Cults, Sects and Heresies
A free online course that covers cult dynamics, types of cults, the New Age, spiritual issues and some common errors found in cults.
Cults,
Sects and Heresies is a mature level AIBI course that involves moderately
advanced theological concepts and knowledge of church life and practice.
It is recommended for those who have been Christians for at least five
years and have read the NT through at least twice. It is also recommended
for bible students and those contemplating full-time service.
About
the Ebook - Cults, Sects and Heresies
The ebook is a compilation of articles on cults
written while John Edmiston was editor of Eternity Online Magazine and
also active in cult ministry. The approach is to treat cults in broad
groups - classical cults, commercial cults, New Age cults etc, This avoids
the confusion of material on thousands of different cults - Jehovah's
Witnesses, Iglesia Ni Cristo, Mormons, Moonies etc. The ebook covers cult dynamics, types of cults,
some New Age and spiritual considerations, and a handful of doctrinal
issues common to a wide variety of cults. The book is intended as an introduction
to cult ministry not as a complete compendium. Nevertheless the articles
in the book have been widely read and accepted and many have found them
helpful.
Cult Links: Click here for links to good cult sites.
Searching for help with cults? Click here
Topics We Will Cover
Cult Dynamics
The
Marks Of A Cult: The marks of a cult as found in Scripture.
How
Cults Convert People: The title says it all. A guide to help you be wary.
Cults
and Crazy Thinking: An insight into cult-like thinking.
Understanding
Those Caught In Cults: What happens to people when they get caught up in a cult. Also covers
some fundamental coping strategies for those affected.
When
Church Goes Wrong: Looks at what happens when a local church turns cult-like.
Types
Of Cults
Classic
Cults: A look at the beliefs behind some of the older cults such as Mormonism.
Commercial
Cults: How some businesses can take over your life.
Mystical
and New Age Cults: Examines cults based on mystical and new age teachings.
Can
Christians get Involved With "The Other Side": What the Bible says about the occult.
How
To Evaluate A Revival: Examines the difference between true and false revival.
New
Age etc
Astrology
- Just A Bit Of Fun? Looks at astrology and how it is utterly incompatible
with the Christian faith.
Knowing
The Difference Between God and The Devil: How can we tell whether spiritual manifestations, voices etc are of
God or Satan? This presentation was originally given as an in-service
to a group of psychiatrists. A helpful diagnostic tool.
Spirit
Wars In The Third Millennium: The coming clash between Christianity and the new paganism.
Common Issues - Trinity, Spirits etc.
Angels: A bible study on angels and their role in the Christian life.
Demons
Defeated: A comprehensive look at spiritual warfare.
UFO's
and Cults: The belief in extra-terrestrials, the Bible and cults. Seen as an example
of syncretism between two beliefs (Christianity and sci-fi) that both
belief in "something out there" but have very different understandings
of what it is.
The
Trinity: Many cults deny the Trinity. This article shows why it is Scriptural.
Is
Jesus God? The "trilemna" - Jesus cannot just be a "good man"
if He claimed to be God. He must be one of three things - a liar, a
lunatic or the Lord.
Calvary Chapel South Bay Cults Course Notes
Textbook: The Challenge of Cults & New Religions by Ron Rhodes (Zondervan)
Syllabus (doc file)
Some Marks Of A Cult (doc file)
What The Bible Says About The Occult, Wicca & Paganism (PowerPoint)
Cults & The Trinity - Class Exercises (PowerPoint)
Cults & The Idea Of The "True Church" (PowerPoint)
Liberalism, The Emergent Church & Gnostic Christians (PowerPoint)