"The Secret" or The Bible

Before I begin, I know what I'm about to say is controversial at best.  I know it will ruffle more than a few feathers.  If you want to argue with me in my comments section, you're welcome to do so provided you do it in a respectful and polite manner.  I may even choose to respond.  As always, all posts that are not respectful and polite will be deleted.  

This post is addressing "The Secret" and the Law of Attraction that it seeks to promote from a Christian stand point.  If you are not a Christian, this is not written for you.  I am not here seeking to persuade anyone that the Bible is the true, inerrant Word of God.  For the purposes of this blog post, I am taking that as fact.  If you disagree, you will find little to no merit herein, so it may be a better use of your time to go read something else.

The book and video "The Secret"  has been around a while now and I don't think there are many out there who don't know what it's all about.  It promotes "The Law of Attraction," the concept that whatever you want you can have if you just direct enough positive energy toward it.  While this may on the surface sound like a good thing, it is a very dangerous theology for Christians to buy into.

Let me repeat that.  It is a very dangerous theology for Christians to buy into.

Many will read this and say "Wait a minute.  The Secret is not theology."  They will be wrong.  The secret teaches that the universe (or is that Universe... capitalized in the book) is just waiting to give you everything you want.  Sound like they're making the universe into a sort of god?  That's because they are.

Let me clarify something.  I do believe in the power of positive thinking to an extent.  I believe that we each get to choose our own attitude.  Our attitude effects the way we interact with the world around us.  If we maintain a positive attitude, we will interact in positive ways.  When we are polite, friendly and happy toward others, they're more likely to respond in kind.  When we look for things to be angry about them, we find upsetting situations everywhere.  Similarly, when we are looking for things to be thankful for, we will see the blessings that surround us.

Our positive mindset does not make these things come about.  It simply puts us in the position to see them.  A person in a bad mood may walk into the kitchen, see a mess on the counter and have yet another reason for their bad mood.  A person in a good mood may walk into the same kitchen, notice that the reason behind the mess is that their teenage son or daughter has decided to fix dinner, and be thankful for such a thoughtful and helpful child.  The circumstances did not change, only the outlook of the observer did.

So where does this fit in with "The Secret"?  Well, it takes this simple truth and blows it way out of proportion.  Instead of realizing that there are both good and bad things going on all around us, and we choose which we take notice of, "The Secret" says that we can make good things happen to us by simpling willing them into existance.  Want a BMW?  Transmit to the Universe that you want a BMW and the Universe will grant it to you.

I don't know about you, but that's not the world I live in.

What child has not spent days, weeks, years wishing for something they are just certain they have to have, only to be disappointed when it never comes?  How many people foolishly have spent their time wishing themselves out of a bad situation, only to find that their inaction has made the situation grow worse? 

I have news for anyone who believes in "The Secret."  The universe is not on your side.  It does not desire to give you good things.  It does not desire anything at all because the universe is not sentient.

"The universe is an analogy for God," you may respond.  See, I told you this was theology.

In that case, lets see what God's word has to say about it.

For those who want to believe it, it would appear that Jesus also promoted the law of attraction.  After all, He did say "“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened" (Matt 7:7-8 NKJV).  That sounds an awful lot like the secret, right?

Wrong.

Yes, the Father does desire to "give good things to those who ask Him," (Matt 7:11) but He has His own definition of "good things" which doesn't necessarily line up with ours.

"The Secret" is all about gaining health, wealth and the things of this world.  God's stated agenda is the furtherment of His Kingdom.  These two desires don't equate with one another, and guess whose will wins out?  I'll give you a hint -- it's not ours.

So what then can we expect for God to provide for us?  Just a single chapter earlier, Jesus gives us the answer.  "'Therefore do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.'" (Matt 6:31-34 NKJV)

Did you catch that?  "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness."

God will provide our needs -- not necessarily our wants.  He has promised to do this if we FIRST seek to glorify Him.  Equally important is the fact that we are not promised Armani suits to wear, grand mansions to live in, or gourmet meals catered by five star chefs.  Truth is, most often these materialistic desires are in contrast to the Will of God. (cf. Matt 6:19-21, 19:16-23)

It seems to me that either "The Secret" is true or the Bible is true (or neither is I suppose) but both can't be true at the same time.  I guess it's easy to see which I believe.

Andy's Goin to Kazzyland!

A good friend of ours is about to launch his international missions ministry, and he could use your help! Andy is going to Kazakhstan, with the backing of East-West Ministries to begin a Celebrate Recovery ministry there. Celebrate Recovery is basically a broader, Christ-centered version of AA, dealing with a wide range of addictions and habits. Right now there isn't a program over there to help folks deal with and move past addictions, so this is a much needed concept. Andy has been working with AA for years here in the Dallas area, and about three years ago decided it was time he took his show on the road. Following is a letter he sent out to friends, family and prayer partners as he prepares to embark on his journey.

Well, 3 years have passed since we came back from Kazakhstan and I announced, “I am supposed to live there!” Everyone said, “Yeah sure”, but here I go!! My Launch Date is set for September 15th, 2008. A lot has changed since I first envisioned moving to and living in a foreign country.

I quit my job of 12 years! Then, I went to language school in South Carolina. Now I am back, getting all geared up to go. MY plan was to live in “Ust”, a city of 300,000 and work with the Rodnik church and its’ 5 daughter churches. Due to governmental constraints and new laws being passed, this will not be. I will NOT be living in “Ust”, at least for the first year. I will be living in “Almaty”, the former capitol and current business center for the entire country! In Ust there are only 2 or 3 full-time American missionaries left; in Almaty there many more!! For me that means more support, accountability and Americans to show me the ropes! The city has 1.2 million people, and a LOT more alcoholics who need to know how to have a relationship with Christ!

Also, East-West will also help me to go to MANY cities across the entire country, including “Ust”, throughout the year! This will help me, as I will be more of a consultant and I will be training people in how to lead this ministry themselves rather than trying to depend on me. This is VERY important, as if I am ever the “leader” of any ministry, if I leave, the ministry usually dies. I am not going to be a hero, just a helper. Again, I will go to MANY cities, not just one!!!!!! If you ever want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans!!

I need your help. I love and appreciate all who are already “in the game”!! I would not have gotten this far without you. Many have sent care packages, to include “sugar covered Gummi Worms”! That’s a new one on me! (YES I ate them!!) Now I have more “needs” (that doesn’t sound right!). I am going to go over some of them now.

I need e-mails and soon will have Skype! I need some folks to e-mail or call me and ask how I am doing. When I say “I’m fine”, ask again!! Ask me about the cultural differences and how I’m doing with them. Ask how I am doing with temptation. Ask how long it has been since I sent out a “Hello” to everyone, etc. You get the drift.

I need more folks praying! You must be doing this now, for I have come this far. Keep going! Now I need prayer for the Visa to get approved, more financial support, and for my trip to California August 12th-16th for the Celebrate Recovery “Summit”. Northwest Bible Church has paid for almost everything! I am going to get more training before leaving, and meet folks who can help me along the way. (p.s. I just got back, it was GREAT!)

Financial support. I need $4300 per month, and I am now receiving $2200 per month. East-West has created a website just for giving to me; eastwest.org/wickerdonate will go right to my page. Many would rather give straight to me, okey-dokey!! I need the new updated Rosetta Stone $550, a new computer for traveling (small and lightweight while still Windows XP friendly for Kazzylands network) $1500, airfare $2500, deposits for apartment (for Americans that may mean 1 year upfront!!) $2000, Brenthaven padded computer backpack $200 (gonna live out of it), international power converter $30, CVS stockpile of over-the counter meds $200?, cash donations, dinner invites, hugs, monthly donations – THERE IS NO WRONG WAY TO GIVE!!

Again, I covet your prayers, and I will have an address after I leave and you will know it. Also, if you have no cashola, I still need you on my team!! This is the big push, and again, thank you for your help thus far.

Thy will be done.

3Jn 1:14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee.

Andy Wicker

East-West Ministries

If you can help in any way, I know it would be greatly appreciated.