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Summary: Monumental book on cults/sects
Review: This book is a wonderful book about cults. In its pages you will find much information. This book is probably on the "hit-list" of most cultist because it uncovers many false teachings concerning various false religions. The liberals ("moderates") loathe it, and make false accusations against it, while those who believe the Bible will admire the time and effort put into this valuable book. If you are a Christand and intend on contending for the faith (Jude 3), then this book is a "must have." Though I do not agree with every page of this book, it is still wonderful when viewed as a whole. Never mind the biased opinions of others saying that it is a "waste of money" or "unscholarly" for such accusations are false. :)
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Summary: This is a great book!
Review: This book is very good if you want to touch base with several different religions and how they base up to Christianity. Dr. Walter Martin uses scripture to show how these religions differ from traditional Bible-based Christianity.
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Summary: More additions need to be added
Review: This book should add heretical views like Finneyism (after Charles Finney), New Perspectivism (Sanders, Dunn, and Wright), and neo-Reformationalism (Fuller, Garlington, and Hafemann) in a future edition. Any "Christian" theology that denies (explicitly or implicitly) salvation by grace through faith alone in Christ's perfect righteousness should not be considered a Biblical and Christian theology.
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Summary: The Kingdom of the Cults
Review: This book will open your eyes to the truth! So many people are still in the dark; simply listening to what some of these cult churches are saying. If they would just open their Bibles and read the truth. This book will inspire you to do so and will give you the scriptures. It exposes many prominent pastors out there in the world who are actually teaching false information. They are saying things that aren't even in the Bible, but so many people just listen and agree, but never truly study. Get this book; it is a must as a true Christian.
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Summary: Essential Resource
Review: This excellent resource is logically organized, with a very good index. In it you will find well-rounded descriptions of several prominent cults and borderline Christian movements, including the several apocalypic cults of the 1980s and 90s: the Branch Davidian Seventh Day Adventists (David Koresh), Moonies, Solar Temple (Switzerland), etc. Doesn't contain everything that's going around, but its a really good explanation of the who-what-where-why-how of groups you've probably wondered about. If you're looking for info on the Kansas City Prophets, this book doesn't go there (instead try MacArthur's "Charismatic Chaos"); and if you're looking for info on Hagin, Copeland, Word-Faith, and the like, you'll find a little in this book but I recommend another book instead: "The Word Faith Controversy".
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Summary: Rank arrogance and hypocrisy on paper
Review: This is a very problematic book. The basic thesis is that Evangelical, fundamentalist Protestant Christianity that takes the Bible literally is the only truth while everything else is a cult. Basically, the authors run down the history of each religion it mentions (with all objectivity thrown out the window) as a false cult (although they show some sympathy with the Seventh day Adventists). They dismiss anyhting that does not subscribe to literal Biblical teachings as heretical. Each point about the other religions is dissected, while challenges to fundamentalist Christianity are dismissed as childish or evil.Basically, it is this kind of intolerant attituide that makes religion so problemitc today and it shows how many Christian fundamentalists are not that far removed from their current Islamic counterparts in the Taliban. I would agree that some religions are indeed more filled with nonsense than others, but those who try to push the hardcore literalist view of Biblical Christianity do not have much of a leg to stand on. While I personally beleive that God exists, any honest historian will tell you that religions and dogmas are man made and ALL are filled with at least some error. Nah, while giving some interesting history into the other religions, this is a narrow-minded rant by people who obviously know better and are in bad need of Milk of magnesia.
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Summary: Good Book
Review: This is an book whose information was well researched. You can make your own decision about religions but you are are more informed. Religion tends to confuse people at times if we don't look closely at the info. This book helps you to look closely at the info that not everyone has had access to. I studied with the Jehovah Witnesse's at one time but something just didn't feel right. I learned things but didn't feel I should fully commit and not because of the holiday thing. This book helped years after I turned away to further explain to me what I felt but couldn't put my finger on. I have a strong faith regardless but just consider myself a Christian. I used to be catolic. Well enjoy as it's deep but worth it.
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Summary: excellent expose'
Review: This is an excellent expose' of the more popular cults of today. If you're interested in learning the history of various cults and how their teachings relate to the Bible, then do yourself a favor and pick this up. It is definitely intended for the Christian reader so it's sure to offend those that hold the view that Christianity is not the one true faith or those that are involved in any of the cults mentioned. I assume that those that have given this book negative reviews probably fall into one, if not both, of those categories. Unfortunately, they continue to blind themselves to truth. I do suggest that, after reading this book, the reader should do his/her own research into the validity of Matin's claims. Especially in the case of each cults' "history." I think you'll find that he "hits the nail on the head." The facts he gives are irrefutable although the cult revisionists still fail to see past their own blind obedience brought about by ignorance. For example, if most Mormons would actually do their own research into their "religion," they would find so many ridiculous errors in their own "theology" that they would surely denounce their "faith." But alas, they choose to blindly follow the leadership of their "prophets" instead. Even the negative reviewers here that have tried to come up with rebuttals to what is mentioned in this book fall short of the necessary evidence to refute the facts mentioned within (trust me, I've read them all). Anyway, this is an excellent book for any Christian to purchase and one worthy to keep on your bookshelf as a valuable resource that you'll return to again and again.
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Summary: Very good..
Review: This lengthy guide's one every serious christian should read at least once. I've read simular basic outlines buy this TOPS! Worth every page.
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Summary: Author Achieves His Purpose Masterfully
Review: Walter Martin set out to compose a primer on major non-Christian religions, and on groups who claim to be Christian, but who espouse a theology divergent with the historic understanding of the faith. His audience is the evangelical or fundamentalist Christian who desires to know the background of these other groups, where they stray from mainstream Christianity, and how to engage such people in religious dialogue. The author accomplishes these goals masterfully. Some have criticized the author's credentials, or his tone, or specific pieces of information he presents. Having read several of his books, my sense is that his grasp of the subject is exceptional. His tone is only a problem for those who misunderstand his audience, or misuse his writings. The reader is not meant to "thrust this book upon a cultist," as one reviewer experienced. Rather, the already-committed Christian is expected to study this book, and prayerfully, carefully prepare to "witness" those he encounters. In other words--it's not written for the cultist--or even the liberal Christian who finds evangelism, or the exclusive claims of Jesus distatesful. Concerning the actual information he presents: WOW! He covers so many groups, uses so many primary sources, and backs his conclusions with so many other scholars. Critics may nip at the edges, but this tome remains a standard in the field of evangelical Christian apologetics. Martin's style is clear, engaging, and persuasive. He is writing to convince, after all! Some have suggested that the author's approach is argumentative, or even abrasive. Readers should understand that the original work is over 30 years old, written at a time when it was okay to say, "I am right and you are wrong, and here is why." Younger readers might find such a debate or courtroom style overly direct, but more mature ones will recognize the work as one of a confident writer who knows he has done well. Keep in mind that if you do not stand for something you will fall for anything.
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