Jesus Only Churches [Paperback]

E. Calvin Beisner (Author), Alan W. Gomes (Series Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1998 | Series: Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements

Unlike Jehovah's Witnesses, who deny the Trinity by demoting Jesus to a mere man, the 'Jesus Only' churches deny the Trinity by claiming that there is only one God, and that Jesus is the Father and the Holy Spirit. 'Jesus Only' churches not only require baptism for salvation, but also stipulate that it must be baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ only, and not in the name of the Father, the son, and the Holy Spirit. Thus, these churches distort the gospel and the historic, orthodox understanding of Jesus. Why this series? This is an age when countless groups and movements, old and new, mark the religious landscape in our culture, leaving many people confused or uncertain in their search for spiritual truth and meaning. Because you may not have the time or opportunity to research these movements fully, these books provide essential and reliable information and insights for their spiritual journeys. The second wave of books in this series addresses a broad range of spiritual beliefs, from non-Trinitarian Christian sects to witchcraft and neo-paganism to classic non-Christian religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. All books but the summary volume, Truth and Error, contain five sections: -A concise introduction to the group being surveyed -An overview of the group's theology --- in its own words -Tips for witnessing effectively to members of the group -A bibliography with sources for further study -A comparison chart that shows the essential differences between biblical Christianity and the group -Truth and Error, the last book in the series, consists of parallel doctrinal charts compiled from all the other volumes. Three distinctives make this series especially useful to readers: -Information is carefully distilled to bring out truly essential points, rather than requiring readers to sift their way through a sea of secondary details. -Information is presented in a clear, easy-to-follow outline form with 'menu bar' running heads. This format greatly assists the reader in quickly locating topics and details of interest. -Each book meets the needs and skill levels of both nontechnical and technical readers, providing an elementary level of refutation and progressing to a more advanced level using arguments based on the biblical text. The writers of these volumes are well qualified to present clear and reliable information and help readers to discern truth from falsehood.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Fast, informed answers to the challenges of false religions This is an age when countless groups and movements, new and old, mark the religious landscape in our culture. As a result, many people are confused or uncertain in their search for spiritual truth and meaning. Because few people have the time or opportunity to research these movements fully, the Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements series provides essential information and insights for their spiritual journeys. The second wave of books in this series addresses a broad range of spiritual beliefs, from non-Trinitarian Christian sects to witchcraft and neo-paganism to classic non-Christian religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. All books but the summary volume, Truth and Error, contain five sections: A concise introduction to the group being surveyed An overview of the group's theology--in its own words Tips for witnessing effectively to members of the group A bibliography with sources for further study A comparison chart that shows the essential differences between biblical Christianity and the group Truth and Error, the last book in the series, consists of parallel doctrinal charts compiled from all the other volumes. Three distinctives make this series especially useful to readers: Information is carefully distilled to bring out truly essential points, rather than requiring readers to sift their way through a sea of secondary details. Information is presented in a clear, easy-to-follow outline form with menu bar running heads. This format greatly assists the reader in quickly locating topics and details of interest. Each book meets the needs and skill levels of both nontechnical and technical readers, providing an elementary level of refutation and progressing to a more advanced level using arguments based on the biblical text. The writers of these volumes are well qualified to present clear and reliable information and help readers to discern truth from falsehood.

From the Author

E. Calvin Beisner is associate professor of interdisciplinary studies at Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, Tennessee

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310488710
• ISBN-13: 978-0310488712
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #546,876 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Occult > Cults & Demonism
  • #43 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Occult > Spiritualism
  • #54 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Comparative Religion

More About the Author

E. Calvin Beisner is associate professor of historical theology and social ethics.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Response to critics, June 30, 1999

By 

E. Calvin Beisner (Pembroke Pines, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jesus Only Churches (Paperback)

As the author of the book, I would like to respond briefly to several criticisms in other reviews found here. (By the way, I chose 3 stars as neutral so as not to stand as judge in my own cause.) (1) One review claims that I never respond to the criticism that certain terms of Trinitarian theology are not found in the Bible. Wrong. I do so on p. 38 at outline point b; had the reviewer read carefully, he would have known this. (2) Another review claims that I rarely refer to Scripture. Wrong. There are literally hundreds of Scripture citations, and scores of careful exegetical analyses of Scripture, in the book. Only someone either dishonest or incredibly careless could have made the claim. (3) A reviewer claims that all I do is call my opponents by names and not interact with their arguments. Readers can judge for themselves whether this is true. The book is structured with my opponents' arguments presented first, in their own words, my rebuttals presented next in the same outline structure, and my own arguments for orthodox Trinitarianism presented last.

31 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks from a former oneness adherant, September 13, 2000

By 

Jeremy Mark Hasty (Canton, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jesus Only Churches (Paperback)

As a former oneness church member (UPCI), I can honestly say that Beisner does a fabulous job of exposing a heresy that has its roots in ancient modalism/sabellianism. This work does not seek to tackle all of the oneness literature that has ever been published, rather it directly confronts much of the work of the ordained "hero" of the United Pentecostal Church International, David K. Bernard. Even though the oneness doctrine has changed over the years (I was a 3rd generation oneness believer)in order to "duck" attention by cult researchers, Beisner's book offers evidence from the scriptures and from scholarship which has NEVER been legitimately refuted by Bernard or anyone else! It has been a valuable witnessing tool to a movement that relies on extra-biblical revelation rather than the Word of God.

20 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good arguments & organization, September 17, 2000

By 

Brian Douglas (Brighton, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jesus Only Churches (Paperback)

Unlike many of the comments posted concerning this book, I found it to be a well organized, fair, informing representation of Oneness Pentecostal theology. While unusual and somewhat technical in format, this book provides the reader with a strong overview of this particular theological system, sound Biblical arguments against it, and a preparation for interaction with people who believe these doctrines. While some of the reviewers commented that E. Calvin Beisner was unfair, unsound, and condescending in this book, I did not find that to be the case. His representation of Oneness theology is accurate and fair, taken from its main writings; his arguments are logically and Bibically sound and well-articulated; and his tone was one of care rather than one of harshness. I recommend this book to anyone in the Oneness Pentacostal system who wants to see how its arguments stand against Scripture, or anyone who wants to familiarize themselves with this movement and how it relates to God's Word.