The Seduction of Christianity: Spiritual Discernment in the Last Days

by Dave Hunt, T.A. McMahon

The Bible clearly states that a great Apostasy must occur before Christ’s second coming. Today Christians are being deceived by a world view more subtle and more seductive than any before.   What are the dangers in the growing acceptance and practice of— The seduction of Christianity will not appear as a frontal assault or oppression of our religious beliefs. Instead, it will come as the latest fashionable philosophies offering to make us  happier, healthier, better educated, and even more spiritual.   A compelling look at the times we live in. A clear call to every believer to choose between the original and the counterfeit. Only then can we hope to escape The Seduction of Christianity .

Genres: Christian, Religion, Nonfiction, Christianity, Theology, Christian Living, Psychology

240 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1985

About the author

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Dave Hunt was an American Christian apologist, speaker, radio commentator and author. He was in full-time ministry from 1973 until his death. A prolific best-selling author, international lecturer, and Bible teacher, his writings have been translated into at least 50 languages. More than four million copies of Dave’s books have been sold. For nearly a decade, Dave also co-hosted a weekly radio program, Search the Scriptures Daily, broadcast on over 400 stations in the U.S. and worldwide.

Reviews

[Eric T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much needed warning to the church both 25 years ago, when it was written, and even more so today. Please read it. It may be hard for many to read due to a tendency toward information overload; but bare with it. If the author didn't provide all the evidence that he did, what he has to say would be written off, by even more people, as having been written by a crazy old heretic hunter. Well worth the read, even if you disagree you will be more informed and have better mental discipline for having read through a somewhat dry book.

[Annie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of the books that began my movement away from the fundamentalist church. Ridiculous for any thinking person, particularly those who have read any serious books on theology. Hidden threats and danger everywhere. Fear is the center of this book. Nothing about the redemptive love of God and His plan for all of us. Don't bother.

[John Lipton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up again while on vacation. It's interesting to see how much the perspectives presented in the book have their outcome in the contemporary church, but more so in modern American society. The influence of unorthodox practices, some occult, some pagan/shamanistic, on the contemporary church is not to be ignored.
Of particular interest to me is the expression of what I'd call hyper post-millennialism. The post-millennial viewpoint was commonly held at the beginning of the 20th Century, before the outbreak of WWI. By mid-20th Century it had completely given way to dispensational theology. Now it has returned on steroids.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since it's been a while since I've read this book, I should think about reading it again because of the turning of so many believers from biblical teaching to run after "new" ideas. Pastors & full-time missionaries are finding solace in other books written by men & changing their ways of thinking instead of letting the real foundation be the Word of God. They are examining the Word of God by men's words instead of examining men's words by God's word.

[Sharon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stay away from this book. It was a witch-hunt of people of God. I suppose there were a few correct observations. This is the kind of book that makes you suspicious of everyone, and I believe it brought a lot of needless division to the body of Christ. Not good.

[Olamide OPEYEMI · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a book written over thirty years ago, it speaks so clearly, although quite repetitively, about the great deception that will come upon the whole world, particularly the Church.

Gradually, all religions are embracing a syncretic way of expressing their ideologies to guarantee inclusion for other "faiths" and many "Christian" leaders are joining the bandwagon because of the psychologizing of these ideas. Why should we concede the authority of God's Holy Word to psychology, a "science" that is internally criticized by many scientists, and even psychologists for been a pseudoscience?

The enemy is seriously at work. All Christians must hold only to God's Word as sacrosanct and never the pronouncements of a leader, which even if it's correct and biblical today, could begin to nosedive into the cesspool of ecumenism (the deceitful luring into one world religion which is preparing the way for the antichrist) and outright witchcraft. We can follow men when they are biblical but when they begin to add worldly thoughts into their teachings, we must be discerning enough to set them aside and follow the LORD and His servants who remain faithful.

The seduction is working so far! Many big time "ministries" are not only knee deep but totally immersed into a culture of embracing unbiblical ideas, many rooted in Eastern mysticism and religion. And the corporate world with their corporate motivational curricula, almost always, gets their ideologies from Buddhism, Hinduism, Shamanism etc, and then give it secular sounding terms to hide their real nature. Many are departing from the faith through these deceptions, but it doesn't come as a surprise because Jesus already warned that, "... iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." (Matthew 24:12)

The LORD however said, "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." (Matthew 24:13) We must keep standing on the rock of God's infallible Word and never move away to the sand of secularization that is "uniting" world religions while questioning God's Holy Word.

[Janet Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sister, Joyce Mohr, recommended this book. Since that time, I have purchased & read nearly every book written by Dave Hunt or Thomas A. McMahon. I began to read their monthly publication, "The Berean Call" (free) & have reprints on file, for reference, going back to their beginning. An issue in the mail continues to stir my heart.

[Chris (thebookaholic) Padgett · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I read this many years ago I really like it. I was a Protestant and this seemed to focus on some areas that I needed to hear about. Since then I have grown to really find Hunt to be an extreme author who has no consideration for Catholicism. I would never recommend his books.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book upon its release in 1985. At the time it was a devastatingly prescient expose of the various streams of apostasy running rampant within Christianity. Re-reading it nearly 40 years later, one can only weep at how those tiny seeds of error have expanded to cover nearly the entire landscape and choke out all but isolated corners of those still clinging to Biblical faith alone for their salvation. The book exposes the rampant selfism, sorcery, Eastern mysticism (via Hindu style meditation and yoga), psychology, and outright occultism being promoted within Christian churches. One of the few areas that the book only touches on briefly (in the final chapter) is the acceptance of socialism within some churches as if it is a method used by God to spread the gospel by improving society through government and economic policy. Little did Hunt & McMahon realize how that topic would be worthy of several chapters by the early 21st century. In more recent decades not only socialism, but in some cases outright Marxism have been accepted and promoted by some Christians. I do not know how much worse the apostasy will become, but it is for sure that it will not end until it reaches it fruition just as the Scriptures foretell (2 Thessalonians chapter 2).

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my introduction to Dave Hunt and I've read it 6 if not 7 times. But I don't think I've read it since 1996 or so. I'm due for another read through.

it's a classic and a must for any discerning Christian, regardless of their particular doctrinal bent. I recommended it to two people who read it and the first thing they said after I asked them how they liked it was, "It's scary." It wasn't what I expected to hear, but I saw their point.

I've since gone on to read as many Dave Hunt books as I can and am only restrained by budgetary means from owning every one of his book.

My wife and I were fortunate enough to meet Dave and T.A. McMahon in Clarksville, Tennessee in November of 2001. Dave had taken a seat next to me during at a conference at which he was speaking. Next thing yo

u know I was passing him notes like I was in 6th grade. It was an amazing day.

[Pastor Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten years after Dave Hunt originally published this, I found out about his ministry and began reading his books. I had studied the new age movement and had come to a complete rejection of the ludicrous "charismatic movement" by this time. But this book was one of the first to educate me on the sub-group among the charismatics called "the Word Faith movement", as well as the fact that new age and occult error was creeping into the church.

This is THICK with information and one of those books that you might spread out over a period of days (or a couple of weeks) so you don't feel like your brain is going to explode. That is what makes this book worth the price paid.

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this book especially those that call themselves Christians!

[Adam Ross · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just awful.

[Andrew]

Psychology is the new religion and the gateway that mysticism is using to become " scientific" and so be accepted by the Christian church.

[G. Jorge Medina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prophetic. So much of what Hunt warned about has come to pass in apostate Christianity.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

An important book in its time, but is a little dated now as many of the people in it, younger readers will not have heard of. Many of the false practices mentioned have only gotten worse in the church in the past 35 years. There are probably newer books to confront those. Dave Hunt did love the Lord and His church though.

[Mario H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended by one of the mass deliverance pastor’s Win Worley. I am a slow reader by so far on page 48 very good advise ! Ask God for wisdom so you get discernment really needed in this day and age nearly 40 years afyer the book was written snd the warnings are ever so needed. Dont make this your bible simply take it as a warning and keep your eyes open with Jesus Christ as your lamp!

[youMUSTbebornagain john 3.16-21 · Rating 5 out of 5]

MUST read for anyone who calls themself a Christian.

[Brian Dunbar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another must have for every pastor

[Steve Hadfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great warning to the church that at times has been and still is, asleep in the light.

[Katie Wojta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continues to be relevant decades after the book was written. Dave Hunt was right on.

[Jung Sun · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[Sah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, first I thought this book is really interesting (reading the first chapters from 1 to 4) then the criticism to many things happens; without laying concrete evidence about why he is against this or concrete evidence or arguments that his claims are true. Then I realize the authors are using ad absurdum to its claims like always conjuncting such phenomenon to Satan, really I know you hate Satan but firstly lay some foundations. And since then I thought that the authors are just blabbering about their fear of the last days by conjuncting or equating such phenomenon to what was the Bible says about the last days without concrete evidence or without furthering their assumptions, they just mention that this is related to Satan or AntiChrist without supporting such claims making their statements weak.

But not to mention some of its points are really interesting (like godhood, and how would the AntiChrist would prevail and how he will do it) but I just don't know if it has sense because just like I said the author has weak foundation for its claims and its just speculations to me.

[Laura-Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunt was way, WAY ahead of his time! This book deals with how prevalent the New Age Movement, occult and Prosperity Gospel (originally called Word-Faith) has SUBTLY invaded main line Christian churches. It certainly made him no friends at the time but I knew he was right because I was deep into New Age before becoming a Christian and can instantly spot it.
All that crud had a good foothold in the evangelical, fundamental church back in the 1980s when this book came out. It is a FLOOD now.

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but having itching ears, they shall heap to themselves teachers in accordance with their own lusts."
2 Timothy 4:3
Sincerely, Laura-Lee

[Leticia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book, it is current and true for what is happening in the churches throughout the United States and it's being taken by the lies and hypocrisy that once challenged the apostles in Jesus's time. The false teachers and prophets today are no worse then they were in Christ's time or maybe they are! With the emergent church and seeker friendly/emmergent church of Rick Warren and Bill Johnson's Bethel churching Redding, CA. all have gone apostate and completely away from biblical christianity. Truly the prophecy of Jesus foretold in Matthew chapter 24 is being fulfilled in this day. Watch out! many false teacher be careful that you are not deceived!

[Fit For Faith 〣 Your Christian Ministry. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and much needed book.

Old in writing time and including some names we are not familar with anymore, but more relevant than ever.

Only the positive quotations of Calvin (1x) and C.S. Lewis (2x, specific reference to one of his witchcraft books) are problematic.

[Mimi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting at times but began to drone on and on...

[Karla Renee Goforth Abreu · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit witch hunt like, but that was all the rage, when this book was written. Still, it has some very good information.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed, and contrary to writing on Amazon, it was not anti-Catholic at all. Not even in the slightest.

[Bob Dijk]

Very bad book, influenced as it is by dispensationalism and biased againt Christian Reconstruction.
Read the rebuttal: Reduction of Christianity and the theology of cultural surrender of Dave Hunt