Questions about False Doctrine*

Question & Answer What does the Bible say about necromancy? What is a pagan? What is paganism? What does the Bible say about channeling? What does the Bible say about white magic? What is The Secret? What is the law of attraction? What are Ouija boards? Should a Christian play with Ouija boards?" Should a Christian consult horoscopes? What does the Bible say about astrology or the Zodiac? Is astrology something a Christian should study? 9 What is the Christian view of psychics? 10 What does the Bible say about magic, magicians, illusionists? 11 What does the Bible say about praying to/speaking to the dead? 12 What does the Bible say about energy healing / energy medicine? 13 What does the Bible say about Voodoo? How should a Christian view Voodoo?" 15 What is the Spiritual Formation Movement? 16 Is there such thing as Christian Gnosticism? 17 What are the Gnostic gospels? 18 Is Jesus the only way to Heaven? *Thesearesomeofthemanytopicsonfalsedoctrine.Formoreinformation,youmayvisit: http://www.gotquestions.org/questions_falsedoctrine.html Q# 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 pg 1 2 3 3 4 6 7 8 9 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16

Question:"WhatdoestheBiblesayaboutNecromancy?"
Answer:Necromancyisdefinedastheconjuringofthespiritsofthedeadforpurposesof magicallyrevealingthefutureorinfluencingthecourseofevents.IntheBible,necromancyisalso calleddivination,sorceryandspiritismandisforbiddenmanytimesinScripture(Leviticus 19:26;Deuteronomy18:10;Galatians5:1920;Acts19:19)asanabominationtoGod.Itis somethingthattheLordspeaksverystronglyagainstandistobeavoidedasmuchasanyevil.The reasonforthisistwofold. First,necromancyisgoingtoinvolvedemonsandopenstheonewhopracticesittodemonic attack.Satanandhisdemonsseektodestroyus,nottoimparttoustruthorwisdom.Wearetold thatourenemythedevilprowlsaroundlikearoaringlionlookingforsomeonetodevour(1 Peter5:8).Second,necromancydoesnotrelyontheLordforinformation,theLordwhopromises tofreelygivewisdomtoallwhoaskforit(James1:5).ThisisespeciallytellingbecausetheLord alwayswantstoleadustotruthandlife,butdemonsalwayswanttoleadustoliesandserious damage. Theideathatdeadpeoplesspiritscanbecontactedforinformationisfalse.Thosewhoattempt suchcontactinevitablycontactdemonicspirits,notthespiritsofdeadlovedones.Thosewhodie goimmediatelytoheavenorhellheaveniftheybelievedinJesusasSavior,andhelliftheydid not.Thereisnocontactbetweenthedeadandtheliving.Therefore,seekingthedeadis unnecessaryandverydangerous.

Question:"Whatisapagan?Whatispaganism?"
Answer:FromaChristianviewpoint,pagansaregenerallycharacterizedasthosewhoarecaught upinanyreligiousceremony,act,orpracticethatisnotdistinctlyChristian.Correspondingly,Jews andMuslimsalsousethetermpaganstodescribethoseoutsidetheirreligion.Othersdefinethe termpaganismasanyreligionoutsideofBuddhism,Hinduism,Judaism,andChristianity; whereassomearguethatitisanyonewithnoreligionatall. PaganismcomesfromtheLatinwordpaganus,whichmeanscountrydwellerandcanreferto polytheismortheworshipofmorethanonegod,suchasinancientRome.Apaganisalso consideredtobeonewho,forthemostpart,hasnoreligionandindulgesinworldlydelightsand materialpossessions;someonewhoreveresinsensualpleasures;ahedonisticorselfindulgent individual.Anothermoremoderntermisneopaganismwhichreferstosomeofthe contemporaryformsofpaganismsuchasWicca,Druidry,andGwyddons. Thesemodernpaganpracticesareactuallysimilartotheirancientcounterpartsinthattheyrely heavilyonhedonismsensualgratificationandselfindulgenceandthepursuitofhappinessand pleasuretotheexclusionofeverythingelse.Inancienttimes,sexualceremonieswereamajorpart ofpaganreligions.TheOldTestamentreferencesthesepervertedreligionsinsuchpassagesas Deuteronomy23:17,Amos2:78,andIsaiah57:78. Thoughtheyarenumerousandvariedintheirpracticesandbeliefs,pagansdoholdtosome similarbeliefs.Forexample: Thephysicalworldisagoodplace,onetobetakenpleasureinbyeveryone. EveryoneisconsideredtobepartofthisMotherEarth. Divinityrevealsitselfineveryfacetoftheworld. Everybeing,manandanimal,isaderivativeoftheDivine.Assuchallaregodsandgoddess. Mostpaganreligionsdonothavegurusormessiahs. Doctrineissupersededbyonesownresponsibility. Solarandlunarcyclesaresignificantinpaganworship. Anyformofpaganismisfalsedoctrine.Pauladdressedthisperversionofthetruthinhisletterto thebelieversinRome(Romans1:2227).Thesepeoplewereworldlyandmaterialistic,worshipping createdthingsratherthantheCreator.Theyworshippedtrees,animals,androcks,goingsofaras toabusetheirbodiesindeviantsexualpracticestorevelintheirpassions.Paulthengoesontotell uswhytheydidthisandtheendresult: Furthermore,sincetheydidnotthinkitworthwhiletoretaintheknowledgeofGod,hegave themovertoadepravedmind,todowhatoughtnottobedone(Romans1:28). Inspiteofcommonassumptions,mostpaganworshippersclaimtheydontbelieveinSatan. However,theresnoquestionthatSatanistheirchiefsourceofinfluenceandcontrol.Thoughthey willdenyit,theydeifyhimintheirworldlyandsensualpractices.PaultellsusplainlyhowSatan worksinthelivesofpeoplewithoutGod,throughhispower,hissigns,hisdeceit,hislies:

 ThecomingofthelawlessonewillbeinaccordancewiththeworkofSatandisplayedinallkinds ofcounterfeitmiracles,signsandwonders,andineverysortofevilthatdeceivesthosewhoare perishing.Theyperishbecausetheyrefusedtolovethetruthandsobesaved.ForthisreasonGod sendsthemapowerfuldelusionsothattheywillbelievethelieandsothatallwillbecondemned whohavenotbelievedthetruthbuthavedelightedinwickedness(2Thessalonians2:912). ThatSatanisaliveandwellispowerfullyevidencedinthesepaganpractices.Thiswasnotonly clearinthetimesofthe1stcenturychurch,butalsointodayspostmodernworld.Tothefaithful believerswhoknowtheLord,paganworshipiswhatitappearstobethepoweranddeceitofthe princeofthisworld,Satan(1John5:19)whoprowlsaroundlikearoaringlionlookingfor someonetodevour(1Peter5:8).Assuch,itshouldbeavoided.

Question:"WhatdoestheBiblesayaboutchanneling?"
Answer:TheBibleisexplicitlyclearinitshandlingofchannelingandcontactingthedead.Scripture hasawelldocumentedviewofthepracticeofmediums,channeling,andfortunetelling.Leviticus 19:31states:Donotturntomediumsorseekoutspiritists,foryouwillbedefiledbythem. Leviticus20:6says:Iwillsetmyfaceagainstthepersonwhoturnstomediumsandspiritiststo prostitutehimselfbyfollowingthem,andIwillcuthimofffromhispeople.Deuteronomy18:12 saysthatconsultingmediumsorchannelingthedeadisdetestable.Clearly,Godseesthese practicesassinfulandcompletelywithoutbenefit. Saul,apowerfulkingofIsrael,finallyreachedtheendofhistragicfallawayfromGodwhenhe involvedhimselfinchanneling.SaulchosetoseekanswersfromamediumwhenGoddidnt providehimtheanswershewanted.In1Samuel28:620,Saulasksapsychictosummonthespirit oftheprophetSamuel.HisgraveerrorismentionedlaterinChronicles10:1314,which emphasizesthatSaulsinvolvementinitwaswrong:he[Saul]wasunfaithfultotheLord,hedid notkeepthewordoftheLord,andevenconsultedamediumforguidance,anddidnotinquireof theLord AsChristians,weoughttoseekGodsanswerstoourquestions.Prayingorchannelinganyother beingisidolatry.Prayingtoanydeadperson,includingtheApostles,Mary,andsoforth,isnotso verydifferentthatholdingasanceandaskingadeadrelativetohelpus.Mostsocalledmediums areactuallyfraudswhousememorytricks,plantedaccomplices,andspecialeffectstofoolpeople. Thosethatarenotfraudsarecooperatingwithdangerousspiritualbeings.Satanshenchmenare adeptatappearingashelpfulspirits,makingiteasyforthemtoconfuseandcorruptpeoplewho openthemselvesupthroughchanneling.

Question:"WhatdoestheBiblesayaboutwhitemagic?"
Answer:Whitemagicisdescribedasgoodmagic,asopposedtoblackmagicwhichdrawsupon thepowersofevilbeings.Opinionsvaryastothedifferencesbetweenblackandwhitemagic, rangingfromtheideathattheyaretwonamesforexactlythesamething,tothebeliefthatthey arecompletelydifferent,especiallyingoalsandintent.TheBibledoesnotdifferentiatebetween goodandbadmagic.MagicismagicasfarastheBibleisconcerned.Scripturedoesnt distinguishwhetherthemagicissupposedtobeusedforgoodorforbad;itsallforbidden 3

becauseitappealstoasourceofpowerotherthanGod. Thosewhopracticewhitemagic,alsooftencalledWicca,worshipthecreationratherthanthe Creator,andwhiletheymaynotcallonthedevilorevilspirits,theyoftenappealtomother earth,angels,and/ortheelements.ThecentralWiccanthemeis,ifitdoesnoharm,doyourown will.ManywhodabbleinwhitemagiccallthemselvesWiccans,whethertheyactuallyareornot. AlthoughWiccaisfairlyopenendedandtherearevariousdenominationsandtheological positionswithinthebelief,therearecertainbeliefs,practices,andtraditionswhichconnect adherentsofwhitemagictoWicca. Whethertheintentistoveneratemotherearth,theelements,ortheangelsandoneintendsto doonlygood,therealityisthatultimatelythereisnodistinctionbetweenwhiteandblackmagic becausetheybothworshipsomethingotherthanGod.Itsfrighteningtothinkthattheadherents ofwhitemagicareunknowinglyprayingtoandbeseechingthesamegodthatadherentsofblack magicareSatan. ThroughoutScripture,inboththeOldandNewTestaments,allformsofwitchcraftareinviolation ofGod'slawandarecondemned.(Deuteronomy18:1016;Leviticus19:26,31,20:27;Acts13:8 10).PharaohsmagicianstriedtoduplicatethemiraclesdonebyMosesandAaronbyusingtheir secretarts,whichreferstotheceremoniesorritualssorcerersandmagiciansusetoaccomplish theirends:incantations,spells,magicwords,wearingofcharms,amuletsandsoon(Exodus7:11, 8:7).TheapostlePaulcondemnedElyas,thesorcerer,proclaiminghimachildofthedevilwho wasfullofallkindsofdeceitandtrickeryandwaspervertingtherightwaysoftheLord(Acts 13:10).NowhereintheBibleisanysorcererormagicianportrayedinapositivelight.Allare condemnedbyGod. ScripturesaysthatGodhatesallmagic,whetheritistherighthandpath,orthelefthandpath. Why?BecauseitdoesntcomefromGod.Satandeceivespeoplebymakingthemthinkwhite magicisbeneficial.Hecandothisbecausehepretendstobeanangeloflight(2Corinthians 11:14),buthisdesireistoensnarethesoulsofasmanyashecan.TheBiblewarnsagainsthimand hiseviltricks.Beselfcontrolledandalert.Yourenemythedevilprowlsaroundlikearoaringlion lookingforsomeonetodevour(1Peter5:8). "TheSpiritclearlysaysthatinlatertimessomewillabandonthefaithandfollowdeceivingspirits andthingstaughtbydemons"(1Timothy4:1).RealspiritualpoweronlycomesfromGod,froma rightrelationshipwithHimthroughfaithinJesusChrist,andfromtheHolySpiritwholivesinthe heartsofbelievers.

Question:"WhatisTheSecret?Whatisthelawofattraction?"
Answer:TheSecretwww.thesecret.tvalsoknownasthelawofattraction,istheideathat becauseofourconnectionwithauniversalenergyforce,ourthoughtsandfeelingshavethe abilitytomanipulatethisenergyforcetoourliking.AccordingtoTheSecret,ourthoughtsand feelingsattractacorrespondingenergytoourselves.Ifourthoughtsarenegative,weattract

negativethings.Ifourfeelingsarepositive,weattractpositivethings.Theessentialmessageof TheSecretisthatweallhavethepowertodetermineourowndestiny.Wecanallcreateour ownreality.Throughfullyandconsistentlyapplyingthelawofattraction,wecanbewhowe wanttobeandhaveeverythingwewanttohave. IsthereanytruthtoTheSecret?Isthereanyvaliditytothelawofattraction?Aswithmostother popularideas,TheSecrethasanuggetoftruththatisexpandedtounbiblicalandillogical extremes.Forexample,athesisofthelawofattractionisthatourphysicalhealthisdeterminedby ourthoughtsandfeelings.Ithasbeenmedicallyproventhatstressandworryareharmfultothe body,whilejoyandpeaceactuallyaidinthehealingprocess.TheBibleagrees,Acheerfulheartis goodmedicine,butacrushedspiritdriesupthebones(Proverbs17:22).Acheerfullookbrings joytotheheart,andgoodnewsgiveshealthtothebones(Proverbs15:30).AsDavidwas strugglingwiththeguiltofhisunconfessed,evilactions,hedeclared,WhenIkeptsilent,my boneswastedawaythroughmygroaningalldaylong(Psalm32:3).Ourthoughtsandfeelingsdo haveanimpactonourphysicalwellbeing.However,thisisduetohowGoddesignedour bodiesnotbecauseofourconnectionwithauniversalenergyforceandournegativityor positivityattractingnegativeorpositivephysicalsymptoms. Aseconderrorinthelawofattractionisitsemphasisonmoneyandwealth.TheBiblehasmuch tosayregardingwealthandthemanagementofmoneyandresources.Proverbs13:11exclaims, Dishonestmoneydwindlesaway,buthewhogathersmoneylittlebylittlemakesitgrow. Similarly,Proverbs17:16proclaims,Ofwhatuseismoneyinthehandofafool,sincehehasno desiretogetwisdom?Ourfinancialsuccessisdeterminedbyourdecisions,ourhardwork,and ourwisestewardshipofwhatwehave.Nomatterhowpositiveourthoughtsandhowfocusedour mindisonwealth,ifwehavebuiltmountainsofdebt,thebillswillcontinuetocome(Proverbs 22:7).Theonlyimpactthesecretofpositivethinkingcanhaveonourfinancialsituationisin motivatingustoworkharderandspendmorewisely.TheSecretanditsfocusonachieving wealthgoesdirectlyagainsttheteachingsoftheBible.Solomon,thewisestandrichestmanin theBible,observed,Whoeverlovesmoneyneverhasmoneyenough;whoeverloveswealthis neversatisfiedwithhisincome.Thistooismeaningless(Ecclesiastes5:10).Jesus,whopossessed everything,warnedus,Watchout!Beonyourguardagainstallkindsofgreed;aman'slifedoes notconsistintheabundanceofhispossessions(Luke12:15).FirstTimothy6:10couldnotsayit anymoreclearly,Fortheloveofmoneyisarootofallkindsofevil.Somepeople,eagerfor money,havewanderedfromthefaithandpiercedthemselveswithmanygriefs. Withthatsaid,theprimaryerrorofTheSecret/lawofattractionisitsview,orlackthereof,of God.Inthelawofattraction,God,ifHeevenexists,isnothingmorethanauniversalenergyforce thatwemanipulatebyourthoughtsandfeelings.Thelawofattractionassumesapantheistic(God iseverything)viewofGod.TheSecretdeniestheideasofapersonalGod(withthoughts,feelings, andemotions)andasovereignGod(omnipotentandomniscient,perfectlyincontrolof everything).ThecoremessageofTheSecretisthatweareincontrolofourowndestiny.God knowsthetruthtobeverydifferent,Allthedaysordainedformewerewritteninyourbook beforeoneofthemcametobe(Psalm139:16).Nebuchadnezzar,thegreatestkingofancient BabylonandaprimecandidateforsomeonewhowouldknowTheSecret,declared,ThenI praisedtheMostHigh;IhonoredandglorifiedHimwholivesforever.Hisdominionisaneternal 5

dominion;Hiskingdomenduresfromgenerationtogeneration.Allthepeoplesoftheearthare regardedasnothing.HedoesasHepleaseswiththepowersofheavenandthepeoplesofthe earth.NoonecanholdbackHishandorsaytoHim:Whathaveyoudone?(Daniel4:3435). Accordingtotheproponentsofthelawofattraction,weareallincarnationsofGod.Weareall ourowngods,abletocreateourownreality,abletocontrolourowndestiny.Thislieisnota secret,anditisnothingnew.Satansprimarytemptationhasalwaysbeentoobtainknowledge andtherebytobecomelikeGod,ForGodknowsthatwhenyoueatofityoureyeswillbeopened, andyouwillbelikeGod(Genesis3:5).Satansownfallfromglorywasthissameerror,Yousaid inyourheart,Iwillascendtoheaven;IwillraisemythroneabovethestarsofGod;Iwillsit enthronedonthemountofassembly,ontheutmostheightsofthesacredmountain.Iwillascend abovethetopsoftheclouds;IwillmakemyselfliketheMostHigh(Isaiah14:1314).The messageofTheSecretisthesamemessagethatSatanusedtotemptAdamandEveintosin: YoudonotneedGodyoucanbeGod!AndjustasSatanwillfailinhisquesttobeGod(Isaiah 14:15;Revelation20:10),sotoowillallthosewhoseektobetheirowngodwillfail:'Youare "gods"butyouwilldielikemeremen(Psalm82:67). ThetruesecretisthatGodisincontrol.Godhasasovereignandperfectplanforus.Thekeyis gettingintunewithGod,therebyunderstandingHisheartandknowingHiswill.Ratherthan seekingafterwealth,fame,power,andpleasure(inwhichthereisnothingbutemptiness),weare toseekarelationshipwithGod,allowingHimtoplaceHisperfectdesiresinourheartandmind, conformingourfeelingstoHisandthengrantingusthedesireofHis,andour,hearts.Delight yourselfintheLORDandHewillgiveyouthedesiresofyourheart.CommityourwaytotheLORD; trustinHimandHewilldothis:Hewillmakeyourrighteousnessshinelikethedawn,thejusticeof yourcauselikethenoondaysun(Psalm37:46). Ifyouhaveadesiretodiscoverthetruesecrettoajoyousandfulfillinglife,pleasereadourarticle onWhatisthewayofsalvation?

Question:"WhatareOuijaboards?ShouldaChristianplaywithOuija boards?"
Answer:ThemodernOuijaboardwascreatedinthelate1800sasinterestinspiritualismgrew.A Ouijaboardissimplyagameboardthathasthealphabet,numerals,and"yes"and"no"printedon itsface.Usedinconjunctionwithapointer,Ouijaboardsarebelievedtoallowspiritsofthedead tocommunicatewiththeliving.Assuch,theyareoftenconsideredtobecommunicationgateways tothosewhohavepassedover.Ofcourse,thisisallbasedonthesuppositionthatspirits,or ghosts,evenexistinthefirstplaceandthattheycan,orwantto,communicatewiththeworldof theliving. TheBiblehasafewthingstosayaboutengaginginactivitiesofthisnature: Leviticus19:31"Donotturntomediumsorseekoutspiritists,foryouwillbedefiledbythem.I amtheLORDyourGod." 6

Deuteronomy18:1012"Letnoonebefoundamongyouwhosacrificeshissonordaughterinthe fire,whopracticesdivinationorsorcery,interpretsomens,engagesinwitchcraft,orcastsspells,or whoisamediumorspiritistorwhoconsultsthedead.Anyonewhodoesthesethingsisdetestable totheLORD." Isaiah8:19"Whenmentellyoutoconsultmediumsandspiritists,whowhisperandmutter, shouldnotapeopleinquireoftheirGod?Whyconsultthedeadonbehalfoftheliving?" Galatians5:1920"Theactsofthesinfulnatureareobvious:sexualimmorality,impurityand debauchery;idolatryandwitchcraft;hatred,discord,jealousy,fitsofrage,selfishambition, dissensions,factionsandenvy;drunkenness,orgies,andthelike.Iwarnyou,asIdidbefore,that thosewholivelikethiswillnotinheritthekingdomofGod." Occultistswillinsistthattheboardsworkbyallowingspiritsofthedeadtomovethepointerin answertoqueries.Scientistshaveyettoprovethatthepointerismovedbyanythingotherthan thelivingpeopletouchingthepointer.Infact,spiritsofthedeadseemtogetextremelyconfused whenparticipantsareblindfoldedandatthatpointtheOuijaboardsuddenlyceasestowork correctly. "Playing"withaOuijaboardisengaginginoccultismandisdefinitelynotanoptionforaChristian. SuchactivityisclearlyforbiddenintheBible.Nomatterhowinnocentitmayseem,itmustbe rememberedthatOuijaboardscanbeanopeningfordemonstoinvadeourheartsandminds.All demonicactivityisunderthecontrolofSatan,whomPeterdescribesinnouncertainterms:Your enemythedevilprowlsaroundlikearoaringlionlookingforsomeonetodevour(2Peter5:8). Thescripturalexamplefordealingwithitemsthatpertaintotheoccult(books,music,jewelry, occulticgames,andotheroccultobjects)istoconfessinvolvementwiththemassinandburnthe items,safelyofcourse(Acts19:1819).

Question:"ShouldaChristianconsulthoroscopes?"
Answer:Thepurposeofahoroscopeistogaininsightintoapersonscharacterandforetellthe future.Thebasicbeliefofastrologyisthatplanetsandstarsexertaninfluenceuponourlives. Thosewithspecialknowledgeastrologerscanpredicteventsinapersonslife.Itisdistressing thatmostmajornewspapershaveahoroscopecolumn,andevenmoredistressingthatmany Christiansreadtheirhoroscopes. TheBibleexpresslyforbidsdivination,sorcery,andhiddenarts(Deuteronomy18:1014).Gods peoplearetoheedGodonly(Deuteronomy18:15).Anyothersourceofguidance,information,or revelationistoberejectedoutright.(SeealsoActs16:1618.)TheBiblepointstoJesusChristas theonlyproperfocusoffaith(Acts4:12;Hebrews12:2).OurtrustisinGodalone,andweknow thatHewilldirectourpaths(Proverbs3:56).FaithinanythingbesidesGodismisplaced. Astrology,then,opposesbiblicalteachinginatleasttwoways:itadvocatesfaithinsomething otherthanGod,anditisaformofdivination.WecannotdetermineGod'swillforourlives throughhoroscopes.AsChristians,wearetoreadtheBibleandpraytoGodinordertogain

wisdomandguidance.ConsultingahoroscopeisaviolationofGod'smeansofcommunicating withHischildren.WestronglybelievethathoroscopesshouldberejectedbyChristians.

Question:"WhatdoestheBiblesayaboutastrologyortheZodiac?Is astrologysomethingaChristianshouldstudy?"
Answer:TheBiblehasmuchtosayaboutthestars.Mostbasictoourunderstandingofthestarsis thatGodcreatedthem.TheyshowHispowerandmajesty.TheheavensareGodshandiwork (Psalm8:3;19:1).Hehasallthestarsnumberedandnamed(Psalm147:4). TheBiblealsoteachesthatGodarrangedthestarsintorecognizablegroupsthatwecall constellations.TheBiblementionsthreeofthese:Orion,theBear(UrsaMajor),andthecrooked serpent(mostlikelyDraco)inJob9:9;26:13;38:3132;andAmos5:8.Thesamepassagesalso referencethestargroupPleiades(theSevenStars).GodistheOneWhofastensthebandsof theseconstellations;HeistheOnewhobringsthemforth,eachinitsseason.InJob38:32,God alsopointstotheMazzaroth,usuallytranslatedconstellations.Thisisthoughtbymanytobea referencetothetwelveconstellationsofthezodiac. Theconstellationshavebeentrackedandstudiedformillennia.TheEgyptiansandGreeksknewof thezodiacandusedittomeasurethebeginningofspringcenturiesbeforeChrist.Muchhasbeen writtenofthemeaningofthezodiacalconstellations,includingtheoriesthattheycomprisean ancientdisplayofGodsredemptiveplan.Forexample,theconstellationLeocanbeseenasa celestialdepictionoftheLionoftheTribeofJudah(Revelation5:5),andVirgocouldbeareminder ofthevirginwhoboreChrist.However,theBibledoesnotindicateanyhiddenmeaningfor theseorotherconstellations. TheBiblesaysthatstars,alongwiththesunandmoon,weregivenforsignsandseasons (Genesis1:14);thatis,theyweremeanttomarktimeforus.Theyarealsosignsinthesenseof navigationalindicators,andallthroughhistorymenhaveusedthestarstocharttheircourses aroundtheglobe. GodusedthestarsasanillustrationofHispromisetogiveAbrahamaninnumerableseed(Genesis 15:5).Thus,everytimeAbrahamlookedupatthenightsky,hehadareminderofGods faithfulnessandgoodness.Thefinaljudgmentoftheearthwillbeaccompaniedbyastronomical eventsrelatingtothestars(Isaiah13:910;Joel3:15;Matthew26:29). Astrologyistheinterpretationofanassumedinfluencethestars(andplanets)exertonhuman destiny.Thisisafalsebelief.TheroyalastrologersoftheBabyloniancourtwereputtoshameby GodsprophetDaniel(Daniel1:20)andwerepowerlesstointerpretthekingsdream(Daniel2:27). GodspecifiesastrologersasamongthosewhowillbeburnedasstubbleinGodsjudgment(Isaiah 47:1314).AstrologyasaformofdivinationisexpresslyforbiddeninScripture(Deuteronomy 18:1014).GodforbadethechildrenofIsraeltoworshiporservethehostofheaven (Deuteronomy4:19).Severaltimesintheirhistory,however,Israelfellintothatverysin(2Kings 17:16isoneexample).TheirworshipofthestarsbroughtGodsjudgmenteachtime. 8

ThestarsshouldawakenwonderatGodspower,wisdom,andinfinitude.Weshouldusethestars tokeeptrackoftimeandplaceandtoremindusofGodsfaithful,covenantkeepingnature.All thewhile,weacknowledgetheCreatoroftheheavens.OurwisdomcomesfromGod,notthestars (James1:5).TheWordofGod,theBible,isourguidethroughlife(Psalm119:105).

Question:"WhatistheChristianviewofpsychics?"
Answer:TheBiblestronglycondemnsspiritism,mediums,theoccult,andpsychics(Leviticus 20:27;Deuteronomy18:1013).Horoscopes,tarotcards,astrology,fortunetellers,palmreadings, andsancesfallintothiscategoryaswell.Thesepracticesarebasedontheconceptthatthereare gods,spirits,ordeceasedlovedonesthatcangiveadviceandguidance.Thesegodsorspirits aredemons(2Corinthians11:1415).TheBiblegivesusnoreasontobelievethatdeceasedloved onescancontactus.Iftheywerebelievers,theyareinheavenenjoyingthemostwonderfulplace imaginableinfellowshipwithalovingGod.Iftheywerenotbelievers,theyareinhell,suffering theunendingtormentforrejectingGodsloveandrebellingagainstHim. So,ifourlovedonescannotcontactus,howdomediums,spiritists,andpsychicsgetsuchaccurate information?Therehavebeenmanyexposuresofpsychicsasfrauds.Ithasbeenproventhat psychicscangainimmenseamountsofinformationonsomeonethroughordinarymeans. SometimesbyjustusingatelephonenumberthroughcallerIDandaninternetsearch,apsychic cangetnames,addresses,datesofbirth,datesofmarriage,familymembers,etc.However,itis undeniablethatpsychicssometimesknowthingsthatshouldbeimpossibleforthemtoknow. Wheredotheygetthisinformation?TheanswerisfromSatanandhisdemons.Andnowonder, forSatanhimselfmasqueradesasanangeloflight.Itisnotsurprising,then,ifhisservants masqueradeasservantsofrighteousness.Theirendwillbewhattheiractionsdeserve(2 Corinthians11:1415).Acts16:1618describesafortunetellerwhowasabletopredictthefuture untiltheapostlePaulrebukedademonoutofher. Satanpretendstobekindandhelpful.Hetriestoappearassomethinggood.Satanandhis demonswillgiveapsychicinformationaboutapersoninordertogetthatpersonhookedinto spiritism,somethingthatGodforbids.Itappearsinnocentatfirst,butsoonpeoplecanfind themselvesaddictedtopsychicsandunwittinglyallowSatantocontrolanddestroytheirlives. Peterproclaimed,Beselfcontrolledandalert.Yourenemythedevilprowlsaroundlikearoaring lionlookingforsomeonetodevour(1Peter5:8).Insomecases,thepsychicsthemselvesare deceived,notknowingthetruesourceoftheinformationtheyreceive.Whateverthecaseand whereverthesourceoftheinformation,nothingconnectedtospiritism,witchcraft,orastrologyis agodlymeansofdiscoveringinformation.HowdoesGodwantustodiscernHiswillforourlife? Godsplanissimple,yetpowerfulandeffective:studytheBible(2Timothy3:1617)andprayfor wisdom(James1:5).

Question:"WhatdoestheBiblesayaboutmagic,magicians,illusionists?"
Answer:ThereisadifferencebetweenthemagiciansspokenofintheBibleandthemagiciansand illusionistsoneseestodayatpartiesandinstageshowacts.ThemagiciansintheBibleeither gainedtheirpowerfromdemonicforces,orelsetheywerelittlemorethancharlatanswho pretendedtohavegreatknowledge,todiscoversecrets,tellfortunes,andpredictthingstocome. 9

 Theword"magic"isactuallyusedsixtimesintheBible,threetimesintheOldTestamentand threetimesintheNewTestament.However,theword,"magician(s)"isused15times.Weknow thattheEgyptiansworshippedmanygodsandthatmagicplayedanimportantpartintheritualsof theirhighpriests.ItwasthroughthedeceptionofmagicthattheEgyptiansweremadetobelieve theirgodsactuallyhadpower.GenesisspeaksofmagiciansinPharaoh'sservice.Butitis interestingtonotethattheywerepowerlesstointerpretPharaohsdream(Genesis41:8), promptingPharaohtosendforJosephwhointerpreteditcorrectlybecausehespokethewords Godgavehim. TheBookofExodusspeaksofmagicianspracticingwhatiscalled"secretarts"(Exodus8:7),asthey broughtupfrogsandtherebyreplicatingGod'splagueonthelandofEgypt.Magicinthiscasewas usedinanattempttomockGodbymimickingthemiraclesGodperformedthroughMoses.Magic andsorceryplayedamajorroleinthepantheisticreligionofEgypt.Itsancientdocumentsrecord theactivitiesofthemagicians,oneofthemostprominentbeingthecharmingofserpents.These menwerealsoselfstyledwisemenandsorcerers,thelearnedmenofthedayandthe religiousaswell.Twoofthesemen,namedJannesandJambresarementionedin2Timothy3:8. AnysupernaturalpowertheymayhavehadcamefromSatan(2Corinthians11:1315).Ifnot supernaturallyinspired,theysimplypracticedtheirtradebyopticalillusion,sleightofhand,orthe learnedphysicalmanipulationofthingssuchassnakes.Ineithercase,deceitwastheiraim,and theyweresufficientlyskillfultocompletelyfoolPharaohandhisservants. Inregardtothemagiciansandillusionistsweseetoday,iftheyarenothingmorethan entertainers,thereisprobablynothingwrongwithbeingentertainedbythem.If,however,they areinvolvedwiththeoccult,clearlythisissomethingChristiansmustavoid.Thedifficultyisin knowingwhichareocculticandwhicharenot.Inanycase,wisdomanddiscernmentareneeded wheneverdealingwithanyformofmagic/illusion.

Question:"WhatdoestheBiblesayaboutprayingto/speakingtothedead?"
Answer:PrayingtothedeadisstrictlyforbiddenintheBible.Deuteronomy18:11tellsusthat anyonewhoconsultswiththedeadisdetestabletotheLord.ThestoryofSaulconsultinga mediumtobringupthespiritofthedeadSamuelresultedinhisdeathbecausehewasunfaithful totheLORD;hedidnotkeepthewordoftheLORDandevenconsultedamediumforguidance(1 Samuel28:125;1Chronicles10:1314).Clearly,Godhasdeclaredthatsuchthingsarenottobe done. ConsiderthecharacteristicsofGod.Godisomnipresenteverywhereatonceandiscapableof hearingeveryprayerintheworld(Psalm139:712).Ahumanbeing,ontheotherhand,doesnot possessthisattribute.Also,Godistheonlyonewiththepowertoanswerprayer.Inthisregard, Godisomnipotentallpowerful(Revelation19:6).Certainlythisisanattributeahumanbeing deadoralivedoesnotpossess.Finally,GodisomniscientHeknowseverything(Psalm147:45). Evenbeforewepray,Godknowsourgenuineneedsandknowsthembetterthanwedo.Notonly doesHeknowourneeds,butHeanswersourprayersaccordingtoHisperfectwill.

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 So,inorderforadeadpersontoreceiveprayers,thedeadindividualhastoheartheprayer, possessthepowertoanswerit,andknowhowtoansweritinawaythatisbestfortheindividual praying.OnlyGodhearsandanswersprayerbecauseofHisperfectessence.Thisperfectessence includeswhatsometheologianscallimmanence.ImmanenceisthedoctrinethataffirmsGodis directlyinvolvedwiththeaffairsofmankind(1Timothy6:1415),whichincludesansweringprayer. Evenafterapersondies,Godisstillinvolvedwiththatpersonandhisdestination.Hebrews9:27 saysso:Manisdestinedtodieonce,andafterthattofacejudgment.IfapersondiesinChrist, hegoestoheaventobepresentwiththeLord(2Corinthians5:19,especiallyverse8);ifaperson diesinhissin,hegoestohell,andeventuallyeveryoneinhellwillbethrownintothelakeoffire (Revelation20:1415). Apersonsufferinginagonywillnotbeabletohearoransweraprayer,norwillapersonwhois livinginheavenlyblisswithGod.Ifwepraytosomeoneandtheyareineternalagony,shouldwe expectthemtobeabletohearandanswerourprayers?Likewise,apersoninheavenhasno concernforthatwhichisonearth,soshouldweexpecthimtobeconcernedformytemporal problems?GodhasprovidedHisSon,JesusChrist,tobethemediatorbetweenmanandGod(1 Timothy2:5).SinceJesusChrististhemediatorbetweenthetwoparties,wecangothroughJesus toGod.SincewecangothroughtheSonofGod,whywouldwewanttogothroughasinfuldead individual,especiallywhendoingsorisksthewrathofGod?

Question:"WhatdoestheBiblesayaboutenergyhealing/ energymedicine?"
Answer:Inaworldwherepeopleareconstantlygraspingfordeepermeaning,deeperspirituality, andahigherpurpose,energyhealingisonemoreNewAgephilosophywhichpresentsitselfas verydesirabletohumanbeings.Bornwithsin,weallcomeintotheworldwiththestrongbelief thatwearethecenteroftheuniversethatweareincontrolofourhealth,ourbodies,ourlives, ourcircumstances,andourdestinies.ThosewhohavenotturnedtoGodforTruthhavenochoice buttosearchforitwithinthemselves. Thepracticeofenergyhealingisnotinitselfareligion,butitisapathwaytoone'sownspirituality. Itleadsusonapersonaljourneythatencouragesustofocusonourselvesandhowourenergyisin synchwiththeenergiesofthecosmos,theearth,andallotherlife.Throughthis,onecan supposedlybetaughttohealourselvesbyusingclairvoyancetovisualizewherethenegative energyisinordertodeterminethecauseoftheproblem,whetheritisphysical,emotionalor spiritual. Reiki,awidelyusedenergyhealingtechnique,wassaidtohavebeendevelopedbyaBuddhist monkwhousedcosmicsymbolsforhealing.Reikiclaimstoworkbyremovingobstructionstothe flowoflifeforceenergythroughoutthebody.Theseobstructionsareallegedlycausedbynegative thoughts,actionsorfeelings,whichsomebelievearethefundamentalcauseofillness.Manyeven claimthatemployingthismethodisthewayJesusobtainedHishealingpower,ratherthan 11

attributingHispowertothefactthatHeisGod. Theuseofenergyhealingencouragesustoputourfulltrustinourselvesandourownbodies, whichisaformofworship.Formostwhoparticipateinenergyhealing,norecognitionisgivento theonetrueGod,nordoesHereceiveanypraiseforhealing.Thepersonusingthesemethodsof healinghasmadehimselfintohisowngod.Gettinginvolvedinenergyhealingisspiritually dangerous,tosaytheleast. TheBibletellsusthatJesusistheOnewhocametoheal.ThenJesussaid,'Cometome,allofyou whoarewearyandcarryheavyburdens,andIwillgiveyourest'(Matthew11:28).Goddoesnot wantorexpectustohelpourselves.Heisthesourceoflife,ofallthatisgoodandtrue.Thosewho refusetoacknowledgeJesuswillnevercometoaplaceofspiritualhealing.Forthispeople'sheart hasbecomecalloused;theyhardlyhearwiththeirears,andtheyhaveclosedtheireyes.Otherwise theymightseewiththeireyes,hearwiththeirears,understandwiththeirheartsandturn,andI wouldhealthem(Matthew13:15).

Question:"WhatdoestheBiblesayaboutVoodoo?Howshoulda ChristianviewVoodoo?"
Answer:VoodooisanameforseveralreligiouspracticesderivedfromWestAfricanVoodoo.The originalWestAfricanVoodooisapolytheisticreligioncalledVodon(alsospelledVodun,Voudoun, Vodou,Vaudoux,VodounorVoudou).Thisreligionhonorsagodwithadualnature,both masculineandfeminine,andspiritsthatrulenatureaswellasspiritsinrocks,rivers,trees,etc. Thesespiritsarethevodonorvudu.ThisformofVoodooalsoincludesanimalsacrificesand ancestorworship. VoodooinHaitiandLouisiana(aswellasinHaitiancommunitiesinMiamiandNewYorkCity)is derivedfromWestAfricanVoodoobutblendedwiththesuperficialaspectsofRomanCatholicism. ThiscameaboutwhenslaveswerebroughttotheNewWorldandpressuredtoconverttoRoman Catholicism.TheymixedWestAfricanVoodoowithRomanCatholicism,thusformingan undergroundtypeofVoodoofoundinLatinAmerica,Cuba,Haiti,andLouisiana.InCuba,this blendisusuallycalledSanteria;inBrazil,itisCandomble(othertermsmaybeusedaswell).In HaitianVoodoo,worshipisdirectedtotheloa,deitieswhoservetheonegod.Theloabecame associatedwithCatholicsaints. LouisianaVoodoohasastrongemphasisonbeliefinspiritsthatsuperviseeverything.Slaves changedtheAfricannamesofthesespiritstothenamesofCatholicsaintsaspartoftheblending ofWestAfricanVoodoowithRomanCatholicism.WomeninLouisianaVoodoowhopresidedover ritualsandceremoniesandusedcharmsandmagicalpotionsbecameknownasVoodooQueens. ThemostwellknownVoodooQueenwasMarieLaveauofNewOrleanswhoalsoconsidered herselfadevoutCatholic.Becauseofthis,furthersyncretizationbetweenVoodooandRoman Catholicismensued. Becauseitisbasedprimarilyonoraltradition,Voodoocanvaryfrompersontoperson.Thereis 12

beliefinonegod,calledBondye,butthisgodisremoteandisnotactiveindailylife.Voodoo worshipersconnectwiththespiritsthroughsinging,ecstaticdancinginwhichtheworshipers invitethespiritstoridethem,andtheuseofsnakes.Additionally,therearespecialdiets, ceremonies,rituals,spellcasting,potions,andtalismansandamulets(charms)forhealingand aidingfollowers. Voodooinvolvestheworshipofspiritsandoccultpracticessuchasdivination(fortunetelling)and sorcery.ThesepracticesarestronglycondemnedbyGodthroughouttheBible,suchasin Deuteronomy18:913,whereGodforbidsconsultinganyonewhopracticesdivinationorsorcery, interpretsomens,engagesinwitchcraft,orcastsspells,orwhoisamediumorspiritistorwho consultsthedead(alsoseeLeviticus19:26,31,20:6;2Kings17:17;Acts19:1819;Revelation 21:8,22:15). ThegodofVoodooisnotthebiblicalGodbutaremotegodwhoisnotinvolvedwithhumanityor nature.TheworshipoftheVoodoospiritsistheworshipoffalsegods,andassuchiscondemned throughouttheBible.NotonlyisVoodooareligionthatisincompatiblewithChristianity,butits practicesandbeliefsareagainstGodsWord.Moreover,theoccultpracticesofVoodooare dangerousbecausetheyopenpeopleupfortheinfluenceofdemons. ByblendingpolytheisticspiritworshipwithasuperficialformofChristianity,Voodoohas effectivelydeniedtheprimacyofJesusChristandHisatoningworkonthecrossandtheneedfor redemptionsolelythroughfaithinChrist.Voodoo,therefore,isincompatiblewithGodsWordin threeways:thetrueGodisnotworshiped,Jesusissecondarytothespirits,andoccultpractices prevail.

Question:"Whatisthespiritualformationmovement?"
Answer:Thespiritualformationmovementisverypopulartoday.Itis,however,inmanywaysa moveawayfromthetruthofGod'sWordtoamysticalformofChristianity,andithasinfiltrated, tosomedegree,nearlyallevangelicaldenominations.Thisideaofspiritualformationisbasedon thepremisethatifwedocertainpractices,wecanbemorelikeJesus.Proponentsofspiritual formationerroneouslyteachthatanyonecanpracticethesemysticalritualsandfindGodwithin themselves. Toooften,adherentsofthecurrentspiritualformationmovementbelievethespiritualdisciplines transformtheseekerbyhisorherenteringanalteredrealmofconsciousness.Thespiritual formationmovementischaracterizedbysuchthingsascontemplativeprayer,contemplative spirituality,andChristianmysticism. Truebiblicalspiritualformation,orspiritualtransformation,beginswiththeunderstandingthat wearesinnerslivingapartfromGod.Ourfacultieshavebeencorruptedbysinsothatwecannot pleaseGod.TruespiritualtransformationoccursasweyieldourselvestoGodsothatHemay transformusbytheguidanceandpoweroftheHolySpirit.AtleasthalfofeveryNewTestament epistleisgearedtowardhowtolivealifewellpleasingtoGodbyobedienceandsubmissionto theHolySpiritinallthings.Scripturedoesnotonlycallustheredeemed,saved,saints,sheep,

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soldiers,andservants,butteachesusthatonlythroughthepoweroftheSpiritwecanliveupto whatthenamesmean. Thefollowingpassagesaddressvariousaspectsofspiritualformation,theworkofGodinthelife ofthebeliever. "Forwhomhedidforeknow,healsodidpredestinatetobeconformedtotheimageofhisSon, thathemightbethefirstbornamongmanybrethren"(Romans8:29).Hereistheaimof transformation:thatwemaybelikeChrist. "Butweall,withopenfacebeholdingasinaglassthegloryoftheLord,arechangedintothesame imagefromglorytoglory,evenasbytheSpiritoftheLord"(2Corinthians3:18).Thisispartofa passagethatteachesthatwearechangedintotheimageofChristnotbyfollowingrulesandlaws, butbyfollowingtheleadingoftheSpiritbyfaith. "Atonetimewetoowerefoolish,disobedient,deceivedandenslavedbyallkindsofpassionsand pleasures.Welivedinmaliceandenvy,beinghatedandhatingoneanother.Butwhenthe kindnessandloveofGodourSaviorappeared,hesavedus,notbecauseofrighteousthingswe haddone,butbecauseofhismercy.Hesavedusthroughthewashingofrebirthandrenewalby theHolySpirit,whomhepouredoutonusgenerouslythroughJesusChristourSavior,sothat, havingbeenjustifiedbyhisgrace,wemightbecomeheirshavingthehopeofeternallife"(Titus 3:37). Here,Paulremindsusofourbeforeandafterlife.Wehaverespondedtothe"kindnessandlove ofGod"showntousbythedeathofChristforoursins,repentedofoursins,andnowrespondto theSpiritscontinualpromptingandempowermenttolivedifferentlyasGod'schildren.Asa result,wehavebeentransformedbythe"rebirthandrenewalbytheHolySpirit"(v.5).This,then, istruespiritualformationthereformingofourspiritsbyHisSpiritintotheimageofChrist.

Question:"IstheresuchthingasChristianGnosticism?"
Answer:ThereisactuallynosuchthingasChristianGnosticism,becausetrueChristianityand Gnosticismaremutuallyexclusivesystemsofbelief.TheprinciplesofGnosticismcontradictwhatit meanstobeaChristian.Therefore,whilesomeformsofGnosticismmayclaimtobeChristian, theyareinfactdecidedlynonChristian. Gnosticismwasperhapsthemostdangerousheresythatthreatenedtheearlychurchduringthe firstthreecenturies.InfluencedbysuchphilosophersasPlato,Gnosticismisbasedontwofalse premises.First,itespousesadualismregardingspiritandmatter.Gnosticsassertthatmatteris inherentlyevilandspiritisgood.Asaresultofthispresupposition,Gnosticsbelieveanythingdone inthebody,eventhegrossestsin,hasnomeaningbecausereallifeexistsinthespiritrealmonly. Second,Gnosticsclaimtopossessanelevatedknowledge,ahighertruthknownonlytoacertain few.GnosticismcomesfromtheGreekwordgnosiswhichmeanstoknow.Gnosticsclaimto

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possessahigherknowledge,notfromtheBible,butacquiredonsomemysticalhigherplainof existence.Gnosticsseethemselvesasaprivilegedclasselevatedaboveeverybodyelsebytheir higher,deeperknowledgeofGod. TodiscredittheideaofanycompatibilitybetweenChristianityandGnosticism,onehasonlyto comparetheirteachingsonthemaindoctrinesofthefaith.Onthematterofsalvation,Gnosticism teachesthatsalvationisgainedthroughtheacquisitionofdivineknowledgewhichfreesonefrom theillusionsofdarkness.AlthoughtheyclaimtofollowJesusChristandHisoriginalteachings, GnosticscontradictHimateveryturn.Jesussaidnothingaboutsalvationthroughknowledge,but byfaithinHimasSaviorfromsin.Foritisbygraceyouhavebeensaved,throughfaithandthis notfromyourselves,itisthegiftofGodnotbyworks,sothatnoonecanboast(Ephesians2:8 9).Furthermore,thesalvationChristoffersisfreeandavailabletoeveryone(John3:16),notjusta selectfewwhohaveacquiredaspecialrevelation. ChristianityassertsthatthereisonesourceofTruthandthatistheBible,theinspired,inerrant WordofthelivingGod,theonlyinfallibleruleoffaithandpractice(John17:17;2Timothy3:1517; Hebrews4:12).ItisGodswrittenrevelationtomankindandisneversupersededbymans thoughts,ideas,writings,orvisions.TheGnostics,ontheotherhand,useavarietyofearly hereticalwritingsknownastheGnosticgospels,acollectionofforgeriesclaimingtobelostbooks oftheBible.Thankfully,theearlychurchfatherswerenearlyunanimousinrecognizingthese GnosticscrollsasfraudulentforgeriesthatespousefalsedoctrinesaboutJesusChrist,salvation, God,andeveryothercrucialChristiantruth.Therearecountlesscontradictionsbetweenthe GnosticgospelsandtheBible.EvenwhenthesocalledChristianGnosticsquotefromtheBible, theyrewriteversesandpartsofversestoharmonizewiththeirphilosophy,apracticethatis strictlyforbiddenandwarnedagainstbyScripture(Deuteronomy4:2;12:32;Proverbs30:6; Revelation22:1819). ThePersonofJesusChristisanotherareawhereChristianityandGnosticismdrasticallydiffer.The GnosticsbelievethatJesusphysicalbodywasnotreal,butonlyseemedtobephysical,andthat HisspiritdescendeduponHimatHisbaptism,butleftHimjustbeforeHiscrucifixion.Suchviews destroynotonlythetruehumanityofJesus,butalsotheatonement,forJesusmustnotonlyhave beentrulyGod,butalsothetrulyhuman(andphysicallyreal)manwhoactuallysufferedanddied uponthecrossinordertobetheacceptablesubstitutionarysacrificeforsin(Hebrews2:1417). ThebiblicalviewofJesusaffirmsHiscompletehumanityaswellasHisfulldeity. Gnosticismisbasedonamystical,intuitive,subjective,inward,emotionalapproachtotruthwhich isnotnewatall.Itisveryold,goingbackinsomeformtotheGardenofEden,whereSatan questionedGodandthewordsHespokeandconvincedAdamandEvetorejectthemandaccepta lie.Hedoesthesamethingtodayasheprowlsaroundlikearoaringlionlookingforsomeoneto devour(1Peter5:8).HestillcallsGodandtheBibleintoquestionandcatchesinhiswebthose whoareeithernaveandscripturallyuninformedorwhoareseekingsomepersonalrevelationto makethemfeelspecial,unique,andsuperiortoothers.LetusfollowtheApostlePaulwhosaidto testeverything.Holdontothegood(1Thessalonians5:21),andthiswedobycomparing everythingtotheWordofGod,theonlyTruth.

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Question:"WhataretheGnosticgospels?"
Answer:TheGnosticgospelsarewritingsbyearly"Christian"Gnostics.Afterthefirstcenturyof Christianity,twoprimarydivisionsdevelopedtheorthodoxandtheGnostics.Theorthodox ChristiansheldtobookswenowhaveintheBibleandtowhatistodayconsideredorthodox theology.TheGnosticChristians,iftheycantrulybedescribedasChristians,heldadistinctly differentviewoftheBible,ofJesusChrist,ofsalvation,andofvirtuallyeveryothermajorChristian doctrine.However,theydidnothaveanywritingsbytheApostlestogivelegitimacytotheir beliefs. ThatiswhyandhowtheGnosticgospelswerecreated.TheGnosticsfraudulentlyattachedthe namesoffamousChristianstotheirwritings,suchasthegospelofThomas,thegospelofPhilip, thegospelofMary,etc.ThediscoveryoftheNagHammadilibraryinnorthernEgyptin1945 representedamajordiscoveryofGnosticgospels.TheseGnosticgospelsareoftenpointedtoas supposed"lostbooksoftheBible." So,whatarewetomakeoftheGnosticgospels?ShouldsomeorallofthembeintheBible?No, theyshouldnot.First,aspointedoutabove,theGnosticgospelsareforgeries,fraudulentlywritten inthenamesoftheApostlesinordertogivethemalegitimacyintheearlychurch.Thankfully,the earlychurchfatherswerenearlyunanimousinrecognizingtheGnosticgospelsaspromotingfalse teachingsaboutvirtuallyeverykeyChristiandoctrine.Therearecountlesscontradictionsbetween theGnosticgospelsandthetrueGospelsofMatthew,Mark,Luke,andJohn.TheGnosticgospels canbeagoodsourceforthestudyofearlyChristianheresies,buttheyshouldberejectedoutright asnotbelongingintheBibleandnotrepresentingthegenuineChristianfaith.

Question:"IsJesustheonlywaytoHeaven?"
Answer:"I'mbasicallyagoodperson,soI'llgotoheaven.""OK,soIdosomebadthings,butIdo moregoodthings,soI'llgotoheaven.""Godwon'tsendmetohelljustbecauseIdon'tlivebythe Bible.Timeshavechanged!""Onlyreallybadpeoplelikechildmolestersandmurderersgoto hell." Theseareallcommonrationalizations,butthetruthisthattheyarealllies.Satan,therulerofthe world,plantsthesethoughtsinourheads.He,andanyonewhofollowshisways,isanenemyof God(1Peter5:8).Satanisadeceiverandoftendisguiseshimselfassomeonegood(2Corinthians 11:14),buthehascontroloverallthemindsthatdonotbelongtoGod."Thegodofthisagehas blindedthemindsofunbelievers,sothattheycannotseethelightofthegospelofthegloryof Christ,whoistheimageofGod"(2Corinthians4:4). ItisalietobelievethatGoddoesn'tcareaboutsmallsinsorthathellisreservedfor"badpeople." AllsinseparatesusfromGod,evenalittlewhitelie.Everyonehassinned,andnooneisgood enoughtogettoheavenontheirown(Romans3:23).Gettingintoheavenisnotbasedonwhether ourgoodoutweighsourbad;wewillallloseoutifthatisthecase."Andifbygrace,thenitisno longerbyworks;ifitwere,gracewouldnolongerbegrace"(Romans11:6).Wecandonothing goodtoearnourwaytoheaven(Titus3:5). 16

 "Enterthroughthenarrowgate.Forwideisthegateandbroadistheroadthatleadsto destruction,andmanyenterthroughit"(Matthew7:13).Evenifeveryoneelseislivingalifeofsin inaculturewheretrustinginGodisnotpopular,Godwillnotexcuseit."Asforyou,youweredead inyourtransgressionsandsins,inwhichyouusedtolivewhenyoufollowedthewaysofthisworld andoftherulerofthekingdomoftheair,thespiritwhoisnowatworkinthosewhoare disobedient"(Ephesians2:12). WhenGodcreatedtheworld,itwasperfectandgood.ThenhemadeAdamandEveandgave themtheirownfreewill,sotheywouldhaveachoicewhethertofollowandobeyGod.Butthey weretemptedbySatantodisobeyGod,andtheysinned.Thisseparatedthem(andeveryonethat cameafterthem,includingus)frombeingabletohaveacloserelationshipwithGod.Heisperfect andholyandmustjudgesin.Assinners,wecouldn'treconcileourselvestoGodonourown.So GodmadeawaythatwecouldbeunitedwithHiminheaven."ForGodsolovedtheworldthathe gavehisoneandonlySon,thatwhoeverbelievesinhimshallnotperishbuthaveeternallife" (John3:16)."Forthewagesofsinisdeath,butthegiftofGodiseternallifeinChristJesusour Lord"(Romans6:23).Jesuswasborntodieforoursinssothatwewouldnothaveto.Threedays afterHisdeath,Herosefromthegrave(Romans4:25),provingHimselfvictoriousoverdeath.He bridgedthegapbetweenGodandmansothatwemayhaveapersonalrelationshipwithHimifwe onlybelieve. "Nowthisiseternallife:thattheymayknowyou,theonlytrueGod,andJesusChrist,whomyou havesent"(John17:3).MostpeoplebelieveinGod,evenSatandoes.Buttoreceivesalvation,we mustturntoGod,formapersonalrelationship,turnawayfromoursins,andfollowHim.Wemust trustinJesuswitheverythingwehaveandeverythingwedo."ThisrighteousnessfromGodcomes throughfaithinJesusChristtoallwhobelieve.Thereisnodifference"(Romans3:22).TheBible teachesthatthereisnootherwaytosalvationthanthroughChrist.JesussaysinJohn14:6,"Iam theway,thetruth,andthelife.NoonecomestotheFatherexceptthroughme." JesusistheonlywayofsalvationbecauseHeistheonlyOnewhocanpayoursinpenalty (Romans6:23).Nootherreligionteachesthedepthorseriousnessofsinanditsconsequences. NootherreligionofferstheinfinitepaymentofsinthatonlyJesusChristcouldprovide.Noother religiousfounderwasGodbecomeman(John1:1,14)theonlywayaninfinitedebtcouldbe paid.JesushadtobeGodsothatHecouldpayourdebt.JesushadtobemansoHecoulddie. SalvationisavailableonlythroughfaithinJesusChrist!Salvationisfoundinnooneelse,for thereisnoothernameunderheavengiventomenbywhichwemustbesaved(Acts4:12).

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