Byron Snapp

Book Reviews
The New Age Is Lying To You by
Eldon K. Winker, Concordia
Publishing House 3558 S. Jefferson
Ave. St. Louis, Mo. 63118-3968 c.
1994 pb. $10.99.
This book clearly shows the wide
ranging impact the New Age Movement
(NAM) is having on modem American
sOciety. The author begins by devoting
a chapteno the worldview of the NAM.
Because the NAM is so diverse, a
concise definition is very hard to wlite.
The author works from the follOwing
definition that he delived from his
own study. "The New Age Movement
is an eclectic, occult-based,
evolution-promoting, man-centered,
self-deifying, pervasive worldview
(philosophyoflife) that seeks, through
the transformation of the individuals,
to bling about a transformation of
society in order to achieve the ultimate
goal of a new world order of complete
global harmony." (p. 18)
Succeeding chapters provide the
reader with a look at the historic roots
of NAM and the working out of this
philosophy in life. Separate chapters
are devoted to the occult emphasis in
the movement and the more subtle
humanistic emphasis as is evidenced
in areas such as entertainment,
environmentalism, politics, education,
business, and health care. The author
does not overlook the inroads NAM is
making into churches.
Each chapter begins with excellent
examples ofNAM penetration into the
subject discussed in that chapter. There
is a blief Christian response to each
subject. The final chapter is a basic
response to the beliefs of NAM.
One can learn much by reading
this book. The reader can become
informed on the impactNAM is having
on business and medical philosophy,
areas one might think outside ofNAM's
domain. The reader could easily be
involved in New Age philosophy
without realizing it.
A weakness of the book is the
author's fuilure to develop the Christian
response sections. For example, after
providing much information on the
inroads NAM is making in public
education through the teaching of
methodology and curriculum, the
author nowhere mentions the
important response of enrolling
children in Christian schools or home
schools. (Please understand that
Christian education is far more than a
flight from false teaching. It involves
educating our children from a
God -centered perspective in each
subject.) The author offers various ways
to work within the public school system
to attempt to bring change. There is
great evidence to show that public
education is built on a humanistic
foundation and attempts to move the
system off of that foundation will be
futile.
This book points out that NAM, as
does every religion, has a worldview.
It will not be left within a New Age
study group or gathering. It will filter,
by its adherents, into every segment of
life. Sadly, the door is open for
successful propagation for two basic
reasons. Sinful man would prefer to
believe a lie rather than the truth (Rom.
1:25), thus it is easier to believe New
Age philosophy than Christian truth.
Secondly, the Church has failed to
consistently teach and practice
covenantal theology and the fact of
Christ's lordship in all of life. Too
often Christianity has no impact
beyond the intelior of the church
bUilding. Consequently, other realms
of life are open to the advance of
numerous ideologies.
While the author's Christian
analysis needs to be expanded, it does
clearly show that Christian truth speaks
to each area under discussion.
Hopefully, the readerwill be challenged
to do further study from a Biblical
perspective. God's truth provides the
one antidote to the NAM. Winker's
book points this out clearly.
This well researched book provides
a great introduction to the NAM. It
could be used in Bible study groups in
which greater thought and discussion
of the Christian response would be
explored. Church officers could use
this book to educate members going
into various vocations that might be
particularly impacted by the NAM
philosophy. All Christians will find a
greater appreciation of Bible truths in
light of the New Age lies.
William of Orange: The Silent
Prince by W.G. Van de Hulst
Inheritance Publications. Available in
the u.s. from Inheritance Publications
8085 Kraft Ave. S.E. Caledonia, ML
49316. c. 1992 142 pp. pb.
The valiant life of William of Orange
is unknown to many within churches
today. He has for too long been buried
under the rubble left by modem
historians. We can be thankful for this
reprint of the author's 1933 work,
written for youth. He has uncovered a
hero that exhibits many character traits
that are needed by adults and youth in
our own day.
Although born in Germany in a
castle, his life was not one of comfort
and ease. At age' 11 he inherited the
region of Orange to govern and had to
leave his family in orderto be educated
in Brussels under Charles V's oversight. .
Thus in 1544 he left his Protestant
environment and was further educated
in a Roman Catholic setting.
In God's providence he was an
"Esther" of his day. God gave him a
concluded on page 82
July! August, 1994 t THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon t 27
sexual harassment is yet another
example of a law that opens up the
door to greedy folks reaching into "deep
pockets" to grab a chunk of change. Is
it not strange that while our government
condones and protects the ongoing
murder of infants and seems unable to
(Dr. Death and his ilk),
mayhem and riots in Los Angeles, as
well as countless other serious crimes,
now it considers itself competent to
become a virtual thought police? This
is government run amok. Beware of
Greeks beariIig gifts I
While we agree with the news media
and our government that sexual
harassment does take place a)1d is an
evil that should be condemned by all, I
believe that we shoUld not rejoiCe that
our government has taken up this
problem and sought to address it. Our
remedy as men and women who might
be subjected to this evil is basically the
same as that oUosephwhowasharassed
by Potiphar's wife-to refuse the
solicitation and even flee if necessary
(Genesis 39). Unlike]oseph who was
a we thankfully have the right to
find another job. Even more exciting,
we have a God in heaven whowill right
every wrong and judge every dispute.
He is the final . Witness to all that
happens, and!ie has the perfect
standard by which to judge all drtngs.
unlike . our government that tries to
intrude into many areas where it has no
busIness, . we need nevq fear God's
perfect appiicarion. of justice. By faith
iri Christ, we haVe seenthe full measure
that justice applied to Christ so that
we might receive God's mercy and
experienCe newness iJf life. n
. -'. -
William Of Orange, cont.
great love for the Protestants in the
Netherlands at a time when they were
much hated persecuted by King
Philip who became king when his
elderly fatherabdicilted the thione. His
stand cbst Williani his weahh, a settled
life, the' qeath of his first 'Rife and
ultimately' his own life. Through all
losses William remained faithful to the
Lord Gcd who had given him true
wealth-salvation through Jesus Christ.
Thus, unlike the inspired account of
Esther, readers learn that one's stand
for Christ does not always result in
immediate victory.
The value of this book goes beyond
the basic story of William of Orange.
Through reading this account readers
are confronted with the life of a true
hero. Here is a Christian who persevered
in the Christian faith when the cause
seemed lost and he was being pursued
by government authorities.
Impoverished, he was offered great
wealth to deny his prinCiples. He
refused. He remembered that true
wealth is found in obeying God not in
eanhly treasures.
Providentially God spared his life
time and again. What a reminder that
God will not allow us to die as long as
He has work for us to do.
32 THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon July! August, 1994
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Ultimately William's faithful,loving
stand for Christ was victorious although
hedidnotlivetoseeit. The Netherlands
became a Protestant country. They view
William as a "Father in the Faith". His
descendants stillsit on the throne there.
Although written for children, this
book can be greatly enjoyed by adults.
No doubt Christians of all ages will be
encouraged by the life of William of
Orange. Those who read it will learn
why William was known as the "Silent
Prince". The illustrations enhance the
book. This book is a great choice for
families to read and discuss together.
No matter in what century we live or
our level of comfon, we must never
forgetthat we are in a spiritual war. We
must be willing to stand faithfully and
firmly, seeking first God's kingdom
and His righteousness. God will truly
provide for our every need. The life of
William of Orange exemplifies this.
We need such examples today.n