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Detecting Religious
Counterfeits Using Biblical Criteria
By James Bjornstad
I. Criterion #1 - The
Doctrine of God
A. This is a universal
criterion
B. Its basis is found in
Ex 20:3
C. Application of this
criterion can be found in Dt.13 as well as in other passages
D. Essential elements of
this criterion are as follows:
1. There is only one true God (e.g. Dt. 6:4)
2. Eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit
a. The Father is God (e.g. Gal. 1:1)
b. The Word [Jesus] is God (e.g. Jn. 1:1; 20:28; Col. 2:9; Titus
2:13)
c. The Holy Spirit is God (e.g. Acts 5:3-4)
d. One God Who is a plural unity (e.g. Gen. 1:26, 27; Dt. 6:4;
cf. Gen. 2:24)
3. Who created the heavens and earth from nonexistence (e.g.
Gen. 1:1; Ps 33:6)
II. Criterion #2 - The
Fulfillment of Prophecy
A. This is a particular application, i.e. it can be applied only
when a prophecy has
been made
B. Its basis is found in Dt. 18:18-22
C. Application of this criterion is found in Isa. 41:21-24;
44:7; 45:21
D. The value of this criterion is as follows:
1. If criterion #1 indicates a spiritual counterfeit, criterion
#2 is not necessary
2. If criterion #1 indicates no clear error, criterion #2 could
be used (when
applicable) to detect a false prophet
3. Criterion #2 can be used to help those in a group claiming to
have a prophet
to see that they are following a false prophet
III. Criterion #3 - The
Doctrine of Jesus
A. This is a universal criterion
B. Its basis is found in the New Testament which presents a very
specific
understanding of Jesus (e.g. Acts 2:22; 3:13-15). In 2 Cor. 11:4 the apostle
Paul warns the believers in Corinth of the
existence of "another Jesus" (i.e. a false
understanding of
Jesus; a counterfeit version)
C. Application of this criterion can be found in 1 Jn. 4:2-3.
Cerinthus, a contemporary
of the apostle John and a teacher in
Ephesus, separated Jesus from Christ in his
theology. He taught
that Christ descended on Jesus after his baptism and left before
his crucifixion. Jesus [the man] suffered and died, not Christ
[a pure spirit]. In
assessing Cerinthus' Christology, the
apostle John wrote: "Every spirit that confesses
that Jesus
Christ has come [and continues to be] in the flesh is from God,
and every
spirit that does not confess [this] is not from God"
D. Essential elements of this criterion are as follows:
1. Jesus' person
a. His deity (e.g. Jn. 8:23-24)
b. His humanity (e.g. Jn. 1:14; Phil. 2:7)
2. Jesus' work
a. His death/His atonement (e.g. Heb. 10:10-14, 18-19; 1 Jn.
1:7, 9)
b. His resurrection (e.g. 1 Cor. 15:17; Rom. 10:9-10)
IV. Criterion #4 - The
Doctrine of Salvation
A. This is a universal criterion
B. Its basis is found in the New Testament which presents a very
specific understanding
of salvation (e.g. Acts 16:30-31). In 2 Cor. 11:4 The apostle Paul warns the believers
in Corinth of the
existence of "another gospel" (i.e. a false understanding of
salvation;
a counterfeit version)
C. Application of this criterion can be found, for example, in
Acts 15:1-29. Certain men
from Judea and certain Christian
Pharisees wanted to add to faith in Jesus Christ the
rite of
circumcision and obedience to the Mosiac Law. The apostle Peter
rejected this
addition (vs. 7-11), as did the council that met
at Jerusalem under James (vs. 19, 20,
28, 29)
D. Essential elements of this criterion are as follows:
1. Salvation is:
a. A gift from God (e.g. Eph. 2:8, 9)
b. Appropriated by faith (e.g. Eph. 2:8, 9)
c. In Jesus Christ (e.g. Jn. 3:16; Acts 16:31)
2. Salvation is not:
a. Earned by doing good works (e.g. Eph. 2:8, 9)
b. Attained by keeping the Law (e.g. Gal. 2:16; Rom. 4:1-5,
9-11)
c. Produced by enlightenment or gnosis (e.g. 1 Jn. 2:3-6)
V. Criteria #5 - The
Question of Authority and Control
A. This is a universal
criterion
B. Its basis is found initially in the Old Testament
1. Essential elements of this criterion are as follows:
a. No individual or organization should take the place of God in
your life (e.g. Ex. 20:3)
b. No individual or organization should negate your ability and
responsibility to
reason and make decisions, which is part of
your being created in the image
of God (e.g. Gen. 1:26)
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