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Scripture Twisting: 20 Ways the Cults Misread the Bible

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Scripture Twisting By James W.Sire is, I think, the single best book on this subject. It is rare to find a book which does more than label and bash cults. This book does much more. It thoughtfully explains the errors of biblical interpretation and standard theological thought that leaders of major cults have had, in order to come to their conclusions about God. It is also very instructive for those of us who may be guilty of "misreading" our own Bibles to prove our own points or underscore our own personal theologies, rather than letting the Bible speak for itself.

This book is quite instructional on how not to make the most common errors in biblical interpretation, but I always thought it should have been respectfully entitled, "Scripture Twisting: Twenty Ways We All Misread The Bible." It's just human nature to want to put all the blame on others, and feel that we are doing things "right." No matter what the others do, we certainly have enough folks in our own congregations (I am not excluded) who have misinterpreted passages even with the best of intentions.

This is probably the best resource I've seen on understanding how so many can read the same Bible and get entirely different meanings. Sire's clear and understandable writing style make the read enjoyable as well as informative. I give this book the highest recommendation I can to anyone, Christian or otherwise, as a great introduction to how to get at the intended meaning of the Bible.

It's true - none of us are perfect, and no one has 100% accurate understanding of the Bible. Yet Sire's little book is a great summary of 20 ways the Scripture gets twisted around (intentionally, and unintentionally). I found this a great teaching tool not only regarding cult teachings, but also for understanding errors within mainline denominational Scripture translations and interpretations, as well.

Every old or new believer in Christ should have this book in his/her library. James Sire has created a 'classic' with this book. I recommend it to every and anyone- proper Biblical interpretation can keep one off the road to spiritual darkness and Mr. Sire's book provides a good basis for learning proper Biblical interpretation, evaluating the claims of such cults as Mormons, JW's, the Unification church and others who believers in Christ are confronted with in their daily walk.

I first read this book about 15 years ago, and it is one of the most influential Christian books I have ever read. It has provided an insightful guide to decoding and avoiding bad doctrine--both that presented by others and my own. His principles help clarify when I am making errors in my own interpretation of Scripture as well.

This book is true to its title. Not only will it help you to see and will show you how the Scriptures have been twisted, but will also assist you to understand the translation and paraphrasing process of the Scriptures. I believe it is a "must have" for those whose interest in the Bible as the word of God is genuine. It is easy to read, easy to follow and precise in its information. It is printed in a 10 or 11 typesetting which is very easy on the eyes (for those that may have problems with their vision). I could not put it down, and keep it very close for it has a quick reference (Apendix) section that comes in handy.

Sadly there are many cults who teach their followers many unBiblical things. Always they distort Scripture in their deceptions. This book examines many ways false teachers distort Scripture. And the information therein thus becomes extremely helpful for Christians confronted by such false teachings so they may be able to offer proper, gentle correction.

A couple young men wanted to discuss God with me. They had badges on their white shirts that named each as an Elder. I thought it a bit odd that teenagers could attain Eldership. They said that it was "not that difficult for all male teens who go on a mission become an Elder, and beyond that the deacons in our church can be much younger." Additionally they contended that they could become gods in the future and that God the Father was a super progressed man. I then demonstrated that the doctrine of men becoming gods was a horrifying notion immersed in full blasphemy. I called them to repent and find pardon in the biblical Jesus (for they declared that Jesus was a spirit brother of Lucifer and a progressed man). They declined and hopped on their bikes. I felt sorry for them, that they, like so many cultists, were trapped in error by a false prophet and a group that twists scriptures. And the volume "Scripture Twisting," by James Sire instructs the readers how to properly understand and interpret the scriptures as you share the truth with people trapped in false religions.

This readable apologetics book discusses how cultists use:

- INACCURATE QUOTATIONS: A bible verse is referenced but is either not quoted in the way the text appears in the Bible or is erroneously credited to the wrong person.

- TWISTED TRANSLATION: The biblical text is retranslated, not in accordance with valid Greek scholarship, to fit a predetermined false doctrine of a cult. Like the JW's mistranslation of John 1:1 as "In the beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the word was a god." A god is a false and blasphemous translation.

- THE BIBLE HOOK: A verse from the Bible is quoted principally as a tool to seize the attention of readers and then is followed by a false or loopy doctrine of the cult. Sire provides this example: "LDS missionaries quote scripture in James 1:5 which promises God's wisdom to those who ask him and, then, follow this by explaining that when Joseph Smith did this he was given a revelation from which he concluded that God the Father has a body."
- IGNORING THE IMMEDIATE CONTEXT: A Bible verse is quoted but detached from the adjacent verses which form the proper framework for its true interpretation and meaning.
- COLLAPSING CONTEXTS: Two or more bible verses which have diminutive or nothing to do with one other are placed in concert as if one were a commentary of the other verses. Sire's example: "The Mormons associate Jeremiah 1:5 with John 1:2,14 and thus imply that both verses talk about the pre-mortal existence of all human beings; Jeremiah 1:5, however, speaks of God's foreknowledge of Jeremiah (Not his pre-mortal existence) and John 1:2 refers to the pre-existence of God the Son and not to human beings in general."
- WORD PLAY: A word or phrase from an English bible translation is scrutinized and interpreted as if the revelation had been given in that English and not in Hebrew/Greek. Sire's example: "Mary Baker Eddy says the name Adam consist of two syllables, A DAM, which means an obstruction, in which case, Adam signifies `the obstacle which the serpent, sin, would impose between man and his Creator.'"

- ASSERTING BUT NOT CITING: A writer claims that scripture says such and such but does not name the specific biblical verse for there probably is not such a bible verse. Sire's example: "A common phrase `God helps those who help themselves' is not found in scripture."
-SELECTIVE CITING: To validate a cultic contention, only a limited amount of the text is cited: the entirety of the Bible information on that subject would lead to a different conclusion from the cult. Sire's example: The Jehovah's Witnesses critique the traditional Christian notion of the Trinity without considering the full text which scholars use to substantiate the concept."

- CONFUSED DEFINITION: A scriptural term is misconstrued in such a way that an essential biblical doctrine is distorted and denied
- AND many more outstanding tools required for proper biblical interpretation.

If you desire to grow in your interpretation skills as you are instructed in how to be an effective witness to cults, then pick up this classic. Great for seminary students, apologists, ministers, and those interested in biblical hermeneutics.
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Mr. Sire has done an outstanding job in laying bare the cult use of the Bible to defraud. As a former Mormon who worshiped a false god and even believed Mormon men could become gods, I saw in Sire's book the way in which we had been deceived. I actually saw minipulated scriptures we Mormons used to lure people into our 'only true church'. I recommend it to anyone wondering if they may be in a cult.