The Four Major Cults: Christian Science, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, Seventh-day Adventism (Paperback)

~ Mr. Anthony A. Hoekema (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Relying exclusively on primary source materials, Hoekema systematically presents the doctrinal teachings of Mormonism, Seventh-day Adventism, Christian Science, and Jehovah's Witnesses. He also briefly outlines the history and source of authority of each cult. Extensive bibliography, appendixes, and index.

About the Author

Anthony A. Hoekema (1913–1988) was professor of systematic theology at Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan. His other widely read works include The Christian Looks at Himself and The Four Major Cults.

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (January 9, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802804454
• ISBN-13: 978-0802804457
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #810,486 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A major work worth your careful consideration!, March 27, 2004

By	Michael S. Fenton (CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Anthony Hoekema was a brilliant theologian. I would caution other readers not to readily dismiss this book or any other simply because one reads things dissimilar to one's prior understanding. Hoekema points out that cults so often have leaders (groups or individuals) who are elevated to a level of unquestioned authority based on supposed private or exclusive revelation from God concerning salvation and other critically important concerns. Members aren't encouraged to , and are often disuaded from thinking for themselves...after all they don't operate on the same spiritual plane as their more enlightened leaders, or so they're told. God's grace becomes all but non-existent, Christ's righteousness imputed to believers is either forgotten, denied or downplayed, and legalistic obedience to LAW (commandment keeping to ensure salvation, etc.) fills the void.
God used this book to bring me out of my association with the unbiblical cult of
the Jehovah's Witnesses over twenty-five years ago. Read this book. Check out Hoekema's references and determine what is true by comparing the teachings of these groups with that of inspired Scripture. Think for yourself!

21 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Seventh-day Adventism A Cult? No Way!, April 23, 2007

By	R. McRae (Saugus, CA) - See all my reviews

Before I'm labeled "brainwashed", I have read and personally owned this particular book for over 25 years. Being Seventh-day Adventist since the age of 19, I've read and heard just about all of the negatives. And despite our doctrines of the sabbath, the state of the dead, the heavenly sanctuary, investigative judgement and the Spirit of prophecy to name a few, we are quite the fundamental Christian church. Fundamental beliefs we hold as essential such as; Salvation by Grace through faith, the infallible Word of God, the Deity of Christ, the three persons of the Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the virgin birth, the bodily resurrection of Christ, the literal second coming of Christ, baptism by immersion, the final judgement, a literal Heaven, and the final punishment of the wicked, Satan, and his fallen angels in the lake of fire. Now compare Adventism's Christian fundamental beliefs with any one of the other three and see if they even come close. Study each individual denomination's official manual, then decide. One of the reasons so many newer books on cults totally omit Seventh-day Adventists from the list. And we as Seventh-day Adventist believers need no further justification of our faith, but that of our love for Jesus and His Word.

30 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Effective debate resource against Christian cults., February 18, 1999

By A Customer

Well researched polemic revealing all the internal flaws of the Four Major Cults. History, doctrines and source quotations are skillfully used to show why Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, Christian Science, and Seventh Day Adventism cannot claim orthodoxy. One of the best counter-cult books I have used.