Show Information:
Air Date: September 24, 2015
Host: Jim Schneider
Listen: MP3 | Order
Scripture warns about false teachers, false apostles, false doctrines, deceitful workers and deception. We’re told that false Christs and false prophets will rise and deceive many. In 1 John 4:1 we’re told that we’re not to believe every spirit but are to try the spirits to see whether they are of God because many false prophets have gone out into the world. The Bible teaches that even Satan is transformed into an angel of light.
Sadly, many are falling prey to deception and false religions abound. So how do we hang onto sound doctrine? What is sound doctrine and how can we reach others that are entrapped by deception?
Joining Jim to provide clarity on this issue was Bodie Hodge. Bodie is a speaker, author and researcher at Answers in Genesis and is a member of the editorial review board. He has been involved with many books and DVD’s and is a regular speaker in the Creation Museum Speaker Series. This Crosstalk revealed answers to the problem of deception by discussing his book, ‘World Religions and Cults: Counterfeits of Christianity.’
What’s the difference between a world religion and a cult? Bodie began answering that by noting a third category known as philosophical systems. While all three relate to one another, a world religion is a religion that is distinct from all the others. A cult is a variant that has shifted away from the orthodoxy of a particular world religion.
Philosophical systems can be classified as religions. For example, some listeners might think of Platonic Dualism, the Stoics or the Epicureans. Such systems are sometimes incorporated into particular world religions.
In the end there are really only two religions: God’s Word and man’s word. This means that any religion that takes man’s ideas and supersedes God’s Word is a humanistic religion. This latter category includes Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and other religions.
As Jim correctly noted, this takes us back to Genesis and the question the serpent asked Eve in the garden. That question was, ‘Yea, hath God said?’ Bodie added that this is how any other philosophical worldview, religion or cult starts. It begins with a questioning of God’s Word. At that point man’s word steps in and the deviation begins.
Bodie’s book takes world religions and breaks them down into 4 main categories: Counterfeits of Christianity, Mystical Religions, Moralistic Religions and Materialistic Religions.
In addition to explaining the above listed breakdown, Bodie includes answers to the following:
–What is biblical Christianity and how does it differ from everything else?
–What religious systems have human authority?
–Are religions like Baha’i and Zoroastrianism still working religions today?
–Why is Christianity waning in the Western World?
–How can this book be used in a practical sense by Christians?
–What’s the difference between theistic satanism and modern/symbolic satanism?
More Information:
To obtain a copy of the book ‘World Religions and Cults’ go to the Crosstalk store or call 1-800-729-9829. One copy can be obtained for a donation of $19 or more and two copies can be obtained for a donation of $32 or more.
