Group Snapshot: Unification Church (Moonies)

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Anyone who was alive in the 1970’s knows at least something about the “Moonies.” Go to any decent sized city and it was common to see the followers of Rev. Sun Myung Moon standing on street corners, selling flowers and raising millions of dollars for their “True Father.” The Moonies were virtually the standard stereotype for what a brainwashing, life-dominating cult was supposed to be.

While the followers of Rev. Moon were popularly known as Moonies, the actual religious organization was the Holy Spirit Association for World Christianity. This was founded by Moon in Korea in 1954. Continue reading →

Walking in Divine Health?

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I normally don’t watch much Christian TV. Most of it is really not worth watching. Oh, I know… you can find some really good preachers, inspiring services, and solid teaching here and there. But you have to wade through the nonsense and inanity to get to the good stuff. Usually not worth the effort. (At least in my opinion. If you disagree, I ask your pardon.) So I don’t watch it. But occasionally when flipping channels, I do come across something that catches my attention. That happened last week. I chanced upon a popular TV preacher, well-known, polished, a very engaging orator. What he said intrigued me at first, then irritated me… finally angered me. That’s why I am writing this.

In the interest of being a gentle, kind Christian I won’t name the brother who was preaching. I want to be diplomatic. Let’s just use a code name instead. How about… well, C$?  Yes, that should work nicely. We’ll call him C$. Continue reading →

Group Snapshot: Theosophy

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You would think that any group whose name means “divine wisdom” would be a pretty good thing. Unfortunately, this is not so. Instead, the Theosophical Society is a hodge-podge of Eastern mysticism, occult philosophy, evolutionary theory, and spiritualistic practice. And it is not something good for the Christian, or anyone else for that matter.

Theosophy, as it is often called, is the brainchild of a rather deceived mind, that of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, or H.P.B. as she was known to her admirers. Blavatsky began her spiritual journey in one of the most popular spiritual movements of the 19th century—Spiritualism. She demonstrated quite a knack for spiritual communication and psychic phenomena. She supposedly was quite adept at being a medium, and was the channel for a number of spirits “on the higher plane.” She also traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia, visiting many holy sites from various religions, and allegedly communing with the great spiritual leaders of the age. Continue reading →

O Dem Biscuits and Gravy!

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This little treatise is offered somewhat (but only somewhat) tongue-in-cheek… with a bit of corn bread stuck in that cheek also… Originally written in 2004, the verity of the content remains constant and should be heeded by all lovers of truth (and good eatin’)!

My wife, Sue, and I have a very good friend. Her name is Bern, short for Bernadette. Indeed, she is such a good friend that she has graciously and kindly opened her home to us during this time in our lives. (We are currently house hunting.) Bern is a devout Christian, who loves the Lord deeply and is serious about her commitment to serve Him. However, there is a secret sin in her life — an iniquity and transgression that is so odious, so reprehensible, so offensive that, well, it truly pains me to divulge it. But divulge it I must. The truth demands it. Common sense and moral decency require it. It must come out!  Continue reading →

Snapshot: Rosicrucianism

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In the early 1600’s a mysterious document turned up in Europe which caused quite a stir. It was called the Fama Fraternitas. It purported to tell of a mystical sage named Christian Rosenkreutz. This man had traveled throughout much of the known world to discover true knowledge. He founded a mystical, secret society called the Fraternity of the Rosy Cross. This book was quite popular among a variety of intellectuals, from theologians and preachers, to scientists and philosophers.

An entire movement sprang up based on this book, and several other Rosicrucian works which followed it. Rosicrucianism was mixture of Christian mysticism, Jewish Kabbalah, occultic systems such as Alchemy and Hermeticism, and a little Eastern philosophy. The movement was very popular among some Protestants, likely because Rosenkreutz was unabashedly anti-Catholic. It was a strong influence in the development of western occult tradition. It also was very influential in the formation of speculative Freemasonry. The impact of Rosicrucianism is still felt today in modern occult groups, Freemasonry, and a number of cults.

During the 19th and 20th centuries a number of groups arose which claimed to be true lineal descendents of Rosicrucian tradition. Probably the most popular is the AMORC (Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis), founded by H. Spencer Lewis. This secret society can be joined via the mail or online. The second is the Rosicrucian Fellowship founded by Max Heindel. There are a number of smaller similar organizations. There are also a number of Rosicrucian degrees in the higher rites of Freemasonry.

Summary of Beliefs

God: Basically a pantheistic concept of and impersonal God.
Jesus: Jesus was a manifestation of the Christ-spirit, the Christ-consciousness. What Jesus
achieved, we can all achieve. Jesus is no different than other great spiritual leaders, such as the Buddha.
Salvation: Salvation consists of humans evolving into divine beings. This is achieved
through occult initiation and practice, virtuous living, and reincarnation and the laws of
karma. This evolutionary process is symbolized by the rosy cross.
Human nature: Man is in ignorance and needs to be enlightened as to his true nature and destiny.
Sin: No biblical concept of sin. Man’s problem is lack of knowledge and enlightenment.
Afterlife: Reincarnation is a common teaching. Ultimate salvation is achieved through
becoming a divine being, entering a nirvana-like state.
Authority: All sacred texts, Rosicrucian writings, the Bible, Eastern scriptures, Hermetic literature, occult texts.