Volume 17, Number 3 July • Aug • Sep 1997
AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL HERESY-EXPOSING QUARTERLY
Editorial 2 William A. BeVier
An Open Letter to a Jehovah's Witness 4 Roy E. Knuteson, Ph.D.
Why I Am Not a Bible Student (Part One) 7 Robert C. Hill, Th.B.
Volunteering for Oblivion (Part One) 12 The New Age Path to Heaven's Gate Brooks Alexander
God's All Sufficient Word vs. Psychology 17 Michael E. Amatucci The Discerner Editorial Committee Volume 17, Number 3 Dr. William A. BeVier July • Aug • Sep 1997 Timothy J. Buege
Published Quarterly RO- Box 22098 Price $4.00 for 4 issues Robbinsdale, MN 55422-0098 Foreign subscriptions extra Printed in the United States 1-612-535-8715 /1 -800-562-9153 FAX 612-537-5825
EDITORIAL
By William A. BeVier
hope that by this time each of you errors presented in Jehovah's Ihas received your copy of our new Witness literature. 1997-99 Catalog. Should you desire additional copies, please notify us. As Many seemingly are not aware I indicated in the newsletter enclosed that the Jehovah's Witnesses have with the Catalog, the publication and experienced several divisions and mailing of this edition was a costly breakups during their history. One project. We welcome your special major division goes by the name financial support at this time. "Bible Students" (but also is known by other titles). Robert Hill has done The Catalog is the best means we extensive research on these divisions have of informing people what's and we are pleased to begin a series available in good literature for infor- of articles on this subject. I do not mation and to counteract the myriad know of anyone else currently writing of cults and aberrations of on this topic. I believe you will find Christianity in the world today. the articles informative. Information is available if we will take the time and make the effort to With the passing of a few months acquire it. of time, Marshall Applewhite and "Heaven's Gate" have probably faded In this issue of The Discerner we from the memories of many individu- present another article by a member als. However, the basic phenomena of our Board of Reference, Dr. Roy E. (UFOs, New Age Movement, etc.) Knuteson. The article is in the form which produced the tragedy are still of an open letter to a Jehovah's with us. Brooks Alexander, one of the Witness friend stressing the Biblical most insightful Christian writers of revelation of the absolute deity of today, wrote an article for the Jesus Christ as contrasted with the Spiritual Counterfeits Project
2 EDITORIAL newsletter last spring on this subject subject which Christians are divid- which we have received permission to ed today, the proper or improper reproduce. The article is so exten- relationship between Biblical sive, but so worthy of complete pre- Christianity and the broad field of sentation, that it will have to be con- psychology. Michael Amatucci has tinued in the next issue of The strong views on this subject and he Discerner. supports them from the Bible.
Our concluding article in this issue is by Michael Amatucci on a
3 EDITORIAL AN OPEN LETTER TO A JEHOVAH'S WITNESS
By Roy E. Knuteson, Ph.D.
Dear Ralph: "Tetragrammatan" because of the four Hebrew letters JHWH some- Thank you for your gracious reply times translated 4 AN OPEN LETTER TO A JEHOVAH'S WITNESS On the Romans 10:9 passage, the as the one "whom they pierced Kingdom Interlinear Translation in through." Obviously another refer- the right hand column says: "If you ence to Jesus Christ. This means publicly declare that 'word in your that Jehovah-Jesus died for our sins, mouth' that Jesus is Lord... you will does it not? be saved." The left hand column con- tains the Greek word Kurios which is There is much more irrefutable translated "Lord" and the footnote to proof that Jesus is Jehovah. For this passage has several texts where example, in John 8:58 where the Kurios is equated with "haAdon," the Kingdom Interlinear translates ego Hebrew name meaning "Lord." Then eimi as "I Am," it then says, in the left curiously, they state: "Not Jehovah." hand column, this should be translat- However, on page 1453 of the New ed: "I have been." This is not an accu- World Translation, under the title: rate translation of the present tense "Isaiah 1:24 — The (true) Lord" it ego eimi. In John 18:5, Jesus claimed states: "This prefixing of the definite the title "I Am" again (left hand col- article before the title a-don limits umn). He was using the divine name the application to the title of Jehovah for Jehovah as God revealed it to God." If I understand what they are Moses in Exodus 3:13-15. For the use saying, the conclusion must be that of this name the Jews decided to kill Jesus. Why? Because they under- Jesus is indeed Jehovah! Wouldn't stood His, and their language, cor- you agree? rectly. He was claiming equality with In Isaiah 6:1-10 we have a clear God the Father. Compare this with statement about "Jehovah sitting on John 10:33, where the New World a throne lofty and lifted up" (NWT, Translation tries to avoid this conclu- page 778). The Apostle John refers to sion by using the words "a god" just this passage in John 12:41 and says: as it does in John 1:1. This is not "Isaiah said these things because he good grammar, as proved by your own saw his glory and spoke of him." The translation of Theos without the defi- context of this remarkable commen- nite article in Matthew 6:24, where it tary on this Old Testament passage is correctly translated "God," not "a clearly indicates that this a reference god." to Jesus Christ and not to God the Father. It cannot be understood any Ralph, you cannot honestly ren- other way. Jehovah is Jesus and der Theos "a god" in John 1:1 and Jesus is Jehovah. then translate Theou "of God" (Jehovah) in Matthew 5:9; Luke 1:35; Zechariah 12:1 records "the utter- and John 1:6 when Theou is in the ance of Jehovah, the one who is genitive case of the same noun and stretching out (the) heavens and lay- without the definite article. In one ing the foundation of (the) earth and case your translation renders this "a forming the spirit of man inside him" god" and another "of God." There is (NWT, page 1047). In verse 10, this no consistency on the part of these same person -"The One - is identified translators as there should be among 5 AN OPEN LETTER TO A JEHOVAH'S WITNESS good grammarians. Hebrews 1:8 has the Bible itself," and that anyone who the word Theos without the article lays aside his studies and reads only and yet the NWT renders it "God," the Bible will within "two years go not "a god." If your society is right in into darkness." On the other hand, stating that Jesus is "a god," then you he claimed that if a person "had not are forced to admit that you have two read a page of the Bible as such, he gods (a big one and a little one), and would be in the light at the end of the this is polytheism. two years because he would have the light of the scriptures" through his The use of the proper name "God" writings (The Watchtower, Septem- does not require the definite article ber 15, 1910, page 298). What ego- anymore than we need the definite tism and what ignorance! I challenge article before our names. In the you to put aside all of your society's Scriptures cited above, all good Greek publications for two years and read scholars translated Theos with or only the Bible and see what happens. without the article, as "God," just as You will be pleasantly surprised and almost all translations have done richly rewarded. until the advent of the Emphatic Diaglott and the New World Ralph, I am really concerned Translation in 1950. Were all these about you as a friend and for your fine scholars over the centuries eternal soul's sake. Jesus is Jehovah, wrong, and the translators of the and you can pray directly to Him and NWT the only ones right? Ralph, I in His name as He instructed and know the Koine Greek language and invited us to do in John 14:13-14. have read almost all the books that Stephen did this in Acts 7:59. Yet I any reputable scholar has written on understand that if anyone prays in this subject, including those that the the name of Jesus, or to Jesus, in one Watchtower quotes. My findings are of your meetings, he could be disfel- that your translators were not good lowshiped or excommunicated. How grammarians and your commenta- unscriptural! Please do not hesitate tors are guilty of taking verses out of to call on the name of the Lord as context to support their theology. Romans 10:13 instructs us to do, because if and when you do, you will I have one more question: Were have the same blessed assurance that there no real Christians until Charles I have that you are saved now and Russell, your admitted founder, forever. See also 1 John 5:11-13; began his Bible classes in 1876? Titus 3:5; and John 10:10. Russell, as you no doubt know, per- jured himself in court in 1913 for Thank you for reading this and claiming to be able to read the Greek carefully considering these matters. New Testament. But, when confront- I shall be prayerfully waiting your ed with the Greek alphabet, he could reply. not recognize the Greek letters, and admitted that he could not read Sincerely, Greek at all! Yet, he claimed that his "Scripture Studies" were "practically Roy Knuteson 6 AN OPEN LETTER TO A JEHOVAH'S WITNESS WHY I AM NOT A BIBLE STUDENT (PART ONE) By Robert C. Hill, Th.B. hey are growing. Their presses (WTBTS), maintained unquestion- T able control over his religious organi- are churning. They are buying zation. From its small beginnings in cable TV air time and the world wide Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the early web is the newest arena for the dis- 1870s, it had become a thriving new semination of their doctrinal error. religion by the time of Russell's death Among other things, they promulgate on October 31, 1916. During his Jesus' second advent as having years as President and Pastor of occurred in the fall of 1874 and that what was then known as the the resurrection of the dead was an International Bible Students event which shortly followed in the Association (IBSA), Russell wrote year 1878. These are the Bible profusely. It can be truthfully said Students, a.k.a., the Dawn, that his writings promoted a denial of Millennial Dawn, International Bible every major evangelical belief: a Students, Russellites... Russellites? total rejection of the Trinity, deity of The J.W.s? No. The Bible Students Christ, personage and deity of the are composed of independent splinter Holy Spirit, denial of a physical res- groups directly in line with the theo- urrection, a rejection of any eternal logical legacy (some might prefer retribution for the lost, and a denial "heresy") of Charles Taze Russell and of a conscious awareness after death. hold no affinity to today's Watchtower Some of his aberrant teachings Societies' Jehovah's Witnesses. But include the following: Christ's second this was not always so. To best advent having occurred invisibly in understand who they are today and the fall of 1874, a second chance for the message they teach a brief foray salvation after the grave to some dur- into the their founder's beliefs and ing the millennium, the "Times of the the critical years following his death Gentiles" ending in 1914, and the in 1916 offers insight into their con- body of believers are "The Christ," to troversial beginnings. Who are these mention a few. To such a man hold- Bible Students and what do they ing this unorthodox theology came teach and hold as Biblical truth? such accolades as: "He was the great- These articles will explore areas of est religious teacher since St. Paul, i their history, teachings, organization- and did more than any other man of al structure, and media used for pros- modern times to establish the faith of elytizing. the people in the Scriptures" (J. F. Rutherford 443). The Early Years and the Schisms Charles T. Russell, the founder of Some of these beliefs will be the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society examined in more detail later, but for 7 WHY I AM NOT A BIBLE STUDENT now it is important to understand Tabernacle Shadows, and many other that today's Watchtower Society no t still popular tomes using the "What longer teach many of Russell's theo- Say Scriptures about ..." which logical views. The same cannot be included such topics as hell and said of the Bible Students who place spiritism. a high value on their founder's writ- ings maintaining in various degrees a Russell also had a popular tour- solid continuity with them. ing exhibit advertised as "The Photo- Therefore, his publications are keys Drama of Creation." This road show, to understanding the modern rejuve- according to early Watchtower nation of the numerous independent sources, was seen by twelve million congregations' current teachings of people. A book by the 'same name God and man. Indeed, Russell's own incorporating the photos and themes works were regarded so highly as of the exhibition coincided with the "gospel" truth that an early diver- tour. Adding to this partial list of his gence from his doctrine brought works are the twelve hundred congre- about the schisms after his death gations which voted him their Pastor, which resulted in the major splits two thousand newspapers carrying between what is known today as the his weekly sermons with fifteen mil- Jehovah's Witnesses and the ^ various lion readers, and an international independent groups of "Bible base of growing members (446-7). Students." These early years brought about a very significant religious movemeht Russell used the printed page in which even today bears his legacy. very effective ways to spread his new But the tranquil unity of these early found truth. These views were Bible Students would soon begin to brought to the public in a non-ending degrade in the immediate years after stream of publications. His first mag- their Pastor's death. azine, corpublished with N. H. Barbour, was entitled The Herald of When Russell died a power strug- the Morning. After Russell split with gle ensured. The main player in this Barbour over some doctrinal differ- was Joseph Franklin Rutherford who ences, he began publishing Zion's would emerge victorious as the Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Society's second president amidst Presence. This publication now has much controversy. At that time, its more familiar name of The depending on whose story of the Watchtower, published by the events is read, problems developed WTBTS. His magnum opus, Studies between several prominent members. in the Scriptures, has sold tens of mil- On the side of the future Bible lions of copies. These books, in six Students these problems were basi- volumes, hold the key to the entire cally twofold: the publication of the theology of this American-made reli- seventh volume of Studies in the gion. Along with his Studies series, Scriptures: The Finished Mystery, he also wrote books titled The Object and the manner in which Rutherford and Manner of Our Lord's Return. wrest control of the Society. While on Food for Thinking Christians. the other side the Watchtower Bible 8 WHY I AM NOT A BIBLE STUDENT & Tract Society claimed "a real con- As early as 1917, the exodus from the spiracy developed. The seed of rebel- newly declared sovereign headquar- lion was planted and then the trouble ters began" (Bible Students spread" (1975 Yearbook 88). The con- Congregation of New Brunswick, Oct. spiracy referred to is when Paul S. L. 1963). While another congregation, Johnson, who later would form the the Dawn Bible Students Association, Laymen's Home Missionary placed deceitfulness on the part of Movement, was assigned to go to Rutherford for the release of the sev- England in order to make a report to enth volume of Studies in the Rutherford on the situation there. Scriptures as the catalyst, which spi- That event took place in the summer raled into division. The Dawn stated of 1917. Rutherford and the Society soon after Russell's death, "in a claimed Johnson tried to take control remarkably short time a 'Seventh of the Watchtower while he was in Volume' was published, with the England. The 1975 Yearbook states claim that it was the posthumous "throughout England, Johnson char- work of Brother Russell. It created a ! acterized himself as Russell's succes- stir among the brethren, resulting in sor, contending that the mantle of divisions in many places. It was not Pastor Russell had fallen upon him truly the posthumous work of as Elijah's cloak ('official garment') Brother Russell, and in some ways it fell upon Elisha.... Johnson endeav- was contrary to both the letter and ored to take complete control of the the spirit of his teachings" (When British field of activity, even trying, Pastor Russell Died 6). The Dawn without authority, to dismiss certain now sees the Bible Student move- members of the London headquarters ment as compared to the Watchtower staff' (89). This led to the ultimate in a clear-cut manner, "In city after disfellowshiping of Johnson who city throughout America, as well as denied the charges made by the other parts of the world, there are but Society as false. Nevertheless, this the two groups - those who are with inner turmoil would ultimately lead the original organization and those to breakaway factions forming an who are not" (22). independent Bible Student move-( ment with an ever distancing from It can be seen that within five the larger group, the Watchtower. years of Russell's death some of his closest mentors were expelled from One of the modern congregations, President Rutherford's new order. the Bible Students congregation of These early Russellites began to form New Brunswick, view their early his- the splinter groups of Bible Students tory as beginning with an illegal which still seek to maintain the con- claim to the presidency by tinuity of Russell's teachings until Rutherford, who "established dictato- this very day. Several of the present rial control" and who began to do day organizations can claim a tradi- away with the writings of Russell. tion going back to the original time of "Many individuals and congregations the major split: P. S. L. Johnson in refused to surrender their Christian the early 1920s founded the liberty or accept the new teachings. Laymen's Home Missionary 9 WHY I AM NOT A BIBLE STUDENT Movement which is very active, and the 'household of faith' to proclaim in 1918 R. H. Streeter began to edit the truth by visual means since the The Herald of Christ's Kingdom, a days of 'The Photo Drama' which was journal which is still published by the shown to large audiences approxi- Pastoral Bible Institute, to note two. mately 80 years ago" (The Divine Today, this once small breakaway Plan Program Bulletin). This star- sect is no longer on the outer fringe of tling news is just from one of the becoming a viable threat to the organized groups of Russellites. j unsuspecting but rather is in the arena doing battle against every Another use of hi-tech involves | orthodox tenet held dearly by born- the world wide web. This "soap box" I again Christians - and is doing so in offers an international audience and grand style. it is being utilized to promote Russell's own brand of the ancient The Bible Student Movement Today heresy known as Arianism. The Internet continues to be a fruitful Although they are not as large in harbor in which to propagate this numbers as their distant counter- aberrant theology. Each of the major part, the Jehovah's Witnesses, this groups are already maintaining group of religious zealots is on the sophisticated sites and many individ- move. They no longer rely just on the ual members continue coming online small "classes," a term used for local with personal web pages enabling cell groups to proselyte, or the print- more propagating of Russell's teach- ed word to get "the message out," but ings. These larger Bible Student have now entered into the world of hi- organizations effectively use this new tech as well, cable television and the media. At their sites one can down- world wide web are increasingly load articles, read newsletters, order being used as effective conduits for publications, and contact the groups their unorthodox beliefs. For exam- for further information. This hi-tech ple, one Bible Student organization, presence of the larger groups and The Fort Worth Bible Students, is individual followers is the newest using cable TV for airing numerous foray into getting out the teachings of broadcasts of their "The Divine Plan Russell, but not as discounting the Program." In June of 1996 they time-proven printed page. added their outreach program to sta- tion WWOR-TV remarking, "The Many Bible Student organiza- overruling providence of our loving tions pride themselves on reprinting heavenly Father has made it possible Charles Taze Russell's writings. for time to become available for 'The Some of the larger organizations offer Divine Plan Program' to be televised more publications, but essentially the j over WWOR-TV (New York City)... published reprints of the 1916 edition 1 WWOR-TV covers the New York City of C. T. Russell's Studies in the J area plus approximately twenty-three Scriptures are very common to see million (23,000,000) homes with and obtain (End Note #1). As a mat- cable throughout the U.S.A. Perhaps ter of fact, his writings are the glue this is the greatest opportunity for which binds these independent 10 WHY I AM NOT A BIBLE STUDENT groups together. Indeed, Russell left Finally, Russellism is promoted a legacy of printed material during through an extensive amount of radio his lifetime. What is known today as air time. The Bible Student pro- the "Watchtower reprints" covering grams can be heard in virtually every the years 1887-1916 with more than state on AM and FM radio and inter- 5,000 pages is one such publication nationally through their short wave readily available. Monthly, bimonth- broadcasts which are beamed toward ly, quarterly magazines, newsletters, several countries world-wide. One and journals are another effective such popular program is titled means of disseminating Russellism. "Frank and Ernest," which can The Fort Worth Bible Students, The domestically be heard on more than Bible Students of New Brunswick, thirty radio stations covering twenty- Laymen's Home Missionary two states while internationally air- Movement, The Chicago Bible ing in nine countries and across Students, and The Pastoral Bible Canada. These groups are beginning Institute are just a few of the larger to reach an audience without limita- groups offering this type of material. tions for teaching the theology of C. T. Numerous small cell groups also pub- Russell. lish quarterly newsletters adding to a frontal assault against evangelical On the positive side the Bible beliefs. Students, unlike their close counter- parts the J.W.s, allow their members These smaller, independent local- to study other sources, although not ized cells or classes are linked togeth- without warnings about certain pub- er by the larger groups' itinerant lications not supporting their beliefs. speakers who travel the country pro- These Students are also more open in moting the teachings of their dialoging with non-Russellites, and "Pastor" C. T. Russell. Any indepen- to this author's experience less com- dent class or congregation may bative as compared to the J.W.s. request such speakers or area wide However, there is much to disagree conventions or at the state level. The with them about and, indeed, Russell major journals contain a calendar of himself denied every historical ortho- conventions which are held across the dox teaching held as Biblical truth country and in many foreign lands as throughout the centuries by the early well. This gives the members of local councils, expressed in particular by cells a chance to meet with like-mind- evangelical believers. What are the ed believers, to hear speakers, and main areas of concern? The focus will have fellowship with each other. now shift to the theological founda- These are usually weekend events tions taught by Russell and main- which are well planned and are held tained today by his followers. at major convention settings. TO BE CONTINUED 11 WHY I AM NOT A BIBLE STUDENT VOLUNTEERING FOR OBLIVION (PART ONE) THE NEW AGE PATH TO HEAVEN'S GATE By Brooks Alexander arshall Applewhite and Bonnie Most of us have smugly assumed MNettles called themselves "Bo" that people who join cults are too stu- and "Peep" to symbolize the fact that pid, too naive or too emotionally they were "shepherds" of mankind. needy to see through the group's reli- Ironically, "Little Bo Peep" is remem- gious con-games. Heaven's Gate bered in rhyme as the shepherd who invalidates that assumption. lost her sheep and then abandoned Stupidity may get you killed, but it them to find their own way home. doesn't make you kill yourself. Even The symbolism of their names appar- naive people retain their instindt of ently ran deeper than Applewhite self-preservation. And emotional and Nettles intended. need doesn't normally lead to castra- tion. But to remark that "Bo" and ) "Peep" were treacherous shepherds is The outcome of the Heaven's perhaps the most obvious thing we Gate delusion is so shocking and could say about them. Surely no one bizarre that it confounds our rational has to decode any esoteric nick- understanding. Somehow its mem- names to make that judgment. The bers seem to have nullified two of the widely broadcast video images of most basic human impulses—the sex- Applewhite preaching to his flock ual drive and the instinct for sur- depict a man severely disconnected vival. The confused observer hardly from reality. His delusionary [sic.] knows whether to be mo^e disturbed state was as plain as any such condi- by the fact that the cultists embraced tion can be. Few false prophets have self-extinction or that they submitted ever come draped with so many red to sexual mutilation. flags. The mind boggles. It gropes for Nevertheless, though his delu- answers on more familiar grounds— sion was obvious, its final meaning the suicides must have been the was so perverse that it was literally result of pressure-cooker indoctrina- inconceivable to most people ... that tion and manipulated conversion. is, until it was demonstrated. Now, Those factors are part of the standard suddenly, it is conceivable—to every- sociological model of cultic "mine con- one. But it is still incomprehensible. trol." We are familiar with them from We accept its reality because it con- studying groups like the Moonies and fronts us, but we still don't under- the Hare Krishnas. We know that stand it. 1 they can be used to create a highly 12 VOLUNTEERING FOR OBLIVION (PART ONE) suggestible mental state in cult Charisma and Manipulation recruits. We know that the combined efforts of those and other factors can One thing that Heaven's Gate did explain the conversion of ordinary share with the "standard brand" cults people to some extraordinary beliefs. is the undoubted "charisma" of its leaders. The magnetism that "Bo" But they don't explain the conver- and "Peep" exuded may have eluded sions to Heaven's Gate, because most of us, but it came through Heaven's Gate didn't rely on any of strong and clear to those who identi- those factors until after conversion fied themselves as New Age "seekers" had occurred. There is no indication (more on that in a moment). The that recruits underwent Any kind of reports of members and ex-members cultic pressure or mind-control meth- from the earliest days onward agree ods before leaving everything behind that "the Two" held an extraordinary to follow the "all or nothing" UFO power of persuasion over other peo- cult. ple—a power that Applewhite contin- ued to exercise 1 even after Nettles Rancho Santa Fe is markedly died in 1985. urclike Jonestown,7 whosi e members lined up to die because of indoctrinat- Accounts given by members of ed fear—fear of outside forces and the group who had met the Two fear of their own leader. Heaven's describe them as exceptionally Gate members lay down to die powerful people. One member because of cosmic fatigue and world- even dropped out of the group1 weariness—a chosen and cultivated after deciding they had "hypno- rejection of their own human nature, tized" him. Another drop-out, \ and especially their nature as bodily while rejecting the notion of hyp- beings. Heaven's Gate is in a differ- nosis, affirmed the magnetic ent category from People's Temple, attraction of the Two: "These two and we shouldn't let their similarities people are dangerous. They are obscure their more basic distinctions not just run-of-the-mill con- of method and motivation. artists. They have tremendous mental power. It is not hypnosis. Rancho Santa Fe is a novel phe- It is thought transplant. They nomenon. It is a warning signpost in can do it in a matter of minutes." the downward spiral of cultural dis- solution. And Marshall Applewhite is kill another member recalled the herald of a new kind of cult and a their charisma: "I've only met a new kind of religious fervor—a tran- few really powerful people in my scendental zeal that radically despis- life. It was obvious that they es the world, the body and the human were locked into some energy condition. In that context, Heaven's source that gave them extraordi- Gate represents the (literally) termi- nary powers" (Balch and Taylor, nal form of the ancient Gnostic delu- 1976; p. 18). sion. 13 VOLUNTEERING FOR OBLIVION (PART ONE) 1 Those comments were made some as it did with Heaven's Gate? Why \ 22 years ago, in the beginning stages should it not with equal ease turn of the movement. But it is clear that outward, to become mass murder—as the same descriptions applied to "the it did with Aum Shinrikyo, the cult Two" throughout their joint leader- that staged the Tokyo subway nerve- ship, and applied to Applewhite right gas attacks? How many more of those up to the end of his career. are out there waiting to happen? However you choose to interpret There are no definitive answers that kind of dominating personal to those questions, but two pioneer- influence, it is clearly what shaped ing studies provide some important and sustained the group. Whatever clues. One study looked at the group its source, Applewhite's charisma that eventually became the Heaven's enabled him to mold the minds of Gate cult, during the early stages of those who surrendered themselves to its development. The other study it. The most vulnerable among them examined the link between the resur- allowed themselves be swept away to gence of superstition and the waning places to belief and behavior that, as of Christian faith among the general normal human beings, we can barely population. Taken together, they pre- recognize. sent a stereoscopic view of our cultur- al condition, with a depth of focus The question is not "how could that enables us to understand what is people get so warped by surrendering happening now, as well as what has to charismatic authority?" That is a led up to it. well-documented process. The ques- tion is "what made those particular Into the Depths people such easy targets of charisma to begin with?" What turned them The first study was the work of into eager sheep before they even met two adventurous sociologists from the their "shepherd(s )"? What had pre- University of Montana—one a profes- pared them to welcome the "implant- sor, the other a graduate student. ed" thought of other people—and Professor Robert Balch and student through them to think the unthink- David Taylor enlisted as "followers" able? of "Bo" and "Peep" at a recruitment rally in Oakland, California, in the And there are larger questions. fall of 1975. For almost two months, To what extent is their vulnerability they lived as "participant observers" the result of social factors that affect with the group, which was then everyone—and how many people in known as "Human Individual society are therefore in a similarly Metamorphosis" (acronym: HIM). vulnerable condition? How many They immersed themselves in HIM's more humanity-hating suicide cults cultic world, and shared every aspect are out there waiting to happen? For of its members' daily lives, including that matter why should their annihi- their nomadic existence and their lating fervor always be turned wanderings from one remote camp- inward, to manifest as mass suicide— site to another. 14 VOLUNTEERING FOR OBLIVION (PART ONE) After seven weeks of submersion with its description of how recruits in the group, Balch and Taylor cut got involved with and became com- their ties, resurfaced and swam back mitted to the cult. The researchers to their ivory tower. Back in their expected the "conversion process" to native environment, they dried off conform to the standard sociological their emotions, organized their obser- model, in which a potential cult mem- vations and marshaled their conclu- ber, facing an anxious transition sions. In March 1976, they presented point in his life, is drawn by charisma their findings in a paper delivered to and/or group acceptance into a situa- the annual meeting of the Pacific tion of enforced isolation from outside Sociological Association. They later influences, and subjected to an popularized their insights for an arti- intense process of indoctrination and cle in Psychology Today ("Salvation in peer pressure that leaves him little a UFO"; October, 1976). time alone to think for himself. Eventually, the recruit is manipulat- Balch and Taylor's paper was ed into "deciding" to join the cult and entitled "Walking Out the Door of to submit to its leader's authority. Your Life" (eerily prescient in retro- spect); subtitled "Becoming a member To their surprise, the sociologists of a Contemporary UFO Cult." Their found that while some of those ele- work gives us a look at the inner ments were conspicuously present workings of what became the (charismatic leadership, for exam- Heaven's Gate cult, almost at the ple), some others were conspicuously point of its inception. absent. Balch and Taylor found that, far from cultivating a monolithic The paper provides some fasci- "group-think," the cult was actually nating details about the group's "highly individualistic" {Ibid., p. 5). beliefs and behavior. For example, The researchers also discovered that Balch and Taylor describe how mem- incoming recruits were generally not bers would set up a public meeting to trying to resolve some crisis or deal preach their message, then organize with some desperate alienation in themselves for spiritual warfare: their lives: "We found little evidence of severe disappointments or person- Shortly before the meeting one al disorganization in their previous couple is chosen to present the lives .... Perhaps the most outstand- message .... During the meeting ing feature of the UFO people we met the spokesmen are usually is their ordinariness" (Ibid., p. 11; flanked by other members of the emphasis in the original). group who act as "buffers," i.e., they absorb the negative energy The Connecting Thread generated by hostile members of the crowd (usually Jesus Freaks). So what was the common quality (Balch and Taylor, 3/26/76; p. 8). that made all of those "ordinary" peo- ple submit to "Bo" and "Peep's" Such details aside, Balch and charisma without strong-arm tech- Taylor's paper broke new ground niques of mind-control? What made 15 VOLUNTEERING FOR OBLIVION (PART ONE) them so willing to accept "the Two's" view where reincarnation, discar- charismatic authority in the face of nate spirits, psychic powers, lost such ample reason to doubt it? What continents, flying saucers, and had prepared them for such an easy heavenly masters are taken for surrender of their wills? granted. {Ibid., p. 12) Balch and Taylor came up with Balch and Taylor concluded that an unexpected answer. Most of the a New Age worldview and a New Age cult members shared two things in "seeker" identity were keys to becom- common. The first was a New Age ing committed members of the cult. worldview, and the second was a con- The New Age worldview jettisons scious identity as a New Age "seek- absolutes, eliminates guidelines and er"—often accompanied by a broad, if sets the mind adrift without bearings superficial, experience with a variety or moorings. The "seeker" identity of "spiritual paths." normalizes the experience of being adrift in the New Age sea. It vali- Virtually all of them had been dates the revolving-door spirituality deeply involved in religious and of the New Age by making the adop- spiritual "trips" for many years tion of new enthusiasms a familiar before they heard the message. and comforting routine. It lends the However, very few of the UFO self-conscious pilgrim a sense of people appear to have been momentum "on the path" and gives deeply involved with orthodox him a sense of expectation that the Christianity. As one member put next, higher and perhaps final reve- it, "I don't know anyone who was lation is just around the corner. into Christ before coming on this trip." TO BE CONTINUED 'i Instead, members of the UFO (Reprinted with permission from group seemed to have immersed SCP Newsletter, Vol. 21:4, 1997. themselves in what Ellwood Spiritual Counterfeits Project, Box (1973) called the "alternative 4308, Berkeley, CA 94704) reality," a metaphysical world- 16 VOLUNTEERING FOR OBLIVION (PART ONE) GOD'S ALL SUFFICIENT WORD VS. PSYCHOLOGY By Michael E. Amatucci Franklin, Massachusetts i adly, today it seems a multitude to think that because the psycholo- of Christians are turning to and gist is a professional, and licensed he Srelying upon the psychological must have the solutions and answers. theories, opinions, myths, assump- Proverbs says, "There is a way that tions, systems of men. They are try- seems right to a man, but, it's end is ing to find solutions to their problems the way of death" (Prov. 14:12). The in life. The Scriptures tell us plainly Apostle Paul said, "The wisdom of that many of our problems of life this world is foolishness" (I Cor. 3:19). stem from the old nature, "the works Let me say there are people with of the flesh." Adultery-Fornication- organic problems that require med- Uncleanness-Lewdness-Idolatry- ical intervention. I'm not speaking Sorcery-Hatred-Contentions- here about them. I'm trying to relate Jealousies-Outbursts of Wrath- here to soul or mind problems, i.e., Selfish Ambitions-Discensions- works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21). Heresies-Envy-Murders- God's all-sufficient word addresses Drunkenness-Revelries, and the like problems of life, and gives us solu- (Gal. 5:19-21 NKJV). The Apostle tions, directions and answers! Why Paul through the inspiration of the should a Christian turn to a psychol- Holy Spirit is telling the Christian ogist in those types of pagan-secular churches in Galatia in vs. 19-21 to systems, when God Almighty has stop practicing sin! Many Christians already laid out a precise plan for today are replacing words like sin problems we will face in our lives? and repentance with words like Second Peter 1:3 says, "As His divine addiction, sick, mental illness; this is power has given to us all things that merely blame shifting. Sin is sin and pertain to life and godliness, through needs to be dealt with through the the knowledge of Him who called us Scriptures, prayer and confession. [I by glory and virtue." Also, look at 2 Jn. 1:9]; not through man's psycho- Tim 3:17, "That the man of God may logical systems, but through the Lord be complete, thoroughly equipped for Jesus Christ. Scripture warns us to every good work." "beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit" (Col. 2:8), that's just what psy- God's Word is sufficient to handle chology is, with over 250 theories and our problems (or sin) and certainly 10,000 techniques. It's a system of prescribes the way to alleviate it. conflicting-chaotic opinions. We seem God's Word does not change. His holy Word is ageless-timeless. Let me GOD'S ALL SUFFICIENT WORD VS. PSYCHOLOGY 17 encourage you to trust Him, "and not God's Word is pure and holy, don't be tossed to and fro and carried about pollute it with pagan philosophies. with every wind of doctrine, by the Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the trickery of man, in the cunning crafti- way, the truth, and the life." Today ness or deceitful plotting, but, speak- many are following "other ways" and ing the truth in love" (Eph. 4:14-15). "other directions" (Matt. 7:13). Let me exhort you to "touch not the Let me encourage you, Christian, unclean thing" (1 Cor. 6:17). Make to "Bear one another's burdens, and so sure in matters of living your counsel fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:1-5). comes from the Word of God and not the unregenerate (Psalm 1:1-6). Just Having said this, now a word to because something may appear to churches, Bible colleges, and semi- work or have some truth in it does naries. Those of you who include and not mean it's all right and that a require psychology, psychological Christian should embrace it. We are counseling and the like for all of the told to "test all things" (1 Thess. 5:21; reasons above plus accountability as 1 John 4:1). being teachers of the Bible, why should you mix the opinions of unre- I'll close with this: generate men and integrate them with the Word of God? A so-called "For the Word of God is living and Christian psychologist may change powerful, and sharper than any two- the words around, dress them up edged sword, piercing even to the with Christian words—does this division of soul, and spirit, and of make it Christian? No. If you change joints and marrow, and is a discerner the name of a rattlesnake, it's still a of the thoughts and intents of the rattlesnake, it's bite can kill you. heart." Heb. 4:12. 18 GOD'S ALL SUFFICIENT WORD VS. PSYCHOLOGY 18 SUBSCRIBERS If your mailing label reads XVII 3, your subscription expires with this issue. Please don't let your subscription expire. Renewals cost $4.00 per year in the US. Foreign subscriptions cost extra to cover the additional postage. NEEDED Office Manager for Religion Analysis Service. Office located in the Twin Cities area. Desire is for a person who is a retired Christian worker interested in serving with an anti-cult ministry. Telephone 1-800-562-9153 for more information. Come visit Religion Analysis Service on the world wide web! Our new URL is: http://www.wwy.org/ras Our e-mail address is: [email protected]