Detecting Religious Counterfeits Using Biblical Criteria

By James Bjornstad

  • Criterion #1 - The Doctrine of God
    • This is a universal criterion
    • Its basis is found in Ex 20:3
    • Application of this criterion can be found in Dt.13 as well as in other passages
    • Essential elements of this criterion are as follows:
      1. There is only one true God (e.g. Dt. 6:4)
      2. Eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
        • The Father is God (e.g. Gal. 1:1)
        • The Word [Jesus] is God (e.g. Jn. 1:1; 20:28; Col. 2:9; Titus 2:13)
        • The Holy Spirit is God (e.g. Acts 5:3-4)
        • One God Who is a plural unity (e.g. Gen. 1:26, 27; Dt. 6:4; cf. Gen. 2:24)
      3. Who created the heavens and earth from nonexistence (e.g. Gen. 1:1; Ps 33:6)

     
  • Criterion #2 - The Fulfillment of Prophecy
    • This is a particular application, i.e. it can be applied only when a prophecy has been made
    • Its basis is found in Dt. 18:18-22
    • Application of this criterion is found in Isa. 41:21-24; 44:7; 45:21
    • The value of this criterion is as follows:
      1. If criterion #1 indicates a spiritual counterfeit, criterion #2 is not necessary
      2. If criterion #1 indicates no clear error, criterion #2 could be used (when applicable) to detect a false prophet
      3. Criterion #2 can be used to help those in a group claiming to have a prophet to see that they are following a false prophet

     
  • Criterion #3 - The Doctrine of Jesus
    • This is a universal criterion
    • Its basis is found in the New Testament which presents a very specific understanding of Jesus (e.g. Acts 2:22; 3:13-15). In 2 Cor. 11:4 the apostle Paul warns the believers in Corinth of the existence of "another Jesus" (i.e. a false understanding of Jesus; a counterfeit version)
    • Application of this criterion can be found in 1 Jn. 4:2-3. Cerinthus, a contemporary of the apostle John and a teacher in Ephesus, separated Jesus from Christ in his theology. He taught that Christ descended on Jesus after his baptism and left before his crucifixion. Jesus [the man] suffered and died, not Christ [a pure spirit]. In assessing Cerinthus' Christology, the apostle John wrote: "Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come [and continues to be] in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess [this] is not from God"
    • Essential elements of this criterion are as follows:
      1. Jesus' person
        • His deity (e.g. Jn. 8:23-24)
        • His humanity (e.g. Jn. 1:14; Phil. 2:7)
      2. Jesus' work
        • His death/His atonement (e.g. Heb. 10:10-14, 18-19; 1 Jn. 1:7, 9)
        • His resurrection (e.g. 1 Cor. 15:17; Rom. 10:9-10)

     
  • Criterion #4 - The Doctrine of Salvation
    • This is a universal criterion
    • Its basis is found in the New Testament which presents a very specific understanding of salvation (e.g. Acts 16:30-31). In 2 Cor. 11:4 The apostle Paul warns the believers in Corinth of the existence of "another gospel" (i.e. a false understanding of salvation; a counterfeit version)
    • Application of this criterion can be found, for example, in Acts 15:1-29. Certain men from Judea and certain Christian Pharisees wanted to add to faith in Jesus Christ the rite of circumcision and obedience to the Mosiac Law. The apostle Peter rejected this addition (vs. 7-11), as did the council that met at Jerusalem under James (vs. 19, 20, 28, 29)
    • Essential elements of this criterion are as follows:
      1. Salvation is:
        • A gift from God (e.g. Eph. 2:8, 9)
        • Appropriated by faith (e.g. Eph. 2:8, 9)
        • In Jesus Christ (e.g. Jn. 3:16; Acts 16:31)
      2. Salvation is not:
        • Earned by doing good works (e.g. Eph. 2:8, 9)
        • Attained by keeping the Law (e.g. Gal. 2:16; Rom. 4:1-5, 9-11)
        • Produced by enlightenment or gnosis (e.g. 1 Jn. 2:3-6)

     
  • Criteria #5 - The Question of Authority and Control
    • This is a universal criterion
    • Its basis is found initially in the Old Testament
      1. Essential elements of this criterion are as follows:
        • No individual or organization should take the place of God in your life (e.g. Ex. 20:3)
        • No individual or organization should negate your ability and responsibility to reason and make decisions, which is part of your being created in the image of God (e.g. Gen. 1:26)