The Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin

by Walter Ralston Martin

Paperback

About the author

Walter R. Martin was an American Evangelical minister, author, and Christian apologist who founded the Christian Research Institute in 1960 as a para-church ministry specializing as a clearing-house of information in both general Christian apologetics and in countercult apologetics.

Reviews

[Min · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I have an audio edition, which I could not find to list.
Second, if one knows that this is written by an Evangelical author with the intent to compare that theology to any of those presented in this book, then you're off to a great start.

For a book that is quite clearly against any of the belief systems shared in the book, the author does take time to sincerely lay out their belief system. One would learn quite a bit about them from that alone.
That is the reason I give it a 4-- the amount of primary sources is incredible. However, I find the choice of religions very limited, and their examination very uneven. For example, seven hours of the audio book are dedicated to Jehovah's Witness, while Buddhism (the entire religion) is less than an hour. The non-Christian religions are given longer treatments overall.

[James Summers · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are intrigued by the wild and wacky side of false religions, this book is for you. It is absolutely fascinating, covering many of the most mainstream cults. Complete with their beliefs, this book is an excellent resource to understand how cults work, how cult members are used, and how to evangelize them to spread the Gospel of Christ!!! It's four stars merely because I do not remember whether it's one hundred percent theologically accurate, but I do not remember anything in it that would be theologically incorrect. OVerall, excellent book and high reccomend!

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I have read this book before, but I must have skimmed or skipped a lot of it. The only critique that I have is that I wish there were more details about the belief systems of each of these groups. However, a great and practical overview.

[Tyler Timmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great in depth review of major cults history and their theology and how the Christian should seek to bring the gospel to them.

[Riley Ormsby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book. Focuses on a lot of cults I’ve never even heard of, but if they knock on my door I’ll be ready.