The New Age Movement: Return To The Stone Age ...Lifestyle Apologetics At The Gem Show

The New Age Movement: Return To The Stone Age ...Lifestyle Apologetics At The Gem Show

Romans 1:19-25
because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,  because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,  who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Ever since I was a child I loved being outdoors, animals, plants, and rocks. I really got the rock hound bug as a child when a friend's father  brought a pickup truck loaded with rocks home from West Virginia for landscaping. As we were playing in the rocks at age 6 I found my first fossil. I was stunned to see a plant inside this stone. I asked to take some of the rocks home and spent hours peeling out all the fossils. I had caught the bug! Over the years I attended many rock shows, gem shows, and I often go gem hunting in the mountains. I love God's creation in it's natural state. I am especially fond of fossils and petrified wood. When I hold these items I actually am holding in my hands the result of the biggest world catastrophe that ever existed... the Great Flood. I am in awe of God's creation, the colors and designs. The perfect formation of crystals, and all the variety is breathtaking.   

My husband and I have studied cults and world religions for more than 28 years. In our area we have a large amount of those wonderful New Age folks. We have the Edgar Cayce A.R.E. Association for Research and Enlightenment (sounds so mysterious), several Hippe Healing Stores, many rock and gem stores for your chakra stones and of course the bi-annual Treasures of the Earth  Gem and Jewelry show. My husband and I have attended many New Age classes and conferences in order to study this movement first hand. This has helped us greatly in our witness to these groups. 

So twice a year I take my apologetics to the gem show and witness as I go. I make sure to wear my big cross and my hippie shirt (I was born in 1961), and I carry my handmade denim purse. As I pass the vendors I hear the sales pitches....  "You have pain... this stone heals your pain.... and this stone is for anxiety and of course we all need this stone it is for inner peace in the soul"... this goes on and on. I feel so sad for these poor lost souls that do not know the Great Physician that heals the hearts, minds, souls and bodies of His followers. I see the crippled older woman with arthritis in her hands asking about the "magic stone bracelet" sure to ease her pain... knowing that the placebo effect might last a few days but there is no cure for her in this life. 

When I hear this sales pitch I always make my way to that table and pick up and admire several stones. When I get the "sales pitch" I always respond... "These stones are very beautiful... but I worship the Creator of this stone not the stone itself. This rock has no power but my God does."  This can provoke several responses but I would say stunned is the most common reaction. I get some pretty good responses from the other shoppers as well even an occasional amen! For some this opens up a conversation or a debate on the merits of mere spiritually over Christianity. Often while looking at things like picture jasper, the salesperson will tell me "This is natural...isn't it amazing what nature can make?" I always respond.. "God is the most amazing artist in the universe! He has created all this beauty and we get to enjoy it." 

PICTURE JASPER GOD'S ART WORK

Not all my interactions are positive, but many are. Apologetics should never be about winning arguments but about winning souls. I strive to understand how the person I am witnessing to thinks so I can get into their heads. I want to take what is in that mind and twist it...bend it and hopefully have them question their faith in this "rock"  and point them to the real Rock. 

Psalm 78:35

35 Then they remembered that God was their rock,

And the Most High God their Redeemer.

Never pass up the opportunity to introduce your Savior Jesus Christ to people you meet along the way in your daily life.  

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

By Robin S. Wilson