Christian Cults

“How often have you encountered some bizarre doctrine only to be stunned to hear a Bible verse quoted to support it?” That question from James W. Sire cuts straight to the heart of a problem every Christian eventually faces: Scripture is not always denied, it is often misused. In fact, some of the most dangerous theological errors arise not from rejecting the Bible, but from twisting it. Sire’s work, Scripture Twisting, remains one of the [...]

Century / Date Heresy Key Leaders Core Teaching / Error Late 1st c. Cerinthianism Cerinthus Jesus was a man; “Christ” descended at baptism; denied incarnation Late 1st – 2nd c. Ebionism Ebionites Jesus fully human; strict Mosaic law; denied divinity Late 1st – 2nd c. Docetism Valentinus’ followers Jesus only seemed human; denied true humanity 1st – 3rd c. Gnosticism Valentinus, Basilides Salvation via secret knowledge; material world evil 2nd c. Adoptionism Theodotus, Paul [...]

For years, I had a small book in my library that could identify and describe the characteristics of a cult. In David Breese's book, 'Know the Marks of Cults,' he lists twelve marks of cults to help one determine whether a group claiming to be Christian is indeed a cult. A group does not have to exhibit all twelve marks to be considered a cult, but the more marks it does display, the more certain [...]

A brief summary of their beliefs.  - Followers of this belief hold that the Lord God's election is limited to Israel alone. They create a division based on biological descent. One group is considered children of God, His covenant people, and the other is considered children of the devil. - They believe that the devil had relations with certain women, resulting in the group of children of the devil. Thus, trying to convert them with [...]