Witnessing to the Mormons‏

Hello Friends!

Today I would like to share the following commentary pertaining to the door-to-door "preaching" of the religious group The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or more commonly recognized as the Mormons. 

In my quest to understand the worldview and philosophies of this organization, I began to study the history of this "church" and its founding "prophet" Joseph Smith. Herein is where one must start to fully grasp the tangled web of deception that drives its members and their families to an eternal state of damnation. During my investigations of this distinctly influential cult, I learned of and became friends with ex-Mormon bishop, Lee Baker, author of the book Mormonism: A Life Under False Pretenses. 

The following outline is taken from Lee's excellent book and represents a first-hand account of a very effective method of reaching today's Mormon with the true Biblical Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is my hope this information will assist you in your outreach with to Mormon.  Enjoy!

 

Witnessing to the Mormons

It is my opinion, as a former Mormon Bishop and member of that faith for over 30 years, that the best possible situation to teach a Mormon. Mormon Investigator or even a Mormon Convert about Mormonism, is within their own sheltered environment and from their own authorized and public documentation.  In this safe atmosphere, as opposed to a cold-contact within a large group, they are naturally and more genuinely committed to the teaching opportunity that they perceive is under their control.

The very point of this strategy of love and compassion is to plant the seeds of truth at the lowest possible level within the Mormon Church, and then to have those truths repeated up through the Mormon Leadership, into meetings and among those whom you and I will never have access to.  If this process is repeated hundreds or even thousands of times, then Mormons will struggle with other Mormons to deal with the truth, on our behalf, as they justify or defend Church actions or Doctrine that they themselves would not otherwise have found the need to come to terms with.

Below you find only two basic questions followed by the precise internet path to search for and print the exact information provided here.  The information presented here has two primary purposes: first – to provide you the opportunity to study the questions, read and understand the homework as well as the additional comments, which clarify the point of the question, and second – to provide your Mormon acquaintances with the opportunity to see for themselves where this information has come from, all authorized and official publications, scriptures and statements from the Mormon Church itself.

The information found between the asterisks (*******) is precisely what is found from the Mormon Church sources.  As such, you may print and use this presentation of the facts or use this as a guide to build the identical information along with your Mormon associates if they do not believe the references here are accurate.

Lee B. Baker

Former Mormon Bishop

Author: Mormonism – A Life Under False Pretenses

QUESTION 1: I somewhat understand the history of Polygamy, and I know that the Mormon Church no longer teaches that principal, but could you explain to me the practice of Polyandry as it relates to the Laws of the Priesthood found within the Doctrine and Covenants?

HOMEWORK Question 1 - Part 1:  The internet path to search on the Official Mormon website will be: lds.org (then at the very bottom left side of that page select) Go to Classic LDS.org (then select from the top left menu, Gospel Library, then Scriptures, then Doctrine and Covenants, then within the Jump to Section 132), then scroll down to Verse 61, for the highlighted information below.

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61:   And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood--if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth unto him and to no one else.

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Clearly the “Law of the Priesthood” concerning the practice of Polygamy (Plural Marriage) is condition upon three unyielding requirements found within the Official Mormon Scriptures:

1 -  The first wife must give her consent for the man to take another virgin wife.
2 -  That the next wife or wives must be a virgin, and
3 -  That the next wife or wives must not be vowed or belong to another man.

The Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. did not meet these “Laws of the Priesthood” with many of his 33 wives, but most graphically with the wives of other men, who were both not virgins and were vowed to another man with no divorces required to any of the sharing of these wives.  In fact, not only did Joseph’s first wife, Emma, not know of the majority, neither did the majority of the shared husbands know that Joseph had taken their wives.  Could this truly have been a deed commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ that you have come to know?

HOMEWORK Question 1 - Part 2:  The internet path to search on the Official Mormon website will be: lds.org (then at the very bottom left side of that page select) Go to Classic LDS.org (then select from there) About the Church (then select) Church History (then select) BYU Resources (then select) Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship (then within the search window type) Todd Compton Plural Wives of Joseph Smith (and select Go), the first item will be: The Prophet Joseph Smith and His Plural Wives (select that item and scroll down to the following two headings for the highlighted comments) Note: the specific URL will be:
http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/review/?vol=10&num=2&id=290

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General Observations about the Book

Overall, In Sacred Loneliness is extremely informative. The book features a high level of research, generally good judgment in the use of source materials, and a fairly comprehensive collection of known data pertaining to the wives of Joseph Smith. No biographer in Mormon history has ever been ambitious enough to write a group biography as extensive as this. Because of the complexity of the subject and an obvious lack of detailed primary sources, the job of compiling full-chapter biographies of Joseph Smith's plural wives could be insurmountable. In Sacred Loneliness was recently honored with the annual best book award from the Mormon History Association. This recognition is deserved because it is the most detailed study of the lifetime experiences of the women sealed to Joseph Smith.
 

Status of Women at the Time They Were Sealed to Joseph Smith	#	%
Single with no prior marriage	17	59
Single and widowed	4	14
Married to a husband with good church standing	4	14
Married to a disaffected or nonmember husband	4	14

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Clearly the Official website of the Mormon Church recognizes that Joseph Smith took eight women, who were already married to other men, as his own wives.  How is this disgraceful action NOT in violation of the “Laws of the Priesthood” found within the Mormon Doctrine and Covenants?

HOMEWORK Question 1 - Part 3:  The internet path to search on the Official Mormon website will be: lds.org (then at the very bottom left side of that page select) Go to Classic LDS.org (then select from the very top of the page, A-Z Index), scroll down to Articles of Faith, specifically the 12th Article of Faith for the highlighted information below.

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Articles of Faith

Of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
History of the Church, Vol.4, pp. 535-41, 1843, Joseph Smith, Jr.
12.  We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

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At the very time that Joseph Smith wrote the Articles of Faith in 1843, he was married to 33 wives, and 8 of them were clearly the wives of other men.  His actions were in clear violation of the Laws of the United States and the Laws of the State of Illinois, how then could he claim that both he and the Mormon Church believed in honoring and sustaining the Law?  Additionally, after his death in 1844, the Mormon Church went on for some 60 plus years to actively disobey, violate and avoid many Federal and State Laws, and yet still claim to obey, honor and sustain the Law, as recorded in the Mormon 12th Article of Faith?  

HOMEWORK Question 1 - Part 4:  The internet path to search on the Official Mormon website will be: lds.org (then at the very bottom left side of that page select) Go to Classic LDS.org (then select from there, within the search box to the right) Polygamy (Plural Marriage) - (and click search, the first item will contain the information highlighted below)

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Polygamy (Plural Marriage)

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. At certain times and for His specific purposes, God, through His prophets, has directed the practice of plural marriage (sometimes called polygamy), which means one man having more than one living wife at the same time. In obedience to direction from God, Latter-day Saints followed this practice for about 50 years during the 1800s but officially ceased the practice of such marriages after the Manifesto was issued by President Woodruff in 1890. Since that time, plural marriage has not been approved by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and any member adopting this practice is subject to losing his or her membership in the Church.

Additional Information

The Bible indicates that Abraham, Jacob, and others of the Lord’s servants had multiple wives (see Genesis 16:1–3; 29:23–30; 30:4, 9; Judges 8:30; 1 Samuel 1:1–2). Joseph Smith asked God why He had permitted this practice and was told that God had commanded it for specific purposes. One reason given by the Lord for plural marriage is mentioned in the Book of Mormon: “If I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall [have only one wife]” (Jacob 2:30; see also v. 27).

After God revealed the doctrine of plural marriage to Joseph Smith in 1831 and commanded him to live it, the Prophet, over a period of years, cautiously taught the doctrine to some close associates. Eventually, he and a small number of Church leaders entered into plural marriages in the early years of the Church. Those who practiced plural marriage at that time, both male and female, experienced a significant trial of their faith. The practice was so foreign to them that they needed and received personal inspiration from God to help them obey the commandment.

When the Saints moved west under the direction of Brigham Young, more Latter-day Saints entered into plural marriages. 

Influenced by rumors and exaggerated reports, the United States Congress, beginning in 1862, enacted a series of laws against polygamy that became increasingly harsh. By the 1880s many Latter-day Saint men were imprisoned or went into hiding.

In 1889 in the face of increasing hardships and the threat of government confiscation of Church property, including temples, Wilford Woodruff, President of the Church at the time, prayed for guidance. He was inspired to issue a document that officially ended the sanction of plural marriage by the Church. The document, called the Manifesto, was accepted by Church members in a general conference held in October 1890 and is published in the Doctrine and Covenants as Official Declaration 1 (see also “Excerpts from Three Addresses by President Wilford Woodruff Regarding the Manifesto” following Official Declaration 1).

Just as the practice of plural marriage among the Latter-day Saints began gradually, the ending of the practice after the Manifesto was also gradual. Some plural marriages were performed after the Manifesto, particularly in Mexico and Canada. In 1904, President Joseph F. Smith called for a vote from the Church membership that all post-Manifesto plural marriages be prohibited worldwide.

More recently, President Gordon B. Hinckley has reiterated that plural marriage is “against the law of God. Even in countries where civil or religious law allows [the practice of a man having more than one wife], the Church teaches that marriage must be monogamous and does not accept into its membership those practicing plural marriage” (“What Are People Asking about Us?” Ensign, Nov. 1998, 72).

Groups who teach polygamy today are not part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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Again, at the very time that Joseph Smith wrote the Articles of Faith in 1843, he was married to 33 wives, and 8 of them were clearly the wives of other men.  His actions were in clear violation of the Laws of the United States and the Laws of the State of Illinois, how then could he claim that both he and the Mormon Church believed in honoring and sustain the Law?  Additionally, after his death in 1844, the Mormon Church went on for some 60 plus years to actively disobey, violate and avoid many Federal and State Laws, and yet still claim to obey, honor and sustain the Law?  

Question 2: According to the Official Church website, a primary belief of the Mormon Faith is that we, each in this room can become a god.  Is there any Biblical justification for this belief?

HOMEWORK Question 2:  The internet path to search on the Official Mormon website will be: lds.org (then at the very bottom left side of that page select) Go to Classic LDS.org (then select from there, within the search box to the right) Chapter 47: Exaltation (and click search, the first item will contain the information highlighted below)

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Chapter 47: Exaltation,” Gospel Principles, 301

When we lived with our Heavenly Father, he explained a plan for our progression. We could become like him, an exalted being. The plan required that we be separated from him and come to earth. This separation was necessary to prove whether we would obey our Father’s commandments even though we were no longer in his presence. The plan provided that when earth life ended, we would be judged and rewarded according to the degree of our faith and obedience. We would then be assigned to the place for which we had prepared.

Jesus taught, “In my Father’s house are many mansions” (John 14:2). From the scriptures we learn that there are three kingdoms of glory in heaven. The Apostle Paul mentioned that he knew a man who was “caught up to the third heaven” (2 Corinthians 12:2). Paul named two of the kingdoms in heaven: the celestial and the terrestrial (see 1 Corinthians 15:40–42). The celestial is the highest, and the terrestrial is second. Through latter-day revelation we learn that the third kingdom is the telestial kingdom (see D&C 76:81). We also learn that there are three heavens or degrees within the celestial kingdom (see D&C 131:1).

Discussion

•  Have someone tell about our Heavenly Father’s plan for us.

What Is Exaltation?
Exaltation is eternal life, the kind of life God lives. He lives in great glory. He is perfect. He possesses all knowledge and all wisdom. He is the Father of spirit children. He is a creator. We can become like our Heavenly Father. This is exaltation. 

If we prove faithful to the Lord, we will live in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom of heaven. We will become exalted, just like our Heavenly Father. Exaltation is the greatest gift that Heavenly Father can give his children (see D&C 14:7).
Discussion

•  What is exaltation?

Blessings of Exaltation
Our Heavenly Father is perfect. However, he is not jealous of his wisdom and perfection. He glories in the fact that it is possible for his children to become like him. He has said, “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). 

Those who receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ will receive special blessings. The Lord has promised, “All things are theirs” (D&C 76:59). These are some of the blessings given to exalted people:

• 1. They will live eternally in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (see D&C 76).
• 2. They will become gods.
• 3. They will have their righteous family members with them and will be able to have spirit children also. These spirit children will have the same relationship to them as we do to our Heavenly Father. They will be an eternal family.
• 4. They will receive a fulness of joy.
• 5. They will have everything that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have—all power, glory, dominion, and knowledge. President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote: “The Father has promised through the Son that all that he has shall be given to those who are obedient to his commandments. They shall increase in knowledge, wisdom, and power, going from grace to grace, until the fulness of the perfect day shall burst upon them” (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:36).

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In closing: 
Is there any Biblical justification for this distinctively unchristian belief?

Blessings on your studies and involvement in understanding and sharing the Truth!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you.  Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

 

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"

Lighthouse Publications <>< 
"Dedicated to the Never Ending Search for the Creator's calling within You" (TM)

Witnessing to the Witnesses‏

Hello Friends!

Today I would like to share the following commentary pertaining to the door-to-door "preaching" of the religious group known as the Jehovah's Witnesses. Herein are the main facts and facets on this very spiritually deceiving organization. May they assist you in your conversational outreach with the JW.  Enjoy!

Witnessing to the Witnesses

It's a rare door that hasn't felt the knock of the Jehovah's Witnesses more than once and it's an even rarer Jehovah's Witness who has heard the gospel message at one of those doors from the resident Christian.  The reason is simply that it is a far from simple task to witness to a Witness.  It's easier to just close the door and avoid the difficult task of sorting through a maze of confusing doctrines.  Let's try to make it a bit simpler...

There are five important facts to remember about the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Watchtower Organization:

1. They have accepted the Organization as the Prophet of God.
2. They have accepted the Organization as God's sole channel for His truth.
3. They believe that to reject the Organization is to reject God.
4. They believe that only the Organization can interpret the Bible; as individuals they are unable to do so.
5. They believe the Watchtower Magazine contains God's truth, directed by Him, through the Organization.

What does the JW Organization and Watchtower Magazine teach that is in conflict with Orthodox Christianity?

 

1. That Jesus is a created being - a creature.
2. That Jesus is actually Michael the Archangel.
3. That Jesus was not resurrected bodily, but as a spirit being.
4. That Jesus returned invisibly in 1914 (secretly to the Organization).
5. That Jesus was only a man when on earth, not the Word Become flesh.
6. That the Holy Spirit is only an active force, not the person of God.
7. That Hell is simply the grave.
8. That Heaven's doors is open to only 144,000 (based on Revelation chapter 14).
9. That the majority of Witnesses must remain on earth.
10. That salvation is found only through the Organization.
11. That it must be maintained by energetic works for the Organization until the end when one may merit eternal life on a paradise earth.
12. That Satan is the author of the doctrine of the Trinity.
13. That Jesus cannot be given worship, but only honor as Jehovah's first creation.

The Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe or teach some of the very basic tenets of Christian doctrine.  They deny what The Bible Teaches as Truth... 

1. God exists in a Trinity of three eternal and coequal persons

Father: "To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be Saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:7)

Son: "Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28)

Holy Spirit: "Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?  Didn't it belong to you before it was sold?  And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal?  What made you think of doing such a thing?  You have not lied to men but to God." (Acts 5:3-4)

"For there are three that testify" (1 John 5:7)

2. Jesus is no less than God in human flesh

"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9)

3. God, the Holy Spirit, is the third member of the Holy Trinity

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," (Matthew 28:19)

"While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." (Acts 13:2)

4. Jesus Christ rose bodily from the grave

"The Jews replied, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?"  But the temple he had spoken of was his body." (John 2:20-21)

"Look at my hands and my feet.  It is I myself!  Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." (Luke 24:39)

5. Jesus is visibly coming again to set up His Kingdom on earth

"At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn.  They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory." (Matthew 24:30)

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

"Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him.  So shall it be! Amen." (Revelation 1:7)

6. Salvation is in the person of Jesus Christ and comes through faith in Him

"They replied, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - you and your household.'" (Acts 16:31)

7. It's the work of God for man, not a work of man for God

"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior" (Titus 3:4-6)

8. Jesus was and should be worshiped

"A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them.  Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"  Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands.  Reach out your hand and put it into my side.  Stop doubting and believe. "Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:26-28)

"When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.  Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.  And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route." (Matthew 2:10-12)

"Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." (Matthew 14:33)

Witnessing to a Witness

We need to remember that anyone who denies the full divinity of Jesus Christ and carries the heavy burden of a false, religious spirit is going through a lot of highs and lows.  True believers, empowered by the companionship of God, the Holy Spirit have a constant presence of the Lord about them that seems to act like a magnet at times.

When a Watchtower member comes to your front door and you open it, what are they thinking about?  What do they think when you talk about Christianity?  First, it's impossible to offer them any hope of heaven.

It doesn't matter what the Jehovah's Witnesses believe about Jesus.  One day, every single one of them, including every leader who perpetuated this gross heresy, will have to meet the Master.  On that day, "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  Whether it's at the Banqueting Table of joy for the saved or at the Great White Throne Judgment of the damned, every knee will bow.

Our prayer as Christians should be that God would open up the hearts and minds of these people who are ensnared in this foolishly created, man-made system and organization, as they believe the lie and try to earn their salvation through the watchtower, apart from Jesus Christ.  We must pray that they would come to know the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who loves us and desires that we come into a personal relationship with Him.  We must pray for the lost members of the Jehovah's Witnesses, people ensnared by lying leaders.

The Word of God says : "Those who guide this people mislead them, and those who are guided are led astray" (Isaiah 9:16).  The King James Version says that they are destroyed.  What an ignoble end for a misled people who only seek to serve God.  What a tragedy.

We thank God for Jesus Christ, who took our sin and nailed it to the cross and covered it with His shed blood as the infinite payment, the eternal lamb of God once for all time.  We thank the Lord for the Holy Spirit, who comes and lives in us and gives us new life.  To God be the honor and glory and praise!  We worship Him alone and we thank you, Lord we love you, Lord. "Father, Son and Holy Spirit."

The book, Fast Facts on False Teachings written by Ed Decker, an ex-Mormon of 20 years and Christian apologist, the late Dr. Ron Carlson is an excellent source to reaching out to the JW's.  A full teaching on Witnessing to the Witnesses is available there, including a special method for breaking through their wall of unbelief.  This book also contains the key to witnessing to 15 other false religions & cults such as Freemasonry, Mormonism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and New Age.  Pick up a copy at their online bookstore today

Blessings on your studies and involvement in understanding and sharing the Truth!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you.  Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

 

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"

Lighthouse Publications <>< 
"Dedicated to the Never Ending Search for the Creator's calling within You" (TM)

The Shack‏

Hello Friends!

Much interest has been generated regarding the book titled "The Shack" by William P. Young and has become quite popular within the Christian community.  The following is a short excerpt to capture some of the false teachings and ideas found throughout this book.  I also shared this information with my head pastor and other church leaders to explain why we must not promote this book to the congregation, as it in no way leads anyone to the true Jesus Christ of the Bible.  It is my hope that this information will assist you in your Christian duty to expose the lies of the enemy and defend the true Christian Faith.  Enjoy! 

The Shack 

The book titled "The Shack" is a fictional testimony full of tear-jerking dialogue and has been widely accepted in today's postmodern churches and calls for a similar denial of reality.  Yet countless pastors and church leaders are delighting in its message, especially within the Emergent Church arena.  By ignoring (or redefining) sin and guilt, they embrace an inclusive but counterfeit "Christianity" that draws crowds but distorts the Bible.  Discounting satan as well, they weaken God's warnings about deception.  Here are some examples from the book to support my claims:

"God, who is the ground of all being, dwells in, around, and through all things.... (Pantheism: God is all, all is God)  --The Shack's "Jesus." [page 112]

"Those who love me come from every system that exists. They were Buddhists or Mormons, Baptists or Muslims.... I have no desire to make them Christian, but I do want to join them in their transformation into sons and daughters of my Papa, into my brothers and sisters.”    --The Shack's "Jesus." [page 182]

The books also denotes a female "God."  Here she is speaking to the main character, Mackenzie (Mack for short):

"For me to appear to you as a woman and suggest that you call me Papa is simply to mix metaphors, to help you keep from falling so easily back into your religious conditioning." [page 93]

"Religious conditioning?" Is that how Mr. Young views Biblical Christianity?  It's easy to be persuaded by his clever arguments. The Shack is written as a personal testimony that draws readers into virtual dialogues with a playful, culturally relevant "God."  The Shack leads readers into vicarious experiences in a world of revelations and sensations.  The only sin-like issue here is independence - a refusal to accept universal oneness with "God" and man.  Unhindered by Biblical guidelines, The Shack offers no standard for right or wrong and no atonement for sin, so there's no real need for Biblical repentance.  It fits right into the popular vision of a unifying, non-judgmental church.

"So how do I become part of that church?" asks Mack.  "It's simple," answers the fictional "Jesus." "It's all about relationships and simply sharing life... being open and available to others around us.  My church is all about people, and life is all about relationships." [page 178]

That sounds partly true, as do most spiritual lies!  For example, Jesus criticized the Pharisees who "searched the Scriptures" but refused to "come" to Him.  Today's postmodern seekers are just as foolish.  They ignore unwanted Scriptures, and then flock to the culturally attuned "Jesus" of their imaginations.

In The Shack, readers meet a permissive "God" that "submits" to their human ways.  They look through the veil between life and death, see the joy beyond, and communicate with loved ones - subtle examples of "calling up the dead" in which the Bible forbids (Deut. 18:11).  Mack "sees" the colorful "auras" that show spiritual maturity among the dead-but-alive.  He even practices astral travel - what The Shack calls "flying" - a word popularized by Maharishi Yogi back in the 1960's and made main-stream popularity by the music group The Beatles.

"Such a powerful ability, the imagination!" said The Shack's fictional "Jesus." "That power alone makes you so like us." [page 140]

Here the boundaries of the church are broadened to include almost everyone.  The only exception seems to be "independent" folks who refuse to "come" to this universal "God."  This isn't Christianity - and this false "Jesus" would agree. When Mack asks him what it "means to be a Christian," he answers:

“'Who said anything about being a Christian?  I’m not a Christian."  The idea struck Mack as odd and unexpected and he couldn’t keep himself from grinning. "No, I suppose you aren’t." [page 182]

Of course, he's not!  The word "Christian" refers to Christ's followers - not to Jesus - and it has always clashed with trendy cultures.  Even when 'the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch" (Acts 11:26), that word was a derogatory label used by enemies of the Church.  But that didn't keep faithful Christians from joyfully claiming that name and sharing His Word.

In closing:

It is my desire to expose the darkness and the lies of the enemy with solid Truth from God's Word.  It is a Biblical mandate for Christians to study to show ourselves approved by God, occupy until He returns and understand the times and know what God would have us to do.  We must hold to a Biblical Worldview in all areas of life, as well as share the gospel message that draws sinners to repentance of personal sin and a true faith in Jesus Christ alone for redemption.  

Please join me in this fight of faith, as this is our Christian duty, heritage and mandate. Thank you for your commitment to the true message of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you.  Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

 

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"

Lighthouse Publications <>< 
"Dedicated to the Never Ending Search for the Creator's calling within You" (TM)