A Course in Miracles?

[Vic]

I had researched over the last few years and as with a massive amount of research, I haven't put it into an article. However, in looking at my file on A Course in Miracles I have the following which might give a little more insight into how deceptive and false it is.

A Course in Miracles teaches its students to rethink everything they believe about God and life, and, bluntly States: "This is a course in mind training" and is dedicated to "thought reversal."

Published and disseminated since 1975 by the Foundation for Inner Peace.

From their acim website, and What it is> "...It emphasizes application rather than theory, and experience rather than theology. It specifically states that "a universal theology is impossible, but a universal experience is not only possible but necessary." (Manual, p. 77) Although Christian in statement, the Course deals with universal spiritual themes. It emphasizes that it is but one version of the universal curriculum. There are many others, this one differing from them only in form. They all lead to God in the end..." http://www.acim.org/AboutACIM/what_it_is.html...

Helen Schucman and Bill Thetford worked together to try to find another way for the discord, etc that was part of their daily lives and professional department. They agreed to collaborate to "find a better" and another way of living. It was during that search that Helen developed, "heightened dream imagery, psychic episodes, visions, and an experience of an inner voice..." According to the website, she claimed the experiences became increasingly religious, and the so-called figure of Jesus began appearing frequently both visually and audibly.

The Course consists of three books: a 622-page Text, a 478-page Workbook for Students, and an 88-page Manual for Teachers. The 1200 pages include such topics as: The Forgiveness of Illusions (Text 16), What is the Christ?; What is the Real World?; What am I? (Workbook 6,8, 14 respectively), How Do God's Teachers Deal with Magic Thoughts?; Is Reincarnation So? (Manual 17, 24 respectively).

Again from acim, What it says> "...This course can therefore be summed up very simply in this way:

Nothing real can be threatened.
Nothing unreal exists.

Herein lies the peace of God..." http://www.acim.org/AboutACIM/what_it_says.html...

All writings are intended to completely change the way you think and what you believe. As if the idea of channeling is suddenly acceptable, many have falsely believed that Schucman was receiving her channeled goop directly from Christ.

And these not at all new ideas/beliefs were given to explain what the Bible really means....really....where have I heard that before?

If that were even remotely true--nothing said or taught would violate the Scriptures. That is not the case.

1 John 4:1-5 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

It masquerades as religious and some say Christian beliefs by misusing and misquoting Scriptures, and utilising Christian sounding terms. For example:

In the Preface, page xii, it states "Only minds can really join, and whom God has joined no man can put asunder". It specifically references the source Text on page 356. However, on page 356 the actual text reads "God's Son is one. Whom God has joined as one, the ego cannot put asunder."

Aside from the misquoting mania throughout, that reference was obviously meant to imply as being from the Scripture, which in this instance was Matthew 19:6, where Jesus was referring to marriage. Starting at v5

Matthew 19:5-6 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6. Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Throughout the Course there is an assualt on the person of Jesus Christ, by redefining who He is, and for many that means He is not God manifest in the flesh. Jesus becomes an ideology that fits with their 'Christ-Consciousness.' In the Manual, in the Clarification of Terms 5 we read:

"The name of Jesus is the name of one who was a man but saw the face of Christ in all his brothers and remembered God. So he became identified with Christ, a man no longer, but at one with God. The man was an illusion... And Christ needed his form that He might appear to men and save them from their own illusions"

The Course denies that Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh and that He came to give salvation from sin; sin, which all mankind have. On the contrary the Course denies that sin exists in the world, and also handily dismisses the reality of death and satan. Without sin, there can be no guilt and if no guilt, peace of mind is held like a carrot as the end result of those beliefs, and this is The Miracle. The teaching is that there is only error which can be corrected. And this denial of sin means that man's atonement through the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross is fully eliminated and unnecessary.

"...Sin is defined as "lack of love" (Text, p. 11). Since love is all there is, sin in the sight of the Holy Spirit is a mistake to be corrected, rather than an evil to be punished. ..." What it says> http://www.acim.org/AboutACIM/what_it_says.html...

Furthermore, the need for our Savior is fully eliminated. The Course proclaims the not so new belief, "The crucifixion did not establish the Atonement; the resurrection did. Many sincere Christians have misunderstood this." and "Sacrifice is a notion totally unknown to God" (Text 3). Referring again to Christ we read, "It is possible to read his words and benefit from them without accepting him into your life" (Manual, Clarification of Terms 5)

By changing the beliefs and doctrine, we end up with this new age gobbeldy goop, again From What it Says> "...What perception sees and hears appears to be real because it permits into awareness only what conforms to the wishes of the perceiver. This leads to a world of illusions, a world which needs constant defense precisely because it is not real...When you have been caught in the world of perception you are caught in a dream. You cannot escape without help, because everything your senses show merely witnesses to the reality of the dream. God has provided the Answer, the only Way out, the true Helper. It is the function of His Voice, His Holy Spirit, to mediate between the two worlds. He can do this because, while on the one hand He knows the truth, on the other He also recognizes our illusions, but without believing in them... Acknowledging Christ in all our brothers, we recognize His Presence in ourselves.... http://www.acim.org/AboutACIM/what_it_says.html...

Just a quick recap and perusal of some of the so-called 'truth' teachings from A Course in Miracles:

* "There is no sin . . . "

* A "slain Christ has no meaning."

*"The journey to the cross should be the last ' useless journey."

*"Do not make the pathetic error of 'clinging to the old rugged cross.'"

*"The Name of Jesus Christ as such is but a symbol... It is a symbol that is safely used as a replacement for the many names of all the gods to which you pray."

*"The recognition of God is the recognition of yourself."

*"The Atonement is the final lesson he [man] need learn, for
it teaches him that, never having sinned, he has no need of salvation."

There are so many things that could be said. So many who have gotten on the new age christ bandwagon have promoted and touted this book. Oprah, Robert Schuller/Crystal Cathedral, Wayne Dyer of PBS, and many more, believing that it will cause more "peace in the world".

Consider the above in the light of the Truth of the Scriptures and who Jesus Christ is.