Spread The Word Online Christian Bookstore
Spreading more than just the 'Word'
To the Reader: It has been almost two years since Christian Research Service first established contact with Spread The Word representatives and, eventually, its President, Steve Darrow. Since then, CRS has provided them with information and documentation pertaining to the non-Christian authors, books, and materials being advertised and promoted within Spread The Word's online Christian bookstore (correspondence on file).
To their credit, Spread The Word has removed non-Christian books from its inventory in the past, and should be commended. Certainly, providing Christian books and materials to the body of Christ on a massive scale is an important task, and can be overwhelming at times. However, once the materials are removed, implementing safeguards to prevent their filtering back into the body of Christ is equally important.
Accordingly, because of the constant flow of non-Christian authors, books and materials into the Christian church, it is extremely important that website managers continuously monitor their websites and databases to ensure that only solid, Bible-based materials are being presented to the body of Christ.
As with any online Christian bookstore, Spread The Word has the ability and capability to monitor, delete and block non-Christian authors and books from their own inventory and databases. And, when necessary, Spread The Word has the prerogative and authority to contact their distributors and publishers, and place a block on non-Christian books and materials.
As long as any bookstore claims to be Christian, it should be Christian from front to rear, and everything in between. But where lackadaisical attitudes prevail, the innocent and gullible suffer. Therefore, the spiritual welfare of Christians, as well as those searching for the real Jesus Christ and His salvation, should be foremost in the minds of everyone involved with and connected to the Christian bookstore industry.
A note of caution: This information 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.
Read and test before you agree or sign
Before Christians agree to or sign anything on the dotted line, it is imperative to put what they are about to get involved in to the Biblical test (1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1). Then, if what is being tested contradicts the Bible, or is found to be disingenuous, deceptive or hypocritical, then it must be rejected.
As with many online Christian bookstores, Spread The Word offers an affiliate Registered Member plan. Should an individual, church or organization choose to open their own online Christian bookstore, Spread The Word can assist their membership affiliates in blocking unwanted books and materials from their online bookstores.
But if the prospective member fails to do their homework and review the inventory beforehand, and pays the "$580" fee, the member will unknowingly promote Hinduism, Yoga, and other forms of the New Age Movement--as verified by the documentation below.
Bottom-line or Scriptural commands?
Contrary to popular belief, the most important task facing the entire Christian bookstore industry is not the financial "bottom line," marketing techniques, Best-Seller lists, multi-million dollar retail trade shows, expensive advertising, trinkets of the trade, or what color paint should be used on the walls of a new bookstore. The most important task facing the Christian bookstore industry is to obey the solemn charge of God's holy word and, preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction (2 Timothy 4:1-2). Why? For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Sad to say, we are already there. Instead of compromising--by allowing non-Christian books and materials into their store inventory and website databases--Spread The Word should make it crystal clear to their vendors, distributors, publishers, and retailers that they are in the business of upholding God's holy word and following the commands of Scripture, and that anything deemed New Age will not be accepted.
Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but expose them (Ephesians 5:11). No means no. God's word says what it means and means what it says. To do the opposite is compromise.
Is it any wonder that an estimated "1,000 Christian bookstores have closed their doors in recent years"? (see "The Fashion of the Christ," Business Week Online, May 23, 2005). While competition from secular bookstores plays a role in the demise of Christian bookstores, compromise within the Christian bookstore industry invites judgement from God.
And, should a few books happen to slip in, then send the books back to the distributor (along with a memo that says, This author is New Age. In the future, please refrain from sending books written by this author, or I will find another distributor) or, send out invitations, follow the example of Acts 19:19-20, and have a book bar-b-que:
And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.
Again, the spiritual welfare of Christians, and those searching for the real Jesus Christ, should be foremost in the minds of everyone involved within the Christian book industry.
Unfortunately, this is not the case.
Spreading the word and the New Age at the same time
"Our mission at Spread The Word is to expand the Kingdom of God by offering spiritual and economic resources to help Christians fulfill God's calling in their lives. Our goal is to help Christian churches, ministries and families realize their goals. This bookstore is the way we do just that"
In its "Purpose/Mission/Vision" statement, Spread The Word claims to have "a love of Christ," a desire to "build up the body of Christ," and a desire "to put life changing Christian products into the hands of people." Yet, at the same time, they continue to compromise the faith, and place the spiritual welfare of Christians at risk.
What follows are examples of New Age books and materials found within Spread The Word's online Christian bookstore, along with excerpts from their descriptions. But first, a brief definition of the New Age Movement, its practices and techniques, from a New Ager:
What is the New Age Movement?
"The New Age Movement (NAM) is 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" (G Kumar, "The New Age Movement").
How has the New Age influenced our culture?
"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" (Ibid, emp. added).
New Age practices and techniques
Kumar provides a list of New Age practices, such as: "Astrology, Reiki, Bioenergy, Chi energy, Chakras, Nirvana, Christ-Consciousness, Spiritualism, Native American Spirituality, Prajna, Out-of-body/near-death experiences, Reincarnation, Yoga, Meditation and the occult disciplines, as well as psychotherapeutic techniques and scientific applications of the healing powers of crystals and pyramids," as well as "...Transcendental Meditation, Parapsychology, Inner healing; Biofeedback; Yoga; I Ching; Reflexology; Therapeutic Touch; Transpersonal Psychology; Witchcraft; Magick; Tai Chi; Shamanism; Hypnotherapy; Acupuncture/Acupressure; Martial arts; Zen; Relaxation; Silva Method (formerly Silva Mind Control); Visualization; etc." (Ibid)
New Age terminology
"Some commonly used New Age terms are: Quantum Healing, Transmutation, Transfiguration, Guided Imagery, Reincarnation; Positive Thinking; Human Potential; Holistic; Holographic; Synergistic; Unity; Oneness; Transformation; Awakening; Networking; Communal Sharing; One-world/globalism/new world order (i.e., One language, One Government, One currency, One religion); Cosmic Consciousness; Zodiac, etc." (Ibid)
New Age music
"Soothing
audio
environments
are
created
by
New
Age
musicians
and
they
believe
rightly
that
Music
has
psycho-therapeutic
properties.
(This
concept
is
derived
from
the
Vedic
Philosophy
that
All
music
is
Samaveda,
the
4th
Veda
of
the
Indians).
Born
of
an
interest
in
spirituality
and
healing
in
the
late
1970s,
it
is
often
used
as
an
aid
in
meditation"
(Ibid).
Although G Kumar is deeply entrenched in the New Age Movement, he has provided a service to Christian researchers worldwide, by clearly defining New Age terms, and explaining that the New Age Movement has infiltrated every strata of our culture--both secular and Christian. No doubt he is sincere in his beliefs, but he is sincerely wrong on Who God is.
The New Age Movement is a primeval forest, where exists a pandemic-smorgasbord of practices, ceremonies, techniques, programs, beliefs, celebrations, spiritualities, revelations and, an overdose of gods, for every whim and fancy--all of which are designed by Satan and mankind to draw the unwary into deception and away from the One Who said, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me (John 14:6).
While the Bible addresses "gods" and deems them fakes, frauds and man-made fabrications, God has warned the human race time and time again to turn away from them:
You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth (Exodus 20:3-4).
You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you, for the LORD your God in the midst of you is a jealous God; otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth (Deuteronomy 6:14-15).
However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods (Galatians 4:8).
Yes, "gods" exist, but so does counterfeit money, art fraud, and signature forgeries. To the untrained eye, fake money, fake art, and fake signatures look authentic until, that is, the truth is revealed. By then, it's too late, and the damage is done. There is only one God by nature, and God exists as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
What is Yoga?
According to Dictionary.com, yoga is a "Hindu discipline aimed at training the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility that is achieved through the three paths of actions and knowledge and devotion 2: a system of exercises practiced as part of the Hindu discipline to promote control of the body and mind."
While definitions of Yoga vary somewhat, all Yoga-roads lead to an individual perception of self-realization or, being one with the Divine Self and/or Universal Soul. In other words, You are divine; you are at-one-ment with the supreme source; you are god--whether you realize it! or not. And yoga is a means to help you understand it:
"yoga (Sanskrit word meaning “yoking”): to perceive the constant union, unity, or copulation with the divine self in every breath, in every moment, in every activity, and in every achievement. Yoga is the way one can perceive divinity manifested in the whole universe as well as in the entire body" ( http://www.storytellingmonk.org/ref/glossaries/y.htm ).
"YOGA—(Skt. yuj—to join, much the same as yoke in English). The practice aims at stilling the mind as a means to concentrated meditation for securing at-one-ment of the soul with the Universal Soul (Isvara, the Lord). (2) One of darshans or orthodox systems of Hindu philosophy developed by sage Patanjali about 300 A. D Composing Ashtang or an eight-fold path of reunion with the Divine.(3) Of all the different forms of yoga, the yoga of the Sound Current or attunement with the holy Word, is by far the easiest, the safest and the speediest, yielding results that are verifiable with mathematical precision" (read in context HERE).
"The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root 'yuj', i.e 'to yoke' [to the spirit] meaning "union of the Individual Soul (Atman) with the Universal Soul (Brahman). Yoga embraces a wide range of disciplines whose ultimate goal is the joining of body, mind and spirit, a conscious unification into Oneness"
Yoga, sin, heaven and hell
"[Yoga] differs in its refusing to accept the doctrine of 'original sin'. It does not call man a sinner. It may call man a fool but it doesn't call him a sinner. Man is God playing the fool, or, man is God who has lost his way home, wandered away, stumbling and running about in circles. It clears up the path, puts light and puts man on the path again and says, 'go ahead now, go straight to your home'. So it doesn't want you to consider yourself a sinner...Yoga rejects hell, and Yoga rejects heaven also. Go to the Creator of heaven, the Master of heaven. Why heaven? Heaven is also a petty desire. You don't want it" (Sri Swami Chidananda Saraswati Maharaj, "Yoga and Christianity").
Yoga, 'a very wonderful phenomenon' within Christianity?
"But since the impact of Yoga over the past fifty years, gradually, we see a very wonderful phenomenon, a revival is taking place in the Christian world, emphasising this inner spiritual aspect, your connection with this Godhead. There are many such examples. Some of them are working like the apostles. In the early days, some of them were really fired, like Pentecostal inspirations. They are all good signs. Yoga is presently doing that, restoring to religion the religious life of any being. It restores to him the spiritual quality, the spiritual factor and that is the greatest thing that it does. It doesn't disturb your religion. It doesn't contradict your religion. In no way does it contradict anything. It says: 'wherever you are, whatever you are, try to find God, try to live a noble life. Purify yourself of the lower nature. Shine with virtue. Create in yourself divine qualities and awaken the divine within you, and move towards God.' That is the central message of Yoga. It can be harmoniously incorporated into any religion and the religious life of any being, any faith to enrich that religion and make it alive and take you towards the true goal which is the goal of any religion" (Ibid).
In his informative article, "YOGA, Today's lifestyle for health," Mike Oppenheimer, Director of Let Us Reason Ministries, explains that even basic Hatha yoga exercises can lead yoga practitioners into areas that
could be hazardous to their health, both physically and spiritually:
"Focusing on a series! of stretching exercises, breathing practices, and meditation to reach a state of peace and harmony, this physical discipline is merely a means to an end. It is a spiritual exercise and the spiritual awakening is really the serpent power (Kundalini) an energy that when released streams up the spine, where tremors, spasms and sometimes violent shaking and twisting are experienced.
"The yoga positions are designed to reach the state of Samadhi, or a state of union with self as God. Hatha yoga in its postures bring the subtle body into a specific alignment with the physical which will alter the consciousness of the participant. In other words one is practicing one of the essential elements of Hinduism when doing their Hatha Yoga exercises; whether they are aware of it or not."
"Yoga is one of the basic means of reaching this altered state of
consciousness. And the altered state is the doorway to the occult" (Ibid).
Spreading the word and New Age at the same time
Now that the New Age, its beliefs, practices, and techniques have been defined by its promoters, here are examples of books promoting the New Age within Spread The Word's online Christian bookstore:
An Invitation To Christian Yoga --"This book is ideal for beginners as well as for those who already practice yoga but wish to incorporate it into their life of prayer."
Bio-Spirituality: Focusing As A Way To Grow --"Two Jesuit priests, pioneering a kind of Western "yoga", offer a spiritual way of knowing--not with our minds alone, but with our bodies as well."
Body Revival: Lose Weight, Feel Great and Pump Up Your Faith -- "Includes easy-to-follow photographs of Victoria's Body Revival routine that combines yoga, Pilates and strength training Includes meal plans, recipes and journaling pages"
Depression: How to Combine the Best of Traditional and Alternative Therapies --"This new approach features cutting-edge information on such alternative treatments as...
-- Energy therapies: acupressure, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine
-- Mind-body therapies: relaxation therapy, meditation, and hypnotherapy
-- Movement therapies: aerobic exercise, yoga, T'ai Chi, and dance therapy"
Giving Birth To God: A Woman's Path To Enlightenment -- "Giving Birth to God tells of one woman's journey through yoga ashrams and Sufi training to finding a mystical Christian school with Master Teachers."
Kerala Dream -- "Ancient sounds from India blended with modern ambient grooves--perfect for yoga, bodywork, dance, healing arts, and much more."
Mi Corazon Te Espera; Cantos Cosmicos de Paramahansa Yogananda En Espanol (Translation from Spanish to English: My Heart Hopes To You; Songs [of the] Cosmos [by] Paramahansa Yogananda In Spanish (for information on New Age guru, Paramahansa Yogananda, go to http://www.yogananda-srf.org and http://members.tripod.com/~Sri_Arjuna ).
Om Yoga in a Box for Couples; Beginner Level With Book And Cards And Other -- "This beginner level kit has everything couples need to enhance love and intimacy through yoga. Includes CD, flash cards, a yoga belt, a candle and incense...From the publisher: These complete Om Yoga kits provide everything you need for an ongoing home yoga practice--including a Card Deck with beautiful illustrations; two compact discs--one with Yoga instruction, and one all-music CD; an instruction book-let; a yoga belt, candle, sandalwood incense, and an incense holder. "OM Yoga in a Box was created and taught by Cyndi Lee, founder of OM yoga center in New York City."
Reclaiming the Body in Christian Spirituality -- "Fr. Thomas Ryan, as editor and contributor, leads with an introduction, reflections on the positive aspects of the human body, and the modalities of body expression in the Christian and non-Christian-Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Eastern Orthodox-traditions: meditation, prayer, yoga, exercise and rest, sex, fasting and feasting, silence and solitude! , and acts of corporal mercy. He is followed by James Wiseman, James Dickerson, Casey Rock, and James Hall with a short overview of historical Christian attitudes toward the body, the benefits of yoga and Kripalu philosophy for Christians, and the ways of integrating personal spiritual practices with political, social, and environmental justice, through mission groups, Manna Inc., L'Arche, and wilderness groups."
Shakuhachi Meditation Music; Traditional Japanese Flute for Zen Contemplation -- "Over 700 years ago in Japan, Zen masters developed honkyoku, the art of 'blowing Zen', using only the pure tones of the simple shakuhachi bamboo flute for accompaniment. On Shakuhachi Meditation Music, virtuoso Stan Richardson offers 13 authentic bamboo flute selection! s, each one a soothing contemplation meant to still the mind and awaken attention. Richardson, a former member of Japan's respected Ki-Sui-An Shakuhachi Dojo ensemble, plays these rare works in the traditional Zen style, just as they were played for centuries by wandering monks. Selections range from spare, haunting contemplations to complex tone poems. Excellent for meditation, yoga, exercise, and bodywork."
The Light on Pranayama -- "In this classic, a yoga master describes the techniques of breathing together with a comprehensive background of yoga philosophy in this authoritative, practical and indispensable guide."
The Tibetan Book of the Great Liberation: Or the Method of Realizing Nirvana Through Knowing the Mind -- "To introduce this great published work on the Eastern, yoga-inspired method of attaining enlightenment, Evans-Wentz presents 100 pages of explanatory notes."
Tibetan Yoga and Secret Doctrines -- "Focusing on the principal mediations used by Hindu and Tibetan gurus and philosophers, this companion volume to 'Tibetan Book of the Dead' contains seven authentic Tibetan yoga texts, each accompanied by introductory notes and commentary. Includes photos and reproductions of yoga paintings and manuscripts."
Weight Watchers. the Fit Factor: How Getting Strong Can Help You Lose Weight -- "Weight Watchers The Fit Factor helps you plan a sensible exercise routine that you can do in the comfort of your own home that will help you see and feel the benefits of a regular workout plan. The Fit Factor includes...Great yoga and stretching exercises to keep you flexible"
Yoga for Christians -- "Yoga for Christians: A Christ-Centered Approach to Physical and Spiritual Health Through Yoga"
Yoga for Transformation: Ancient Teachings and Practices for Healing the Body, Mind -- "Kraftsow introduces techniques that treat the physical body and the emotions, mind, heart, and soul of the practitioner--the places where real transformation can take place. There are breathing techniques to control energy levels, exercises to sharpen the intellect, and meditative practices to increase self-awareness...From the publisher: While there is no denying yoga's popularity as a form of physical exercise, the other life-enhancing aspects of this tradition remain obscure to many Westerners. In Yoga for Transformation, Gary Kraftsow introduces techniques that treat not only the physical body but also the emotions, mind, heart, and soul of the practitioner -- the places where real transformation can take place. There are breathing techniques to control energy levels, exercises to train and sharpen the intellect, and meditative practices to help increase self-awareness. With more than 350 black and white photographs throughout, this unique and accessible book is dedicated to strengthening the whole self -- body, mind, and spirit."
Yoga Rhythms -- "Yogini Shiva Rea brings together a mix of world beat, dance, and sacred music that moves you from beginning to end to enhance the flow of yoga and your life."
Yoga Stretch for Fitness -- "Created by a certified yoga instructor who also hosts an award-winning television show in the Los Angeles area, this program is an effective way to manage stress, improve physical health, gain positive mental awareness, and increase relaxation. From the publisher: In this dynamic fitness program, yoga expert Beth Shaw guides the listener through a variety of basic stretching, toning and strengthening movements. Music is provided by Steven Halpern, world-renowned New Age musician."
Yoga, and a wide variety of New Age practices and techniques at your fingertips, from one of the largest online Christian bookstores in the world.! With the amount of information that has been made available to Spread The Word and the Christian bookstore industry, there is no excuse.
Perhaps if the president of Spread The Word spent time listening to the concerns and complaints from his customers and affiliates, and was asked why his online Christian bookstore is advertising and promoting the ungodly New Age Movement, he may consider removing the inventory of New Age books and materials from Spread The Word's website and database--once and for all.
Steve Darrow, President
Spread
The
Word
2425
E.
Camelback
!
Rd.,
Ste.
640
Phoenix,
AZ
85016
Phone:
(602)
912-8851
Fax:
(602)
912-8869
http://www.stwm.com/home.php
Always remember that if you are a Christian, and you are the owner, manager, or employee of a walk-in or an online Christian bookstore, it is your responsibility to take up your cross daily and follow Jesus Christ, guard the body of Christ, and defend the faith once for all delivered unto
the saints (Luke 9:23; Acts 20:27-31; Jude 3).
For further information on Christian Bookstores, the Master List of Authors and Books, and what you may be encounter within online and walk-in Christian bookstores, please click HERE.
Recommended ministries and resources on the New Age Movement:
Sincerely in Christ,
Bud Press, Director
Christian Research Service
January 28, 2006
Jude 3
© Christian Research Service 2004-2006