Chris Browne Supporter Bible Teacher, Author, Speaker

The term "Christ consciousness" is a fairly loaded term that is used by many emergents, new age dualists and universalists (those who would claim the moniker 'Christian' without actually acknowledging an Orthodox, Biblical view of Christ). That said, without Bible references, they will claim that their view of Christ is the accurate Biblical portrayal, but will not be able to reference or cite their claims.

A couple of good examples would be Oprah Winfrey who quotes from Eckhart Tolle that she "used to believe that Jesus came to die for our sins, but now believes that He came to show us how to 'do it'. How to achieve Christ consciousness." 

That type of teaching is the opposite of John 12:27, where Jesus says, “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour." 

Oprah, and Eckart use the concept of Christ consciousness to undermine a doctrine known as the atonement. Orthodox Christians believe in what is referred to as the "Penal Substitutionary Atonement." Catholics believe in what is referred to as "Christus Victor". The Christ consciousness crowd believes in what is known as "Christus explemplar." Lots of big words, but the bottom line is that this heretical view says that Jesus death is a "good example" of how to live and how to love. This is the heretical view of Ghandi, a Hindu, who taught, "His death on the cross was a great example to the world, but that there was anything...miraculous... my heart could not accept."

Christ consciousness is also a type of what is known as the Arian Heresy. The Arian Heresy is the same lie told to Adam and Eve in the garden that they would become "like God" (Genesis 3:5).

It is also one of the 5 "I will" statements credited to Lucifer as part of his fall from heaven in Isaiah 14:14, "I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”

Simply put, it is the teaching that man can become god or become a god. 
This worldview can be traced back to Idealism which teaches that matter is evil and that our goal is to leave our material bodies and achieve a higher level of spiritual awareness (think - Matrix). This type of heretical teaching was common in the New Testament times and was one of the primary reasons that the epistle 1 John was written as a refutation that Jesus was not a real material person (1 John 1:1-3).

As Christians we are still prone to both the arian and gnostic heresies through teaching that points us to achieving a "Christ consciousness" through spiritual disciplines, meditations, emptying our minds, incantations and simply exerting efforts to be good moral people.

All of those are dangerous. 

Consider this; I can practice the disciplines of fasting and silence and be a buddhist, not a Christian. I can meditate and be a Hindu and not a Christian. I can empty my mind but the Bible says that we are to "love the Lord our God with ALL of our minds." I can be a good moral person but still face the judgement of a life outside of the salvation available through Christ alone. 
Every good lie (or heresy) is based on a twisted version of the truth. 
For us, as followers of Christ, we are not called to become gods, or elevate ourselves to a Christ consciousness, but we are called to "imitate God" (Ephesians 5:1-2) and we are created to reflect the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). While it may seem like semantics, there is a HUGE difference between the two and it is important to be aware of the differences.

The bottom line is that the concepts of Christ-conscousness are loaded with heresy and false teaching, but still tend to creep into mainline Christian books and are slipped into mainstream Christian practices. We should be very wary of any teacher who uses these terms and teaches these concepts. Either they are ignorant, and therefore should be ignored, or they are aware and are a false teacher of the type that the Apostle Paul warned us (1 Tim 4:1-4).

December 31 2013 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Gary Patton Supporter People Development Coach to Christians

Tamara, you have received some good comments in answer to your excellent question.

My short one would be R-E-A-L Christ (King)-consciousness is the Spirit motivating anyone for whom 1 Corinthians 2:14 & 2 Corinthians 4:4 do NOT apply.

My R-E-A-L means: Relational-Engaging-Authentic-Life-giving! ~ © gfp '42™

Blessings and Happy New Year!

January 02 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tom Huntford Supporter

Chris Browne's answer is excellent!

The only thing I want to add is this:

Just read the Bible, especially the New Testament. Get familiar with it. Then you can spot phrases,terms, and questions that don't match what it says. The Bible nowhere speaks of "Christ consciousness." 

Want to know what the Bible talks about "let this mind be in you"?

Here it is.

 " 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain." (Phi 2:5-16 KJV) 

And one more passage where God tells us about the kind of mind (consciousness) we should have, in order to be like Christ:

 "Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles-- when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed...(1 Pet 4:1-16 NKJ)

Let the Bible shape your "consciousness"!

January 02 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report