I regularly research other religious systems. I don’t do it to find fault in them. I
do it to garner truth and understanding from them. If I am to love my
neighbor, understanding them is key. I need to research their beliefs at source
and compare those beliefs with the Bible. I always respect them and respect
them even more when they profess their love to Christ. As I am always a learner
of Christ, my hope is to learn from others who demonstrate sound Biblical
doctrine. However, for some reason, I seem to chase other religious groups
away when they come to my door. Why? I am willing to listen to their beliefs but
their beliefs must align with the Bible. The beliefs of the founders of their Church
must also align with the Bible as it’s the founders who dropped the first pebble to
establish the Church in the first place. For some reason, when I question another
religious group, it is seen as me being critical or ignorant towards them. This
could not be farther from the truth. I simply enquire to understand and use
credible resources to test their thoughts. Jesus did this regularly. When he was
asked a question, he answered truthfully and he wasn’t concerned about
hurting feelings. His criticisms were earned and were stated out of love. Truth
and love go hand in hand.
I remember three nice young women coming to my door to share the Good
News from their Church. I was happy to see them but had some questions and
comments based on my research. I showed them two articles from their website
that shared a series of sermons from two of their founders. These founders are
called “prophets”. The founder stated:
I will prove that the world is wrong by showing what God is...God himself was
once as we are now and is an exalted man and sits enthroned in yonder
heavens. That is the Great Secret. We have imagined and supposed that God
was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea.
Then, I showed them another sermon documented by the Church from another
one of their “Prophets.” This founder was very influential in the Church and did
set many key principles. It reads:
When our father Adam came into the garden of Eden, he came into it with a
celestial body and brought Eve, one of his wives with him. He helped to make
and organize this world. He is MICHAEL, the archangel, the ANCIENT OF DAYS!
About whom Holy men have written and spoken — HE is our FATHER and our
GOD, and the only God with whom we have to do.
I asked them to compare these quotes from their “prophets” to scripture. They
were very quiet. I told them I know they are good people and want to do right.
To do right, they need to know their Church in and out, through and through, as
they will receive questions. They left and I haven’t seen them since. Too bad. I
really want to share the word of God with them and I truly mean that. You see,
when you join any Church, it is important to know whether their key beliefs
align with God’s beliefs. I do not slight the members. I just want them to know
clearly what they are sharing with others to ensure God’s Word is completely
and accurately shared. I am not out to harm them. I am out to help them.
Although I haven’t shared the source of my quotes out of sensitivity, I have
shared the original documents including the source location with Kahu Ken if you
even want to review them. I would be happy to share the original source
locations as well.
by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor
Alberta, Canada
