What the Cults believe – Sunday School Notes – – Christoph Kreitz – Contents 1 Introduction to the Study of Cults 4 1.1 What is a cult? . 4 1.2 How do we know? . 5 1.3 The measuring rod: a sound doctrine . 6 1.3.1 Sources of Authority (TAB Articles of faith x1) ..................... 6 1.3.2 The doctrine of God (TAB Articles of faith x2.a) .................... 7 1.3.3 Jesus Christ (TAB Articles of faith x2.b) ........................ 7 1.3.4 The Holy Spirit (TAB Articles of faith x2.c) ...................... 7 1.3.5 Man (TAB Articles of faith x4) .............................. 7 1.3.6 Salvation (TAB Articles of faith x6) ........................... 7 1.3.7 Things to come (TAB Articles of faith x16) ....................... 8 1.4 Typical doctrinal deviations . 8 1.4.1 The trinity of God . 9 1.4.2 The deity of Christ . 9 1.4.3 The personality of the Holy Spirit . 9 1.4.4 The immortality of the soul . 10 1.4.5 Teachings about the last things . 10 1.5 Dealing with Cultists . 10 1.6 Overview . 12 2 Mormonism 13 2.1 History . 13 2.2 Major Doctrines – where are the differences? . 14 2.2.1 Sources of Authority – anything but the Bible? . 14 2.2.2 God . 15 2.2.3 Man . 16 2.2.4 Jesus Christ . 17 2.2.5 The Holy Spirit . 17 2.2.6 Salvation . 18 2.2.7 Things to come . 18 2.3 Special Aspects . 19 3 Jehova’s Witnesses 21 3.1 History . 21 3.2 Major Doctrines – where are the differences? . 21 3.2.1 Sources of Authority – anything but the Bible? . 22 3.2.2 God . 23 3.2.3 Creation . 24 3.2.4 Jesus Christ . 24 3.2.5 The Holy Spirit . 25 3.2.6 Man . 26 3.2.7 Salvation . 26 3.2.8 Things to come . 27 4 The Way International 29 4.1 History . 29 4.2 Major Doctrines – where are the differences? . 30 4.2.1 Sources of Authority – anything but the Bible? . 30 1 4.2.2 God . 31 4.2.3 Jesus Christ . 31 4.2.4 The Holy Spirit . 32 4.2.5 Man . 33 4.2.6 Salvation . 33 4.2.7 Things to come . 33 4.3 Special Aspects . 34 5 Herbert W. Armstrong’s Worldwide Church of God 35 5.1 History . 35 5.2 Major Doctrines – where are the differences? . 36 5.2.1 Sources of Authority – anything but the Bible? . 36 5.2.2 God . 37 5.2.3 Jesus Christ . 37 5.2.4 The Holy Spirit . 37 5.2.5 Man . 38 5.2.6 Salvation . 38 5.2.7 Things to come . 40 6 Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church 41 6.1 History . 41 6.2 Major Doctrines – where are the differences? . 42 6.2.1 Sources of Authority – anything but the Bible? . 43 6.2.2 God & Man . 44 6.2.3 The Fall . 44 6.2.4 Jesus Christ . 45 6.2.5 The Holy Spirit . 47 6.2.6 Salvation . 47 6.2.7 Things to come . 48 6.3 Special Aspects . 49 6.4 Summary . 49 7 Christian Science 51 7.1 History . 51 7.2 Major Doctrines – where are the differences? . 52 7.2.1 Sources of Authority – anything but the Bible? . 52 7.2.2 God . 53 7.2.3 Jesus Christ . 53 7.2.4 The Holy Spirit . 54 7.2.5 Man . 55 7.2.6 Salvation . 55 7.2.7 Things to come . 56 7.3 Summary . 57 8 Scientology 58 8.1 Major Doctrines – where are the differences? . 59 8.1.1 Sources of Authority – anything but the Bible? . 60 8.1.2 God . 60 8.1.3 Jesus Christ & The Holy Spirit . 61 8.1.4 Man . 61 8.1.5 Sin & Salvation . ..