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Dr. Martin Remembered
by Bud Press [1990]
Although I never had
the pleasure of meeting him... I miss Dr. Walter Martin.
However, through the
endless hours of listening intently to his teaching tapes, reading
his books, and watching him lovingly "shred" the cults and liberals
on the John Ankerberg Show, we shared something special that he
wasn't aware of... he became my spiritual father.
Dr. Martin was
special. He plunged head first into areas and situations that would
turn the average Christian's knees to jell-o.
Filled with the Spirit
and armed with God's Word, he admonished us to be unwavering in our
defense of the faith, which was "once for all delivered to the
saints."
He proved to us from
Scripture that Jesus really is "Jehovah God in human form... second
person of the Holy Trinity."
He edified the Church,
strengthened its members, and warned the body of Christ of the
impending danger of the cults.
His uncompromising
stance for Christianity and enthusiastic devotion to those in the
cults, stands as a beacon for those whose hearts he touched.
Now, Dr. Martin
delights in the luxury of heaven... rubbing elbows with the New
Testament Apostles, and the Old Testament Prophets, as well as
hugging and embracing the many he led to Christ... many whom he
never met.
But most of all, Dr.
Martin has the honor and privilege of gazing into the beautiful eyes
of the One he loved so dearly....
I miss Dr. Martin.
The Most
Dangerous Cult in America
by Bud Press [1989]
While researching the
vast numbers of cults in the United States, one could find it
difficult to pinpoint and/or agree on which cult actually poses the
greater danger. The following evaluation will serve to put things in
proper perspective when searching for an answer to this growing
problem.
Satanism, of course,
is usually first on the list due to the recent surge of ritualistic
sacrifices (both human and animal); accompanied with the abnormal
practice of bodily self-mutilation with razor blades, knives, and
drugs to name only a few (Florida Times-Union/Jacksonville,
2/14/88, p. A-19).
The Watchtower Bible
and Tract Society warrants strong consideration due to the numerous
deaths resulting from the refusal to take blood transfusions.
Accordingly, since the Jehovah's Witnesses continue to allow their
friends and family members to die (adults and children) by refusing
a life-giving blood transfusion, they could be placed first in line
as the most dangerous cult (The Watchtower, 6/15/89;
Sun-Sentinel, 7/5/89, front page).
The Church of Christ,
Scientist (Christian Science) could certainly contend for a close
"runner-up" to the Watchtower organization due to their denial of
proper medical care which has resulted in the deaths of numerous
followers (Palatka Daily News, 4/10/89, p. 3A).
In addition, Americans
were literally outraged over the deaths of more than 900 people
under the "religious" guidance of the Rev. Jim Jones (Newsweek,
12/4/78). For this reason, the People's Temple is in strong
contention for "the most dangerous cult in America."
Indeed, the cults
listed above could certainly qualify for being the most dangerous.
However, when the world's final chapter is written, which will prove
to be "THE most dangerous cult in America?" One of the cults
mentioned above? Or, the "cult of compromise?"
The cult of compromise
? What is that? A cult which has infiltrated every church in
America! It consists of those Christians who do not study the Word
of God so as to be well-grounded even though God clearly commands
them to do so in II Timothy 2:15. It also is made up of
well-grounded Christians who turn people away for lack of time and
constantly do that which they know is not right. Every day, God's
people are tempted to compromise, to turn from closely following
God. Thus, our witness to those in the darkness of the cults is
weak.
Don't be caught up in
the cult of compromise for it is the most dangerous cult of all.
Why? Because it keeps God's people from being bold witnesses and
cult members from hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ!
"Stress
Management" Seminars: Coming To A Church Near You?
Bud Press [1991]
Whether it is caused
by whining children, income taxes, employment, holidays, marital
relationships, barking dogs or VCR instructions written in Egyptian
hieroglyphics, all of us - to some degree - suffer from stress.
Stress is best
described as mental or physical tension that is brought about by
urgent situations, pressure, anxiety or worry. And, of course, there
are varying levels of stress that may be termed both beneficial and
harmful.
For example, our
inability to decipher those once-a-year "revised" income tax forms -
can and will produce harmful stress. However, getting money back
(when none was expected) produces beneficial stress.
Or, take for instance,
the harmful stress produced by the next door neighbor's barking dogs
- usually at 3 o'clock in the morning. But, on the other hand,
consider the beneficial stress that is produced from watching your
children play with the neighbor's dogs - as the dogs playfully bark
and submit to those much-coveted back scratchings.
The comparison goes on
and one - with one exception - hooking up the VCR. There is no
beneficial stress involved. None whatsoever!
Yes, young or old,
rich or poor, we all experience different forms of stress; much of
which comes from worry.
Our worries are
similar to the monthly bills - once they are taken care of they go
away for awhile - only to return later on like clockwork. Of course,
the same can be said of stress. Problems cause worry and worry
causes stress, then the stress becomes a problem - that could
produce either emotional or physical problems, or both.
Enters The Villain
In our efforts to
exist in a fast-paced, stress-filled world, Christians are being
confronted with the various stress reduction techniques that have
flooded the market in the past few years.
The newspaper, radio
and television advertise books, audio-tapes, and video-tapes that
guarantee the termination of stress - whether on the job, or in our
homes. And, to the would-be sufferer, these materials act as an age
old "elixir" for "whatever ails" the customer.
On the job, Christians
are being subjected to eastern meditation techniques such as
Transcendental Meditation (TM) and yoga - which are designated to
produce a calmer atmosphere and increase in production - or so it
seems.
In the home,
Christians drift off into "never-never land" while listening to
sounds of nature or ocean waves crashing in on some far away beach -
wondering if there is a hidden message on the subliminal tape.
But, the question
remains: "What about these techniques for reducing stress - should
Christians be concerned and where do they come from?"
In 1988, a four-part
seminar/workshop was conducted at a prominent Baptist church here in
Florida. During the fourth and final session, certain stress
reduction techniques - that paralleled those being used in TM, yoga,
and the New Age Movement - were both encouraged and demonstrated to
the audience by the instructor. And, although it is impossible to
cite the exact number of participants from the audio-tape, it is
assumed that most of the audience participated along with the
instructor.
Using certain Biblical
passages for a foundation, the instructor led her willing audience
through techniques such as:
1. eye-closure
(closing the eyes);
2. deep breathing
exercises;
3. self-talk/body-talk
(telling your body to relax);
4. concentrating on
specific body parts for healing or relaxation;
5. visualization of
certain body parts becoming relaxed;
6. self-hypnosis
technique;
7. clearing the mind;
8. guided imagery
(picturing a beautiful outdoor scene in the mind);
9. creating an image
of Jesus in the mind;
10. talking to the
"Jesus" created in the mind;
11. praying to the
"Jesus" created in the mind;
12. returning to the
room after the relaxation session.
Do the above
techniques sound strange or "off the wall?" Yes. Do these techniques
really work? Yes, much of the time. Do the techniques have a
clearly defined Biblical foundation, and should Christians
participate in workshops or seminars when conducted as above? No!
Why? Elliot Miller
(former "New Ager") of the Christian Research Institute, shares his
answer:
"...one should steer
clear of all techniques for increasing relaxation, creativity,
concentration and so forth that involve repeating words, or
visualizing objects in order to suspend normal though processes.
Such altered states of consciousness are the breeding ground for
mystical and occult activity of all kinds....
"This warning also
applies to using the imagination (whether on one's own or in some
form of guided imagery) to leave the body, contact `counselors' or
`wise persons' or in any way manipulate the spiritual realm." (A
Crash Course On The New Age Movement, p. 187.)
Therefore, there is an
obvious danger, both spiritually and physically, to the Christian
and non-Christian as well. Moreover, the individuals who take part
in these seminars or workshops should be furnished with both sides
of the story, as well as the complications that may arise through
the use of these techniques in the future.
But where do these
relaxation techniques come from? Ultimately, the ancient art of
Hinduistic meditation, which incorporates the same techniques, while
encouraging individuals to realize that they are, in fact, "god"
(which is the core of New Age theology).
Unfortunately, space
does not permit an exhaustive critique on the subject of "Stress
Management" techniques and the Christian. However, for an in depth
perspective of New Age influence in the church, the following books
are highly recommended:
The New Age Cult,
Walter Martin; Confronting The New Age, Douglas Groothuis;
The Beautiful Side of Evil, Johanna Michaelsen; The Lure of
the Cults & New Religions, Ronald Enroth.
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