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The Light That Was Dark: From the New Age to Amazing Grace

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The Light That Was Dark is a sober warning to the world and to the Church. Author Warren Smith learned some hard lessons as a spiritual seeker. Concerned that today’s Church is being seduced by the same false teachings and same false Christ that drew him into the New Age, Smith shares his story.
“Led down a yellow brick road by pied piper spirits, I had, with the best intentions, landed in a metaphysical New Age where the Christ proclaimed was not the real Christ at all. A well-orchestrated and exquisitely timed series of supernatural synchronistic experiences had convinced me that my involvement in alternative spirituality was ‘meant to be.’”

“Following the signs and wonders of deceptive spirits, I had jumped through my spiritual hoops with almost flawless precision. As Joy and I both had unknowingly plugged into the spirit world, we never realized that most of the voices we were listening to were part of the deception the real Jesus had warned about.”
—Warren Smith, from The Light That Was Dark

168 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1992

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152 people want to read

About the author

Warren B. Smith

46 books16 followers

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5 stars
94 (60%)
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40 (25%)
3 stars
16 (10%)
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3 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Hannah.
2,864 reviews1,435 followers
July 31, 2021
4.5 stars

A short read that spells out, from a personal perspective, exactly where the New Age practices and spirituality goals lead. They thought they were following enlightenment and instead found more and more darkness...until one day they stumbled across an odd book that talked about a different form of light and help. But then they had to choose between their friends and their faith...
Profile Image for Dorothea.
150 reviews55 followers
December 10, 2020
I came across this book at a crucial period in my life. I was drunk with joy on Marianne Williamson's A Return to Love and I began exploring some of the ideas that had originally inspired her: A Course in Miracles, a central tenet of which is evil does not exist.

I tried to embrace this idea with a zen-like mind-over-matter approach to the world that was collapsing all around me. When I read in the local newspaper about the unspeakable murder of an infant child my new-age high came to an abrupt halt. I struggled with all my strength to fight my way back into positive thinking, reading every new-age book I could get my hands on, but with every step I sunk lower and lower into the mire.

During this period a The Light That Was Dark was tossed onto my path and so I read it. Basically it's a story of the author and his wife's struggle with the very issues I was struggling with.
Profile Image for Katy.
70 reviews4 followers
May 10, 2013
When I was in my early 20's I was looking for a god that would allow me to do whatever I wanted but give me a certain level of peace. I found that in the "Course of Miracles" and "Conversations with God" type books and ideas. The idea that I could create my own reality and right and wrong were relative was good for me. I didn't want to be accountable for my actions. These ideas are putting a veil over our eyes. Whether we like it, accept it or not, we are accountable for our actions to GOD. I am so grateful He pulled me out of the darkness I was in... and let me tell you it is DARKNESS. This book was so good and so true!!
Profile Image for Yibbie.
1,403 reviews54 followers
February 8, 2016
Evil can look so inviting, harmless, even good. This memoir is more a spiritual journey out of bondage to sin and the devil than a biography. He describes the path he took into bondage and then out again. Very well written and understandable.
Profile Image for Some Christian Lady.
175 reviews17 followers
January 10, 2024
Fantastic book detailing Warren Smith’s descent into the New Age, and how he came to see the Truth. A truly wonderful story, and definitely one of my new favorites!
Profile Image for Meredith.
105 reviews4 followers
August 14, 2023
Me Too

I can relate to what Warren writes about only too well. I was also ensconced in NewAge and became born again. There is so much deception and darkness masquerading as light. This book is a timely warning to turn back and come to Jesus.
Profile Image for Kelsey.
35 reviews2 followers
April 20, 2018
I admire Warren Smith and his mission to expose new age deception in the church. Even though this book was written a few decades ago, his message is still extremely important for Christians today. I hope more people involved in false spiritually read his testimony and take his warnings seriously. The only criticism I have is that Smith's writing can be pretty dry; I understand that his story is a memoir, but sometimes less is more when telling an important story.
Profile Image for Bob.
16 reviews1 follower
December 25, 2011
This was a detailed testimonial / journal of a New Age convert.
Profile Image for Christina.
78 reviews
May 4, 2014
I read this in one day. As someone who was previously into the new age/occult, I could relate to so much of Warren Smith's story. Enlightening and informative. A definite recommend.
Profile Image for Lexi.
151 reviews2 followers
December 30, 2022
Amazing.

This reminds me so much of my journey from New Age to the real Jesus Christ of the Bible. There are so many false teachings that are being spewed day in and day out to others who are not readily armed by the armor of God and the defenses of the Holy Spirit. They are disguised in "love and light" and bathed in every holistic, loving way possible. Sugar-coated lies for sure.

I was deceived for 11 years and I will never go back. If you are seeking the ultimate truth, this book will help you on your journey, and I pray that you find the answer you are seeking.

Keep asking, seeking, and knocking, and you will be answered. The truth will set you free. And Jesus Christ is the only Way, Truth, and Life.
8 reviews
August 6, 2020
Highly Recommend

Powerful testimony from Warren about the spiritual journey he and wife Joy made from the blinding darkness of the New Age to the liberating light of the gospel. Easy narrative style keeps you engaged. Very interesting details about the revelation of evil they experienced through alarming and frightening encounters with evil spirits and the greater revelation of the undeniable power in the name of Jesus. Also thankful for the warning from Warren at the end of the book about how New Age practices are being incorporated more and more into Christian churches.
Profile Image for Melanie.
9 reviews1 follower
May 28, 2019
Eyes wide open, I thought, until I read this book.

I saw how many traps I have faced, unknowingly. I was given the Course in Miracles back in the early 80's, never read it. Then I purchased the new edition in the last couple of years. . . again I could not get into it. This book gave me clarification why I couldn't. Through the Grace of God, He led my path. I stumbled in and out of the new age teachings and didn't even realize it. I would recommend this book to everyone. It's an easy read, straightforward and with outstanding conviction.
Profile Image for Linda Nathan.
Author 8 books2 followers
July 20, 2019
Written some years ago but well worth reading to understand how easily one can move into New Age / occultic thinking and practices. Nowadays, much New Age terminology has disguised itself as Christian terminology.
1 review
March 17, 2025
A very insightful and personal plunge into the dark side of New Age spirituality. Set in the 70s, it is the true story of how the author found Jesus amidst demonic attacks coming from his exposure to the teachings of Osho and other spiritual teachers of the day.
2 reviews
September 20, 2017
Wow

This was an amazing read. I hope and pray that people realize what is going on in this world and hold the word of God and his truth in their hearts
286 reviews7 followers
December 6, 2020
Good autobiography, is it the truth? I think it is because the Author seems to live his faith.
19 reviews
November 29, 2022
When I read this book, I realized I had been making some serious mistakes. It dawned on me that exploring new age was a bad idea fraught with peril. Over a decade passed before I realized how mistaken I had been about the law of attraction, despite having read dozens of books on the topic.
14 reviews
July 19, 2022
Very relatable! It's quite the story! Such a testament to how you can do EVERYTHING to bring yourself to peace, enlightenment, spiritual "knowledge" & making sure your life is filled with nothing but happiness, "godliness", spiritual awakening, peace, love, harmony, etc & evil will find itself into your life. Really a testament to how false the new age teachings are & even dangerous. I have been there myself & it is very frightening! Totally relatable if you've had demonic attacks while trying to seek peace & spiritual clarity, along with the teachings of the new age. I definitely recommend you read this book whether you follow the new age or not, or are thinking about it.
29 reviews
April 16, 2014
Good book

if your in to spirituality, New age, contemplative prayer, finding yourself, going within, feeling the presence, the power within, or whatever you want to call it. READ This Book! you will need it to save yourself.
117 reviews10 followers
October 18, 2010
Kind of deep but good read about a one man's journey to faith in God.
Profile Image for Anne Thistlethwaite.
16 reviews1 follower
June 3, 2014
What I like about this book is that is seems like a genuine testimony. I would not recommend his other books.
Profile Image for Debi Easter.
7 reviews1 follower
April 20, 2017
Eye Opening Testimony

Engaging testimony of how Mr. Smith found truth. I'm looking forward to reading more of his insights on New Ageism and his journey into Christianity.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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