The key to understanding the phenomenon of abusive churches is within the human psyche — the desire to control others and to exercise power over people. That has always been a part of the human experience and it will continue to be.

All of us have been exposed to the temptation of power, whether as parent, spouse, teacher, or worker. It has been said that human nature is always ready to abuse its power the moment it can do so with impunity. It should not be surprising, then, that the will to power sometimes invades the religious realm, and specifically the church.

One of the pressing needs of the Christian church is to assist in the development of discernment skills among believers so that the likelihood of following an aberrant teacher or a false doctrine is diminished.
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Many people involved in apologetics and countercult ministry have fond memories of Walter Martin — founder of the Christian Research Institute, and considered the original 'Bible Answer Man'.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Martin's death, prompting former colleague Kenneth Samples to share what he learned from his former boss and apologetics mentor.
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Former fundamentalist Bart Ehrman says that doctrines such as the divinity of Jesus and heaven and hell are not based on anything Jesus or his earlier followers said. He also claims at least 19 of the 27 books in the New Testament are forgeries.

Critics say they've heard it all before. Others welcome the opportunity to re-examine the issues Ehrman brings up.
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Five Christian apologists evaluate the teachings of Witness Lee and The Local Church
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While the Bible shows that God can heal people supernaturally, claims of particular faith-healers should be examined. Here’s what WORLD learned about the “Lakeland Outpouring” healings of television preacher Todd Bentley.
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Subscriptions to the research journal Apologia Report — which summarizes and reviews numerous magazines, journals, books and news publication to identify the most valuable resources to aid Christians in their study of other worldviews — are now available free of charge.
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The word 'theology' comes from two Greek words meaning 'God' and 'study.' Hence theology is the 'study of God.' 'Systematic theology' is the orderly, rational, and coherent presentation of this study. We suggest some research resources on the subject.
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Research resources on the teachings of Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, and Kenneth Copeland Ministries
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Research resources on the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University
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Research resources on the teachings and practices of the Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of God for All Nations — also called Embassy of God — headed by Sunday Adelaja.
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The stories in this book point to the need on the part of Christians for discernment. At what point does biblical authority turn into spiritual violence? When does a church cross the line between conventional-church status and abusive-church status? What are some signals or indicators that a given group is headed for the margins?


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A new website offers a comprehensive doctrinal study program, downloadable theological essays, interactive discussion forums, and online stores for Christian books, music, and art. It's domain name suggests the site is a place where one can study Christianity.

However, instead of teaching Christianity, the website teaches and promotes the doctrines of the Mormon Church.
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Research resources regarding the Christian Research Institute (CRI)
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Research resources on the Local Chuch, Local Churches, Lord's Recovery and Living Stream Ministry - theologically a cult of Christianity.
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"Cult watchers" Hank Hanegraaff — the controversial president of the Christian Research Institute — and Gretchen Passantino — wife of the late Bob Passantino, with whom she founded an apologetics ministry — have reiterated their support for the Local Church, a movement widely considered to be — theologically — a cult of Christianity.
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C. Peter Wagner is the founder of Global Harvest Ministries, and a leading figure in the so-called New Apostolic Reformation. Wagner is a driving force behind countless extra-Biblical and un-Biblical teachings and practices.
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Research resources on Reiki
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Reiki practitioners claim they can channel healing into a patient's body — even from a distance. This religious practice was developed by a Japanese Bhuddist monk.
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From the New York Times: "Mark Driscoll is American evangelicalism’s bête noire. In little more than a decade, his ministry has grown from a living-room Bible study to a megachurch that draws about 7,600 visitors to seven campuses around Seattle each Sunday, and his books, blogs and podcasts have made him one of the most admired — and reviled — figures among evangelicals nationwide.

Conservatives call Driscoll “the cussing pastor” and wish that he’d trade in his fashionably distressed jeans and taste for indie rock for a suit and tie and placid choral arrangements. Liberals wince at his hellfire theology and insistence that women submit to their husbands.

But what is new about Driscoll is that he has resurrected a particular strain of fire and brimstone, one that most Americans assume died out with the Puritans: Calvinism, a theology that makes Pat Robertson seem warm and fuzzy."
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Your comments regarding Mark Driscoll.
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...Nobody joins a cult. You join a self-help group a religious movement a political organization.

They change so gradually, by the time you realize you're entrapped - and almost everybody does - you can't figure a safe way back out....
- Deborah Layton, Survivor of Jim Jones' Peoples Temple

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