P A R I S H R E S O U R C E

Who’s That ,Knocking at Your Door ?

Robert E. Smith

Introductory Remarks

“Always be prepared ‘to give an answerto everyone who asks you to givethe reason for the hope that you have.But do this with gentleness and respect,k e e p i n g a c l e a r c o n s c i e n c e , s o thatthose who s p e a k maliciously againstyour w=d b e h a v i o r ’ Christbe ashamed of their sl:der .”

mayI Peter

3:15b-16 (NIV).

Daily thousands of people joincults and new religions to try to filltheir emotional and spiritual needs.E v e n a s YOU read this introduction,thousands of these same people sharewith others the answers they believethey have f o u n d t o their problemsand offer the same solution to otherpeople in need. Many of them comef r o m a n association with a Christianchurch. Many of those people they

p r e a c h their faith to hold churchmembership, even i n the LutheranChurch-Missouri Synod. Sadly, manynominal Christians will follow thelure of the works-righteous solutionsof the cults and w i l l i n turn drawothers into their errors.

What, then, do we do about it?One temptation for pastors, vicars,seminarians and other church workersis to stand guard over their membersand drive away the heretics withargument. Another temptation forthe church worker with little or noknowledge of the cults is to instructtheir members to close the door andthen hope that the cults will go away.

Robat &. Smith hold4 a hkc3.t~ of Libnanykicmce de$nee &mm 9ndLwta Univ~--a(of=&an* 3h!iana and .&I gnaw ai?loLoLuLth pan 4lfld& at concondia Semin~.H e wnote &LA Bible A.&I& come on cd&~while o n vicanqe a t &ace fathmm Chulrchi n i+Uhaukee, wiAconAin a n d iA cunnertt(yAwwi.rg ~703 .#e Converten. { o n tithe n e w Cu.&Aimwnecln &oup whYtin SM i n ti4ion.

The average member would like toh a v e j u s t -one witty quote to put thecultists in their place while theyshut the door on them.

The problem with these approachesi s that they i g n o r e a whole, classof people for whom Christ died, creatinga group we see as unfit to have God’sWord preached to them and leavesthem without the Lord who can meetthe needs that the cult cannot. Italso robs the cult members of a placeto turn should they follow-.,many othersbefore them in leaving the cult.

The f a c t i s that these people are“mission

yherefield at your doorstep .‘I

are few other people in needof salvation who will come to visita t y o u r convenience, when you phonethem and ask them to call on you.In ’ fact, these people are in somerespects the easiest to preach thegospel to, since they actually careabout spiritual things. Also, thesepeople have proved time and timeagain r e a d y t o leave their cult forthe true Christ w h e n Christians overtime have loved them enough to sharein words and life their God and Savior,Jesus Christ.

It was for the purpose of helpingChristians w i t n e s s t o these peoplethat this course was written. Thebasic approach is to ground the classmember in the basic background ofcult evangelism, the doctrine of Christand a solid method for the interpretationof the Scriptures before talking aboutspecific groups. This is followedby an in-depth look at the theologyof selected c u l t s i n o r d e r t o helpthe student understand the peopleto whom they are witnessing.

The c o u r s e i s organized so thatit can be taught in a six week formor a nine week form. Both formsare really only the most b a s i c o fintroductions to the group in question.People i n t e r e s t e d ‘. deeper studyof a group should ‘“be referred to acult evangelism ministry for furthertraining. The Rev. Phillip Lochhaas

1 9 CSI/Fall 1984

of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod’sCommission on Organizations s t a n d sready to help in this way.

When this course is used to preparea person for evangelism as w e l l a switnessing, students should be encouragedto take a course in Dialogue Evangelismfirst. In this way the student willalready have a background in sharingthe gospel with others, This approachworks best when a continuing relattonshipwith the cult member is established.Thus the Christian should remain humble,loving, and willing to give complementswhere they are due to show to othersthe f r u i t o f f a i t h in Christ. Keepthem coming back, so that t h e y canhear the gospel from a source willing

tell themzssible,

the truth. If at allencourage contact with the

cult member outside of religious conver-sation, so that the life of the Christiancan witness to that person as well.

Since this is only an outline,further study is recommended for theperson intending to teach this course.The lecture format really forces theinstructor to have morea passing tha:ubj%tknowledge of_ the .Recommended readings for this purposea p p e a r i n the bibliography. Thisi s a n a b r i d g e d v e r s i o n . A full textversion is available from the author.

sesricm 1 - Who. Why and How?

Opening Devotion: Matt. 9:35-38

1 Details

A.) Quick biography of the instructor.B) Dates of the course.C) Memorization of key scripturesi s very helpful for both the peaceof mind of the Christian and the helpit g i v e s i n the actual witnessingsituation.

11 What is a cult anyway?

A) Definitions:1) Dictionary -- A system of reli-gious rites and observances. Zeal-ous devotion to a person, ideal,or thing.2) Popular -- A sinister organiza-tion dedicated to the enslavementof people for their own evil ends.3) Sociological -- A religious move-ment which is in its first genera-tion in a given culture and doesnot fully accept nor is fully ac-cepted by the society around it.A group which is culture rejecting.

B) Our definition: A group or move-ment which claims to be in harmonywith the theology of the Bible, andthus may claim to be Christian, butin fact teaches a faith which standsagainst the saving Gospel of JesusChrist.C) R e a l l y o n l y two religions existin the world: Christianity and Works/Righteousness.

*CSI/Fall 1984 2 0

111 Characteristics of most cults

A) Not all cults bear all of thesecharacteristics. Each one tends tobear most of them, however.B) Deny one aspect or another of theScripture’s doctrine about who Jesusis and what He has done to save us.C) But see: M a t t . 24:4. 10-14. 2 3 -

27: 1 C o r . 12:1-3; 2 P e t e r 2:1-3, 3 :15-16.D) Tend to center around a new leaderwho is given a new revelation, eitherfor “Int&preting” the Bible, to supple-ment the Bible. or renlacincr the Bible.E) I d e n t i f y themseivea zith v i s i b l eactions or rituals which set them apartfrom the world in both the opinionof the group and the world.FI Redefine many of the standardChristian terms, in order to fit theterms within their own theology andthus make them available for usein attracting potential members.G) Reject the church from early daysas corrupt, apostate by the 4th centuryA.D,HI Tend to distort both Biblical *doc-trine and their theology to cover upcontradictions with their current line,falsehoods in their teaching, andmistakes by’ their leaders.

l,V Why witness to cult members?

A) Jesus commands us to do so: Matt.28: 16-i-20 .B) The Apostles call on us to do so:1 P e t e r 3:15-17; J u d e 2 2 - 2 3 ; Ram.15:20-21.Cl It works:

Ii People are constantly leavingthese groups behind. For example,the Jehovah’s Witnesses lost768,000 o f t h e i r m e m b e r s d u r i n g1970’s -- a figure equal to onequarter of all of their new membersdurino t h e neriod. (Statistic -takenfrom Crisis ‘of Conscience, by Ray-mond Franz, published 6y. Commen-tary Press, 1981, p. 31)2) Many of these people have jbeen reached by the Gospel sharedwith them by Christians. Organiza-tions such as Ex-Jehovah’s Witnessesfor Jesus, Saints Alive and theChristian Way are made up offormer cult members now tryingt o reach others caught in theirformer deception.

V General methods for witnessing tocult members.

A) S p e a k with them in love. See1 Peter 3:15-17.B) Always share with them the Gospeland testify to the effect Jesus hashad upon your own life. See Rom.1:16-17, 10:14-15.C) Be careful that they do not leadyou astray: 1 John 2:24.D) I f y o u k n o w t h e S c r i p t u r e s v e r ywell and know a good deal about

the group they’re from, follow yourshar ing the gospel by showing themfirst that their doctrine is false ands e c o n d that the authori ty of theirgroup is not from God.

Vl Technical Terms Used in the Course,Define:

A) Formal Principle

B) Material Principle

C) Law and Gospel

Sessien 1 1 - Qoupdatton: Who is Jesus?

Opening Devotion: Matt . 16:13-Z

I T h e T e s t 9f a sroup’s C h r i s t i a n i t yis their view of }esus.

A) They Must te.ach that Jesus is God.1) Jesus of ten .followed the Jewishtradit ion of His, age to avoid pro-nouncing God’s name. He oftenc a l l e d , G o d i n H e b r e w “Adonai,”instead. SCholars translate thiswith t h e t i t l e “Lord,” (Greek=Kurios)2) T h e G r e e k w o r d “Kurios” w a sreserved for the name of God byJ e w s and Christ ians. They heldt o t h i s s o f i r m l y t h a t t h e y w e n tto death rather than ( ca41 Caesar“Kurios .”3) Thus, when we see the word

.

“ L o r d ” i n English translationsof the New Testament, we are safein assuming, unless indicated byc o n t e x t as impossible, that thename of God, “Yahweh” is intendedby the writer.4) W i t h t h i s b a c k g r o u n d s e e t h efollowinRa person re;SdassRes about what

t o knovlr to b&saved: Rom. l&9; 2 Pet. 2:1;1 Cor. 12:1-3.

BI They must view Jesus as’ also t rueman. See: 1 John 4:1-6: 2 John 7.Cl Thus, when you do not know char/a person is coming from, ask them;“Who do you believe Jesus is?”D) In any case, all Christians mustteach the same doctr ines Jesus gaveto His apost les . See : 2 J o h n 9-11;John 8:31-32; Gal. 1:6-g.

I1 Who is Jesus? He is Yahweh.

A) He is called God Plainly: John18. 2 Peter 1:l; Heb. 1:s; John

:&6-29: l s a . 9:6; R o m . 9:s; Cal?,2:9; T i t u s 1:3-L, 2:13; I J o h n S:&S;B) Called God in a less cIear wqyir1 Tim. 3:16; A c t s 2:28; John I0:281-30; M a t t . 1:23; P h i l . Z:!j-11.C) Calls Himself Yahweh:(note react ion of t h e

John 88;fJews), .

D) Calls Himself Lord, is called L&d.See : P h i l . 2:ll ( C o m p a r e Isa. 45:22-25); 1 Cor. 12:3; Jude 4-5; and manyother places.E) “Ticks of 6od Appl ied to Jesus”and ‘Qualities and Characteristicsof Both God and Jesus:”

Titles of God Applied to Jesus

Title Applied to God Applied to Jesus

1) Lord of Lords, King o f Deuteronomy 10: 17 Revelation 17:14Kings I Timothy 6:14-16 Revelation 19:11-16

2) Deliuerer 2 Samuel 22:2 Romans 11:26-27P s a l m 18:2Psalm 40: 17

3) Holy One 2 Kings 19:22Job 6:10Isaiah 40:25Hosea II:9

Mark I:24Acts 2:27Acts 3:lLPsalm I6:8-11

4) Horn of Salvation 2 Samuel 22:s Luke 1:69

5) Judge

6) King

Genesis 18:25Joel 3:12Judges 11:27

Acts lo:42Mat.thew 25:31-46John 5:27

1 Samuel 12:12Ps’alm 512Psalm 10: 16Psalm 47Jeremiah 10: 10Zechariah 14:9

Zechariah 9:9Matthew 21:sMatthew 25:31-46

21 CSJ/$aIl 1984

Title Applied to God Applied to Jesus

7) ,Light Micah 7:8Isaiah- 60: 19-20Psalm 27:l1 John 1:s

John 8:12John 1:5-g

8) Rock c Isaiah 17:lOPsalm 18:22 Samuel 22:31-32lsaiah 44:8

1 Corinthians 10:41 Peter 2:4-8lsaiah 8: 13-15

9) Savior

10) Shepherd

11) Creator

Hosea 13:4 Acts 4:8-12Isaiah 45:21 Luke 2:ll ”lsaiah 43:ll John 4,:42Titus 1:3 Titus 1:4Jude 25 Ephesians 5:231 Timothy 4:9-10 2 Timothy 1:lO

Psalm 23:l John lO:ll-18Isaiah 4O:lO Revelation 7: 17Psalm 80: l-3 Hebrews 13:20-21

1 Corinthians 8:6 1 Corinthians, 8:6lsaiah 40:28 Colossians 1: 16-18Genesis 1: 1 John 1:3, 10

Psalm 102:25-27

12) First and Last

13) Bridegroom

‘, lsaiah 44:6 Revelation 1: 17Isaiah 48:12 Revelation 22: 13lsaiah 41:4 Revelation 2:8

Isaiah 62:1-S Matthew 9: 15

Quaiitites and Characteristics of Both God and Jesus

I’ Attrt&& ”1) Immutable

.God

Malachi. 3:6Psalm 102:27

Jesus

Hebrews 13:8

2 ) Omnipresent Jeremiah 23: 24 Matthew 28 : 20Psalm 139:7ff Matther 18:20

3) Omnipotent Revelation 19:6 John 13:3Hebrews 2:8Revelation 5: 12

4 ) Omniscient 1 John 3:20 Luke lo:221 Kings 8:39 Colossians 2:3

Matthew 9:4Matthew 12:25John 16:30John 21:17John 2:24-25

5 ) Eternal Psalm 90:2 Micah 5:2Psalm 102:27 2 Peter l:lO-11

Isaiah 9:6Hebrews 7:24Hebrews 1:8

6) Life A c t s 17:25 John 11:25John 14:6John 1:4

7) Truth Romans 3:4 I\~,Exodus 34:6

John 14:6John 1:14

CSJ/Fall 1984 2 2

hOtribute G o d frsw

a, Good Matthew 19: 17Exodus 34:6

Jab W:ll

91 All i n A i l 1 Corinthians I§:28

10) Absolute Authority Psalm 95:3-7

11) FaitFful ’ 2 Timothy 2:13

121 Giariour Isaiah 42:8

13) Without sin Deuteronomy 32 : 4

14) Words Last Fore+er

15) Raises Dead

16) bus Wprship fromAnQcts

17)1 Due Worrhtp frmnPeople

18) Creattd hqgrl8

Isaiah 40~8

1 Samuel 2:6

Psalm 145:2

Exodus 20: l-6

Psalm 148:2, 5

Ldatthew 24:35

fafib St21

Hebrews 1:6

Luke 17:11-$9Re’Vel8t&?n f&&t& ,,

coloLx5iuro 1 *liS.. ‘. L ..

F) Misctllantous1) The R-r due G&d is due Jesus:John 5 : 28-242) To know Jesus is to know theFather: &@#a B:t9.3) ,To s*c ‘@us ts to see the?;thrr: John- 14:8.

“believe in God.. .believe i nm e . “ ‘ : J&n t4:l.5) ‘hi1 that belongs to God belongsto Jesus: john 16:15.6) Jesus has tht authority to changet h e l a w af bdasas b y e x p a n d i n gtts “opt. “You have heard it‘6aid . ..but 1 s a y t o y o u . . . ” Matt.Chupter 5 pesofm.7) Forgives sin: Mark 2:7; Matt.9:5-6. f Campare Jcr. 30:34)8) A d d r e s s e d i n p r a y e r : Acts7:5?.9) Yahwth’s name the only nameON TM??‘ L A S T DAY: Zech. 14:9;jtous i s t h a t n a m e : P h i l . 2:5-11, Acts 4:10-12.10) Jesus and God contrasted with

- m e n : G a l . 1:1.11) Th+r Gram ..d God s a v e s : Eph .2:9-10; Titus 2:9-11; The Graceof Jesus savts: Acts 15:6-11.12) In the Book of Revelation,J e s u s i s given the appearanceof the Ancient of Days, vestingH i m w i t h t h e ident!ZJ; 1”: l$od LiE-bolicatly : R e v . :-; -7:9-IO; Eztb. 43:2.

IL1 w hi0 te Jesus? He is true Man.

AI Bolrn o f t h e V i r g i n M a r y : Matt.

1:1&I-24; Luke -1:26GZB.B) Was ttmpted @a% l i k e w t a r e :Heb. 4:15. - -C) E a t s a n d drtnks a f t e r t h e Resur-r.ectim: Lukt 21:41 aDI Has flash and -bones: J&m l:t4;Lukt 24:36-39.Ef Needed to be a Man to save us:Rom. 5:12-19.

1V Jesus is not an Angel: Heb. 1.

V Jesus ditd to pay for our sins Onthe cross. He really died: Mait..’ 27:32-$;16113a;k 15:21-47; Lukt

. - * Isa.23:32-49~~ lJ;y

!j3:4-12: Ht%..Ga;. 3:;; I C o r . 1r18-25.

:- ;

‘Vl Jesus rose again bodily to ’ bringus new life. Ht rosethird day: Matt. B: t-kf*%ad? t6t:f8; L u k e 24:1-8; john 20:10-18.: I COr.15:1-34.

VII Jesus will return agafn to end evil,judge mankind, and t&kc EIS home toHeaven: Matt. 24-25; M a r k 13: lukt21:Sff.; 11 C o r . 5:1-X0; I T h e s s . 4:13ff.:II Thess. 2:1-12;~ I1 Ptter 3:3-13.

Untwisting

y;eni.ng Devotion : I I P e t e r 1:~23, 3 :

I People Twist Scripturts to:

& &2;. -,‘

+A) support their own viewpoint!B) eliminate embarassing passages: C) harmonize the Bible with their

own “New Revelation.” Their revelationthus becomes superior to the Scriptureas the greater Word of God.

‘11 Principles of Sound Bible Reading

A) Use the Bible as its own authority--only Scripture can interpret Scripturein the end. All views other thanthis are the opinion of persons, notthe Word of God.B) Do not impose an interpretationupon the words of the Bible not clearlyintended to be understood by readersi n the cultures, times, places andspeaking the same languages as the

: original text.: C) Use the clear passages to cast

light on the obscure passages.’ D) Accept the interpretation whichb e s t f i t s the ‘&ontext--its p l a c e i n

the larger text, its place amongp a r a l l e l p a s s a g e s , its place in terms

of type of literature.E) Believe the meaning which theScriptures thus reveal.

111 Ways of Twisting the Scripture

A) Inaccurate Quotation/Wrong Citation:Basingor a-

interpretation on a misquotefalse -assigning of source due

to poor knowledge or faulty memoryof the Scriptures.B) Twisted Translation: Translation

o f tbipturc b a s e d n o t t o i n c r e a s ethe accuracy of a rendering, but solelyto sunnort a certain position.C) Biblical Hook: -A passage quotedn o t - f o r purpose o f l e a r n i n g f r o mit but simply -to grant an air of truthto a patently false teaching. Example:Mormons quote James 1:s to supportpraying for Wisdom from God and thenlooking inside oneself for the answer.

lgnoringloting

Immediate Context:a 8passage which has one

meaning read in its setting with theparagraphs around it, to supporta view foreign to that original mean-ing.E) Collapsing Contexts:gether p a s s a g e - h

Putting to-talk about

unrelated topics to create the illusionof support for a new concept. Ex-ample: the Mormons quote Jer. 1:5,Acts 17 : 26-29, Hebrews 12:9, ohn1:2 a n d R e v . 12:7-9 to support ht eirdoctrine of the pre-existence of all

Overspecification/generalization:A more detailed conclusion or generalapplication than the text supports.G) Word Play: A w o r d o r p h r a s efromapassage in translation is usedto support an idea not, contained inthe original meaning. Example :Ernest Ansley : “Sister, I know Goddoesn’t want you to have thatheartdisease. Didn’t He say in His Word,

let wt :yoyr+ hart be troubled?” (John$41273

passage or the reverse.1) S eculative Readin s o f P r o p h e c y :QuicI%ZZ?I%at~ m’i;aern eventswith difficult prophetic passages.J) Sa in Sayingthat *ibmeass a concept, with-

but -not Citing:-t e

out citing any passages to supportthat claim.K) Selective Citing: Quoting a smallgroup of passages related to a topicinstead of covering all the passages.This is often done to cover up dama-ging evidence.L) lnade uate Evidence:drawhoo Little evid~?uSi~~~ample: The Jehovah’s Witnesses claimthat Gen. 9:3-4 prohibits blood trans-fusions.

it is not defined by t h e originaillanguage so as to change this mean-ing of the text.

pretation of a passage is the on1correct interpretation, w h e n -I?ot erreasonable alternatives exist.0) The “Obvious” Fallac :poinTis c a l l e d 4s ” “‘:er~,‘;“,~ly,” “undoubtedly ,‘I heli ‘ b y “allreasonable people,” in order to coverup w e a k interpretations, l o g i c , o rarguments through interpretation.P) Virtue b Association:

-5The Bible

quotn a d legitimacy t o a h e r e -tical point and no more.

able only if one possesses the keyknowledge.R ) Rej,ecting or Supplementing BiblicalAuthority: Tater writings put ona oar with the Holy Scriptures, orthe * Scriptures rejected as -wrong ’ oror poorly translated.S) World View Confusion: Passagesliftedt 7 their historical/culturalcontext and invested with new mean-ing .

iThe information In Ill is taken fromScripture Twisting by James W. Sire 019oU by Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowshipof the USA and used by permission ofInter-Varsity Press, Downer’s Grove, IL.60515. Used by permiss@.

Session IV: Mormonism

Opening Devotion: Galatians 1:6-g

1 Formal Principle of Mormonism

A) Progressive ,Revelationl) Most recent revelation of the“Living Prophet” is the highestAuthority.2) Scriptures assert the unchange-able authority of the Word ofGod : Matt; 5:17-19, Matt. 24:35

2 4

B) The Standard Works1) ln order of Authority: Doctrinesand Covenants, The Pearl of GreatPrice, the Bible.nor u s , the Bible is the onlysource and norm of doctrine:Rev. 22:18-19.

11 The Material Principle of Mormonism

A) Eternal Progression1) God was once a man like weare. But see: Numbers 23: 19.2) We can become a God like He

~i,,B;l~-~J.e’Acts 12:21-23, Gen.

B) To become a god or a goddess,a person must, strive to be - perfect.1) Those who do well are placedin celestial heaven from -whichthey work their way up to god-hood.2) Those who don’t do well orare honorable non-Mormons go toterrestrial heaven.3) T h o s e w h o a r e ‘ w i c k e d g o t otelestial heaven.4) Apostates, active persecutorsof the LDS and the forces of Satango to hell.5) The Bible counters that Salvation

b y G r a c e t h r o u g h F a i t h f o rFhrtst’s sake, not good worksand that there is only one heavenin Jesus’s presence forever. Eph.2:8-10. J o h n 17:24-25.

daughter, this amounts to incest.But see: Luke 1:30-38.1) Jesus sets the perfect example forus* earning His own salvation. Hedied to pay the penalty for our sin,thus eliminating the death and givingu s another chance to earn our ownsalvation.J) Gospel lost due to the wickednessof m e n : restored by Joseph Smiththrough discovery of the Book .of Mor-mon . Among other things He sees 1a Vision of God the Father and JesusChrist appearing bodily. Alf thisintroduced to Him by the Angel Moroni.But see: Gal. 1:6-g, Matt. 24:23-27,}ohn 1:lB.K) We now can work our way up toGodhood through the -Mormon Church..Women can become goddesses through

111 Mormon Salvation History

A) God was born of his god and acelestial wife: later He was born asa man of a man and a woman. ButBee: P s . 90:2.

B) He worked His, way up in obedienceto His god. But see: D e u t . 6:4,32:39. -C) He married and took His wivesinto new life with Him. They b e a rmany spiritual children by celestialsex. But see: Ps. 89:6-B.D) By obeying His god, God earnsthe right to “Organize .‘I He doesthis from existing materials, not outof nothing,.E ) G o d ’ s sons, Jesus and Lucifer,present plans for being the saviorof God’s children when they undergotesting on earth. The Heavenly Courtalof God votes in favor of Jesus’ plan.Lucifer gets angry, and leads a revoltwhich fails. He and the l/3 of thespirit children who rebelled are castdown to the earth.F) God creates Adam and Eve: implantsspirit children in them. Comp . :Gen. 2:7.G) Lucifer tries to ruin things, temptsEve, who falls. Adam chooses thelesser of two evils and chooses tofall w i t h h e r . But see: G e n . 3:6.H) Jesus is born by the Father havingsex with the Virgin Mary. Since Maryi s actually the Father ’ s spiritual

I V

V

2 5

marrying a future god in the ternpie.Men thus saved now ‘organize” theirown world; Women thus saved spendeternity pregnant a n d giving b i r t hto spirit children.

The Mormon Plan of Salvation

A) Believe in your heart -thatSmith a n d h i s successors~ a r e

Jo;;:!

prophets. (Burning in Your Bosom )See: Deut. 18:14-22.B) Accept current President as“prophet, seer and revelator ,” andobey him and his hierarchy. Deut.

4~2, 12:32.C) Be baptized a MormonD) Live a Good Life: get marriedor remarried, bear as many childrenas possible, attend all church func-tions, go on a mission, especiallyif you’re a young man, pay the tithes.s t o re a large supply of food, obeythe Word of Wisdom, attend to thetemple ordinances, forsake allapostates, have a strong Mormonfamily, help other Mormons in need,a d v a n c e i n e d u c a t i o n .

Doctrine of Last Things

A) Between His two comings, Jesusperiodically returns for various rea-sons.B) Just before the end, Jesus returnsto Spring Hill, Davis Co. Missouri,the site of the Garden of Eden. ThereAdam and all the stewards of hiskingdom who held its keys give themto Jesus.C) Thus prepared, all the Jews aregathered to Jerusalem and all Mormonsto the New Jerusalem. ( Independence,Missouri)D) Jesus returns with His army tothe Mt. of Olives. Events of Arme-geddon .E) 1st Resurrection. Righteous returnto reign with Christ for a millennium.F) The Millennium

1) Christ rules through Mormonismfrom two capitals: Jersalem andNew Jerusalem.2) During Millennium, temple work

CSJ/FaU 1984

-

w i l l b e d o n e b a s e d o n G o d ’ s rt-cords.iti People can still do Good or

. Non-Mormons still alive.4) Death still around, but no di-sease, hence, long lives.

G) Satan released for a final littleseason. Causes havoc.HI Final defeat of Satan and hisforces. Judgment Day. 2nd Resur-rection .1) Earth turned to a celestial sphere.All people sent to their eternal desti-nations.

VI Suggestions for Witnessing

A) Try to convince the Mormon thatthe Bible has Authority over feelings.BbRead Deut. 18:22. Trv to establishJoseph Smith a False Prophet.

1) Point out that Smith prophesiedthat ,a’ temple would be built inindependence, MO., at a specifiedspot within a g e n e r a t i o n o f h i slife time. This has not happened.See Doctrines and Covenants $4:3-5.2) Since this has not happened,He is a false prophet.

C) Always share the true Gospel ofJesus Christ.

Session V: Jehovah’s Witnesses

Opening Devotion: Romans 3:10-28

1 Formal Principle of the, lehovah’s Wit-nessefb

A) Claim that it is the Bible aloneB) ln reality it is:

1) The Bible as it is interpretedby the Watchtower Society2) R e a s o n starting from Witnesspresuppositions.

C) Scripture says that traditions ofmen must yield to God’s Word: 1Cor. 1:20-25; M a t t . 15:1-9; C o l . 2:8;II Pet. 1:20.

II Material Principle of the Jehovah’sWitnesses

A) The upholding of Jehovah’s Honor1) Jehovah God created all things,including Jesus. But see: co1 .1:16.2) His Honor, Reputation and Nameare challenged by Satan and hisforces.3) Jehovah allows Satan and hisfellow rebels to rule on earth toprove that He alone can rule justlyand bring good to His creatures.4) When Jehovah is proved rightand Satan wrong, J e h o v a h w i l lwipe out all evil and evildoers.5) H o w e v e r , Scripture shows usa selfless God, who permits evilonly to redeem man. Lam. 3:22-36; Hosea 11:8-11; M i c a h 7:18-20;Rom. 2:4; 11 Peter 3:9.

0CSJ/Fall 1984 2 6

1 1 Witness Salvation History

A) Jehovah God Creates the ArchangelMichael, His only son, the one destinedto become Jesus. See H e b . 1.B) Both Father and son create all“other” (Mistranslation o fco1 .word. 1

l :16thibny8s’ inserting non-existent

C) When’ the angels, earth, and allcreatures have been created, theymake Adam from the dust. Jehovahthen breathes in His “active forceor “spirit”. Adam becomes a livingsoul, a single parted creature, withoutspirit or soul. For the personhoodof the Holy Spirit see Gen. 1 :l-2;F;m;6 8:16: 1 ,‘,“!I 5:6; W e .9:20; J o h n

4:30; A c t s5:;: ‘Ma?*3:29:’ JbhnE%:13; Acts 10:19-20; A c t s 13:2; For the immortalityof the soul see Eccl. 12:7; Matt .10:28; Rev. 20:4; J o h n 8:51; J o h n11:25-26.D) T h e A n g e l L u c i f e r , a f t e r h e s a wAdam and Eve in the garden, developeda desirehe

to ;gai$pyP~=d;h, w& Irebelled

p l a n n e d t o enttce the, p e r f e c t p a i rto follow him in rebellion. I John

3E’,8* I n s a y i n g , “ y o u s h a l l s u r e l ynot die,” Satan challenged Jehovah’sauthority.F) Adam and Eve accept this oppor-tunity to rebel against Jehovah, eatthe fruit and join the Satanic rebel-“lion.G) God passes just sentence on therebels; they will die, ceasing to exist.HI Because an imperfect man cannotproduce by birth a perfect person,Adam passes down sin to his offspringas an inheritance.I) God does not wipe out the rebelsimmediately because:

1) The claims of Satan need tobe proven false.2) This gives all of us the chancet o b e b o r n a n d p r o v e o u r s e l v e sworthy of eternal life.

J) God blesses men, who throughthe ages prove loyal to Him. See

B) People must obey Him, honor Him,and serve Him

1) God requires everyone to provetheir loyalty to Himacceptance of His rule.

and their

2) Anyone who does not obey Hisl a w s -will b e d e s t r o y e d foiever.There is no Hell. But see: Luke16:19-31; D a n . 12.~2: R e v . 20:10, 153) All people will be given a fairziortunity t o p r o v e l o y a l t o Je‘ho-

. The dead who never knewthe truth are given a second op-portunity. But see: Hebrews

However, Scripture clearlyteaches that salvation has nothingto do with proving our worthinessthrough the doing of God’s will.Eph . 269; Rom. 3:27-28; R o m .9:30-33; Ram. 10:2-4.

Rom. 4:1-25.K) Jehovah selects the Hebrews tobe His people in order to preparethe ivav for His son. IndividualHebrews” prove. loyal to Jehovah,but by and large, Israel remainsin rebellion against God.L) At the right time, Jehovah mira-culously takes His son, then theArchangel Michael, a spirit creature,and transfers his life to the wombof the Virgin Mary. He is bornas JesusC of’ Nazareth. Thus Michaelno longer exists. See the SessionI1 sheet for. Scripture on this point.MI Jesus thus is born a perfecthuman being just like Adam wascreated, and unlike him, leadsas sinless life.N) Jesus, because he has not for-feited his life as the penalty ofsin can and does offer it up asa corresponding ransom for fallenmankind.0) This act balances the scalesof Jehovah’s justice and allowsGod to show mercy to His fallencreatures.P) As a reward for this act of love,God raises Jesus again as a spiritcreature, not a man. For him toreturn as a man would take backour ransom. Thus Michael is back.But see: Matt. 28:1-15; M a r k 16:6-8; L u k e 24:1-12, 36-49; J o h n 2 :19-22; John 20: 19-31, 1 Cor. 15: 12-58.Q) Jesus will return again to setup his kingdom and destroy allevil.

1V Witness plan of Salvation

A) Those who hear the gospel ofthe Jehovah’ s Witnesses, see thetruth in it, join the Witnesses,and prove their loyalty to Jehovahwill be saved.

1) The 144,000 most worthypeople wil l be given spiritbodies in exchange for humanbodies, will l ive in heavenwith God and Jesus, and rulewith them as priests and kings.2) The rest of humanity, thegreat crowd, who are faithfulto God will live’ on an earthlyparadise forever.3) This is pure fantasy.It steals from the church manyprecious promises. Scripturenever states that God’s peoplewill be divtded. See 1 Cor.12:12-30; Eph. 4:3-6; Rom.12:3-B.

B) If one does not prove loyal toJehovah during his l i fe , he wil lbe given another chance to be worthyafter re-education during the Mil-lennium.C) Those who engage in a deliberatecourse of sin will never be resur-rected because they sinned againstGod’s holy spirit, or life force.

But see Rev. 20:11-15; Matt. 25:31-33,46.D) A person proves his loyalty toJehovah by exercizing faith andby doing God’s witl. Among otherthings, this includes:

1) Rejection of sptritism, Imageworship, and ,other religfons.a) Don’t use pa ain

“8-religous

symbols, especiar y crcmse8,which are a false conceptionof the instrument of Christ’sdeath, in real i ty , a torturestake. v “.b) Do not honor anyone butJehovah with a special day,especially birthdays, Christ-’mas and Easter. See R a m .14:5-B,. 10-13.2) Do not give allegianceto polttical systems.al) Do not salute flags, goto war, or be active in poli-tics.b’l Obey the government onlyin so far as ‘they don’t forceyou to do things against God‘slaw.3) Fallowhip with other Jeho-vah’s Witnesses and be activein kingdom hall activities.I,: Be baptized as a symbol

your solemn committmentto Jehovah as His slave.5) Publ ish the gpspel o f theWitnesses as much as -possible.6) Live a moral life,a) Respect life. Do not hate,kill, harm or abort anyone.bf Avoid fornication and shunadultery.cl Do not take blood trans-fusions.d) Obey God’s law to thebest of your ability.

V Jehovah’s Witnesses and the End of theWorld

A) In 1914, Jesus took the throneof the Kingdom away from Satan,and began to raise the little flockfrom death, beginning his secondpresence. This is an invisiblereturn. See Matt. 24:27.B) Before the generation old enoughto remember 1914 dies, Christ, hisco-kings, and armies will return,conquer the world, Satan, and hisarmies at ~ the battle of Armegeddonin Israel. The Witnesses period-ically set dates for this battle,the last being 1975. Currentlythe Watchtower society is hintingthat it will come prior to the Year2ooo. But see Matt. 24:36-42.C) With the earth secured, Satanand his demons are thrown intothe abyss for 1000 years.

D Y Millennium1) Those alive after the battleare trained by Jesus andhis co-kings. It’s a sort

2 7 CSJ/FalL 1984

of pleasant Durpatory . S e eJer. jl:33-34. . -.2) After a short while, therest of mankind is resurrectedme b y o n e . This resurrection* really not resurrectionEt a recreationa a new b o d yimolanted w i t h t’he Dersonalitvan2 memories of a d&d person:But see Job 19:23-27.3) By the end of the Mil-lennium, all of t h e p e o p l eto be resurrected will be re-tra@ed a n d g i v e n a secondchance to prove loybl to Jeho-vah.4) T h e e n t i r e period, r u l e dby ‘Christ in the absence ofevi l is pcrcthl, full o f health,prosperity a n d g o o d n e s s i nunpa.rall&td degree&

E) Satass released for a l i t t le seasonti h fi.naI test of loyalty for human-

Vl

feA -. i- -

F) Final d&at of Satan. All rebelsare cast d&o the lake of fire, which

slowly and painfully destroys them.Not hhll, but‘ executt&. -G) lehovah receives back f rom Hisson #the kingdom rule. We al l l ivein perfection as ,* Jehovah originallyintended forever.

Suggestion6 for Witnessing to Witnesses

1 A) concentrate on the offer of salva-tten by grace through faith forChrist’s sake, not’ of works of thelaw.B) Avotd trivial to#cs such as

b l o o d transftision, flag saluting,etc.C) If you take up a new topic,try a major topic that the Witnessesare not used t o talking about.Par example, “Jesus is not the Arch-angel Michael,” “The Bodily Resur-rtctiono”D) Always be courteous. Try notto attack the sinner while attacking,the s i n . Avoid disruptive offenses.For example, remove any cross youart wearing. If you didn’t dothis, you’d en+ up with an argumentabout the cro66 and may not beable to share the Gospel.E) Always share the Gospel . Usethe Scriptures as your ally.

Session VI: The Way, International

Opening Devotion: Jude 4

I The Formal Principle of the Way, Inter-national

A) Claim that it is ‘the Word ofGod aIone in its accuracy, rightlyd i v i d e d a n d i n t h e o r i g i n a l lang-

u a g e s . (They claim: Hebrew andAramaic. Greek is treated as anecessary evil.)

11

B) In reality, it is the Bible asinterpreted by their founder, VictorPaul Wierwille and other Wayleaders, based on a redefining ofB i b l i c a l v o c a b u l a r y .C) The Bible is seen as havingtwo levels of Authority

1) T h o s e b o o k s written “toUS.” Thtet a r e : Remans,Corinthians, Galatians, Eph:sians, PhiliDDianS. Colossians.and Thersaidnian$. CCorinLthians and Thessalonians arecounted by them as two booksinstead of four.)2) T h o s e / books written “forour learning..” Thtae b o o k sare good f& us to read andwill b e n e f i t us rmrituallv.but are not binding- on u’s;because they are written fora dtff4rtn.t administration.( S e t Salvation History, NumberI11 below.)

D) However, All Scripture is written“to us” and T “for our learning”as well. Sew W a t t . ,5:18. 24:35;

Rom.I I T i m . 3:16-17; COl‘ 3:i6;15:4; 1 car. 10:11.

The hilaterial Principle of theInternational

A) God wants all people tothe exceedingly Abundant Life

1) Anyone, Christian‘ orChrietian, can have thed a n t li.fe i f , t h e y k n o wis avai lable for them tobelieve Ehat God wil lit to them.

have

Non-abun-

whathave,

give

2) Fear is negative bel ief .If you have f e a r y o u w i l lget what you fear. Sincewe are w h a t w e believe, w eshould think and believe posi-tively.3) God wants all people tobe prosperous, healthy, andliv4 good lives. If a personbelieves correctly, he will

Way,

-have all this.B) To have an exceedingly abundantlife a person must:

1) Believe in the Lord JesusChrist as his or her personalL o r d and that G o d raisedJesus from the dead.2) Receive the “Faith of Christ”(Not faith in ChriSit)a) There is., a differencebetween “Believing” and “Hav-ing Faith .I’ Belief is basedon what we can tell with ourf i v e 6enses a l o n e . T o “ h a v efaith” -one needs to possessHoly Spirit. Since non-christ-ians have only, a body andsoul like the animals, theycannot have faith.b) A non-Christian must believeGod’s Word about salvationand w h o Jesus is in orderto receive the “faith of Christ.”

2 8

He can do this because heis capable of belief . Sincethis faith is not his worka n d i s the means by whichsomeone is saved, salvationis by God’s grace throughthe faith of Jesus.3) Receive holy spirit fromGod.a) When a p e r s o n h a s t h efaith of Chrtst, God considersh i m o r h&r j u s t i f i e d a n d r e -stores to the Derson his or

“Seven Administrations.*’

her s p i r i t . T’hus a p e r s o nnow h a s t h r e e p a r t s , b o d y tsoul and spirit.b) When a person has spirit ,they b e g i n t o have faith,are saved, b o r n again, Putb a c k i n communicatiorr withGod and are then God’s chil-

:fen. The new Christian thenh a s a v a i l a b l e t o h i m o r h e rall the authority which Adam

.tPveM%fest the gift of holyspirit by:a) speaking in tongues, asure sign to one’s sensesthat a person is saved becauseSatan is unable to counterfeit

i t .b) E x e r c i s e the rest of themanifestations listed in 1Cor. ’ 12. S i n c e t h e s p i r i to f a prophet is subject tothe prophet (1 Cor. 14). He

she can exercise ai&tati*n a n y t i m e

mani-he or she

wants’ to or is asked to.5) Stay in fellowship withGod bycommitted

confessins t h e sinsafter salvation.

If you break fel lowship withGod, your prayers won’t beanswered.

C) There is no Scriptural basisfor these doctrines

1) The Bible does not dis-” t inguish b e t w e e n “Believing”

and “Having Faith .‘I S e e11 Chrbn. 20:20; M a l . 2:14-16; Matt. 8:10, 6:30, 9:22,15:28; M a r k 2~1-5, 11:22-23;L,uke 7:50,. :7;1;6; R o m . 10:17,14:19-22,’ : - ; G a l . 5:6;I Tim. 1:s; H e b . ll:l, 3 9 -40; James 2:17; 1 John 5:4.2) God d o e s not guaranteethe believer health and wealth.S e e J o h n 11:4; P h i l . 2:25-30;H e b . 12:4-12; 11 Cor. 4:17;I Cor. 4:11-13; 1 1 C o r . 6 : 4 -: , 3 11:23-29. 12:7-10; I T h e s s .

: .

III Salvation History of_ the Way, Inter-national

A ) T h e W a y h a s a n ultra-dispensation-alist viewpoint on the history ofsalvation. All t ime is divided intothree “Heavens and Earths” and

B) God creates the first heavenand earth, Jesus e x i s t s o n l y i nthe f igurative sense of the wordin God’s foreknowledge. He is inno sense God for them.S p i r i t i s n o t a s e p a r a t e TFr%ybut merely a s y n o n y m for God.God is “Holy,” and “Spirits.,” hencethe Holy Spirit . This title of Godis distinguished from the holy spiritthe believer receives by settingit in capital letters.C) S a t a n a n d h i s r e b e l l i o u s fwceqfight a devastating war againstGod and the loyal angels. T h eheavens and the earth are destroyed.D) God now makes the second heavenand earth.E) Paradire Administration. Godmakes, forms and creates Adamand Eve. T h e b o d y i s inortal,the soul lives on only in the male’ssemen as “soul l ife,” and the spiritis eternal . If you do not bearchildren, your soul l i fe dies withyou.F1 G o d a p p o i n t s Adem, god o f ihisw o r l d . He is given complete powerand authoritv over the earth andeverything h&e. B u t s e e E x . 19:5,L e v . 25:23; P O . 24:1, SO:lO.G) Satan, frustrated by not beingable to usurp God’s throne, temptsAdam and Eve to doubt God’s Word.“In that day you shall surely die.”When t h e y d o We, t h e y d e p e n du p o n their &enses and not theirspirit . t h e r e s u l t i s that Adamhands over his rufership of earthto Satan.HI True to God’s Word, the spiritsof Adam and Eve die. Now allcommunication with God is cut off .God must now use physical phenomenato speak to people. This is becauseman is now a body and soul creatureonly, hence can o n l y understandthings his senses tell him.I) Adam and Eve are driven outof the garden of Eden. The ParadiseAdministration ends. The PatriarchalAdministration begins.J 1 Patriarchal Administration. Sal-vation i s b y G r a c e . God “Winksat“ s i n i n t h i s .period. The periodends with the giving of the law.But see Gen. 4:lOz12,. -K) The Law Administration. Beeinswith the Law given to Moses- onMt. Sinai. Salvation is by worksduring this period. It ends withthe birth of Jesus. But see Rom.3:20, I Tim. 1:9; Rom. 8:3; Heb.7:19, Heb. 11.L) Christ Administration. Beginswith Christ ’ s birth. Wierwille thinksof it as still a part of the OldTestament, because the b church hasnot yet been founded. This periodis also one of Salvation by works.Ml Jesus is born by Mary l i teral lybel ieving that boa would accompllsnit . God created a perfect sperm

2 9 CSJbFall 1984

IV

i n Marv’s Ut.erus t o c o n c e i v e a.sinless man with a pure soul lifeand possessing a spirit.N) Jesus lives a perfect life, inall power and abundance. In t h eend, he sacrifices his life to paythe penalty for sin and open up

way to salvation for everyone.&s resurrection is proof that Godwill raise us from death in thelast day. Because of his work,his faith is now available to us.0) T h i s qAdministration ends withthe Day of Pentecost, when the spiritis poured out and the first believerssaved.PI The Church of Grace Administra-tion. Also called the Time, of theGreat Mystery. Ends with thegathering ty;et:n’,’ oft;:; “Body .”Salvation p e r i o d i sby Grace.

The Way, international and the End.-Times

A) Their position may be brieflydescribed as Pre-millennial, Pre-tribulational dispensationalist.For them, the Rapture o c c u r s atthe end of the Church of GraceAdministration and includes onlythose saints who lived during thatadministration, -1t m a r k s t h e b e -ginning of the Book of RevelationAdministration.BI This is followed by the greattribulation, w h e n the Anti-Christrules a n d G o d ’ s w r a t h i s loosedon the earth.C) At the end of the tribulation,Christ and the gathered churchreturn, defeat Satan, and institutethe millennium.D) All t h e j u s t p e o p l e o f t h e firstfour administrations are resurrectedin what is known as the first resur-rection . They will reign with Christand the church of the Body for1000 years.E) At the end of the millennium,the rest of mankind is raised,judged, and condemned to the Lakeof Fire with Satan and his forces.This is called the Second Resurrec-tion.F) The Glory Administration. Beginsafter the casting of Satan into theLake of Fire. God makes the thirdheaven and earth. This includeseternity on earth for the Jews. Somepeople will live in heaven.

V Suggestions for witnessing to the WayMember

A) The Bible is your ally. Getthe Way member to affirm that theBible is the only important SO;X;of religious knowledge andthe opinion of any man must yieldwhenever it s t a n d s against his

by Grace through Faith for Christ’ssake, not of works. Hold themto it, especially where they tryto distinguish between “believing”and “having the faith of Christ.”Cl Lf i n the a b s e n c e o f a n under-shepherd, try to see the person(less complicated that way). Warnthem about the danger of the Wayand tell them all you can rememberabout their theology. If you possessa book describing the faulty scholar-ship of Wierwille, a s k them to readit.D) When you discover a twig, warnyour Pastor and others in the areato watch out. The Way likes tohave members go to mainline churchesand make friends there on Sundaymorning at Youth Group meetings.Thus, they recruit.

Session V11 : Eastern Religions

Opening Devotion: 11 John 7, 1, John2: 18-27

1 Eastern’ World View

A) The Eastern religious worldview is very different from theWestern religious world view we’veg r o w n u p w i t h . To the Easternmind, the whole universe is made

;:d.of one Being whom they call

All matter is an illusion,and mankind’s problem is that itsees every individual as a separatebeing and not what it really is,one facet of the All. To the Westernmind, the universe is made up ofcountless separate beings, eachindependent of the others. Man-kind’s problem, then, is a properrelationship to his creator god.B1 Because of this basic philoso-phical- difference, Eastern religionswhich claim the Bible as their sourceor one of their sources of authorityare simply wrong . . . deliberatelyso or because they’ve deluded them-selves into thinking that way.The Bible assumes a Western view-point to such an extent. It doesn’teven bother to oppose the Easternviewpoint.

II The Law of Karma

A) All of aF

erson’s evil deedsmust be paid or by the personbefore he or she can return to fulldivinity. If this takes more thanone lifetime, the person must reincar-nate to complete the payment. Thus,a person goes through countlesslifetimes in an attempt to pay fortheir sins, obtain the necessaryknowledge to free themselves fromthe reincarnation wheel and thenecessity of living more lives.

30

B) When a person succeeds in doingm o r e t h a n e v i l a n d p r o g r e s s e s i nenlightenment, they earn a chanceat r e t u r n i n g in a b e t t e r p o s i t i o nin their next life. If they do moreevil than good and choose to becomemore ignorant, they regress.C) Moat Eastern religions emphasizethe material existence as evil andthe spir i tual as good. Thus , onemust deny the pleasures of the worldin order to be tree trom tt andr e t u r n t o o n e n e s s with t h e A l l .However, s6me groups reason tha tthe material doesn ’ t exist, andso people are free to do whatevert h e y w a n t w i t h tt. These groupsare known for their completely im-moral behavior.D) The Scriptures do not evenremotely support these concepts.See lohn 11:ZS. 2 T i m o t h v 1:lO.1 J o h n 5:X!, - P h i l . 1:21,3:14,

“I John1 Peter 1:23, 2 Sam. 14:14,

H e b . 9:25-28, Ps. l&15, R e v . 14:13,Rom. 1:18-32, Gal. 6:7-B.

I11 Plans of Salvation

A ) In order to be saved, one mustdo- things which show matter andindividually ta be an illusion.This is where Eastern religionsdiverge the most . Some worshipdeities (Krishna, Shiva, Buddah,d e a d g u r u s a n d t h e l i k e h o p i n gthat by serving these beings theywill be able to move up the incarna-t i o n a l l a d d e r t o t h e i r p o s i t i o n I nthe cosmos, which is close to, ifnot already, being there in termsof unity with the All. But seeEx. 20: 2-6.B ) Meditat ion according to a pre-s c r i b e d f o r m u l a i s u s e d a s a w a yto empty oneself of al l thought andindividual identity in order to ob-tain an al tered state of conscious-n e s s which serves to confirm youroneness with the All . The mantrasor formulas are often the namesof deities or praise words similarto the word “HaIleluiah” for Yahweh..IC) Yoga and the martial arts areused as similar techniques involvingthe use of physical methods of con-centration and subject ion of thebody,D) Mysticism is the term used todescribe this at tempt to be unifiedwith the All through mental or physi-cal discipline,E) Enlightenment is that state. which you feel the reality of;nbur oneness wi th the All and real-ize that your individual bodilyreality is an illusion.F) In the reincarnational schemeany lack of passivity is seen asa setback. Thus, some people settlef o r a b e t t e r l i f e n e x t t i m e a r o u n da n d d o n ’ t t r y to become- free ofthe whole mess in this life. Thisis also why violence is seen assuch a crime. Anything which might

extinguish a life, be it human oranimll, robs that l ife of a chancet o p r o p e r l y ust t h i s tfme a r o u n dt o m o v e u p t o a higher level nexttime and might even result in aregression. However, a s m u c h a sviolence tr diseouragtd, wmt v i e wviolent death as .a payment of theirkarmic debt from a previous life.A l o n g t h e s e linea, charltabfa sssis-tence i s viewed as harmful to thepoor because i t dtprives, f&m o fa chance t o w o r k o f f th&ir. d e b tthrough suffering.G) In some systems‘ just etlfltss-ness is viewed as yielding movementupwards. Thus, the heavy tmphaais

community good over individualkd. Some of these groups tncour-age giving a l l worldlgr g o o d s t othe guru , b e c a u s e he c a n h a n d l ethe adverse effects of material pos-sessions while you cannot.

IV G r o u p s

A ) Krishna Consciousness (HareKrishnas)--An agrehtsivi o fHindu believers bastd in g:iz”B.S.They use as their source the Bhaki-vnd Ctta and t h e Vedas, ancientH i n d u h o l y Woks. They are astrict ly monastic type group whichemphastzes saparation from One’so l d l i f e , esp.e&aily family, partingwith earthly goods to the group’sguru, and unswerving observanceof ancientordinances,

Hindu lifestyle, dietaryand worship of the

Hindu gods . They view Jesus asjust one of the many incarnationsof Krishna.B) Transcendental Meditation (TM)--Known for i ts attempt to portrayitself as a Scientific method of relax-ation and productivity improvement,and not at a l l a r e l i g i o n . Thisis really only a ploy of MaharishiMahesh Yogi, who tells his teachersthat they must keep the true natureof TM as a reIigion from the publicbecause the world would not under-stand the need for enlightenmentotherwise. This reltgion is definite-ly Hindu i n o r i g i n and practice,down to the sacrifice of flowersand fruit to Hindu deit ies and dead

PYUS’ Zen--P. classical form of Bud-dhism, s t rongest in Japan. I t cen-ters around a technique of des t roy-ing all a student’s belief structuresthrough ridicule, from which t h estudent is expected to “leap” toenlightenment.D) Christian Science--h Gnosticreligion which takes Gnosttcismt o i t s u l t i m a t e conelusion. Evil,Sickness, Pain, Death and t.he Devildo not exist except as an errorof mortal mind. By’ realtztng t h i sthrough t h e s t u d y al Setetiot, a n dH e a l t h w i t h .i$ey to th,e, scrtpturis,,o n e can overmne thb %%%%ion o fmatter and see the real, i .e. ideal

. _ *^ &rm o f a l l t h i n g s . They separates: - iibctwecn Jesus and the Christ stating

+hat J e s u s i s t h e p e r f e c t e x p r e s s i o nof the Christ idea. Christian Sciencepractit ioners heal by helping thesubject to realize he or she is notreaily sick.stand

Also, to really under-the Bible you need a key

to i ts inner meaning, which Mrs.Eddy provides.E)--The

EST (Erhard Seminars Training)combination of self-help techni-

ques and Zen Buddhism. Its found-er, Werner Erhard, maintains justas TM does that it is just a techni-q u e a n d n o t a r e l i g i o n . Yet itU$bS Z e n techniques to convincethe person that he is god of hisown universe. They do this bydestroying your ego and rebuildingtt on the basis of the individual’sown divinity. Everything else isseen as invented by your mind foryour own pleasure.

V Suggestions for Witnessing

A) Be sure to share the good newsof salvation by grace through faithapart from works. These religionsfoster a heavy sense of guilt forsin, thus maktng the avenue forthe gospel fert i le along these l ines.

,B) Emphasize that Jesus’ teachingsare not compatible with any otherreligion, especially those steepedin Eastern philosophy.

Session VIII: The Unification Church

Opening Devotion: L u k e 17:20-29, Matt.24:4, 23-28, M a t t . 23:9-10.

I Formal Principle

A) The Divine Principle and otherwritings and sayings of Sun MyungMoon.B) The Bible is used only as abackd;Tp for Moon’s theology.

The Bible is “Not t h etruth itself but a textbookteaching , the truth .I’ It m u s tnot be seen as “absolute inevery detai l” (DP 9).2) The Bible is a closed,coded b o o k . Moon is thefirst person to really under-stand it ,and thus is the only

’ $” W~eCa~ib4Bc’~%~a~~s m a n yerrors.4) It is a word of God pre-viously valid, written forages with less maturity.It is now set aside in favoro f the “Completed Testament”(Divine Principle).

Cl This view is a complete -denialo f the Scripture’s view of i tself+see previous sessions).

PCSJ/Fall 1984

II The Material Principle of the Unifica-tion Church

A) The Unification of God andthe Universe in a perfect subject/.object relationship. .’

1) G o d a n d t h e U n i v e r s eare two parts of the samebeing. T h e s e t w o p a r t s a r edescribed as being in a reci-proca 1 relationship with eachother. God caused the Universeto come into being by emana-tion. God gives the UniverseLove and receives back fromit Joy. The, universe receivesLove fromhim Joy.

God and gives toThis is the goal

of the church. But see Gen.1 and Rev. IS:4 w h i c h d e -s c r i b e s a totally differentreality.2) The Universe gives Joyto God by perfectly reflectinghis dual nature. The Universeis the physical manifestationof God who is the exact spiri-tual original of Her. Mankindis meant to be the most exactd u p l i c a t e o f God t becauseit can reflect perfectly Hisgive and take with theUniverse.

B)God ’ s

Because sex perfectly reflectsnature, the marriage of al l

men and all women is the ult imategoal of al l creation, for it mostperfectly receives God’s Love andreflects b a c k t h e g r e a t e s t J o y t oto Him. But see Matt. 22:30, 1Cor. 7:l. ,

III Unification Church Salvation History

A) God emanates or creates theUniverse. He does this in six verylong periods of time.B) God created man and womanto be His perfect image and throughreproduction to establish dominionover the whole earth. this dominionis called the Kingdom of God. Theywould then establish the Four Posi-tion Foundation and thus bringultimate iov to God. This FourPosition Foundation is a descriptiono f the give-and-take relationshipGod ordained to exist between Godand Man, according to Rev. Moon.‘Cl Adam and Eve were given theGarden of Eden in which 70 matureto the point where they could marry ’in perfection and bring up sinlesschildren. Satan short-circuitedthis plan by tempting Eve to havesex with h i m . This established

F o u rzatan i n

Position Foundation withthe place of God, thus

causing the spiritual fall ofhumanity.D) Through this i l l ic i t love affair ,Eve became Satan’s object and re-ceived certain things from h i m ,among which are fear and knowledge

3 2

that Adam was God’s intended spousefor her. All of her offspring fromthis point on are literally childrenof Satan.E) Eve, not realizing her mistake,seduces Adam into prematurely havingsex with her. By doing this, shespread the disease of Satanic domi-n i o n to Adam. This complicatedthe new necersary work of redemptionby forcing God to redeem humanityboth spiritually and physically,since this new union caused humanityt o f a l l p h y s i c a l l y a s w e l l . IIIt h i s d o u b l e f a l l . Adam a n d E v elost all their maturation to date,returning themselves and all ofhumanity to the realm of non-princi-ple, where God has no dominionover them. From here humanityhad to work its way up throughthe stages of growth to perfection,where God is in direct dominionover them. This new account ofthe fall ha5 nearly nothing in com-mon with the Biblical view. SeeGen. 3-4.F) God attempts to save mankindthrough a series of men: Noah,Abraham, Moses and the Prophets.W h i l e t h e y basicalIy f a i l , t h e y d omake enough progress to establishthe Foundation necessary for Jesus’birth.G. John the Baptist comes to finishthe preparation for the Messiah.However, his open contradictionsof Jesus’ words and his publicdoubting of Jesus’ messiahshippoisoned the minds of the Jewishpeople against Jesus, thus makingi t imoossibte’ f o r lesus t o f u l l y r e -deem humanity and-wipe out originalsin.HI Jesus was born to redeem man-kind both from spiritual and phy-sical bondage to Satan, thus becom-ing the Savior in the full senseof - the word. To do this, he neededt o f i n d h i 5 p e r f e c t b r i d e , m a r r yher, h a v e a p e r f e c t f a m i l y , a n dby drawing all to their perfectFour Position Foundation, bringabout the Kingdom of Heaven onearth. Because John the Baptistfailed Jesus and made it impossiblefor the Jews to accept him as theMessiah, he was forced to takea lesser road to the cross, resultingonly in humanity’s spiritual salva-tion. Thus, he restored contactwith God and made the true Four

Position Foundation possible, butf a i l e d t o redeem us physically.This i5 w h y h e m u s t return- a s t h eLord of ,the Second Advent.i) After a period of preparationof 2000 years, the Lord of the SecondAdvent will boon beCi;;zh (privateIy ,the Untffcatfan believesthat he ha5 been born in -the personof t h e Rev, Sun bfyung Moon).He will br! born in North Korea,mrrrjr i petikct w i f e ( t h e H o l y

33

Spirit) in the Marriage Feast ofthe Lamb. nroduce perfect children,draw all people to Himself for clean-s i n g f r o m o r i g i n a l din a n d f o u n dthe Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

I V The Plan of Salvation in the Untfica-tion Church

A) Believe in the Lord of the SecondAdvent, join the Unification Church,and thus b e .purged of OriginalS i n through rebirth by t h e T r u eFather (Moon) and the True Mother(his wife). this is considered splri-tual salvation as it has been ap-pointed for thts age and replacesfaith in Jesus. But see Acts 4:8-12.B) Grow towards perfection anddevelop through the stages of spiri-tual development until you’ve shownthe c h u r c h l e a d e r s t h a t y o u a r eworthy to be married. Heavy empha-sis is placed on the good of thewhole at the expense of the indivi-dual. By doing good, one not onlyhelps save himself, but the worldand all of those poor spirits s!uckin less than perfection in the spiritworld.Cl Be married to the perfect matefor you, who is revealed to youby Moon and other church leaders.This ceremony is currently doneen masse by bon, but will eventual-l y ‘Oe done by others as well.This amounts to physical salvation.D) Work hard and fast often, sothat many other5 m a y b e s a v e dand the Kingdom of God reach thewhole earth through the unification !o f all world religions, religionwith science, and the defeat ofCommunism by Democracy.

V The Unification Church and the EndTimes

A) The end times are now in pro-gress with the presence of the Lordof the Second Advent, his wife andhis perfect fami)y.B) T h r o u g h either physical orspiritual World War, Communismwill be defeated, thus unifyingthe world. If Moon’s Church failsto lead humanity in carrying outits own portion of responsibility,n h v s i c a l W o r l d W a r w i l l happen.

This will then have to be followedby the spiritual defeat of Satan.C) Through the True Parents, thewhole world will be reborn andbecome perfect. People who havedied and passed into the var iousspirit worlds wfll advance throughsuccessively higher spirit -worldsuntil they reach the divine spiritstage and live in God’s presenceforever. They do this by workingwith earthly men to accomplish pay-ment for their sins. This is doneby perfect men on earth contacting

1_,&.,‘. 1,s;. the spirit*” a n d a l l o w i n g them to. , , ) n * j, share their benefits through their

s.*ysieal bodies. One day all wil lbe r e s t o r e d , God giving perfectbe to his complete creation, andcreation, especially mankind, return-“ing to him perfect Joy.

VI Suggestions for Witnessing

A). Focus in on the aspect of theGospel which proclaims the completevictory of Jesus o v e r sin, death,and the devi l . Streos the factthat we do not have to work forthe salvation of others or ourselves.Jesus did this by his death on thecross. We do not need anothersavior, indeed to follow anotheri s t o f o l l o w t h a t sa-called s a v i o ron the path to hell.B) Try to show how Christianityand Moonia~lb are not only different

‘. rel,t@ns, $u-t a r e o p p o s e d t o e a c h--I & h e r . i. Shrpw h o w t h e B i b l e di.ffers

much with &&on.

Session IX:‘Bcligions

The Lodge and Other Unity

Opening Devotion : John 14:6

1Qnq

:‘ .I

The Fallacy of Claiming More thanProphet

A) ..Groups which try to put togethermqrr. t h a n o n e religion into o n enew re l ig ion (syncretisttc rel igions)almort a l w a y s recognize more thanone prophet as proclaiming the truthor at least part of i t .B) The problem is that most rel i -gions m a k e exclusive claims fortheir leaders. . T h i s i s especiallvtrue of Jesus, who is the only Way,Truth, and Life ( s e e J o h n 14:6,Acts 4:12).

II

111

Shopping Bag ReligionA) Most of these type of religionsclaim that they believe that thereis more than one prophet in orderto be toler,ant ,of the “truth” foundi n a l l reli&ons. The real reasonis to be able to tap the respecteach r e l i g i o n h a s e a r n e d a n d t obe able to pick ayd choose theteachings $ha? appeal t o t h e n e wreligion (See 2’ Tim. 4:3-s),B) The problem with this approachis that i t al lows t.he r e l i g i o n t opick up what they like of Jesus’teachings and ignore the rest.But s e e Matt., 24:35, J o h n 6:63,Rom. 16:17-20, ,Eph. 4:14, 1 T i m .6:3-5, 2 T i m . 1:13-14.

The Masonic LodgeA) T h i s group c l a i m s j u s t t o b ean association which encouragesmoral l iving, but ‘ii~ fact is a reli-gous organization which promise5membership in ‘The Heavenly Lodge,”to all faithful Masons.BI Just l ike any other rel igion.

Masonry has prayers, rituals, prom-ises, funeral services of its own.No one can become a Mason unlesshe states he believes in, God.atheists

Allare excluded. Masonic

lodges will not even allow an organ-ization of atheists to rent theirlodge halls.Cl A l l relig&ns a r e b”,r;ea’ o n t h etruth v according toAll lead to salvation.

Lodge.Therefore

no pressure is placed upon a Masonto convert t o a n y o t h e r reliaion.none of their prayers ever mentionsa specific God or Jesus, Sharingthe Gospel with fel low Masons isalso discouraged. Although t h eSacred Book is an imDortant Masonicsymbol , i t is a different book ineach Lodge. T h e religion o f t h emajority of membersdetermining the book.

of that lodge

lines,Along these

each Mason sets the termsof his own sa-lvation.D) Man is not original ly s inful ,just imperfect. T h u s , a Masoncan work his way up to salvationthrough pure conduct, which builds

blamelessness.%m. h31:9-31, Eph. .2:8-l%

B u t s e e

E) Secret oaths are sworn beforethe Mason moves .into each newdegree. He swears secrecy beforehe knows what he is to keep secret.The penalty the Mason swears toundergo if he breaks hi5 word isalways a detailed, gruwiome, t o r -tured death. B u t s e e M a t t . !j:33-37.

IV The Bahai FaithA) A rel igion which claims to bethe f i n a l -of nine man\festationsof the Truth and hence the onlvo n e applicable for today. Eachreligion contains truth and wast h e most important for i ts t ime.These rel igions are based on thenine manifestations of God: Adam,Abraham, Moses, K r i s h n a , Buddah,Jesus, Mohammed, T h e B a b , andBahaullah.8) The group is works orientedin practice, bas ing much on Chris-tianity, Islam, and modern humanistphilosophy. The current leadershipha5 complete control over the the-ology of the group.

V Suggestions for WitnessingA) Present the Gospel, concentratingon the unique claims of Jesus, theimpossibility of earning calvation,and the offer of freefor Christ’s sake.

grace

B) In the case of the Lodge member,be gentle . Most Lodge membersdo not realize how opposed to Chris-t ianity, i t is . They think of itas just a good club to belong- to.Emphasize the differences withChrist ianity one at a t ime. Allow

.* h i m t o c o n c l u d e f o r himself t h a the should leave- the Lodge.

3 4

cRIeLlOGRAP#v

Baoaralenratb, Ronald, ad. A Guide to Cults E Rau Religions.

Downers Grove, Illinois: Inter-Varsity Press,

1963.Larson, Bob. Larson's 6ook of Cults. Yheaton, Illinois:

Tyndala t+OU6a, 1982.

Wiowrll. Jaah. Evidencs that Dsnands a Verdict.San Rernaedina; California: Caapus Cruradsfop C h riat, 1972.

Rartin, Yaltar IT. the Nlngdou of the Cults. ,Rinncapo-lib, ninnebota: Bathany Fallowship. 1977.

Sire, Jaara Y. Scrip&pa luiating: 20 Rays the CultsRlarerd t h b bibIs. Oownerr G r o v e , Illinois:Intar-Varrity prfsa, 1960.

Ror8oniamThe &ok af. Rorron. Salt Laka City, Utah: Ihs Church

.of Jeaua Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1976.Doctrines and Cavenenta~ Salt Laka City, Utah: The

Church of Jesus Chriat of Latter-Day Saints,N.D.

0 ‘Dad, Thomas. The Roraons. Chicago: Univaraityof Chicago Preea, 1957,

Tha Paarl of Great PriCe. Salt Lake City, Utah:The Church af--Jdrus Christ of Lattar-Day Saints,1.0.

Sackatt, Chuck. Ybat'a Ooihg bn in lhtrr? Khc Var-,batin Teat sf Ntrnon Wple Rituaib. ThousandOaks, CalitoMia~ Ex-#ornone for Jaaus, 1992.

#UtIfl addrass of publiahcr: P.O. box 5044-154. Thousand O&a, CA 91359.

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/

dehovab8a Witnaareabrtting, Bary and #a&her Batting. Ths Oruallian

world of Jfhovah*a Riteoases. Ierooto: Univer-aity ef foranta CrMa) IS&.

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for Jehovah's Rjtrqaaes uho Love the Truth.Kluaklatoun, Pennryltaeiir: The Authors. 1962.nota, publiahar'a ddraaa is ItaO. #3, Kunkla-town, PA 16056.

Franr, Rayaond. Grisis of Conrcifnca. Atlanta:Coanentary Praaa, 1983.

Magnai, Duana. Bible Students? 08 Jahovah'a YitneaaeaReally Study tha 6iblat. <layton, Caiifarnia:Witneaa, Inc., 1963. Rota: publ$ahrrrhrr'e a6draaaia P.0. 60x 597. Clayton, CA 945f7. ,

, and Arthur Barcitt. gialogue with Jahovah+rWftnaassa. 2 vile. C‘faytan, CA: Yitnrsr

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The Truth That Leads to Et~t~cl LIPS.’ -J&w Ywlf:

Watchtower Bible and,Ttict Sdcietyi~l)W+ 'You Can Live Forever in Paradise on',~&b. YOW York:

Yatc.htower Bible and !ract S*cf@ty. SF* ’

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International. Chicago: Moody Press, 1979.Mote: Prirarv aoureea are no Ionarr available froa

Iha Way for non-usaberr. Contact Rev. DouglasMorton, a LC-RS pastor in St. Juer, RD. forhrlp in locating item.

Eastern RvlipionaLochhaar, Philip. Ths Eastern Religions. How to

Raapond to . . . Se&a. St. Louis: Concof-dir Publishing Worse, 1979.

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