Doreen Virtue - New Age vs. Christianity

[Jamie123]

I've sort-of semi-followed Doreen Virtue for many years now. I find her very interesting. In fact I even met her once - back in the days when she was "off with the fairies". (And I don't say that to insult her: she was, quite literally, "off with the fairies". I think even she would admit that that's a fair description of what she was!)

She's a very intelligent woman: she has a PhD in psychology and most recently an MA in Biblical studies. The trouble is, she's changed her stance so many times that I wonder if her current Reformed Calvinistic views aren't just another transient stage. Having said that she's certainly stood her ground against the New Agers (including her former publishers Hay House) who nowadays think she's the "worst person ever"! Anyway, I thought I'd share: you may not agree with everything she says, but she's well worth listening to!

[laronius]

While some of her views may be based in truth not all sources of gospel teachings are of equal value. I do believe God works with us wherever we are at and that He may be working with this woman to reach certain individuals. But at the end of the day she has not yet received or accepted the fullness of the gospel and therefore cannot fully lead others to Christ. She must come unto God, like we all must, by receiving of His restored word as taught by those set apart by the priesthood of God. That is the source of truth we must all look to.

[Jamie123]

44 minutes ago, laronius said:

While some of her views may be based in truth not all sources of gospel teachings are of equal value. I do believe God works with us wherever we are at and that He may be working with this woman to reach certain individuals. But at the end of the day she has not yet received or accepted the fullness of the gospel and therefore cannot fully lead others to Christ. She must come unto God, like we all must, by receiving of His restored word as taught by those set apart by the priesthood of God. That is the source of truth we must all look to.

Granted, that would be the Latter-day Saint view - as it would be of any non-LDS Christian teacher. But there's a wider issue that LDS, Reformed and (probably) most Catholic Christians would agree that Jesus never taught a gospel of "anything goes" and "if it feels right, do it!" He said "I am the way, the truth and the light" and "No one comes to the Father except through me". In other words, we need the Gospel that God has revealed. Our own invented "gospels" are no substitute. I'm right behind Ms. Virtue on that.  

Edited May 4, 2023 by Jamie123

[laronius]

19 minutes ago, Jamie123 said:

Granted, that would be the Latter-day Saint view - as it would be of any non-LDS Christian teacher. But there's a wider issue that LDS, Reformed and (probably) most Catholic Christians would agree that Jesus never taught a gospel of "anything goes" and "if it feels right, do it!" He said "I am the way, the truth and the light" and "No one comes to the Father except through me". In other words, we need the Gospel that God has revealed. Our own invented "gospels" are no substitute. I'm right behind Ms. Virtue on that.  

Yes she is correct in recognizing the disturbing trend now days of conforming the gospel to support whatever people want to believe. It is a devious misdirection of the adversary.

But this misdirection can exist in varying degrees and it started with the death of the original apostles. Their deaths lead to a famine of revelation through authorized servants, revelation that kept gospel understanding inline with Christ's true teachings. As a result it required a restoration of priesthood authority and divine revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith. All churches without those things are teaching, to one degree or another, an altered form of the gospel. Doreen Virtue is simply calling out some of the more obvious ones. I hope she continues her search and doesn't stop, thinking that her personal interpretation is sufficient.