The Secret has been out for several years and I recently had the opportunity to read it.  The book is attractive in its layout and features a number of distinguished individuals providing advice.  There are a number of helpful principles interspersed throughout the book; however, there are also a number of concerns I have with the book.

When a book is entitled The Secret your first question is “What’s the secret?”  You don’t need to wait long to discover the answer, “The law of attraction is giving you what you are thinking about – period!” (p. 15).  Throughout the book the importance of one’s thoughts are emphasized as being the key to success.  This is an important point but it’s not a secret.  Solomon recorded that fact approximately 3,000 years ago, “For as he thinks within himself, so he is” (Proverbs 23:7a). 

Much of the content involves the concept of cognitive restructuring which involves replacing irrational, counter-factual beliefs with more accurate and beneficial thoughts.  This is a helpful cognitive therapy but the author overstates the case several times in the book.  The author not only overstates the case but misstates the facts when she writes that Jesus (along with the patriarchs) “. . . were not only prosperity teachers, but also millionaires themselves, with more affluent lifestyles than many present-day millionaires could conceive of”  (p. 109).  The patriarchs were extremely wealthy but the modern conveniences of the typical American create a better lifestyle than the ancient kings enjoyed – just consider air-conditioning and ice cream!  It doesn’t matter how rich you are – 100 degrees in the desert without air-conditioning is hot and uncomfortable.  The Bible does not teach that Jesus was a prosperity teacher or a millionaire.  In Luke 9:23 Jesus challenges His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”   Later on He stated, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head" (Luke 9:58) – so much for an affluent lifestyle.

The author uses verses from the Bible to support her case such as Matthew 21:22 "And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."  Does that really mean if I believe I will receive whatever I want?  What would you do if your 12 year old son asked you for a Porsche that goes 160 miles per hour?  You would probably say no for his safety and your peace of mind.  Sometimes we make requests with our limited knowledge that God knows is not the best for us.  The author does not quote John 15:7 which shows that God grants those prayers that are in accordance with His will "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

Page 150 states, “If you have any lack, if you are prey to poverty or disease, it is because you do not believe or do not understand the power that is yours.”  A belief such as this can put tremendous guilt on someone.  So if I’m not experiencing wealth and health then that means that the problem is ultimately my fault.  Is that how you would respond to the survivors of a natural disaster?  They didn’t have enough faith.  I guess the Apostle Paul didn’t have enough faith because he prayed three times that God would remove his thorn in the flesh – but God didn’t take it away.  Sometimes God takes away the problem and sometimes He gives us His grace. 

My greatest concern about this book is that you are put in the place of God.  “You are the Master of the Universe, and the Genie is there to serve you” (p. 46).  “Let the Universe know what you want.  The Universe responds to your thoughts” (p. 47).  This clearly contradicts the Bible’s teaching as is seen on page 164, “You are God in a physical body.  You are Spirit in the flesh.  You are Eternal Life expressing itself as You.  You are a cosmic being.  You are all power.  You are all wisdom.  You are all intelligence.  You are perfection.  You are magnificence.  You are the creator, and you are creating the creation of You on this planet.”  This may sound appealing but it’s not true.  If you’ve ever owned a cat you realize you are not all powerful and neither the universe nor the cat revolves around you.

The self-centeredness of the book reaches a climax on page 183, “The earth turns on its orbit for You . . . None of it can exist, without You.”  The reality is when you and I are dead that this earth most likely will still be here.  The truth is you and I are not the center of the universe – God is.  My purpose is not to glorify myself but rather to glorify Him.  I find it comforting to realize that He is God and I am not.  Rather than seeking my own wealth and happiness Jesus said it best, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).