FOM
Notes
Twisted
Part 3 of 3 in the series “One Way”
September 20, 2009 Pastor Scott Oldenburgh
Danger
. . . Caution . . . Beware
“Watch
out for false prophets. They come to you
in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or
figs from thistles? Likewise every good
tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad
tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree
that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize
them. Not everyone who says to me,
‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will
of my father who is in heaven. Many will
say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many
miracles?’ Then I will tell them
plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ ”
Matthew
7:15-23
DEFINITION OF A CULT
Ž
Takes a portion of the truth but adds (additional) requirements
Ž
Takes a portion of the truth but (takes away) integral concepts
Ž
Has a (mixture) from a multitude of belief systems, a (conglomeration)
|
|
Jehovah’s Witness |
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
(Mormon) |
Church of Christ, Scientist |
Scientology |
|
Wicca |
|
Supreme Being |
One God, Jehovah, no
trinity |
God is
an exalted man with physical body |
Impersonal
– Principle, Life, Truth, Love & Mind |
Supreme
being determined by each person |
One
person only with dual characteristics (positive/negative, male/female |
Divinity
in all living things |
|
Key figures in history |
Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916) |
Joseph
Smith Jr (1805-1844) |
Mary
Baker Eddy (1821-1910) |
L Ron
Hubbard (1911-1986) |
Sun Myung Moon (born
1-6-1920) |
Priests
& priestesses |
|
Authority |
Bible
as interpreted by Watchtower Society (new World Translation) |
Bible, Book
of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants; |
Bible
interpreted by Eddy |
Writing
of Hubbard; The Modern Science of Mental Health |
Bible
by Moon’s interpretation |
No
sound text |
|
Basic human problem |
Sin,
willful rebellion |
Sin; responsible
for own sin |
Illusion
that matter is real |
Engrams (past experiences) prevent recognition of own deity |
Humans
broke relationship w/God & are now related to Satan |
Out of
harmony with earth |
|
Solution |
Allegiance
to Jehovah plus works |
Exaltation
or godhood through obedience to Mormon teachings |
Cast
out illusion in favor of “all reality” spirit |
Counseling
to be clear of past & aware of deity |
Accept
Jesus for spiritual salvation; works for self, ancestors & world |
Become one
with nature & others – celebrate sacred mystery |
|
Life after death |
144,000
elect to Heaven; others’ glorified earth; annihilation for all who reject |
3
kingdoms: Celestial (renewed earth); Terrestrial (righteous non-Mormons); Telestial (planet for wicked); Perdition (Satan/most
wicked_ |
No
death – another plane of fulfillment |
Reincarnation
of soul |
All
humans will be divine & relationship w/God restored |
Varies |
|
Jesus? |
Created
being Archangel Michael called Jesus; death made salvation pos. |
Physical
offspring of God; brother of Lucifer |
Way-Shower |
One
Savior among many |
|
Teacher |
|
Major Deviation/Twist |
Extra
biblical; works based; all non-JW organizations controlled by Satan |
Bible lite; Extrabiblical personal
exaltation |
Extrabiblical No
“life” |
Non-biblical;
people over God |
Extrabiblical – no choice |
multiple |
DEALING WITH RELIGIOUS
CONFRONTATION
P
Know what you (believe)
P
Foundation over (feeling)
P
Establishing a (relationship) allows you to respectfully disagree
P
Don’t be afraid of (confronting) with truth
P
Pray for God’s (conviction) and that nothing I say conflicts with
God’s working