I have for some time had quite an interest in learning the doctrines and beliefs of cults and false teachings. The surest way to spot a fake is to be an expert in the genuine, however it is much easier to know how to address falsehood when you are familiar with its details.
I’ve written before of my research into the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and more recently the Mormons (they haven’t come back yet by the way). I think I know the doctrines of both fairly well now. I do not, however, really have any experience with speaking to Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons yet, so I would not dare call myself an authority on them yet. I want to put together short essays on both once I gain some experience in really dealing with them that will assist Christians in interaction with these two cults. I have come across some very valuable resources on the internet, both print and audio, that have greatly benefited my understanding, but have not found a single resource that can provide a sort of “cheat sheet” that a Christian can keep handy for when they receive visitors at the door trying to share their faith in a false God. It has shown me a need that, should I find the time, I would like to fill. I am considering writing a book providing an overview of different false teachings such as the Watchtower and the Latter Day Saints, along with a cheat sheet for each. That way the reader can go through the chapter in order to gain a personal understanding of the cult, along with teachings to expect from them, in order to better understand the cheat sheet; how to use it and why. I haven’t decided if I want to write such a book though, or if there really is a need. There are so many great resources out there already, I don’t want to become another soft voice in a large chorus. Guys like Ron Rhodes and the late Walter Martin already have great books out on different cults, and I see no reason to re-write “The Kingdom of the Cults.” Maybe all I need to do is write the cheat sheet and exhort the reader to get a copy of Martin’s book.
One aspect of my studies that has been difficult for me is the frequent exposure to different forms of spiritual deception. The deception itself is not a problem, I consider my faith and understanding of the Word of God to be strong, and a great foundation on which to stand. It is the realization that no matter how dark I understand the world in which we live to be, I really don’t have a clue. Just when I think I start to understand the wiles of the devil, the rabbit hole gets deeper. Studying one cult frequently leads me to another cult. I’ll listen to some very informative talks by the leader of one counter-cult ministry who specializes in cult ‘x’, and find out he also has an affinity to teach about cult ‘y’, which I know little or nothing about. That leads me to another leader of another counter-cult ministry who also is specialized in cult ‘y’, but likes to reach out to people in cult ‘z’, as well as cult ‘w’. The hole gets deeper still. It twists, turns, and forks. This is just the cults and the occult. When I get into the false teaching within the Church itself, the whole world just seems to get darker.
It is that false teaching within the Church that breaks my heart. When I learn about Hinduism and the New Age, and then see things like “Christian Yoga” and “Contemplative Prayer” in the Church, I have a hard time understanding how a follower of Christ could fall for paganism repackaged. Don’t even get me started on ecumenism. The idea of compromising theology in the name of unity is insane. What communion can light have with darkness? 2 Peter 2:1 rings more and more true with each passing day. “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” Churches are getting away from the Bible. Sermons contain a few verses sprinkled about to attempt to add credibility to the pastor’s topic-of-the-week, but how many churches are left that still go through the Bible on a verse-by-verse basis? How many forsake the Bible in favor of a book by a guy who once read the Bible? “Purpose Driven” churches drive me nuts, and I have no desire to be a part of them.
Most, if not all, of the people who read my blog with any sort of regularity are Christians. To you, let me just exhort you to heed our Lord Jesus’ own words in Matthew 24:4 and similarly in Mark 13:5 “Take heed that no man deceive you.” Don’t take for granted that those with whom you have fellowship know and live the truth. Be as the Bereans ” in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11). As I stated in the beginning, the best way to spot the false is to be an expert in the genuine. Time spent in the Word of God is never time wasted.
Well said. Personally, I’ve been tested by science and natural selection. I’m not one to just blindly follow a doctrine, so if I hear or see a dissenting point of view, I’m compelled to research it. I’ve found, the more evidence I’m given of our amazing and complex universe, the more I find proof of a Creator behind it.
The one single thing that clinches it for me, though, is the enormity of the universe. Here we are, stranded on a lonely rock, orbiting a lonely, average star, one amongst billions. And yet, we have life abundantly.
I believe, God has made us, however insignificant we may seem, to praise Him. We are the small but important part of creation designated to glorify Him.
Very good post!
The devil is very good and very convincing — so much so it is very often difficult to tell the good from the evil. And finding a church that has not succumbed to “modernization” to “attract donations,” has become very difficult.
You’re telling me. My wife and I have been looking for a church since we met. We have gone to one a few times that we may stay at because they are the first one I’ve been to that teaches verse-by-verse. The regular pastor is there three of four weeks a month and bounces between the Old Testament, the New, and the Gospels. The only problem my wife has with the church is that it smells like her childhood piano teacher’s house. A small price to pay I say.
We have a radio show on Saturday mornings here in the Twin Cities that is quite good in regards to these issues. Its main focus is End Times prophecy and the current events that seem to suggest prophecy coming to fulfillment. She also talks about all sorts of Spiritual Deception going on in the world today. It’s hard to catch when it airs because I’m usually busy and the signal is a bit flaky, but they post all of their shows on the web in MP3 format usually the following Monday. With an hour drive to/from work and an iPod, I find it convenient to listen during my commute. While I have had email conversations with the host about how I believe her support of Bush is myopic, I respect her ministry and her show*, and would highly recommend it. You can access the archives of her show here.
*I found the church we are getting into by emailing her and getting her recommendation. She goes there occasionally herself
Oh, and thanks to Steve for your comment. I have enjoyed learning about the explainations for Creationism, and have only become a stronger believer in the process. If we weren’t created in the manner and time frame described in Genesis, then the rest of the Bible becomes nothing more than a collection of stories. If evolution were true, then death came before sin, and not as a result of it. That would make redemption a joke, and Christians an accursed lot.