Customer Reviews

When Cultists Ask: A Popular Handbook on Cultic Misinterpretations

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Geisler & Rhodes have placed together a rock solid book with answers to some commonly misinterpreted passages. These men are scholars and their clear communication comes through. They begin by explaining what makes a cult, and the essentials of orthodoxy.

The remainder of the book (98%) is setup from Genesis to Revelation. They walk their readers through some of the most misunderstood passages. They begin with the text of scripture, explain the misinterpretation, and then correct the misinterpretation. Some of questions answered are...

Ezekiel 37:16-17--Is this passage a prophecy of The Book of Mormon?
2 Timothy 1:18--Does Paul's prayer for Onesiphorus support the Roman Catholic doctrine of praying for the dead?
Philemon 16--Does the apostle Paul approve of the institution of slavery?
James 1:5--Does this verse indicate we should pray about the Book of Mormon to see if it's true?

There are answers to hundreds of questions, you can read all the way through or just flip to the text you are questioning. I have used this book repeatedly and highly recommend it.

This book claims to be written by Norman Geisler and Ron Rhodes, but it clearly is not. In fact, this book is nothing but an index of the book series "Reasoning From The Scriptures" by Ron Rhodes. There is nothing original in this book. Everything was simply lifted, usually verbatim, from Ron's previous RFTS books. For some reason, Norman Geisler allowed his name to be used in the marketing of this book, but I do not believe he wrote one sentence. I have read many of Rhodes' books and I can cleary recognize his writing style and it appears unmistakably in every paragraph in this book. At best, perhaps Mr. Geisler acted as an editor or consultant to Mr. Rhodes. In that case , he should be listed as such, not as an author. Maybe the publisher thought the book would sell more copies with Geisler's name attached. In any case, I find such a practice to be deceiving and unacceptable.

This book, I am sure would have been much better if Norman Geisler had more to do with it. I like and recommend Geisler's other books, but not this one. Once again, this is really just a Ron Rhodes book with Norman Geisler's name attached. If anyone has any of Ron Rhodes' Reasoning From The Scriptures books, then this book is not needed, because it is simply the same exact material reprinted almost verbatim.

Norm Geisler and Ron Rhodes provide a good reference in this volume. The material is easy to read and they deal with tons of texts which everyone from the Mormons to New Age to JW's to Ken Copeland and company take out of context. If you're new to cults and counter cult apologetics, buy this book.

If you've already spent time dealing with fasle teachings on all the aforementioned groups and others, this book will be a re-hash of old information that you should already be familiar with. If you own Walter Martin's <i>Kingdom of the Cults</i>, Hank Hanegraaf's <i>Christianity in Crisis</i> or any similar books, you'll see a lot of the same material. Still, a good book!

This book is a great source for understanding the mistinterpretions of Bible verses.

When skeptics ask, when critics ask, and when cultists ask are valable tools for defending the Christian faith and answering questions that cultists, skeptics, critics, have about the Bible and they all clear up misconceptions of the Bible.

This is simply an outstanding and need resource tool for Evangelical Christians. I also dis agree with another reviewer who questions whetehr or not Adventists and Catholics should ahve been addressed in this book or the title of the book changed. It is only a title trying to communicate the large theme of the text.

This books takes passages in the Bible that are used by many cultic groups as proof texts for their position, and this text shows where those cults errors in their interpretation of scripture.

The authors deal with both the Old and New Testaments and such cults like the Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Boston Church of Christ (International), Unity, much, much, more.

A must have for all!

First off, I should point out that the word "cult" has become a loaded word that should be avoided at all costs. So often it is associated with everything from Jonestown to Waco, and nobody wants to believe that his church is a "cult." So having this word in the title could be a turn-off who are offended by such terminology. Working with groups that claim to be Christian but whose theology is anything but, I can vouch that Geisler and Rhodes do cover the major verses used to support false teachings. Although some of the passages are pretty much a repeat of what is covered in "When Critics Ask" by Geisler and Howe, there is enough original material to make it a worthwhile companion volume. It is especially useful for those who enjoy spending time sharing their faith with others. Of course, not every passage is as complete as I'd like it to be, but overall it gives the reader a head start in the right direction. For this reason I do recommend it.

Norman Geisler has written several "When ___ Ask" books. This is by far les exhaustive than the others, but that is this books strength. Aided by Ron Rhodes, formerly of the Cristian Research Insititute, this book aids a theologically correct Christian persepective on important scriptual verses that are often abused by cults such as Mormonism, International Church of Christ, and Jehovah's Witnesses.

The title, though "catchy", is somewhat of an offense because some arguably Christian denominations are also listed. Though the writers, Geisler and Rhodes, may not brand these denominations as cults, the title appears to lump them in altogether and to the person who already thinks that Roman Catholics or Seventh Day Adventists are cults, may also abuse the authors names in their assertions when discussing these issues with others.

The information, however is very accurate and the scripture commentary normally very sound and orthodox. This book is a good resource and only the title should have been changed slightly.

If you are a Catholic or Adventists, this book is also a good resource tool for you. Don't make the mistake of throwing the "baby out with the bath water." This book by itself, however, is not enough in understanding and dialoguing with cultist. It is a good supplemental tool and I believe the authors would agree.

I recommend getting Geisler's two other books of this same genre. They are "When Skeptics Ask" and "When Critics Ask."

I am writing after one of the author, Ron Rhodes, wrote me about my previous review. I had assumed he was responsible for the definition of cultism included in the book, and for the inclusion of Catholicism. Rhodes explained that it was Geisler who entirely worked out the definition of what a cult is and entirely insisted for the inclusion of Catholic interpretations in the book.

Rhodes points out that they (the authors) still) wrote on p. 18 that catholicism is not a cult, which I appreciate. But I still do not understand why then include catholic interpretations in such a book?

All my excuses to Ron Rhodes and for saying of him that I understood him to be rather "fanatical". I must have been angry to see Catholics included in this book on cultists, hence the lack of thoughtfulness in my previous review. Well I am disappointed by what Geisler has done in this book. Of all his books, it clearly remains the one I like the least.

This is an interesting book, but I must agree that it is rather helpful to people. The key is discussion and the exchange of ideas, and respect for other people. This book is rather respectful for other denominations.

Some of the denominations are Christian, so I am not sure why they are included in this book. Tolerance is key.

The author is too quick to jump to conclusions. This may work in some instances but not when it takes some thoughtful scriptural analysis first.