Window To
ChrisTian Ministries . . . in Iowa
Jesus says ... "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." - John 14:6
Window To Christian Ministries
Copyright 2001
By Cathy Orrick Luders
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
All Rights
Reserved
NLT: Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION Copyright 1996.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, IL 60188
Characteristics of False Teachers ... cults, etc.
False Teachers
When you believe in legalism -- the supreme force behind salvation is yourself. If we look right, speak right, belong to the right segment of the right group, we will be saved. Legalism is rigid, mechanical. Legalism doesn't need God. It is the search for innocence, not forgiveness. It is a systematic process of defending self, explaining self, exalting self, justifying self. Legalists are obsessed with self - not God.
Jesus says in John 3:5, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."
Spiritual life comes from God, not from ourselves. Salvation is a gift from God. Our only job is to accept it.
John 3:16-17 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish (be lost forever) but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it."
Everyone who believes. Not everyone who achieves, who conquers, who succeeds, who agrees. But ALL WHO BELIEVE.
To read more about salvation, go to Reflections and God's Promises
Who are they?
Additional Information/Resources
All religions who believe salvation is earned, that an individual's job is to earn it, that it is a wage based on deeds done.
Some are listed here. Some profess to be Christian, but are not.
Founded by Kenneth Hagin
RHEMA Ministries
Baptist Press article: "Health and Wealth Gospel" critiqued
Believes in healing by prayer alone, no medical treatment
Use of trauma cards, "healing instruments" to promote healing
"Gentle Wind Project" Exposed
Wind of Changes ~ Former Members' Stories of Recovery from the Gentle Wind Project
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society
Christadelphians
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
TM is a Hindu religious sect founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
under the guise of the supposedly nonreligious
Science of Creative Intelligence.
A sect is located near Fairfield, Iowa: Vedic City
American Foundation for the Science of Creative Intelligence
International Meditation Society
Students International Meditation Society
Founded by Helena Blavatsky in 1875,
theosophy attempts to expound on the wisdom of God
found in all religions. Uses
occultic practices.
EST, or The Centers Network as its new legal name,
proclaims to be non-religious self-help training sessions
designed to bring participants to fulfillment.
It teaches that you are your own God
and that everything you experience, whether good or bad,
is a product of your own divine creative will.
Founded in the 1950s by David Brandt Berg,
the organization emphasizes "forsaking all" for Jesus.
However, they do not follow the teachings
of the Christian Jesus, but whatever Berg,
who calls himself a modern-day prophet, teaches.
Unification of World Christianity
(The Unification Church "Moonies")
Founded by Sun Myung Moon, who professes
to be the Messiah of this present age,
and who believes he is to complete
the salvation work unfinished by Jesus Christ.
Collegiate Association for the
Research of Principles (CARP) - front organization for the Unification Church;
used to recruit members and funds from college areas.
A contemporary American cult founded by
Victor Paul Wierwille, who believes he alone
has the true interpretation of the Bible.
Organization denies the Trinity, the virgin birth,
the deity of Christ, the personality and deity
of the Holy Spirit, and teaches salvation by works.
Power for Abundant Living - An introductory course designed to induct one
into the teachings and practices of the cult.
Founded in 1934 by Herbert W. Armstrong,
organization teaches a mixture of British-Israelism,
Seventh-day Adventism, Jehovah's Witnesses
and Armstrong's own interpretations
about salvation and the nature of God.
Church of God International
Ambassador College - Liberal arts and religious college of the cult
The Plain Truth - cult's magazine
The World Tomorrow - radio and television show of the cult
Founded by Mary Baker Eddy;
organized in 1879 as the Church of Christ Scientist,
later changed to First Church of Christ Scientist.
Professes the Bible as final authority, however,
Eddy's writings/teachings overrule anything the Bible says.
Christian Science Monitor (newspaper)
Christian Science Journal,
Christian Science Sentinel - periodicals used for recruitment of new members
Believes in material and worldly happiness.
Sees good in all religions, desires all people
to feel free to find the Truth for themselves
wherever they may be led to find it.
Direct contradiction with basic beliefs of Christianity.
Truth is whatever you observe it to be.
L. Ron Hubbard is the founder of Dianetics and Scientology
and the author of Scientology scripture. Wrote in 1950
"Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health."
A "new age" UFO cult based on a book called "Urantia."
Also known as "Urantia Society," "Urantia Foundation,"
"Urantia Fellowship" and "Urantia Brotherhood."
Claims to compliment the Bible, but is in direct conflict
with many important doctrines.
Wicca is an earth-based religion based on influences
such as Hermeticism, Gnostic teachings and Eastern religions.
EX-WITCH MINISTRIES