How can a cult be identified? This article alerts the reader to characteristics that can serve as warnings for the possible need to make a further examination of a church or group. It discusses specific issues related to authority and exclusivity, control and submission, secrecy and darkness, and abnormal changes in goals and conduct.
The authors did a field study of The Church of Almighty God over several years. In their report they include excerpts from the writings of the “female Christ” found in The Scroll That the Lamb Opened. There are also quotes from several individuals they interviewed who had dealt directly with the cult. They conclude with comments regarding churches adopting either an “open or closed” policy.
The author provides a brief overview of ten cults active in today’s China. First, he gives the cult’s name and any additional names it is known by. Next, he identifies the founder and any leaders giving a brief summary of their backgrounds. Finally, he discusses areas of concern including major points at which the cult’s teachings diverge from those of orthodox Christianity.
Geisler and Rhodes provide a valuable reference tool for anyone looking for help in refuting various false teachings. After discussing the definition of a cult, they give an overview of the doctrinal, sociological, and moral characteristics of cults. To untwist a Scriptural interpretation, they supply a Scripture reference that raises an important question, an explanation of the common misinterpretation of the passage, and an explanation of the correct interpretation.
The editor's point of view...
On March 4, 2015, the OMF Global China Newsletter posted an article titled "Challenges for the Church in China." In it the author highlights four key challenges.
In last week's post we published part one of an article titled titled “What are our Young People Thinking: How to Witness to Youth of the Post 1980s, 1990s and 1995s,” originally published in The Church Magazine. That post looked specifically at the unique characteristics of the post-80s generation of Chinese youth.
Part two looks at the post-90s generation.
Grab your calculator – China’s leaders are at it again!
To usher in the Year of the Sheep, President Xi Jinping has placed his indelible stamp on Chinese history by unveiling the Four Comprehensives.
中國的教育制度備受批評，無論在國內或國外，倡議改革者大不乏人。在厭倦一個專注背誦和强記的教育制度之餘，家長們日益渴求一個包括品格培育和課外活動的全人教育制度。填鴨式教育只為學生的「高考」(大學入學試) 作好準備，並不傳授批判性思考能力予莘莘學子。
作者闡述自身在美國入讀中學的經歷和體驗。他分享所面對的挑戰和困惑，和他的父母親為他所作出的擺上。他指出中美兩個文化的差異，又為讀者述說這留學經驗如何改變了他的人生。
在进入一个新国家的过程中——从东方到西方，从熟悉到陌生——一般青少年在面对年轻生命的诸多挑战时，要担负更庞大的压力。在这转折关头，谁愿关心和提供指引？本文作者从学校，寄宿家庭，教会和教会机构的角色，探讨它们可如何为这些青少年减轻压力，帮忙他们过渡转变，同时掌握机会向他们传扬福音。
What I learned on my Thai Spring Festival holiday...