Self-realization Fellowship advocates practice of disciplined Kriya Yoga as the path to realization of the good within,
the true self.
o Zen
Buddhism: The major Buddhist activity solves eternity's problems by illogical
Koan to produce enlightenment--similar to T.M.
H O L Y
S P I R I T
The Bible
§
When the Comforter is come, whom I
will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, he shall
testify of me (John 15:26).
§
When he is come, he will reprove
the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:8).
§
When he, the Spirit of truth, is
come, he will guide you into all truth (John 16:13).
§
The Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit,
he shall teach you all things (John 14:26).
§
His spirit that dwells in you
(Romans 8:11).
§
Be filled with the Spirit
(Ephesians 5:18; see also I Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 3:16).
§
But you are not in the flesh but
in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man
have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his (Romans 8:9; see also vv.
14, 16).
Eastern Mysticism
§
All religions from times
immemorial are just different branches of the main trunk of the eternal
religion represented by the Vedas (TV, P. 19).
§
"I don't think Christ ever
suffered or Christ could suffer" (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, p. 123).
§
Christ is considered to be one of
a long line of "Masters" who had themselves realized divinity. They
are recognized as "divine," and addressed as such. Through such
individuals at various times in history, the "divine truth" was
transmitted to men. His picture is frequently to be seen beside that of
Buddha, or of Shankaracharya, or Yogananda, or other recognized "Divine Leaders."
§
The "Masters" are
considered to be realized expressions of divinity and, as such, are
worshipped. Current Religious Movements from the East
§
Bahaism:
This emanated from Persian Islam but is essentially eclectic. All ways are of
God, but Baha has the truth for this age,
§
Divine Light Mission: Guru Maharaj ji is presented as the
Perfect Master, the Lord of the Universe, who has come to uncover the light
of knowledge which is within the disciple himself.
§
Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon): Devotion centers on the god Krishna.
§
Transcendental Meditation:
Deceitfully propagated as nonreligious, this is undoubtedly Hindu. Maharishi
Mahesh Yogi is the leader. Mandatory initiatory rites in Sanskrit address the
Lord Narayana, Brahma the Creator. Daily meditation
focuses on the Source of Creative Intelligence within the individual himself.
§
Vedanta Society (Rama Krishna
Mission): This group also teaches the Perennial Philosophy, that god is the
essence of all that is, and salvation is to "realize" the god
(reality) that is within you.
§
Yoga: This is one of the six major
Hindu philosophical systems to be followed in order to obtain union (yoga)
with the Ultimate, the Great All-pervading Soul. Self-realization Fellowship
advocates practice of disciplined Kriya Yoga as the
path to realization of the good within, the true self.
§
Zen Buddhism: The major Buddhist
activity solves eternity's problems by illogical Koan
to produce enlightenment-similar to T.M.
S I N
The Bible
§
There is none righteous, no, not
one (Romans 3: 1 0).
§
For all have sinned, and come
short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
§
If we say that we have not sinned,
we make him a liar, and his word is not in us ( I
John 1: 10).
§
If we say that we have no sin, we
deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us ( I
John 1:8).
§
Whosoever commits sin transgresses
also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law (I John 3:4).
§
All unrighteousness is sin, and
there is a sin not unto death ( I John 5:1 7)
§
Whatever is not of faith is sin
(Romans 14:23).
§
Therefore, to him that knows to do
good, and does it not, to him it is sin (James 4:17).
Eastern Mysticism
§
The subject per se is given little
attention, and forgiveness of sin is unrealistic. By the Law of Karma,
"sowing and reaping," wrong actions inevitably produce punishment,
good actions their reward. Salvation consists of doing good
in excess of evil in order to evolve to the highest state through successive
incarnations. This highest state is Enlightenment; the realization of oneness
with the World-Soul, Reality.
Sin is not defined. It consists of actions which are
contrary to one's "dharma" or "duty."
"Sin means wrong doing or wrong thinking due to
discontentment. Suffering is the result of some wrong doing in the
past."
§
"Past sins might induce an
action in the present; some tendency of the past may come to us"
Meditations of Maharishi, p. 121).
R E D E M P T I O N
The Bible
§
We have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7).
§
You were not redeemed with
corruptible things . . . but with the precious blood of Christ (I Peter 1: 1
8-19).
§
Unto him that loves us, and washed
us from our sins in his own blood, and has made us a kingdom of priests unto
God and his Father (Revelation 1:5-6).
§
Without shedding of blood is no
remission (Hebrews 9:22).
§
Made peace through the blood of
his cross (Colossians 1:20).
§
This man, after he had offered one
sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God. . . . For by
one offering he has perfected forever them that are sanctified (Hebrews 10:
12, 14).
Eastern Mysticism
§
"Be still and know that you
are God, and when you know that you are God you will begin to live Godhood...
" (Ibid., P. 178).
§
Go within and experience the
Divine Nature!
§
A mystical experience reached by
various methods, which blanks out all sense impressions and releases one into
a sense of identity with the great All, the only Reality!
§
There is no supernatural
intervention. We bear the whole responsibility for our actions. If we attain
the clear vision of what we are, "the Divine or Inner Light, and the god
within," we need not go elsewhere. "All may say, at the moment of
Awakening, 'I am the Way' " (KC, p. 237).
§
Salvation comes through the
realization that there is no duality. God is all-in-all, is all there is, and
"that are Thou" (Upanishads).
§
God-realization, or
Self-realization, the highest of all states of being, is a here and now
possibility by any of the suggested methods. 1) The Way of Knowledge, usually
involving meditation focused within. This may be aided by silent repetition
of a designated, personal mantra, which is a group of sounds without meaning.
Or by "Knowledge" imparted by a "master" by which
"inner light" is given, and the "current of real life"
(the source of life) is turned on within us. Meditation is upon this
"light experience." 2) The Way of Works, following prescribed rules
of conduct without desire. This is the more common way of India, much less
emphasized in the West. 3) The Way of Devotion to a deity, involving
continuous chanting of the chosen name, as exemplified by the vocal
Krishna-Consciousness cult.
§
Transcendental Meditation is a
path to God (MM, p. 59).
§
The way of Yoga (meaning union) is
that of concentration aided by body control, with the aim being "Union
with the Divine."
§
Self-realization is entry into the
Kingdom of Heaven within, entry into the field of the Creator. "It is
the gradual movement from Matter to Mind, and then to Super Mind. Once we
reach the Super Mind, we reach union with the Divine. "
S A L V A T I O N
The Bible
§
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and you shall be saved, and your house (Acts 16:31).
§
But as many as received him, to
them gave he power to become the children of God,
even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12).
§
He that believes on him is not
condemned; but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not
believed in the . . . only begotten Son of God (John 3:18).
§
He that believes on the Son has
everlasting life; and he that believes not the Son shall not see life (John
3:36).
§
Not by works of righteousness
which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of
regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).
§
For by grace are you saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God-not of works, lest
any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
§
Justified freely . . . through the
redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24).
§
Christ is the end of the law for
righteousness to everyone that believes (Romans 10:4).
Eastern Mysticism
§
"Be still and know that you
are God, and when you know that you are God you will begin to live Godhood...
" (Ibid., P. 178).
§
Go within and experience the
Divine Nature!
§
A mystical experience reached by
various methods, which blanks out all sense impressions and releases one into
a sense of identity with the great All, the only Reality!
§
There is no supernatural
intervention. We bear the whole responsibility for our actions. If we attain
the clear vision of what we are, "the Divine or Inner Light, and the god
within," we need not go elsewhere. "All may say, at the moment of
Awakening, 'I am the Way' " (KC, p. 237).
§
Salvation comes through the
realization that there is no duality. God is all-in-all, is all there is, and
"that are Thou" (Upanishads).
§
God-realization, or
Self-realization, the highest of all states of being, is a here and now
possibility by any of the suggested methods. 1) The Way of Knowledge, usually
involving meditation focused within. This may be aided by silent repetition
of a designated, personal mantra, which is a group of sounds without meaning.
Or by "Knowledge" imparted by a "master" by which
"inner light" is given, and the "current of real life"
(the source of life) is turned on within us. Meditation is upon this
"light experience." 2) The Way of Works, following prescribed rules
of conduct without desire. This is the more common way of India, much less
emphasized in the West. 3) The Way of Devotion to a deity, involving
continuous chanting of the chosen name, as exemplified by the vocal
Krishna-Consciousness cult.
§
Transcendental Meditation is a
path to God (MM, p. 59).
§
The way of Yoga (meaning union) is
that of concentration aided by body control, with the aim being "Union
with the Divine."
§
Self-realization is entry into the
Kingdom of Heaven within, entry into the field of the Creator. "It is
the gradual movement from Matter to Mind, and then to Super Mind. Once we
reach the Super Mind, we reach union with the Divine. "
R E T R I B U T I O
N
The Bible
§
The wages of sin is death (Romans
6:23).
§
Those who sleep in the dust . . .
shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame, and everlasting
contempt (Daniel 12:2).
§
And as it is appointed unto men
once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
§
And I saw the dead, small and
great, stand before God. . . . And the dead were judged out of those things .
. .written in the books, according to their works
(Revelation 20:12).
§
The Lord Jesus shall be revealed
from heaven . . . in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God,
and that obey not the gospel. . . ; who shall be punished with everlasting
destruction (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).
§
If your foot offend you, cut it
off; it is better for you to enter lame into life than, having two feet, to
be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched (Mark 9:45).
Eastern Mysticism
§
Heaven and hell are not accepted
concepts.
§
Karma, the "law of the
deed," of sowing and reaping, is allied with Transmigration
(Reincarnation) in defining the results of sin and rewards of good.
§
Suffering (on earth) is the result
of some wrong doing in the past, one's own repayment of deeds.
§
One who has attained union with
God, or "God-consciousness," has reached the end of reincarnation.
As the Buddha is reported to have said, "There is no rebirth for
me".
Quotations
are from standard writings and leading teachers of the sects. Initials in
parentheses are abbreviations of aforementioned book and magazine titles.
Scripture quotations are from the New Scofield
Reference Bible (New York: Oxford University Press, 1967). Outline and
statement summaries are a compilation from various reference works and
authors.
Please see
suggested readings.
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