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May 16, 2008 9:33 PM by
derway
Why A New Earth is OK for Conservative Christians
Feb 15, 2008 5:31 PM
I have seen many, many posts by concerned Christians wondering whether this book is a threat to their faith. As a Christian, I don't think it is, and here is why.
Most Christians understand the concepts from the Bible of surrendering their lives to God, of living a loving life, and living in the peace that passes understanding. Christians can quote Jesus' sayings, such as "be perfect, as your father in heaven is perfect," or "judge (condemn) not, that you be not judged (condemned)," or "you must die to live," or "deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me."
Unfortunately, not all Christians have succeeded in following up the talk with the walk. This is because these quotes point to an internal transformation, which some Christians have not yet fully experienced.
That is why I strongly recommend this book. It provides very powerful tools for being able to successfully follow Jesus' teachings, rather than just quoting them. The book doesn't ask anyone to change their religion of choice, but it does help tremendously in successfully applying faith.
In a nutshell the book shows how to apply forgiveness to every person, and every situation. It shows how to shine the light of awareness on our unconscious hatred of this moment, and thereby "overcome the cares of this world." If you want to go deeper than knowing about God, at the level of thoughts, and experience God at the level of knowing, I welcome you to join us in reading A New Earth.
Blessings, Student99 
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Re: Why A New Earth is OK for Conservative Christians Feb 15, 2008 5:53 PM
For conervative christians, maybe, for Devout Pastafarians, no, as you can see in my earlier post.
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Re: Why A New Earth is OK for Conservative Christians Feb 15, 2008 6:40 PM
in response to: anne_mae
Hi anne_mae,
Definitely not OK for Devout Pastafarians. Everyone knows that a "watched" pot doesn't boil. 
Student99
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Re: Why A New Earth is OK for Conservative Christians Feb 16, 2008 1:06 AM
I do not believe that this book attacks any religion. It deals with how God has made us and our purpose and place within the world that He has made. The spiritual self within each of us and how we choose to worship (or not worship) or express that part of us, should only be enhanced by this book not contradicted by it.
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Re: Why A New Earth is OK for Conservative Christians Apr 16, 2008 8:40 AM
" Most Christians understand the concepts from the Bible of surrendering their lives to God, of living a loving life, and living in the peace that passes understanding. Christians can quote Jesus' sayings, such as "be perfect, as your father in heaven is perfect," or "judge (condemn) not, that you be not judged (condemned)," or "you must die to live," or "deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me."
Unfortunately, not all Christians have succeeded in following up the talk with the walk. This is because these quotes point to an internal transformation, which some Christians have not yet fully experienced.
That is why I strongly recommend this book. It provides very powerful tools for being able to successfully follow Jesus' teachings, rather than just quoting them. The book doesn't ask anyone to change their religion of choice, but it does help tremendously in successfully applying faith. "
WALK THE TALK......not just TALK THE WALK.....
-Angela
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Re: Why A New Earth is OK for Conservative Christians Apr 16, 2008 9:08 AM
in response to: shel8ley
First off let me say I am not a Christian and therefore not bashing the book as being anti-Christian but . . .
I don't believe the intentions of this book are to attack any religion however it does contradict fundamental Christianity. It does so because it suggests that Jesus is not the only way and it suggests that Jesus was a teacher and therefore not the savior of the world. There is also the suggestion (though the book, webcast, discussions etc) that the Christ is the same thing as the universal consciousness or the christ consciousness. The Christ, as talked about in the bible is Jesus, the son of God, the savior of humanity and the only way to God - he is an actual being. Christ-consciousness and universal consciousness are very different things. Of-course I think it's ok for conservative and fundamental Christians to read the book - it's ok to read things you may not fully agree with. But I have a hard time understanding how someone who believes that Jesus is the Christ (not simply Christ consciousness) as their savior meshes together this book with their beliefs. If anyone can tell me how they do this I would love to listen . . . or in this case read.
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Re: Why A New Earth is OK for Conservative Christians Apr 16, 2008 11:24 AM
Hi Student99!
Ted and I have the extreme blessing of personally knowing 2 people on this earth who "walked the talk" every single day of their lives. Ted's uncle and aunt. She graduated from this earth almost 1 year ago. I have known them for over 39 years and never heard them say or do an unkind thing.....ever. Always, lived their lives for God and taking no credit for themselves. He still does. All of their gratitude went to God for anything in their lives. Awesome people!
I am happy that you wrote this because so many on these boards and off the boards just have a mistaken concept of ANE. As you know and most others I am a Christian. ANE has only expanded my view of God, Jesus' teachings and the work of the Holy Spirit. (Divine Intervention). When other Christian's rant and rave about ANE I just don't understand what their fears are all about.
I had what most call a "born again" experience in 1979 that completely changed my concept of who God is. Prior to that I had thoughts that were given to me in childhood...that God was up in heaven and if you lived a fairly good life then someday if you were lucky you might make it to heaven. I had a hunch most of my life that was not true. But, never really felt the need to question it. However, through a chain of events I ended up in a church service one morning and it was as though the evangelist was speaking on to me and the other 300 people there didn't exist. I accepted Christ as my Savior.....felt his overwhelming presence.....hungered for God's word and began this journey of the "KNOWING the REALITY of God's PRESENCE" within my own being/spirit. I began writing poetry and loving life in a different way. It was like stepping from the darkness into the light. I needed this encounter with God because it wasn't long after that when I began the internal work of "unfinished business" with my parents.
Since reading ANE my relationship with God has been brought to a higher level of consciousness. There is more work to be done within myself and in service to others. I AM called NOW to really, really KNOW who I AM as I have had to surrender even more of the pain and the "me" in me. I don't know exactly how to say this. Maybe, you could phrase it much better than I can. There were just things/distractions in my life that needed to be surrendered.
Blessings to you Student99!
Debbie
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Re: Why A New Earth is OK for Conservative Christians Apr 16, 2008 11:29 AM
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Re: Why A New Earth is OK for Conservative Christians Apr 16, 2008 11:39 AM
If you have to ask if this book is ready for your relegion, then you are not ready for this book. Remember when Eckhart said, that some would understand and be ready, and then others would not. This is not a judgement of anykind. Spiritually, some will be ready, and are ready. And some are not. The spiritual message being given in this book encompasses far greater understanding then the concepts of any religion. That is the case for this book and the New Earth it promises. You must look at things in a different perspective to understand. You must take off the old coat of religion and dogmas to understand. There can be no ego when atempting this understanding it must just be.... You might want to look at this book as a great gift of love and understanding being given to the human race.. I am so grateful, Thank you Eckhart and Thank you Oprah. I have been waiting for these words for a very long time...
eagle15 152 posts since
Mar 8, 2008
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Re: Why A New Earth is OK for Conservative Christians Apr 16, 2008 11:49 AM
.........will this be a chapter in your book?!
I want to pre-order ....... 
eagle15
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Re: Why A New Earth is OK for Conservative Christians Apr 16, 2008 12:00 PM
in response to: marnie@o
student 99, thank you -- again and again.
marnie, you said you " have a hard time understanding how someone who believes that Jesus is the Christ (not simply Christ consciousness) as their savior meshes together this book with their beliefs. If anyone can tell me how they do this I would love to listen."
Jesus Christ is my savior because the Jesus Christ way -- what he said, what he showed, what he called us to -- is the way out of (saves me from) the daily, hourly, every minute, every second "missing the mark" that I so easily and willfully do to myself and others.
As student 99 said, the WAY of Jesus is described by Tolle in practical, "walk the walk" practicality. Jesus states his mission in John 10:10b: "I have come that they might have LIFE, and have it abundantly." He is my Lord because I have given my life to his way, his call, and his teaching. And, to the extent that I can yield each moment to him (Jesus shows us God who is Love), I am saved by him.
We Christians may have been conditioned to miss the salvation that is ours through and through. We have learned that sin is "being bad" -- those things that God will hold against us for eternity -- the biggie being is sexual sin -- and the other 10 commandments, including stealing, unless you are a corporation or CEO, in which case we call that "shrewd" &/or "success". And we think of salvation our ticket to heaven so we don't burn in hell, which means that we don't even trust God for what happens after death; we are intent, even rabid, about how to earn our way to heaven.
From what I see, Jesus talked a lot about the kingdom of heaven (here, now) and very little at all about an after-life heaven.
With love and peace to you and all,
RevM
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Re: Why A New Earth is OK for Conservative Christians Apr 16, 2008 1:09 PM
in response to: revmom53
Revmom, thanks for the response. Do you then see Jesus as a way to salvation or one of many ways?
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Re: Why A New Earth is OK for Conservative Christians Apr 16, 2008 6:39 PM
in response to: eagle15
" .........will this be a chapter in your book?! I want to pre-order ....... eagle15 "
eagle15....YOU ARE TOO FUNNY! See...what student99 doesn't understand is:
1) Tolle's books are hard to APPLY to our personal lives...perhaps it is a cultural thingie...
2) IT WOULD ONLY TAKE student99 TEN MINUTES to write his first book because all he would have to do is cut and paste...
3) When Life comes a knocking.....you gotta answer tha DOOR!!!!!!!!!!
-Angela
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Re: Why A New Earth is OK for Conservative Christians Apr 16, 2008 6:45 PM
in response to: student99
Finally, someone gets it that Oprah is not creating a new religion. Has anyone seen that You Tube video that takes everything out of context? That was sent to me by a friend that has suddenly 'found religion' and has recently started going to church. It's as Eckhart said before that if you don't believe what they believe you are a sinner. Nevermind they don't walk the talk. Thank you student99. You hit the nail right on the head. 
eagle15 152 posts since
Mar 8, 2008
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Re: Why A New Earth is OK for Conservative Christians Apr 16, 2008 9:27 PM
in response to: angelwitha
Hi Angela,
hhhmm.....actually.....I was serious!
Maybe I am a different kind but I think the book very well applies to my life.
I notice a big shift in my being and I like it!
And....I will buy student99's next book!!!!
Love and Blessings, sister!
eagle15
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