Why I Talk With New Agers
Gordon R. Lewis
Editor's note: Dr. Gordon Lewis is professor of theology and philosophy at Denver
Seminary and the founder of Evangelical Ministries to New Religions. As an instructor
and author in the field of Christian missions to new religions, Dr. Lewis has sometimes
been questioned about his practice of holding unpublicized dialogues with New Agers
(as though in some way this implies a compromise of the faith). In the following
article Dr. Lewis explains his policy in such matters, and in the process outlines
several important principles and guidelines for approaching New Agers. Although the
following is a departure from CRI’s [the host of this article] usual Witnessing Tips
style, it is very much in keeping with the purpose of this column: to further
evangelism of those committed to unchristian belief systems.
I talk with people involved in new religions and cults when I can, although
for over thirty years I have taught, preached, and written against their
unbiblical teachings. My standard policy is to present and defend divinely
revealed moral virtues and Christ's grace anywhere I am invited if my
message is not curtailed. (As a young Bible school student I recall several
fundamentalist leaders who declared that they would speak anywhere,
including to modernist groups, so long as they were free to present the
gospel.)
In October, 1987, I was invited without restrictions to converse with
several local and national New Age leaders at Gold Lake, Colorado. My
participation was sponsored neither by Evangelical Ministries to New
Religions nor Denver Seminary. As a researcher I accepted the opportunity
for firsthand information, and as a Christian I went having put on all the
biblical "armor" (Eph. 6:10-18) and having prayed for discernment and
opportunities to honor my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
My general objectives in talking with people in any group unreached by the
gospel of God's grace are threefold:
(1) In an increasingly polarized and violent world, I desire to promote
understanding and just relationships among my "neighbors." Even
though some people may be involved to some degree in New Age thought
and practice, they are still image-bearers of God and so of inestimable
worth. I respect their inherent rights and treat them as I would want them
to treat me. Like foreign missionaries, we need contacts with the people
we seek to reach. We need to learn from them in order to serve them as
we live among them, Lord willing, for many years to come. Furthermore,
just as God in common grace lets the rain fall on the unjust as well as the
just, we must do good to all people (Gal. 6:10). Jesus explained that His
disciples do good even to those who may oppose them.
(2) In my calling as a minister and a teacher of apologetics and theology, I
seek to put into practice the pre-evangelistic strategies I teach. When
talking with adherents of alternative philosophies and religions I try to
follow Paul's example in ministering to the first-century Athenians (Acts
17). Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles (pagans unacquainted with the
covenant-making God of Israel and the Old Testament). At Athens, the
university center of the ancient world, Paul: (a) commended the religious
zeal of stoic pantheists and idol worshippers; (b) quoted Stoic poets
favorably on matters of common ground; and (c) declared the dependence,
obligation, and guilt of all before the universal Creator. Paul understood
that those who come to God must believe that "He" (as a personal spirit
distinct from the world) "is" (Heb. 11:6).
(3) After pre-evangelistic objectives are reached, my ultimate goal in
conversations with individuals and groups of people in new religions and
cults is to do the work of an evangelist. At Athens Paul concluded with
(d) a solid reason why all people should receive the redemption of Christ --
God raised Him from the dead. Several leaders of the Greek city-state
believed! Evangelism is the ultimate goal of Christian outreach. After
seeking to remove roadblocks in the way of faith, I invite p