What is a Christian Science Reading Room?  Does it have to do with Scientology?

Sincerely,
Looking At Libraries

Dear Looking At Libraries,

Christian Science is often confused with Scientology, but the two are different… both wrong, but different.  A Christian Science Reading Room is a building that the Christian Scientists maintain in varying communities, so people in that community can come and study their religion.

The Church of Christ, Scientist religion was founded in 1879 by a woman named Mary Baker Eddy.  Mrs. Eddy wrote a book called Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, and it became the centerpiece to her religious movement.  Christian Scientists are most famous for their stance that receiving medical care is a sin… utterly disregarding verses like 1 Tim 5:23.

The short summary is that Christian Scientists believe that all illnesses and diseases are a lie and can be healed by just thinking more faithfully.  This is a slight oversimplification, but it is the essence of their main doctrine.

Though this is the main problem with The Church of Christ, Scientist, other doctrinal errors include things like:

1. Teaching that the story of Adam and Eve is just an allegory.
2. Not partaking of the Lord’s Supper or teaching physical baptism for the remission of sins.
3. Teaching that it is impossible to understand the Bible without Mrs. Eddy’s book that we mentioned previously.
4. Teaching that heaven and hell aren’t physical places, just states of mind.

     We were having a discussion at work with regards to which day is the Sabbath day, and what we picked up on Google is that Saturday is the Sabbath day, and if so, we would really like to know why it is now on a Sunday and which verse in the Bible states that Saturday is the Sabbath day.  Thanks for your time in educating us in the Word of the Lord.

Sincerely,
Weekend Wonderer

Dear Weekend Wonderer,

Saturday is the Sabbath day… but Christians don’t have to worry about keeping the Sabbath.  The word ‘sabbath’ means ‘rest’.  The Sabbath day was a day that the nation of Israel was told to rest, stop working, and make holy to the Lord (Ex 31:15).  This rule was so strict that a man was once stoned for collecting firewood on Saturday (Num 15:32-36).  However, this was a Jewish command, not a Christian one.  The Sabbath was part of the Old Testament law – a law that Christians are no longer under (Gal 3:23-25).  We are specifically told not to let anyone bind the Sabbath on us (Col 2:16).  Christians worship Christ on the first day of the week – Sunday (Acts 20:7, 1 Cor 16:1-2).  If you’d like more information on the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament, we have a video tutorial on the subject here.

     I recently started going to a church which does a ‘Celebrate Recovery’.  One of the rules the preacher has is that you don't date for a year.  I understand this.  We need to build our relationship with God.  However, one individual started dating the preacher's daughter.  The preacher approves.  Yet, other members are still required not to date for a year even though the preacher allowed an exception for his daughter.  How should I handle this?  Should I find another church?

Sincerely,
Double Standard

Dear Double Standard,

This preacher isn’t teaching people to follow the Bible; he is teaching them to follow him.  The Bible strictly warns against adding to God’s Word (Rev 22:18-19), going beyond the Bible (1 Cor 4:6), and making our own rules (Mk 7:8, Col 2:8).  This preacher is doing exactly that.  The Bible never says anything about not dating for a year or that a preacher has a right to mandate that upon members of the Lord’s church.  The reason this preacher made an exception for his daughter is because this preacher has set himself up as the authority.  This church doesn’t belong to Jesus; it belongs to this man.  Don’t walk; RUN away from this church.  If you’d like help finding a Bible-guided church in your area, just let us know.  Our email is askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org.

     Lately, I have had different Jehovah Witnesses coming to my door, and they seem to want to come in, but I do not let them; I just take their books.  I do not like being unkind.  Is this wrong, or should I invite them in?  I really do not know what they believe; they say they are Christians, too.  Is that so?

Sincerely,
Feeling Inhospitable

Dear Feeling Inhospitable,

Jehovah’s Witnesses say that they are Christians, but they don’t follow the Bible.  They don’t believe that Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit are all deity, they don’t believe that everyone will go to heaven (they only believe that 144,000 people get to go), they only use their own “personal” translation of the Bible which conveniently alters verses that don’t agree with their beliefs, they also believe that their organization (the Watchtower Society) is made up of prophets that are directly inspired by God, and that you can’t understand the Bible unless their prophets “interpret” it for you.  These are just a few things that clearly separate the Jehovah’s Witnesses from Christianity.

Whether or not you study with them when they come to your door is up to you.  If you feel comfortable teaching them and think that you might be able to bring them around to Christ – go right ahead.  However, if you find (like we have) that they aren’t interested in honestly studying the subject but are just trying to indoctrinate you… there is nothing wrong with politely, but firmly, saying, “No, thanks.”

     There are people out there who believe that the Illuminati still exist today. They believe that the entertainment industry is a part of it and that those who expose the entertainment industry of their partaking of the activity of the Illuminati is true.  I've shown someone your article entitled, "Naughty, Naughty Illuminati".  They refused to believe it, saying that you're wrong.  Are there any Scriptures that show how this conspiracy theory is false?  How about Scriptures on idolatry, sexual immorality, and what God will do to those who condone these things and partake in them?

Sincerely,
Not Entertained

Dear Not Entertained,

There isn’t any specific Bible verse that addresses the Illuminati because whether they do or don’t exist doesn’t change anything from a Bible standpoint.  The Bible tells us how to live (2 Pet 1:3), and then any secret society, idolatrous influences, etc. become irrelevant.

For verses that deal with sexual immorality and idolatry, we recommend that you show your friend 1 Cor 6:18, Gal 5:19-22, and Rev 21:8… those should get the point across.