Customer Reviews

The Seduction of Christianity: Spiritual Discernment in the Last Days

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I read this book back in 1994. It was at a time when I was deep into the health and wealth gospel. I was also a member of a well known church here in Columbus that is broadcast to many cities outside of Ohio and outside of the country. It really opened my eyes and I am grateful to God that I read this book because I began to read my Bible. Which caused me to be the Berean I should have been long ago. The teachings that I was following in the health and wealth gospel pulled me away from God not closer to Him. Most of the time the health and wealth gospel sounds like something at a multi-level marketing meeting (pick whichever company out there). Because of Mr. Hunt's book, I started reading my Bible to get to know God for Himself and not for what He can give me. I recommend it for anyone caught up in health and wealth or any false teaching. But most of all read the Bible and let the Holy Spirit lead you. That's what I did and now I fellowship in a congregation that preaches and teaches the True Gospel.

I'll not be shy about the fact that I'm a big fan of the discerning style of Dave Hunt, and am familiar with his other works on the current apostasy within today's church. This one fits the bill, but on a much broader scale.

The premise of the book defines how and why the end times come about. On page 65 reads, "Why must the apostasy come first? Apparently it will be an integral part of the great deception and delusion that will sweep the entire world in preparation for the Antichrist's take-over."

After setting the stage, some startling info is given. For example, it is noted that the third President, John Taylor - a Mormon - "said that Christianity was 'hatched in hell' and 'a perfect pack of nonsense... The Devil could not invent a better engine to spread his work."

Yes, this book delves into the realm of the Freemasons, and other groups like the trilateral commission, showing the evolving of relationships between religion, economy, and the government.

To summarize, on page 213 the authors point out that they aren't accusing pastors quoted as purposely setting up the anti-christ, but that "Our concern has been to show that there is a growing pattern of seduction pointing in a particular direction prophesied in the Scriptures, and that none of us is immune from being deceived and deceiving others."

The book gets a little technical on the new age/positive confession movement, but it is necessary to the understanding of how mysticism and false spirituality has entered into the mainstream church.

RESPONSE TO OTHER REVIEWERS:
One reviewer writes above that the authors of this book seem more as "accuser of the brethren" than the comforter. Then they pull out some names like Ken Copeland and Ken Hagin, saying that what they were saying was slanted and altered.

To those of you who feel this way, I suggest that you study the scriptures, in particular Acts 17:11, in which Paul congradulates the discerning Bereans for checking up on his teachings daily to see if what he teaches is true. Just because a church has over 10,000 members and a pastor on TV who says "Jesus is Lord" over and over doesn't mean that they are even walking with Christ; it might be that they never really knew Him.

I can tell you firsthand that the word-faith/prosperity teachers are doing their share to set up a one-world order. Copeland, Hagin, Hinn and their crew have always claimed that we are not to subjugate to the will of God, that our reality is our confession, and that the cross of Christ was a place of defeat rather than what it truly is -- THE VICTORIOUS CROSS. If you really don't believe that these pastors are teaching what this book says they are teaching, I suggest the audio version of "Christianity in Crisis" by Hanegraaff or the video entitled "The Great Apostasy: the Lost Sign" by the Christian Sentinel. If you want to get really into one of TV's biggest frieks, check out a video by the Trinity Foundation entitled "The Many Faces of Benny Hinn".

Phuey on Christian believers who blindly follow their leaders, and negligently allow heretics like Copeland, Hagin, and Hinn to take financial advantage -- all the while leading us to an undiscerning church paradigm that welcomes a one-world religion with open arms, and negating the importance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

The truth doesn't look like what you will see in megachurches on TV; the truth looks like God on a Cross.

Clever counterfeits that appear to be genuine deceive millions. In Galatians, the apostle Paul severely reproves these churches for their defection from the faith. Dave Hunt in his books and ministry, in prayerful Paulian fashion, exhorts, identifies, analyzes and warns the church against the wolves amongst our flocks.

As a fellow Berean, Hunt's ministry earnestly contends for the faith. He desires to join together tens of thousands of concerned believers who will not only be informed but who will act upon the Biblically sound information they provide. They believe we stand at a historic juncture no less significant than the Reformation itself. God has called us to earnestly contend for the faith and to rescue as many as possible from Satan's deception.

Many years ago, Dave Hunt amused me when he good naturedly quipped about his antagonists when they are exposed to public scrutiny for their aberrant teachings, ----- "When you throw rocks at a chicken coupe, the only ones likely doing the squawking will be the ones that are getting hit." The difference of course, is that unlike the ad hominum arguments of his detractors, Mr. Hunt always heavily supports his positions with copious footnotes, accurate quotes, followed with sound Biblical exegesis.

Dave Hunt asks: "Will you join me in earnestly contending for "the faith once for all delivered to the saints"? Let us heed the Berean call to search the Scriptures daily and to evaluate everything we read and hear by that standard! Let us love others enough to tell them the truth without compromise!" amen.

I am glad I read past the first review. It is interesting that the scope of the book focuses on the "falling away", or the apostasy, of the Church in the end times due to mass deceptions. I think it's safe to say that whether or not one is already a victim of this deception determines how you will feel about this book.
It's unflinching in its honesty, it's straigtforward, and for any reader who is interested in just how subtle (keep in mind that the Bible says that Satan is the most 'subtil') this apostasy is. It's already here, and you will be surprised at some of the facts.
BUY IT AND BE FOREWARNED.
Excellent book.

as a ph.d. psychologist, having already formed my own opinions about the field, i must tell you that i am in thorough agreement with what the authors write about psychology's attempt to become the new salvation. truth is there's nothing new under the sun and as the authors write, everything necessary for strengthening integrity, character, and conduct is to be found in the scripture.

the book is honest and right on target about psychology as well inner healing, positive mental attitude, and the rest. we should be making banquets for the crippled and lame rather than focusing on what happened when we were in the womb - dying to self in loving favor of others.

many christians today are innocent as doves, but seriously lacking in being wise as serpents. even though we are to enter the kingdom as little children, the christian walk is anything but a game. it requires discernment and (as in any war) an understanding of the enemy.

Must reading for the serious christian wanting to walk the narrow way. gutsy and well written. i highly reccommend it!

Dave Hunt addresses the phenomenon sweeping the church which is encompassed by New Age thought and the seduction of motivation/success teachers such as Napoleon Hill. Using well-grounded biblical principles he reduces the health/wealth/prosperity gospel to what it is - a sham, and a shamanistic conspiracy to seduce believers into accepting the AntiChrist system. Of course, those easily offended at this critique may be put off, but if readers approach this with an open-mind, I believe the Spirit of God will reach them appropriately, and in light of the Word of God. After all, our experiences should be measured by the standard of the Word of God, as well as our reading. Like the Bereans, we should check it, to be sure it lines up with the pure, unadulterated scriptures. This book was a blessing, and I plan to read and re-read it. I would suggest the same to anyone who not only is interested in what is taking place in l999 modern churches, but anyone who is taking the claims of success gurus and disciples of Napoleon Hill. As will be revealed, Hill's philosophies not only came from questionable sources, but were totally foreign to the Truth of Scripture. A gem of a book.

I find it fascinating to read how people would rather follow the traditions of men, than to follow the the Lord's word. This book just proves it. Christianity isn't really supposed to be "scollarly" in human terms, but instead focus on how our Lord wants us to live. When we turn away from God's word, we become vulnerable to Demons.

I've read the previous statements and how some are upset with this book. If you're a Christian who is tired of being decieved adn just want the truth layed out in it's purest form, then this is the book for you!!! This book will keep you on the edge of your seat! It's not often one finds, solid Christian literature to edify him/herself. Don't let the low ratings on previous posts deter yo ufrom this informative read. I, like you, often check out the reviews to gauge whehter or not i should by the book and quite often, one doesn't know who to believe when you see such a gap bigger than the Grand Canyon(1/2 stars or 5). Reason why this book is rated 1-2 stars or 5, with no lukewarm ratings, is because it divides the truth from a lie. Chances are, if one rated this book low, he/she has been offended by what it states because they support one or several of the teachers it exposes. How many times as a Christian, have we had a hold of the truth and tried to share it with a brother or sister and they get offended? Quite often, us Christians can be stiff necked and unwilling to notice the truth if it fell on us! I pray in Jesus name, that those who read these reviews have a clear understanding and take the plunge into the deep truth, found in this marvelous book. This is a must for every Christian library, especially in light of what's going on in the church today. This book will help you understand why some Christians don't approve/agree with the "teachings" of the "popular" faith teachers. Check the bible, since when were God's chosen people popular. Come on people, wake up! Our Lord wasn't popular. He didn't stick out like a soar thumb. He even looked common. So common, Iscariot had to kiss him so the Roman soldiers would know which man was Christ! Nothing about him was SELF seeking, unlike the "SELF-positive" doctrine taught by many "Faith Teachers," whom are subtlely decieving our brothers and sisters with Christian Science, shamanistic(witch craft) teachings. Our Lord told us to deny our "SELF" and these teachers are promoting SELF like many NEW AGE ideas. When you focus on SELF you lose sight of CHRIST. Christ had to redeem us from SELF! The TRUTH will set you free.

Christians of every stripe ignore the warnings in this book to their own peril. Dave Hunt has brought to light certain deceptions and compromises in the "church world" and every Christian should investigate (as "A Berean") as to what is biblically sound doctrine, and what clearly is NOT biblically sound.

Have many within the Christian community been "seduced" by false doctrine? - Did Jesus WARN that such things would happen? Did Paul?

Read this fascinating book and judge for yourself.

This book tells the truth about the way the NewAge/occult fad is invading the Church. Even sincere evangelicals who love God are buying into things like visualisation and eastern meditation not realizing their potential for occult bondage of the user! As such practises are given christian descriptions it's so easy to be deceived. Mr Hunt challenges the believer to go back to God's word and that alone for help. He pulls no punches yet shows compassion. No doubt this book will infuriate many people in the charismatic movement but it needed to be written