Progressive Cult members simple trap tactics
Q: I was "approached" by a friend/associate yesterday who is much more progressive in her theology than I am. She’s asked me to read a book with her. Her reasoning is because she thinks she’ll agree with a lot of what the book will say, and that I won’t agree with much of it, but that because of my views, I "will be able to keep her objective as she reads". She said she wants someone to counterbalance her as she reads it.
I looked up the book, and I can already tell I won’t agree with pretty much anything this book has to say. It’s about Young Earth Creatinism and the Ark, and whether there were dinosaurs on the Ark. So while it’s scientific, it crosses over into theology.
The book is not in support of YEC, but is in refutation of it, calling YEC “exhausting mental gymnastics” and accuses YEC’s of retrofitting science to support their view, as well as calling it an “uncomfortable blend of biblical literalism and pseudoscience”.
I’m a staunch YEC, and I disagree completely with the book’s description. In fact, it wasn’t until I began learning about YEC that I was able to better understand the Genesis account. YEC actually helped to support and strengthen my faith in God’s Word.
My question is: would you read a book that you likely won’t agree with hardly anything, with a friend who you have already had various theological disagreements with? It almost feels to me like a trap; like she’s going to try to pull me from my stance? Or am I being overly suspicious of her intentions?
I do have a lot going on right now, so I’m extra reluctant to enter into a commitment like this right now. But I just want to get my head straight regarding the other aspects of this situation. I’m not saying it isn’t good to read books on opposing views. I’m saying that I’m suspicious of someone who believes that opposing view who wants me to read that book alongside her and discuss it.
A: If she is leaning or in progressive (idolatry) "christianity" then You need to 1. Avoid her, 2. In general You would be the one initiating any studies or books about anything Christian with anyone [not them to you].
Yes, I believe it [her plan] is a satanic attempt to pull you from truth into error.
Those who have deceptive plans in place to decieve you into idolatry & apostasy are not the ones you should listen to. Instead you need to be the one who brings truth to their darkened minds. This person is not looking for truth but to decieve you. Stay far from them... and any associate (around you) you encounter who wants to be "friends". We are not to be unequally yoked in relationships of anykind. We do not join with those in darkness. We are not to have friends who are in false groups or who hold beliefs contrary to Scripture, especially on the core Essentials. If it goes against the essentials it is deception. If it calls God's Word (the 66 books) into question (as if to say "Did God really say...) then AVOID THEM.
It can harm you if you listen to them or entertain their errors. I you are not matured in the Faith; far enough along to have a understanding of Scripture where you have "keen discernment" where you easily see what cults and false teachers tricks and false doctrines are (being pushed by them), then you can speak to those issues immediately (with Scripture) to refute those things decieved people have embraced. This means you know Scripture very very well, have 100s of verses memorized on top of that, you know what all cults and false Christian groups/churches believe and can refute them in any convo. You understand that catholicism and orthodoxy are false Christian groups/church/religion masquerading as Christian and can speak to the why. You would also have a very good grasp on the Gospel, can biblically answer questions by skeptics and those in other world religions as well and have firm grasp (an advanced level) on Apologetics to do all these things.
If that is not you, then dont be "an ashamed workman" who cant "rightly divide truth"... get in the Bible and learn not only what it teaches on the surface but also grasp what it teaches on a deeper level. Then get trained in evangelism and apologetics and all the above so you can rightly discern error when it presents itself to you.
Make this your life focus and goals for the next 3 to 5 years, and go be a light to the world.
God be with you.
Resources
Read and Study the Bible (#1)
Get equipped in Evangelism & Apologetics (#2)
Understanding some Progressive cult errors;
on Women & Paul (#3)
Resources for New and Growing Believers
