In every Christian's life there comes a genuine challenge to their intellectual honesty and, more importantly, to their commitment to God's truth. Such a challenge is all the greater when prompted by the realization that men and women whom we've held in high regard are inadvertently or even knowingly leading us astray.

It isn't too difficult to accept the truth about the aberrant teachings and dangerous practices of non-Christian cults; Christian bookstores are replete with publications on cult belief systems and activities. But the same bookstores sell materials containing false doctrines under the guise of "deep truths" and "new revelations." Many of these teachings are gaining acceptance among a growing number of evangelical Christians, and are increasingly finding expression in the Christian Media.

Because this report strikes at the false teachings (often undiscerned) within the heart of the Christian Church, it has been with a great deal of pain and personal soul-searching that it was written. Certainly this report will have an impact upon those propagating these false teachings, as well as upon those who learn from the teachers. Certainly it will cause loyalties to be broken.

On the other hand, I'm well aware that it may cause loyalties to this ministry to be broken. So be it; if any loyalty to this or any other ministry takes precedence over loyalty to God and His truth as revealed in Scripture, then that loyalty should be broken.

Jesus taught this very thing when He said,

In Luke 14:26 He goes even further, saying that if we love even our own lives more than we love Him we are not worthy of Him.

If we are expected to hold allegiance to Jesus whom we have not seen, even above allegiance to our own families and our very lives, how much more should we be loyal to Him above others, no matter how they impress us with their knowledge and eloquent oratory.

Are those who teach us humble? Jesus is more humble. Are they wise? Jesus is more wise. Do they love us? Jesus loves us more. Whatever virtues they possess, the greatest teachers in the Church are in poverty compared to Jesus.

When He trod this earth as a man, having relinquished all privileges of His eternal Godhood, Jesus was approached by one who addressed Him as "Good Master." His response should humble all who hold themselves or others in high regard:

Though the words I bring you may be hard to bear, I implore all who read them to pray that God will illuminate their minds, and also for His protection from the enemy who would distort the truth of these matters as well as my motive for bringing them to light.

This is written with full awareness of my own vulnerability. For I admit that the things I have witnessed from those whose teachings I question herein have caused me to wonder whether they might not be from God. It is a fearful thing to contemplate the thought that I might in all sincerity cast aspersion upon true men of God whose work I may not understand. But I am convinced that what I present to you is the truth, given with a heavy heart for those who, by necessity, must be named for their errors.

I urge you therefore to lay aside prejudices and personal preferences for teachers and teachings. Receive this message in the spirit in which it is written, not as an attempt to sow discord among the brethren (of this I am sure to be accused), but as a humble attempt to shed the light of God's truth upon the darkness caused by teachings contrary to His Word.

I encourage you to put this writing to the test. But no less do I encourage you to put to the test those teachings with which it deals.

Let God judge men's hearts; that is not my intention. But each of us is responsible to judge what we are asked to believe.