Jun 02 2008
Calling all Mormons!
I have made it known that I love everyone. It is my desire that everyone I come in contact with comes to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Atheists, Agnostics and other religions are open and honest that they are not Christians or as I like to call it followers of Jesus. But the Mormons are not that way. They try to deceive people into believing that they are Christians. They claim they believe the Bible. They have the name of Jesus Christ in their official name. They strive to live “good,” “moral” lives and that is great. But the problem is they are deceiving themselves and those they try to convert that being “GOOD” will get you into heaven. That is a lie from Satan.
No one (especially me) is good enough to go to heaven. The Bible makes it clear that we have all sinned and we have fallen short of God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible also says the wages of our sin is death. (Romans 6:23a) So there is no way that anyone can be good enough to enter heaven. The Mormons will argue that we must work in order to get to heaven or get to our own planet. Their whole religion is based on a book written by a charlatan, Joseph Smith. His claims are unfounded and he plagiarized the Book of Mormon from the KJV of the Bible.
I’m asking for the Mormons, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to send their elders to my home. I will have decaffeinated drinks available for you. We can talk theology. But mainly I want to keep you at my house long enough that you will stay away from our neighbors. Every minute the elders are at my house it keeps them from converting people to their heresy.
So I’m inviting the entire Mormon Church to send your heavyweights to my home.
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Kevin,
Go ahead. Benchmark this blog! You should go ahead now and add it to your Top Posts.
Let the posts begin!
Good luck! And good for you! I appreciate the stand you’ve taken!
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..Is There Life on Other Planets?
Kevin,
PLAN to be home when they ALL arrive. Otherwise, I will have to call you home.:)
Steve,
We shall see.
Cass,
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..Calling all Mormons!
Kevin,
While you are at it can I send any JW’s I get to your house as well?
Thanks
scott’s last blog post..The Greatest Songs Of All Time: I Hope That I Don’t Fall In Love With You
Sure Scott,
I’ll take the Oklahoma LDS’ers too!
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..Calling all Mormons!
I hear the buses cranking up to head to your house!
Quinn Hooks’s last blog post..Have you seen our commercial?
My first thought: Did you run this by Cass first?
Texas in Africa’s last blog post..this & that
Hey Kevin,
I can find some other heretical cults to send your way as well..
Now what was that address again? LOL
Phil Hoover’s last blog post..“The Dream”…the snake….
Kevin,
I did note that you, in giving your invitation, didn’t print your address.
Smart man!
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..Is There Life on Other Planets?
The Cult Leader In A Baptist Church- A Dividing Rift
by Tony Robinson
Cults vs. Churches
The Greek work ekklesia has been translated as church in modern English New Testaments, and it literally means a called out assembly. The apostles understood the term historically referred to a Greek town meeting which was sovereign and had a purpose, a meeting place, a membership, and guidelines governing the meetings and membership. However, in Mark 15:15, Jesus differentiated between the Greek churches and His Church. His church was founded upon Him, bought by Him, espoused to Him, and given a special purpose from Him. A unique approach for the functioning of Jesus’ Church is signified by its special title: the Bride of Christ.
The church of Jesus is not merely an organization, but an organism. The members are to be in one mind and in one accord. Though there is already unity in Christ via regeneration, each member is to function in a complimentary fashion to others so that the whole body (corpus) functions as one in Christ (christi): without schism or fear from members.
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Eph 4:16)
There is no fear in love. (I John 4:18a)
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear: but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (II Timothy 1:7)
“The cult leader in a Baptist church is not interested in molding a person’s will so that they will want to yield it to Christ. The cult leader wants to break the will of his listener. This act comes straight from bewitching sorcery in which a person is made more accessible not only to the leader but also to demonic oppression. At the very least, one’s sense of judgment goes awry after being broken under cult leadership, tending to make one more malleable, gullible, and leadable. ”
…The church should center itself on Jesus and lift up His Word as its only absolute standard. No one will be “Reverend” except God and none will be master or Rabbi except the Lord (Psalms 111:9, Mt 23:7). The atmosphere of the church is to be governed by scripture and thus the atmosphere is not restrictive toward the members to the point that they are not allowed to exercise their God-sanctioned abilities within the church. Each person should be allowed to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and to witness on a consistent basis. Yet, many independent Baptist preachers have ingrained in their congregations a practice foreign to the early Church of God: the Popish Roman philosophy of “clergy”’ and “laity.” The consensus of the clergy is that the laity are far too ignorant to be able to choose correctly for themselves; therefore, the laity must follow the clergy on all aspects. The laity becomes the pawns played by the chess master. The pawns do door knocking, tithe giving, pew filling and other checkmates giving the preacher the recognition of being a first class chess player among his peers. Such concepts of slave membership are mere perversions of the New Testament pattern.
…Masons hold eight specific elements that permeate Masonic Lodges.
(1) There are mysteries involved;
(2) These are passed on to only a select few;
(3) To receive these mysteries one must be personally worthy;
(4) A process of initiation is required;
(5) The initiation involves secret rituals;
(6) This takes place under controlled conditions, usually a temple;
(7) In the process, the initiates are sworn to secrecy;
(8) The penalty for revealing this secret knowledge to the non-initiated is death.
Cult leaders in Baptist churches use most if not all the above Masonic principles during either staff meeting or in college classrooms. For example,
1) The insinuation of a clergy and a laity class; the clergy are the illumined ones who must make the decisions for the uniformed laity.
2) Only those members who show themselves to be loyal beyond reason (blind obedience) are allowed to advance in “My church.” Pastoral candidates are told that they will be accountable only to God in their future churches.
3) The average member never sees the by-laws of the church or some of the deep subjects of a church.
4) Starvation for Bible college students and their families while giving tithes and paying tuition or excessive compulsive attention to the church are looked upon as the initiation dues that one must endure before advancing.
5) Secrecy of scandals: what was said in the classroom, sermon tape cutting, reports being altered or glossed over before making them available to the church in that money expenditures are grouped under various names so that tracing them to find out the exact purpose and deposition is impossible.
6) Of course, ostracizing and character assassination usually results when you reveal a lack of dedication in blind loyalty.
Yes, there are those who control the sheep through fear/intimidation/threats/dire warnings; for example, that if you leave the group you are “out of God’s will for your life,” you will experience tragedy, or your children will go to Hell. Here is a list of some things that some cultish pastors do:
1. Individuals are berated by name from the pulpit.
2. Pastor wants veto power over important decisions in your life.
a. The home to buy
b. The car to buy
c. Who you should marry
d. Whether or not you should take another job
3. You are intimidated into participating in special offerings. In some churches the pastor TELLS each staff member how much they will give in special offerings!
4. Pastor controls the checkbook. Perhaps even writes and signs all the checks.
5. The Pastor and his family live under a different set of rules than everyone else.
6. Pastor wants to be involved in all of your decisions concerning raising your children.
7. Pastor constantly talks to you about the way you spend your money
8. Pastor tells you not to be hanging around certain families. Tells your children to stay away from other kids. A pastor ask for your help to remove unwanted members.
9. Pastor goes so far as to tell you to separate from your own family because of their disloyalty to the church or the pastor. He even tells you to not to let your parents see their grand children.
10. You never see any church financial statements.
Obviously many sheep can write their own letter about their experience with an abusive pastor or cult leader. But God’s word is unchanging:
Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. “Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. “For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
“But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. “They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, “greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ “But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. “And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. “And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:1-12
Bill,
Are their snakes in the church? Yes! I want to hear from your heart not cut and paste from LDS propaganda. Please answer my question. Is the Bible the final authority of your life?
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..Calling all Mormons!
Kevin,
That last article was from a Baptist group…not from LDS propoganda.
To answer your question…ABSOLUTELY NOT!
Do I believe that Jesus Christ’s blood was shed for me, and his blood and amazing grace IS the only way I can return to our Father in Heaven? ABSOLUTELY YES!
Bill
Kevin,
Put on extra food for tonight. All these people are coming to dinner with you.
By the way. somehow you did not make the list ha/ha
Watchman Fellowship’s 2001 Index of Cults and Religions
By the Staff of Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
Introduction
Please read “A Word from the President” to learn more about the educational rationale we followed in creating this index.
Annually Watchman Fellowship publishes an index issue of the Watchman Expositor. The 1998-99 Index contains brief definitions, descriptions or cross references on over 1,200 religious organizations and beliefs. This year’s index is expanded to include world religions (including Christianity) and related doctrines. Watchman Fellowship is a Christian apologetics and discernment ministry (please see Publication Information). Thus, many references (“Jesus,” “Gospel,” “Christianity,” etc.) contain definitions that reflect the beliefs of Watchman’s staff. While Watchman Fellowship does not hold to the beliefs of non-Christian religions and doctrines, we also attempt to describe these beliefs factually, fairly and accurately. Readers are asked to assist in this effort by suggesting corrections or improvements (please read A Word from the President).
This is by no means a complete list of cults and religions. Watchman Fellowship maintains over 10,000 files and a research library of over 25,000 books and periodicals on religions, cults, new religious movements and related teachings. The absence of a religious movement from this index does not mean that Watchman Fellowship endorses the organization.
How To Use This Index
Begin your search by clicking on the highlighted letter below that is the first letter of the term for which you are searching (or, if your browser will do so, perform a word search for the term). If the term is listed, it will be followed by a brief definition. Most of these definitions contain highlighted words that are linked to the definitions for those words; clicking on the highlighted word will take you directly to that definition.
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A B C DEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
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Some Definitions
By using the terms “cult,” “occult,” and “New Age,” Watchman Fellowship is in no way implying that the followers or leaders are necessarily evil or immoral people. It simply means that such groups seem to promote doctrine or practices which may be considered outside the realm of historic Christianity.
Cult
By its primary dictionary definition, the term cult just means a system of religious beliefs or rituals. It is based on a farming term in Latin meaning cultivation. Sociologists and anthropologists sometimes use the term cult to describe religious structure or belief patterns with meanings (usually non-pejorative) unique to their disciplines. In modern usage, the term cult is often used by the general public to describe any religious group they view as strange or dangerous. Thus, cult can describe religious leaders or organizations that employ abusive, manipulative, or illegal control over their followers’ lives. In addition to these usages, Christians generally have a doctrinal component to their use of the word. Cult in this sense, is a counterfeit or serious deviation from the doctrines of classical Christianity. Watchman Fellowship usually uses the term cult with a Christian or doctrinal definition in mind. In most cases the group claims to be Christian, but because of their aberrant beliefs on central doctrines of the faith (God, Jesus, and salvation), the organization is not considered by Watchman Fellowship to be part of orthodox, biblical Christianity. Research material and Profile are available.
Occult
The term, “occult” comes from the Latin occultus or “hidden.” Generally the word is used of secret or mysterious supernatural powers or magical, religious rituals. The word “occult” in this publication is used to describe any attempt to gain supernatural power or knowledge apart from the God of the Bible. Generally it refers to witchcraft, satanism, neo-paganism, or various forms of Psychic discernment (astrology, seances, palm reading, etc.). Research material available.
New Age
New Age is a recent and developing belief system in North America encompassing thousands of autonomous (and sometime contradictory) beliefs, organizations, and events. Generally the New Age borrows its theology from pantheistic Eastern religions and its practices from 19th century Western occultism. The term “New Age” is used herein as an umbrella term to describe organizations which seem to exhibit one or more of the following beliefs: (1) All is one, all reality is part of the whole; (2) Everything is God and God is everything; (3) Man is God or a part of God; (4) Man never dies, but continues to live through reincarnation; (5) Man can create his own reality and/or values through transformed consciousness or altered states of consciousness. Research material and Profile are available.
CULT INDEX
A
3H0: See Healthy, Happy, and Holy.
7 Habits of Highly Effective People: A book by Stephen Covey.
Aaronic Order, Maurice Glendenning, Murry, UT: Splinter group from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), founded in 1942 by Glendenning after he was excommunicated by the LDS Church for receiving and publishing revelations later known as the Levitical Writings.
Abaddon: (Hebrew for “The Destroyer”; in Greek, Apollyon) A demon described in the Bible as “the angel of the bottomless pit” (Revelation 9:11).
Abbey of Thelema, Old Greenwich, CT: Esoteric magic, teachings of Aleister Crowley.
Abode of the Message, Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, New Lebanon, NY: Sufism, alchemy, dowsing, meditation to lead to “inner attunement,” Native American spirituality, sweat lodge.
Academy for Guided Imagery, Martin L. Rossman & David E. Bresler, Mill Valley, CA: Healing by altered states of consciousness, imagery training (i.e., visualization), hypnosis and magic.
Academy of Religion and Psychical Research, Evanston, IL: Organization founded in 1956 to explore psychic occurrences and metaphysical experiences while evaluating the growing interest in occult phenomena in Christian churches. See Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship, Spiritualism, Divination.
Actualism: New Age teaching based on panentheism, according to which all human beings possess the divine Christ-consciousness and are united with the Mother-Father-Creator God.
Acupressure: See Acupuncture.
Acupuncture: Chinese system of healing using needles or hand pressure (acupressure) applied to certain points on the body, traditionally believed to balance the yin and yang energies in the body by opening blocked meridians (apexes in the pathways). Once the chakras (key points or intersections) are open, the chi, or energy, supposedly can then flow through the body bringing all things into harmony. While some limited physical effects (mostly anesthetic) can be attributed to this practice, these effects have scientific, physiological explanations totally unrelated to the mystical explanation, which derives from Taoism. See Holistic Health. Profile available.
Adams, Dennis, Mt. Shasta, CA: New Age, man is God.
Adelphi Organization, Dallas, TX: New Age teachings on Atlantis, karma, seven planes of existence. See Stelle Group.
Adeptco, Chuck McDonald, Omaha, NE: Yoga, crystals, reincarnation, karma and Kabbalah teachings.
Advanced Organization of Los Angeles (AOLA): Promotes Scientology philosophy.
Advanced Systems, Inc.: See Zen Master Rama.
Adventism: Widespread trans-denominational movement inspired by William Miller’s prediction that Jesus’ “advent” (return) would take place in 1844. Even after the Great Disappointment (the date’s failure), many people in the movement continued to believe. Some suggested revised chronologies and new dates, eventually forming groups such as the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Others, notably Hiram Edson and Ellen G. White, suggested that the 1844 date was accurate but that a heavenly (thus invisible) event had taken place. Their teachings became the basis of Seventh-day Adventism, which eventually spawned its own offshoots, including Armstrongism and the Branch Davidians.
Aesthetic Realism Foundation, Eli Seigel, New York: Happiness can be achieved through the harmony of opposites, e.g., realizing and accepting that the world is both beautiful and horrific (see Taoism). Educators have criticized the Foundation after public school teachers in New York introduced the philosophy into high school English, biology, and art courses.
Aetherius Society, Sir George King: Clairvoyance, karma, reincarnation, psychometry, Great White Brotherhood, UFOs, alchemy, occult secrets of Jesus, mantras.
Affective Education: Also called value-free, or non-directive, education. Influenced by the philosophy of Carl Rogers, affective education programs attempt to facilitate the emotional development of children in order to enhance the learning process, particularly focusing on self-esteem. This contrasts with traditional educational paradigms that focus on cognitive, or intellectual, practices such as reading, writing, and arithmetic. Affective education has become particularly influential in drug awareness programs for youth.
Agasha Temple of Wisdom, William Eisen, Los Angeles, CA: Universal consciousness of god, reincarnation, occult pyramidology, Ascended Masters.
Agnosticism: The claim (denied by Romans 1:18–20) that one has no knowledge of God or the origin of the universe. Some agnostics make the claim on a personal level, while allowing that such knowledge may exist but has never been known by themselves. Others assert that such knowledge cannot be had by anyone. Agnostics avoid the charge of dogmatic atheism by acknowledging the theoretical possibility of God’s existence. Yet virtually all live as if the non-existence of God was an established fact, and are thus practical atheists.
Agon Buddhism: Sect of Buddhism. Uses the Agon Sutras as scriptures.
Agyeman, Jaramogi Abebe: See Pan African Orthodox Christian Church.
Ahabah Asah Prophetic Ministries: See Gatekeepers.
Ahmadiyya Movement: Sect of Islam following the teachings of Ahmad (1835-1908), an Indian Muslim; most followers in the US are black, Indian, or Pakistani.
AION: Magic, runes, goddess worship.
Akashic Records: Term used in theosophy designating an alleged library that exists on the astral plane containing all the thoughts, actions, and events of mankind. Mystics, through altered states of consciousness, tune into this library for information.
Alamo Christian Foundation: Tony Alamo, leader of this group, has been imprisoned by authorities for alleged illegal activities. Teaches traditional Christianity is dead. Former followers have reported deplorable living conditions, mind control, and slave labor. Operates Music Square Church in TN, Holiness Tabernacle in Dyer, AR, and End Times Book is the publishing arm.
Alan Shawn Feinstein Association, Cranston, RI: UFOs, contactee.
Alchemy: In its original, literal meaning, theories and experiments involving the transmutation (dissolving and combining) of base metals to form gold though chemical and/or supernatural processes. Today, it caries the meaning of a mystical transformation in New Age consciousness through various mystical techniques.
Aleph: New name adopted by Japanese doomsday-cult Aum Shinri Kyo January 18, 2000.
Aleph: Alliance for Jewish Renewal, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Philadelphia, PA: Combines Chassidic Judaism, Native American spirituality, Eastern mysticism, A Course in Miracles, and New Age practices. Emphasizes combining syncretistic spirituality and psychology.
Aletheia Psycho-Physical Foundation, Jack Schwarz, Ashland, OR: New Age seminars on the inner-self, paraconsciousness, meditation and visualization.
All-One-God-Faith, Emanuel H. Bronner, Escondido, CA: Sells Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap, which claims to clean both body and soul. The soap is widely available in health-food stores. Teaches (like Process Theology) that God is continually recreating Himself. God desires all nations and religions to unite in an “All-One-God-Faith” on Spaceship Earth. This unification will come about through following 13 precepts and 20 directives revealed to Bronner by God.
All Souls Unitarian Church, John Wolf, Tulsa, OK: See Unitarian-Universalist Association for similar theological perspective.
All Ways Free, Madison, WI: New Age periodical.
Allah: Arabic, Muslim name for God; see Islam.
Allegro, John: Wrote The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross.
Alphabiotic New Life Center, Dallas, TX: New Age seminars on one’s divine being, Ramtha, yoga and channeling.
Alphasonic International, Los Angeles, CA: Company specializing in tapes with subliminal messages.
Altered States of Consciousness: Trances entered through hypnosis, meditation, drugs (including hallucinogenics), visualization, etc. State of being in which one allows the subconscious to take control and guide. May heighten one’s vulnerability to suggestion or susceptibility to deception.
Alternative Medicine: See Holistic Health.
Amalgamated Flying Saucer Clubs of America: See Mon-Ka Retreat…
Ambassador University, Big Sandy, TX: Now defunct Liberal arts and religious institution founded by Herbert Armstrong. See Armstrongism.
Ambassadors For Christ, Tustin, CA: See Watchtower Bible and Tract Society for similar theological perspective.
Ameba, San Francisco, CA: Paganism, promotes the teachings of Aleister Crowley, Celtic rituals.
American Academy of Dissident Sciences, Culver City, CA: Studying a wide array of conspiracy theories, the Academy focuses on UFOs and the Illuminati.
American Association of Ayurvedic Medicine, Fairfield, IA: Holistic health association founded by Deepak Chopra while he followed the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (see Ayurvedic medicine; Transcendental Meditation).
American Atheists, Inc., Madalyn Murray-O’Hair, Austin, TX: Advocates strict separation of church and state, and actively opposes Christian influence on society. O’Hair and two children disappeared in 1994 with a sizeable portion of the organization’s assets. It is now believed they were murdered. Publishes American Atheist magazine.
American Babaji Yoga Sangam, New York, NY: Hinduism-based philosophy, yoga.
American Constitution Committee: Political organization of the Unification Church.
American Fellowship Services: Splinter group of The Way International.
American Foundation for the Science of Creative Intelligence: A branch of Transcendental Meditation.
American Gnostic Church, Daeva Ares Animo: Paganism, Kabbalah rituals, Egyptian magic, Satanism rituals of Anton LaVey, Gnostic Mass.
American Holistic Nurses Association, Amherst, MA: Trains medical nurses to use therapeutic touch and meditation with patients.
American Imagery Institute, Milwaukee, WI: New Age teachings on visualization, astral projection.
American Leadership College, Inc. Osceola, IA: New Age/occult teachings on trance healings, mediumship, self-realization dreams.
American Pie and the Armageddon Bible Prophecy Home Page: The pop song American Pie, which prophesies the destruction of America, was foretold in the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32. See Apocalypse.
American Society for Psychical Research, Simon Newcomb, New York, NY: ESP, out-of-body experiences, mediums, parapsychology, psychokinesis.
American Study Group, UT: Defunct splinter group from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) that used the Book of Mormon and the teachings of LDS leaders to speculate on end-time events.
American Temple, Michael Whitney, Portland, OR: A “fourth wave” esoteric and mystical order led by “Patriarch” Michael Whitney reviving the doctrines of the now defunct Holy Order of MANS.
American West Publishers, Tehachapi, CA: UFOs, cosmic laws of balance. Publishes the Phoenix Journal.
American Zen Center: Zen Buddhism, shamanism, Sufism.
AMOM: See Ancient Mystic Order of Malchizedek.
AMOOKOS: Occult, magic, some Hinduism, man is already a master.
AMORC: See Rosicrucian Order.
Ananda Marga, Denver, CO: Philosophy and deities of Hinduism, teaches meditation and yoga.
Anchor of Golden Light, Dorothy and Henry Leon, Grants Pass, OR: UFOs, Ascended Masters, Kabbalah mysticism, alchemy, numerology. Publishes the Anchor of Golden Light newsletter.
Ancient Mystic Order of Malchizedek, Malachi Z. York, Eatonton, GA: Also known as AMOM, Nuwaubians, the Nubian Nation of Moors, Right Knowledge. A UFO group whose leader, (a.k.a. Dwight York) claims to be form the 19th galaxy, called Illyuwn. A 1993 FBI report calls the group a “front for a wide range of criminal activity, including arson, welfare fraud and extortion.” York’s group has also operated under other names and organizations including the Nubian Islaamic [sic] Hebrew Mission, the Ansaaru Allah Community, (an Islamic sect with doctrines similar to Nation of Islam), and the Original Tents of Kedar.
Ancient Wisdom Connection, N. Myrtle Beach, SC: New Age channeling, numerology and belief in “Lord Sananda,” who is an incarnation of Jesus.
Angels: Supernatural, non-human beings created by God. Angels worship God and serve as His messengers. The angels who followed Satan and rebelled against God are called demons.
Anglo-Israelism: See British Israelism.
Animal Magnetism: See Mesmerism.
Animism: The idea that all things in the universe are inherently invested with a life force, soul, or mind. This belief is an important component of many primitive religions, the occult, and spiritism.
Annihilationism: Taught by most Adventist groups, including the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, this doctrine denies the conscious, eternal punishment of the lost. Instead, humans who do not receive eternal life will be destroyed and cease to exist.
Anointed Class: See Little Flock.
Answers Research and Education, Bud Cocherell, San Jose, CA: Man’s destiny is to become a God, keep Old Testament festivals.
Anthropomancy: A form of divination based on psychic readings of the entrails of a human who has been ritualistically sacrificed.
Anthroposophic Society, Rudolf Steiner, Hudson, NY: Similar to the Chicago organization (below), possibly affiliated.
Anthroposophical Society, Rudolf Steiner, Chicago, IL: Occult, related to Theosophy; teachings on karma, meditation, Atlantis and reincarnation.
Apocalypse: Also called Armageddon. From the Greek word apokalypsis, meaning “revelation, disclosure, or unveiling,” the term apocalypse refers in the Bible to the summation of human history through God’s direct judgment upon the world. Central in biblical apocalyptic literature is the Revelation to John (sometimes called The Apocalypse). A common feature of many pseudo-Christian groups is their attempts to predict the date of the apocalypse. For examples of groups that have falsely predicted the apocalypse, see Church of the Living Stone Mission for the Coming Days, Adventism, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
Apostasy: From the Greek word apostasis, meaning “rebellion,” and the Latin word apostasia, meaning “abandonment,” the term apostasy refers to a renunciation of the Christian faith. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society applies the label apostate to former Jehovah’s Witnesses, who are then shunned by all Witnesses in good standing.
Apostle: From the Greek word apostolos, meaning “messenger,” the term apostle refers to those leaders of the early Christian church who were chosen by Jesus. The criteria for being an apostle was 1) the individual was personally chosen by Christ; and 2) the individual must have personally seen Christ. Members of the top two quorums of leadership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claim the title today.
Apostolic Churches: A branch of Pentecostalism including several denominations as well as independent churches with the name “Apostolic”; many (but not all) Apostolic churches adhere to Oneness Pentecostalism.
Apostolic Overcoming Holiness of God, Inc., Birmingham, AL: Pentecostal church, stresses the oneness of God while accepting the Triune Being of the Godhead. Salvation depends upon baptism, tarrying to receive the Holy Spirit, and holiness. Publishes The People’s Mouthpiece magazine.
Apostolic United Brethren: See Corporation of the Presiding Elder of the Apostolic United Brethren.
Applewhite, Marshall: See Heaven’s Gate.
Applied Kinesiology: New Age diagnostic technique sometimes called “muscle testing.” Often patients hold health care products (vitamins, herbs, etc) in their hand while the practitioner pulls or “tests” the reciprocal strength in the finger, arm, etc. to determine the effectiveness or dosage of the remedy. See Holistic Health.
Aquarian Academy, Robert E. Birdsong, Eureka, CA: Jesus only an avatar of the Cosmic Christ, of the Great White Brotherhood of Light. Man’s purpose is to reach the transcendental plane, release from the wheel of fate, astral projection, meditation, cosmic truths.
Aquarian Age Teaching, Ruby Focus, Sedona, AZ: Discover the God within, the Father-Mother god, Atlantis, Christ-consciousness.
Aquarian Church of Universal Service, Paul Shockley, Portland, OR: Teaches cosmic awareness but with no specific doctrine. Similar to Unitarian-Universalist.
The Aquarian Conspiracy, Marilyn Ferguson: A book documenting and advocating the widespread growth of the New Age movement.
Aquarian Educational Group, Torkom Saraydarian, Sedona, AZ: Astrology, moon festivals, use the Bhagavad-Gita, Jesus only an avatar. Publishes the Fiery Synthesis magazine.
Aquarian Foundation, Keith Milton Rhinehart, Seattle, WA: Universalism, yoga, spiritism, Theosophy-based philosophy.
Aquarian Gospel of Jesus Christ: Book written by Levi H. Dowling, a New Age, apocryphal story supposedly based on the Akashic Records.
Aquarian Minyan, Berkeley, CA: Jewish group, yoga, mysticism.
Aquarian Perspectives Inter Planetary Mission, Montgomery, AL: UFO group, receives messages from Futron and the Rainbow Star Legionnaires.
Aquarian Tabernacle Church, Index, WA: Paganism, worship of Mother Earth, goddess worship, sun and moon festival, magic. Publishes the Panegyria newsletter.
Arcana Workshop, Manhattan Beach, CA: Meditation, Great Invocation, moon festivals. Based on the teachings of Alice Bailey (see Arcane School). Publishes the Thoughtline newsletter.
Arcane School, Alice Bailey: Occult, esoteric teachings, connected with Lucis Trust, formerly Lucifer Trust. Similar to Theosophy.
Arefu: Company created and owned by Japanese doomsday-cult Aum Shinri Kyo for real estate brokering, financing and seminars. On January 18, 2000, the cult announced it was also changing its own name to Arefu (Aleph, in English).
Arete Truth Center, Paul Lachlan Peck, Las Vegas, NV: New Age, metaphysics, teaches balancing the body, mind and spirit.
Arguelles, Jose: New Ager who staged the Harmonic Convergence.
Arizona Light, Phoenix, AZ: New Age periodical.
Arizona Metaphysical Society, Frank Alper, Phoenix, AZ: New Age seminars on rebirthing, astral projection, channeling, karma, reincarnation, and crystals.
Arizona Network News, Scottsdale, AZ: New Age periodical.
Arm of the Lord, Warren, OH: Teaches that it is a satanic idea to invite Jesus into “one’s life.”
Armageddon Time Ark Base Operation, O.T. Nodrog, Weslaco, TX: UFO group, channels messages from outer dimensional forces.
Armstrong, Garner Ted: Son of Herbert W. Armstrong who formed his own rival Armstrongism splinter group, the Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association. See Church of God, International.
Armstrong, Herbert W.: See Armstrongism, Worldwide Church of God.
Armstrongism: The doctrines and religious movement originating with Herbert W. Armstrong (1892-1986), who founded the Worldwide Church of God (WCG). Armstrong rejected such essential doctrines of evangelical Christianity as the Trinity, the full deity of Jesus Christ, and the personality of the Holy Spirit. Armstrong taught British Israelism and believed that worthy humans could eventually “become God as God is God.” Teaches salvation by works predicated on Sabbatarianism, tithing (20-30%), and keeping the Old Testament feast days and dietary laws. Under the leadership of Armstrong’s successors, Joseph W. Tkach and his son Joe Tkach, the WCG has undergone a radical doctrinal transformation. Scores of splinter groups, such as the Global Church of God and the United Church of God, continue to teach various forms of Armstrongism.
Arn Draiocht Fein, P.E.I. Bonewits, Nyack, NY: Paganism, Druids, polytheism, nature worship. Publishes News from the Mother Grove newsletter.
Aromatherapy: Holistic health practice of seeking to heal certain diseases or illnesses by inhaling scented steam or fragrances.
Aromatherapy Seminars, Los Angeles, CA: Holistic Healing therapy, oils healing the psyche. See Aromatherapy.
Arunachala Ashram, Bhagavan Sri Ramana: Hinduism-based philosophy, also called Maharshi Center, Inc.
Aryan Nations Church, Hayden Lake, ID: A neo-Nazi paramilitary organization in the Christian Identity movement that preaches against all non-Caucasian groups. The Order, an Aryan Nations break-off group, killed Alan Berg, a Jewish radio personality in Denver, in 1984. The Aryan Nations received national notice in 1992 when the wife of member Randy Weaver was killed in a shootout with the FBI in Ruby Ridge, ID.
As It Is: See Process Church of the Final Judgement.
Asatru Free Assembly, Denair, CA: Paganism, worships Odin as Father-god, Frigga as Mother-god and Nerthus as Mother-Earth. Publishes The Runestone newsletter.
Ascended Master Teaching Foundation, Mt. Shasta, CA: Occult, part of the I AM movement, Great White Brotherhood, similar to Theosophy.
Ascended Masters: Sometimes called the Great White Brotherhood. Occult, New Age belief in alleged teachers or masters who live on an astral plane as non-physical entities beyond time and space. They can supposedly communicate spiritual truths to humans through channeling or other occult techniques. Membership includes Jesus, Buddha, St. Germain (see I AM movement), Ramtha (see Knight, J. Z.), Mafu (see Torres, Penny), Seth (see Roberts, Jane), and others.
Ascended Masters School of Light, Toni Moltzan, Carrollton, TX: New Age, channeling, Ascended Masters including Jesus, universal consciousness.
Ascension Week Enterprises, Santa Fe, NM: New Age, Channeling, reaching out to children with New Age programs.
ASCENT Foundation, Larry Jensen, Sedona, AZ: New Age enlightenment, similar to Silva Mind Control, est, and Lifespring.
Asheville Meditation Center, Asheville, NC: New Age, achieving man’s divine nature, transcendence.
Assemblies of the Called Out Ones of “Yah,” Sam Surratt, Milan, TX: Sacred Name movement.
Assemblies of Yahweh, Jacob Meyer, Bethel, PA: Publishes The Sacred Name Broadcaster magazine. See Sacred Name movement.
Assemblies of Yahweh (7th day), Cisco, TX: See Sacred Name movement.
Assembly of Scientific Astrologers, George Cardinal, LeGrosoplin, MO: Esoteric astrology, karma and reincarnation.
Assembly of Yahweh, Holt, MI: Founded in 1930, perhaps the oldest of the Sacred Name groups in America. Sabbatarianism. Publishes The Faith.
Assembly of YHW Yoshua, Pueblo, CO: Sacred Name movement.
Associated Readers of Tarot International, Carbondale, IL: Tarot form of divination, Celtic rituals.
Associates for Scriptural Knowledge, Ernest L. Martin, Portland, OR: Anti-denominational group whose Associates study doctrine through a Home Study Course. Teaches universalism, i.e., that all people will be saved (although not all will experience the first resurrection and live in Christ’s millennial kingdom), and the Sacred Name doctrine (Martin claims that the name Yahweh was removed from the Bible by Jerome). Martin was fired by the Foundation for Biblical Research (an Armstrongism splinter group in Alhambra, CA) in 1984 for espousing these doctrines. Publishes a “restored” Bible called The Manuscript Version of the Bible, and The ASK Communicator.
Association for Christian Development, Kenneth Westby Auburn, WA: Armstrongism splinter group.
Association for Past-Life Research and Therapies, Inc. Riverside, CA: New Age, reincarnation and astrology.
Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.), Edgar Cayce, Virginia Beach, VA: Pantheism, trance medium (or channeling), life readings, reincarnation.
Association for the Understanding of Man, Austin, TX: New Age, channeling, psychic reading, altered states of consciousness.
Association of Unity Churches: The denominational structure affiliated with the Unity School of Christianity.
Association Sananda & Sanat Kumara, Mt. Shasta, CA: New Age, channeling Christ-consciousness teachings.
Astara, Robert & Evelyn Chaney: New Age, spiritism, yoga. Publishes Voice of Astara.
Astral Projection: New Age/occult doctrine teaching methods to induce an out of body experience (OBE), in which one’s soul (i.e., astral body) departs the physical body, travels to various parts of the universe, then re-enters the body. Usually a “cord” is said to connect the soul and body at all times. Also called astral travel.
Astro Computing Services, San Diego, CA: Astrology.
Astrology: An ancient fatalistic system of divination using the position of the planets, moon and sun in the twelve Zodiac positions at the moment of one’s birth to gain occult or hidden knowledge of the future. Profile available.
Astrology and Psychic News, N. Hollywood, CA: New Age periodical.
Atheism: The assertion, to be taken on faith, that there is no God. Some atheists, such as Madalyn Murray-O’Hair, have fought to prevent any recognition of God in public life. See American Atheists, Inc.
Atlantic Pagan Council: Association of East Coast pagan covens, magic, moon festivals, paganism. Publishes the Atlantic Pagan Council Amateur Publishers’ Association newsletter.
Atlantis: A mythical island/continent said to have sunk beneath the ocean. Purported to have been a highly advanced civilization. New Agers often claim to have recovered lost mystical wisdom and knowledge from Atlantis, sometimes through channeling.
Atman: A term used in Hinduism referring to the eternal or real self and sometimes refering to the principle of life in all things.
At-one-ment: Term used by several Mind Science or New Thought religions (such as Christian Science) referring to the supposed metaphysical unity or “oneness” of human beings and God as demonstrated by Christ. Contrast the Christian term “atonement,” which refers to Christ’s death on the cross as the means by which he reconciled sinful human beings to God.
Aum Shinri Kyo, Shoko Asahara, Tokyo, Japan: Aum (a mantra) Shinri Kyo (Supreme Truth) is the apocalyptic Buddhist sect suspected in the 1995 subway nerve gas murders in Japan. Police raiding cult compounds discovered stockpiles of nerve gas and the basic ingredients of biological warfare. Sect leaders have been charged with abduction and “murder preparation.” Aum leader, Chizuo Matsumoto (now called Shoko Asahara), predicted the end of the world between 1997 and 2000. The Dalai Lama, the leader of Tibetan Buddhism, has denied Aum claims that Asahara was ever his disciple. The sect has about $29 million in assets and 10,000 disciples in Japan and 30,000 in Russia. The sect has followers in other countries including the U.S. and Australia. On January 18, 2000, the cult announced it was changing its name to Arefu (Aleph, in English). Profile available.
Aum Supreme Truth: See Aum Shinri Kyo.
Aura: A subtle light or energy field said to surround people or objects. Mystics explain that from the color of the aura, a person’s emotional and intellectual moods can be determined.
Author Services, Inc.: Promotes Scientology philosophy.
Automatic Writing: Inspired from the spirit world, the writer has no conscious muscular control of his hands or arms. Found in many occult and New Age groups.
Avanta Network, Palo Alto, CA: New Age, works by Virginia Satir promoted, positive and negative energies.
Avatar: Hindu concept of an earthly manifestation of one of the gods in human or animal form, e.g., Krishna is an avatar of Vishnu.
Avatar, Flagstaff, AZ: New Age seminars similar to est and Lifespring, enables participant to have conscious shift of beliefs.
Awake!: Magazine published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
Awareness Research Foundation, Inc., North Miami, FL: Astrology, Atlantis, UFOs, ESP and Lord Sananda.
Ayurvedic Lifestyle Center, Pearl Miller, Reno, NV: Eastern mysticism, meditation, homeopathy.
Ayurvedic Medicine: Promoted by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Deepak Chopra. Teaches the balancing of vibrational centers for health through diet, exercise, herbs, and purification procedures.
B
Baba, Sai: Indian guru, Hinduism, meditation, Kundalini yoga.
Bahá’í Faith,The, Bahá‘u’lláh: A sect of Islam evolving into a major independent religion with approximately five million believers worldwide. Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, Bahá‘u’lláh and others are viewed as a succession of divine messengers. A 19th century Persian teacher, the Báb, (or “Gate”) predicted Bahá’u'lláh’s coming. Bahá’í advocates a new global order of sexual equality, a one-world economic system to eliminate poverty, and a one-world religion. Profile available.
Bailey, Alice: Founder of the Arcane School. Profile available.
Baphomet: The Goat God, also called the Sabbath Goat, the Great God Pan, Abraxas, Thanateros, or the Horned God. Often used as a symbol of Satan, especially in Satanism, and depicted as a Goat’s Head symbol, an upside down five-pointed star (cf. pentagram), or a man with horns and goat-legs.
Baptism for the Dead: Practice of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) whereby living members are baptized by proxy for people who have died without knowing the LDS Gospel. If these dead persons then accept the LDS gospel while in Spirit Prison, they can potentially attain full salvation or godhood (exaltation). This ceremony is performed only in an LDS Temple. See Baptismal Regeneration.
Baptismal Regeneration: The belief that regeneration (i.e., the new birth), and therefore salvation or eternal life, is conditioned upon water baptism. Most groups teaching this doctrine also add that proper mode (immersion or sprinkling) and/or proper minister (one authorized by the organization) is necessary. All Christians should be baptized (Matthew 28:19). The teaching that baptism is a prerequisite for salvation, however, is considered by many evangelicals to be a heretical compromise of the biblical gospel of salvation by grace alone (Ephesians 2:8-10). The extreme version of baptismal regeneration, which denies the salvation even of baptized Christians outside some particular church group, is clearly heretical. See Salvation by Works, Salvation by Grace, Gospel.
Bear Tribe Medicine Society, Spokane, WA: Native American spirituality, Mother Earth, medicine wheel, moon ceremonies.
The Beatles: A highly influential rock-and-roll group from the 1960s. In 1966 they became involved in Transcendental Meditation; later both John Lennon and George Harrison repudiated TM. Harrison then became a devotee of ISKCON and recorded his hit single “My Sweet Lord” as a devotion to Lord Krishna. The Beatles are widely credited with increasing the popularity of Eastern religions in the United States.
Believers International, Tucson, AZ: Compiling a compendium of all of William Branham’s teachings. Publishes Believer’s News.
Bell, Art: Popular late-night radio talk show host. While his Coast to Coast weeknight broadcast and Dreamland weekend broadcast focus on a wide array of New Age and occult issues, as well as many conspiracy theories, one of the most common subjects discussed by guests on the program is UFOs.
Beltane: Occult, Celtic holiday, also called Walpurgisnacht, celebrated on the night of April 30. Celts are alleged to have conducted fertility rituals and human sacrifice.
Bermuda Triangle: Geographically, the Triangle composes the southwestern quadrant of the North Atlantic, with apexes in Bermuda, Puerto Rico, and in the Gulf of Mexico west of Florida. Some people involved in the occult and UFO studies believe the Triangle is a supernaturally dangerous area, with many ships and airplanes disappearing in the Triangle in the 20th century.
Bernard, David: A well-known Oneness Pentecostal writer and speaker.
Besant, Annie: Successor to Madame Blavatsky (founder of Theosophy) who proclaimed Krishnamurti as the Messiah. (Krishnamurti later renounced that role).
Bet Hashem – The House of YHWH, New Haven, IN: Sacred Name, man is the offspring of light, conversion is the union with the light.
Beth El Shaddai, Dick Amos, Plano, TX: Dual Covenant doctrine, denies Jesus is God.
Beth HaShem, Jacob Hawkins, Odessa, TX: Sacred name, Sabbatarianism, keeps Old Testament feasts and laws for salvation. Publishes The Prophetic Watchman newsletter.
Bhagavad-Gita: Meaning “Song of the Lord,” this scripture is used in Hinduism and ISKCON.
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh: Though this Indian guru is deceased, many followers still practice his unique form of Hindu philosophy and sexual yoga system to gain enlightenment.
Bhakti Yoga: Type of yoga or spiritual exercise involving devotion to a guru.
Bible: Considered scripture by Christianity. Consists of the Jewish scriptures (Old Testament) and the Christian scriptures (New Testament).
Bible Believers, Inc.: See Branham, William.
Bible Code, Michael Drosnin: Bestselling 1997 book teaches that prophecies are hidden in a complex network of letters and words within the Old Testament. Drosnin claims that he attempted to warn Israeli leader Yitzak Rabin of his impending assassination based on a prediction in the biblical code. The theory is a form of numerology and has some associations with the Jewish occultism of the Kabbalah.
Bible Speaks, The: Former name of Greater Grace World Outreach.
Bible Students: Various semiautonomous groups that broke away from the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society after Joseph Rutherford took control of the organization. Reprints the early writings of Watchtower founder Charles Taze Russell including Divine Plan of the Ages. Groups across the country go under various names (e.g., Fort Worth Bible Students, Chicago Bible Students, etc.).
Bible Talks: Home and campus group studies sponsored by the International Churches of Christ.
Bible Way Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ: Oneness Pentecostalism denomination.
Bible Way Publications, Ft. Lauderdale, FL: Bible Students group.
Biblical Church of God, Santa Cruz, CA: Armstrongism splinter group.
Biblical Research Centers: Regional centers for The Way International.
Bind: See Spell.
Bioenergy: New Age practice of healing. Balances the life-energy by opening blocked meridians (see acupuncture).
BioEnergetic Synchronization Techniques: New Age method using the body’s life force to heal itself.
Biofeedback: The use of EEG (electroencephalographic) feeback instruments to monitor brain waves and skin resistance with the goal of modification of brain waves. Participants can learn to control heart rates or generate brain wave activity (alpha, beta, and delta) at will to induce altered states of consciousness. Enhances the capacity for relaxation and/or inducing meditative states and physiological control similar to that in yoga and Zen.
Biointegration, Ross Algelo, Dallas, TX: New Age, body alignment, yoga, reflexology, rebirthing.
Bio-Magnetics: New Age, the realigning of magnetic fields allegedly surrounding the body.
BioPsciences Institute, Minneapolis, MN: Astrology.
Black Mass: A ritual in Satanism that attempts to negate or profane the Catholic Mass. Black candles are used and Catholic prayers recited backwards. Allegedly, the communion is occasionally performed using human blood and flesh.
Black Muslim: Generic term referring to Nation of Islam and related groups.
Black Christian Nationalist Movement: See Pan African Orthodox Christian Church.
Blavatsky, Madame Helena Petrovna: Founder of Theosophy.
Blessed Be: A common greeting used among Wiccans to invoke or wish happiness and well-being.
Blood Atonement Doctrine: The belief, taught by the second Mormon Prophet, Brigham Young, that for certain sins the blood of Christ will not atone and for which the sinner’s own blood must be shed to receive forgiveness (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 4, p. 53). No longer taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the belief is often preached and sometimes practiced by members of Mormon Fundamentalist splinter groups. To this day, Utah allows condemned murders to face execution by firing squad rather than methods that do not shed the criminal’s blood, such as lethal injection or the electric chair.
Blue Lotus, Wilmot, WI: New Age periodical.
Blue Mountain Center of Meditation, Eknath Easwaran, Petaluma, CA: Hindu philosophy, meditation, uses the Bhagavad-Gita.
Blue Rose Ministry, Robert Short, Joshua Tree, CA: UFOs, messages from the “space brothers,” channeling. Publishes the Solar Space-Letter.
Blue Star, Mary Thunder, West Point, TX: New Age, sweat lodge, channeling, Spiritual University.
B’nai Noah: Dual covenant doctrine, teaches Jesus is not the Savior of the Jews, Gentiles are to keep the Seven Laws of Noah and study the Torah (or Old Testament) with Jewish Rabbis.
Body, Mind and Soul: Houston, TX: New Age periodical.
Body, Mind and Spirit: Providence, RI: New Age magazine.
Book of Changes: See I Ching.
Book of Mormon: One of the scriptures or “Standard Works” accepted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other sects originating from Joseph Smith, including the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and various Mormon Fundamentalist groups.
Book of Shadows: A journal for recording occult activities.
Bookmark, Santa Clarita, CA: Christian Science splinter group.
Borderland Science Research Foundation Garberville, CA: Alchemy, dowsing, UFOs, astrology.
Born Again: Biblical term used to describe regeneration (John 3:3-7). Some New Age followers teach that the term was Christ’s reference to reincarnation or rebirthing. In context, Jesus was speaking of a spiritual event effected by God through the Holy Spirit (see verses 6-8) to restore a sinful, fallen human to right relationship with Him (see verses 16-21). See Gospel.
Boston Church of Christ: See International Churches of Christ.
Bradshaw, John: Prominent New Age teacher on PBS and author of Healing the Inner Child.
Brahma: The creator and first member of the triad of demigods in Hinduism, including Shiva and Vishnu.
Brainwashing: Forced indoctrination using various techniques to cause a subject to abandon basic political, social, or religious ideas or beliefs and replace those ideals with a contrasting belief system. A translation of a Chinese word xinao, “brainwashing” became a popular term to describe the phenomena of radical change in behavior and core beliefs that took place in some prisoners of war held in Chinese camps in the mid-twentieth century. In a more general sense, the word is sometimes used to describe any form of persuasion perceived to be unethical that results in a radical and negative change in personality. See Lifton, Robert, Mind Control.
Branch Davidians, Benjamin Roden: Splinter group of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. David Koresh (A.K.A. Vernon Howell) was leader from 1984 to 1993. He and many of his most devout followers were killed when their headquarters near Waco, TX, was destroyed by fire in 1993 during a government raid. Taught knowledge of the Seven Seals of the Book of Revelation brought salvation. Many followers still believe Koresh’s messianic claims and expect him to be resurrected soon.
Branham, William, (1909-1965): Oneness Pentecostal preacher who claimed he received healing and prophetic powers from an angel. Denied the Trinity, taught the serpent seed doctrine, and rejected other Pentecostal and traditional Christian churches. “Branhamism” is still taught at the Branham Tabernacle in Jeffersonville, IN, and in many other places around the world. Profile available.
Brethren, Jim Roberts: Also known as “the Garbage Eaters,” the group follows the teachings of “Brother Evangelist” Roberts. The group requires renouncing both family and worldly possessions in order to earn salvation (see Salvation by works). Members travel nomadically, earning their nickname because of their practice of eating discarded food. Family members note that Roberts hides relatives, moving the individuals to avoid familial contact. Note: This group is not affiliated with the Church of the Brethren, an Anabaptist denomination.
Brinkley, Dannion: As chronicled in his bestseller Saved by the Light, Brinkley allegedly underwent a near-death experience after being struck by lightning. He teaches people to perform “life reviews” to enhance their perception of life and death and to find their life missions. He operates a hospice organization called Compassion in Action / The Twilight Brigade.
British Israelism: (Anglo-Israelism/Israelitism) The doctrine that the true identity of modern Israel (or the “ten lost tribes”) is Britian and (sometimes) the British colonies (America). The monarchs of England sit on the throne of David. In more extreme forms, Israel is identified with a particular race—usually white Anglo-Saxon, Germanic, and Scandinavian people. Opposing versions of doctrine teach that Blacks are God’s Chosen People, Israel. See Christian Identity Movement, Serpent seed doctrine.
Brotherhood and Order of the Pleroma, Richard Duc de Palatine, Sherman Oaks, CA: New Age revival of Gnosticism, God and man are the same being.
Brotherhood of Eternal Truth, New Albany, IN: Spiritualism, astrology, Atlantis, channeling, magic, past life regression. Also known as Center of Light and Life.
Brotherhood of Seth, Ellsworth, ME: Paganism, homosexual or homophilic magic, teachings of Aleister Crowley.
Brotherhood of the Followers of the Present Jesus, Ann and Peter Meyer, San Diego, CA: Alchemy, Christ-consciousness in each person, channeling and clairvoyance.
Brotherhood of the White Temple, Inc., M. Doreal, Castle Rock, CO: New Age/occult metaphysical teachings, soul illumination, three planes of existence.
The Bruderhof Community: A communal society started in Germany in the 1920s and based on the sixteenth-century Moravian Anabaptist sect of Jacob Hutter, which was part of the Radical Reformation. The group is also called the Society of Brothers and the Hutterian Brethren. The basic theology of the group is Protestant but, according to former members and other critics, the group exercises inappropriate control over the members and practices shunning and other forms of spiritual abuse.
Buddha: Siddhartha Gautama Buddha (“enlightened one”) was born about 560 BC in northeastern India and, according to legend, received spiritual enlightenment through meditation. During his lifetime, his spiritual insights and teachings became a major alternative to Hinduism throughout India. Diverse versions of his teachings can be found worldwide today. See Buddhism.
Buddha’s Universal Church, San Francisco, CA: Similar to Buddhism in theology.
Buddhism: World religion based on the spiritual teachings of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha. There are a number of versions or sects of Buddhism generally teaching paths to Nirvana (enlightenment or bliss) though the four noble truths (recognizing existence and source of suffering) and the eightfold path (correct understanding, behavior and meditation). Some variations of Buddhism include traditional Theravada schools of India, Mahayana Buddhism, which became very popular in China and Japan, and Tibetan Buddhism (Lamaism) in Tibet. Two more recent forms that have had great influence in America are Zen and Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism.
Builders, Norman Paulsen, Oasis, NV: New Age, Christ-consciousness, meditation, Father-Mother God, enlightenment.
Builders of the Adytum, Paul Foster Case, Los Angeles, CA: Occult, Kabbalah, Tarot, spiritual alchemy, esoteric astrology.
Burning Man Festival, Black Rock Desert, NV: An annual festival celebrating neo-paganism and Satanism. The name comes from the culmination of the festival, in which a wooden man with outstretched arms (resembling a crucifix) is burned by the crowd.
Buzzworm: New Age/environmental periodical.
C
C.O.B.U.: See Church of Bible Understanding.
Cabalah: See Kabbalah.
Caelum Moor, Arlington, TX: Private park (now closed) containing menhirs (large upright stones) similar to those found at Stonehenge. Newspaper reports claim trespassers have used the site for pagan ceremonies. See Stonehenge.
Campbell, Joseph: Best known for his book and PBS series with Bill Moyers, The Power of Myth, which teaches all religions are based on common mythological themes, best interpreted through a New Age world view.
CAN: See Cult Awareness Network.
Canfield, Jack: New Age education author, editor of popular Chicken Soup books. Very influential in the public school arena.
Cantillation Research Foundation, John Diamond, Valley Cottage, NY: New Age, pantheism, All is God, All is Mother.
CARP: See Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles.
Castaneda, Carlos: New Age author of The Teachings of Don Juan series. He helped popularize Native American shamanism, the hallucinogenic peyote, and New Age occultism.
Castle Rising, Denver, CO: Paganism, magic, psychic impressions, moon festivals, crystals. Publishes the Castle Rising newsletter.
Catholicism: See Roman Catholicism.
CAUSA: Organization affiliated with the Unification Church.
Cayce, Edgar: See Association For Research and Enlightenment.
Celestine Prophecy, The: A best-selling New Age book by James Redfield that teaches enlightenment through the fictional “Nine Insights” contained in secret manuscripts written by Maya natives in the jungles of Peru.
Celticism, Celts: The Celts were a group of related tribes whose territory extended throughout Europe early in the first millennium AD, but who are most commonly associated with the British Isles. The Celts worshipped local deities (frequently associated with nature), often served by a priestly class of Druids. Human sacrifice was important to Druidic religion. Modern neo-pagans frequently claims to be Celtic, although the modern beliefs and practices bear little resemblance to ancient Celticism.
Celtic Christianity: Augustine of Canterbury evangelized England in the late 6th – early 7th centuries. His work was later taken by Patrick to Ireland, who is largely credited with establishing the Celtic church. Celtic Christianity was heavily influenced by the Roman Catholic Church, to which it was allied, although many individuals claim a greater reverence for nature in the Celtic tradition. Differences in practice within the Celtic church were gradually eradicated during the Middle Ages as the Roman papacy asserted its authority over Ireland. Modern groups that claim to revive Celtic Christianity are frequently a mixture of Protestantism and Roman Catholicism, with few legitimate ties to the early Celtic church. Nonetheless, these groups should not be confused with neo-pagan groups that also claim to be Celtic.
Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, NM: Yoga, Enneagram workshops.
Center for Advanced Communication and Training, Carrollton, TX: New Age, hypnosis, Neuro-Linguistic Programming.
Center for Alternate Realities, Durango, CO: Metaphysics, crystals, shamanism, runes, Tarot Cards, guided meditation, palm reading.
Center for Personal and Planetary Empowerment, Austin, TX: New Age, meditation, alchemy.
Center For Spiritual Awareness, Roy Eugene Davis, Lakemont, GA: New Age, enlightenment, man’s higher self, cosmic-consciousness.
Center for Studies on New Religions, Massimo Introvigne, Torino, Italy: Introvigne studies new and alternative religious groups. He and his work, which is frequently supportive of new religions, are often used by alternative religious groups to support their activities when pursuing governmental recognition.
Center for Wisdom Spirituality, Paradise, PA: Universalism. Publishes the Interconnections newsletter.
Center for World Networking, Soguel, CA: UFO, psychic, yoga, Universal Energy.
Center of the Light, Great Barrington, MA: New Age, Native American religions, reflexology. Publishes The Light Journal.
The Centers Network: See est.
Centre de Recherche sur l’Energie Humaine Universelle (CREHU): See Spiritual Human Yoga.
Centric, Houston, TX: New Age periodical.
Cesar, San Antonio, TX: Assistant to Papa Jim. Occult spells, hexes, curses, voodoo, witchcraft (see Wicca).
Chakras: New Age, said to be centers for cosmic energy in the human body that are aligned to allow the Kundalini energy to proceed from the base of the spine to the top of the forehead.
Champaign-Urbana Church of Christ: Member, International Churches of Christ.
Channeling: New Age term for the occult practice of Spiritualism (also called trance channeling). Spirit beings, Ascended Masters, deceased humans, familiar spirits, or animal spirits allegedly communicate important messages by temporarily entering the body and controlling the voice of a host (channel or medium). Most channelers give the same basic message, that man is a God. Profile available.
Chapel of Prayer, Eleanor Button, Houston, TX: Psychic readings, channeling, crystals, astrology, self-healing meditation.
Cheetham, John: See Great Lakes Society for Biblical Research.
Chen Tao, Hon-ming Chen (The Right Way, God’s Salvation Church, God Saves the Earth Flying Saucer Foundation): Apocalyptic Taiwanese UFO group that drew international media attention when they predicted that God would descend to their Garland, TX, headquarters in a flying saucer on March 31, 1998. Publishes Practical Evidence and Study of the World of God and Buddha, God’s Descending in Clouds (Flying Saucers) on Earth to Save People. Additional articles and press releases available. Profile available.
Chi: Invisible energy or force alleged to make up the universe and flow through all living things via meridians or chakras. See Taoism, Yin and Yang, Acupuncture.
Chicago Bible Students, Chicago, IL: Largest and best known of the independent “Bible student” groups. Reprints the early writings of Watchtower Bible and Tract Society founder Charles Taze Russell, including Divine Plan of the Ages.
Children of God: See The Family (Children of God).
Chinmaya International Foundation, Swami Chinmayananda, Piercy, CA: Eastern mysticism, yoga, meditation. Publishes the MU News.
Chinmoy, Sri: Hindu philosophy, meditation.
Chinook Learning Center, Fritz and Vivienne Hull, Clinton, WA: Native American Earth-Spirit philosophy, shamanism, meditation, called one of the most important New Age centers.
Chiromancy: See Palm Reading.
Chiropractic Medicine: A holistic health practice whereby practitioners use a form of manipulative therapy to treat musculoskeletal problems. While many chiropractors are not engaging in alternative religious activities via their practice, critics claim that some chiropractors engage in chiropractic medicine in accordance with the Taoist principle of facilitating the flow of chi.
Choice Experience, A, Jerry Stocking, Chetek, WI: New Age, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, “other-than-consciousness” techniques.
Choosing Light, Mill Valley, CA: New Age, meditation, telepathic communication from Higher Dimension Guides and teachers.
Chopra, Deepak: Noted New Age and health author and lecturer. See Ayurvedic Medicine. Profile available.
Christ: Based on the Greek christos meaning “anointed one,” equivalent to the Hebrew “messiah.” Generally used in the Old Testament of one who has been anointed with oil and/or set apart for a specific mission, as was David, the king of Israel (see 1 Sam. 16:13). Specifically used to speak of the promised messiah/savior of Israel and the world. Christians believe this to be Jesus of Nazareth, who died to atone for human sin. Other religions believe in a succession of Christ figures through history, sometimes including Jesus, who were great teachers. New Age groups sometimes understand the term “Christ” as a reference to the deity found in all humanity (the Cosmic Christ). Thus, Jesus was conscious of his deity or “the Christ within” and others can have this same “Christ-consciousness” by realizing that they, too, are divine. Other religious leaders have historically claimed to hold the office or ministry of Christ including Unification Church founder Rev. Sun Myung Moon. Biblical warnings are given for “false Christs” (Mark 13:22). Scripture also speaks of an antichrist and of antichrists who stand against and/or instead of the true Christ (1 John 2:18).
Christ Cathedral for Divine Abundance, Alexius Bassey, London: Universalism, Divine Consciousness.
Christ-consciousness: New Age term expressing the belief that Christ is a divine potential in all human beings of which only some people are aware or conscious, rather than a unique title for Jesus.
Christ Family, Charles McHugh: McHugh, a.k.a. Lightening Amen, claims to be the incarnation of Jesus. Followers dress in robes, no shoes, practice vegetarianism.
Christ Light Community: See New Age Church of Truth.
Christ the Savior Brotherhood: See Holy Order of MANS.
Christadelphianism, John Thomas: Teaches that Jesus is a created being, Holy Spirit is Power of God, and salvation by works. Also rejects the ideas of heaven and hell. It has several splinter groups.
Christian Community: Based on teachings of Rudolf Steiner, founder of the Anthroposophical Society.
Christian Fellowship, The: See Potter’s House.
Christian Foundation, Canyon County, CA: See Alamo Christian Foundation.
Christian Identity movement: The belief that the true identity of the ten lost tribes of Israel is the white, Anglo-Saxon race. The belief is similar to but distinct from the doctrine of British Israelism. A number of independent churches and organizations (including some militant racist groups) make up the general movement. Most deny the Trinity. Some teach a form of the Serpent Seed doctrine, believing that Jews are descendants of Eve’s alleged sexual relations with the serpent (Genesis 3) and are thus not fully human. Many also hold that non-Whites are descended from the union of Cain and a woman from a supposed pre-Adamite race. Profile available.
Christian Millennial Fellowship, Hartford, CT: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society splinter group (see Bible Students). Publishes The New Creation periodical.
Christian Prayer Center, Mother Martin, Washington, D.C.: Native American spirituality and rituals, voodoo.
Christian Renewal Ministry, Saratoga, CA: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society splinter group (see Bible Students).
Christian Rose Cross Church, Olympia, WA: Based on the teachings of Max Heindel (see Rosicrucian Fellowhip), Cosmic Christ, Universal religion.
Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, Boston, MA: Officially called Church of Christ, Scientist. Eddy’s teaching heavily indebted to Phineas P. Quimby, a mesmerist. Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures functions as a virtual second canon of Scripture. Views God as infinite Mind, “the animating divine Principle of all that is real and good.” Matter is unreal; thus, so are sickness and death, which are overcome by believing that we are Mind. Seeking medical help is discouraged, frequently resulting in preventable deaths. Christ is “the divine manifestation of God” most fully seen in Jesus, who only seemed to die. The “Holy Ghost” is Divine Science, that is, Christian Science. The orthodox doctrine of the Trinity is rejected as polytheistic. Many New Age ideas have historical roots in Christian Science and related Mind Science groups. Profile available.
Christianity, Jesus Christ: Major world religion developed in the first century AD based on the belief that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised Messiah or Christ of Israel. Followers, called Christians, were initially viewed as a sect of Judaism. It quickly developed as a separate religion as Jewish Christians became outnumbered by non-Jewish converts and, through a strong missionary emphasis, Christianity became a diverse worldwide movement. Their scripture is the Bible, which contains the Jewish Scriptures (Old Testament) and the Christian Scriptures (New Testament). Except for cults, aberrant sects, and Liberal Christianity, those who claim to be Christians have historically believed the following: There is only one true God eternally revealed in three distinct Persons – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the Trinity). Human beings are sinners who (without the grace of God received through faith in Christ) are eternally lost. Jesus, who is God in the flesh, died on the cross and rose physically from the dead as the sole and sufficient payment for the sins of humanity. See Gospel, Born Again, Fundamental Christianity, Evangelical Christianity, Protestant Christianity, Orthodox Christianity, Roman Catholicism, Salvation by Grace, Salvation by Works.
Christward Ministry, Escondido, CA: New Age, guided meditation, Christ-consciousness.
Chrysalis: Swedenborg Foundation periodical.
Chuang-tzu: Legendary founder of Taoism.
Church, The, Jim Roberts: See Brethren.
Church at San Diego, Paul and Patrica Carroll: Current leaders Vincent and Patricia Izacic (a.k.a. Xavier). Shepherding, mind control.
Church For Positive Living, Dean Davis Bedford, TX: Native American spirituality, yoga, creative meditation, visualization.
Church in York, Bernard Haygood, York, PA: Shepherding, baptismal regeneration.
Church of All Worlds, Otter Zell, Berkeley, CA: Occult/Pagan theology. Publishes the Green Egg periodical.
Church of Bible Understanding (C.O.B.U.): A controversial network of churches, headquartered in New York, that historically has been charged with spiritual abuse due to legalism, undue influence, and control mechanisms.
Church of Christ: See Churches of Christ.
Church of Christ-Consciousness: See Center of the Light.
Church of Christ Jesus: See International Churches of Christ.
Church of Christ, Scientist: Official name for Christian Science.
Church of Christ, Temple Lot, Granville Hedrick, Independence, MO: Splinter group that broke away from the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Church of Christ with the Elijah Message, Otto Fetting, Independence, MO: Splinter group that broke away from the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Church of Christ with the Elijah Message, Greenwood, MO: 1998 splinter group from Otto Fetting’s group of the same name.
Church of Cosmic Origin, Hope Troxell, June Lake, CA: New Age, Community, Cosmic Christianity, additional scripture includes The Book of Enoch.
Church of Divine Influence: Alignment with the Divine Will of the Wise Movement of the Universe.
Church of Essential Science, Scottsdale, AZ: Kabbalah, cosmic laws of Divine spark to achieve salvation, God was All in the beginning.
Church of E Yada di Shi-ite, Mark Probert, Mountain View, CA: New Age, channeling, UFO contactee.
Church of Freethought: A social organization for atheists that provides the opportunities for socializing, community service, and social support offered by theistic churches.
Church of God and True Holiness, Robert Carr, Raleigh, NC: Allegedly practice slavery and mind control.
Church of God Evangelistic Association, David J. Smith, Richardson, TX: Armstrongism splinter group. Denies Trinity, personality of the Holy Spirit, and the bodily resurrection. Teaches annihilationism, salvation by law-keeping, Sabbatarianism, and that man can become a member of “the God family” (Godhead). Publishes Newswatch Magazine and Newswatch radio and television programs.
Church of God, (Abrahamic Faith), Wenatchee, WA: Adventist group, similar to the Bible Studen
Oh well, the list only made it as far as the C’s. I am sorry. I should have sent the link rather than the entire list. Sorry!
For a complete list (which includes nearly church n the planet), just go to this site:
http://www.watchman.org/cat95.htm
Bill is back! I can tell by his cutting and pasting.
Welcome back Bill…wondering where you were today. But then again, Kevin and I don’t have real jobs that keep us busy (even though we are paid), so we have more time for blogging!
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..Is There Life on Other Planets?
Bill,
If the Bible is not the final authority for your life then you are not a Christian. True followers of Jesus know that the Bible is “THE” final authority in our lives.
I’ll be glad to expose those ministries as soon as they start coming on this blog.
Please send your best elders to my home!
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..Calling all Mormons!
Oh Steve,
I didn’t realize you were a pastor also
Well, Kevin asked me a question earlier. It asked about the Bible being the absolute authority in my life.
I think that if you have not read my response, you should afford yourself that opportunity…as…it is only a couple of lines.
The cat MUST have Kevin’s tongue since he has not repsonded.
I have clearly stated that every Latter Day Saint (Mormon) truly believes that the ONLY way back the Heavenly Father is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. It is by HIS grace that we are saved and no other way..
Mormon’s do not worship Joseph Smith any more than Baptists wordhip Billy Graham or Annie Arnstrong.
What say you?
Bill,
I did respond and am wondering why a person should trust the Book of Mormon which was plagiarized over a respected document like the Bible?
I don’t worship anyone but Jesus.
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..Calling all Mormons!
Bill…sorry to disappoint you, but I am only a “former” pastor…even though the calling wears off slowly…
You said that mormons don’t worship Joseph Smith any more than Baptist worship Billy Graham or Annie Armstrong.
I don’t worship anyone but Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, who was crucified on a cross, buried, and arose on the third day, who will one day call me (as a Christ follower) home to be with Him in heaven.
And, even though I am Baptist, I don’t really care what “baptist” believe as much as what Christians are to be. I can’t be a Christian if anyone or anything equals or supercedes Jesus.
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..Is There Life on Other Planets?
Kevin,
You’re not telling the truth. You worship a lot of people besides Jesus Christ. Nick Saban is one of them. Right???
Kevin,
I am going to buy into your silly little game, and take you at your word.
You said that you love everyone.
So…I would ask that you invite some Farrakhan supporters and islamic radicals to your home this evening.
By the way, we don’t trust the Book of Mormon OVER the Bible, but we DO place them in great equality.
You have yet to prove to anyone that the Book of Mormon is plagarized, but we ALL know the Bible had many precious truths removed from it by the Council of Nicea.
http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/nicaea.html
And for that reason, it was necessary for the Book of Mormon to come forth at the last days, so that TRUTH could be restored (which was once lost at the apostasy) to the earth as described in Ezekiel below:
Ezek. 37: 16, 19
16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one astick, and bwrite upon it, For cJudah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and dwrite upon it, For eJoseph, the fstick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:
• • •
19 Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of aJoseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.
Well then Brother M. Steve Heartsill….
We are exactly the same!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And who has the right to place into question what is in my heart???
If I read a thousand books by every author, and STILL believe as you have stated above. then HOW can you or anyone else boldly state that every Latter Day Saint or myself are not Christians. We follow Jesus Christ and none other, and our entire foundation is on the Atonement of Christ P-E-R-I-O-D.
As I mentioned before, Kevin needs to go and ick on some islamic fascists.
Steve…by the way…Jesus IS NOT God’s only son. So are you
Bill…do you hear that loud sucking sound? I’m reading your reply and thinking, “He’s almost right…” Almost right…He almost has it!
Then, you tell me that Jesus is not God’s only Son…that’s when the deflation hits. I am God’s child, adopted into His family by what Jesus did on the cross…but, I am not equal to Jesus. I have not been around since the foundation of the world.
Show me, not in the book of mormon or a cut and paste document, show me where in the Bible it says that I am God’s Son, equal with Jesus.
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..Is There Life on Other Planets?
I put this link on before…and…somehow, my post was removed just as were so many books of the Bible during the Council of Nicea.
As mentioned, the Council of Nicea removed many important books of the Bible, and along with that removal so went many precious truths.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=council+of+nicea&btnG=Google+Search
The Book of Moormon was prophesied to come forth at the last days, to re-establish God’s ENTIRE WORD (all gospel thruths and sound doctrines) as verified in:
Ezek. 37: 16, 19
16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one astick, and bwrite upon it, For cJudah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and dwrite upon it, For eJoseph, the fstick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:
• • •
19 Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of aJoseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.
Steve…Jesus if God’s only B-E-G-O-T-T-E-N Son
explain that Bill…B-E-G-O-T-T-E-N…yes. I know that. And believe that. But, you didn’t answer my question. where in the Bible does it say that I am His son?
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..Is There Life on Other Planets?
Should I accept the Koran because it makes claims about Jesus?
Should I accept Catholic teachings about the pope?
Should I accept JWs view of 144,000?
You see, as long as I quote other documents, besides God’s Holy Word, then I am not comparing apples to apples…
I can “proof text” anything with a number of books. Heck, I even read a few things in the Birmingham News today that I could use for a source document.
But, no other document equals God’s Word. God has the final say. Period. Not mormons, baptists, catholics, etc. God does.
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..Is There Life on Other Planets?
Bill,
Does David Archuleta have to do a Mormon mission? Or does he get out of it because of all the money he will be giving the church?
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..Calling all Mormons!
Bill,
You said that we are the same because you can sing the creed that “Do I believe that Jesus Christ’s blood was shed for me, and his blood and amazing grace IS the only way I can return to our Father in Heaven? ABSOLUTELY YES!”
The problem is that you mean something completely different by those words that the others who are commenting.
Had you been able to make it down to the S in your list above from Watchman Fellowship, you would have found the Sacred Mushroom of the Cross, who can sing the creed that you sang, but believe that Jesus was a mushroom.
Same vocabulary – different lexicon. Surely you understand this…
Kevin Stilley’s last blog post..World’s Smartest Blog Readers
Steve,
I agree with you, and therfore do not see the cause for Kevin’s constant arguments against Mormons…who…ARE likewise Christians because we worship Jesus Christ.
What gives any of us a right to question what is in the heart of another PRECIOUS soul?
As for your question…
Genesis 1:27
Eccliastes 11:5
Jeremiah 1:6-7
By the way….DO NOT believe Kevin when he says that he ONLY worships Jesus Christ.
I KNOW for certain that he worships Nick Saban ha/ha
Bill,
On May 31st you said this:
I replied with this:
So I say you are teaching a lie. When are you going to come clean?
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..Calling all Mormons!
Stilley,
With all sincerity of heart, what mushrooms have you been smoking ha/ha?
First, we don’t sing any creed.
Secondly, I cannot carry a tune in a bucket.
Maybe you would benefit from reading what creed I was referring to
Kevin,
I did answer that, and you failed (as usual because you had rather argue than search for truths) to read my response.
This is my short answer…
You believe that the blood of Jesus is a free gift.
I believe that the blood of Jesus Christ is a free gift.
You believe that is the only way (by His grace) that one can return to live with him.
I believe that is the only way (by His grace) that one can return to live with him.
I believe in eternal marriage, and you believe that a man can drink, smoke, cheat on his wife, and commit any number of sins and be accepted by the forgiven of the Lord….
But if he wants to be a deacon, that rule no longer applies, and the song “Just As I Am” is tossed out the door.
So you see, we may have doctrinal differences, but in the end result, it is the blood of Jesus Christ ONLY by which man can be saved into to any degree of Heaven (see 1 Corinthians 15:40)…or…kingdom of glory.
Surely, you cannot fault someone for being on the safe side. What I mean by that is…that I CHOOSE to do more than talk about being a Christian. I strive (even though I often fall short) for righteousness…
Prov. 10: 2-3, 11, 16, 21, 24-25, 28, 30, 32
2 aTreasures of wickedness profit nothing: but brighteousness delivereth from death.
3 The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.
• • •
11 The mouth of a arighteous man is a bwell of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
• • •
16 The alabour of the righteous tendeth to blife: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
• • •
21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but afools die for want of wisdom.
• • •
24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
25 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
• • •
28 The ahope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
• • •
30 The arighteous shall never be bremoved: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
• • •
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the amouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.
A note about the last post.
Seemingly, a man can commit any other sin imagineable, and still return to live with the Lord.
BUT, if he has been married before, he cannot become a deacon.
Sooo…where is that amazing grace???
Kevin…after your friend was accused last week of being a pedophile, you and others were trying to figure out how that man could obtain another position within the church.
There was never any mention of the little child (maybe multiple children) who were damaged by this.
How can it be that he can be forgiven to the point of returning to full fellowship and employ…but…a divorcee cannot be a deacon???
So you see, we do have differences, but I DO NOT think that would keep you from the shed blood and accompanying saving grace of Jesus Christ.
So..yes…I TOO am a Christian, and especially so under the terms above
Bill,
Again you are not answering the question. In the passage above I showed you where Jesus says we will not be married in heave. What do you say about it?
Bill.,
You are putting words in my mouth. No I don’t want him in a pastoral position. Now years later after restoration I hope he can minister to others struggling w/ the sin he has dealt with. I did say the church leadership has not ministered to him & that is true & sad.
To LDS followers:
Since it has been proven that Joseph Smith botched/faked the translation of the Book of Abraham, why should anyone believe the Book of Mormon to be true?
It ALL comes back (as said by many of your presidents and prophets) to the testimony of Joseph Smith. IMO, I just have too many questions regarding his integrity and character to trust any of his claims to a “new” revelation from God.
Rick Boyne’s last blog post..June already?
Kev,
If you choose NOT (the covenants and ordinances being performed in the ancient temple) to live eternally with your precious wife, that is your right. If however I believe differently, that does not remove the fact that Jesus’ shed blood is the only way we can return to live with our Heavenly Father!
And if I (as all other Mormons have likewise done) I am as equally as entitled to that grace as you.
I have already told you before that the Bible IS NOT (for me anyway) the final word of God, but I AM a follower of Jesus Christ.
He is not so small, that he would send forth a book that only accounted for the inhabitants of the ancient world around the Holy Land. What about the inhabitants of the Central America pyramids???
What about ALL the LOST BOOKS OF THE BIBLE???
Once again, you have not addressed the OMITTED BOOKS OF THE BIBLE which happened at the COUNCIL OF NICEA.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=council+of+nicea%2Bomitted+books+of+the+bible&btnG=Search
Also and again, HOW can a pedophile preacher be welcomed back into full fellowship and employment, while a man who has been married before cannot be a deacon??? JUST AS I AM” must apply to pastors only????
Bill,
It isn’t up to me to be w/ my wife in heaven. If I believe what the Mormons believe then Jesus is a liar. He said we will not be married in heaven. Are you going to follow a liar?
Your religion is full of holes.
Hello Rick Boyne,
How’s Sally & the kids?
I’ll bet its hot out there in Oklahoma
FOr all you Rick Boyne followers. here is a portion of the Book of Abraham…which like many other pllain and precious truths were omitted from the Bible and/or just removed altogether at the Council of Nicea.
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/pgp/contents
Bill,
Why, yes, it is hot out here in Oklahoma. Why do you ask? Is it to show that you know where I live? If I wanted to hide that, I wouldn’t have listed my personal blog.
The Book of Abraham wasn’t deleted from the Council of Nicea; it was written by Joseph Smith back in the 1800’s.
Back to my question, Bill. (and other LDS followers) Why should anyone trust the Book of Mormon when Joseph Smith lied about the Book of Abraham?
(Bill, no other questions. No other directions. This one question is all I’m concerned about right now)
Rick Boyne’s last blog post..June already?
Kevin,
I am going to follow my heart, and be guided by the gift of the Holy Ghost.
I have a testimony of the truthfulness of this which I share.
Rick,
The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints, has in it’s possession, the ancient papyrus documents of the Book of Abraham. Joseph Smith did translate it.
All of Christiandom is based on a Bible which had many plain and precous truths removed. It was satan’s plan all along to destroy the gospel of Jesus Christ.
If you are reading this tonight, do not let anyone (including myself) lead you down the wrong path.
If you wonder who appointed Constatine to emperialistically rule over the Council, and thus remove precious truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, read here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Council_of_Nicaea
If on the other hand, you want to learn about those truths being restored to the earth in the last days. then read here:
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e419fb40e21cef00VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRD
Bill,
You are still avoiding the question- Did Jesus lie about marriage in heaven?
If you are on this site tonight, and wonder WHO gave Constatine and the Council of Nicea, the right to remove precious truths about the gospel of Jesus Christ from the Bible, then read here:
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=cf63fd758096b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
If however, you desire to learn about those omitted truths having been restored to the earth, then read here:
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e419fb40e21cef00VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRD
Kevin,
Jesus ABSOLUTELY DID NOT lie about getting married in Heaven.
That has to be done here (before mortall death), by someone who has (restored) priesthood authority, and in a Temple…which was the same thing that happened anciently in the Temple.
It is called the new and everlasting covenant.
Bill,
Jesus said we would not be married @ all.
Kevin, so the only way to get an invitation for dinner at your house is to join a cult? (grin)
jimmy paravane’s last blog post..that’s two.
KEVIN,
You probably will not be married in Heaven. I am so sorry that you have such a precious wife and children. Just think…they could have been their wonderful husband and father f-o-r-e-v-e-r.
But the Council of Nicea made certain (since satan hates families and procreation, and life in general) that the most precious truths (such as eternal marriage) were omitted or removed from what was left of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The piece of the Bible which remained, made it necessary for HIS (Jesus) gospel to be restored at the last days…as prophesied in…
Ezekiel 37: 16 & 19
where it talks about the stick of Judah (BIBLE) and the stick of Ephraim (BOOK OF MORMON) being combined into one stick in the Lord’s hand.
That has happened now, the true gospel has been restored to the inhabitants of the earth, and there is absolutely NOTHING that can stop the great joy so many people are going to have once they discover the truth.
False churches, false preachers (who only tell part of the truth), and false religions are about to crumble. What will remain will be two 92) religions on the earth. One of satan…and one for the Lord jesus Christ.
WHO do you think is going to win that final war?
Brother & Sisters of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Please DO NOT trust your eternal lives to others. Read your scriptures, pray with your families every night, listen for promptings from the Holy Ghost, and act upon what you receive for an answer.
You are agents unto yourselves, and are able to pray and judge for yourselves whether you have heard the WHOLE STORY.
Please however, DO NOT take my word for it. You can know if what I tell you is so, simply by praying to God, and asking in faith if what I say is true.
For more answers about the restored gospel to the earth, please look at this site:
http://mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/
.
Did you know…
The cross is used in many Christian churches as a symbol of the Savior’s death and Resurrection and as a sincere expression of faith.
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we also remember with reverence the suffering of the Savior. But because the Savior lives, we do not use the symbol of His death as the symbol of our faith.
Our lives must be the expression of our faith. When we are baptized and confirmed, we covenant to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ. The way we live our lives should demonstrate our love for the Savior and His work.
The only members of the Church who wear the symbol of the cross are Latter-day Saint chaplains, who wear it on their military uniforms to show that they are Christian chaplains.
For more TRUTHS about the Savior, visit:
http://jesuschrist.lds.org/SonOfGod/eng/
Bill,
According to Wikipedia, Encarta & Britannica 2008, the purpose of the Council of Nicea “was to resolve disagreements in the Church of Alexandria over the nature of Jesus in relationship to the Father; in particular, whether Jesus was of the same substance as God the Father or merely of similar substance.”
I haven’t found any mention (except on conspiracy sites devoted to UFO and Elvis sightings) of the Council of Nicea selecting which books would be included or omitted from The Bible.
Maybe Joseph Smith wrote his own version of the Council, too?
Bill,
Just because you want something to happen doesn’t mean it will. Sure I would love to be married to Cassandra in heaven, but Jesus said it won’t happen. According to your beliefs this makes Jesus a liar!
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..Sex in the City? What kind of message does it send?
Joe,
You need to go and aswk your priest to shed more light on this for you.
Kevin,
What is your take on the Dead Sea Scrolls?
Bill,
my take is they exist. What about my question about Jesus – was he a liar?
KEVIN, & OTHERS
We have bantered back and forth as to whether the BIBLE is the final word of God. You are of the belief that it is.
I am strongly of the belief that it is not.
1. The Baptists DO NOT believe the Bible to be the final word of God.
Here, according to the Baptist Press, the New Orleans Baptist
Theological Seminary has displayed 12 of the Dead Sea
Scrolls, and have further validated their authenticity.
http://www.baptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?id=19862
What is important about this is the fact that they actually state themselves, that this is a record of the ancient people who lived near Qumran…which by the way…WAS the Jaredites and Lehi…who are in the Book of Mormon.
2. IF the Baptist believe that the BIBLE is the final word of God, then WHY are they displaying gospel truths which are not part of that BIBLE???
3. How can Kevin and others of you claim that Joseph Smith plagarized the KJV, if your very own denomination is posting scriptures not of the Bible, but is a parallell to the BOOK OF MORMON?
4. Kevin has stated that there is no such thing as ETERNAL MARRIAGE, but those very scrolls the NOTGS and other Baptists have validated contain information about ancient marriage chambers and other indications that eternal marriage was practiced in the Temple. See below:
http://comevisit.com/lds/cmariage.htm
Bill,
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has in its possession an ancient Egyptian papyrus that is a common “letter of the dead” put in the possession of a dead person during their burial so that they will have instructions about the afterlife. It is a common, (not unique) document found with countless Egyptian mummies. Egyptologists have translated the same letter before the papyrus scrolls were re-discovered in the 1960’s. Once they were given to the LDS for confirmation that they were indeed the same ones translated by Joseph Smith, they were then also translated by independent Egyptologists. They found it simply to be a common letter of the dead.
Therefore, since the papyrus scrolls are duplicated common letters found with most mummies and not the presumed Book of Abraham as purported by Joseph Smith, you can come to one of at least two conclusions:
1. Smith was deceived by an evil spirit in the translation of the papyrus scroll, or
2. Smith intentionally deceived everyone and knew that he was providing a fake translation.
I would hope that at the very least it was Joseph Smith that was deceived.
I would enjoy hearing any other conclusion by anyone who would be willing to share it.
My original question remains: since Joseph Smith botched/faked the Book of Abraham how can anyone trust the Book of Mormon?
Rick,
This may be helpful:
http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDSFAQ/FQ_Abraham.shtml
Now, I have a question, and it is asked with all sincerity…because…it is important for me and my familt to know all we can about the teachings of Jesus Christ.
So the question is…
Where can I find information about the Pre-Trubulation Rapture that the Southern Baptists (whom I was once a member) have adopted as truth?
There have been countless books and movies about this (Tim LeHay…a Baptist Pastor comes to mind), millions of dollars made…and yet…the word Rapture DOES NOT EXIST (that I can find) in any scripture?
Since it would seem to some lately, that God is pouring our His judgements upon the earth without measure now, and it likewise seems as though we are living through that tribulation that millions of Baptists believe they will ultimately escape, what does this mean for those who have believed the false teachings?
Can you help me out here?
I don’t know how you can say that Southern Baptists have adopted the Pre-Tribulation Rapture as truth; that is news to me. Did your ward president tell you that Southern Baptists have adopted this as truth? Did your former SBC pastor preach that in your church? If so, that was his right to believe it, but it doesn’t make what he preached “right”.
Here is the “official” Southern Baptist position on the last things. It is article ten of the Baptist Faith and Message (2000). If you are truly interested, then I suggest you read it carefully. If you really want to know, then here it is:
X. Last Things – God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord. Isaiah 2:4; 11:9; Matthew 16:27; 18:8-9; 19:28; 24:27,30,36,44; 25:31-46; 26:64; Mark 8:38; 9:43-48; Luke 12:40,48; 16:19-26; 17:22-37; 21:27-28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 17:31; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 15:24-28,35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 1:5; 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 5:1ff.; 2 Thessalonians 1:7ff.; 2; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1,8; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:27-28; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:7ff.; 1 John 2:28; 3:2; Jude 14; Revelation 1:18; 3:11; 20:1-22:13.
You can find the whole document here: http://immanuelsouthern.com/about/the-baptist-faith-and-message-2000/
If you want more information about Tim Lahaye’s theory of Pre-Trib rapture, do a Google search; that’s what I did. I don’t preach it; I don’t believe it, either. I choose to believe what the Bible says instead of any other teaching. It is up to the individual to see what the Word of God says through the Bible and judge EVERY OTHER writing BY the Bible. Some people get the interpretation wrong, either by wishful thinking, or by being deceived by others.
And, back to my original question (as you seem to be very good at distracting from), I have read what Jeff Lindsay has to say about this before you ever posted a link. My question still stands: Since it has been proven that Joseph Smith translated a common letter of the dead and told everyone that he had translated the Book of Abraham, how and why should anyone believe him when he said he translated the Book of Mormon?
How and why should anyone believe you, when other Baptist preachers teach a pre-tribilation rapture.
Can’t you people get your story straight?
In other words, if I go to LaBelle Haven Baptist Church in Memphis (which I did and where they showed the film about the rapture to young people), and later become a member of a different Southern Baptist Church, HOW can you people teach so many variations of the same story..but yet they are all true?
The rapture is a total lie and scam, and has falselely led many millions within your denomination to believe that once they are saved, they can sit back and wait for Jesus to take them away from here prior to tribulations. mMny will perish for believing that lie.
Now as for Joseph Smith, the church has admitted that (after having a fragment of the pappyri examined by an Egyptologist, which is all they have) that it does not appear NOT to be authentic. However, they go on to say that they only have a small fragment.
I would say that Joseph may have been the recipient of a hoax.
And I would say that millions of Baptists (many who are my friends today) are sitting around in hopes of a blessed event to happen (the RAPTURE) which is different a cruel hoax..yet…is taught as common practice amongst the Southern Baptist.
http://www.baptist2baptist.net/B2BContent.asp?section=sbcl
Don’t you folks need to clean up your own backyard, before pointing fingers at other lovers of Jesus Christ?
Bill,
You still haven’t answered my question. Did Jesus lie about marriage?
Kevin,
I have answered your question in entirety.
You are the King of going backwards, when you cannot find a suitable response once your challenges are answered.
I told you in a previous post this morning that the Dead Sea Scrolls prove of eternal marriage.
Likewise, I showed you where the New Orleans Baptist Theological Semniary has proclaimed thet the Dead Sea Scrolls are official scripture…even though…you have told me many times that the Bible is the last word.
So once again, can’t you people make up your minds as to what you really believe?.
And we proved yeserday that the Council of Nicea removed many important books precious truths, and parts of the scriptures in an effort to form an emperialistic society…one in which the sheeple are kept hunkered down from knowing the real truth.
So NO…I DO NOT feel that Jesus lied, I think the pastors of churches like yours who teach partial truths adoped from a bunch of pagans at Nicea, are the real liars!
An example of these lies, are the flip flop from one Baptist church to another on when the RAPTURE will take place, when in fact, that word IS NOT mentioned anywhere in the scriptures.
Millions have been deceived by the FALSE HOPE OF A RAPTURE. Millions of precious souls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bill…I’m curious…you say that Kevin and others have really abused you on this site. Yet, in your most recent post, you made the following comments:
“Can’t you people get your story straight?”
“Don’t you folks need to clean up your own backyard, before pointing fingers at other lovers of Jesus Christ?”
Sorry Bill…but I see more respect from Kevin and others than I am seeing from you. Also, I detect that you aren’t answering questions, just deverting attention to other matters.
If we can, let’s deal with one question at a time…why not start with Kevin’s question. After all, it is HIS blog.
Bill…I might also add, unless I have missed something, no one REQUIRES you to visit this site, unless you are working for the LDS church (I guess Kevin would know from your IP address. So, if Kevin and everyone else is a liar, just don’t visit the site. Don’t comment. Lower your blood pressure. Just ignore the liars, lost, and ignorant Christians who hang out here. Does that not make sense?
Dear Kevin,
I happened, by chance, upon your website–which, overall, is informative and interesting.
However, there is one aspect of it which is wildly mis-informed, and I trust you’ll correct it. Correct it by removing it. (Making any need to post my letter unnecessary).
You include the highly respected philosophy, Aesthetic Realism, under “cults.” This is laughably false. My doctoral dissertation–let alone dozens of published research articles in scholarly journals,–is explictly grounded on the principles of this philosophy. And the dissertation is from New York University–which certainly doesn’t grant Ph.Ds to people who wish to “push a cult.” Moreover, I am hardly the only scholar who has received a doctorate based on the concepts of Aesthetic Realism or who is published in peer-reviewed journals with essays whose methodology derives from Eli Siegel’s groundbreaking philosophic work.
I don’t know how you arrived at the “cult” label. All I can say is it is as weird as calling the thought of Kant, or Spinoza, or Einstein, or Aristotle “cultist.” Anyone with an axe to grind can call anything a cult–(that’s one of the dangers of the internet). But facts are facts, and I’m sure that as a responsible person you’ll want to correct the error on your site.
All the best,
Edward Green, Ph.D.
Bill,
I’m on a break from staff planning so I am typing from my Treo. But how can you say you believe Jesus is not lying when the Mormons say you will remain married in heaven and Jesus says we will not be? If Jesus is perfect then why don’t you believe his words?
Kevin,
I’m still waiting for the address, DUDE! LOL
Phil Hoover’s last blog post..A MUST READ: “The War Within”
M. Steve Heartsill,
I am a defender of the innocent. Not once has a member of the Latter Day Saint church come on this site and proclaimed that Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Catholics or members of any other denomination “DO NOT WORSHIP THE JESUS OF THE BIBLE” as has been announced on this site by Kevin and others for at least 2 years now.
HOW can you or anyone else know in your heart, what I or other Mormons believe in their heart.
Only God can judge that, yet you folks are consistently on here beating your chests that you are right and all others are wrong.
Yet, this morning I have proven (after Kevin made the BOLD statement that the Bible is the final word of God), that the Baptists themselves have validated the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Those Dead Sea Scrolls ARE NOT in the Bible, just as is the Book of Mormon is not in the Bible. Yet, the Dead Sea Scrolls prove that eternal marriage WAS practiced in the Temple in those days…just as we as Latter Day Saints claim.
Also, millions of innocent Baptists and other Christian religions are basing all their hope on a PRE-TRUBULATION RAPTURE, one which exists nowhere in the Bible, but falseley teaches it’s members to just say the sinners prayer, continue on in your same old sinful ways, never change for the better or strive to keep God’s commandments…AND BECAUSE OF THIS ACT…they will be taken away from the earth prior to bad things happening…which sadly ARE already happening.
Soooooo…….how can you state that your brand of Jesus Christ is better than mine????
The Bible was wrongfully chopped at the Council of Nicea, yet you really believe that it is the wntire word of God…even though…I have proven to you that it has many removals, omissions and changes!!!!!
So, your worship of Christ is based on partial truths. WHat happened to the rest of the story???
THIS IS FOR KEVIN. PLEASE READ THIS WITH YOUR WIFE AND CHILDREN:
http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/response/qa/eternal_marriage.htm
Is there Eternal Marriage?
by W. John Walsh
Latter-day Saints believe that the faithful will live in family units in Heaven. We believe that this world is patterned after the Heavenly world, and we are simply practicing in this life that which will be eternally enjoyed. (See Eternal Marriage)
Objections to this belief are usually based on Matthew 22:30: “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.” Notice, it does not say matrimonial relationships do not exist in Heaven, but that no one marries in Heaven. Mormons do not believe that anyone actually marries in Heaven. We believe marriage is an earthly ordinance and must be done here. We believe those who were sealed in the Temple here on earth, and live faithful to their covenants with God, continue their family relationships in Heaven.
We believe that if you to choose to wait until after the resurrection to seek eternal marriage, it is too late and you will spend eternity as a serving angel. For those who did not have the opportunity for eternal marriage in mortality, God will make allowances. Therefore, LDS beliefs are in accordance with this interpretation of scripture. However, there is additional evidence of the concept of eternal marriage contained within the Bible. It is important to recognize that one verse of scripture does not define all eternal truth. To properly understand the scriptures, it is crucial that we bring all relevant passages into the discussion so that our understanding is placed into proper context.
Let’s start at the beginning, with Adam and Eve. “And the LORD God said, [It is] not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” (Genesis 2:18) Here the Lord God makes a declarative statement that not only is marriage acceptable, but it is good. To remain single and alone is not good (evil). Does heaven contain good or evil things? If heaven contains good things, then it must contained married couples, since marriage has been defined by God himself as good. Also, our first parents were married by God in the Garden of Eden. Remember that before they partook of the fruit, there was no death. Therefore, when God married them, he intended for them to stay married forever, which is clear Biblical support for the concept of eternal marriage. “I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever:” (Ecclesiastes 3:14) What did Jesus Christ say about marriage? “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Matthew 19:6)
But due to the effects of the Fall, death entered into the world. It is true that except for an atonement, Adam and Eve would have been forever separated from each other and from God. However, there was an Atonement made by Jesus Christ that overcame the effects of the Fall. If the Atonement is not powerful enough to restore the eternal marriage of Adam and Eve, then it is not infinite and eternal. In which case, no one has any hope of salvation because an infinite and eternal atonement was not made. Furthermore, if the atonement was not powerful enough to restore the eternal marriage of Adam and Eve, then that means the purposes of God have been frustrated eternally, since he intended from the beginning for them to be eternally married. But it is my testimony that the Atonement of Jesus Christ was infinite and eternal, and because of it, the promise of salvation and eternal marriage is extended to all. We will all be resurrected. Those who became “one flesh” through eternal marriage will rise in the resurrection as one flesh, even eternally married.
As final point on Matthew 22:30, please keep in mind that Christ is addressing this statement of doctrine to the Sadducees. Jesus made his response to the Sadducees after they asked him the trick question concerning the brothers and the woman. Remember that the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, immortality, or eternal marriage. His answer to them must be understood in that context.
Before someone learns advanced gospel principles, like eternal marriage, it is necessary for him to master the basic ones like the resurrection. “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.” (Hebrews 5:12) Before one understands the basic principles, a person is not capable of understanding, much less appreciating, the precious pearls of the gospel. “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” (Matthew 7:6) It is clear from these Biblical passages that Jesus did not believe that all things should be taught to all people.
Because the Sadducees rejected the simple doctrine of the resurrection, there was no need to explain the advanced doctrine of eternal marriage, for how can one accept the realities of resurrected life before one accepts the resurrection itself? Considering how unreceptive his audience was to the basic concept, Jesus decided that this was not the appropriate time to give a full discourse on this precious pearl. This understanding of scriptural development is understood by both Jews and Christians alike. For example, Jewish theologians have struggled to explain why there is no clear teaching about the resurrection and afterlife in the Old Testament. Moses Maimonides, one of the most famous Jewish medieval philosophers, answered the question this way:
“Simply put, the answer is that the people of that age were not ready to accept that doctrine. They did not believe in miracles and in prophecy, only in the predictable course of nature. Teaching them about the miracle of resurrection would have led to its rejection and even to the rejection of revelation as a whole.” (Summary of Maimonides’ explanation as found in Gillman, N., The Death of Death: Resurrection and Immortality in Jewish Thought. Vermont: Jewish Lights, 1997, p. 162.)
It is absolutely true that the doctrine of eternal marriage is ambiguously taught in the Bible (See Can you prove [insert the doctrine of your choice] strictly through the Bible?). This is one of the reasons the latter-day Restoration of the Gospel was needed, along with it’s clarified prophetic teachings. However, there are strong implicit teachings on eternal marriage in the Bible if one studies that sacred work in totality and context.
Please ponder these issues and pray about them. Do you love your family? Do you love your spouse? If you believe that God is love (1 John 4:8), then surely you cannot believe that God would deprive you of your dearest and most special relationships. It is my testimony that God has provided a way for families to live together forever.
Bill,
Why do you keep bringing up differences in doctrine that is admittedly open to interpretation? You keep saying something to the effect that “Southern Baptists have placed their hope in a lie”. I don’t think I have ever heard that Baptists put their trust in the “rapture.” As you said, “rapture” is not in the Bible. In all my life, I only remember one sermon on the second-coming that included the tribulation and it said that the second coming of the Lord was probably a post-trib event. You act as if every Baptist church is preaching this. I can assure you; it isn’t happening that way. Every Sunday, people are pleaded with to put their faith and trust in Jesus; not in the rapture.
I do, however, appreciate that you finally answered my question. Well, almost answered it. You conceded that Joseph Smith may have been the “recipient of a hoax”. However, if he went on to proclaim it as one of the “lost books of the Bible” and the LDS acknowledges that it isn’t, but continues to put it out as official scripture in the Pearl of Great Price, then doesn’t it beg the question that the LDS is knowingly perpetuating a hoax as official scripture? Doesn’t that, in and of itself, cast doubt on LDS beliefs and practices?
Bill,
I preached for 20 years. Not once in those 20 years did I preach on the “rapture.” Not once in 20 years did I go to a pastor’s conference where I heard a sermon on the “rapture.”
Now, does it happen? I’m sure it does! Does a member of LDS drink something with caffeine in it? I’m sure they do!
You can’t lump all Baptists into one ignorant bunch any more than you can lump all LDSers into a cup of coffee.
People are people. People are human. Mistakes are made. Bad theology floats around everywhere. I would assume you would admit that even people in LDS can have wrong theology? Would you not?
So, please don’t lump all Baptists together, claiming that we are all ignorant, liars, greedy, and misleading our congregations. As you do so, you are no different than what you are claiming people do to you on here. Politeness, in discussion, is a great quality to have.
As an addendum to that may I ask why your teachings contradict themselves, depending upon who is the prophet at the time? For example, Brigham Young taught for 25 years that Adam was actually God and the father of Jesus. But the Mormon Church does not teach that today. Each of these prophets were said to be spokesmen for God, but they all disagreed with each other on many important matters. Those words are not mine-they are from Dennis and Rauni Higley, one a 6th generation Mormon (he) and the other who for 14 years had access to some of the most important and secretive documents in the church. Her words after her study: “Mormonism just doesn’t make sense.”
Bill(cycleguy)’s last blog post..A Proud Father
Take 2:
You stated that Jesus and Lucifer are brothers. The passage in Isaiah seems to indicate that Lucifer was an angel cast out of heaven because of his pride. Jesus was not created. John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Lucifer, an angel, was a created being. Jesus was already in existence when the heavens and the earth were created; thus He is not a created being, but existed from all eternity.
Bill(cycleguy)’s last blog post..A Proud Father
Cycle Guy,
Is Jesus Christ God?
My guess Bill is that you are not really a seeker but do this kind of as a hobby to you. You like to use unknown facts that no one can research to make your point. It is truly sad because the Bible-the infallible, written Word of God (and only Word of God) says that “if you seek Him and search for Him with all your heart He will come to you.”
BTW: You like to speak of the Dead Sea Scrolls but you really speak of the Naghammadi Text- a text written by the Gnostics. True it was found at Qumran but not even the Mormon church stands behind it.
Bill(cycleguy)’s last blog post..A Proud Father
yes I believe that Jesus Christ is and always was God. You say Jesus had to learn how to become “a God.” he existed from everlasting to everlasting (Jn.1:10. He was virgin born when He left Heaven to die for us on the cross at Calvary. He always was and always will be God, the great I AM (Jn.1:1; 8:24). He created all things in Heaven and on Earth, principalities (including Lucifer) and powers (Col.1:16) He, (being the second Person of the “Trinity” and fully God) did this alone. (Is.44:24)
btw: if you follow out your Naghammadi text then the Holy Spirit (Ghost) is a female.
Bill(cycleguy)’s last blog post..A Proud Father
Mormons are not Creedal Christians. However, they do believe in the Jesus Christ of the New Testament:
The Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) is often accused by Evangelical pastors of not believing in Christ and, therefore, not being a Christian religion. This article http://mormonsarechristian.blogspot.com/ helps to clarify such misconceptions by examining early Christianity’s comprehension of baptism, the Godhead, the deity of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.
The Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) adheres more closely to First Century Christianity and the New Testament than any other denomination. For example, Harper’s Bible Dictionary entry on the Trinity says “the formal doctrine of the Trinity as it was defined by the great church councils of the fourth and fifth centuries is not to be found in the New Testament.”
One Baptist blogger stated “99 percent of the members of his Baptist church believe in the Mormon (and Early Christian) view of the Trinity. It is the preachers who insist on the Nicene Creed definition.” It seems to me the reason the pastors denigrate the Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) is to protect their flock (and their livelihood).
Further reading; http://jesuschrist.lds.org/SonOfGod/eng/
Mormons Are Christian’s last blog post..To: BigOnDrums
M-A-C,
There are LOTS of similarities between Mormonism and Christianity; let’s look at the differences. What makes Mormonism unique? I know about the similarities; why choose Mormonism over Christianity? You said that Mormons “do believe in the Jesus Christ of the New Testament”. OK, then what makes the understanding of that Jesus different than the Jesus of Mormonism? I ask that question because I do not understand them to be the same person. I understand the Jesus of the New Testament to be the incarnation of Elohim, that is, that Elohim and Jesus are the same. Is that what Mormons believe?
Mormons are Christians,
You can claim to be a Christian but your religion doesn’t mean Mormons are. The proof is whether you have a personal relationship with Jesus. The LDS teach you must work your way to heaven. You also teach your Book Of Mormon is equal to the BIble. Well it is not a holy book in fact it is a distortion of the KJV of the Bible. Your Prophet can change your theology at a moments notice. The real God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Bill (the Mormon from the Smokeys)
You never have answered my question. If Jesus said plainly that we will not be married in the Bible then how can you trust in Him if his claim is not true according to your Book of Mormon?
Don’t cut and paste, answer in your own words.
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..Create a Caption…
Rick,
May I ask you a question?
If God (Elohim) and Jesus Christ are the same, then who was Jesus praying to on the cross as below:
Matt. 27: 46
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, aMy God, my God, why hast thou bforsaken me?
Mark 15: 34
34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, aEloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou bforsaken me?
Was he praying to himself?
He also said:John 16: 10, 16-17, 28
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
• • •
16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall asee me, because I go to the Father.
17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
• • •
28 I acame bforth from the cFather, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
He said he came from the Father, and would return to His Father.
So, was he suggesting that he was somehow inbred?
Lastly, in these verses, was Jesus implying that he sits beside himself?
Col. 3: 1
1 If ye then be arisen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Kevin,
I do not know why, but I truly believe that you & Cassandra will be sealed for time and eternity, and will spend forever together. I am sure she would want this if only she knew the truth.
But, there will be some things which will have to happen first. The Lord usually teaches his own lessons, so who am I to interfere.
So, I will be sincerely (already have been) praying for you.
Bill
PS…Are you coming to Knoxville this October for the game?
Bill,
But you digress………….
I asked first….
Rick Boyne’s last blog post..Indiana Jones & the Crystal Skull
John 20: 17
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
2 points about this:
1. The resurrected Jesus HAS a body of flesh and bones. Otherwise,
he would not have warned Mary NOT to touch him…since…one
CANNOT touch a spirit (or ghost)
2. God (Heavenly Father) is a separate being…since…Jesus DID NOT
say that he was ascending unto himself. Look closely…He said,
“MY FATHER AND YOUR FATHER; AND MY GOD AND YOUR
GOD.”
Bill,
????
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..Are Mormons Christians?
Kevin,
Congratulations,
Millions of mainstream & evangelical christians, can now leave their belongings to we “Cultish” (your words) Mormons.
This is a hoot
http://www.youvebeenleftbehind.com/index-1.html
Bu the way, I found this on a Baptist site out of Chattanooga entitled
http://www.trunews.com
Bill,
There are so kooks that claim to be Christians too. The fact is Jesus is coming back but we don’t know when. It is followers of Jesus job to be faithful and tell people about Him. I pray you won’t be left behind.
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..Are Mormons Christians?
Bill,
The point I was trying to make is this:
The Jesus of the Bible and the Jesus of Mormonism isn’t the same person, even though they have the same name.
The Jesus of Mormonism was born out of a physical union between the immortal god Elohim and the earthling Marty. Jesus pre-existed as a sprit baby waiting for his birth so that he could be come a god like Elohim. According to your prophets, Jesus was married to Mary AND Martha and is now off somewhere making spirit babies that will do the same thing he did. He set the example for every good Mormon man to follow in his footsteps, so that they may, in turn, populate their own planet, if they are good enough.
Does that about sum up the Mormon take on Jesus? What part of that do you deny?
Rick Boyne’s last blog post..Where were you 19 years ago?
Oh Kevin,
I hope I am left behind.
Rick,
What part of the fact that Jesus Christ has a separate body, and is a separate being from God (Heavenly Father) do you deny?
John 20: 17
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
2 points about this:
1. The resurrected Jesus HAS a body of flesh and bones. Otherwise,
he would not have warned Mary NOT to touch him…since…one
CANNOT touch a spirit (or ghost)
2. God (Heavenly Father) is a separate being…since…Jesus DID NOT
say that he was ascending unto himself. Look closely…He said,
“MY FATHER AND YOUR FATHER; AND MY GOD AND YOUR
GOD.”
Bill,
I don’t want to see anyone spend eternity in hell. It is no laughing matter to me.
Bill
I deny that Jesus is a separate “BEING” from God. He is the incarnation of God on earth.
(John 10:30 I and my Father are one. )
You are very good at diverting the question away from yourself and asking another one.
I’ve answered your question; now please answer mine.
Kevin,
You have already stated that mthere is no such thing as a Rapture. Now however, you are afrais that I will be left behind??? Whew….
Sadly (unawares), you are leading many toward Hell (which is the knowledge that you could have had so much more if only you had listened to the promtings of the Lord)..
When you fail to address scriptures that I have shown you in YOUR BIBLE, (like 2 posts up) and then deny that they exist…nor…explain them to your flock, you are leading people astray.
While you and Rick are experts on what you think I believe, it is shocking that you DO NOT believe that the BIBLE is the true word of God.
If you did, you would be teaching that God/Elohoim/Heavenly Father has a body, that he is a separate being than Jesus, and that Jesus likewise has a body. They ARE NOT one in the same…but rather…one in purpose…as is the Holy Ghost (which has no body).
For instance, we know that Jesus will return, and set HIS FEET upon the mount. Then, the Jews will see the nail prints in HIS HANDS (those are physical hands), and proclaim that he was/is their Messiah.
Right or wrong???
Bill,
Whoa! I never said there was no rapture. Jesus is coming back but will it be pre or post trib I have no idea. I’m a Pan-Millenialist–it will all “pan” out in the end.
So Kevin,
Are you saying then, that there is a rapture?
Hey Bill,
Please don’t ignore my question. I answered yours; now please answer mine.
Rick,
If you are a Baptist pastor, then WHY are leading your flock astray by teaching a Roman Catholic heresy that appears no where in the BIBLE?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incarnation_(Christianity)
So…are you Catholic…or…are you Baptist.
And oh by the way…how dare you accuse the Latter Day Saints of worshipping a diferent Jesus.
Rick,
Why are you teaching a damnable Catholic heresy that appears no where in the KJV BIBLE?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incarnation_(Christianity)
I’ve searched everywhere, and cannot find one scripture reference to INCARNATION or INCARNATE in the BIBLE.
So, is your flock aware that what you are actually teaching is Roman Catholic doctrine?
Are you Baptist…or…are you Catholic???
Rick,
The word incarnation is a damnable heresy started by the Catholics.
It IS NOT mentioned anywhere in the BIBLE, which you and Kevin have both made clear is “the final word of God.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incarnation_(Christianity)
So, are you Catholic…or…Baptist???
Rick,
Why are you preaching Catholic heresy?
I have searched the entire Bible, and cannot locate one (1) scripture reference to INCARNATION.
Now, you have already stated that “the Bible is the final word of God.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incarnation_(Christianity)
So, do your members know that you are teaching a false doctrine?
Are you Baptist…or…Catholic???
Incarnation (Christianity)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Christ en majesté, Matthias Grünewald, 16th c.: Resurrection of JesusThe doctrine of the Incarnation of Christ is that the second person in the Christian Godhead, also known as the Son or the Logos (Word), “became flesh” when he was miraculously conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary. Alternatively, some Christian sects believe this to refer to the act of any heavenly being’s incarnation in a human body, the specific Incarnation referring to that of the Son of God/God/Jesus. In the Incarnation, the divine nature of the Son was united with human nature in one divine Person Jesus Christ, who was both “truly God and truly man”. The incarnation is commemorated and celebrated each year at the Feast of the Incarnation, also known as Annunciation.
The doctrine is central to the traditional Christian faith as held by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Catholic Churches, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox Church, the Anglican Communion, and most Protestants.
In the early Christian era there was considerable disagreement regarding the nature of Christ’s Incarnation. Christians believed that he was the Son of God. The exact nature of his Sonship, however, was contested.
Eventually, the doctrine of Christ being fully God and fully Man simultaneously was defined as doctrine by the Catholic Church, and all competing beliefs were defined as heresies. The most well known of these are Docetism, which stated that Jesus was a divine being that took on human appearance but not flesh, Arianism which held that Christ was a created being, and Nestorianism, which held that the Son of God, and the man, Jesus, shared the same body but retained two separate natures.
The most widely-accepted definitions of the Incarnation and the nature of Jesus were made by the early Catholic Church at the Council of Ephesus in 431, the Council of Chalcedon in 451, & the First Council of Nicaea in 325. These councils declared that Jesus was both fully God, begotten from, but not created by the Father; and fully man, taking His flesh and human nature from the Virgin Mary. These two natures, human and divine, were hypostatically united into the one personhood of Jesus Christ.
The significance of the Incarnation has been extensively written-upon throughout Christian history, and is the subject of countless hymns and prayers. For instance, the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, as used by Orthodox and Byzantine Catholics, includes the “Hymn to the Only Begotten Son”:
O only begotten Son and Word of God,
Who, being immortal,
deigned for our salvation
to become incarnate
of the holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary,
and became man without change;
You were also crucified,
O Christ our God,
and by death have trampled Death,
being One of the Holy Trinity,
glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit—
Save us!
The Athanasian Creed contains what may be considered a comprehensive definition of the Incarnation.
Contents [hide]
1 History of beliefs
2 Fortuitous and Necessary Incarnation
3 See also
4 External links
[edit] History of beliefs
The incarnation was defined as a doctrine only after long struggles by early church councils. The Council of Nicaea (325) defined the deity of Christ against Arianism; the Council of Constantinople (381) defined the full humanity of the incarnate Christ against Apollinarianism; the Council of Ephesus (431) defined the unity of Christ’s person against Nestorianism; and the Council of Chalcedon (451) defined the two natures of Christ, divine and human, against Eutyches. (Reginald H Fuller)
[edit] Fortuitous and Necessary Incarnation
The link between the Incarnation and the Atonement within systematic theological thought is complex. Within traditional models of Atonement, such as Substitution, Satisfaction or Christus Victor, it is essential that Christ be Divine in order for the Sacrifice of the Cross to be efficious, for our sins to be ‘removed’ and/or ‘conquered’. In his work “The Trinity and the Kingdom of God”, Jurgen Moltmann differentiated between what he called a ‘fortutious’ and ‘necessary’ Incarnation. The latter speaks of the sole aim of the Incarnation as having a soteriological emphasis – that the Son of God became incarnate ’so that’ He could save us from our sins. The former speaks of the Incarnation as a fulfilment of the love of God, and His desire to be present and living amidst us, to ‘walk in the garden’ with us. Moltmann favours ‘fortuitous’ incarnation primarily because to speak of an incarnation of necessity is to do an injustice to the life of Christ.
Moltmann’s work, alongside other systematic theologians, opens up avenues of liberation Christology, and the incarnation remains central to Christianity.
[edit] See also
God-man (mystic)
[edit] External links
On the Incarnation by Saint Athanasius of Alexandria
The Incarnation from the Catholic Encyclopedia.
Retrieved from “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incarnation_%28Christianity%29″
Categories: Christology | Jesus
Bill,
In your OWN words–what do you think it takes for a person to enter heaven?
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..Starbucks replaces baristas with vending machines
Not following a heretical false teacher like you.
Bill,
Without deflecting the truth, in your opinion, what does it take for a person to enter heaven?
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..Starbucks replaces baristas with vending machines
Are you asking about the heaven mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15: 40-41?
Where we are told that there are degrees of glory (heaven)….
OR…are you asking about John 14:2?
John 14: 2
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Bill,
I just want to know from you –no cut and paste from Mormon propoganda–
In your opinion, what does it take for a person to enter heaven?
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..Starbucks replaces baristas with vending machines
Kevin,
That propoganda you describe (2 posts above) is from the King James Bible. It is not propoganda.
Out of that same Bible (which you have proclaimed to be the final word of God) W-H-I-C-H Heaven are you asking me about?
John 14: 2
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Kevin,
I am still awaiting for Rick to let his members know if he is a Baptist…or Catholic.
After all, he has specifically told me that he believes in INCARNATION.
But that word exists NOWHERE in the BIBLE…which you and he have stated “is the final word of God.”
So I might ask you the same question…are you a Baptist …or…Catholic?
Also..you never answered me if you believe in a rapture or nor?
One time you tell me that there is no such thing, then later you tell me there is. Soooo…which is it?
RAPTURE is mentioned NOWHERE in that same Bible.
Bill,
again you avoid the question— IN YOUR OWN WORDS– WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR A PERSON TO ENTER HEAVEN?
Kevin,
Again…which Heaven are you asking about?
You WILL NOT ever defeat me with your false Catholic doctrine.
From your BIBLE (KJV), do you want to know about…
The Celestial Kingdom
The Terresrrial Kingdom
The Telestial Kingdom
as described in YOUR BIBLE in 1 Corinthians 15:40-41
Kevin your ship and paycheck are sinking, and there are not enough buckets to bail fast enough.
Come clean and preach real gospel principles and sound doctrine to those who trust in you to tell the truth….NOT…heretical falsehoods that began at the Council of Nicea/revised Roman Empire/Catholic
Bill,
You are a piece of work. Just tell me how a person gets to heaven.
Kevin,
Now is the time for you, Rick and many others to shine.
Lights, action, camera…you’re on the big stage.
Rick has already admitted that he teaches a doctrine of INCARNATION (one I assume is universally accepted anongst the Baptists)…which is a false Catholic teaching dating back to the Council of Nicea.
Why do you wonderful men (and I truly mean that although we disagree) that false doctrine, when the man below (this will blow your mind) had the following to say?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19692094/
Bill,
My goodness! What words you speak from a self-professed “christian”!
I am not just Baptist, but Southern Baptist, but not that that matters one iota.
I am in fact a follower of Jesus Christ.
How dare I accuse LDS of following a different Jesus? Well, I dare I not? IT IS THE TRUTH!
The Jesus you follow was made up by Joseph Smith, a heretic. And you accuse me of teaching “damable catholic heresy”? You are a hoot!
You have baited me enough for one day. I have things to do this evening, so you don’t have to keep repeating the same question over and over. From this point until tomorrow, just ask it once, then I’ll get around to it sometime tomorrow. Believe it or not, I know what you are doing and I just don’t have the time to play your game any more today.
Good night, Bill.
Rick,
The Jesus you follow was made up by satan through his wicked heretical follower Constantine…in 325..where many plain and precious truths were omitted from the scriptures.
So why is your Jesus true, and mine is false???
What I am doing is teaching all those innocent souls who may not know the truth (those who remain in bondage) that they are being taught false heretical doctrine NOT started by Jesus Christ (nor believed by current or ancient Jews).
DO you or do you not teach INCARNATION???
Bill,
Please answer the question in your own words. How does a person get to heaven?
PS: send your best elders my way!
So, Kevin, no takers on the personal visit yet? I’m really surprised. Maybe Bill himself would visit, you can pull out your video camera and we would have an even better installment than the Phelps’ folks…
Better call the police ahead of time…I’m afraid the “discussion” might get heated!
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..Crazy Man on the Loose
Steve,
I guess not. When I’m I’m Gatlinburg in August I’m going to drop by his real estate office!
Kevin,
If I did not already know you were just being friendly, I would think the Gatlinburg comment was a threat.
When was it you told me you were coming?
I thought you had rather go to the big game with me in October. Just think, Alabama gets the crap kicked out of them and you would have to endure that while sitting with a lost soul.
Whew…now that would be an interesting day ha/ha.
Bill,
No threat. I’d love to meet you. I’ll be there the 1st week of August. As for the 3rd Saturday in October -I would love to come. I’ve never been to a game there.
you are very wrong about Tony Alamo Christian Ministries.
I live in a beautiful 3 bedroom house with my own dishwasher washer and dryer. the former people you listened to are called backsliders. they left the house of God and they have taken on 7 demons worse than what they had before they were saved. You should go to the web site and listen to the messages or read the literature.
Go to the web site and check it out for yourself. Don’t listen to some devil whose job is to take as many souls to hell with him.
When you read the literature you will know it is from God and the devil hates God because God kicked satan out of Heaven.
Just like Pastor Alamo kicked out the homosexuals and backsliders out of the church. They don’t belong in the house of God. The backsliders know they are going to hell and there is no more repentance for them so they are doing everything they can to destroy the work of God. Satan must have told them he’ll give them a cushy place in hell if they destroy God’s people.
Be one of God’s people and accept Jesus as your personal Savior confess your sins before God and go and sin no more.
See you in Heaven. http://www.alamoministries.com
Okay Bill…I’ve been gracious to you and all of your comments. However, you’ve now gone too far! Telling me that Alabama is going to get the crap kicked out of them in October.
Now, those are fighting words! Between now and then, you’d best get your soul right with God–especially if you keep talking like that!
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..The Danger of NOT Cutting Your Grass
Bill,
Good morning!
Wow! I must say that you are extremely wonderful at diversion! Incredible, actually.
I’ll answer your question about incarnation, but let’s get back to the question that YOU haven’t answered yet, ok?
Yes! I teach the Biblical view of incarnation based on John 1:1-14. I preach it only in the context of those verses. The only problem you will have with that is that Joseph Smith changed the LDS version. Since you all seem to say that the KJV version is correct, please take a look at that, instead of the LDSV. I guess he had to change the Bible to make it reflect his view in the new book he wrote, huh?
You keep accusing the Nicene Council of removing books and other “precious truths” from the Bible. Who told you that? The same people that told you that Joseph Smith received the Book of Mormon from an angel? The same people who, in the past, claimed that Black people couldn’t be a part of your “church”? The same people who continue to purport the Book of Abraham as “Holy Scripture” when it has been proven that Joseph Smith didn’t have a clue what he was doing? The same people that told you that Jesus and Lucifer were are brothers? Yep, I’d be believing WHATEVER they say!
Now, I’ve answered your baited question about the incarnation, now please answer my question that I posed many posts above that you seemed to have ignored, but will now reproduce below:
******
The Jesus of Mormonism was born out of a physical union between the immortal god Elohim and the earthling Mary. Jesus pre-existed as a spirit baby waiting for his birth so that he could be come a god like Elohim. According to your prophets, Jesus was married to Mary AND Martha and is now off somewhere making spirit babies that will do the same thing he did. He set the example for every good Mormon man to follow in his footsteps, so that they may, in turn, populate their own planet, if they are good enough.
Does that about sum up the Mormon take on Jesus? What part of that do you deny?
You don’t have to get fancy. I’d prefer that you not cut and paste. I’d like to hear your take on that statement IN YOUR OWN WORDS. I’m not going to answer any more of your diversionary questions to me until you answer MY question. I’ve played your game for a while, but I’m tired of playing.
M. Steve Heartsill,
I will still love you although you cheer for the wrong team.
Not only do I now have to pray for you to awake spiritually ha/ha, but now I must find a way to send you to a good 12 step program.
“Hi my name is Steve, and I am a compulsive BAMA fan.”
But if you can find both of us a job making $500,000…which is what Nick Saban (God in Alabama) made per game for each of his 6 wins last year, I might consider conversion ha/ha.
It’s nice to jab with you and Kevin about the SEC…best darn conference in the land.
Roll Tide…uh..oh…except when they come to Rocky Top.
Go Volunteers!!!!!!
Well, Bill, I assume whenever the Vols hire a coach, they’ll have to pay him a decent salary as well…or do the Tennessee schools simply pay in moonshine and boiled peanuts?
So, are the Vols still looking for a coach? I know a couple of years ago, they would have given a million dollars a year for a win.
As you guys look, a good place to look might be in the Tennessee prison system, unfortunately, that’s where most of your recent players have wound up anyway. The new warden, I mean head coach, would already have plenty of experience with players!
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..The Danger of NOT Cutting Your Grass
Hey,
That moonshine and peanut thing is an idea.
No Steve…I suppose we will keep old Phillip. After all, he DID take us to the SEC Championship Game back in December.
Also, we much prefer the beaches of Florida to the beautiful Shreveport area during Bowl season.
Now as for as the Tennessee prison system. We either have to get our players from there, or get our boosters from prison…as they do down there in good ole Alabama. Gotta win somehow huh?
Seriously, do you get to many games? I cannot think of a better thing to do than watch the SEC beat up on the rest opf the country!
Hello! I found your website. My name is Anders Branderud and I am from Sweden.
I would just like to write some words.
Who was the historical J*esus?
I am a follower of Ribi Yehoshua – Mashiakh – who practiced Torah including Halakhah with all his heart.
He was born in Betlehem 7 B.C.E . His faher name was Yoseiph and mother’s name was Mir? yâm. He had twelve followers. He tought in the Jewish batei-haknesset (synagogues). Thousands of Jews were interested in His Torah-teachings. Some Jews who didn’t practice Judaism where threatened. They decided to crucify him. So they did – together with the Romans. His followers were called Netzarim (meaning offshoots [of a olive tree]) and they continued to pray with the other Jews in the synagogues.
Christianity does not teach the teachings of Ribi Yehoshua. Ribi Yehoshuas teachings were pro-Torah; Christianity is anti-Torah. 2 billions of Christians doesn’t follow Torah – that is definied as sin according to Torah.
If you want to learn more click at our website http://www.netzarim.co.il — than click at the lick “Christians”; click at my photo to read about what made my switch religion from Christianity to Orthodox Judaism.
Anders Branderud
Follower of Ribi Yehoshua in Orthodox Judaism
Anders,
Thanks for stopping by. Jesus was/is God who came in the form of man. He was executed by Romans at the urging of the religious leaders of the day. He was perfect and he rose from the dead on His own. He is alive and those of us who have accepted Him are waiting for His return.
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..naked man claiming to be Jesus Christ and George Bush
Kevin,
All of a sudden, do I seem as wacky anymore
Bill, in all honesty, at first, I thought he might belong to your church…seeing how he is so good at cutting and pasting answers!
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..More Than Meets the Eyes
I am a faithful LDS in Brazil , you are calling all the Mormons on earth or onky around your area , If you pay my ticket to Utah I would love to visit my friend , teh other one take you are taking to HELL you can go by youself could it be that way ? NO THERE IS NO OTHER WAY hahahahahahah
Ricardo,
thanks for stopping by.
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..County Fair give atheists discount
Ricardo Eneas,
Ha muitos LDS no Brasil? Eu fiquei um tempo no Rio e em Sao Paulo ums anos atras mas nao conheci nenhum.
A3,
Ustedes El Hombre!
Speaking of people recoverning from spiritual abuse, there is a support group for suvivors of cult abuse located here: Assemblies of Yahweh & Jacob O. Meyer Survivors Support Anyone who has ever been abused by the Jacob O. Meyer group the Assembleis of Yahweh can get and give suppport here.
Have any of you even given the Book of Mormon a chance? How can you know if you haven’t read it?
This has been a lot of fun to read. I’ll answer at least one question, based on MY opinion. Q: Please answer the question in your own words. How does a person get to heaven?
We get to heaven by the grace and blood of Jesus, AFTER all we can do. Can we, by our own works, get to heaven? No. We need the Atonement to make up the difference. Do we need to do good works? Certainly. If not… guess the 10 commandments were merely suggestions. THOU SHALT NOT STEAL… unless you want to. His blood will cover you anyway. THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY… then again, why not? His blood will cover you anyway.
No, those are not suggestions. We show by our works/actions that we are followers of the saviour Jesus.
I will have to come back to this site and read some more, as well as some other of your blogs.
Thank you!
I’m sorry but this is the most idiotic thing I’ve ever read in my entire life.
I really don’t understand how people can go about bad mouthing mormons and their beliefs when they obviously have no knowledge of what is involved in being a mormon.
Get off your high horse. I feel sorry for you that you DON’T have the gospel in your life. If you love everyone, then why are you so critical?
Kevin,
Please enlighten me about why, if we are to fail so badly as to never enter into the Kingdom of Heaven did Christ have to die on the cross? He died to bear the burden of our sins, to essentially irradicate them if we but seek God’s forgiveness.
Also, if we are such a blight in God’s eyes, why does He continue to allow us to propogate? Why save Noah from the flood rather than cleansing ALL humans and starting over? You quote a few lines from the Bible but give no real answers. Please correct this before you continue to “educate” people on God or what He wants.
Mormons are heretic cult. More information behind the good article:
http://koti.phnet.fi/elohim/Mormons
Mormons don’t just believe you have to be “Good” to go to heaven. It’s much more than that. And we know that everyone sins, because we are all human. But the point is, is to try to not sin, to try to be the best you can. And when you do the wrong thing, to know that you can ask for forgivness because God forgives those who ask for it.
And although we have “all fallen short of God” That’s why he sent Jesus here, to suffer for us, and to forgive us.
I think you should get a few facts straight before you go ahead and think you’re right about everything and try to tell us we’re wrong.
wow from june of 08 to july of 09. i think this is great. so many wanting to know the real truth. i think god is doing something in everyone here. has anyone decided to change their beliefs based on what someone else has stated or said? i am just curious.
I’m 23 years old. Alcoholic parents. “saved” at age 7. Went on mission trips when i was pre-teen to early teenage years. High school beat me down and I didn’t rely on Jesus as the firm foundation in my life. I graduated with no direction. Went to a community college and partied for four years. I got in trouble had 15 misdemeanor. Gambled got beat up and robbed by “friends”. I say all this just to give you an Idea of what I have experienced in my life. I have experienced Grace. I have seen and experienced first hand the power of living the way Jesus lived. I have seen the strongholds break. I’d have to say that I’m a New Creation in Christ. Now to why and how I found this Blog. I have a neighbor and her brother plays with my nephews. We had never really met and Our families had never really become close, I guess because my parents knew they were LDS and were scared or something, which is ridiculous in my opinion. So being as I have been falling in Love with Jesus and really, I mean REALLY been surrendering and falling on my face asking for his help guidance, Wisdom and actually spending time in his word. I wanted to see how a man Joseph Smith could have brought back “the fullness of the Gospel” as I actually read in some of her literature. I was really stunned when I first read this. I became a new creation just through the words in the Bible and experiencing the life changing power. Not some feeling or some notion, goose bumps on my skin in a cold church building, calling it the Holy Spirit. I think we and I mean believers in Jesus are “the kingdom of God” How powerful would it be if we could really love. Love others who don’t “deserve” it instead of tear them down. Listen to us complain about those on welfare. Listen to the racisms. I even asked my Mormon friend about Black people and what Joseph Smith said about them. What about our tongues? what about the book of James who said our religion would be on no use basically, useless we controlled out tongues. Out of the abundance of our hearts.. whats in there? So how can anyone say.. that drink made me sin.. or that woman made me sin.. or that man made me sin.. or smoking that cigarette was a sin.. or drinking caffeine is a sin?God judges our hearts right? Not whether we knew everything intelectually or had everything just RIGHT! I mean I can know all way that I shouldn’t sin anymore intellectually.. but do i still sin? Yes.
Haven’t had internet access for a bit, so I fell behind in this blog. I’d like to see more of the debate continue.
Kevin – what verses are you using for the suggestion that Jesus said marriage will no longer exist in heaven?
Bill – what verses do you say support that there will be marriage still?
Thanks.
Matthew 22:29-32
29 Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 31 But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’a? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”
Well, Kevin, that doesn’t say that marriage won’t exist… merely that no one will be able to get married any more… it does not dissolve existing marriages… did He say “and all existing marriages will be dissolved” or something similar?
Thank you for replying.