A Christian's Guide to the Law of Attraction

[JohnPlace]

A few days ago, someone asked me if The Law of Attraction (LoA) and Christianity were harmonious concepts.

The short answer is: Yes, with qualifiers. The Bible supports the concept of faith as a creative force, but also provides additional guidances that are missing from a secular book like The Secret.

If you're interested in reading more, you can check out the article on my blog:
Jesus Versus The Secret: A Christian's Guide to the Law of Attraction.

But before you read it, I want to make it clear that this article was meant to be an objective look at LoA for the Christian. In other words, I'm not trying to push any agenda, merely performing an analysis to the best of my ability in the hopes that it will help someone.

Feel free to leave comments, either here or at my blog. All ideas and viewpoints are welcome.

[Angela]

Hey, John -- I'm not a christian so this particular article doesn't apply to me, but I'm glad I clicked because your blog looks very interesting. I'm looking forward to reading what you've got to say over there.

Thanks!

[JohnPlace]

Originally Posted by Angela

Hey, John -- I'm not a christian so this particular article doesn't apply to me, but I'm glad I clicked because your blog looks very interesting. I'm looking forward to reading what you've got to say over there.

Thanks!

Thank you, Angela. Your kind words are much appreciated.

[Lychee]

I like the pictures that are placed under the title. Adds some spice to the article.

Although I am not Christian, I do agree with some of what you've written here. Trying to understand LoA from a religious point of view was very difficult for me. I'm sure this article will do some people good.

[JohnPlace]

Originally Posted by Lychee

I like the pictures that are placed under the title. Adds some spice to the article.

Although I am not Christian, I do agree with some of what you've written here. Trying to understand LoA from a religious point of view was very difficult for me. I'm sure this article will do some people good.

Thanks for taking a look and sharing your comments, Lychee.

Yes, I agree it's hard to understand LoA from a religious perspective, and its interpretation will likely vary depending upon the religion.

That's why I wrote the article -- to show that LoA can work in a religious context.

The key, really, is understanding our religious axioms and finding a place for LoA within them. Some may find that it cannot be reconciled, which is o'kay, since spirituality is a personal journey for each of us.

[OlderWiser]

Intersting. Synchronicity. I've been interested in this very topic recently (in a slightly different context, but the same basic topic). Thanks for posting this, it's excellent food for thought.

[Matthew Shea]

John, I thought that was a very good article and there's nothing about it I would disagree with. I would, however, add a paragraph or 6 on new age sprituality. The spritual concepts that The Secret is based on are entirely rooted in it and it would certainly be worth discussing with an admonition to feel free to read the book and to use the concepts to improve your life, but to think very critically about the spiritual aspects of the book. New age concepts pervade our culture these days and most people are unaware of the origin of most of those concepts. Reading up on someone like David Hawkins could shed a lot of light this subject.

[JohnPlace]

Originally Posted by Matthew Shea

John, I thought that was a very good article and there's nothing about it I would disagree with. I would, however, add a paragraph or 6 on new age sprituality. The spritual concepts that The Secret is based on are entirely rooted in it and it would certainly be worth discussing with an admonition to feel free to read the book and to use the concepts to improve your life, but to think very critically about the spiritual aspects of the book. New age concepts pervade our culture these days and most people are unaware of the origin of most of those concepts. Reading up on someone like David Hawkins could shed a lot of light this subject.

You make a good point regarding New Age spirituality. Now that you mention it, it probably does deserve a word or two.

Thank you for the insight.

[Tracy24]

Originally Posted by JohnPlace

A few days ago, someone asked me if The Law of Attraction (LoA) and Christianity were harmonious concepts.

The short answer is: Yes, with qualifiers. The Bible supports the concept of faith as a creative force, but also provides additional guidances that are missing from a secular book like The Secret.

If you're interested in reading more, you can check out the article on my blog:
Jesus Versus The Secret: A Christian's Guide to the Law of Attraction.

But before you read it, I want to make it clear that this article was meant to be an objective look at LoA for the Christian. In other words, I'm not trying to push any agenda, merely performing an analysis to the best of my ability in the hopes that it will help someone.

Feel free to leave comments, either here or at my blog. All ideas and viewpoints are welcome.

JUST A QUESTION TO SOME;

WHEN YOU PRAY.....DO YOU HAVE COMPLETE FAITH IN YOUR SOURCE THAT THEY WILL ANSWER YOUR PRAYER(S)
If yes, then I would say LOA is pretty much the same thing as prayer only in a different form. That's my OPINION anyway.

Now some people say they have prayed and prayed but their prayers go unanswered.......IS IT BECAUSE THERE IS SOME KIND OF DOUBT that your SOURCE Cannot fulfill your prayers?

What good is it to believe in a HIGHER SOURCE yet have some doubt?

IF YOU PRAY AND BELIEVE WITH NO DOUBT....THEN YOUR PRAYERS SHOULD GET ANSWERED RIGHT?

[Wax Frog]

Originally Posted by Tracy24

IF YOU PRAY AND BELIEVE WITH NO DOUBT....THEN YOUR PRAYERS SHOULD GET ANSWERED RIGHT?

I'd like to hear your take on this variation on a familiar problem: how do you acquire belief without evidence, and how do you get evidence without belief? I'm not looking for an answer as such (since I now believe I can only solve this within), but always interested in new perspectives.

[seirwyn]

What I find so fascinating about the LOA is that in order for it to work you need to have Godly mindsets-you need to get rid of all jealously, covetousness, ingratitude, unworthiness, doubt, unbeleif etc. Even disattachment means that having an attitude of stamping your foot like a spoilt child and saying 'I want it now!!' isnt goning to get you anything. it seems that it only works when you are being the kind of person that God wants us to be.
there is nothing intrinsically wrong with wanting material things. Its only a futile pursuit when they are the number one thing in your life or if you focus too much on them rather than heavenly riches. After all, heaven is a fabulously wealthy place so there is nothing wrong with wealth or love. We need to get past the idea that God is somehow stingy and will only give us what we need but never anything that we would really enjoy-rather like a personal trainer would only give us health food that doesnt taste nice.
We need to get rid of this insulting mindset and allow him to lavish us with good things while at the same time not getting resentful if we dont get them and not idolising them.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by seirwyn

What I find so fascinating about the LOA is that in order for it to work you need to have Godly mindsets-you need to get rid of all jealously, covetousness, ingratitude, unworthiness, doubt, unbeleif etc.

Well, I wouldn't say that getting rid of all those qualities is necessary in order to the LoA to work. In fact, I would say if you are focusing on getting rid of those things, you're probably not feeling very good, and you are probably not vibrationally aligned with your desire.

I would say, rather, that it works best to notice, accept and let go of these qualities that don't feel good, and to place your focus on thoughts that feel good when you think them.

In my experience, very religious people often have a bit more difficulty in deliberately doing this, and in really wallowing in pleasure, and I think it's because suffering is often exalted and admired in religion -- it is thought of as a virtue. Resisting pleasure, though, is a great way to keep pleasure at bay, in accordance with the Law of Attraction.

I think we have quite a few religious folks around here who do feel good on purpose, though, and effectively manifest their desires.

[mercuryrising]

Originally Posted by JohnPlace

A few days ago, someone asked me if The Law of Attraction (LoA) and Christianity were harmonious concepts.

The short answer is: Yes, with qualifiers. The Bible supports the concept of faith as a creative force, but also provides additional guidances that are missing from a secular book like The Secret.

If you're interested in reading more, you can check out the article on my blog:
Jesus Versus The Secret: A Christian's Guide to the Law of Attraction.

But before you read it, I want to make it clear that this article was meant to be an objective look at LoA for the Christian. In other words, I'm not trying to push any agenda, merely performing an analysis to the best of my ability in the hopes that it will help someone.

Feel free to leave comments, either here or at my blog. All ideas and viewpoints are welcome.

John,

When I followed the link I got this message from Google:

Of the 48 pages we tested on the site over the past 90 days, 1 page(s) resulted in malicious software being downloaded and installed without user consent. The last time Google visited this site was on 2008-11-19, and the last time suspicious content was found on this site was on 2008-11-19.

Malicious software includes 10 trojan(s), 2 scripting exploit(s). Successful infection resulted in an average of 3 new processes on the target machine.

Malicious software is hosted on 1 domain(s), including 61.155.8.0.

[seirwyn]

Its actually a total lie that suffering is a good thing and that pleasure is wrong. Sometimes there are pleasureable things which are destructive so they should be avoided but only because they are destructive-not because they feel good. Yeah there is some virtue in suffereing in order to gain i.e. sometimes it is the only way to get something that will make you truly happy (think of dieting.) A lot of religious people are told that it is wrong to want something that will make you feel good. One of my limiting beleifs that i have 'slayed' is that God wanted me to be single. Rubbish! My intuition/Gods Spirit inside me says that IM the one who decided I was meant to be single and that for all these years I have been saying to God 'no thanks, I dont want your gift of a husband.' i never asked him for one because I didnt know I could actually ask specifically for what I wanted.

[Angela]

What quality or condition would be present in your life if you had a husband?

[seirwyn]

well sex for one thing!!! although that isnt the only reason for wanting someone! Its my beleif that partners are a great gift from God so is silly to exclude ourselves from recieving them. Im OK and happy being single but it would be great to have someone to share things with. It would be silly to pass by an opportunity to be with someone when all you have to do is ask for them!

[seirwyn]

[QUOTE=Tracy24;240971]JUST A QUESTION TO SOME;



Now some people say they have prayed and prayed but their prayers go unanswered.......IS IT BECAUSE THERE IS SOME KIND OF DOUBT that your SOURCE Cannot fulfill your prayers?

/QUOTE]

yeah I totally believe that. the church has got locked into a doubt spiral where they pray for one thing but think 'thatll probably never happen' (because the church is overrun by people who dont beleive in the supernatural-go figure that one out!!) and then because of this, it doesnt. then other people pray for the same thing but say 'oh so ans so prayed for this and it never happened so it probably wont happen for me.' well youre never gonna get results that way!!! No wonder God gets so upset with peoples unbeleif! Its a bit insulting really to not beleive the person who can so capably make things happen!

[jessexmc]

Is there an actual book that addresses this subject? Your article is a good one, but my wife wants something to read about this in more detail and is more of a book person than a computer person.
Thanks for anything you can tell me about this
James

[seirwyn]

Originally Posted by Tracy24

.

Now some people say they have prayed and prayed but their prayers go unanswered.......IS IT BECAUSE THERE IS SOME KIND OF DOUBT that your SOURCE Cannot fulfill your prayers?

I read a book about this where the author asked God about it and God replied that people dont get their prayers answered because they are not specific enough about what they want. And also doubt is a problem.
However, I like the quote (from the Bible) where Jesus says you dont need 100% faith for it to work. I think its in the gospel of Matthew somewhere and he is talking about faith the size of a mustard seed. i can veruify this because I have manifested things when I havent had 100% faith but have managed to maintain a good feeling about ti by feeding myself the 'lie' that it was going to work. Of course it was not a lie at all but it felt like it at the time!

[seirwyn]

Originally Posted by jessexmc

Is there an actual book that addresses this subject? Your article is a good one, but my wife wants something to read about this in more detail and is more of a book person than a computer person.
Thanks for anything you can tell me about this
James

If you want a Christian perspective then look at a book called 'The Fourth dimension' by Yonggi Cho. It is an introduction to the subject and is not as technical as some but I liked it. Also dont forgte that the gospeles are littered with teachings from jesus along the lines of 'Ask, beleve and recieve etc.'

[joelr]

There are a few passages that support wealth in the Gospels:

Psalm 12:1, 3Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord .... Wealth and riches shall be in his house.
Proverbs 15:6
In the house of the righteous is much treasure.

I do think LOA and scripture are very much not compatible. The whole crux of LOA is conscious self creation.
You could take a figurative reading of scripture and say when God says "no" to a request that really means you have a negative energy blocking your creation process. That type of interpretation seems to go against most Christian doctrine though.

The spirit of creation is intact in both schools of thought but ultimately are radically different. I think you explained that well in the article, pointing out that God can choose not to answer a request/manifestation.


Deism is compatible with LOA, but Christianity isn't compatible with Deism is it?

[inn]

I am glad you brought up the question as I have likewise been contemplating this issue.

I think the core principle in the law of attraction "as the man thinketh, so he is" is actually taken from the bible.

The laws of the universe are immutable laws set out by God, like the law of gravity.

The law of attraction itself is not contradictory with christianity. It is how and what we use it for that could make it unscriptural.If one uses it in line with scriptural principles it can work for one's good and there is nothing wrong with it

[viking4525]

Originally Posted by inn

I am glad you brought up the question as I have likewise been contemplating this issue.

I think the core principle in the law of attraction "as the man thinketh, so he is" is actually taken from the bible.

The laws of the universe are immutable laws set out by God, like the law of gravity.

The law of attraction itself is not contradictory with christianity. It is how and what we use it for that could make it unscriptural.If one uses it in line with scriptural principles it can work for one's good and there is nothing wrong with it

Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism are all in The Process and go back as far back into antiquity than people realise. This is more evident in each of the main religions - "offshoot" religions (Gnosticism, Sufism etc).

I will not even mention the possibility that all mainstream religions are derived from one source as that will be very contriversial.

However it depends on HOW you read the books as to what you will find. For Christians read Florence Scovel Schinn's book The Game of Life and How to Play it. She was a Christian that taught The Process, she quotes various parts of the Bible to support her faith. Its quite obvious to see that ALL the main prophets in ALL religions in the past have exercised The Process in its absolute form!! Its amazing.

The links are all there ... in my opinion there is no such thing as duality ... there is the absolute non-duality, the unity of all things and all people. Crazy but thats what the core truth of all religions and The Process shows us that.

Again to repeat this is just MY view, not intended to upset, anger or worry people. There is no such thing as "truth", its our experience

[arthurox]

Originally Posted by seirwyn

What I find so fascinating about the LOA is that in order for it to work you need to have Godly mindsets-you need to get rid of all jealously, covetousness, ingratitude, unworthiness, doubt, unbelief etc. Even dis-attachment means that having an attitude of stamping your foot like a spoiled child and saying 'I want it now!!' isn't going to get you anything. it seems that it only works when you are being the kind of person that God wants us to be.
there is nothing intrinsically wrong with wanting material things. Its only a futile pursuit when they are the number one thing in your life or if you focus too much on them rather than heavenly riches. After all, heaven is a fabulously wealthy place so there is nothing wrong with wealth or love. We need to get past the idea that God is somehow stingy and will only give us what we need but never anything that we would really enjoy-rather like a personal trainer would only give us health food that doesn't taste nice.
We need to get rid of this insulting mindset and allow him to lavish us with good things while at the same time not getting resentful if we don't get them and not idolizing them.

WOW...!!! i love your statement SO much I had to reg on the site LOL
..

We need to get past the idea that God is somehow stingy and will only give us what we need but never anything that we would really enjoy-rather like a personal trainer would only give us health food that doesn't taste nice.
We need to get rid of this insulting mindset and allow him to lavish us with good things while at the same time not getting resentful if we don't get them and not idolizing them.

that is so true and really hits home on the true character of our Heavenly Father~!

Mat 7:09 Would any of you who are fathers give your son a stone when he asks for bread?
Mat 7:10 Or would you give him a snake when he asks for a fish?
Mat 7:11 As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by jessexmc

Is there an actual book that addresses this subject? Your article is a good one, but my wife wants something to read about this in more detail and is more of a book person than a computer person.
Thanks for anything you can tell me about this
James

There are more than a few LOA books written by serious Christians. Look up Joseph Murphy; Rev Michael Beckwith and James Twyman, for instance.