Eckhart Tolle is the latest New Age guru to make it big. Over two million people from 139 countries have participated with Oprah Winfrey and Eckhart Tolle in a live web-based seminar covering each chapter of his book, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose.
Even though Tolle’s philosophy is incompatible with Christianity, I am amazed at how many Christians I talk to (even in evangelical churches) who are reading his book and applying his principles to their lives. The premise of his philosophy is simple. He says that all material things result from an impersonal, immaterial life force expressing itself in material form. And he says that we human beings are part of that expression.
He goes on to say that we have evolved to the point where we have the potential to become aware of our oneness with the universal life force. In fact, the purpose of all mankind is to become aware that their Being is an expression of the One Life Force.
Now really, do I need to explain any more before you can see that the very foundation of his philosophy contradicts biblical Christianity? What we are getting here is Eastern mysticism proclaimed with a German accent. Sure, there may be some truth mixed in with this error. And some of the observations and exercises in the book and seminar may be helpful to people with anxiety, anger, and depression. But at its very core, the teachings of Eckhart Tolle contradict biblical Christianity.
He says we are capable of discovering our spiritual identity but are being blocked by our ego. The Bible teaches that we are created in the image of God but have a sin nature and are cut off from God because of our sin. Tolle denies the existence of sin and thus the death of Christ on the cross is unnecessary. By contrast, the Bible states that “the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Eckhart Tolle may be popular, but his message is unbiblical. I’m Kerby Anderson, and that’s my point of view.
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Speaking of the Garden of Eden ... Tolle states very clearly that the ego-mind was created after "The Fall" when man "ate the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil." It was at this point, according to Tolle, that man became separated from God. A very Christian perspective and explanation. That said ... it is not Tolle's goal or purpose to be a missionary for Christianity. His task is only to increase people's awareness of the unconscious structure and content of the ego which serves to maintain self-will and stand in the way of one's religious pursuit and faith. Click here to reply to this post
Misunderstanding A New Earth
Posted On: 04/08/08 01:24:08 PM
Age 43, AK
As a religious person with an undenying faith in the healing power and divinity of Jesus Christ, I do believe that you are misunderstanding the nature and meaning of Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth. There is nothing in this book that is inconsistent with Christian religious beliefs. What this book helps me to do is navigate my failures as a human being and be of more service to God. I don't need this book to be a better Christian. I need it to be a better human. And for that, I thank Mr. Tolle fully. Click here to reply to this post
A Missed Opportunity...
Posted On: 03/29/08 01:16:54 AM
Age 45, AZ
I apologize up front but I was disappointed when I read your article. I personally believe it would have been more productive to explain what Tolle is teaching and why it doesn't line up with the Word of God then to criticize those who are lining up and plopping down their money, heart, and soul.
You state in your article, "Now really, do I need to explain any more before you can see that the very foundation of his philosophy contradicts biblical Christianity?" The answer is yes! If you had to ask the question, and you are writing about this subject matter, and Christians are engaging in this false doctrine, then there is an obvious need for apologetics and clarification here.
I found your above comment a little arrogant in the sense that many who call themselves Christians today don't even believe in Jesus Christ anymore (as documented by a Christianity Today survey) and yet you write as if you are astonished that many Christians don't appear to know better.
As writers, it is our duty to communicate the whole truth and often that means to detail and discuss what the other side believes so we can line it up against God's Word and help other's understand not only their own faith but enable them to engage in intelligent discourse the next time this subject matter comes up.
Every article, every word we communicate has the potential to shape and change another's worldview of Christianity. It should be a job we never take lightly. Click here to reply to this post
SURRENDER IS THE WAY TO LIFE
Posted On: 03/27/08 02:02:37 PM
Age 64, OH
Oprah and Tolle want to be able to control their own life and will try anything to do this. Think on what they are saying: if you want a building full of gold then just think on it the right way and it will happen. God says He is THE CREATOR and he has created everything that exists. Then if that is true, there is nothing left for any man to create. THE CREATOR means the One and the Only Creator. Man can not create and never will be able to. Oprah and Tolle are serving the Devil himself when they tell people they can create their own reality. They are saying the same as the Devil, in the garden, told Eve; that she could be like God. Instead of wanting our own way; if we confess our way is sin, then He will forgive us and give us eternal life. Those who follow Jesus will have eternal life and those who follow this way will have eternal death. Lou Click here to reply to this post
Another reason they won't come to Christ
Posted On: 03/27/08 08:39:19 AM
Age 61, MO
Many people are buying into these new fanagled spiritualities, but refuse to listen to the simple call of the Bible. Why? I think it is because Christ requires us to give up our evils. New age religions do not. People are looking for answers but do not want to give up their evils. They love their sin. So they flock to those who tell them what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear. George Cancilla Click here to reply to this post
Whoops
Posted On: 04/09/08 10:26:57 AM
Age 21, KY
It was probably an accident, but you're dead wrong. I'm not going to ask you to back up your statements because again, while I'm sure it was an accident, you have actually never bothered to even consider what Eckhart has to say because you're completely enveloped in your own beliefs.
That said, in what way does renouncing attachment to material possessions (as Eckhart suggests) allow people to hold onto their sins? You made a fool of yourself.
So sad, everybody that thinks they're supporting their faith on this issue are actually just confirming their ignorance, their inability to consider anything outside of what they were taught. What a waste of life. Click here to reply to this post
It goes back to the garden of eden
Posted On: 03/26/08 05:50:15 PM
Age 49, PA
From what I can tell from reviewing
Oprah's web site and associated videos,
what Oprah and Eckart are promoting is
pure gnostisism. Man has a spark of the
divine that needs to be awakened. Gnotics
can use terms that seem to fit into Christianity and even reference Jesus.
However, at the core, gnotisism is completely
against Christianity. Gnotics don't what
to follow Christ, instead believe you can
become a Christ. According to Gnostics
Jesus was an enlighted man who showed us
the way. It's Satan's ploy going back to
the garden of eden. It's the suggestion
you can become like God. It is the doctrine
of demons. Click here to reply to this post
Lost in Space
Posted On: 03/26/08 04:05:17 PM
Age 61, MO
From the article: "He [Tolle] goes on to say that we have evolved to the point where we have the potential to become aware of our oneness with the universal life force." Many have evolved to the point of denial that their lives are in jeopardy, and they are looking everywhere for support: everywhere, that is, except to the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. Many, many people are afraid of what life holds for them, and they seek relief from the likes of Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, and now Eckhart Tolle. So Sad. George Cancilla Click here to reply to this post
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