A infiltração da nova era no cristianismo contemporâneo: desafios doutrinários e influências na Fé Cristã

Abstract

This article aims to examine the infiltration of New Age ideas and practices into contemporary Christianity and their impacts on faith and religious practice, identifying their historical roots, conceptual foundations, and doctrinal implications. Adopting a qualitative and bibliographic approach, the study engages in dialogue with both classical and contemporary scholars of Christian theology, including John Stott, Paul Heelas, Francis Schaeffer, and Wouter J. Hanegraaff. The findings indicate that the New Age movement, characterized by mystical foundations and religious syncretism, has influenced Christian discourse through the incorporation of esoteric concepts, astrology, positive thinking, consciousness expansion, inner balance, self-overcoming, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). These elements promote an anthropocentric and therapeutic form of spirituality that displaces Christ from the center of faith, weakens biblical doctrine, and diminishes the authority of Scripture. The study concludes that an adequate Christian response to this challenge requires renewed spiritual discernment, fidelity to sound doctrine, and a return to the absolute centrality of the Word of God as the sole infallible rule of faith and practice.