Understanding the Cults

by Josh McDowell, Don Stewart

Book by McDowell, Josh

Genres: Reference, Cults, Religion, Christian, Nonfiction

199 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Josh McDowell is a bestselling Christian apologist, evangelist, and author of over 150 books, including Evidence That Demands a Verdict and More Than a Carpenter. Once an agnostic, he converted to Christianity while investigating its historical claims. He went on to earn degrees from Wheaton College and Talbot Theological Seminary. For decades, McDowell has been a prominent speaker with Campus Crusade for Christ, addressing issues of faith, character, and youth culture worldwide. His work emphasizes historical and legal evidence for Christianity and tackles challenges posed by skepticism and non-Christian beliefs. He lives in California with his wife, Dottie, and is the father of four children, including fellow apologist Sean McDowell.

Reviews

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

[NOTE: This review pertains to the "Occult' book, not the 'Cults' book]

THE SECOND BOOK IN THE "HANDBOOK OF TODAY'S RELIGIONS" SERIES BY THE MCDOWELL/STEWART DUO

Joslin "Josh" McDowell (born 1939) is a Christian author best known for his many works of apologetics; he has been affiliated with Campus Crusade for Christ (now "Cru") since 1964. In the 1980s, he and Don Stewart co-wrote a series of apologetical books; e.g., 'Answers to Tough Questions Skeptics Ask About the Christian Faith,' 'Reasons Why Skeptics Ought to Consider Christianity,' etc. The other volumes in the "Handbook of Today's Religions" set are 'Understanding the Cults,' 'Understanding Non-Christian Religions,' and 'Understanding Secular Religions,' and are also available as 'Handbook of Today's Religions.' Stewart's Pentecostal-friendly background was an effective complement to McDowell's definitely NON-Pentecostal Campus Crusade orientation. (Stewart raised some eyebrows with a 2011 divorce and remarriage, however.)

They explain in the first chapter of this 1982 book, "In this book we are attempting to expose the workings of Satan and the occultic realm by the standard of God's inspired Word... Our goals include: [1] To be a source of information as to what is and what is not an occupt phenomenon by clearing up certain misconceptions; [2] To keep those who are not now involved in the occult from becoming so; [3] To lead those who are now dabbling in the occult out of such practices and into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; and [4] To inform the believer who his real enemy is and the Satanic devices used in spiritual warfare." (Pg. 9)

The topics considered include: Astrology; the Black Mass; Edgar Cayce; Demons; Jeane Dixon; Dowsing; Fire Walking; Fortunetelling; Ghosts; Hypnotism; Magic; Ouija Board; Parapsychology; Psychic Surgery; Rosicrucianism; Satan; Satanism; Spiritism (Necromancy); Superstition; Witchcraft, etc.

They observe, "Astrologists are victims of their own system. They cannot have the objective authority necessary to explain our own world. If everything is predetermined in conjunction with the zodiac, then how can the astrologists get outside of that fatalism to accurately observe it? What if the astrologists themselves are predetermined to explain everything by astrology? There is no way they can prove their system if they are pawns in that same system." (Pg. 27)

They state, "The career of Satan begins in the distant past. God created a multitude of angels to do His bidding. In the angelic rank there was one angel who was given the highest position, guardian to the Throne of the Most High. His name was Lucifer... Information about Lucifer is revealed to us in Ezekiel 28:11-19. This passage is addressed to the prince of Tyre, a man who was vain because of the wealth he possessed and thought himself to be God. While God is rebuking the prince of Tyre for his vanity, He introduces another character called the king of Tyre, the real motivator of the prince of Tyre... The king of Tyre is Lucifer. He was perfect in all his ways, the highest ranking celestial being, the most beautiful and wise of all God's creation." (Pg. 122-123)

They conclude, "The existence of an evil, supernatural realm, led by Satan and supported by his legions of demons, is a reality... We as believers are never called to investigate all of these occult phenomena... However, this does not mean we are to do nothing. Rather, as believers, we are exhorted in three major areas. First, we are called to UNDERSTAND... that Satan has already been defeated... Second we are called to KNOW... Satan's strategy... Third... we must be on the offensive in what we do. This means knowing God and making Him known." (Pg. 187)

All four books in this series will be helpful to traditional Christians wanting fast summaries and critiques of these various religions, sects, and philosophies.

[Hannah Beth (Hannah's Book Cafe) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt like this was a rather dry read for being about cults. A lot of it went over my head. I did, however, glean some helpful information.

[Kingsley Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful and resourceful.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

gives a general history of many occult and spiritual practices in the world today. very informative.