I thought I'd better have a look at your book and DVD offer: "CULTS AND ISMS". A bargain at £10.00.....I couldn't refuse! The DVD was an excellent introduction to the false religions/beliefs that are on the increase today. What I find disturbing is that these religions (particularly Islam) are promoted with great veracity whilst the good old Church of England sits back and watches its numbers dwindle. I'm currently studying "Apologetics" as part of my Theology degree and it's amazing how few Christians have even a basic grasp of how to defend the Christian faith (1 Peter 3:15). My local vicar is contacting the C of E hierarchy to see if they run a course on this subject....I'm convinced that Islam, Jehovah's Witnesses, 7th Day Adventist et al all have very good training courses for their disciples! Here's the e-mail:
Dear Alan,
Having corresponded with you on a few occasions I thought I'd better have a look at your book and DVD: "CULTS AND ISMS".
A bargain at £10.00.....I couldn't refuse!
The DVD was an excellent introduction to the false religions/beliefs that are on the increase today. What I find disturbing is that these religions (particularly Islam) are promoted with great veracity whilst the good old Church of England sits back and watches its numbers dwindle.
I'm currently studying "Apologetics" as part of my Theology degree and it's amazing how few Christians have even a basic grasp of how to defend the Christian faith (1 Peter 3:15). My local vicar is contacting the C of E hierarchy to see if they run a course on this subject....I'm convinced that Islam, Jehovah's Witnesses, 7th Day Adventist et al all have very good training courses for their disciples!
I recently watched a great DVD by David Pawson called "The Challenge of Islam to Christianity" in which he identifies three areas where the Protestant Church needs to drastically increase its preaching; Reality, Relationship and Righteousness. I mentioned this at an area Church meeting and was promptly "booed from the stage"!! They argued that the message of "God loves you" is still the evangelical rallying cry, despite the fact that the word "love" isn't mentioned at all in the book of Acts!
The point of mentioning this, Alan, is not merely to have a whinge but to highlight the fact that if we cannot defend our own faith or change our evangelical message to that of 'the Kingdom of God' and 'the gospel of Righteousness', what chance do we have of warning our congregations about false cults & isms? I genuinely feel that if a JW walked into our church half the congregation would walk out with him!
I'm looking forward to reading the book that accompanies the DVD which, at first glance, appears to go into even greater depth on this important topic.
In the meantime, congratulations on producing a much needed comprehensive piece of work on Cults & Isms.
With best wishes and every encouragement to both you and Pat from the sunny West Country,
Yours in Christ,
G - name omitted by editors.
