Category: Cults

Here Is Proof That Joseph Smith Was A Liar, And False Prophet.
Cults · false teachers · mormonism

Here Is Proof That Joseph Smith Was A Liar, And False Prophet.

Bob SnyderLeave a comment

Many people are not aware that Joseph Smith, the founder of the cult known as, “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints” a.k.a. Mormons, or L.D.S. made his own, “translation” of the Bible. I put translation in quotes, because anyone who knows anything about the collections of ancient Biblical texts, knows that the Joseph Smith Translation is not an actual translation of the those texts. Joseph Smith simply added things to the Bible to support his lies, and consequent false doctrines, and he took things out that contradicted his lies, and false doctrines. You don’t have to take my word for it. I will provide proof from his false translation, and compare what he wrote to the ancient texts.

My favorite place to start when looking at a Bible translation is John, chapter 1. This is one of the most significant sections of scripture that support the deity of Christ, and His aseity as the eternal Son, and Word of God. Here is what Joseph Smith claims is a proper translation of the this section of scripture.

“In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God.” (John 1:1 [JST])

Here is the same verse from the Legacy Standard Bible. (LSB)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1 LSB)

In case you didn’t know, the New Testament was written in Koine Greek. We have over 5000 pieces of textual evidence from the Bible, as well as quotes contained in the writings of the early Church. Here is the same verse in the Koine Greek.

“ΕΝ ΑΡΧΗ ἦν ὁ λόγος, καὶ ὁ λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν θεόν, καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος.” (NA 27)

Here is a transliteration of the Greek text, and a translation of it immediately following.

Ēn archē ēn hō logos, kai hō logos ēn pros ton theon, kai theos ēn hō logos.

“ēn” is a preposition. It can mean, in, with, through, on, under, during, while, at. “hō” is a definite article. “Logos” means word. “kai” is a conjunction, and can mean, but, and, also, even. “pros” is primarily a preposition that can mean to, toward, for, among. “ton” is another form of the definite article. “theon” is a form of theos, which means god. You put it all together, and it would look like this before cleaning up the word order for English.

In beginning was the word and the word was with god and god was the word.

In Koine Greek everything pivots off of the definite article. There are 24 ways of saying, “the” in Greek. It can be nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, singular, plural, masculine, neutered, and feminine. It has a different spelling/form in each one of these cases. The subject, and object in a sentence don’t obey our English word order because the definite article tells you which ones are the subject, and object by the word endings.

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If Joseph Smith knew anything about the Biblical languages, he’d have known that his, “translation” was wrong. Don’t get me wrong. He knew he was lying, and making it up. He was a con-man, a liar, and a crook.

The word, “gospel” in Greek is εὐαγγέλιον or euangelion. When there is a doubling of gamma the first one becomes a nu. This word means good message, or good news. It is a compound word. Joseph Smith inserts it in the first verse to get away from the obvious truth that the Word of God is the Creator of all things. Mormonism insists that Jesus preexisted instead of recognizing Him as the incarnation of the eternal Son, the 2nd Person of the Triune God. In mormonism they deny the trinity, and that Jesus is God. They teach that Jesus was the brother of Satan, and that he is the product of intercourse between the mother god, and the father god. They mistakenly call the father Elohim, which is a transliteration of the Hebrew word for god, power, judge. Elohim is a plural form of El. When the Bible is talking about The One true God, this plural form is used with a singular verb. This is one of the ways, along with context, that we can know what is being said. If Smith knew that, and truly wanted to do a translation, he never would have used evangelion, or Elohim the way that he did. You can also see that the word, “son” is not in the original text either. “υἱός” huios is son. It isn’t in the text people.

So to sum up, Joseph Smith lied about his translation of the Bible. I just proved that to you. Since he lied about that, what makes you think he wouldn’t have lied about everything else he said, and wrote? People didn’t have access to the information back then that we do now. Even so, they had educated Pastors, who warned them, and they chose to follow this liar. We have all this access to information now. You can read the texts for yourself if you care to learn the languages. I encourage you to repent of your cult membership, repent of your sins, and trust solely in the justifying work of Jesus, the one true, and living God.

Cults · false teachers

Never Trust a, “Faith Healer” Who Wears Glasses.

Bob SnyderLeave a comment

Many of you know who this man is. For those who don’t, it is Bill Johnson from Bethel, “Church” in Redding California. He is a false teacher. Like many other men of his ilk, he preaches miraculous healing, by claiming it in faith. Of course, when it doesn’t work out for you, it is because there is something qualitatively, or quantitatively wrong with your faith. As you can see, Bill has splinted fingers in this picture, and he has been wearing glasses for a long time. I guess his faith is lacking, otherwise he’d be healed. This is a prime example of hypocritically judging people, and laying on them a burden he, himself cannot carry.

Bill Johnson, false teacher

Just like him, Andrew Wommack had a skin cancer on his face. He went to a Doctor for treatment. He claims he didn’t continue after the diagnosis, but he has a long history of telling lies, (I cite his false teachings as evidence of his long history of telling lies) and doing cover ups. Ask his ex-daughter-in-law, if you can find her. Him, and his family are truly nefarious, if the ex-daughter-in-law can be believed. Every negative thing is scrubbed from the internet. It takes some $$ to get that done.

Andrew Wommack, false teacher

They all age, and get old. They all die. None of them are exempt. They are all born under the curse of God due to the fall of Adam. Benny Hinn is looking pretty old, and sickly these days as well. In 2015 he had to go to the hospital for a heart problem. I guess he couldn’t faith his way out of it.

Benny Hinn, false teacher

So is Jesse Duplantis, and Kenneth Copeland. Ol’ Jesse Duplicitous… He has really gotten older over the years. He can comfort himself in his palatial home. He and Kenny can fly around the world on their private jests, living it up on the lifestyles of the rich and infamous.

I guess there is no fountain of youth for these guys. (except plastic surgery, not that he has had it, but Joyce, the Joker Meyers sure did.)

Joyce Meyer, false teacher
Jesse Duplantis, false teacher

Don’t worry Demon Kenny. I wouldn’t forget about you, you sick, servant of satan. Remember when this deceiver told us he was blowing Covid away?

Kenneth Copeland, false teacher

The only thing Kenny chases is cash. Just like the other false teachers. It boils down to the the three, “P’s” with false teachers, and cults.

  • Power- Power over people, and their lives.
  • Profit-Not to be confused with, “prophet.” These people are all about the money, filthy lucre,
    μαμωνᾶς mamōnas; of Ara. or.; wealth:– wealth(4). Matthew 6:24
    24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
  • Promiscuity/Perversion-These people are always committing adultery, molesting children, coercing unwilling people to have sex with them.

Look for those three, “P’s” as a warning. Cults, and false religions are full of people at the chancel preaching lies, and manipulating people to gain the three, “P’s.”

If these people were legitimate, they would be healing all the cancer kids, in the hospitals. They would be living in the means that are reverent of their service to Jesus, not as money grubbing thieves. Mark 12:38-40
38 And in His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who want to walk around in long robes, and want respectful greetings in the marketplaces, 39 and best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 40 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.”

Don’t fall into the trap these scoundrels have set for you, and your faith. They are guilty of lying about God, and putting words in His mouth He did not say. They blaspheme the Holy Spirit, by attributing works to Him that are wicked, and He would never do. If you truly want to know God, repent of your sins, and trust Jesus to make you right with God, as there is no other way. Then, read, and study His word. Everything we need to know about God, life, living, and dying of death, are there. The Bible is Jesus’ mind for us to know Him by. It is made understandable, and knowable, by the illumining work of the Holy Spirit, in the believer.

Cults

Messianic Jews, & Hebrew Roots Movement Silliness.

Bob Snyder1 Comment

Why do Hebrew Roots/Messianic Jews only choose to transliterate some Hebrew words? Why not simply write solely in ancient Hebrew? It seems silly to me. We all know who is meant by, “Jesus, Christ, John the beloved, or John the Baptist.” Is it simply so that the writer can feel more spiritual? Is it an ego boost? Why not simply utilize modern English when writing? The only time I break down Koine Greek, or Hebrew is to bring some more meaning out of the text for the average reader, who may not know there is more there. I’m not trying to be rude, but I really don’t understand the reasons the Hebrew Roots movement people do things that they do. They also don’t observe every holiday, or law, in the Old Testament. It seems they pick, and choose what they will do. The point being, there is no benefit pretending to be an ancient Hebrew. Either you’ve believed the gospel, and trusted in Christ, or you haven’t. Let’s leave all that silliness behind us as Stephen preached before he was stoned to death by Saul/Paul. We aren’t what we aren’t, and we are what we are. For Paul there was benefit in being a Jew.
“There Is None Righteous
1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 What then? If some did not believe, does their unbelief abolish the faithfulness of God? 4 May it never be! Rather, let God be true and every man a liar, as it is written,
“THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS,
AND OVERCOME WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED.”
5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is the God who inflicts wrath unrighteous? (I am speaking in human terms.) 6 May it never be! For otherwise, how will God judge the world? 7 But if through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), “Let us do evil that good may come”? Their condemnation is just.
9 What then? Are we better? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; 10 as it is written,
“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
12 ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME WORTHLESS;
THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.”
13 “THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN TOMB,
WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,”
“THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS”;
14 “WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS”;
15 “THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD,
16 DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS,
17 AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN.”
18 “THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.”
19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are in the Law, so that every mouth may be shut and all the world may become accountable to God; 20 because by the works of the Law NO FLESH WILL BE JUSTIFIED IN HIS SIGHT, for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.
The Righteousness of God Through Faith
21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith, for a demonstration of His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
27 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that faith, is one.
31 Do we then abolish the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.”
Romans 3

Cults · Jehovah's witnesses · Uncategorized

One Reason Why the Jehovah’s Witnesses are not Christian.

Bob SnyderLeave a comment

Here is one big reason why the Jehovah’s Witnesses are not Christians. They deny the deity of Jesus, and as a consequence the Trinity. They believe he was the archangel Michael, who was transfigured by God the Father into the man Jesus. They believe he was a created being. They believe he was just a man. This is a quote from their website,

“Jesus’ opposers accused him of making himself equal to God. (John 5:18; 10:30-33) However, Jesus never claimed to be on the same level as Almighty God. He said: “The Father is greater than I am.”—John 14:28.

 Jesus’ early followers did not view him as being equal to Almighty God. For example, the apostle Paul wrote that after Jesus was resurrected, God “exalted him [Jesus] to a superior position.” Obviously, Paul did not believe that Jesus was Almighty God. Otherwise, how could God exalt Jesus to a superior position? —Philippians 2:9.

JW.org

Jesus was accused of making Himself equal to God. Why else would these people want to stone Him to death. The one verse of scripture they quote is ridiculous because it proves the opposite point they are trying to make when you simply read a few verses previous, and prior to it.

“…18 For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God…” John 5:18

All one must do is read John 1 you say? Well the JW’s have their own version of the, ahem… “bible” called the New Word Translation. It isn’t actually a true translation. It is a hack job done by their scripture twisters to make it say what they want it to say. They change John 1 into saying that, “and the Word was a god.” That quote comes from their website where they have their N.W.T. available to read for free. Here is what the Bible really says in John1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 He was in the beginning with God.3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.5 And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.” John 1:1-5

“14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.15 John bore witness about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has been ahead of me, for He existed before me.’”16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.” John 1:14-18

Let’s not overlook the fact that Jesus accepted worship from people as God. If He was not God, He would have rebuked them for worshipping Him, or else He would have been guilty of sin.

“And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”32 And when they got into the boat, the wind stopped.33 And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are truly God’s Son!”34 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.35 And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick;36 and they were pleading with Him that they might just touch the fringe of His garment; and as many as touched it were cured.” Matthew 14:31-36

This is where the wise men came to Him, “And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.11 And after coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi departed for their own country by another way.” Matthew 2:10b-12

“8And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.” Matthew 28:8-9

“Then He said to Thomas, “Bring your finger here, and see My hands; and bring your hand here and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.”28 Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are those who did not see, and yet believed.”” John 20:27-29

These sections of scripture should be enough to show that either Jesus was actually God, and so worshipping Him was not a sin, and it was not a sin for Him to accept that worship, or He was a liar, and a sinner for portraying Himself as God and accepting worship as God. The entire Biblical context provided from the beginning of the Old Testament, to the end of the New Testament makes it clear that Jesus is God incarnate. To deny the deity of Christ is to prove that you do not know Him.

We haven’t even addressed the ἐγώ εἰμί (ego eimi) statements Jesus made. When Jesus says, “I am” He is declaring that He is YhVh. It is a direct relation to the proper name of God which God revealed to Moses at the burning bush. For a fuller treatment of this information you can read this article from Dr. James White.

“​1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which He entered with His disciples. 2 Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples. 3  Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, *came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and *said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He *said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. 6 So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Therefore He again asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 to fulfill the word which He spoke, “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.” 10 Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus. 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?”” John 18:1-11

This is a quote from the MacArthur Study Bible on this last bit of scripture,

“John 18:4–8 Whom do you seek? By twice asking that question (vv. 4 7), to which they replied, “Jesus of Nazareth” (vv. 5 7), Jesus was forcing them to acknowledge that they had no authority to take his disciples. In fact, he demanded that they let the disciples go (v. 8). The force of his demand was established by the power of his words. When he spoke, “I am he” (v. 6), a designation he had used before to declare himself God (8:28 58; cf. 6:35 8:12 10:7 9 11 14 11:25 14:6 15:1 5), they were jolted backward and to the ground (18:6). This power display and the authoritative demand not to take the disciples were of immense significance, as the next verse indicates. John 18:8”

Cults · Uncategorized

Is it a Cult? The Three Principal P’s of Cults.

Bob SnyderLeave a comment

Secret Circle of Secrets - TV Tropes

Have you ever wondered if there was a quick, and easy way of determining if a group is a cult? Well, there is. Just remember the three principal P’s,

  1. Power
  2. Profit
  3. Perversion

The power of a cult is usually consolidated in one individual, or a small cadre. This authoritative unit sets the doctrines, and practices of the cult. They are the supreme authority.  They are not to be questioned. Their power over the people is absolute. They can even cast the individual out of the cult, and forbid their family, and friends within the cult from communicating with them. Getting kicked out would seem like a blessing to us, but not to a person who is in the midst of it.  Usually, the rules are for everyone else. They always have a loophole, or exemption for themselves. They enjoy titles for themselves, real or imagined. All resources flow upstream, and then back down at the direction of their leaders. People often are directed to give up what they own to demonstrate their devotion, or provide slave labor for the endeavors of the cult.  This is nothing compared to having the members commit suicide, murder, or perverse acts for their pleasure, all common among cults.

Heaven's Gate Suicide Cult - Hidden San Diego

The profit, $$$, scratch, bread, cash, is king with the leaders. They must have it.  For profit, they claim to be prophets.  The leadership will make their living from directing the cult, and from its members work. Promises of spiritual recompense for their sacrifices are often made. The leadership will usually live an opulent lifestyle while the lower members do not. The leadership will have immodestly ornate clothing, jewelry, large houses,  and expensive cars.  They also have a penchant for luxury vehicles like, yachts, large R.V.’s, buses, and private jets. After all, you can’t expect your glorious leader to travel like the common folk.  They are god’s anointed!(sarcasm)  When traveling you will often see them stay at the most expensive luxury hotels, and spend exorbitant amounts of money on shopping sprees.

Televangelist Defends His Private Jet Saying You Can’t Talk To Jesus On Commercial Flights - The ...

The perversion of the leaders manifests in every type of sexual act imaginable.(Better left unimagined on our parts.)  These groups will almost always have some perverse practices. They generally include, promiscuity, fornication, adultery, polygamy, aspects of bondage, domination, sadism, and masochism, pedophilia, and others. The leaders are the ones who receive the carnal offerings of these perversions, while the members are there as the victims. Some members who are higher up in the cult may be given more of a role in the perverse practices to groom them for leadership, and to make them just as culpable under the law.  This helps ensure their silence.  Children of members are groomed for abuse, and often live lives of constant, ongoing, ritual abuse. This kind of abuse is very difficult to recover from, and includes demonic activity.

Episode Thirty-Three: Creepy Cults – Children of God, Order of the Solar Temple, and More! – 13 ...

This is a very brief treatment of the topic. The purpose of the three principal P’s is to help you make a quick cursory appraisal of a group. This can help you decide whether a more detailed, and thorough investigation should be completed. Keep in mind, the leaders never seem the least bit ashamed of all their excesses. In fact, they are usually proud of them as a hallmark of their worthiness. They justify their greed, and perversion, away by virtue of who they are. Pride is at the root of all three P’s. I guess I could have made it the four P’s, or the one P with the three P subgroups, but none of that is going to satisfy my desire for alliteration now is it?

ps. There are cults identifying as Christian out there.  They might not posses one, or more of the three P’s, but are still a cult because of their false teachings, from false profits.  They might have a pretty public facade, but in their early days, their leaders could have been identified by the three P’s.  Keep this in mind as well.  You know who you are J.S.American Prophet: The Story of Joseph Smith

and don’t forget the Taze haze of the J.W.’s

Jehovah's Witnesses History (Watchtower Society)