Want Some Answers ???

Thanks for your last chapter.

Again you won't comment on anything I wrote [or answer my questions]. So we seem to be holding a one-sided conversation. The impression I have is that you don't want to discuss anything, just lecture.  Others have written to me and they hide the name of their sect. They sound Christian, but they too don't want to discuss what they really believe.

How can you convince me your sect is the only true church if you're ashamed of what you believe and whom you associate with? I'm not ashamed to be an evangelical, what are you afraid of? Ultimately if you have something worth saying, it's worth defending. If it's not worth defending it's not worth believing. Cults flourish because people accept anything they are told without asking questions.

Your problem is two fold. Jehovah's Witnesses, Christadelphians, or any cult could have written your email. They all claim Christendom must be rejected and they alone are right. So even proving your point establishes nothing. If I give up my faith, which group do you want me to join?

Secondly, You assume I know nothing of Scripture and the early church. I'm well aware of both. You wrote,

"Christianity as a whole (like you) has gone astray from the teaching of Christ. The greatest need of today is to return to the early faith: and the only way to return is by the study of the Scriptures."

This is the only comment where you refer to me. I've devoted enough time to your emails but if you can't bring yourself to clarify yourself and the points I raised, it's pointless corresponding. I'll finish on two matters.

Firstly. You say much about cults. But won’t accept the main reason God gave His Word. You won’t discuss that, and ignored my last email. Also you think truth is a system of doctrine, if you get them correct - then you know the truth. It's not. In Scripture the truth first and foremost is a Person, and all about knowing Him as Saviour. You of course don’t know Christ as Saviour, you hope to work your way to God [which is impossible].

Secondly. Experts who have studied ‘sects and cults’ for years have compiled a list of characteristic traits of cults. How many of these apply to your group?

[1] Antagonism. Intolerant of other belief. Extremely hostile to mainstream Christianity.
[2] Isolationism. Closed mindedness 'we alone are right'. Claim to teach truth neglected by the ordinary churches.
[3] Propagandism. With the aim to claim 'we alone are right', win converts, discredit others.
[4] Perfectionism. The feeling of superiority to others.  A perverted sense regarding sin.
[5] An extra-source of authority. - from their literature and leaders. Which are regarded as the ultimate authority, always right, never wrong.
[6] Justification by grace is questioned. The Gospel is flavoured with the doctrine of the sect.  Because all who differ are mistaken, none can be sure of salvation unless their group is followed.
[7] Exclusive community.  They alone are God's chosen. The church/world is ignorant without their message. Last defenders of true doctrine.
[8] Eschatology governed. Special dates or events after the Apostles. It's calling into existence by God.
[9] Distinctive terminology. Double meaning of words and terms, has it own gobbledygook.

Regards,

Mark Purchase

 
PS. “…..if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ”. [Rom 8:9]