Topic(s): Church, World Religions

Todd Clippard

I looked up the word in question and found the following definition in The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000: 1. Of or relating to holism. 2a. Emphasizing the importance of the whole and the interdependence of its parts. b. Concerned with wholes rather than analysis or separation into parts: holistic medicine; holistic ecology.

The word is similar to many perfectly good words that have been hijacked by fringe groups, causing them to have alternative meanings or implying differing associations. (The word "gay" is a perfect example of this.)

In reality, Christianity is indeed a holistic religion, particularly according to preceding definition 2a. Consider 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 at its teaching concerning the body of Christ (the whole) and its interdependent parts. The body cannot be all God intends for it to be unless every part works together (vv 14-26; cf Eph 4:15-16) Verse 27 concludes by saying "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."

The group in question may be moving toward a new age world view. This is a destructive movement among many groups in Christendom, especially in the West where new age has such a strong influence.