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Inside the New Age Nightmare: For the First Time Ever...a Former Top New Age Leader Takes You on a Dramatic Journey
Book by Baer, Randall N.
197 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 22, 2013
Randall Baer was a "spiritual" man who thought that he'd found the truth in New Age Spirituality. He rose through the ranks of the New Age Movement and became one of its world-renowned leaders. Thankfully for him, the Lord opened Randall's eyes and showed him who was really behind this still-wicked movement that has blinded so many unsuspecting (though sincere) individuals.
There's a lot of "glitter and gold" in the New Age Movement. Randall was blessed to see before it was too late what scripture has told us all along: "...And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
Very shortly after publication of this book, Randall died in a tragic "accident".
I wish that all Christians AND New-Ager's would read this book to be enlightened. Another good one to read is by Sharon Beekmann titled, "Enticed By The Light". It is a very powerful testimony of the delivering power of Christ. Sharon flirted with New Age Spirituality and ended up becoming demon-possessed; thankfully, Christ set her free, and she is now a strong believer in the Lord.
Johanna Michaelson and Warren Smith have similar testimonies. All of these individuals called on the name of the Lord to be delivered from demons; and Christ, faithful to His word, delivered them all (Romans 10:13).
I highly recommend all of their books. Each author was trapped in some form of New Age Spirituality, and were highly deluded by the shining one (the counterfeit) until the Real Deal, Jesus Christ (King of kings and Lord of lords) set them free.
There's a lot of "glitter and gold" in the New Age Movement. Randall was blessed to see before it was too late what scripture has told us all along: "...And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
Very shortly after publication of this book, Randall died in a tragic "accident".
I wish that all Christians AND New-Ager's would read this book to be enlightened. Another good one to read is by Sharon Beekmann titled, "Enticed By The Light". It is a very powerful testimony of the delivering power of Christ. Sharon flirted with New Age Spirituality and ended up becoming demon-possessed; thankfully, Christ set her free, and she is now a strong believer in the Lord.
Johanna Michaelson and Warren Smith have similar testimonies. All of these individuals called on the name of the Lord to be delivered from demons; and Christ, faithful to His word, delivered them all (Romans 10:13).
I highly recommend all of their books. Each author was trapped in some form of New Age Spirituality, and were highly deluded by the shining one (the counterfeit) until the Real Deal, Jesus Christ (King of kings and Lord of lords) set them free.
August 26, 2017
This was an interesting but difficult read to stomach. The theories presented in this book are riddled with contradictions and hypocritical slander. The book itself is outdated in its beliefs and seems to manipulate certain statements to better justify their message. It was interesting (and hilarious) to read how this author perceives how Christians view "New Age" topics and individuals. I'm sorry, but when a book compares abortion to the holocaust and cites acupuncture as the devils work.....I have extreme difficulty taking it seriously.
November 20, 2024
I’ve read many books on the topic of the New Age (from a Christian perspective), and this is one of (if not THE) best. This book covers it all, and seems like it could have been written recently (when in fact it was written in the 80’s). It’s very relevant. Highly recommended.
September 8, 2013
Wow, this guy seems like the rock star of crystal power. I am glad he found a renewed faith in God, but I was less than pleased by his angry overtones. Seems liberal is a bad word in his book. I don't much like liberals myself but his negative message really didn't get his 'I love Christ' point across very well. Given the church abuses in recent years, a little soul searching is called for in my opinion. My own personal experience is 'everything in moderation.' This guy sought God with drugs at an early age. It just proves that too much of a good thing can be self-destructive. I do enjoy books that challenge my beliefs and this is definitely one of those. That said, yuck and goodbye. I am not even listing this crap and donating it to my local thrift store where it will probably languish for a year or two before it sells for a nickel. =)
March 27, 2026
A POPULAR NEW AGE AUTHOR/SPEAKER GIVES HIS CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY
Randall Baer (d. 1989) was a naturopathic doctor, and author/coauthor of the books, ‘The Crystal Connection: A Guidebook for Personal and Planetary Ascension,’ and ‘Windows of Light: Using Quartz Crystals as Tools for Self-Transformation.’ (He died when his car ran off a mountain pass, the week he published this book and finished a lecture tour critical of the New Age---something which Christian ‘conspiracy’ theorists may be interested to know.)
He wrote in the Prologue to this 1989 book, “The New Age Movement was my life, my love for some 15 years. As an impressionable, rebellious teenager, I became enamored with exotic Eastern mysticism, which eventually led to years of study to become a professional New Age teacher, holistic health practitioner, and activist. But that was only the beginning. An uncanny sequence of dramatic events propelled [me]… into a meteoric rise to national, and even international, renown as an expert in ‘crystal power’ and New Age philosophy. Before the age of 30, I had two acclaimed books published by a respected mainstream publisher… a large teaching and research facility, and was able to write my own ticket on the national lecture circuit. I was riding high.
“By becoming absolutely convinced that the New Age was the true path of enlightenment, love, and peace, I delved deeply into this movement and found myself on a fast-track to success, fame and influence. But a horrifying encounter caused me to take a careful look at what I was doing. There has already been a great deal written about this sorcery called the New Age. Most of it has been written by outsiders looking in. I want to tell you what it is like from the inside looking out---from the vantage point of one whose life was devoted to this movement… I want you to know exactly what the New Age Movement is about.” (Pg. v)
He recalls that in high school, “I attended an adult Bible study and was the only teenager there…. One day… I blurted out, ‘Why should I believe in God? Why should I read the Bible? Why should I attend church?’ The group sat in mute silence… my questions were completely ignored… Something snapped in me. I no longer wanted to attend what I perceived as sterile and lifeless church services and study groups… On regular trips to a bookstore in a … shopping mall, I found many books … on Eastern religious philosophy… I devoured the ‘All is Oneness’ philosophies, and taught myself … yoga and meditation… my mother… gave me a serious warning to be very careful in my non-Christian pursuits… neither of my parents forced me to stop my search…” (Pg. 3-4)
He continues, “I found another powerful ally…. marijuana---and it opened up a whole new world… For me, it would help ‘expand’ my mind into many mystical types of ‘higher consciousness.’ One evening … while slowly inhaling the marijuana… I believed that I had met ‘god’ and was one with the universe. This was what the Eastern religious philosophies were talking about---pure oneness and enlightenment… my French teacher, whom I felt was ‘cool and progressive,’ formed a small group… to study the works of Napoleon Hill, author of the best-selling books ‘Think and Grow Rich’ and ‘Grow Rich! With Peace of Mind.’ … Little did I know then that Hill’s philosophy was revealed by a ‘Council of 33 Masters’ that spoke to him via mental telepathy to reveal the secrets of universal success.” (Pg. 4)
He explains, “Holistic medicine is one of the trickiest areas to sort out the New Age from the non-New Age… a holistic professional might recommend that a person do aerobic exercise and take a multivitamin, but doing the exercise and taking the vitamin is not necessarily New Age. This important issue of discerning and separating what is and is not New Age in the field of holistic health is often a complex and subtle one requiring extensive examination.” (Pg. 21)
He summarizes, “the challenges of being a New Age activist and a career man were being met quite well. I was basically a happy and fulfilled person, though a significant feeling of inner emptiness persisted. In the New Age circles … it is not unusual at all to find MANY people moving through all kinds of radical higher consciousness transformations. Most of them continue to deal with life’s challenges adequately… Shirley MacLaine and John Denver, the two most well-known New Agers, are prime cases in point… One can be enmeshed deeply in New Age lies, and at the same time still lead an apparently sane and productive life. This is part of what makes the New Age movement so dangerous.” (Pg. 35)
He asks, “Would you believe that more than 75% of New Agers hold a completely unshakable belief in the reality of UFOs? Actually, 75% is probably an understatement… Even further, a solid percentage of New Agers---I’d estimate 50% or more---truly believe that they ARE alien or angelic beings that have reincarnated today into human form.” (Pg. 40)
He notes, “In the mid-1920s [J. Krishnamurti] dazzled audiences in India with reported coronets of brilliant blue appearing over his head as he spoke of himself in the first person as a god… he arrived to thunderous cheers in Europe. But as he sailed to America his charisma and occult powers mysteriously left him, and a writer … reported that Krishnamurti was virtually incoherent during an interview, and characterized him as ‘a shy, badly frightened, nice-looking young Hindu.’ Krishnamurti’s messianic claims quickly fizzled.” (Pg. 43)
He observes, “Advertisements for these various mind-power machines are one of the hottest items in national New Age magazines…. They are very popular due to their deeply relaxing effects in addition to the dazzling psychedelic experiences. Here we have technology’s latest contribution to the New Age Movement---machines that control and pleasurize the mind with power, precision, and efficiency.” (Pg. 49)
He clarifies, “New Agers who blend into the mainstream cultural landscape are everywhere in our society. I would also like to point out that … not all New Age activities are cults. Some certainly are, but a solid percentage of New Age organizations, seminars, etc., are definitely not cults. Most of these operate along the lines of regular businesses in terms of how they offer their products and services.” (Pg. 53)
He laments, “I was not aware of a single Christian outreach program formulated to take the Christian witness directly into the New Age subculture… a New Ager converting to the Christian faith is an extreme rarity---I never personally had met one in 15 years. Satan’s deluding power in the movement is powerful indeed… My heart became heavily burdened with the task of doing the best I knew how to bring the Good News to the New Age.” (Pg. 65)
He states, “the practice of free-giving service is rare-to-non-existent in the New Age subculture. Everything has a price tag---everything.” (Pg. 66)
He reports, “In leaving, I decided to share one last message of testimony with as many New Agers as possible. Therefore, a farewell message was … sent out to every person on our mailing list...I shared the conclusion that I had reached---that there are sophisticated powers of darkness behind every aspect of the New Age Movement, deceiving people with false philosophies of love, light and peace. That the only way to salvation is through the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Jesus, that that it is absolutely imperative to remove oneself immediately from all New Age philosophies, practices, and lies… Out of the many thousands to whom the farewell message was sent, about 100 requested more information… less than 15 sent in [requests for further info, etc.].” (Pg. 73)
There are (as Baer admitted) very few New Age converts to evangelical Christianity, so this book will be of great interest to any Christians seeking critiques of the New Age.
Randall Baer (d. 1989) was a naturopathic doctor, and author/coauthor of the books, ‘The Crystal Connection: A Guidebook for Personal and Planetary Ascension,’ and ‘Windows of Light: Using Quartz Crystals as Tools for Self-Transformation.’ (He died when his car ran off a mountain pass, the week he published this book and finished a lecture tour critical of the New Age---something which Christian ‘conspiracy’ theorists may be interested to know.)
He wrote in the Prologue to this 1989 book, “The New Age Movement was my life, my love for some 15 years. As an impressionable, rebellious teenager, I became enamored with exotic Eastern mysticism, which eventually led to years of study to become a professional New Age teacher, holistic health practitioner, and activist. But that was only the beginning. An uncanny sequence of dramatic events propelled [me]… into a meteoric rise to national, and even international, renown as an expert in ‘crystal power’ and New Age philosophy. Before the age of 30, I had two acclaimed books published by a respected mainstream publisher… a large teaching and research facility, and was able to write my own ticket on the national lecture circuit. I was riding high.
“By becoming absolutely convinced that the New Age was the true path of enlightenment, love, and peace, I delved deeply into this movement and found myself on a fast-track to success, fame and influence. But a horrifying encounter caused me to take a careful look at what I was doing. There has already been a great deal written about this sorcery called the New Age. Most of it has been written by outsiders looking in. I want to tell you what it is like from the inside looking out---from the vantage point of one whose life was devoted to this movement… I want you to know exactly what the New Age Movement is about.” (Pg. v)
He recalls that in high school, “I attended an adult Bible study and was the only teenager there…. One day… I blurted out, ‘Why should I believe in God? Why should I read the Bible? Why should I attend church?’ The group sat in mute silence… my questions were completely ignored… Something snapped in me. I no longer wanted to attend what I perceived as sterile and lifeless church services and study groups… On regular trips to a bookstore in a … shopping mall, I found many books … on Eastern religious philosophy… I devoured the ‘All is Oneness’ philosophies, and taught myself … yoga and meditation… my mother… gave me a serious warning to be very careful in my non-Christian pursuits… neither of my parents forced me to stop my search…” (Pg. 3-4)
He continues, “I found another powerful ally…. marijuana---and it opened up a whole new world… For me, it would help ‘expand’ my mind into many mystical types of ‘higher consciousness.’ One evening … while slowly inhaling the marijuana… I believed that I had met ‘god’ and was one with the universe. This was what the Eastern religious philosophies were talking about---pure oneness and enlightenment… my French teacher, whom I felt was ‘cool and progressive,’ formed a small group… to study the works of Napoleon Hill, author of the best-selling books ‘Think and Grow Rich’ and ‘Grow Rich! With Peace of Mind.’ … Little did I know then that Hill’s philosophy was revealed by a ‘Council of 33 Masters’ that spoke to him via mental telepathy to reveal the secrets of universal success.” (Pg. 4)
He explains, “Holistic medicine is one of the trickiest areas to sort out the New Age from the non-New Age… a holistic professional might recommend that a person do aerobic exercise and take a multivitamin, but doing the exercise and taking the vitamin is not necessarily New Age. This important issue of discerning and separating what is and is not New Age in the field of holistic health is often a complex and subtle one requiring extensive examination.” (Pg. 21)
He summarizes, “the challenges of being a New Age activist and a career man were being met quite well. I was basically a happy and fulfilled person, though a significant feeling of inner emptiness persisted. In the New Age circles … it is not unusual at all to find MANY people moving through all kinds of radical higher consciousness transformations. Most of them continue to deal with life’s challenges adequately… Shirley MacLaine and John Denver, the two most well-known New Agers, are prime cases in point… One can be enmeshed deeply in New Age lies, and at the same time still lead an apparently sane and productive life. This is part of what makes the New Age movement so dangerous.” (Pg. 35)
He asks, “Would you believe that more than 75% of New Agers hold a completely unshakable belief in the reality of UFOs? Actually, 75% is probably an understatement… Even further, a solid percentage of New Agers---I’d estimate 50% or more---truly believe that they ARE alien or angelic beings that have reincarnated today into human form.” (Pg. 40)
He notes, “In the mid-1920s [J. Krishnamurti] dazzled audiences in India with reported coronets of brilliant blue appearing over his head as he spoke of himself in the first person as a god… he arrived to thunderous cheers in Europe. But as he sailed to America his charisma and occult powers mysteriously left him, and a writer … reported that Krishnamurti was virtually incoherent during an interview, and characterized him as ‘a shy, badly frightened, nice-looking young Hindu.’ Krishnamurti’s messianic claims quickly fizzled.” (Pg. 43)
He observes, “Advertisements for these various mind-power machines are one of the hottest items in national New Age magazines…. They are very popular due to their deeply relaxing effects in addition to the dazzling psychedelic experiences. Here we have technology’s latest contribution to the New Age Movement---machines that control and pleasurize the mind with power, precision, and efficiency.” (Pg. 49)
He clarifies, “New Agers who blend into the mainstream cultural landscape are everywhere in our society. I would also like to point out that … not all New Age activities are cults. Some certainly are, but a solid percentage of New Age organizations, seminars, etc., are definitely not cults. Most of these operate along the lines of regular businesses in terms of how they offer their products and services.” (Pg. 53)
He laments, “I was not aware of a single Christian outreach program formulated to take the Christian witness directly into the New Age subculture… a New Ager converting to the Christian faith is an extreme rarity---I never personally had met one in 15 years. Satan’s deluding power in the movement is powerful indeed… My heart became heavily burdened with the task of doing the best I knew how to bring the Good News to the New Age.” (Pg. 65)
He states, “the practice of free-giving service is rare-to-non-existent in the New Age subculture. Everything has a price tag---everything.” (Pg. 66)
He reports, “In leaving, I decided to share one last message of testimony with as many New Agers as possible. Therefore, a farewell message was … sent out to every person on our mailing list...I shared the conclusion that I had reached---that there are sophisticated powers of darkness behind every aspect of the New Age Movement, deceiving people with false philosophies of love, light and peace. That the only way to salvation is through the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Jesus, that that it is absolutely imperative to remove oneself immediately from all New Age philosophies, practices, and lies… Out of the many thousands to whom the farewell message was sent, about 100 requested more information… less than 15 sent in [requests for further info, etc.].” (Pg. 73)
There are (as Baer admitted) very few New Age converts to evangelical Christianity, so this book will be of great interest to any Christians seeking critiques of the New Age.
July 18, 2024
This book was so insightful into the world of New Age Philosophy! If you are open-minded, I challenge you to read this book. If you are in the New Age, a Christian, Atheist or anywhere in between, this book is for you. Even though it’s from the late 1980s, it is so relevant and helpful to understand what is going on today and just how prevalent new age practices are. I enjoyed reading what the author experienced and his thoughts looking back on his time in the New Age.
February 24, 2022
Chalked full of new age practices and devices, mysterious and bizarre means in which men and women seek to elevate themselves to higher levels. There were times of overload of info, more than practical steps in God's word to recognize and avoid it.
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