Hello.  Would you define spiritual abuse and why it is wrong… or does it really exist?

Sincerely,
On The Defense

Dear On The Defense,

‘Spiritual abuse’ is a modern phrase that was coined to describe the abuse that people receive at the hands of religious leaders.  Though this phrase isn’t in the Bible, the concept is.  Peter said that false teachers destroy souls and malign the way of truth (2 Pet 2:1-2).  Jesus condemned many of the religious leaders of His day for “laying burden’s too heavy to bear” on people’s shoulders (Matt 23:4), shutting the kingdom of heaven against men (Matt 23:13), devouring widows’ houses (Matt 23:14), and making their followers worse than themselves (Matt 23:15).  False teachers coerce and deceive people to follow lies.  When religious leaders stop presenting the truth of the Bible and begin to use their leadership for their own gain – that is definitely an abuse of power.

Who are the Illuminati, and what do they believe in?  Is it a cult?

Sincerely,
Not An Illuminati

Dear Not An Illuminati,

The Illuminati was a Bavarian secret society formed in 1776 in Ingolstadt, Germany.  Similar to the Freemason society, the Illuminati was a secret society with religious, as well as secular, elements to it.  The truth is that the Illuminati and societies that diverged from the Illuminati died out years ago.  It is the pop-fiction industry that has revived the term ‘Illuminati’ by creating conspiracy-theory books that portray the Illuminati as a surviving secret society bent on ushering in a new world order.  These books make for exciting fireside reading, but they are still fiction.  The Illuminati was a cult that existed in Europe several centuries ago, but it no longer is a factor in today’s society.

Someone yesterday asked me to push the elevator button for them and briefly explained that they were "shabbos".  I hesitated for a moment and then did so.  I believe that it is complete bunk, and even if we were living under Old Testament Law, this is a total hypocritical loophole to circumvent the "rule".  My question is: was it wrong to push the button and, in my opinion after thinking about it, in essence participate in a religious practice that I do not believe or want to be perceived to believe in or support… or am over thinking this?

Thank you for all your great answers!!

Sincerely,
Going Up

Dear Going Up,

As you are aware, you ran into some Orthodox Jews that believe that it is wrong to work on the Sabbath.  They define ‘work’ in very unique ways.  They believe it is wrong to travel, but if someone else forces them to travel (i.e. you pressed the button, and they just “happened” to be in the elevator) – it doesn’t count as work.  As you said, the rabbinical traditions of Judaism have gone to the point of absurdity and don’t even resemble the Old Testament teachings.

Here is the problem, if you are actively participating in their religious practice, you are wrong… but whether or not you are is an issue of wisdom.  The big issue comes down to perception.  God tells us to avoid all appearance of evil (1 Thess 5:22) and that we should be careful to consider how our actions will be perceived by others.  1 Cor 10:27-29 uses the example of meat sacrificed to idols.  If you are invited to a meal, don’t worry about asking whether or not the meat came from an idol’s temple; just dig in and don’t worry about it.  But if your host mentions that the meat came from Zeus’ temple – stop eating because your host will perceive that you agree with idolatry.

The same concept would apply here.  If you believe your actions communicate that you agree with their religious practices, don’t do it.  But if you think that pressing the button on the elevator simply conveyed courtesy, don’t worry about it.  You aren’t sinning by pushing the button; it is just a matter of how your actions are perceived.

What is your take on the 70 AD doctrine going around?

Sincerely,
A Concerned Saint

Dear A Concerned Saint,

The 70 AD doctrine, also known as ‘Realized Eschatology’, is total rubbish and an endangerment to the salvation of all who follow and teach it.  Realized Eschatology (the preferred title used by this doctrine’s followers) is a very scary teaching.  ‘Eschatology’ means ‘the study of the end things’, and ‘realized’ means ‘completed or fulfilled’.  In short, Realized Eschatology teaches that every prophecy in the Bible has already been fulfilled.  Realized Eschatologists teach that every verse that is commonly thought to refer to the end of the world, heaven, hell, the Judgment Day, the future return of Christ, etc. already occurred in 70 AD when Jerusalem was destroyed.  This is not only false, it is absurd.  If they are right, there is no hell, there is no Judgment Day, the devil has already been destroyed, and there is no specific hope for those who call on Christ.  In short, we would have to totally rewrite everything we believe and teach concerning the Word of God.  Not long ago, we preached two sermons on this topic (the audio and video can be found here).  That series will explain in more detail the problems with this false doctrine that is upsetting the faith of some in the church (2 Tim 2:18).

I am very troubled and offended by people that go out of their way to discredit the Bible and the existence of God.  I feel there must be something deep down inside of them that asks the question, “What if it's true?”.  What would some other reasons be for why people discredit the Bible and God’s existence?

Sincerely,
A True Believer

Dear A True Believer,

People reject and seek to destroy Christianity for a number of reasons.  We must make sure to differentiate between those who are actively opposed to Christ and those who simply haven’t become christians.  Only a small portion of society is actively engaged in trying to eradicate God from society.  Those who are vehemently opposed to God have many reasons for being that way:

1. They may be like Paul – actively ignorant.  Paul persecuted the church because he was stubbornly ignorant of the truth about Jesus (1 Tim 1:13).
2. Their consciences have been seared by sin, and their view of the world has been warped by immorality (1 Tim 4:2).
3. Sometimes people oppose God because they have something to gain by pursuing religious (or atheistic) goals.  Their appetites and desire for power become their gods (Php 3:19).
4. They were mistreated and abused by religious people in their past.  If someone has had bad experiences (molestation, abuse, etc.) at the hands of those who professed to serve Christ, they may lash out at God because of their pain and suffering.  This isn’t the right outlet for pain, but it certainly does happen.

Ultimately, we each must stand before God (Heb 9:27).  Whether we believe in God or not – we will all meet Him.