Pastor Enock Tawiah Narh
Introduction
1. At no other time in
the history of Christianity has the command of the Lord Jesus Christ to
Christians to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creature been
more confronted with challenges than in our 21st century. Although each
generation has had to battle and surmount one kind of challenge or the other,
the task at the turn of the second millennium has been shrouded with the issue
of emergence of new forms of religions movements’ which also preach another
gospel.
In Galatians
1:6-9 Paul wrote to the Church as follows; I am astonished that you are so
quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are
turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some
people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of
Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other
than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have
already said, so now I say again: If any- body is preaching to you a gospel
other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!’
From Paul therefore we have an idea of ‘another
gospel’ which can rise up as a challenge to the preaching of the true gospel of
Jesus Christ.
This paper is an attempt to introduce you to
what is commonly refers to in religious circles as ‘New Religious Movements’
also known variously as sects, cults, deviations or false religions and the
impact of this religious forms on the spread of the gospel of Christ in
contemporary times and society.
First, we shall look at
some terminologies and why the term New religious movements is now preferred.
We shall also take a look at the history, kinds and characteristics of the NRM.
This will be followed by Christians and societies’ attitude to the NRM. We
shall then look at two very visible NRM in Ghana (The Jehovah’s Witnesses and
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or Mormons) in terms of their
background history, doctrines and practices in the light of the gospel of
Christ. We shall then conclude by looking at the impact of the NRM on the
preaching of the Gospel and finally how we can reach out to them with the true
gospel.
2. TERMINOLOGIES
New Religious Movements: It is any religious movement that is
organizationally distinct and has doctrines and or practices that contradict
those of the scriptures as interpreted by traditional Christianity represented
by the Catholic and protestant denominations. The movement usually surrounds a
leader or a group. They are often perceived as an alternative to mainstream
Christianity in its normative forms. The term refers to a plurality of new kinds of religions,
which were in earlier terms identified as sects or cults, heresies deviation
etc. They are groups that tend to offer innovative religious responses to the
conditions of the modern world.
These movements are often
highly eclectic, pluralistic and syncretic; they freely combine doctrines and
practices from diverse sources within their belief systems. They are usually
founded by one charismatic and authoritative leader who is thought to have
extraordinary powers or insights. They are such that they make great demand on
the loyalty and commitments of their followers and sometimes establish
themselves as alternatives to the family and other conventional social
groupings.
2.1.1 Why is the NRM preferred?
The terms sects, cult,
heresy or deviation were seen as inaccurate in describing the contemporary
expression of the phenomenon because, those terms were seen as judgmental and
pejorative. The term cult for example is use in the negative sense to refer to
groups who are seen as to be exclusive in their claims to truth in their own
group.
2.1.2 Why are they referred to as new, religious and movement?
Are they new? They are new
in the sense that their ideas and beliefs come from non-western and
non-Christian culture. Also con- temporary NRMs have collectively made a
significant impact up- on various societies in a relatively short span of time
and have become highly visible and prominent.
The belief that Jesus
Christ will establish a 1000-year reign of peace on earth before the last
judgment has formed the backdrop for the development of many of the NRMs. E.g. SDA,
Jehovah’s Witnesses, and The New Age Movement, WACO
3.2 Some NRMs takes their root from Eastern
Religions notably Hinduism and Buddhism. E.g. Theosophical Society,
Spiritual Re- generation Movement which uses Transcendental Meditation or TM,
International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) popularly known as
Hare Krishna
3.3 Some NMRs bear the imprint of western
psychology and therapy. This is designed in western goals of success. E.g.
the Church of Scientology, the church of Christ Scientist (Christian Science)
and Spiritualism.
3.4 There are also
those that come under what is called Nature religions or Neo paganism and
Wicca.
3.5 Three kinds of NMRs
A. The audience Cult: the medium of
communication here are magazines, books, tapes radio and television
B The client Cult: This is a congregation that does not gather together
but reads the same books and is fascinated by the same subject e.g. UFOs 9
Unidentified flying objects) the personal relationship required here is not one
between members but between the person offering magical or similar services and
the client without necessarily conveying religious worldview or having formal
membership
Among the first new
religions in the United States were the Seventh-day Adventists and the Jehovah’s Witnesses, both
the products of millenarian fervour set off in the mid-19th century by William Miller (1782–1849). Miller predicted that Christ would return to earth
sometime in 1843 or 1844. The failure of Miller’s prophecy, the so-called “Great Disappointment,” did not deter many of his
followers, who still believed in the prediction but felt that only Miller’s
calculations were faulty. The Seventh-day Adventists, formed under the leader-
ship of one of Miller’s followers, the prophet and visionary Ellen G.
White (1827–1915), and the Jehovah’s Witnesses,
founded by Charles Taze Russell (1852–1916), continues to believe in the
imminent return of Christ and the end of time.
3.6 Characteristics of the NMRs
1. The
leader becomes the god to the movement. The group leader becomes ‘a man above his fellows’ with special
powers and qualities.
2. Rigid and
Tyrannical authority structure. Leader’s play the role of a dictator and are obeyed without questions. It
is alleged that the leaders are uniquely inspired; people follow and accept
their practices. They live in seclusion, in aura of mystery.
3. Control
techniques is by brain washing or conversion
4. Repression
of individuality. Concerted efforts are made to repress individuality by given
members new names, keeping members on the move, making members work in
different areas, and giving them little time to keep in touch with families and
make links. The rejection of individual ego and no time is allowed for
self-image or self-gratification.
Who joins
NRMs?
i. Anyone
ii. The middle class
iii. The homeless and
jobless
iv. Majority are between
18-30 years.
4.0 The
Jehovah’s Witnesses
4.1 Official
Title: The Watch Tower Bible and
Tract Society.
The movement has a
membership of over six million people in over 250 countries in all over the
world.
2. 4.2 Text:
Isaiah 43:10 “ ye are my Witnesses”
3. 4.3
Founder and subsequent Leadership
Charles Taze Rusell (1852-1916)
He was born in 1852 at
Pittsburg. As a young man he was an orthodox Christian and keen member of the
YWCA. By age 16, he had become skeptic when he doubted the turn of the biblical
teaching of hell in the Bible. He came under the influence of the Adventist
teachings of Jonas Wendell, who taught that hell was not an eternal place
punishment. By 1876 when he was age 24 he gathered 30 disciples in the Bible
study group he organized in 1870 at age 18. He then met with Nelson H. Barbour
who edited a magazine ‘the herald of the morning’. Russell became the co-
editor and a full time preacher. Together they wrote ‘three worlds or a plan of
redemption’. According to this book, Christ second presence began in 1874. As
his first presence had lasted 31⁄2 years and so his second coming would last a
similar time. So God’s kingdom would be established in 1878 and the saints
would be raptured. When this failed to happen, Russell went back to the Bible
and made new calculations. In 1879 he split with Barbour and on 1st July 1879
the Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence was published. It evolved into
what is now known as the Watch Tower – Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. This
magazine is now produced fortnightly with over 10million copies in 140
languages. By 1880, there were 300 congregations in Pennsylvania. The basis for
their unity was the common informal acceptance of Russell’s leadership and
willingness to follow the patterns set by the Pittsburg congregation. During
this period they were known as Russellites. To help their cause, a publishing
arm was created: ‘Zion’s Watchtower tract Society. The name changed to The
Watch Tower and Tract society. Christ return was prophesied an invisible return
in 1874 with a final consummation of the kingdom to occur in 1914. As 1914 approached
there was great excitement. Sermons were syndicated in newspapers; membership
grew, but as the year approached Russell reduced the emphasis on this return.
The year passed with a sense of disappointment. Russell had been discr3edited
as immoral, and a perjurer in court. He died in 1916.Joseph Frank Rutherford
(1869-1942)
Succeeded
Russell In 1931 the movement adopted the Name Jehovah’s Witnesses assert a
period of emphasis on Jehovah to different Rutherford, followers from
traditional Christian group and Russell followers. The introduced the Awake
during the period of his presidency. Nathan H Knorr (1905-1977)
He became the general
manager of the Watch tower Publicity Office and Printing Plant. He became
President of the Movement in 1942.
He founded
the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead in 1943 to train full time ministers for
missionary work in foreign countries. He was president for 35years and saw the
growth of the movement from 115000 to over 2million as he reorganized the
training methods and encouraged active proselytization. The group release
portions of the new world translation of the Holy Scriptures in 1950. His
prediction that Christ would return in 1975 did not materialize and was a major
disappointment.
Fredrick William Franz (1893-1992)
He became the in 1977. He was behind the
translation of the NEW Worlds translation, the establishment and nurture of
strict dis- fellowshipping doctrine, the prohibition of blood transfusion.
Milton G Henschel became president in 1192. He resigned in 2000. The Current
President is Don Adams.
What they believe- Their Doctrines and practices
They see themselves as
Bible believing followers of Christ. The Bible is the infallible source of
truth. And every detail is true. They reject the doctrine of the trinity,
incarnation and traditional ideas of Heaven and hell
They believe that Jesus died on a stake not on a
cross
They oppose the following; blood transfusion, birthday celebrations, Christmas and Easter because
of pagan origin, military service, voting, saluting the national flag and
singing national anthem.
Central to their belief
system is the imminent end of the world, annihilation of all except JWs,
millennium when Sa- tan tests the saved to see if they are faithful to Jehovah.
They also speak of the faithful elite 144,000 in heaven.
They claim that the Bible
is inerrant, infallible and inspired but they use absurd Literalism of some
parts of the Bible. eg. On blood transfusion (Lev 3:17,7:26 cf 17:10-14) on
Christmas Tree (Jer. 10:1-5) and on 144,000 (Rev7:4-8) where literalism is
combined with spiritualism of other parts – whereas they spiritualize the
tribes the literalize the number 144,000 · They are a Bible plus group. The watch
tower is a trusty servant. They also have their own translation of the Bible.
On Jesus: He is not God but a god. John 1:1, by Jesus being a god they open themselves to
the charge of polytheism. Jesus is not eternal. He pre-existed but not eternal.
Col 1:15. He is not God incarnate. He is Michael the archangel in pre- existent
state, having a brother Lucifer – rebelled. During the earthly existent he was
Michael -a man. When he ascended invisible spirit, no longer having a
body. On the Holy Spirit, he is not personal, not a deity ‘spirit’ is
not capitalized. Invisible force active force – moves to do God’s will.
On Trinity: Not mention
because Christ and the Holy Spirit are not God. Not conceived of by Jesus, or
the early Church. It was only introduced as a result of confusion in the church
The future: 144,000 – 1st grade salvation – heaven. The rest earth. Only
those who are assured of themselves partake in the communion at the annual
memorial.
Evangelism: Door knocking- introduction (not a JW), if one accepts a
publication it denotes an interest and a second visit is planned. Second visit
–desire for a bible study, encourage friend to come. Join larger group of
enquirers and convinced JWs. Then to kingdom hall, Sunday and midweek meetings
5.0 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints (The Mormons), the
Church of Latter day saints, the Church of Christ of Latter Day saints
A. Introduction:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the LDS Church
or, informally, the Mormon Church) is a Christian restorationist church that
considers itself to be the restoration of the original church founded by Jesus
Christ. The church is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, and has
established congregations (called wards or branches) and built
temples worldwide. According to the church, it has over 88,000 missionaries
worldwide and a membership of over 15 million. It is ranked by the National
Council of Churches as the fourth largest Christian denomination in the
B. History
The LDS church was founded by Joseph smith in 1830. He was born in
1805 In Sharon, Vermont. By 1817 he had moved with his family to Western New
York, a site of in- tense religious revivalism during the Second Great
Awakening. According to Smith he experienced a series of visions, including one
in which he saw ‘two personages’ (presumably God the Father and Jesus Christ)
and others in which an angel directed him to a buried book of gold- en plates
inscribed with a Judeo-Christian history of ancient American civilization.
According to J Smith he was seven- teen years of age when an angel of God named
Moronic appeared to him and said that a collection of ancient writings,
engraved on golden plates by ancient prophets, was buried in a nearby hill in
present day New York. The writings were said to be to describe a people whom
god had led from Jerusalem to the western hemisphere 600 years before the
Jesus’ birth. According to the narrative Moronic was the last Prophet among
these people and had buried the record, which God had promised to bring forth
in the latter days? Smith stated that he had this vision on the eve of
September 21, 1823 and that the following day; via divine guidance he located
the burial location of the plates on this hill called camorra by the
angel. He was instructed by Moronic to meet him at the same hill on September
22 of the following year to receive instructions; and that in four years from
this date the time would arrive for the bringing forth’ i.e. translating them.
Initial converts were drawn
to the church because of a newly published Book of Mormons: An Account Written
by hand of Mormon upon plates of Nephi. According J Smith, the book was
originally written in otherwise unknown characters referred to as reformed
Egyptian engraved in golden plates. After the book was published, he organized
the ‘Church of Christ’ calling it a restoration of the early Christian Church.
Members of the Church were later called Latter Day Saints or Mormons. During
the early beginnings of the Church, Smith sent out missionaries, published
revelations and supervised the constructions of an expensive temple.
He was imprisoned and killed when a mob stormed
the jailhouse. He published many revelations and other text, which his
followers regarded as scripture. Brigham Young succeeded Smith. The current
President is Thomas S Mason since 2008.
C. Beliefs and Practices
Adherents sometimes referred to as Latter-day Saints or,
less formally, Mormons, view faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement as the
central tenet of their religion. LDS theology includes the Christian doctrine of
salvation only through Jesus Christ, though LDS doctrines regarding the nature
of God and the potential of mankind differ significantly from mainstream
Christianity.
The church has an open
canon, which includes four scriptural texts, the Bible (both Old and New
Testaments), the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of
Great Price. Other than the Bible, the majority of the LDS canon constitutes
revelation spoken by Joseph Smith and recorded by his scribes which includes
commentary and exegesis about the Bible, texts described as lost parts of the
Bible, and other works believed to be written by ancient prophets.
Mormons believe the book of
Mormons is another testament of Jesus Christ. It confirms the truth found in
the Bible and Teaches clearly that Christ is the Son of God and the savior of
the world.
Male members, after
reaching age 12, may be ordained to the priesthood, provided they are living
the standards of the church.
Women do not hold positions
within the priesthood, but do occupy leadership roles in church auxiliary
organizations.
Both men and women may
serve as missionaries, and the church maintains a large missionary program,
which proselytizes and conducts humanitarian services worldwide. Faithful members adhere to laws regarding sexual purity, health,
fasting, and Sabbath observance, and contribute ten percent of their income to
the church as a tithe.
In addition, the church teaches sacred
ordinances through which adherents make covenants with God, including baptism,
confirmation, the sacrament (holy communion), endowment, and celestial marriage
(marriage blessings which extend beyond mortality), which are of great
significance to church
The LDS teaches that we
have the opportunity to hear and accept or reject the gospel of Jesus Christ
and the blessings that come to those who faithfully adhere to it in this life
or the next.
A most significant
ordinance is baptism for the dead. That is baptism may be performed via proxy
or on behalf of those who have died. Cu 1 Cor. 15:29
Under the doctrine of continuing
revelation, Latter-day Saints believe that Jesus Christ, under the direction of
God the Father, leads the church by revealing his will to its president, whom
adherents regard as a modern- day "prophet, seer, and revelator". The
current president is Thomas S. Monson.
Individual members believe
that they can also receive personal revelation from God in conducting their
lives.
The president heads a
hierarchical structure with various
Levels reaching down to local congregations: Bishops, drawn from the laity, lead local
congregations.
Impact of The NMRs on Christianity and spread of
the Gospel
1. The NRMs are openly competitive to the Church.
They aim at conversion with the result that the convert finally leaves the
church.
2. Others offer themselves as providing
complementary functions. TM for example presents it mediation technique as a
means to deepen ones realization of God within the church though its attitude
towards Christianity is quite negative.
3. They offer themselves as the ones who are able
to offer peace and unity. Cf the traditional churches in- effectiveness in
religious conflicts.
4. They have exclusive claims and demote
Christianity to one among the many.
5. They create fear among in the society because
a. Their growth is happening at a time when the
church is losing young people. Although they are only a tiny group in compares,
there is a quality and an intensity of commitment that cannot be matched by the
churches.
b. They feature arcane discipline, new vocabulary
and aggressive recruitment practices
c. They are often been accused as anti-self,
anti-family, and anti-society, they have been assessed as separating people
from their family and f. The message of the cross is the most stumbling blocks.
1 Cor. 1:18-25). This central truth in Christianity has been attacked from
various angles by the NRMs.
d. Some of them offer Humanitarian and social
services that meets the socio economic challenges in most African countries.
What is the Church doing in addressing these?
e. They have legitimate leaders with adequate
authority to be effective.
f. They are able to generate a highly motivated
volunteer, religious labor force ready to proselytize. E.g. Mormons and JWs.
g. They socialize their young sufficiently well to
minimize both defection and appeal of reduced strictness.
7.0 Christians Response To
The NRMs
A. The Christians approach to the NRMs is to evaluate their truth
claims and their moral principles. Two fundamental principles that have guided
them are in Colossians 2:9-10 and romans 12:9.
The two central factors are;
· Whether they ignore or purposely omit central apostolic doctrines
· Whether they hold to beliefs that are distinctly opposed to orthodox Christianity.
Therefore the
interpretation given to these five basic doctrine are- as provide essential
criteria for distinguishing truth from error or a true Christian group from one
that is not.
· The attributes of God
· The person of Jesus Christ
· The nature of humanity
· The requirements of atonements
· The source of revelation
A. Christian’s reactions
· Sensationalism (or confrontational). Making so
much noise about them. Unfortunately, though that may only be emotionally
satisfying and may produce quick results, it may aggravate the situation by
increasing hostility.
· Dialogue and Reconciliation (followed by the
Catholic Church and the WCC). This reaction is justified by Christian love,
unity among all people, respect for the opinions of others and religious
rights. Though this has an advantage of creating interactions between members
of the NRMs and their relatives, it is rather seen to the very slow process and
also has the danger of syncretism
· To present an apologetic base for Christianity
(a more popular response). First this seeks to defend the Christian doctrine by
expounding and clarifying them, indicating how they the two differ and how
Christianity is supreme to all other religions (positive apologetic) and Second
by attacking them by indicating their weakness and inconsistencies (negative
apologetics)
B. Pastoral
Issues
There are four Issues
1. Religious Pluralism and The New religions:
Individuals are to be educated to understand their religious traditions.
Pastors are to be acquainted with the theology of religions and en- courage
parents and relatives with cult members to educate themselves in religious pluralism,
which could help them to relate with their offspring.
2. The Spirituals Status of those joining the
NRMs: Though joiners are introduce to new sets of teachings, we are
informed that most of them are not made to abandon their previous faiths and
might not necessarily break away from their traditional faith
3. Preventives measures: The church needs
to take steps that would prevent their members from seeking for alternative religious
experience and belonging. This is because it when the church fails to meet the
needs of its members that they turn to look elsewhere. It has been identified
that the human spirit has about nine aspirations; the quest for belonging, the
search for answers, the search for wholeness, the search for cultural identity,
the need to be recognized as special, the need for transcendence, the need for
spiritual guidance, the need for vision and the need for participation and
involvement. C. Counseling. Counseling may be
provided to parents of people who joined NRMs, new members, ex members and
would be religious seekers.
Approaching The Cultist With The Gospel
· Approach with an intellectual argument
· Deal with the whole person with compassion
· Know their teaching and listen
· Know your own teaching
· Give your own story
Conclusion.
The emergence and speared
of the NRMs are an indication that people are seeking for religious needs and
aspirations at a time in history when spiritual yearn- in’s are being either
downplayed or ignored. They offer an excellent opportunity for the church to
better understand and strategize and execute a mission and evangelism agenda
that is relevant to the changing needs and conditions of the contemporary
times.
Thank you for your attention.
0 comments:
Post a Comment