Letters to the Editor

Thanks so much for your speedy response and the wealth of information that you provided regarding Saturday versus Sunday worship. The information truly cleared up my confusion and it also equipped me with some necessary tools (biblical knowledge) I needed. I especially appreciate the simple test of the gospel as a yardstick for taking the measure of all other religious doctrines (Galatians 1:6-9).

In addition, you did a good job of explaining the contradiction between the gospel of salvation by God's free grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, and the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) message, which makes observance of a religious holiday the dividing line between the saved and the lost. It proves to me that the SDA message is legalistic.

Finally, I appreciate the information pertaining to Col. 2:16, 17, the weekly Sabbath and how the true Sabbath rest of God, is not a day, but a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ. The rest a person has when he is "in Christ" is no longer having to work for his own salvation based on his own performance.

Again thank you for your assistance in this matter. Organizations like Watchman are greatly needed to equip Christians with sound biblical doctrine.

Brenda

Thanks for your latest newsletter and thanks so much for the Index of Cults and Religions. A lady had just asked me about the Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research and I was able to share with her information from your Index. If you have more information on this group please send it. Also, please send me a copy of What Every Mormon Should Ask.

May God bless your efforts to honor the Son just as you honor the Father (John 5:23).

B.C.

 Pottstown, PA

 Thank you for the literature you sent regarding the Watchtower. Also, thank you for the information available on your website. Meeting with my Jehovah's Witness neighbor has burdened my heart for those blinded by the "false light" of the Watchtower. In spite of the evidence presented against the teachings of the Watchtower, my neighbor insists that they are teaching her the truth. Although she is not willing to meet with me again, I pray that the issues we discussed will cause her to evaluate what the Watchtower teaches compared to what Scripture teaches. Thank you again for your help.

T.K.

 Millersville, PA

I am a youth pastor at Evangelical Free Church of Walnut Creek, California (working with junior high school students). This is just a quick note of encouragement-especially to those involved in defending the faith in exposing the lies of Satan in cults and false religions. I was just reading out of Index of Cults and Religions and thought I should contact you all with some encouragement!

Regarding Eckankar, this is kind of a bizarre story. My mom and dad were involved with Eckankar back in the late 1960s. They lived in Hawaii at the time, and at one point, Paul Twitchell flew out with his wife, and he prayed over me to be his successor as leader when I grew up.

The "choosing" happened when I was two-and-a-half. My grandmother got very worried and prayed extra hard. Soon after Paul Twitchell passed away. After that, my parents got out of Eckankar. When I turned six I became a Christian. Many years later ("bumpy road" in between) I became a full-time youth worker.

I have shared this part of my testimony many times to youth, but have never passed this on to those involved in working with (against) cults.this may be kind of a "and now for the rest of the story."  I hope this is an encouragement to you all-God is sovereign. God can thwart (and does) any and all plans-no matter how desperate, helpless or hopeless a situation may seem.

Chris Bruynzeel

Evangelical Free Church of Walnut Creek, CA

Thank you for the revealing Profile on Arnold Murray. The closest word I could use to describe the interpretations represented by the Shepherd's Chapel is that I felt them to be "alien." I didn't know why since he appears to document so completely from the biblical text. A friend introduced me to his radio show last fall. After several programs I became bothered by the strangeness of it all. But it was your explanation that supplied the "why." The Shepherd's Chapel Profile is so insightful and uncompromising. Again, my sincere thanks.

C.D.

New Alexandria, PA