The same God that led you to Lutheranism is capable of leading them aright. Just because He speaks doesn't mean we listen or obey. And no one does so perfectly.
Can you expound on your experiences and provide an explanation of The Secret and New Thought Movement and the similarities and differences you've observed? Given the topic I'm sure most would find it edifying.
Because of your lack of ignorance I would assume you're conversant in the occult systems both are founded upon and can provide the information we should be mindful of when discerning this subject. If this is not the case I'm happy to chime in.
I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I hope the Lord abides with you and your loved ones during this time of difficulty.
The truth behind that system goes well beyond the link you've shared. It provides a loose overview with references to practices most never undertake and their knowledge is limited at best. To understand the crux of New Thought you'd need to understand its roots. And most who reference that message don't mention The Secret or its offshoots. They're minor gateways to something larger.
It's a lot like the musings on the Illuminati. Many reference symbols and behaviors which suggest its presence but can't provide anything beyond speculation. They've never gone down the rabbit hole and are speaking from a position of books and Internet searches.
Reading about a subject doesn't make you a practitioner no more than watching The Food Network would make one a chef. Experience is the difference. Millions of people have read Hill's book and used it as a motivational tool and nothing more. Much like some people read the bible and others are compelled to dig deeper.
The journey is a choice. I think it's best to limit our reference to motivational speaking. I would never make a charge of something more without definitive proof. To suggest a minister has crossed into the systems you've mentioned is a serious charge and it isn't an accusation I'd make in your place.
We don't have a quarrel. I have significant experience in many religious systems. I can speak candidly with its adherents while maintaining a Christian position without inserting its verbiage. Practitioners have a different lingo. This is true for the learned and those who've studied many mysteries. Their language is simple and devoid of the pretense of knowledge. In fact, the further they go the simpler it becomes.
You won't sway a soul with intellectual arguments. If you want to reach a person who has been injured you need to meet them in a different place. Not the one you're speaking from. You have to get personal and move away from academia and finger pointing. All you'll do is drive the person closer to their belief system and look like the enemy.
The best thing to do with a subject like this is listen and discover why the person is drawn to a specific teaching or practice. And it's greater than prosperity. It's something burrowed in the soul the message is speaking to that others haven't touched. Much like Lutheranism does for you.
Don't restrict your mind to the obvious. That's rarely the reason. Perhaps you should create a thread on the Word of Faith forum and pose the question. And listen to their response. You may be surprised.
