The Secret, a best-selling self-help book and movie, by Rhonda Byrne, has sold 20 million copies and translated into 20 language. It is based on the pseudo-scientific ‘law of attraction‘ which claims that thoughts can change the world directly. Today, science and secularism has become the new state religion, so what’s a Christian to believe from “The Secret?”
Let me first say, I don’t believe in science, but I do believe in laws (truth from God). Scientists are humans, believers and children of God too. Yet, their findings are all too often derived from investigation of nature they don’t fully understand and rooted in assumptions growing out of experience and beliefs. See “science versus religion” for more details.
You can create your own science, but you can’t create your own truth
The Secret Summary
The pseudo-scientific notion originally popularized by persons such as Madame Blavatsky and Norman Vincent Peale, which suggests that thinking about certain things will make them appear in one’s life. Byrne provides alleged examples of historical persons who have achieved this.
The Secret highlights a three-step process to achieve this: ask, believe, and receive, based on a quotation from the Bible’s: “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:22
Byrne highlights the importance of gratitude and visualization in achieving one’s desires, along with alleged examples. Later chapters describe how to improve one’s prosperity, relationships, and health, with more general thoughts about the universe. Learn more from Wikipedia or directly on their website.
One Christian’s Point of View
The law of attraction (world) vs. the law of light (light of the world)
Spiritual roots pg. 66
My will or thy will
Situation or circumstance vs self improvement. God would take slums out of the men. Sacrifice the animal inside us. Maxwell
The Philosophies of men mingled with marketing
God doesn’t work in darkness
God deals with everyone, not a few
Attract (from & to self) vs. Receive (all from God)
Serve self vs. serve others
Nebulous (universe) vs. Named person (God) “It’s hard to swallow” 🙂
“Your wish is my command.” vs. “seek (Him) and ye shall find…” Seek ye first the kingdom of God
Ask, Believe, Receive
It’s not knowing the secret, but knowing the source
Current Reality vs. Eternal Reality (perspective)
Mystery vs. Certainty
Good ideas mastering your thoughts and feelings
put the filter on. Don’t waste your time. Pick up “James Allen – As a man thinketh” the most quotes among apostles outside church ??? C.S. Lewis?
We are created in His likeness that’s good
Add value, be the best you can be
Electricity (energy) vs. Faith
Be grateful for what you have, not what you don’t have.
Expecting results without realizing the reason or
Steps
Gratitude
Visualize
