False Religions: How to Recognize Them

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NOV25

Well-known member
Nov 23, 2019
995
390
63
#1
False Religions: How to Recognize Them


If you’ve ever been confronted by a Mormon at your door, or spent time listening to a Buddhist talk about enlightenment, or sat in a church service of progressives, then you may have wondered to yourself if what was being discussed was true. Maybe your own faith has shaken a bit as you considered the claims of a competing worldview.

Today, I want to set your mind at ease. I’m going to give you ten brief characteristics of Christianity that will enable you to instantly recognize whether what you are hearing is true or false. That’s right, I said instantly. Once you understand these characteristics, spotting a spiritual fraud will be easy, and you’ll be able to begin holding your ground against a false religious claim. So, let’s get started.

All false religions deny, redefine, or supplement some or all of the following truth:

1.) Biblical inspiration, authority, and sufficiency

This means that the Bible is more than a book written by average people. Its source is divine. It is the written authoritative source for the practice of our faith and is sufficient for all of our needs in living the Christian life (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20; 3:15-16).

If you are told that there is another book, also inspired but apart from the Bible, then you can know that scripture’s authority and sufficiency is being attacked. If you are told that the Bible is not the Word of God, or that it only contains some of the Word of God, then its inspiration is being attacked. This is a common attack by Mormons against the Bible.

2.) Jesus’ incarnation

This means that the fullness of God dwelt in a human body, in Jesus, from conception (Luke 1:35; Colossians 1:19). Attacks against Jesus’ incarnation are popular with Muslims. Attacks against the virgin birth are also attacks against incarnation.

3.) Jesus’ humanity

This means that Jesus was fully human in addition to being fully divine (Luke 2:52; I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 5:8).

4.) Jesus’ deity

Both the Old Testament and the New Testament reveal that Jesus was God in human form (Psalm 110:1; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1, 8:58; Colossians 1:19). Jehovah’s Witnesses regularly dismiss Jesus’ deity, referring to him instead as a glorified angel. Muslims also dismiss Jesus’ claims to deity.

5.) Jesus’ crucifixion

Jesus’ crucifixion is a historical fact, but some religions deny it took place. This is especially true of Muslims and the Quran, which state that Jesus was never crucified.

6.) Jesus’ substitutionary atonement

Substitutionary atonement is the doctrine that Jesus took our place, our punishment for sin (Isaiah 53:5; II Corinthians 5:21, I Peter 2:24). Forgiveness of sin is made possible because of what Jesus did on our behalf. Atonement is not a picture or type, it is a real event. Without atonement there can be no forgiveness.

7.) Jesus’ bodily resurrection from the dead

Some religions teach that Jesus rose from the dead spiritually. The Bible denies this and states clearly that Jesus rose bodily (physically) from the dead, never to die again (Luke 24:12; 24:39-43; I Corinthians 15:3-8).

8.) Jesus’ Lordship (authority)

Lordship is not something that many Christians fully understand. In essence, it means that Jesus Christ has sovereign authority over all things (Matthew 28:18). He has the right to do with us whatever it is that he deems to do, according to his good pleasure. He is Lord (Acts 2:36; Romans 6:23, 10:9; II Corinthians 4:5). Religions which deny Jesus’ deity usually deny his lordship as well.

9.) Sin

Every religion has a view of man as good, but misguided, or uneducated, or unenlightened, etc. Only the Bible portrays man as having a sin nature that is in rebellion against God (Romans 3:23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:3). Therefore, only God can provide a solution to our sin problem. He did that in sending Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Denying the doctrine of sin denies the need for forgiveness and salvation, which guts the Gospel. Also, watch out for redefinitions of sin, popular in Buddhism and other eastern religions.

10.) Salvation by grace

This means that it is only by God’s grace that man receives forgiveness of sin. There is nothing that we can do to earn salvation or forgiveness. Salvation is a gift (Ephesians 2:5). Every religion, apart from Christianity teaches a works-oriented salvation of some kind. Only the Bible teaches a grace model…

If you remember and hold on to a right understanding of these ten things, you will be able to recognize a false religion right away, whether it is old or new, or eastern or western. And from there you can embolden your witness for Christ by helping the other person learn the truth about the Bible, Jesus, and their own need for salvation by grace

To read full article click —> Link.
 

Kavik

Senior Member
Mar 25, 2017
795
159
43
#2
"All false religions deny, redefine, or supplement some or all of the following truth:...."

No, actually, that just reasserts religio-centrism in the extreme - if it doesn't conform 100% to my beliefs, it's false.
 

NOV25

Well-known member
Nov 23, 2019
995
390
63
#3
"All false religions deny, redefine, or supplement some or all of the following truth:...."

No, actually, that just reasserts religio-centrism in the extreme - if it doesn't conform 100% to my beliefs, it's false.
Christianity is is the epitome of religiocentrism 😂 One way, one truth...

Is there something you disagree with from the above list?
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,778
113
#4
"All false religions deny, redefine, or supplement some or all of the following truth:...." No, actually, that just reasserts religio-centrism in the extreme - if it doesn't conform 100% to my beliefs, it's false.
So why don't you tell us what's "true"?
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,778
113
#6
Do you affirm the above truths?
I was addressing the naysayer to see what he had to offer. Of course all of those are Gospel truths and Bible truths. All genuine Christians believe them, and so do I.
 

NOV25

Well-known member
Nov 23, 2019
995
390
63
#7
I was addressing the naysayer to see what he had to offer. Of course all of those are Gospel truths and Bible truths. All genuine Christians believe them, and so do I.
Well that's a relief. I was starting to think you actually believed the Arminian theology you so often teach here on CC which seeks to redefine sin and salvation by grace (numbers 9 & 10 in the OP)
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,778
113
#9
Well that's a relief. I was starting to think you actually believed the Arminian theology you so often teach here on CC which seeks to redefine sin and salvation by grace (numbers 9 & 10 in the OP)
Neither Reformed nor Arminian theology is a correct presentation of the Gospel. And what you posted above is not exactly Reformed theology, so I can agree with it completely. Salvation is indeed by grace through faith in Christ and His finished work of redemption + NOTHING. At the same time the Gospel proclaims that repentance is necessary for the remission of sins. So Paul speaks of repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
 

arthurfleminger

Well-known member
Aug 18, 2021
1,405
780
113
#10
False Religions: How to Recognize Them


If you’ve ever been confronted by a Mormon at your door, or spent time listening to a Buddhist talk about enlightenment, or sat in a church service of progressives, then you may have wondered to yourself if what was being discussed was true. Maybe your own faith has shaken a bit as you considered the claims of a competing worldview.

Today, I want to set your mind at ease. I’m going to give you ten brief characteristics of Christianity that will enable you to instantly recognize whether what you are hearing is true or false. That’s right, I said instantly. Once you understand these characteristics, spotting a spiritual fraud will be easy, and you’ll be able to begin holding your ground against a false religious claim. So, let’s get started.

All false religions deny, redefine, or supplement some or all of the following truth:

1.) Biblical inspiration, authority, and sufficiency

This means that the Bible is more than a book written by average people. Its source is divine. It is the written authoritative source for the practice of our faith and is sufficient for all of our needs in living the Christian life (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20; 3:15-16).

If you are told that there is another book, also inspired but apart from the Bible, then you can know that scripture’s authority and sufficiency is being attacked. If you are told that the Bible is not the Word of God, or that it only contains some of the Word of God, then its inspiration is being attacked. This is a common attack by Mormons against the Bible.

2.) Jesus’ incarnation

This means that the fullness of God dwelt in a human body, in Jesus, from conception (Luke 1:35; Colossians 1:19). Attacks against Jesus’ incarnation are popular with Muslims. Attacks against the virgin birth are also attacks against incarnation.

3.) Jesus’ humanity

This means that Jesus was fully human in addition to being fully divine (Luke 2:52; I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 5:8).

4.) Jesus’ deity

Both the Old Testament and the New Testament reveal that Jesus was God in human form (Psalm 110:1; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1, 8:58; Colossians 1:19). Jehovah’s Witnesses regularly dismiss Jesus’ deity, referring to him instead as a glorified angel. Muslims also dismiss Jesus’ claims to deity.

5.) Jesus’ crucifixion

Jesus’ crucifixion is a historical fact, but some religions deny it took place. This is especially true of Muslims and the Quran, which state that Jesus was never crucified.

6.) Jesus’ substitutionary atonement

Substitutionary atonement is the doctrine that Jesus took our place, our punishment for sin (Isaiah 53:5; II Corinthians 5:21, I Peter 2:24). Forgiveness of sin is made possible because of what Jesus did on our behalf. Atonement is not a picture or type, it is a real event. Without atonement there can be no forgiveness.

7.) Jesus’ bodily resurrection from the dead

Some religions teach that Jesus rose from the dead spiritually. The Bible denies this and states clearly that Jesus rose bodily (physically) from the dead, never to die again (Luke 24:12; 24:39-43; I Corinthians 15:3-8).

8.) Jesus’ Lordship (authority)

Lordship is not something that many Christians fully understand. In essence, it means that Jesus Christ has sovereign authority over all things (Matthew 28:18). He has the right to do with us whatever it is that he deems to do, according to his good pleasure. He is Lord (Acts 2:36; Romans 6:23, 10:9; II Corinthians 4:5). Religions which deny Jesus’ deity usually deny his lordship as well.

9.) Sin

Every religion has a view of man as good, but misguided, or uneducated, or unenlightened, etc. Only the Bible portrays man as having a sin nature that is in rebellion against God (Romans 3:23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:3). Therefore, only God can provide a solution to our sin problem. He did that in sending Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Denying the doctrine of sin denies the need for forgiveness and salvation, which guts the Gospel. Also, watch out for redefinitions of sin, popular in Buddhism and other eastern religions.

10.) Salvation by grace

This means that it is only by God’s grace that man receives forgiveness of sin. There is nothing that we can do to earn salvation or forgiveness. Salvation is a gift (Ephesians 2:5). Every religion, apart from Christianity teaches a works-oriented salvation of some kind. Only the Bible teaches a grace model…

If you remember and hold on to a right understanding of these ten things, you will be able to recognize a false religion right away, whether it is old or new, or eastern or western. And from there you can embolden your witness for Christ by helping the other person learn the truth about the Bible, Jesus, and their own need for salvation by grace

To read full article click —> Link.

Post13/Nov25, I must say that I'm puzzled with your post????????

In your post, you say that the true Christian faith is dependant on 'Scripture Alone'. "It is the written authoritative source for the practice of our faith and is sufficient for all of our needs in living the Christian life"

So, why am I puzzled? Instead of referring to Scripture to identify false religions, you cite a link from 'Preach It/Teach It'. While this link does reference many of it's ideas in Scripture, it is basically only the 'Translational Opinion' of the author of the link. So, why are you citing someone's opinion as an authoritative opinion, when you previously said that 'Scripture Alone' is the only authority?

Much of this article is just the opinion of the author and his/her interpretation of Scripture. So, if I don't agree with the author, does that mean that I am not a true Christian? Thanks..
 

NOV25

Well-known member
Nov 23, 2019
995
390
63
#11
...Much of this article is just the opinion of the author and his/her interpretation of Scripture. So, if I don't agree with the author, does that mean that I am not a true Christian? Thanks..
In short, yes.

Even my Arminian brothers here know better than to deny a single one of the ten, they may twist 6, 9 & 10 a bit but never dare to deny outright.
 

arthurfleminger

Well-known member
Aug 18, 2021
1,405
780
113
#12
Post13/Nov25, the author of your link picks out 10 doctrines/guidelines for which you need to adhere to to be a true Christian. In fact, the author states quite clearly that, if you don't agree with his/her teachings and translations, then you are NOT A CHRISTIAN. And the author dooms you to hell.

He/she says, "A false religion does not need to deny all ten of these doctrines to be revealed as a false religion. Some groups teach a few points, some teach others. However, by denying these things as true, such groups place themselves outside of orthodoxy and are therefore, without salvation, without a relationship with God. "

So, Post13, where does the author get the authority to judge and determine who goes to hell?

BTW, if you research 'Preach It/Teach It', you'll find out they aren't a church or a denomination. Instead they are a corporation. And, sure enough, when I pulled up the link you cited, they were asking for donations at the very top of their page. Strange that you'd be citing them.

So, Post13, why did you choose a corporation as your authority for truth?
 

NOV25

Well-known member
Nov 23, 2019
995
390
63
#13
Post13/Nov25, the author of your link picks out 10 doctrines/guidelines for which you need to adhere to to be a true Christian. In fact, the author states quite clearly that, if you don't agree with his/her teachings and translations, then you are NOT A CHRISTIAN. And the author dooms you to hell.

He/she says, "A false religion does not need to deny all ten of these doctrines to be revealed as a false religion. Some groups teach a few points, some teach others. However, by denying these things as true, such groups place themselves outside of orthodoxy and are therefore, without salvation, without a relationship with God. "

So, Post13, where does the author get the authority to judge and determine who goes to hell?

BTW, if you research 'Preach It/Teach It', you'll find out they aren't a church or a denomination. Instead they are a corporation. And, sure enough, when I pulled up the link you cited, they were asking for donations at the very top of their page. Strange that you'd be citing them.

So, Post13, why did you choose a corporation as your authority for truth?
That's correct. If you do not affirm all ten of these biblical truths then you are outside of orthodoxy. You are not Christian.

Why don't you just fill us in on which ones you disagree with, maybe we can help you with some scripture.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
61,149
30,296
113
#14
In short, yes.

Even my Arminian brothers here know better than to deny a single one of the ten, they may twist 6, 9 & 10 a bit but never dare to deny outright.
How is Jesus’ substitutionary atonement twisted? :unsure::oops::unsure:
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
8,221
1,584
113
68
Brighton, MI
#16
False Religions: How to Recognize Them


If you’ve ever been confronted by a Mormon at your door, or spent time listening to a Buddhist talk about enlightenment, or sat in a church service of progressives, then you may have wondered to yourself if what was being discussed was true. Maybe your own faith has shaken a bit as you considered the claims of a competing worldview.

Today, I want to set your mind at ease. I’m going to give you ten brief characteristics of Christianity that will enable you to instantly recognize whether what you are hearing is true or false. That’s right, I said instantly. Once you understand these characteristics, spotting a spiritual fraud will be easy, and you’ll be able to begin holding your ground against a false religious claim. So, let’s get started.

All false religions deny, redefine, or supplement some or all of the following truth:

1.) Biblical inspiration, authority, and sufficiency

This means that the Bible is more than a book written by average people. Its source is divine. It is the written authoritative source for the practice of our faith and is sufficient for all of our needs in living the Christian life (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20; 3:15-16).

If you are told that there is another book, also inspired but apart from the Bible, then you can know that scripture’s authority and sufficiency is being attacked. If you are told that the Bible is not the Word of God, or that it only contains some of the Word of God, then its inspiration is being attacked. This is a common attack by Mormons against the Bible.

2.) Jesus’ incarnation

This means that the fullness of God dwelt in a human body, in Jesus, from conception (Luke 1:35; Colossians 1:19). Attacks against Jesus’ incarnation are popular with Muslims. Attacks against the virgin birth are also attacks against incarnation.

3.) Jesus’ humanity

This means that Jesus was fully human in addition to being fully divine (Luke 2:52; I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 5:8).

4.) Jesus’ deity

Both the Old Testament and the New Testament reveal that Jesus was God in human form (Psalm 110:1; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1, 8:58; Colossians 1:19). Jehovah’s Witnesses regularly dismiss Jesus’ deity, referring to him instead as a glorified angel. Muslims also dismiss Jesus’ claims to deity.

5.) Jesus’ crucifixion

Jesus’ crucifixion is a historical fact, but some religions deny it took place. This is especially true of Muslims and the Quran, which state that Jesus was never crucified.

6.) Jesus’ substitutionary atonement

Substitutionary atonement is the doctrine that Jesus took our place, our punishment for sin (Isaiah 53:5; II Corinthians 5:21, I Peter 2:24). Forgiveness of sin is made possible because of what Jesus did on our behalf. Atonement is not a picture or type, it is a real event. Without atonement there can be no forgiveness.

7.) Jesus’ bodily resurrection from the dead

Some religions teach that Jesus rose from the dead spiritually. The Bible denies this and states clearly that Jesus rose bodily (physically) from the dead, never to die again (Luke 24:12; 24:39-43; I Corinthians 15:3-8).

8.) Jesus’ Lordship (authority)

Lordship is not something that many Christians fully understand. In essence, it means that Jesus Christ has sovereign authority over all things (Matthew 28:18). He has the right to do with us whatever it is that he deems to do, according to his good pleasure. He is Lord (Acts 2:36; Romans 6:23, 10:9; II Corinthians 4:5). Religions which deny Jesus’ deity usually deny his lordship as well.

9.) Sin

Every religion has a view of man as good, but misguided, or uneducated, or unenlightened, etc. Only the Bible portrays man as having a sin nature that is in rebellion against God (Romans 3:23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:3). Therefore, only God can provide a solution to our sin problem. He did that in sending Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Denying the doctrine of sin denies the need for forgiveness and salvation, which guts the Gospel. Also, watch out for redefinitions of sin, popular in Buddhism and other eastern religions.

10.) Salvation by grace

This means that it is only by God’s grace that man receives forgiveness of sin. There is nothing that we can do to earn salvation or forgiveness. Salvation is a gift (Ephesians 2:5). Every religion, apart from Christianity teaches a works-oriented salvation of some kind. Only the Bible teaches a grace model…

If you remember and hold on to a right understanding of these ten things, you will be able to recognize a false religion right away, whether it is old or new, or eastern or western. And from there you can embolden your witness for Christ by helping the other person learn the truth about the Bible, Jesus, and their own need for salvation by grace

To read full article click —> Link.
Sounds like your were taught by my Friend, Gordon Lewis.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,778
113
#17
Much of this article is just the opinion of the author and his/her interpretation of Scripture.
Sound interpretation of Scripture is not opinion but interpretation. And there must be interpretation to understand Scripture and bring together various doctrines. So this author has summed up fundamental Bible doctrines which can all be supported by Scripture.

Getting back to Reformed Theology there is much in the Westminster Confession of Faith with which all Christians can agree. But there is also much Calvinistic Nonsense because of the misinterpretation of Scripture. So those interpretations can rightly be rejected. For example God does not predestinate some for Heaven and others for Hell. And the words of Christ refute that nonsense.
 

NOV25

Well-known member
Nov 23, 2019
995
390
63
#18
Neither Reformed nor Arminian theology is a correct presentation of the Gospel. And what you posted above is not exactly Reformed theology, so I can agree with it completely. Salvation is indeed by grace through faith in Christ and His finished work of redemption + NOTHING. At the same time the Gospel proclaims that repentance is necessary for the remission of sins. So Paul speaks of repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Yes but I’ve listened to you enough to know you mean God’s saving grace and faith is offered to all mankind yet only some choose to accept it.

You don’t see it do you, I mean you honestly don’t realize your soteriology is of Arminian roots do you? I guess that’s good thing, better than teaching Arminianism on purpose.

Like RC used to say, Arminians who… Let’s just let him speak for himself in this 3 minute clip, could be useful for both sides of the debate here on CC.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,433
3,684
113
#19
Today, I want to set your mind at ease. I’m going to give you ten brief characteristics of Christianity that will enable you to instantly recognize whether what you are hearing is true or false. That’s right, I said instantly. Once you understand these characteristics, spotting a spiritual fraud will be easy, and you’ll be able to begin holding your ground against a false religious claim. So, let’s get started.
It's not that simple. If you go to a group's website and look at their statement of faith, you're likely to find these ten items in all of them. So you shouldn't necessarily set your mind at ease; you should look at everything. What do they mean by these statement? For example, number 1: Biblical inspiration, authority, and sufficiency. Many groups claim this but they also teach "present truth" and "new revelation"; meaning they give lip service to Biblical inspiration, authority, and sufficiency while also claiming prophetic and apostolic authority to proclaim new truths which only they, at this time, have been granted authority to reveal.

And what else is part of their statement of faith? I wouldn't stop after number 10. A lot of groups are heavy-laden with confessions. They would probably agree with the list of 10 but would also add many other things that may or may not be truth.

You have to look at what a given group practices too, not just what they say. For example, the statement of faith of the United Methodist Church has most of the things in the list of 10, but they also ordain women ministers; and are currently split over LGBTQ issues.

So if I see a list like that my mind isn't set at ease at all.
 
L

Locoponydirtman

Guest
#20
I dont know why this is such a problem.
The scripture gives credit to God for the man who recieves God, and puts the onus of rejection upon the ome who rejects him. Calvin and arminius is wrong. Calvin blames God for the damned and arminius credits man for the saved. But it really is as simy as read the scripture and believe what it says.