Ex-New Age Guru Steven Bancarz Debunks the Universal Christ — The Alisa Childers Podcast #95

Former New Ager Steven Bancarz joins me to explain the concept of the Cosmic Christ and Universal Christ, and analyzes Richard Rohr's popular book, The Universal Christ. Steven demonstrates how Rohr's theology does not align or originate with the Bible but with New Age ideas, and runs contrary to biblical principles.

From Steven's Facebook page: 

"Alisa Childers and I recently did a video project together where we spent just over 3 hours critiquing Richard Rohr's notion of the "Universal Christ". I read Rohr's recent release "The Universal Christ" in prep for this, and I honestly couldn't believe what I was reading. It was difficult and shocking, but I wanted to make sure I was representing Rohr accurately.

Rohr believes that "Christ" is not a person, but is rather the Divine Presence embedded in material reality. It's the amalgamation of matter and spirit, it's the indwelling divinity in every 'thing', it's the transcendent reality present in everywhere as everything. Your dog is Christ, Jesus was Christ, I am Christ, and the screen you are reading this on is Christ. There is nothing that is not Christ.

In this video, we document Rohr's christology extensively from the book, and break it down into four major claims he makes. We then address each of these claims systematically with two to six Biblical arguments against each claim. We then take a look at what New Age teachers have to say about a Universal Christ, such as Eckhart Tolle, A Course In Miracles, and Elizabeth Clare Prophet, where we document throughout the history of New Thought (and even Ascended Masters teachings from the occult) that Rohr's christology is nothing more than a recycling of what New Age teachers have been saying for the last 100 years.

In other words, if you take material dictated to Elizabeth Clare Prophet from alleged spirit beings known as Ascended Masters (as popularized in Blavatsky's theosophy) and compare them to Rohr's understanding of Christ, they are identical. I provide direct quotes from the "Ascended Masters" themselves, such as El Morya and Serapis Bey, to show how Rohr's christology is literally the teachings of demons by definition. She literally has a book called "The Path of the Universal Christ" which was written over a decade ago.This is New Thought christology, this is New Age christology, this is Eastern mysticism christology, and we document this at length. We will also be doing a follow up in the near future to wrap off the study with one more category which we didn't have time for; addressing the verses about Christ "filling all in all", "uniting all things in Himself" and so forth.I will post the article format of this in the comments when it's finally done (still working on it) where all primary quotes from Rohr, all refutations of his Christological claims, and all documentation of parallel New Age teachings on Christ will be provided.
Also, people have challenged me before to invite Rohr to a discussion. I do invite this and would love to have this discussion, and would be happy to speak with him about his Christology on any platform in any format."Since this is such a long video, here are timestamps to help navigate the content: 

00:00 – 16:35 , Testimony & Introduction 16:35 – 1:00:40 , Quoting Richard Rohr to define and understand his "Universal Christ" teaching and offering spontaneous commentary 1:00:40 – 1:22:37, Giving seven Biblical arguments against Rohr's 1st claim that "Christ" indwells everyone AS everyone 1:22:37 – 1:25:28 , Giving three additional Biblical arguments against Rohr's 2nd claim that "Christ" dwells in rocks, grass, and the rest of nature 1:25:28 – 1:34:44 , Defining "ominipresence" and the contingency of creation on God Biblically (Here is the Reasonable Faith video we referenced)1:34:44 – 1:40:23 , Giving two additional Biblical arguments against Rohr's 3rd claim that Jesus' "I Am statements" were said by the Universal Christ and NOT by Jesus 1:40:23 – 2:06:22 , Giving four additional Biblical arguments against Rohr's 4th claim that Jesus did not pre-exist His physical birth; the Universal Christ did, but the personal Jesus didn't 2:06:22 – 2:13:47 , Why do people choose to believe in the Universal Christ when the Bible is so clear it's a false teaching? Also, why following Jesus is more pleasurable than rebellion 2:13:47 – 2:22:07 , Comparing Rohr's Universal Christ with my old teachings as a New Age influencer, and with classic Hinduism/Eastern mysticism (prana, life-force, qi, & Brahman) 2:22:07 – 2:35:10, Comparing Rohr's Christology with that of Eckhart Tolle, Marianne Williamson, A Course in Miracles, Barbara Marx Hubbard (New Thought teachers), and Paramahansa Yoganada (Hindu Mystic) 2:35:10 – 3:04:29, Comparing Rohr's Christology with material dictated to New Age teacher Elizabeth Clare Prophet from spirit beings called "Ascended Masters", beings who first emerged in the Luciferian tradition known as "theosophy" started by occultist Helena Blavatsky and her theosophical magazine 'Lucifer' published in the late 1800s. Elizabeth Clare Prophet was a theosophist herself. These "Masters" (such as El Morya, Sanat Kumara, and Serapis Bey) dwell in the higher planes and taught her about the Universal Christ, which she wrote about in her book "The Path of the Universal Christ" written in 2003. Rohr's teachings are echoed verbatim from Luciferian material dicated by spirit beings (demons).

Watch on Youtube: 

Read Steven's book:                                                             Read Alisa's book: 

Alisa,

I appreciate your concern about Richard and his thoughts on Christ and many other topics. I’ve been following you and notice you talk a lot about Richard and bring a lot of valid criticism and questions about his views and teaching.

I know Richard has said many things over the years both in books, talks, podcasts, etc which allows us to get a good peek into what his views are. And it is good to critique and bring criticism to anyone’s views and challenge them against the backdrop of the Bible, Christianity, church history, debate and thought. I would think and hope Richard would welcome your criticism of his teachings in order to bring them into debate, to see if his arguments truly hold water when challenged against your own views and interpretations of scripture.

So in light of all you’re good criticism of Richard publicly and in public conversations with others critical of his teachings, I’m wondering if you have ever reached out to Richard personally and asked him about your concerns or if he might appear on your podcast so you can challenge him directly to either clarify his thoughts on items that you take issue with or confirm them and note your disagreement challenge to them?

If you haven’t reached out to him personally, I would encourage you to do so as I believe the Bible is clear about how we are to handle sins and disagreements between one another.

Matthew 18, Galatians 6:, 2 Timothy 2:24-26, Colosians 3:13, Ephesians 4:29, Galatians 2:11-14,

It would be very interesting and clarifying conversation if you are able to speak to Richard directly. I would think it be best to bring your concerns privately to him to address whatever issues you have in that setting and then if he agrees maybe do a podcast with him to create an opportunity to make it clear where he stands on certain topics you take issue with in his interpretation and thoughts and to hopefully agree to disagree but do so in a conversation that is honoring and loving.

If he agrees to speak with you, in my opinion I believe this would be more productive and enlightening rather than speculating about things you and others have heard Richard say or write about and what you think he means. Though you’re speculation may be true, I know and I’m sure you do as well that sometimes things people say and write are interpreted in ways the person may or may not have intended. And sometimes they are interpreted exactly how intended. Regardless, if you are able to speak with Richard directly again it follows the Bible’s wisdom and creates an opportunity to clear up any speculation or doubt about where he stands which would then allow you and others in your podcast to speak about him in future conversations with much more integrity and clarity.

Just a few thoughts I wanted to share.

Thanks for what you are doing and taking time to consider my thoughts as well.

Blessings to you and your ministry.

Jon

Jon, Richard Rohr is a PUBLIC figure, and his work consists of books, public talks, etc. She does not need to try to talk to him personally; that is not what the scripture means. The Bible means for disputes within your church. I think all apologists should write up a statement to explain this to people because it is shocking how many people come at apologists with this one.

Just want to second "T S"s point. Richard Rohr is a public figure and broadcasts his messages to millions. This is not a personal disagreement that Alisa is exposing about another person. Alisa always does an excellent job of not using straw man arguments but citing the examples that a teacher is making. Keep up the great work Alisa.