New Thought: The Most Influential Heresy You've Never Heard Of, with Melissa Dougherty



Melissa Dougherty joins the show to talk about how a widely practiced but little known movement called “New Thought” has influenced everything from the Word of Faith Movement to the Seeker Sensitive Movement to the Self-Help Industry to Progressive Christianity. Melissa spent years ascribing to various New Thought beliefs and practices such as positive affirmations, the power of positive thinking, manifesting, Christ consciousness, visualization, and believing that the vibrations and frequencies of your mind affect your reality. All the while she thought she was practicing Christianity. In today’s episode, she lifts the lid off of what New Thought teaches, and traces the dark history of its influence over everyday Christians.

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00:00 start
01:49 Our Daily Bread Correction
05:08 Unshaken Conference
07:38 Welcome
14:30 New Age vs. New Thought
22:20 Richard Rohr
27:10 Visiting Progressive Churches
47:32 Self-Help/Biblical Counseling
51:45 Positive Affirmations
52:53 Word of Faith
55:45 New Thought Buzz words
1:00:24 Robert Schuller

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25 thoughts on “New Thought: The Most Influential Heresy You've Never Heard Of, with Melissa Dougherty”

  1. As a pastor of a Pentecostal denomination for over 30 years, I see how Christians are left vulnerable to deception because of poor use of Scripture. When we decide to preach what we think and then cherry pick verses to back up our own thoughts, we leave all kinds of gaps for lies. Pastors need to teach Christians, by example and intention, how to correctly handle the Word of God.

    Reply
  2. There’s nothing new under the sun, the apostle Paul dealt with this when he wrote to the Galatians Church all foolish Galatians, who has deceived you you started in the spirit now you’re finishing in the flesh. All these movements are just flushing out.

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  3. Amazes me the Gas-Lighting these days: based on seeing Brother Kenneth Hagin on the intro I comment. I do not know about these other peoples but I know what Brother Hagin minsister and he NEVER ever preached the worlds’ view on positive thinking.

    What is dangerous when your ignorance turns into idiocy. Brother Hagin lived a holy life before God, he lived and preached the full gospel unlike many on here throwing insults at Christians. Now person is perfect and we all grow and we all get misunderstood, but these days people like the lady you mentioned is misled and you know what the scripture says happens when the deceived lead the ignorant, they too are deceived.

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  4. So good to see you two ladies working together to keep the gospel clear. Of course, I ordered the book. I have Alisa's and need to read it! Working on Allie Beth Stuckey's right now. Thanks, ya'll.

    Reply
  5. So excited to read this book! Thank you Melissa and Alisa. I was pretty shocked to hear you say that pastor called us the bad guys. It’s interesting to hear that point of view. I’m learning so much.

    Reply
  6. I love Dr. Caroline Leaf is a neuroscientist who is a Christian. She is a Medical Doctor first and teaches about brain health (She works with traumatic brain injuries). Consider researching her books a little further. Neuroplasticity is a medical term and isn't considered part of the positive thinking camp. There is a difference. I've ordered the book as a daughter of a woman who was tricked into becoming a Psychic Medium. I appreciate your information here but do ask you to interview Dr. Leaf personally.

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  7. I'm glad you hosted this conversation. Was just wondering if you could also look into decrees and declarations. They've become a common part of prayers especially in charismatic churches but they just sound like an odd way to pray 😅. I'm thinking they originate from word of faith/New Apostolic Reformation. Thank you for your ministry 🙏.

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  8. I believe that the danger of New Thought is that it equates us with God. For example, whereas God creates the tree, we can only plant seeds, nourish the tree and create things from the tree through woodworking. We have only limited creative power. God created the universe with His words, we can only affect the atmosphere of the universe because He made us stewards of what He created. We do have life and death in the power of the tongue, but we do not create life like He does.. God IS the Truth, we can only speak the truth if we speak His word, because only His word is Truth It is a fine line, and easy to cross if we're not careful. Thank you for this vidso. Many blessings.

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  9. I cringe anytime I hear people talk about manifesting. It’s such bull. If we could actually , really manifest our reality , then we’d all be skinny and rich. To debunk that silly notion you only have to look around.

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  10. Serious question: Apart from the Bible itself (because I’m looking for a distillation), what are some of the best books setting forth traditional, historical Christianity. As in the basic tenets, the Gospel, theology, etc.

    Reply
  11. This is creeping into many churches through counseling. So many today rely on a therapist instead of the Word of God. If you go to a therapist, test them through scripture. They are not The Truth. Scripture is The Truth.

    Reply
  12. I'm retired at 36, went from Grass to Grace. This video here reminds me of my transformation from a nobody to good home, honest wife, $75k biweekly and a good son full of love🩵🩵

    Reply

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