Ken Blanchard Still Endorsing the New Age
Update on Ken Blanchard #3
February 11, 2006
To the Reader: During the writing of this update, the words hypocrisy, fine-tuned deception, and outrageous compromise came to mind. Right now--more than any period in the Christian church--the body of Christ is experiencing an overkill of spiritual deception that is so fine-tuned it is becoming difficult to detect. Christians are suffering from toxic levels of compromise, and causing other Christians to stumble. Silver-tongued wolves have sheepishly grinned and smiled their way into the Christian church by paying lip-service to Jesus Christ, while being an intrinsic part of the New Age Movement at the same time.
Jesus Christ is coming. Precious souls for whom He died for hang in the balance. Therefore, it is imperative that Christians take up the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:1-18), stand strong in the Lord, speak the truth in love, and defend the faith.
If you aren't familiar with this ongoing issue, please review the following information prior to reading this update:
Letter to Ken Blanchard (July 21, 2005)
30 Day Update on Ken Blanchard #1 (August 21, 2005)
60 Day Update on Ken Blanchard #2 (September 20, 2005)
Go to http://tinyurl.com/dq9x9 for additional articles, information and documentation.
A note of caution: This update contains quotes from New Agers and links to New Age sources. The New Age Movement is subtle, seductive and extremely dangerous to the spiritual welfare of the believer. Reader discretion is advised.
To recap the issue, on July 22, 2005, Ken Blanchard, co-founder of the Lead Like Jesus movement and Chief Spiritual Officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies, issued a statement regarding his "unshakeable faith" in Jesus Christ, and promised to "exercise better discernment in the future" concerning his endorsements of books "written by authors who espouse concepts that are contrary to Christian teachings."
Three days later on July 25, 2005, James Walker, President of Watchman Fellowship, Inc., provided an "Update on Ken Blanchard." The following is a brief summary of Walker's update:
--- Blanchard is listed as a "New Age" contributor (in this article on Watchman Fellowship's website), "due to his endorsement of a number of New Age authors and teachers."
--- Blanchard had become a Christian in the mid-1980's.
--- Blanchard has supported and promoted authors whose "teachings and philosophies that are not in harmony with the Bible and which, in a number of cases, could be better classified as forms of New Age spirituality."
--- Blanchard had consulted with Watchman Fellowship staff, and readily admitted that his endorsements were "problematic" and should never have taken place.
--- Blanchard willingly admitted to his error "by promoting New Age authors or their teachings," and made "assurances to take corrective action for the future."
--- "After spending time with Mr. Blanchard we are now convinced that he is, in fact, a brother in Christ and are committed to assist him as he continues to work through the issues that have arisen as a result of these past endorsements."
Six months later, has Blanchard kept his promise? Has he exercised "better discernment" and stopped endorsing New Age authors and books? Has Blanchard repented, retracted his endorsements, renounced his ties with New Age organizations, and totally separated from New Agers? What changes have taken place in the last six months?
Answers to these questions (and more) are forthcoming, but first, a definition of the New Age Movement, from New Agers, is in order.
The New Age Movement defined
According to his website, G Kumar has been a student of Astrology since early childhood, has studied Transcendental Meditation (TM) under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, is a practitioner of TM and Integral Yoga, has developed Astrology software for Windows, DOS, Vedic Numerology, and Planetary Gemology, and is a prolific writer with over 20 years experience in the psychic sciences (click HERE for G Kumar's Profile).
Kumar defines the New Age Movement as a "Paradigm Shift to Divine Consciousness" and "...a revival of spiritual and divine values and can be called as a Divine Regeneration Movement. New Age Philosophy has conquered the West intellectually and Western culture is currently experiencing a phenomenal shift-sociological, spiritual & ideological. It's a secular, multi-cultural, multi-religious synthesis, of the Oriental mystical philosophies, mainly Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism & Western Occultism, emphasising Holism, the doctrine that Reality is organically One (now taught in American Universities after Einstein's Theory of Relativity)" ("The New Age Movement," http://www.eastrovedica.com/html/newage.htm).
"There are 6 million New Age sites on the Web." states Kumar, "and the NAM consists of a massive & well organised network consisting of thousands of groups, trusts, foundations, clubs, lodges, and spiritual groups whose goal and purpose is to prepare the world to enter the coming Aquarian Age" (ibid.).
Kumar believes that "New Age practices have almost conquered the world. Athletes are using guided imagery. Graduate schools of business are invoking TM, Yoga, and Tarot cards in teaching courses on creativity in business..." (ibid.).
Kumar's aim, he states, "is to integrate both the Western and the Indian systems. The Western system has scientific depth and the Eastern philosophic depth" (ibid.).
While Kumar is deeply entrenched in the New Age Movement, he has provided a service to Christian researchers by clearly defining New Age terms, and explaining how the New Age Movement has infiltrated every strata of our culture--both secular and Christian:
"Significant influence has been gained by NAM affecting almost every area of Occidental culture--Sociology, Psychology, Medicine, the Government, Ecology, Science, Arts, Education, the Business Community, the media, entertainment, sports, and even the Church. Organised spiritual forms such as Christian Science, Unity and even forms of Witchcraft (from the German ' Wicca' meaning the Wise; Witchcraft means the Craft of the Wise) are all its expressions. Various Human Potential Seminars, Transcendental Meditation, Zen Meditation and some Alternative Holistic Medicine practices are also its manifold manifestations" (G Kumar, "The New Age Movement," http://www.eastrovedica.com/html/newage.htm, emp. added).
Continuing, Kumar places New Age thinking into "six main characteristics":
(1) All is Unity; (2) All is Divine (3) Humanity is divine (4) A change in Consciousness; (5) All religions are One; and (6) Cosmic Evolutionary optimism" (ibid.).
Note that among other things, New Age theology dictates that everything, including mankind, is divine, and that mankind needs a change in his present consciousness, which involves developing a personal identity, a different attitude, different beliefs, and a special awareness and sensitivity.
However, as in-depth and informative Kumar's expertise is on the New Age Movement, it pales in comparison to God's word:
When you enter the land which the LORD your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD; and because of these detestable things the LORD your God will drive them out before you. You shall be blameless before the LORD your God (Deuteronomy 18:9-13).
There is only one God, one Savior, one salvation: You are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shown, when there was no strange god among you: therefore you are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God (Isaiah 43:10-12).
Concerning spiritual matters, Christians are not to trust their emotions, feelings and instincts: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding (Proverbs 3:5 KJV).
Instead of lending credibility to false teachings and false teachers, Christians are to be about: Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
Christianity is exclusive to all other religions and religious beliefs, for there is only One Lord, one faith, one baptism (Ephesians 4:5). All other "gods" and "goddesses" are fakes, frauds and man-made fabrications (Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Corinthians 11:3-4).
While G Kumar is sincere, he is sincerely wrong.
Christian and New Age at the same time?
"To be an effective Christian in the future one is going to have to walk a 'middle way.' The old authorities are crumbling, and perhaps that is as it is meant to be. The old age must give way to a new age for God is forever making 'all things new'...To be part of the New Age is to be focused on receiving new messages, new revelations, and above all other things, to be prepared for the Master-whatever name many religions and belief give to him-when he comes again among mankind to teach" (Lawrence Kennon, "New Age Christianity," October 2001).
Spend a few minutes on the internet and you will find a wide variety of so-called "Christian" websites and newsgroups--ranging from cultic and occultic, homosexuality and transsexualism and, yes, even pedophilia. Thus, it should come as no surprise to find websites that promote New Age Christianity. Here are but a few examples:
--- Christian New Age Quarterly: "Christians and New Agers often have very different beliefs, even disparate worldviews but they also often share surprising common ground. Unless we talk together, in an atmosphere of mutual respect and goodwill, instead of talking about 'the other,' we can never fully appreciate the nature of our differences and similarities."
According to its website, the Christian New Age Quarterly is for "Christians who wish to explore, or just better comprehend, the spectrum of New Age possibilities. New Agers who seek to retrieve the deeper nuances of the Christian faith. Christian New Agers who have discovered a congruence of the Christian and New Age paths," and "Seekers & Scholars who have found that essential diversity itself spawns intellectual challenge and spiritual growth."
--- Christian Wicca: "The Kingdom is within you and all around you" (the homepage of this website actually displays a cross and an artist's rendition of a "Jesus" wearing a beard, long hair, and a white robe).
--- CANA: Christians Awakening to a New Awareness: "As an expanding group of Christians Awakening to a New Awareness-many of whom attend established churches CANA members understand where you are, as many of them have come from a similar point and are on a similar journey" (CANA, Homepage). [This website is not affiliated with Marcia Montenegro's CANA: Christian Answers for the New Age ministry]
Continuing, CANA maintains that "Your own tradition is a safe starting point and while you continue to attend your church you may if you choose, at the same time, find encouragement from like-minded CANA members who also desire to deepen their understanding of how to apply the teachings and example of Jesus in the 21st Century" (CANA, Homepage).
--- Contemplative Outreach, Ltd.: a website devoted to the works of Fr. Thomas Keating and the Contemplative Prayer Movement. On its Links page, the Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. recommends the Oregon Contemplative Outreach, where on this particular page, the word "yoga" is mentioned favorably at least nine times.
--- The Interreligious Dialog List: this newsgroup was "founded by Christians who practice Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina, is dedicated to interfaith/interreligious dialogue among Christians on the contemplative journey who are also traveling or have previously traveled on the non-Christian paths of the ancient World Religions, such as Buddhism, Sufism, Judaism, Taoism, Hinduism, etc., who are meditators and desire to engage in helpful dialogue with contemplative Christians. This is a sacred space in which to share our spiritual journey with one another as brothers and sisters, in a virtual community. We ask the members to reflect rather than discuss and not to debate at all as adversaries. We are hopeful that the list will increase our understanding of one another that we may live peacefully and nonviolently in our world."
--- The Christaquarians: "This site is a growing resource for the study of New Age Christianity, Christian New Agers-whom Daren Kemp dubbed 'the Christaquarians.'"
"There is quite a wide gap between the New Age movement and the mainstream
Churches. In fact, New Age groupings consist of many people who, one time,
were closely linked with Christianity, but became disenchanted and
disillusioned, and sought bliss and peace elsewhere. Consequently, there
exists within the New Age movement quite an interest in religious matters and,
basically, an openness to dialogue with official Christianity" (Ibid).
--- The World Community for Christian Meditation: "Meditators at the John Main Seminar held at New Harmony, Indiana in 1991 gave the community a new form in The World Community for Christian Meditation. It has now spread through a hundred countries. Individuals, groups and centres share the vision of peace and unity arising from meditation. Groups meet in homes, parishes, offices, hospitals, prisons and colleges. A network of Christian Meditation Centres helps to serve this community and its teaching work. Dialogue with other faiths has arisen from this deepening of Christian spirituality in the lives of men and women in all walks of life. The link with the Benedictine monastic family is especially valued."
"IT IS TIME FOR RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE TO ENCOMPASS ALL RELIGIONS" (Dr. L. David Moore, Christianity and the New Age Religion: A Bridge Toward Mutual Understanding, 1993, back-cover).
The list goes on and on, from Christian Astrology to Christian Zen. Thus, there are those who claim to be Christian, while at the same time participating in and promoting the New Age Movement and its deceptive teachings.
While the above quotes may seem legitimate and sincere, the truth is one cannot be Christian and New Age at the same time, for it was Jesus Himself who said,
Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matthew 7:13-14).
Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity (Matthew 7:21-23).
The false love syndrome: deception's conditioning process
Jesus answered and said to him, If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me (John 14:23-24).
There are two types of love: true love and false love. One is genuine; the other is counterfeit. For example, raise children and tell them You are stupid and worthless, but I love you anyway, and there's a good chance they will grow up thinking they are stupid and worthless, and develop mixed emotions on what love really is.
Accordingly, a husband who mentally and physically abuses his wife and but immediately maintains his love for her after he calms down--suffers from a false love syndrome. Whether the man realizes it or not, he has conditioned his wife and children to equate love with abuse. After years of this abusive conditioning, the wife is convinced she loves her husband and he loves her, in spite of the daily beatings. As for the children, this false love syndrome paints a bleak future for them, many of whom may continue the abusive conditioning process for generations to come.
True love isn't abusive, intimidating, manipulative or deceptive, but is gentle, kind, compassionate and understanding. On the other hand, deception's false love and its conditioning process sets the stage for further, darker, deeper delusion.
The New Age Movement avidly preaches love, harmony, peace and unity; but let the doubters' beware; it is a false love. There is such a thing as New Age Christianity, primarily because New Agers say it exists. And, regardless of how counterfeit it is and as oxymoron-ish as it sounds, it has infiltrated every strata of our culture with its own conditioning process--specifically designed thousands of years ago to deceive the unwary:
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit (Isaiah 14:12-15).
Deception's conditioning process to convince the self-proclaimed "gods" and "goddesses" of our day they are above and equal with God originated in the Garden of Eden, and is as old as the original lie (study Genesis chapter 3).
New Age Christian-eze and its play on words
My head is a canopy;
My arms are branches;
My fingers are leaves;
My legs are the trunk;
My feet are roots;
My toes are seeds;
My skin is bark;
My blood is sap;
Therefore, I am a tree.
To the rational person, simply claiming to be a tree doesn't make one a tree, but rest assured there are people who can be easily convinced of the possibility. Claiming to be something doesn't make it so.
This is why it is imperative that Christians understand what is being said in the above excerpts from New Age sources; for their eloquent expressions contain not only a carefully orchestrated play-on-words and terminology mixed with fluent Christian-eze, but also contain false claims and a prime example of the counterfeit Jesus, gospel, and spirit that has stealthily roamed the Christian landscape for thousands of years. It is this shrewd imitation that has declared war on God's holy word and Christians, and has chaperoned many well-meaning but unsaved people to their eternal doom (2 Corinthians 11:3-4; Acts 20: 27-31; Galatians 1:6-9; Genesis 3:1-24; Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 23:15; John 8:44-47).
Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:15-20).
Carve it in stone! There is no "common ground" or bridging-the-gap between Christianity and the New Age Movement; none whatsoever! Those who claim to be Christian, but produce deceptive, rotten fruit in their life and teachings, are false prophets and savage wolves. They may smile on the outside and sound convincing, but inside they are false prophets and savage wolves.
Compromise breeds acceptance...acceptance breeds tolerance...tolerance breeds approval...approval breeds conformity...conformity breeds harmony...harmony breeds unity...unity breeds fellowship...fellowship with workers of iniquity breeds sin. Altogether, the end result is apostasy.
Friendly or friends? A closer look at Ephesians 5:11
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret (Ephesians 5:11-12).
In his Commentary on the Whole Bible for the book of Ephesians, Matthew Henry wrote:
"We must have no fellowship with sin nor sinners, v. 11. Sinful works are works of darkness: they come from the darkness of ignorance, they seek the darkness of concealment, and they lead to the darkness of hell. These works of darkness are unfruitful works; there is nothing got by them in the long run, whatever profit is pretended by sin, it will by no means balance the loss; for it issues in the utter ruin and destruction of the impenitent sinner. We must therefore have no fellowship with these unfruitful works; as we must not practise them ourselves, so we must not countenance others in the practice of them. There are many ways of our being accessary to the sins of others, by commendation, counsel, consent, or concealment. And, if we share with others in their sin, we must expect to share with them in their plagues. Nay, if we thus have fellowship with them, we shall be in the utmost danger of acting as they do ere long. But, rather than have fellowship with them, we must reprove them, implying that if we do not reprove the sins of others we have fellowship with them" (emp. added ).
Yes, Christians should be loving, kind, compassionate and friendly in their witness for Christ. However, Christians should not be friends with a Mormon, Jehovah's Witness, occultist or the unsaved. Neither are Christians to acknowledge, endorse, commend, approve of, or sponsor an organization, group, or church that compromises God's holy word. To do so violates the commands of Scripture, compromises the faith, causes confusion and others to stumble, and lends credibility to the sin-producing unfruitful works of darkness and those promoting it.
There is a difference between being friendly and being friends. When Christians become friends with those who acknowledge and promote a counterfeit Jesus, gospel and spirit, they step over the line, go beyond the boundary of Scripture, and risk endangering their own spiritual welfare, as well as the spiritual welfare of others.
How terrible it would be to learn that someone will spend their eternity totally separated from God, in hell, was a direct result of our foolishness and failure to heed the commands of Scripture.
2 Corinthians 6:14-15 commands: Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? (2 Corinthians 6:14-15)
Developing friendships with those who, in many cases, are enemies of God and the cross of Jesus Christ, has caused many Christians to stumble and compromise the faith. The closer a Christian gets to the unsaved, there is a good chance the Christian will gain sympathy for the unsaved. Close friends hesitate to offend one another. By becoming friends with non-Christians, there is also the chance of being swept away into deception and sin, all because the Christian refrained from telling the truth in love and offending for the sake of Christ and His gospel.
Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God (James 4:4b).
For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:18-20).
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18).
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ (Colossians 2:8).
Be alert, watch, guard, test, and trust in the Lord
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:20-21)
Time and time again, Christians are commanded by Scripture to be alert and to separate from those who promote individuals, movements, programs and teachings that are contrary to God's word. While some obey, others disobey and become rebellious. This is why so many Christians have been drawn into deception. After all, it looks innocent, sounds right and feels good, so they do it.
For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears
(Acts 20:27- 31).
Clearly, Paul teaches that the savage wolves will come into the church from the outside, such as Mormon missionaries, Jehovah's Witnesses, New Agers, etc. But for many Christians, the in-plain-sight/in your face deception arising within the church is the most difficult to detect. This is because many Christians take things for granted, and are reluctant to step-back and take a serious look at the entire picture, by testing all things, questioning pastors, deacons, Sunday School teachers and fellow laymen, then relying on God's word as their ultimate and final authority.
In other words, if Christians aren't willing to be alert, pay attention to what's being said, compare what's being said to the Scriptures, then defend the faith and share the truth whether it is convenient or inconvenient, they amount to nothing more than a warm-body occupying a park-bench. Not only are they wasting their time and setting a poor example for others, they are causing others to stumble. They might as well find something else to do with their time.
God's inspired word is reliable, trustworthy, authoritative and non-negotiable, and should be handled carefully and with respect.
Ken Blanchard and selective discernment
"Recently, it was brought to my attention that some of my endorsements and book forewords are for books written by authors who espouse concepts that are contrary to Christian teachings. I did not realize that this was the case when I wrote these endorsements and forewords. But now after further study and discussions with other followers of Jesus whom I respect and admire, including the staff at Watchman Fellowship, I understand why these are problematic and I promise that I will exercise better discernment in the future" (excerpt from Ken Blanchard's July 22, 2005 statement; complete text on file; emp. added).
As of this writing, six months have passed since Blanchard's 7/22/05 statement (refer to CRS's September 20, 2005 UPDATE ON KEN BLANCHARD and Letter to Ken Blanchard). Therefore, it is important to note that:
--- A flash picture of Ken Blanchard now appears on the homepage of the Hoffman Institute's website ( http://www.hoffmaninstitute.org ), along with another endorsement of the The Hoffman Process.
--- Blanchard's name appears on page 7 of the Hoffman Institute's Autumn 2005 LIGHT News newsletter, under "Advisory Board."
--- Blanchard continues to endorse the Hoffman Institute, and remains a member of the Hoffman Institute's Board of Advisors.
--- The "Spirituality in Business-An interview with Ken Blanchard, Ph.D," is still available on the Hoffman Institute's website. This same interview is on the Hoffman Institute International website and other foreign websites connected directly to the Hoffman Institute.
--- Blanchard's endorsement of Tim Laurence's book, The Hoffman Process, is still available on the Hoffman Institute's website.
--- "The Ken Blanchard Companies" are still listed as one of the "ATTENDEES" of the Heartland Circle's Thought Leader Gatherings.
--- The Heartland Circle's News from the Heartland newsletter contains an advertisement of Marc Lesser's book, Z.B.A. Zen of Business Administration: How Zen Practice Can Transform Your Work And Your Life, along with the following endorsement by Ken Blanchard: "'There is an urgent need for all of us to walk our faith in the marketplace. Z.B.A. Zen of Business Administration by Marc Lesser will surely help. Read, rejoice, and start practicing.'" According to this Book Description, the "practice of Zen" Buddhism guides, and provides strength and insight to Lesser, who utilizes "his training as a Zen practitioner" as he "learns to apply specific teachings such as the eight-fold path directly to work and life."
--- Ken Blanchard's July 22, 2005 statement has been removed from his Lead Like Jesus website, and replaced with "HTTP 404 FILE NOT FOUND."
Mark Victor Hansen, New Age, and Watchman Fellowship
Mark Victor Hansen (seen here with his friends, Ken and Marjorie Blanchard), along with his business partner, Jack Canfield, authored the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books, which have found favor with many Christians and Christian bookstores worldwide.
Of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, M. Kurt Goedelman of Personal Freedom Outreach encourages Christians to be aware of what is being advocated within the books:
"Despite the series appeal, Christians should take pause and exercise caution when they realize that these books are published by a New Age publisher. And the authors, Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, are admittedly New Age proponents. At the very least, these books will be tainted by Canfield's visualization and self-esteem ideas and Hansen's humanistic bent. The books further include contributions by or references to M. Scott Peck, Joseph Campbell, Norman Vincent Peale, Napoleon Hill and other New Age or positive mental attitude gurus" ("The Non-Nourishing Mix of Chicken Soup," http://www.pfo.org/chicsoup.htm ).
Mark Victor Hansen is a graduate of the Hoffman Institute, is a "mutual friend" of Ken Blanchard, and is quoted stating that "The Hoffman Quadrinity Process is a Banquet for the Soul!" ("Mark Victor Hansen Interview," http://www.quadrinity.com/articles/article15a.htm ).
New to Mark Victor Hansen's website is his audio interview with "Internationally Renowned Author and Speaker, Dr. Wayne Dyer About the Power of Passion" ( http://www.markvictorhansen.com ), where the listener is introduced to "Living with Divine Mind and Consciousness is a place that is attainable for all" (Ibid). Here is a brief summary of Hansen's interview with Dyer:
--- Hansen is in full agreement with Dyer's message.
--- Hansen and Dyer have been friends for 31 years.
--- Hansen studied yoga in India for a year.
--- Dyer and Hansen discussed their friendship with Ram Dass, and how Hansen plans to do a benefit for Ram Dass (Ram Dass is a New Age guru whose real name is Richard Alpert).
--- Hansen said Dyer was a great help and inspiration.
--- Dyer discussed his book, The Power of Intention, and many of his beliefs about personal divinity, one's connection to the Source--whether the Source is Buddha, Mohammed, Jesus, or whatever god one follows.
--- Dyer discussed how a spirit assisted him in the writing of his latest book.
In their
Index of Cults and Religions,
Watchman
Fellowship states that Wayne Dyer is a "Prominent New Age writer and spokesman
focusing on business applications, personal transformation and motivational
speaking," and "Also promotes holistic health, and Buddhism."
According to their website, "Watchman Fellowship is an independent Christian research and apologetics ministry focusing on new religious movements, cults, the occult and the New Age. We serve the Christian and secular community as a resource for cult education, counselling, and non-coercive intervention" ( http://www.watchman.org/about.htm ).
Currently, Watchman Fellowship's main website at www.watchman.org carries two articles on Chicken Soup for the Soul. The first article, written by Craig Branch, is "Chicken Soup for the Soul Reviewed." The second article, Serving Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work, was written by Jason Barker.
Craig Branch, formerly of Watchman Fellowship and a noted authority on the New Age, warns that "The Mormon and New Age philosophies stirred into Canfield's and Hansen's Chicken Soup make it a deadly brew for the soul" (Ibid). Accordingly, Jason Barker urges that "...Christians should be aware that the books also are steeped in a spirituality that is opposed to biblical Christianity" (Ibid).
Bob Waldrep is the Alabama State Director for Watchman Fellowship and the Executive Director for Evangelical Ministries to New Religions (EMNR). In his article, "The Shifting Paradigms Of Stephen Covey," Waldrep not only provides the reader with a brief review of Stephen Covey's book, The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People, he also includes Mark Victor Hansen and his Chicken Soup for the Soul in a list of "New Age proponents and books":
"Apart from its Mormon roots, Covey's products and programs are problematic for the Christian due to Covey's promotion of New Age teachers and practices. Covey is well versed in the New Age teachings and practices of its adherents because he often runs in the same circles as they, appearing on panels and at seminars. This is especially evident in his inclusion in the overtly New Age compendium, Handbook for the Soul.
"Both SH [The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People] and SF [The 7 Habits For Highly Effective Families] have a number of quotes or references to New Age proponents and books. These include Marilyn Ferguson (The Aquarian Conspiracy), M. Scott Peck (The Road Less Traveled), Marianne Williamson (A Return to Love), John Gray (Men Are From Mars Women
Are From Venus), Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup for the Soul) and Oprah Winfrey. Among the New Age practices referred to are visualization and affirmation, subliminal programming, neurolinguistic programming and 'new forms of relaxation and self-talk processes'" (Bob Waldrep, "The Shifting Paradigms Of Stephen Covey," emp. added).
Ironically, the book Waldrep reviews, The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People, is praised and endorsed by Ken Blanchard:
"'Stephen R. Covey is a marvelous human being. He writes insightfully and cares about people. The equivalent of an entire library of success literature is found in this one volume. The principles he teaches in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People have made a difference in my life' --Ken Blanchard, Ph.D., author of The One-Minute Manager" (back cover; click HERE to view).
Blanchard also endorsed Covey's book, The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness: "'Steve Covey does it again with cutting-edge thinking. The 8th Habit is about finding out why you're here and helping others do the same. Is there a nobler cause? Don't miss this book!'" (front flap; click HERE to view).
Watchman Fellowship/Birmingham lists 19 articles on the New Age Movement, and offers a variety of materials on the same topic.
According to his Bio, the President of Watchman Fellowship, James Walker, "teaches and preaches throughout the United States and internationally in hundreds of churches, colleges, and universities," and "is directly involved with evangelism and apologetics in a variety of related fields including Mormonism, the New Age Movement, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Way International, Armstrongism, the Unification Church, Christian Science, Satanism and the Occult" ( http://www.watchman.org/jkwbio.htm ).
James Walker is no stranger to the deception behind the New Age movement, as his articles and conferences attest to:
http://www.watchman.org/na/chair.htm
http://www.watchman.org/cults/txchair.htm
http://www.watchman.org/cults/page1.htm
http://www.watchman.org/cults/guruma.htm
http://www.watchman.org/cults/cutjesus.htm
http://www.watchman.org/ccc/wilmington.htm
http://www.watchman.org/ccc/okc.htm
Watchman Fellowship's main website carries hundreds of articles on the New Age, and states that "As Christians, we do believe that 'we are our brother's keeper.' Like the watchman on the wall (Ezekiel 3:17), we have the responsibility to sound a warning against the deception and destructive spiritual abuse practiced by cultic groups. In sounding such warning Watchman Fellowship also has a principled commitment to accuracy" ("About Watchman Fellowship").
Indeed, it is the Christian's duty to publicly and privately expose deception from non-Christian religions and sources. Each Christian is called to be a watchman on the wall, refrain from compromise, and is commanded to sound an alarm against all forms of spiritual deception (Ezekiel 33, Acts 20:27-31; Titus 2:15; Jude 3; 2 Timothy 4:2).
But compromise and deception should be confined to the non-Christian world. Watchman Fellowship is fully aware of the dangers and deception behind the New Age Movement, and has spent years exposing it publicly.
As a graduate of the Hoffman Institute (which was founded by Bob Hoffman, "American psychic"), Hansen considers the Hoffman Quadrinity Process "a Banquet for the Soul." Hansen co-authored the Chicken Soup for the Soul series with fellow New Ager, Jack Canfield (see this Interview with Jack Canfield and Canfield's article, "Choosing To Be Happy").
However, it isn't what they say, it's what they haven't said, and what James Walker hasn't said is that Mark Victor Hansen serves on Ken Blanchard's Lead Like Jesus National Board, and that Watchman Fellowship is one of the "PARTICIPATING SPONSORS" of Blanchard's Lead Like Jesus movement.
Therefore, Watchman Fellowship, Inc. is undeniably sponsoring an organization and individuals that condone and promote the New Age.
Ken Blanchard and the Hoffman Institute
But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised (1 Corinthians 2:14).
On December 29, 2005, a call was placed to the Hoffman Institute to inquire about the Hoffman Quadrinity Process and Ken Blanchard's role as a member of the Hoffman Advisory Board.
During the call, a Hoffman r