Fast Facts is a weekly email program where we provide our readers with relevant and practical resources to contend for the faith (Jude 3) and to be ready with an answer (1 Peter 3:15). We trust that these quick and helpful tools will give you greater confidence in sharing the truth of Jesus Christ.
Fast Facts on…
The Four Major Categories of Cults Today
- Pseudo Christian Cults – These groups claim to be Christian and claim to believe the Bible, but they embrace additional man-made teachings that they place over the authority of the Bible. They thereby end up denying or distorting the basic doctrines of true, biblical Christianity. Examples: Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses.
- Oriental Cults – These groups find their philosophical basis in Hinduism and Buddhism. Their basic philosophy is monism & pantheism – all is one and all is god. They teach that the physical material world is an illusion and we must transcend this world to achieve peace by becoming one with the impersonal, universal force they call god. Transcendence is achieved through techniques like transcendental meditation, yoga, or the chanting of a mantra. Examples: The Hare Krishna Movement and Transcendental Meditation.
- The New Age Cults – This movement combines three false philosophies to create a hybrid spirituality – Western Secular Humanism, Eastern Hindu Mysticism, and the Occult. The New Age Movement teaches that humans have evolved physically and now must evolve spiritually to discover our own inherent divinity. Different Eastern meditative practices and various Occult techniques are used to discover the divine within. Examples: Eckhart Tolle and A Course in Miracles.
- The Occult – The word “Occult” is a Latin term that means “Hidden or Secret Things”. This philosophy teaches that wisdom and power may be attained by tapping into mystical, secret forces or by appealing directly to Satan. Examples: Wicca, Satanism, and Channeling.
For more information on the many cults in our world today, please check out Dr. Carlson’s book, Fast Facts On False Teachings, available in our online store.
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This Week’s Fast Facts
Fast Facts on Worldviews – Part X
- Over the past 10 weeks our Fast Facts series has explored the various worldviews that have influenced Western culture over the past two centuries.
- The primary lesson to be learned in humanity’s spiritual journey these past two hundred years is that apart from an embrace of God’s revealed truth in Scripture, societies are destined for disaster. This is the lesson we learn from history, but it’s also what God’s word has revealed to us for over 2,000 years (Romans 1:18-32).
- Culture is simply worldview externalized. What an individual, a nation, or society thinks and believes about God will directly impact all areas of life. Thus, for true societal transformation to take place, it must begin with heart transformation.
- For us as believers who are concerned with the direction our culture is heading today, what this means is that our primary motivation must be for declaring the Gospel and calling people to repentance and making Christ the Lord of their lives. Apart from genuine heart transformation, all of our other social ministry endeavors will simply be temporary band-aids masking humanity’s true need.
- The most important message we can share with the world today is that single most important truth expressed by Jesus Christ, himself, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
For more information on sharing the Gospel with those caught up in false worldviews, please check out the book Apologetics For A New Generation, available in our online store.
Follow CMI on Twitter at @jasoncarlsoncmi.
This Week’s Fast Facts
Fast Facts on Overcoming Boredom in Church
- Many people wrestle with boredom in church. Often the pursued solution to this boredom is to find a “bigger” and “better” church experience. But what if this approach doesn’t satisfy?
- Maybe you need to consider the possibility that your faith has become more “me” centered than “He” centered? Maybe a new church isn’t the answer, but a new posture in worship? Here are 3 words that have the power to forever change your experience of church.
- “Rejoice”... As you prepare to go to worship, begin by embracing an attitude of gratitude. Reflect on the Lord’s goodness and his many blessings in your life, and thank him for them.
- “Revere”... Focus your heart on who God is and the amazing reality that he loves you! The more you meditate on the reality that the sovereign Creator of the universe loves you, and has lavished his amazing grace upon you, the more your heart will be bent towards praise.
- “Refocus”... Follow Paul’s admonition in Romans 12:1-2 and ask God to refocus your heart’s priorities. As you enter worship, say to the Lord, “God, my one desire today is to honor you. Please use this service to transform me, and further conform me to your holy will.”
- By practicing these 3 “R’s” you can adopt a new posture in worship and experience the fullness of joy and blessing that’s available in gathering for worship at church.
For more information on God’s purposes for worship and the Church, please check out the Apologetics Study Bible for Students, available in our online store.
Follow CMI on Twitter at @jasoncarlsoncmi.
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