History
Theosophy literally means "wisdom of God." The modem
Theosophical movement was founded in 1875 by Helena P. Blavatsky.
The wisdom of God, according to Theosophists, is to be found in
all religions: "What we desire to prove is, that underlying
every once popular religion was the same ancient wisdom-doctrine,
one and identical, professed and practiced by the initiates of
every country who alone were aware of its existence and
importance. To ascertain its origin and the precise way in which
it was matured is now beyond human possibility" (A. P.
Sinnett, The Purpose of Theosophy, Boston, 1888, p. 25).
Since there is truth in all religions, a Theosophist may pursue
any religion he desires. This, however, did not stop Mrs.
Blavatsky from detesting organized Christianity: "The name
has been used in a manner so intolerant and dogmatic, especially
in our day, that Christianity is now the religion of arrogance,
par excellence, a stepping-stone for ambition, a sinecure for
wealth, sham, and power; a convenient screen for hypocrisy"
(H. P. Blavatsky, Studies in Occultism, Theosophical University
Press, n.d., p. 13 8).
Source of Authority
There are no sacred books in Theosophy. Revelation comes from
"adepts", who are "beings perfected spiritually,
intellectually, and physically, the flower of human and all
evolution!' (The Theosophical Movement, p. 112). Mrs. Blavatsky
was the first individual in Theosophy who received messages from
these adepts and passed them on to the world.
The Teachings of Theosophy
A few sample quotations from Theosophical writings demonstrate
their non-Christian character.
God
"We reject the idea of a personal ... God" (H. P.
Blavatsky, Key to Theosophy, Point Loma, California, Aryan
Theosophical Press, 1913).
"We believe in a universal divine principle, the root of
all, from which all proceeds, and within which all shall be
absorbed at the end of the great cycle of being" (ibid., p.
63).
The rejection of a personal God is a rejection of the God of the
Bible, the infinite-personal creator. Theosophy has no room for a
God who has created man in His personal image: "Then God
said, let us make man in Our image to Our likeness. . ."
(Genesis 1:26 NASB).
Man
Theosophists teach that man consists of seven parts: 1. The body;
2. Vitality; 3. Astral body; 4. Animal soul; 5. Human soul; 6.
Spiritual soul; and 7. Spirit. "Man is also equated with
God, ". . . for you are God, and you will only what God
wills; but you must dig deep down into yourself to find the God
within you and listen to His voice which is your voice"
(Krishnamurti, At the Feet of the Master, p. 10).
Man is evolving
individually and corporately. Salvation is achieved when mads
seventh stage is attained involving progressing from one body to
another based upon his own self-effort. This is similar to the
eastern doctrine of the law of Karma.
There is nothing in
Scripture to suggest that man has a seven-Part constitution.
Rather he consists of body, soul and spirit, "Now may the
God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit
and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Thessalonians 5:23
NASB).
Jesus Christ
"
.for Christ - - - the true esoteric saviour - - - is
no man but the DIVINE PRINCIPLE in every human being" (H. P.
Blavatsky, Studies in Occultism, Theosophical University Press,
n.d., p. 134).
Mrs. Blavatsky, sounding
like Christian Science, attempts to separate Christ from the
person Jesus. However, Christ is merely his title, meaning
"anointed one" or "messiah;' designating the
office Jesus held. There is no justification for making any
distinction between Jesus and "The Christ."
Furthermore, making Christ a principle rather than a true man is
a denial of the whole purpose of His coming: "And the word
became flesh and dwelt amongst us" (John 1:14 KJVJ.
Reincarnation
"No one is to blame except ourselves for our birth
conditions, our character, our opportunities, our abilities, for
all these things are due to the working out of forces we have set
going either in this life or in former lives. . ' " (Irving
S. Cooper, Theosophy Simplified, p. 55).
The idea of
reincarnation, that people must go through a series of lives to
atone for their sins, is a denial of the work of Christ
accomplished on the cross. Salvation has been made complete by
Christ's sacrifice. There is nothing any of us can do to add or
subtract from it. Consequently, there is no need for a series of
births to accomplish what Christ has already completed.
The Afterlife
There is no heaven or hell as such in Theosophy. The Theosophist
can reach a state of "nirvana" in which the individual
is absorbed by the impersonal world, losing all personal
consciousness.
The Bible teaches that
there is an existence after death for everyone. Those who have
put their trust in Jesus Christ will forever reside in God's
presence while those who reject Christ will spend eternity apart
from him. John's gospel makes this plain: "He who believes
in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son
shall not see Life, but the wrath of God abides on him"
(John 3:36 NASB).
The Bible
"I confined myself to the Hindu Scriptures, and in all cases
I stated that I regarded these scriptures and the Hindu religion
as the origin of all scriptures and all religions" (Annie
Besant, The Daily Chronicle, April 9, 1894). This statement
totally denies the basic premise of the Christian faith, namely,
that God has given the world a unique revelation concerning who
He is and who we are (Hebrews 1:1-3). The Bible cannot be God's
inspired word if its origin is found in Hinduism.
Conclusion
When Theosophy beliefs are examined, we discover the whole
Theosophical system is contrary to Christianity. There is,
therefore, no possibility of reconciliation between the two,
since the followers of Theosophy extol Buddhist and Brahmanic
theories, and Christians follow Jesus Christ alone.
Theosophy Terms
Theosophy- Literally means "wisdom of God." Theosophy
is a cult founded by Helena Blavatsky in 1875 and which attempts
to expound on the wisdom of God found in all religions. Occultic
practices are used within the group.
Adept -In Theosophy, a being from the spirit world who
communicates revelations. Also known as Bodhisattva or Mahatma.
Animal Soul-The fourth principle of human nature, according to
Theosophy. The majority of people alive today are at this level.
Atlantean -According to Theosophy, it is the second of three
levels thus far reached in human evolution.
Besant, Annie-British woman who was a highly influential leader
in Theosophy as a successor to founder Helena Blavatsky. In 1906
she publicly announced to the world the coming of the Messiah,
Krishnamurti, whom she reared as a child. Krishnamurti later
renounced his role. Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna - (1831-1891).
Founder of Theosophy. Incorporated occultic and eastern beliefs
and practices together.
Devachan -The Theosophist's heaven.
Devas -Persons who, according to Theosophy, have been freed from
their bodily prisons and are now in the world of the mind.
H.P.B. -Common designation in Theosophy for founder Helena P.
Blavatsky.
Koot Hoomi-In Theosophy, one of the adepts who gave revelations
to founder Madame Blavatsky.
Kidshnamurti- Supposed Messiah figure in Theosophy who later
renounced his role.
Leadbeater, C. W -Along with Annie Besant, succeeded Helena
Blavatsky in directing the Theosophical movement.
Mahatma -In Theosophy, an adept, a being from the spirit world
who communicates through spiritually receptive living persons.
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