“There is nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9b
In the seventeenth century Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) presented this question to the world of philosophy:
What if knowledge is not a matter of conforming the mind to reality, but of shaping reality by the mind?
Present this thought today – as you would a corollary in math – build upon this way of thinking - and Voilà: New Age Thinking.
But “New” it isn’t. It’s as old as Plato’s (427-347BCE) theory that:
The reality we perceive is inferior to the realm of ideal things.
and Aristotle’s theory that:
Ideal forms must be realized in order to exist.
And then there was Mani.
Mani was a Persian teacher who lived in Babylon between 210 and 276 CE. The movement he founded taught a dualism based on a primal conflict between light and darkness; a key belief in Manichaeism is that there is no omnipotent good power.
And there it is.
The Secret. A modern-day version of Manichaeism.
St. Augustine of Hippo, the most influential of all the western church fathers, was born in 354CE. Later Bishop of Hippo, Augustine was a Manichee for nine years. He eventually criticized their beliefs that knowledge was the key to salvation, as being too passive and not being able to effect any change in one’s life.
Something for adherents of The Secret to remember.
Christianity today is under fire. The Da Vinci Code, The Lost Tomb of Jesus, not to mention The Celestine Prophecy from over a decade ago, attest to this. But more than this – people are searching.
And as Christians we need to provide clear answers.
To respond to this latest item sent to tickle the fancy of those whose itching ears want to hear (2Timothy 4:3b), I will respond to each of Rhonda Bryne’s “theories” with Scripture verse (let the reader understand…Mark 13:14b).
Please note that I have selected the final statement in each Secret Summary that follows each of Bryne’s “chapters”; note also that this method of teaching – restating in summary form all that the reader has just read before introducing a new idea based on the one previously presented – rather smacks of brainwashing.
Secret Summary
“Your thoughts become things.” Page 25
The main premise in this section entitled The Secret Revealed is that your thoughts are magnetic, and attract things, creating them in your life.Scripture Truth
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:1, 26-27
Secret Summary
“The feeling of love is the highest frequency you can emit. The greater the love you feel and emit, the greater the power you are harnessing.” Page 43
The main premise in this section of the book entitled The Secret Made Simple is that your emotions can be manipulated from bad to good by means of pleasant memories, nature, and music, particularly in order to feel love.Scripture Truth
God is love.
1John 4:16b
Secret Summary
“Create your day in advance by thinking the way you want it to go, and you will create your life intentionally.” Page 69
The main premise in this section of the book entitled How to Use The Secret is that to make what you want appear or happen, ask the Universe; believe by acting, speaking, and thinking as if you’ve already received; emotionally feel the way you would if you had already received.Scripture Truth
I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own;
it is not for man to direct his steps.
Jeremiah 10:23
And he said to them, “Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man‘s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Luke 12:15
Secret Summary
“At the end of every day, before you go to sleep, go back through the events of the day. Any events or moments that were not what you wanted, replay them in your mind the way you wanted them to go.” Page 93
The main premise in this section of the book entitled Powerful Processes is to use some tools to help you get what you want: expect the things you want; be grateful for what you already have; give thanks to the Universe for what you’re going to get; visualize yourself enjoying what you want.Scripture Truth
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
Hebrews 11:1, 3
Secret Summary excerpt
“Tip the balance of your thoughts to wealth. Think wealth.” Page 111
The main focus in this section of the book entitled The Secret to Money is how to get money: focus on money; pretend you have all the money you want; feel happy; look at things thinking that you can buy them; give money like you have lots; visualize checks in the mail.Scripture Truth
Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33
Secret Summary excerpt
“Do not listen to society’s messages about diseases and aging. Negative messages do not serve you.” Page 139
The main premise in this section of the book entitled The Secret to Relationships is to focus on health and eternal youth; focus on good health; laugh; do not talk about your illness; avoid thinking about aging.Scripture Truth
Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
2Corinthians 4:16
It is given to all men to die once, and after that to face judgment.
Hebrews 9:27
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
Secret Summary
“Praise and bless everything in the world, and you will dissolve negativity and discord and align yourself with the highest frequency – love.” Page 153
The main premise in this section of the book entitled The Secret to the World is that we add to the problems in the world because we think about and look at, through the media in general, the negative things that are happening in the world, and we should focus our thoughts on trust, love, abundance, education and peace.Scripture Truth
Jesus answered, ‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’
John 16:33
Secret Summary
“Your power is in your thoughts, so stay aware. In other words, ‘Remember to remember.’” Page 175
The main premise in this section of the book entitled The Secret to You is that you are a spiritual being, you are energy, and your thoughts being energy, create the Universe; the Universe is full of ideas, waiting for the human mind to draw them forth; manifest your desire faster by seeing what you want as fact.Scripture Truth
The Lord’s answer
And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my spirit in those days.
Joel 2:28-29
Secret Summary
“Now that you have leaned the knowledge of The Secret, what you do with it is up to you. Whatever you choose is right. The power is all yours.” Page 184
The main premise in this section of the book entitled The Secret to Life is that you get to fill your life with whatever you want, by feeling good, by using the power within you, and the more you use it, the more you will have. You need to embrace your magnificence, let go of limiting thoughts, and do whatever you love. There is no blackboard on which God is going to write the plan for your life.Scripture Truth
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13
In the Forward of her book, Rhonda Byrne writes:
“I’d been given a glimpse of a Great Secret – the Secret to life. The glimpse came in a hundred-year-old book, given to me by my daughter Hayley. I began tracing The Secret back through history.” The DVD of The Secret presents the notion that fragments of a great secret have been found in the oral traditions, in literature, in religions and philosophies throughout the centuries.
The basic premise of the book, and dangerously so, is that our thoughts are energy and can create; the Universe has emerged from our thoughts; there is no Creator God; I am God.
We live in a push-button society.
- Inconvenient pregnancy? Abortion.
- Aging and ailing parents? Nursing home.
- Debilitating illness? Assisted suicide or Euthanasia.
- Unhappy marital situation? Divorce
The list goes on.
And this is why books like The Secret are finding such a following.
We don't want to feel bad, and we want the bad stuff to go away.
But the merit of suffering is in the waiting. It is in the waiting with one who suffers that we are moved to compassion. It is in the waiting that we learn how strong and resiliant human life can be. It is in the waiting that we learn how much our God truly loves us. It is in the waiting that we learn how much we can truly love one other.
Without sadness and tears, there can be no compassion.
Without anger and frustration, there can be no change.
Without fear and anxiety, there can be no action.
Our feelings and emotions, as uncomfortable, as undesirable, as difficult as they can be, are often the catalyst to change. Healthy response to feelings and emotions leads to acts of service that benefit those we love, those we love less, our own selves, our world, and our God.
There is a mystery spoken about in another place, found in a collection of ancient writings. Noteworthy is one excerpt taken from the Book of Colossians, dated about 60AD, in which Paul speaks of three themes, which invariably thread their way through Byrne’s book:
the mystery hidden for ages and generations;
the revelation of that mystery;
the energy within him (Paul).
Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness – the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
Colossians 1:24-29
Mani said that he was the Paraclete (The Holy Spirit) spoken of in the Gospels. The Secret inadvertantly leads us to believe that we are spiritual and energy, creators, and God.
You be the judge: Time tested Truths? or Twenty-first century fad? And remember: This choice has implications - not just for your present life and the lives of those around you - but for your eternal life.
“I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live.”
Deuteronomy 30:19