How the Bible is Quoted.

Dear reader,

If you were to meet up with two deceptive spirits that were going to interpret the Bible, how do you think they would do this?  This question is at the heart of end-time groups.

Here are some possibilities.  

1.  Contexts (verses before and after a verse) would be ignored.
2.  Clear verses would be ignored or de-emphasized in favor of new information.
3.  Connections between verses are made that no one else sees.
4.  New meanings are given to difficult verses.

These are just a few examples.

This question is important because end-time leaders teach that a spirit or spirits (Jesus, an angel, the Holy Spirit, etc) appeared to them in a vision and gave them important Bible explanations about the end of the world.  These leaders say they have a special anointing to explain the Bible.  In Shinchonji, Manhee Lee is reported to have received information from God, Jesus, and angels.

As Christians, we are told not to believe every spirit, but to test them (I John 4:1).  In Christian thinking, when spirits claiming to be angels or Jesus communicate messages that distort, twist, or misapply God's Word, something is amiss.  Below is an edited summary from a book on some of the most common techniques used by end-time teachers or preachers who do not rightly divide the Bible (1).


1. BIBLICAL HOOK: A text of Scripture is quoted as a way to make readers think the text is affirming what the author is saying.  However, when the text is consulted carefully, it speaks of something else.

Both Shinchonji and the Watchtower Society quote Mt. 24:45-47 to prove that God chooses a final servant (their leader/s) to guide the Christian world in the end.  However, when Christians read these verses carefully, they see Jesus referring to all faithful disciples in the end.  Another example is when Shinchonji uses 1 Thess. 5:1-11 to interpret those in the light as those with the revealed word, when God's voice in the written word refers to believers at large.
  
 2. IGNORING THE IMMEDIATE CONTEXT: A text of Scripture is quoted but removed from the surrounding verses which form the immediate framework for its meaning.

When Jesus uses lightning in Mt. 24:27 for visibility, he is rebutting the idea of a secret or regional appearance/return to earth.  Shinchonji removes the meaning from its context, quoting other verses (Lk. 10:18, Rev. 11:19) to show that lightning in Mt. 24:27 should mean invisibility.  Another example is Jer. 31:27 where God is prophesying a restoration for Israel (in context), but Shinchonji links it to Jesus' parable of the two seeds in Mt. 13.

3. COLLAPSING CONTEXTS: Two or more verses which have little or nothing to do with each other are put together as if one were a commentary of the other(s).

In Manhee Lee's revelation, he teaches that Jesus (a pastor) is the light in Jn. 8:12 and makes this the commentary/link to the light (a pastor) being chosen on the first day of creation in Gen. 1.  Shinchonji makes the metaphor of a ¨beast¨ (one without God's knowledge/ungodly leaders) in Prov. 30:2,3 and Is. 56:9-11 a commentary for the ¨beast¨ in Rev. 13 (a false pastor without God's revealed word).  

4. OVERSPECIFICATION: A more detailed or specific conclusion than is legitimate is drawn from a biblical text.

Manhee Lee quotes Hos. 12:10, which speaks of parables and visions in general, to support that the Apostle John figure in Revelation is a prophecy for a future leader (Mr. Lee).  However, Hos. 12:10 does not specify that this refers to the Apostle John.  Another example is taking the Counselor-promise in Jn. 14,16 to specifically include another flesh-human body (Mr. Lee).  

5. WORD PLAY: A word or phrase from a biblical translation is examined and interpreted in a different language as if the revelation had been given in that language.

This happens with the Korean language in Shinchonji.  When referring to the Counselor, Manhee Lee quotes the word, ¨Bohaesa,¨ (Korean-Chinese) to re-inforce the idea of a teacher with grace.  He also quotes a Korean word, ¨tongdal,¨ (mastery, thorough knowledge) for ¨search¨ in 1 Cor. 2:10 to show that the Apostle John has perfect mastery of the Bible.  The word in Greek for ¨search¨ or ¨examine¨ does not mean mastery.  See the article on the Counselor.

6. THE FIGURATIVE FALLACY: Either making literal language out of figurative language or mistaking figurative language for literal language.

In Manhee Lee's book, he argues that this is the problem with the Christian world: incorrectly making figurative language literal.  He fixes the problem.  In Christian thinking, the written word (when given) is the key.  For example, Jesus refers to the real temple in Jerusalem in Mt. 24:1,2, but Mr. Lee makes it figurative because the word ¨temple¨ can often be figurative.  He does not let the context determine the meaning.

7. SELECTIVE CITING: To substantiate a given argument, only a limited number of texts is quoted.  The total teaching of Scripture on that subject would lead to a conclusion different from that of the writer.

According to Shinchonji's revelation, the post-ascension Christ is a spirit who works through Manhee Lee's body/flesh.  One SCJ member cited different verses referring to the Spirit (of Jesus) in Revelation and Galations to prove this.  Yet, other verses reveal that Jesus is not only a spirit, but also a superhuman (the first glorified human).  Both are true because the Messiah has two natures.  Another point is pointing to some verses where God rejects Israel in the prophets, but not accepting the verses where God promises to fully restore Israel in the prophets.  See other articles on these points for additional information.
        
8. INADEQUATE EVIDENCE: A hasty generalization is drawn from too little evidence. It is based only on the authority of the leader or group´s interpretation.

In Manhee Lee's book, Creation of Heaven and Earth, the connections and explanations in Revelation are based on Mr. Lee's authority.  For example, he interprets the ¨east¨ in Rev. 7 as Korea.  But, it is based on Mr. Lee's authoritative explanation of ¨heaven¨ and his own authority/testimony of being the Apostle John figure who knows the physical fulfillment of the events.  See the article on the 144,000 in Rev. 7.

9. CONFUSED DEFINITION: A biblical or Christian term is misunderstood or misdefined in such a way as to be rejected.

Shinchoji misdefines the Christian definition of the Trinity.  Christians familiar with this topic know that this happens in other spirit-revelations to final prophets.  In Christian teaching, there is a careful distinction between one God being and three God persons.  However, Shinchonji argues that when Christians refer to the Trinity, they are referring to three beings and one being (instead of the real definition of one being and three persons).  See the article on the Trinity for more information.

10. WORLD-VIEW CONFUSION: Scriptural concepts, ideas, or symbols which have a particular meaning within the cultural framework of the Bible are lifted out of that context, placed within the frame of reference of another system and given a meaning that differs from their intended meaning.

Shinchonji's revelation teaches that the spirits of the martyrs will come back to earth and unite with the flesh of those believers at the first resurrection in Rev. 20.  This is the meaning of the resurrection, which is more of a mixture of eastern ideas of reincarnation than a Christian one.  The biblical concept of the resurrection refers to a spirit being united to a person´s own flesh that God re-creates and glorifies, similar to what happened to the Lord Jesus, who is the firstfruits of future resurrections (I Cor. 15:20, Rom. 8:11, Phil. 3:21, Is. 26:19).  See other articles on this point.

11. VIRTUE BY ASSOCIATION: Either a leader associates his or her teachings with figures accepted as authoritative by traditional Christians, or a leader's situation is likened to people and events in the Bible.

Shinchonji considers their situation to be like Christ's in the first century.  All other Christian leaders are compared to the Pharisees who misinterpreted the Messianic prophecies and would not listen to Jesus.  In the same way, Christians today do not understand the end-time prophecies and do not listen to Manhee Lee.  Or, just like Paul had to leave his teachings and hear Jesus' voice, Christians must leave their pastors and follow Mr. Lee's voice.  Comparisons and associations like this are made in SCJ's literature.

12. ESOTERIC INTERPRETATION:  The assumption is that the Bible's prophecies contains hidden, esoteric meanings which are opened only to those who are initiated into its secrets.  The interpreter declares the significance of biblical passages without giving much, if any, explanation for his or her interpretation.

Manhee Lee and other apocalyptic movements in South Korea have taught that the parables are written in coded/secret information to keep God's plans hidden from Satan.  Also, when reading Mr. Lee's interpretations of Revelation, it seems that the revealed word ¨revealed¨ meanings, but did not submit to the clear ideas that come from the written word in Revelation.  See other articles on this point.  In the end, the revealed meanings and Bible connections in Shinchonji are based Manhee Lee's authority.

13. SUPPLEMENTING BIBLICAL AUTHORITY: New revelation from post biblical prophets either replaces or is added to the Bible as authority.

The real voice that the Christian world must listen to is the revealed word, which is the interpreter of the written word.  The revealed word is considered God's Word.  Even if the Bible affirms something different at face value, people are taught to listen to the revealed word.  The written word, especially in relation to prophecies about Jesus´ return, is said to be sealed from other Christians.  This makes the leader's voice the voice of understanding and authority (even above God´s voice in the Bible).

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(1) Taken and adapted from this webpage on James Sire's book, ¨Scripture Twisting¨.  http://www.apologeticsindex.org/b03.html

A Clue: Which Jesus Returns in Acts 1:11?

Dear reader,

In the written word, the authority in Christian thought, we find a voice that communicates very powerfully that the Messiah will be seen by others when he returns to the planet in power and glory (Lk. 21:27, Mk. 13:26, Mt. 16:27, Mt. 24:27-30, Rev. 1:7, Ac. 1-9-11).

This is probably one of Jesus' promises that is most overlooked by the media at Christmas and Easter.  But, it is a statement the Messiah wants his followers to remember.  It is not a hidden promise.  Let's look again at one of the well-known texts for this in Acts 1:9-11.

¨When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven?  This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven'¨ (Ac. 1-9-11, NRSV).

In the spirit world, heavenly entities (angels, Jesus, and God) have been giving secret revelations to final prophets in end-time groups to re-explain this text.  They teach a figurative meaning to ¨clouds¨ and use spiritual reasoning or hidden meanings in other verses to show that ¨clouds¨ hide things.  In these movements, Christians are taught that the clouds make it clear that Jesus' return will be hidden/invisible or as a spirit.

In Shiinchonji's article on Rev. 1:7, they write, ¨Clouds are capable of hiding things from view. The fact that Jesus returns with the clouds means that he is coming in spirit. In Acts 1:9-11, Jesus’ disciples were staring into the sky after Jesus’ ascension, and a cloud hid Jesus from their sight¨ (1).  

How can we know who has the right meaning?

The surest and most reliable method to test a spirit revelation to a final prophet is to let the voice in God's written word reveal the right idea.  The written word should correct a revelation, not the other way around.  In the written record, one phrase sheds light on this question.  God's voice makes it known that ¨this same Jesus¨ or ¨this Jesus¨ is the one who returns to earth.

¨This Jesus, who has been taken up from you in heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.¨ (NRSV).

¨Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus, who is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner¨ (21st C. KJV).

According to the voice in the written word, the same Messiah/Jesus is coming back.  This means that, regardless of any secretive or figurative meaning to clouds, the same Jesus is returning, not a different Jesus.  This is an important voice in the written word because the Jesus who left was not a glorified spirit.

God raised Christ's humanity to a new glorified state, which is why the tomb was empty (Lk. 24:2-5).  Jesus is the firsfruits of a new race of humans (I Cor. 15:20, Col. 1:19).  The Messiah was not transfigured into a spirit (Lk. 24:39).  Rather, his body never saw decay (Ac. 2:29-31, Ac. 13:35-37).  Christ was the first human to be raised with a body prepared for glory.  The written word shows that he still has this body (Phil. 3:21).  See other articles on the resurrection for more information on this topic.
  

In summary, even though final leaders reveal figurative meanings to the clouds in Acts 1:11 - meanings that the written word does not teach independently - one phrase indicates that the same Jesus is coming back, not a spirit Jesus (Ac. 1:11).  This harmonizes with Jesus' statement that he would be seen (Mt. 24:30).

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(1) For Shinchonji's full explanation, see ¨What is the True Meaning of Rv. 1:7?,¨ Shinchonji Website Articles. http://correctunderstandingofshinchonji.wordpress.com/tag/what-is-it-mean-by-jesus-returns-with-the-clouds/.  Accessed January 11, 2014.

Question for Manhee Lee: Where is the Promise?

Dear reader,

Thanks for taking these points to heart.

In the last two hundred years, many final leaders have given prophecies for themselves in the written word to assure their followers that God has chosen them.  Yet, Christian researchers notice that when final leaders reveal prophecies for themselves, the biblical texts do not say what the leaders affirm.

Let´s look at an example in Shinchonji.

According to Shinchonji's public website, Manhee Lee has received information from an angel (a holy spirit), Jesus, and God.  These spiritual entities, working through Mr. Lee, reveal that the New Testament announces the coming of a final pastor.  To Mr. Lee, this is no exaggeration.

Manhee Lee's coming is just as big as the Messiah's first coming.  He writes, ¨Just as the Old Testament promises Jesus Christ (Jn. 5:39), the New Testament prophesies about this promised pastor¨ (Creation of Heaven and Earth, p. 82).  ¨The Old Testament testified about one person in Jesus, God's promised pastor.  It is no exaggeration to say that the New Testament testifies about the one pastor Jesus promised¨ (Creation of Heaven and Earth, p. 337).  ¨It could be said that the New Testament proclaims one pastor promised by Jesus¨ (Creation of Heaven and Earth, p. 429).

In Manhee Lee's book, he explains that the Bible reveals a series of pastors and chosen people in different time periods, and that there is now a final pastor (Mr. Lee) and a final chosen people (Shinchonji) in the end. Through this final pastor God accomplishes his will in the book of Revelation.

What is the problem with this claim about a promised pastor?

First, a legitimate promise in the written word is one that everyone sees.  Otherwise, it is not a true promise according to the written word (the Bible).  If it were a clear promise, we should expect devoted Christians from the first century on to be talking about this coming, which we do not find in Christian writings.  This means it is a promise only based on Mr. Lee´s authority, not the written word.

Second, Manhee Lee's statement that his coming is prophesied just like Jesus' coming is not accurate.  Jesus' coming in the Old Testament was foretold in a clear way.  Although many of the details were disputed in the first century, no one disputed the Messianic promise itself.  One Talmudic tradition says that the prophets spoke of nothing more important than the days of the Messiah.  Multiple groups independently extracted promises of a Messiah, like the Essenes.  The Aramaic targums (translations of the Old Testament) inserted the Messiah in many texts.  Even the Samaritans believed a Messiah was to come (Jn. 4:25, 42).

Thus, when God's voice wanted his people to believe in an important coming, like the Messiah's coming, he used clear and unambiguous language.  Applied to Manhee Lee's statement above, if there is a similar promise from God in the New Testament for a pastor, it should be equally obvious, but it´s not.

Thirdly, when we evaluate the verses used by Shinchonji for a final pastor, they are based on circular interpretation.  That is, they are real prophecies only to Shinchonji.  Let´s look at a few examples.

  

Manhee Lee teaches that the phrase ¨the one who overcomes¨ in Rev. 2,3 refers primarily to one individual/Mr. Lee (and, in a secondary sense, to those who overcome in Shinchonji).  But, according to the testimony of the written word, it is the exact opposite.  The primary meaning refers to all those who overcome in the churches (Rev. 2:24, 3:4), not just one individual.

An unbiased reading, confirmed by Christian communities everywhere, reveals that no one sees this as a clear prophecy for one individual.  It is supposedly a secretive prediction only clear to the leader, which makes it based on his authority.  The same is true for other prophecy texts.

According to Mr. Lee, the promise of the Counselor in Jn. 14,16 refers to a final flesh (pastor).  But, this is only so because he re-defines the Counselor to include two aspects - the Spirit and another ¨flesh¨ through whom the Spirit of the Counselor works.  Further, it is not an example of a clear prophecy.  On the contrary, evidence in the text and in Acts dispels the teaching of the Counselor working through only one flesh.

Other examples can also be cited in Revelation.  However, these are only clear promises to Mr. Lee, not any other Christian community.  Again, apocalyptic leaders cite hidden prophecies for themselves based on their authority, but it needs to be shown that God in his written word has made these prophecies known. 

To justify hidden or secretive prophecies in Revelation, Manhee Lee quotes Hosea 12:10 to show that that the Apostle John in Revelation refers to a promised pastor, a new Apostle John who must appear in the future.  According to one source, in the Korean translation of Hosea 12:10, it states that ¨prophets can be used figuratively,¨ but this does not constitute a specific prophecy.

A specific promise according to the Bible is one that the voice in the written record makes known to others independently, like in the writings of the Hebrew prophets announcing the Messiah's coming.  If the written word does not make this clear, the real source of authority is the leader's revelation (from heavenly entities), which other end-time leaders have used to reveal prophecies for their coming.

Imagine a U.S. judge declaring that ¨something is clear according to the U.S. Constitution¨.  This would mean that other judges could open the Constitution and find it there.  It would be suspicious if it were only clear to this particular judge and no other judge could confirm its clarity.  It would make everything based on this judge's interpretation/perspective of the Constitution, but not the Constitution's self-revelation.

The same is true in God's Word.  One Christian lady said that after looking up Bible verses given to her of a final pastor, she was more convinced that God had not made this promise in the Bible.  According to the written word, God's voice led her in the opposite direction.

One Shinchonji instructor replied that perhaps God planned to hide this promise (i.e. seal it) from Christians.  But, this creates more problems than it answers.  First, it would make Manhee Lee's promise different than the promise of a Messiah in the Old Testament, which goes against Mr. Lee's statement above.  Second, if God truly asks believers to follow a final pastor, it would be strange to hide this promise in his written testimony and then expect everyone to believe a promise that is not clearly revealed in the Bible.

Even though the written word gives many clear prophecies about the end, Christians have never seen a clear promise to follow a world pastor who embodies Jesus' spiritual return.  Jesus' first sign of the end is a warning to stay away from leaders who come in his name and embody his expected return (Lk. 21:8, Mt. 24:4,5).  See article on Manhee Lee's claim to be the flesh-spirit union with Jesus' returning spirit.

Questions for reflection.  

In Latin America, there is a group that believes that their first leader was the new Aaron of the Christian world.  Are there any clear prophecies for a new Aaron in the Bible?  Should followers of Christ believe a promise that only a final leader makes clear to their group?     

Shincheonji's Explanation of Rev. 6: God's Wrath.

Dear reader,

Let's look at the content described in Revelation 6 and test the information given to Manhee Lee.

Shinchonji/Shincheonji receives its information from one source (Mr. Lee), who received his information from a spiritual creature (two creatures on a mountain in South Korea according to one account).  Shinchonji believes the information comes from an angel (a holy spirit), from Jesus Christ, and from God.

Before continuing, let's think about this.  Many historians, religious leaders, politicians, and professors would find it amazing to interview Jesus or a heavenly creature.  Now, picture having an encounter with spiritual entities from heaven and receiving information from them.  If this were to happen, what would you do?

Since the voice in the New Testament warns us of deceptive spiritual creatures, spiritual visions, and false leaders (I Tim. 4:1, I Jn. 4:1), it is important to test information from these sources.

Testing a final leader's experience, of course, does not mean physically persecuting a leader or his followers, who are loved by God.  But, it is necessary to avoid deception (I Jn. 4:1, I Tim. 4:1, Lk. 21:8).  Many leaders of religions and apocalyptic groups have been deceived by supernatural experiences.

According to Manhee Lee's experience, he says that the content of Revelation chapters 2 and 3 refer to a specific church in South Korea that received Jesus' words and betrayed him.  This church is the Church of the Seven Golden Lampstands.  In response to this, he wrote seven letters to the seven pastors (messengers) of the church to warn them to repent (Creation of Heaven and Earth, p.209).

Because the seven pastors and church members did not repent, God punishes the betrayers, which is the content of the judgment in Revelation chapter 6.  Manhee Lee writes, ¨These four living creatures judge the seven pastors and their people at the church of the seven golden lampstands.  They are judged because they refused to repent even after receiving the letters from Jesus¨ (The Creation of Heaven and Earth, p. 192).

Manhee Lee explains the majority of the symbols in chapter 6 in relation to this event.  For example, the sun, moon, and stars (Rev. 6:12,13) refer to the chosen people in the Church of the Seven Lampstands, and the rolling away of the sky (Rev. 6:14) is the destruction of the church (pp. 192,193).  As Mr. Lee himself summarizes on p. 220, ¨Revelation 6 describes the judgment of the chosen people who betrayed.¨

When we test this explanation with the Bible and spiritual discernment, what do we see in Revelation 6?  Why doubt Shinchonji's explanation and the spirit revelation to Manhee Lee?

First, there is a problem with Mr. Lee's experience and perception of the Church of the Seven Lampstands.  Manhee Lee attended this church, but it really was another apocalyptic group with problems of its own.  To obtain more information, see the article about the history of Manhee Lee before Shinchonji.

Second, Revelation 6 describes a theme that is much bigger.  At the end of the chapter, people on earth are afraid of God's wrath.  The last verses reveal that it's the time of the ¨wrath of the Lamb¨ and the ¨wrath of the one who sits on the throne.¨  It is known as the ¨great day¨ of wrath (Rev. 6:16, 17).

Why is this significant?

According to the Old Testament, the wrath of God, although partially fulfilled at times against Samaria and Babylon and other nations, is fully fulfilled at a future time when God puts a stop to the increased wickedness on earth - a time like Noah's age when God has had enough.  This time of wrath and judgment is also identified as the Day of the Lord (Zeph. 1:14,15).  In Isaiah 2:10-21, for example, the allusions to the Day of the Lord match the description in Revelation 6:16,17.

¨Men will flee to caves in the rocks and to holes in the ground from dread of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth¨ (Is. 2:19).

So, the ideas in God's Word about the Day of the Lord and God's wrath refer to a final time of judgment for humanity at large (Zeph. 1:14-2:3, Isaiah 2:10-21, Isaiah 13:9-13, Joel 2:31-3:3, 9-15, Amos 5:18-20, Isaiah 34:2-4).

Another theme in Rev. 6 (and in the Old Testament references) is that the day of wrath and judgment is global, not local.  Zephaniah 1:18 prophesies that the whole world will be consumed.  Isaiah 13:11 says that God will punish the world for its evil.  In Rev. 6:4, 6:8, 6:10, and 6:15, the Bible refers to the earth and the inhabitants of the earth.

Jesus Christ mentions that these days will ¨come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth¨ (Lk. 21:35) and speaks of a ¨time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written¨ in the Old Testament (Lk. 21:22).

In contrast, the vision to Manhee Lee changes the global meaning of earth from Revelation 6 (i.e. subtracts this from the text) and adds a different meaning about a local church in South Korea.

Fourth, Rev. 6 speaks of a dreadful time of death and humans being killed (Rev. 6:4, 6:8, 6:11).  Peace is taken from the earth and the inhabitants slay each other in the second seal.  In the fourth seal, Hades and death are mentioned as people are killed by the sword, famine, and plagues.

These words (sword, famine, plagues) are used by God in the prophets to refer to real and powerful judgments.  See Jer. 32:24, 36, Jer. 29:17-19, Jer. 14:11,12, Ezek. 7:8-19.  Shinchonji subtracts this meaning and adds a spiritual meaning, referring to spiritually dying in the Church of the Seven Lampstands.

Fifth, there are two methods of interpreting the Bible.  The safe approach is allowing the ideas from God in the written word be the standard, letting the meanings speak to our hearts (when given).  The other way is the ¨revelation¨ method, which reveals meanings behind the texts that the texts do not reveal on their own.

This is what we notice with Manhee Lee's explanation in Revelation 6.

Documentary on Shincheonji from South Korea.

Dear reader, 

The notes below (in English) come from a Korean documentary put out by a Christian Broadcasting station in South Korea.  According to one source in the documentary, these videos have been used in churches in South Korea to educate Christians about SCJ.

The notes summarize some of the main problems discussed in counseling clinics about Shinchonji/Shincheonji.  For the complete version in Korean, see the links below.  For Shincheonji's counter perspective, consult Shincheonji's website and sources online.

Episode 1: Revelation

http://www.ondemandkorea.com/people-of-shinchonji-e01.html

   
      In Korea, there are counseling centers, specifically for people who are in cults, have been in cults, or have family members who are in cults

o   90% of clients in these centers are members of SCJ

-          This 8-episode documentary will observe and follow families for 6 months

-          The first episode opens up with the story of a young woman (Hyo Eun) who comes to the counseling center with her mom

o   she was persuaded by her parents to attend these sessions

o   they made a deal- daughter will go to the counseling sessions as long as the parents go to the SCJ bible studies

o   the mom says that her daughter began changing, in appearance and in personality when she got into SCJ (darkened skin tone, neglect of her responsibilities, secretive, defensive, almost acting like a crazy person)

o   Hyo Eun begins session by declaring she will not change her beliefs and that SCJ is heaven. She makes it clear that these sessions will not change anything for her

o   (These counseling sessions in Korea focus on challenging SCJ beliefs and showing Scripture to prove that SCJ teaching is incorrect. The counselors are highly trained in SCJ doctrine and know every bible verse SCJ uses to prove their point)

o   even after 4 sessions of counseling, the daughter cries and begs her parents to let her go back to SCJ. she attempts to escape several times.

-          The Hyo Eun's (SCJ's) beliefs:

o   Lee Man Hee is the savior because the "spirit" of Jesus dwells in him since Lee Man Hee received the open scrolls of Revelation and ate it

o   She will not die physically nor will Lee Man Hee die (so those who have a fear of death fall into this trap)

o   The spirit of Jesus goes in and out of Lee Man Hee

o   lying is okay if it brings glory to God and wins souls

o   Jesus used parables to talk about the things of heaven

-          Countering SCJ's beliefs:

o   2 Thes. 2:1-3 - " Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,^[a] 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.³ Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness^[b] is revealed, the son of destruction"

§  There's no way the "spirit of Jesus" dwells in Lee Man Hee

o   Other cults in Korea also say similar things like SCJ, such as claiming that their leader is the savior, the teacher of this generation, God, etc.

o   SCJ says the spirit of Jesus goes "in and out" of Lee Man Hee because if they say the spirit dwells permanently, then that means that the end and the second coming has already come.

§  Rev. 1:7 - Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail^[c] on account of him. Even so. Amen.

·         Not EVERYONE saw that the spirit of Jesus came into Lee Man Hee. His encounter of "eating the scroll" was an individual, isolated experience

o   Luke 24:36-43

§  Jesus will come back just as he went to heaven- in the same way

o   Rev. 22:15

§  speaks against falsehood and lying. SCJ teaches that it is okay to lie in order to win souls; but that goes against the Bible.

o   Rom. 3 7-8

§  lying is not okay even when it is done to "bring glory to God"

-          SCJ prohibits members to go to counseling sessions

o   SCJ lies about what happens during counseling sessions

o   SCJ teaches that members will get beaten, drugged, and locked up if they go to counseling sessions

o   SCJ even shows videos of hired actors who pretend to have gone to counseling centers and were "beaten, drugged, and abused"

o   counseling center does not even provide water in case SCJ members falsely accuse that they've been drugged

o   SCJ also teaches members how to "fake it" and lie in case they do end up at a counseling session. They teach their members to lie to make their family members and the counselor believe that they're "getting it" so that they can be sent home and go back to SCJ

o   SCJ teaches that the moment members go into the counseling center, their spirits die and they are entering hell

-          History of SCJ

o   began in 1984 with few members and now, 2015, there are more than 150,000 members.

-          Family members of SCJ should never give up even though it might seem like there is no hope. Giving up is not the answer.

Episode 2: Youth

http://www.ondemandkorea.com/people-of-shinchonji-e02.html

   
     Seventh day of Hyo Eun's counseling session

o   begins to see that SCJ is a lie and their doctrines are false

o   she promises never to go back to SCJ

-          Hyo Eun's confession

o   she was first introduced to SCJ by a friend. her friend approached her by getting her attention by showing her psychological and personality tests. she then was invited to go to bible studies.

o   they did not disclose they were SCJ at the beginning

o   approached her first by talking about "looking into one's self", being "humble", "reflecting on areas of weakness", prohibiting her to listen to other pastors because they have "evil spirits" and are "proud"

o   had the wrong idea of counseling centers due to SCJ's false teachings

o   she felt like a robot for the 8 months she was in SCJ. she was not allowed to think for herself, bring people into SCJ, slowly lost herself and her identity

o   SCJ constantly showed videos of their doctrines and history- brainwashing

o   then she learned how to approach people and evangelize them deceitfully

o   lied to her family that she went to "bethel church" (gave a false name to not disclose SCJ)

o   she was taught to lie to her family members, and they pressured her to quit her job in order to go "all in" into SCJ

o   SCJ even told her specifically what to say, how to say things to employers and family members

o   Hyo Eun attempted to commit suicide before going to the counseling center because she thought it was better to die physically than to die spiritually by going to the center

-          Now, Hyo Eun has left SCJ, is restoring her relationship with her family, restoring her faith and relationship with God and is getting plugged in back into society

-          College students and young adults highly desired by SCJ

o   because young people can work more and be used

o   can learn teachings faster and have less responsibilities

o   those who are hungry to learn about the Word are most vulnerable since SCJ pretends to answer all questions

o   students drop out of school and quit their jobs because SCJ pressures them to do so in order to be more effective

o   their main focus is to get all the 144,000 so school and career is not priority

o   students can live in the SCJ dorms if needed

o   family members who oppose SCJ are seen as the "Devil", or "evil people that are preventing them to go to heaven"

o   young adults are also vulnerable and desired because:

§  identity still forming

§  unemployed and beginning to get plugged into the real world

§  want to belong to something greater

§  being part of SCJ brings security and satisfaction

-          Da Hae's story

o   her parents drag her into the counseling center

o   Da Hae claims that she has been kidnapped and forced to come

o   tells her parents she doesn't love them anymore

o   calls her mom "ahjuma" (korean for Mrs. or maam) instead of "mom"

o   Da Hae calls the cops on her parents claiming that she was forcefully brought into SCJ

o   her parents are arrested

Episode 3: Addiction

http://www.ondemandkorea.com/people-of-shinchonji-e03.html

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      SCJ's Methods and tactics to deceive

o   it can happen to anyone

-          Pastor Shin Hyun Woo

o   was a leader in SCJ for decades

o   was the main leader who educated all SCJ teachers and leaders

o   he was Lee Man Hee's right-hand man

o   he first was introduced to SCJ in 1986 by his pastor who was learning the Bible from Lee Man Hee

o   at first, he did not know the doctrine was from SCJ

o   he was the only college student back then (age 21) so he quickly became one of the main leaders

o   currently, Pastor Shin is an active advocate to help bring awareness,  help family members, and help get current SCJ members out

o   now that Pastor Shin left SCJ, Lee Man Hee calls him the "traitor", the "betrayer", the "serpent" or "satan"

o   after reading the Bible in English, Pastor Shin began noticing discrepancies between Lee Man Hee's teaching and what the Bible was saying

o   he did a lot of research on Lee Man Hee for a month and realized that this was all a religious fraud

o   he learned that Lee Man Hee had been under other cult leaders for 24 years, and had made his own cult

o   before he left SCJ, he read one of Lee Man Hee's book that quoted that people must eat and drink Lee Man Hee's blood and flesh in order to be saved. That was the determining factor that made Pastor Shin realize that SCJ is a cult. He told everyone that his teachings were wrong. After Pastor Shin left, Lee Man Hee began denying that he had ever said or written that people must eat and drink of his blood and flesh. Now, even though his old books still say this, he denies it and claims that Pastor Shin is lying in order to make him look bad. Now, Lee Man Hee teaches that people are not to eat and drink of his flesh and blood.

-          How do people get into SCJ?

o   through teachings and bible studies

o   people get addicted to the study of parables and matching verses, making it seem like they're finally getting questions answered

o   two months is enough to learn their teachings, get addicted to them, and get brainwashed

o   after the study of parables, SCJ discloses that their church is actually SCJ. it is safe to disclose that after the two months because by then, they have already become addicted and brainwashed. however, if students find out that the teachings are from SCJ during or prior the 2 months, then they can reject the teachings and leave SCJ

o   most people who fall into SCJ admit that SCJ was attractive because they always had questions about the bible and SCJ answered them all (not knowing it is false doctrine)

o   those who are most vulnerable are not new believers but people who have been Christians for many years

-          SCJ trainings:

o   after completing the 2 month bible studies, members are told that they are part of SCJ and begin the following trainings:

§  New member's training

§  Recruiting new members training

·         they are given different manuals on how to recruit different types of people such as, those who are dependent on pastors, those who are highly educated, those who are stronger in personality, etc.

·         recruiters are called "harvesters"

·         they do plenty of research on potential members prior to approaching them

·         they find out all about them like personal information such as, family background, educational background, personality type, level of spiritual maturity, etc.

·         they observe potential members for weeks and plan out a strategic method to approach them

·         they pretend to randomly meet, when in fact, they have been observing potential members for weeks

·         Christians who have been hurt by the church are also vulnerable to being recruited

-          SCJ beliefs:

o   Lee Man Hee is the promised pastor/teacher and salvation is received only through him

o   understanding and learning parables brings salvation

o   Lee Man Hee received and ate the scrolls. He claims that the scrolls he ate (Rev. 4) is the entire book of Revelation. Therefore, only Lee Man Hee has the correct teachings of the Bible

§  However, this is false and does not make sense. The sealed scrolls in Rev. 4 is not the book of Revelation because there is no way John was done writing the entire book, since he is barely on chapter 5. He still had many visions to see and record. By chapter 5, John wasn't even half way through with writing the book. Therefore, the sealed scrolls are God's laws that were written in the Old Testament. If you look at Rev. 6, you can clearly see what those sealed scrolls are.

-          Parables of SCJ

o   According to SCJ, Gen. 1 is about a spiritual Creation, not a real, physical one

§  Heavens and the Earth (the people/the church)-

§  everything is symbolic and not literal for them

§  Adam and Eve were not the first humans on earth- they believe there were people already on earth prior to Adam and Eve

o   The second coming of Jesus

§  Matt. 24 and Rev 1 says that Jesus will return on the clouds, so that all can see him. however, SCJ claims that "heaven" and "clouds" have spiritual meanings. for them, "heaven" symbolizes the spiritual world, and "clouds" symbolize "spirit". Therefore, according to SCJ, they believe that Jesus will return not physically but spiritually, using the body of Lee Man Hee. Those who went to SCJ were first attracted because of their teachings. Therefore, they can come out of SCJ by correct, truthful teachings.

Episode 4: Lies

http://www.ondemandkorea.com/people-of-shinchonji-e04.html

-         
      SCJ members used to be normal people, who were simply hungry to learn the Bible.

-          Then how does SCJ get these people? By lying and strategically deceiving

-          Annual “World Peace” Festival

o   Each September, SCJ has a “World Peace” festival in Korea for 4 consecutive days

o   Religious leaders from all over the world are invited to attend (Catholics, Buddhists, Muslims, etc.)

o   SCJ members from all over the world also unite that day in Korea

o   Letters are sent out all over the world using a non-profit organization name such as (IPYG) and Lee Man Hee is introduced as a man who travels worldwide to achieve world peace, after having fought in the Korean War.

o   The purpose of this festival is to “unite” all religions to become one under SCJ

o   However, the religious leaders that attend are not aware that this even is hosted by SCJ

o   SCJ makes it seem as if these leaders accept SCJ teachings and pledge to go back to their countries to teach the teachings. However, this is not true. SCJ hires fake actors to pose as people who love and accept SCJ teachings

o   Everything in the festival points out to Lee Man Hee. He is introduced as the "prince of peace", "the king of kings". Lee Man Hee teaches his doctrine at the festival.

o   victims and family members stand outside of the festival, protesting.

o   only SCJ members and foreign religious leaders who have been invited are allowed inside. news reporters and others are not allowed inside

-          Kim Nam Hee

o   Kim Nam Hee is the head of a religious non-profit organization called “Mannam”

o   She partners up with Lee Man Hee

o   At the 2012 "World Peace" Festival, Kim Nam Hee and Lee Man Hee got married “spiritually” and even had a ceremony in the “World Peace Festival”

o   They suspect that Kim Nam Hee will become Lee Man Hee successor after Lee Man Hee dies (Lee Man Hee is almost 90 and is physically becoming weaker so they are preparing for a successor)

o   she is called, "The mother of the nations"

-          “SCJ Centers”

o   In Seoul alone, there are more than 70 “SCJ Centers” where they teach SCJ bible studies.

o   These centers are not registered neither as a church nor a school- they are illegally operating. In Korea, by law, places that teach 10 or more students for more than 30 days are considered "academies" and must be registered under the "Educational System"

o   These “SCJ centers” use a fake name, pretending to be a “normal church” from a Christian denomination

o   Even students that go to these “SCJ centers” do not know they are SCJ centers. They were just invited to attend, and think they are simply attending a small church, or a small group

-          Evangelism

o   SCJ members are pressured and manipulated to “evangelize” and “bear fruit”

o   By the end of each month, SCJ puts up charts to compare productivity and “encourage” members to bring more people into SCJ

o   Their goal is to fill all the”144,000”

Episode 5: Wounds

http://www.ondemandkorea.com/people-of-shinchonji-e05.html

-         
     Episode begins with the story of a mother of two children, both children are in scj. The mother committed suicide. Prior to committing suicide, the mother visited the anti-scj counseling center in Korea.

-          Stories of people whose family members are involved in scj

o   SCJ members quit schools, their jobs, run away from their homes, and disconnect with family members all because of SCJ

o   SCJ members change 180 degrees (neglect family members, become defensive and attacking, calling parents “demons”)  and lie

o   Some SCJ members wrote suicide letters to family members, saying “the only way non-SCJ family members can receive eternal life “ is for them to kill themselves and lie

-          The reason why people fall into SCJ is because they don’t know the reality and the truth of SCJ.

-          People who have family members in SCJ protest, demanding their family members back.

o   SCJ prevents them from protesting, persecuting them and even bullying family members

o   But family members do not stop protesting because they feel like that’s the only thing they can do

Episode 6: Family
http://www.ondemandkorea.com/people-of-shinchonji-part-6.h

-      
     Episode begins with a scene of a father protesting with signs for his son who is in SCJ. The son sees his father and begins attacking his own dad both physically and verbally.

-          SCJ members evangelize their family members and others for selfish reasons

o   In order for their names to be recorded on the “book of life”, they must evangelize at least 2 people

o   Evangelizing is not for the sake of “lost souls” but for their own salvation

-          Episode shows many stories of people who have lost their members into SCJ.

-          SCJ affects the family and breaks relationships.

-          Religion that breaks families is not true religion.

-          Story of a high school student

o   She got into SCJ through the fake surveys SCJ hands out (another evangelizing tactic SCJ uses)

o   Mom brings her daughter into the Anti-cult Counseling Center. Makes a promise to go to the SCJ studies if the daughter goes to counseling

o   The daughter weeps and cries asking her parents to take her back home

o   She attends counseling with her parents for a week. Then lies to her parents and counselor saying that she now sees why SCJ is a cult and how their teachings are false. She lies in order to discontinue counseling. Her parents believe her and they agree to discontinue counseling until she finishes her college entry exam. However, after she leaves counseling, she never comes back and later admits that she had lied and played the game just so that she doesn’t have to continue counseling and can go back to SCJ.

Episode 7: Love
http://www.ondemandkorea.com/people-of-shinchonji-e07.html

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     A man takes his wife (Kyung Hae) to the counseling center

o   Kyung Hae appears irritated and defensive

o   Kyung Hae claims that she is not “Stupid” and that she “tested” the teachings for herself and found them to be “true”

o   For four hours, Kyung Hae and the counselor go back and forth, attacking each other’s beliefs. Kyung Hae is very aggressive towards the counselor and gets into a heated argument.

o   They stop the counseling session. The husband asks everyone else to leave the room and has a conversation with his wife. Kyung Hae calms down and agrees to come back the next day to resume counseling.

o   The next day, counseling resumes. Kyung Hae begins to listen and be more open to learning biblical explanation

-          SCJ’s teachings vs biblical teachings (that are discussed during Kyung Hae’s biblical counseling session)

o   Lee Man Hee is the Savior (SCJ’s belief) vs. Lee Man Hee is human, like any one of us, unable to save because he himself is a sinner (human) (biblical belief)

§  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Rom. 3:26)

§  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in^[a] Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 6:23)

§  Someone, other than a human, needs to save all of us

o   Each generation has a different Savior (SCJ’s belief)

§  Noah was the savior of his generation by telling people to get into ark to rescue them from the flood

§  Moses was the savior of his generation, delivering the people out of Egypt

§  Jesus was the savior of his generation, by dying on the cross

§  However, biblically speaking, Noah and Moses were NOT saviors- they were simply God’s messengers, and God’s prophets, used by God. God himself saved the people in the Old Testament, not the prophets/servants/messengers

o    Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)

-          After 9 days of consecutive counseling, Kyung Hae finally realizes she’s been deceived and confesses what SCJ has taught her

o   She realized that she held onto SCJ’s teachings for her own sake- to receive salvation, to live eternally, to be part of the 144,000, rather than believing in Jesus Christ for the sake of believing in Him.

-          What helped Kyung Hae turn away from SCJ was her husband’s love- her husband never gave up on her and walked through it with her until the end.

Episode 8: The Word (Final Episode)

-       http://www.ondemandkorea.com/people-of-shinchonji-e08.html
  
     Kyung Hae and her husband attended a retreat and got baptized

-          Kyung Hae confessed that every single day she was at SCJ she was fearful. Fear compelled her to go out and bring more people into SCJ and learn their teachings in order to secure her salvation

-          Kyung Hae’s husband shares that he hopes churches will receive SCJ members and their families into their churches to restore them, rather than pushing them out in order to protect their church

-          What must the church do to help?

o   Churches must teach their members SCJ tactics to prevent falling into SCJ

o   Churches must teach their members the Word correctly so that they won’t seek to fill their spiritual hunger elsewhere

o   Churches must have compassion towards victims and not judge them

o   Churches must preach about salvation and the gospel more often, and correctly.

-          Christian churches in Korea are not blameless

o   Can’t just point finger at cults, but churches must also examine themselves

o   Prideful

-          1980’s, South Korea began developing drastically economically

o   Churches began expanding and preaching humanistic sermons, such as, “if you believe in Jesus, you will succeed and be rich” rather than teaching biblically that “believing in Christ” leads to eternal life, and that we are in the process of sanctification, to become more like Christ

o   Churches began focusing on tithing to grow the churches

-          CBS (Christian Broadcasting Station) started a campaign called, “SCJ OUT” to bring awareness, and equip churches by teaching about SCJ’s incorrect teachings.

-          Churches must teach and live out the Word, in order to withstand the attacks of cults.