22-24 L E S S O N S Alternative Religious Movements and Practices During the past several weeks we have studied doctrines commonly believed by Christians of all denominations (Pillars of Faith) and the reasons why we believe these basic truths (Apologetics). Now it is time to look around us and examine other belief systems, many of which deny or modify some of these basic doctrines. Most people are startled to realize how many such belief systems exist. Some observers claim an average of one new religion comes into existence each day. Some of these cults claim to be Christian. Others derive from Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, etc. There are certainly plenty of choices available for people who are seeking an alternative religion. The past century has seen a literal explosion of new religions and new forms of old religions. Sociologists ponder why this is true. One reason, no doubt, is the tolerance toward other religions, which has almost become a religion in itself in Western culture. People don t get burned at the stake anymore for having a heretical belief (at least not in the Western world). This is an obvious encouragement to those who like to believe and teach heresy. But there are other reasons for this development as well. Observers point out new religions appeal to people for several reasons. These reasons include: 1) Easy black and white answers to theological, social, and personal problems. Thinking through issues and finding one s own answer based on biblical principles demands hard work. It s much easier to just follow a religious leader s rules. Many people are attracted to that kind of authoritarianism. 2) Meeting personal emotional needs. Religious leaders know that the route to a person s heart (and commitment) is through a feeling of love and acceptance within a group. Everyone needs to feel accepted by others, and those with an identity crisis or an emotional problem are especially vulnerable. 3) New religions make a special effort to leave a good impression on society by focusing on one or more things they do well; often something the traditional church is not doing well at the time. Ironically, a group will frequently demonstrate an extraordinary ability to excel in something that was its greatest weakness at its founding. For example, Jehovah s Witnesses founder, Charles Taze Russell, despite his fraudulent claims of Greek scholarship, was shown in court to be nearly totally ignorant of Greek. His followers today, however, love to preface their deviant interpretations of Scripture with, The original Greek says or seek to impress people with their scholarship. Many people find such supposed knowledge of Greek to be impressive. In a similar vein, Mormons, whose founder s practice of polygamy was anything but supportive of the traditional family, place great emphasis today on family values. Thus, a group s effort to compensate for weaknesses creates a strength that people admire. Definitions Orthodoxy A belief system is considered Orthodox Christianity if it conforms to the traditional, 241
historic beliefs of the Christian church as established by the early church councils and maintained by the consensus of mainline denominations which hold to the authority of Scripture. The Five Point Test of Truth given below is a very brief summary of what we consider the essentials of orthodox Christian belief. New Religions The term New Religions as used in this study refers to religions which are relatively recent in America and the Western world. Alternative Belief Systems Belief systems which in some significant doctrine or practices are different than traditional, orthodox, Christian belief or practice in what is considered mainline Christian denominations. Cult The word cult is difficult to define, and probably not the best word to use. The dictionary definition of cult is simply a system of religious worship or ritual or devoted attachment to, or extravagant admiration for, a person, principle, etc. By this definition almost any religious system could be called a cult. The meaning of the word is so broad that it is nearly meaningless. In common usage, it is often used to refer to a splinter group that has broken away from a larger group because of one or more distinctive beliefs. In recent years, it is frequently used to refer to a group that falls under the spell of some persuasive leader who exercises extraordinary, almost hypnotic, control over its members. If one defines cult as a splinter group from an existing religion, there are cults of Christianity, cults of Islam, of Buddhism, Hinduism, etc. We regard a cult of Christianity as a religious group, claiming to be Christian, but denying one or more cardinal doctrines of historic Christian faith. In addition to alternative religions, we will also study the occult in Lesson 25. The word, occult, means hidden or obscure. In religious use it refers to mysterious spiritual activities many consider to be of satanic or demonic origin. The Bible warns against false doctrine and occult practices. Read the following passages and reflect on the seriousness of these warnings. After reading all of them, write a sentence or two about your impressions. Specifically, what does the Bible tell us to avoid? How can we discern the true from the false? 1 John 4:1-6 Galatians 1:6-9 Matthew 7:15-23 Matthew 24:23-17 2 Timothy 3:1-9 Deuteronomy 18:9-13 The Five-Point Test of Truth There are many red flags to watch for when we encounter a religious system, including things like unusual devotion to a human leader, isolation from the traditional Christian community, inappropriate control over the adherent s personal life and thought, claims of some special knowledge that only they possess, etc. But our interest here is primarily on their belief system. How can you tell biblical doctrine from that which is false and misleading? The task of sorting truth from error is difficult because false teachers mix enough truth with their message to make it sound appealing. Sometimes groups quote Scripture copiously, but twist it just enough to make it seem to fit their false teaching. As a guideline for sorting truth from error, we suggest the following Five-Point Test of Truth. For background, you may wish to review the basic doctrines we studied in the Pillars of Faith section. 1) What is the basis of their authority? They will often claim their authority is the Bible, but is it, really? Ask yourself, where did this new revelation come from? Was it the result of some vision or insight of only one individual? That is always a red flag. Beware of subjective experience, extra-biblical sources of information, miracles not publicly verifiable, or secret information denied to all others. They usually claim to be the only ones to possess this knowledge and the only place one can receive salvation. When they quote Scripture it is frequently with a 242
meaning different from what has been commonly believed by the great body of scholars throughout church history. Sometimes they accomplish this by giving words new definitions. 2) What do they teach about the nature of God? Is their description of God consistent with the Bible s representation of God as the Creator, separate from us and the rest of His creation, yet involved intimately with His creation (both immanent and transcendent)? Is He defined as a person who is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent? Do they hold to the scriptural definition of the Trinity as three separate persons; eternally co-existent, but one in essence? 3) What is their view of the nature of man? Is man viewed as a direct creation of God, separate from Him, responsible to Him, and in need of salvation? Or do they hold a pantheistic view in which man is god, a part of god, or evolving into becoming a god? Pantheism is incompatible with Christian truth. Do they describe man as unique among the animal kingdom by virtue of being created in the image of God? Do they recognize the impact of universal sin in the human race and the fact of standing under condemnation because of sin therefore needing salvation? 4) What do they say about the nature of Christ? This is listed in our outline as #4, but it is probably the #1 question to ask. The doctrine of the person of Christ is basic to the Christian faith. It was the first doctrinal question discussed by the ancient church, and is first in importance. 5) What do they teach as the means of salvation? Many groups will have a system of works in place as a ladder to God, with the teaching that performing this series of works will earn your salvation. It may be knocking on doors and selling literature, as with Jehovah s Witnesses, or by building a good karma, as with Theosophy. All of these systems will deny the simple and precious truth of Scripture that Christ already paid for our salvation, that acceptance with God is possible only through Him by faith, and that salvation is a free gift of God s grace to those who believe. UNIT 5 The next several lessons will explore specific religious groups and practices. The purpose of this study is not so much to learn about each one as to develop skill in discerning truth from error. For this reason, learn this Five-point Test of Truth well and practice applying it to teachings you hear about. In the next class session you will be asked to choose a group to study and report back to the class about: 1) The historical background and distinctiveness of this group. 2) How do the teachings of this group compare with the Five Point Test of Truth? On the basis of that comparison, does it stand in the tradition of orthodox Christian belief? Why or why not? You may be interested in choosing a group to study that you or someone in your family or circle of friends have some experience with, and therefore you would benefit by further study about their teachings. Otherwise, just choose one that sounds interesting to you. Your instructor will seek to avoid duplications among class members, so it would be well for you to have several groups in mind to choose from. You will find a list of suggested groups on page 245. of this section. Do not be limited to this list. Also, keep in mind that not every group on this list is an alternative religion. Some on the list will conform to historic orthodox Christian doctrine and will pass the Five Point Test of Truth with flying colors! Your task is to determine which category fits the group you are studying. The purpose of this exercise is to gain experience in evaluating a belief system to determine whether or not it conforms to Scripture and orthodox Christian belief. Your instructor may have suggestions for sources from which you can research information about these groups. The best source is the Internet, because: 243
1) You can have access to a huge volume of information. 2) You can directly access primary sources, (the websites of these groups) to confirm their teachings, rather than being limited to secondary sources (people who aren t on the inside of the group but have written about them), and 3) It s free! It is best to use both primary and secondary sources. Primary sources add validity to your research because you get your information directly from the group itself, and secondary sources help you notice things you may otherwise overlook. Do a search of the Internet for both primary and secondary sources. An excellent secondary resource is Watchman Fellowship, Inc., an apologetics ministry that maintains a file of hundreds of religious groups. Their website is: www.watchman.org. If you do not have access to the Internet, please inform your instructor, who will attempt to provide resource information for you about the group of your choice. Your instructor will schedule a time for you to give a report on your research, and will inform you about how much time you will have to give your report. It will be an enjoyable experience. It will also be heart-wrenching to hear everyone s report and learn how many false beliefs are embraced by so many people. 244
Suggested Religious Movements for Student Research Not all of the groups listed below fit into the definition of new or alternative religions. It is your task as the researcher to determine whether the group you are studying is, or is not, consistent with orthodox Christian belief. Also, not all of these are cults of Christianity (for example, Islam, Bahai s, etc.), but they are included because of current popular interest. Christian Science Unity School of Christianity Unification Church (The Moonies ) Swedenborg Foundation Messianic Judaism The Church of Scientology Transcendental Meditation Unitarianism Worldwide Church of God Nation of Islam Freemasonry Word-Faith Movement Oneness Pentecostalism The Family of Love (Children of God) Mormonism The New Age Movement The Way International The Amish Islam Jehovah s Witnesses Bahai Christian Identity Movement Eckankar Yoga Quakers Seventh Day Adventism 245