CHRISTIAN NONSENSE!


The World, the Word & You! Broadcast
Commentary by Dennis L. Finnan

"Today tens of millions of people are being exposed to potentially dangerous methods of health care that for some may be life threatening, and for others a far more serious danger awaits them."

This danger is a movement in the world of health care that has taken us away from the science of established health practices, and catapulted many into a brand new world of care called "The Holistic Health Movement." This movement has swept many Americans and world citizens into its camp as they desperately try new "miracle," remedies to treat the ailments of their bodies, mind and spirit. The Holistic Health movement may also be known as the "Alternative Medical Therapies," school for that is exactly what it is. Yet, this fast growing field of health care is something everyone needs to fully understand before they embark upon its hidden agenda. What am I talking about?

According to a Medical World News report, "the overall cost of suspected health-care fraud is approaching $ 30 billion annually, as promoters of holistic health techniques and New Medicine prosper by offering patients simple solutions to complex diseases as well as practices, and remedies that are said to be free of side effect." As a result, many people especially Christians are turning to these alternative medical practices believing that its emphasis on the "natural," means better, and its emphasis on the mind as a controlling factor of body health, is really a new discovery of God's healing powers built into our humanity and world.

But my friend, as painful as this may be for some to hear, the overwhelming majority of these new health care practices, techniques and remedies, are nothing more than what I would call -"Christian Nonsense," at the least, but at the worst, much of it is dangerous not only physically, but spiritually as well. So in the next twenty minutes, I want to talk with you about four major areas of emphasis today concerning health care that indeed is nonsense. So, stay with me and you be the judge.

Now, the four areas of holistic health care that I believe are questionable, not only medically and scientifically, but dangerously questionable spiritually, are

(1) NATURAL THERAPIES,

(2) MIND THERAPIES,

(3) ENERGY MANIPULATING THERAPIES,

(4) SUPERNATURAL THERAPIES.

Let's look at them now. First, I want to emphasize the dangers of seeking out natural therapies. Many today because of the New Age Movement, are hearing testimonials about benefits of returning to nature. As we seem today to live in an artificial world, many voices are saying we need to get back to what is natural, for in so doing we will find it better, more wholesome and good for us. The new field of health care that touts this is called NATUROPATHY. Naturopathy is an approach to health and disease which assumes that "natural" methods and remedies of treatment is better than anything synthetic such as drugs or surgery. This therapy says that all illness is caused by the accumulation of toxins or waste products building up in the body. And, by Natural Therapy, they can be dissolved and eradicated, thus relieving the body of illness. This field of treatment is in my opinion nonsense, for it cannot stand the test of scientific replication and verification.

What's more, practically all of these alternative medical treatments, remedies and therapies include some form of New Age spirituality and teaching. Naturopathic practitioners frequently use occultic based treatments such as "radionics, homeopathy, meditation and yoga." So I warn everyone, especially Christians, be careful what you explore and accept just because its natural. There are many natural things and elements in the earth that are harmful and deadly, not to mention useless for health care. So, the "natural therapeutic" health care industry today really offers no credible solutions to health needs. Moreover, in this camp of New Age treatment be alert and watch out for any health care practitioner offering you remedies that are based on promoting "all natural" care. This includes the vitamin industry that promises cures and prevention of all sorts of illnesses if one takes vitamins, and mineral supplements that use no synthetic ingredients. The fact is such vitamins are useless in treating illness, or preventing disease, unless of course you are not getting your normal daily supply in the foods you eat. The fact is if you eat three healthy meals a day, you need NO vitamins or minerals for health or cures.

Now the second area of Christian nonsense as I see it, is called (2) MIND THERAPIES. Many people are being drawn into this by the popular false teaching that we who are Christians need to realize our god potential. Through the power of the mind we are being told that we can think ourselves well. Of course, this idea is old and has been promoted for years by Christian Science practitioners, but today's new ideas go even further. How many of us have seen the ads in newspaper or health magazines that says, "Experience hundreds of modern health miracles," these ads say you can stop headaches with the touch of your hand, lower blood pressure or cholesterol by sheer willpower alone. Why some even say you can reverse cancer, even old age! What are these powers and how can one get them? Well, mind therapies today utilize "hypnosis, meditation, biofeedback, DreamWorks, yoga" and other mind control techniques. However, everyone of these are dangerous for anyone, especially for a Christian to participate in. Why? Well, simply because they draw you into the world of altered consciousness, something that opens your mind to outside influences, such as demonic control and possession. These practices can be traced to antiquity and are frequently associated with the occult. I personally know Christians who have dabbled in these things, who as a result have never been the same after. Their Christian life has been altered and their love for God's truth has been side-tracked or distorted. New teachings are often embraced including belief in reincarnation, past-life experiences and therapy, psychic development, even spirit contact - some or all soon become acceptable, credible and possible. Yet, such practices are dangerous and forbidden by God. The Bible says,

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (NCV… Don't let anyone use magic or witchcraft, or try to explain the meaning of signs. 11 Don't let anyone try to control others with magic, and don't let them be mediums or try to talk with the spirits of dead people. 12 The LORD hates anyone who does these things..."

Galatians 5:19-21 (TLB) "But when you follow your own wrong inclinations, your lives will produce these evil results: impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, 20 idolatry, spiritism (that is, encouraging the activity of demons)... Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God."

Our minds must never be turned over to others, to control or manipulate for evil or for supposed good. Our minds belong to us and God alone. Mind therapies are dangerous, although they may produce positive physiological responses that seem helpful, the Bible warns that the world of the occult lurks behind many of these benign treatments to capture the minds of innocent participants.

Now third in the area of Christian nonsense, is what is called (3) "Energy Manipulating Therapies." Star Wars unfortunately was the Hollywood box office hit that introduced us to "the Force." Many think "the force" is really God, but the Hollywood writers, many who are New Agers, let us know in no uncertain terms, the "Force," is not God, rather "universal energy," that flows through the universe and every living creature. As a result of this New Age concept, numerous fraudulent health care practices have sprung up to be offered to naive customers. What am I talking about? Well I'm referring to health care treatments such as "Acupuncture, Reflexology, Iridology, Reiki, Therapeutic Touch, Crystalology, and Applied Kinesology. " All of these treatments involve the idea that this "Universal Energy" of the universe flows through our bodies, and if it gets blocked or becomes imbalanced it can cause disease, death or debility. But by therapeutic healers who have learned to manipulate the body by massage, applied pressure or puncture - they can remove any blockage or imbalance of this energy and produce health in the body.

To practice this, to believe this, forces one to acknowledge false religious teachings that are the basis of all "Energy Manipulating Therapies." Such false religious concepts spring from the Chinese Taoist beliefs that contradict God and the Bible. What's more Acupuncture, although showing some ability to temporarily control pain and soreness, can also produce physical complications too. Did you know clearly verifiable records show that some who have submitted to acupuncture have suffered nerve damage, serious infection, even convulsions and death?

In addition, there are the false health care therapies of IRIDOLOGY and REFLEXOLOGY. Both of these center on the idea that through a particular body part one can diagnose and treat illness. IRIDOLOGY says that the iris of the eye reveals illness and with trained IRIDOLOGISTS, they can 100% of the time diagnose and prevent illness and disease. Through the use of eye maps, these practitioners say they can gain detailed information on the status of every organ system in the body. This is biologically impossible! Well, then there is REFLEXOLOGY, which I've spoken on before. This therapy says that through acupressure to the foot or hand, life energies (chi, prana) can be manipulated to either unobstruct its life flow, restoring health to any part of the body. Again, using foot maps by applying massage to certain areas, almost all forms of disease and illness, can be prevented or treated. However, to use this method for health care, especially for a Christian, is to deny God's Word and the principles of faith. Why? Because one has to believe in this universal energy god that has no place in Christian theology or practice. It is a mystical religion based on occultic teachings of New Age thinking. Those who follow it are dangerously susceptible to psychic development and energy channeling, and not the least it medically useless and fraudulent.

In addition all the other "Energy Manipulation" therapies I mentioned also subscribe to this energy god or "force," That, the one true God says is no god. The Bible says,

Deuteronomy 32:39 (NIV) ""See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand."

Isaiah 45:5-7 (NIV) "I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, 6 so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. 7 I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things."

Friend, there is no "force," nor life flowing energy in the universe or in our bodies. To base any health care, treatment, or therapy upon such a false concept is to deny God as the only power who is transcendent of our bodies and His entire creation. Therefore, Christians have no business involving themselves in these health care practices that lead one away from God and His truth in the Bible.

Lastly as we examine some bogus healthcare therapies we come to the realm of (4) SUPERNATURAL THERAPY. This type of health care has introduced the practice of Channeling, Visualization, Psychic Surgery and Healing , Shamanistic medicine, Chromotherapy or Color Therapy, Dowsing, and Psychosynethesis, to name only some of these supernatural therapies. Again, all of them involve the belief and teaching that there are supernatural forces, knowledge and healing that can be energized for our good and needs, if, we can find the caretakers of them. These caretakers some say, can be found in ancient spirit guides, angels, and supposedly God Himself. And, if one can contact them through visualization or guided imagery, one can tap their resources for healing and health care.

However, this form of alternative health care is most openly occultic, but amazingly Christians are buying into it too. How's that you might ask? Well, teachers such as the late Norman Vincent Peale, Morton Kelsey, and some popular Charismatic teachers today say that one can contact God Himself, and tap into his power to heal and prevent disease. How? Well, some say Jesus is the Ultimate Channel, through whom we gain such power! But friends, let me say this. Christian endorsements are no guarantee of legitimacy or genuineness. We will not find God outside of His clearly authorized way of finding Him as the Bible reveals. God is not hiding in enlightened knowledge only for the adept to find and secure. What one finds here is not God, but spirit imitators who will lead you into the world of demonic invasion.

Oh yes, Satan himself often heals people, temporarily. How does he do it? It's quite simple. Satan has the power to bring illness and physical disorder. Likewise, he has the power to remove it at his will, which appears as a healing. So, the "hidden agenda" in all of these supernatural healing therapies is that it promotes the world of the darkness, and not God. Usually too, it leads the unsuspecting follower into psychic development and the world of the occult.

Now I don't have time to describe all these aberrant medical therapies, but if you will write to me, I will send you a simple but clear report describing for you much of this "Christian Nonsense," that unsuspecting followers of Christ have been duped to believe and follow for health care. In this report I list and explain twenty or more specific practices and treatments that one should avoid at all costs. So write to me for it, requesting the FACT SHEET ON ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL THERAPIES. Meanwhile, may today's broadcast help you to see the things you need to avoid. And, to help you with this as I close, let me give you five basic cautions that you should measure any health care practices by, that are offered to you today. These should give you a handle on them helping you to see if they are legitimate or not.

So, five cautions are:

(1) BEWARE OF ANY AND ALL THERAPIES THAT CLAIM TO MANIPULATE "INVISIBLE ENERGY." This is nonsense and worse an unbiblical belief behind health care.

(2) BEWARE OF ANY PRACTITIONER OR THERAPY THAT CLAIMS TO BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND TREAT ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING from carbuncles to cancer.

(3) BEWARE OF ANY THERAPY WHOSE ONLY PROOFS CONSIST OF PERSONAL TESTIMONIES OF SATISFIED CUSTOMERS, while denying scientific verification.

(4) BEWARE OF PRACTITIONERS AND THERAPIES THAT RELY HEAVILY UPON ALTERING AND OR CONTROLLING CONSCIOUSNESS. God does not work through any such means and warns against opening the mind to any control except God and His Word.

(5) BEWARE OF ANY THERAPIES THAT REPLY UPON CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY AND APPEAL TO UTILIZING GOD'S HIDDEN POWERS OR FORCES.

These my friend are all warning bells for you to consider when someone comes to you with such claims for health care. Well friends, I think I've touched on the basics and revealed to you the terrific extent of inroads false theology and beliefs have accomplished into the world of Christianity. Everyone of us knows personally someone in a church or neighborhood who is dabbling in these New Age medical and health care practices. If so, you owe it to yourself and them to help them see the dangers physically and spiritually that await them.

Friend, by mentioning many of these popular health care treatments, I haven't done so to insult anyone who may have sought help through them. I do so only as a minister of God's Word who sees the "hidden agenda," that lurks behind anything that leads a soul away from God's truth. God is sovereign and the Creator of all. We do not need to seek healing, power and abundant life outside of intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ our God and Creator. He is the one who heals, who strikes down, who blesses and curses. No universal force, no spirit guides, no enlightened or hidden knowledge is out there for you to find ,that will bypass the curse of sin in this world which is evidenced by sickness and death. The only way around these debilities of life is to come to God, personally confessing our sins and disobedience, and calling upon Him for mercy and forgiveness. In turn, God promises to heal us, first of all of our sin sickness, and then to cleanse the soul. Then God promises that while in this life in His sovereign power He can and will heal personally and miraculously.

However, God also advocates the use of tried and tested medicines and doctors who can treat illness and disease the conventional ways. Outside of these methods, God wants us not to intrude in the world of the supernatural or occult. To do so denies God, offends Him and brings us into the world of spiritual darkness which can even lead to eventual spiritual death in eternity. So I appeal to you, turn away from these false, dangerous and various holistic treatments that many border on occult influence, and turn to the Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth and the life and God has said in His word,

Deuteronomy 32:39 (NIV) ""See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand."

Isaiah 45:5-7 (NIV) "I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, 6 so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. 7 I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things."

May His power and might, His glory and grace ever more rule in our hearts today.

For Jesus sake, Amen.

FOOTNOTES & RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

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MEDICAL WORLD NEWS, May 11, 1987.

The World, the Word & You! Broadcast is a non-denominational ministry based on the historic fundamental evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures.A copy of our doctrinal statement is available upon request.These weekly radio commentaries can be heard in selected areas around the nation. Dennis Finnan has been the speaker for 16 years, and serves as General Director. These transcripts are available free of charge to all who desire them. Also available are radio cassette tapes and printed booklets of each message. A free listing of all messages is available upon request also.

For further information, reprints, or a listing of all topics, please write to our speaker, Dennis L. Finnan(wwyfin@sparc.isl.net), or visit our webpage at [ http://www.isl.net/wwyweb.html ].