Happy Lies - by Melissa Dougherty (Paperback)

About the Book

Influential online apologist Melissa Dougherty brings sharp thinking, a quick wit, and a passion for truth to Happy Lies as she explores New Thought, the 1800s-era toxic positivity philosophy still making us miserable, anxious, and spiritually confused today.

Book Synopsis

In this groundbreaking book, popular apologist Melissa Dougherty helps us understand how our society got to be so toxically subjective, why endless positivity is inherently destructive, and how we can live with faithful truth and genuine love in these self-obsessed times.

Melissa Dougherty skillfully diagnoses the issue and provides the cure: the authentic and life-giving truth of the Christian worldview. - Wesley Huff

Have you ever wondered how we ended up in a world where personal feelings could become the authority for reality? Or why so many of us are on a relentless pursuit for happiness yet somehow feel more exhausted and sadder than ever? You're not alone.

Melissa deftly traces the roots of today's social chaos back to a little-known (but very influential) 1800s philosophy known as New Thought. A former follower of its teachings, Melissa provides clarity and compassion mixed with a dash of loving snark as she exposes New Thought's deceptions and its many concerning tendrils within the church and our "self-help" culture.

You'll be shocked, grieved, and encouraged as you learn:

• How you can experience true freedom, hope, and peace instead of the world's counterfeits
• How an anti-God ideology so easily hijacked Christian-sounding ideas
• Why thinking positively is entirely different from the unbiblical and burdensome "positive thought" movement
• Why fake "authenticity" short-circuits real redemption
• How understanding the New Thought mindset can help us share our faith more effectively

Uncover a dangerous ideology that nearly everyone has met, yet few of us can name, in order to better understand our culture and joyfully live faithful to the gospel that is so much better than our world's Happy Lies.

Review Quotes

'Happy Lies is a wake-up call. I've studied New Age for years but was not as aware of how deeply New Thought has infiltrated the church. This book is a huge service for Christians today. I hope you will get a copy, read it, and share it with others.'--Sean McDowell, PhD, professor of apologetics at Biola; popular YouTuber; coauthor, End the Stalemate

'Happy Lies is the most important book that Christians don't know they need. Melissa connects dots that give readers a wealth of aha moments and provides invaluable insights that bring clarity to some of the most pervasive errors in the church. As a bonus, she does it all in a writing style that makes it fun and engaging to read. I loved this book and highly recommend it!'--Natasha Crain, speaker; podcaster; author, When Culture Hates You

'Have you ever wondered what Word of Faith, progressive Christianity, self-help, and the seeker-sensitive movement all have in common? Happy Lies is a groundbreaking book that traces various errors to the little-known yet widely followed movement called New Thought. Melissa Dougherty has given us a valuable resource that is meticulously researched, deeply fair-minded, and thoroughly entertaining. If you are a Christian interested in discerning the times, this is the book for you!'--Alisa Childers, author, Another Gospel?; coauthor, The Deconstruction of Christianity

'If you're wondering why the world looks as it does, and wondering why the church is looking more like the world, Melissa Dougherty's book, Happy Lies, will be a welcome addition to your library. Melissa identifies the movement behind the slow corruption of the culture--and the church--with her usual wit and poignant analysis. Once you've finished Happy Lies, you'll understand the challenge we face and the response we must offer.'--J. Warner Wallace, Dateline-featured cold-case detective; senior fellow, Colson Center; adjunct professor of apologetics

'In Happy Lies, Melissa Dougherty has unraveled every major deception that has crept into the church in the past century--most of which are hiding in plain sight. I've seen these dangerous ideologies dealt with in separate books before, but never in one book and with such clear, concise language. Every Christian should read this book, especially parents, pastors, and educators. These 'happy lies' are targeting the next generation, but they are no match for those who know the truth.'--Costi W. Hinn, teaching pastor, Shepherd's House Bible Church; president/founder, For the Gospel

'It's rare to come across a book that sparks a whole cascade of aha moments, but Happy Lies is certainly one of those books. Melissa illustrates how New Thought--essentially a repackaged version of the original lie from the garden--has permeated pop psychology and, more chillingly, has now infiltrated the church. Anyone concerned about the dangerous effects of 'almost true' doctrine must read this book.'--Hillary Morgan Ferrer, founder/president, Mama Bear Apologetics; bestselling author/editor, Mama Bear Apologetics book series

'Modern Christians are probably more familiar with New Age spirituality than the New Thought movement. But the influence of New Thought is everywhere in our culture, including in the church--though we often fail to recognize it. In this important book, Melissa Dougherty explains the origins and beliefs of this movement, calling Christians to biblical discernment. Happy Lies will help you understand spirituality in modern culture, how to distinguish truth from lies, and why the gospel is better than the cheap substitutes that compete with it.'--Gavin Ortlund, author; theologian

'Satan's primary scheme is lies. With them, he takes people captive. It happened in the garden of Eden, and it's happening today. In Happy Lies, Melissa Dougherty brilliantly uncovers the deceptive teachings that many Christians unknowingly embrace--teachings that promise happiness but only lead to despair. Drawing from her personal experience and extensive research of New Thought spirituality, Melissa exposes the seductive spiritual lies that have infiltrated our culture and points readers back to biblical truth. This unique book isn't just an eye-opener--it's essential for anyone serious about discerning the deceptive teachings taking people captive today. If you care about understanding truth in a world full of spiritual confusion, Happy Lies is a must-read.'--Tim Barnett, creator, Red Pen Logic with Mr. B; coauthor, The Deconstruction of Christianity

'Sometimes old lies dressed up in new lingo sound like new truth, or like a new twist on old truth if baptized with biblical language. Melissa Dougherty's Happy Lies reveals that, in spite of its cheerful face, New Thought is just an old deception--an ancient falsehood going back to the garden. Happy Lies provides a thoughtful tutorial on the origins, the teachings, and the dangers of New Thought, made completely accessible by Dougherty's readable--sometimes whimsical--style. Dougherty's work provides insight and instruction vital to Christians seeking to avoid the pitfalls of an old lie that continues to deceive and destroy.'--Gregory Koukl, president, Stand to Reason; author, Street Smarts, Tactics, and The Story of Reality

'The happy lies you've been told about God eventually lead to unhappy lives, but many don't recognize the deceit until it's too late. Melissa Dougherty brilliantly exposes these New Thought lies that are infiltrating the church. She'll lead you back to the true Jesus and rescue you from the pretend Jesus that 'MEologians' have created in their own image. Don't fall for their pretend Jesus. Get this enlightening book!'--Frank Turek, author; speaker; president, CrossExamined.org ministries

'The seeds of the New Atheism in decades past were planted and grew into withering vines that produced meaningless fruit. The twenty-first century in the West has proven to be less of a post-Christian age as much as it has a post-atheist age. The end result of this is that more people than ever identify as 'spiritual but not religious.' And the thought processes of that growing philosophy are very much in the vein of New Thought (and worldviews adjacent to it). In Happy Lies, Melissa Dougherty draws from personal experience of being within New Thought, skillfully and poignantly diagnoses the issue, highlights its key characteristics, and provides the cure: the authentic, intellectually robust, and life-giving truth of the Christian worldview.'--Wesley Huff, historian; biblical scholar; Central Canada director, Apologetics Canada Ministries