Understanding the Cults (Handbook of Today's Religions)

McDowell and Stewart have written an excellent title on what various religious groups believe and how they compare to traditional Christianity. The book opens with an introduction to cults (the definition of what a cult is and their characteristics). Afterwards, a clear and succinct of traditional Christianity is presented (source of authority, God, Jesus, Salvation, Man, the Holy Spirit, etc.). The rest of the book is dedicated to various cults and how they compare to Christianity. Among the groups covered include: Hare Krishna, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, Theosophy, EST, Children of God, Transcendental Meditation, Unification Church, The Way International, Christian Science, Worldwide Church of God (although this organization has changed its beliefs and may no longer be considered a cult), and Unity. The authors objectively compare the beliefs and show what specific items contradict Christianity. Any adherent to the above groups should honestly evaluate how their beliefs contradict Christianity and consider truth as revealed by God's Holy Bible. The true believer will benefit by understanding what the people of these groups believe and how they can communicate with them over religious matters.