Initiation leads to the stream
that, once entered, sweeps a man onward until it carries him to
the feet of the Lord of the World…
— Alice A. Bailey, Initiation,
Human and Solar (Lucis Publishing), p. 14.
Initiation, the act of being admitted into a
society, office, or position through the use of special ritual, is
deeply ingrained in our western world. It can be a relatively
innocent activity, such as a high school freshman class having to
cater to the wishes of the seniors for one day – a "welcome
to high school" ritual. Initiation can also be a rigorous
test of skill and endurance, such as military boot camp, which
pushes the "civilian in training" to his limits and, if
the trainee is successful, brings him into the fold of the armed
forces. In essence, initiation is the doorway allowing one to pass
from old ways into new systems, structures, and forms.
Within the world of the New Age and the occult,
initiation is the principle key used in advancing the student of
mysticism along the path of occult learning. Practically all
esoteric societies employ initiation. Freemasonry, Rosicrucian
orders, hermetic societies, spin-off Masonic bodies such as the
Shriners, Eastern Star, and the Order of DeMolay, all use
initiation as a means of bringing candidates into their
organization. Once inside the group, the society uses initiation
as a way of advancing members into higher degrees of
"illumination." Within each of these rites, mystical
concepts are passed down by means of symbol, myth, and legend
woven throughout the initiation experience. The candidate, for the
most part, does not understand its significance or meaning. Only
as one climbs the ladder of ritual and esoteric work does the
member comprehend what the initiations really entail.
Within the occult and New Age movement,
initiation is viewed as playing a "cosmic" role in the
evolution of humanity–and the universe. Masonic authority, Manly
P. Hall called this quest for the esoteric a "cosmic
obligation," and that "powers unseen and unrecognized
mold the destiny of those who consciously and of their own free
will take upon themselves the obligations of the Fraternity."
Hall was referring to both the oath within Masonic initiations,
and the deeper occult knowledge that comes with the search of
mystical illumination. Communicating its spiritual significance,
Hall wrote,
When the Mason learns that the key
to the warrior on the block is the proper application of the
dynamo of living power, he has learned the mystery of his Craft.
The seething energies of Lucifer are in his hands and before he
may step onward and upward, he must prove his ability to properly
apply energy.
(The Lost Keys of Freemasonry,
p. 48)
C.W. Leadbeater, a leading occultist,
Theosophist, and Freemason during the early years of the 20th
century, revealed that initiation resulted in a "born
again" experience. This needs to be understood correctly; the
"born again" experience Leadbeater talked about was based
on the Luciferic philosophy of Genesis 3–"you will be like
God."
So wonderful is the expansion of
the Initiate’s conscious that it is most apt to speak of the
change as a new birth. He begins to lead a new life "as a
little child," the life of the Christ; and the Christ, the
intuitional or buddhic consciousness, is born within his heart.
(The Masters and the Path,
p. 124)
Referring to the initiated, Leadbeater explains,
The Candidate has now become more
than an individual man, because he is a unit in a tremendous force.
On every planet the Solar Logos [authors note: "Solar
Logos" is referring to the Supreme Deity as revealed
within the Sun God] has His Representative acting as His Viceroy. On
our globe the title given to this great Official is the Lord of the
World.
(The Masters and the Path, p.
120)
The Bible reveals who this "great
Official" is. Jesus Christ called him the "ruler of this
world" (John 12:31) and the apostle Paul called him the
"god of this age" (2 Cor. 4:4). This "Official"
is Lucifer, the "light-bearer," also known as Satan, the
"ruler of darkness" (Eph. 6:12), and the "king of
death" (Heb.2:14). The New Age movement, with its occult roots,
embraces this Being – whether New Age practitioners realize it or
not.
One of today’s most influential New Age authors
and lecturers, David Spangler, teaches on Lucifer and
"Christ." In his book Reflections on the Christ,
Spangler explains that "Christ is the same force as Lucifer but
moving in seemingly the opposite direction" and that
"Christ is the perfect balance to Lucifer." Spangler also
tells his followers that, "Lucifer, like Christ, stands at the
door…and knocks." Sadly, Spangler encourages spiritual
seekers to open the door for Lucifer and invite him in.
Like Hall and Leadbeater, Spangler understands the
deeper meanings of occult initiation. In the Reflections on the
Christ, he explains that Lucifer is the "great
initiator." Amazingly, he calls for a literal Luciferic
initiation as a means of propelling mankind into the evolutionary
New Age,
Lucifer comes to give to us the final
gift of wholeness. If we accept it then he is free and we are free.
This is the Luciferic initiation. It is one that many people now,
and in the days ahead, will be facing, for it is an initiation in
the New Age.
(Reflections on the Christ, p.
45)
In Spangler’s world, humankind would completely
embrace Lucifer and allow Lucifer to indwell in an unprecedented
way. Spangler’s vision is for a new global order ruled by the
"Lord of the World."
Unfortunately, many Christians naively believe
that the New Age movement is simply a passing fad. The New Age
movement, which is only a "public" outpouring of the
teachings of ancient occult schools, is a growing reality in
today’s multi-religious world. And it is evolving with the times.
As Christians, we need to know what we believe,
why we believe it, and how to effectively express it. Only Jesus
Christ can set men free.
Carl Teichrib is Director of Research at Hope For
The World, the organization of best-selling author Gary Kah. |
