Another Gospel: Cults, Alternative Religions, and the New Age Movement

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HarperCollins Christian Publishing, 2004 - 462 pages

A comprehensive survey of major alternative religions in the United States, including new groups since the 1960s.

Crystals, shamans, guided imagery, healing meditation--why have these New Age practices been so eagerly accepted by so many North Americans? Why were Mormonism, Christian Science, and Baha'i so warmly welcomed before them?

Another Gospel explains how these and other alternative religious movements appear to meet people's spiritual needs. As a professor in church history, women's studies, and alternative religions, Ruth Tucker deftly illuminates the personalities whose alleged revelations spawned historical heresies in all the major cults in the United States. Another Gospel:

  • Highlights important controversies within each movement as it aims for religious respectability.
  • Pinpoints how the doctrines and practices of a dozen contemporary groups--as well as the New Age Movement--deviate from orthodox Christianity.
  • Shows how to reach out to cult members about the true Gospel and lasting fulfillment of Jesus Christ.

Appendices describe lesser-known cults, such as Swedenborgianism and Rosicrucianism, and provide cults' statements of belief for the benefit of those seeking to understand the various fringe beliefs they may encounter.

From inside the book

Contents

Preface 91
11
UNORTHODOX MOVEMENTS
31
THE LEGACY OF JOSEPH SMITH
49
ESCHATOLOGICAL CONFUSION
93
A RELIGION OF PROTEST
117
A DENIAL OF THE MATERIAL WORLD
149
HEALTH AND HAPPINESS
177
REINTERPRETING
191
DENYING THE DEITY
217
EVANGELISM AND SEX PERVERSION
231
PROCLAIMING A NEW MESSIAH
245
TRANSPLANTED HINDUISM
267
A PEACE AND UNITY MOVEMENT OUT OF ISLAM
285
MINDALTERING PSEUDOPSYCHOLOGY
299
THE OCCULT MADE
319
Copyright

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About the author (2004)

Ruth A. Tucker (PhD, Northern Illinois University) has taught mission studies and church history at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Calvin Theological Seminary. She is the author of dozens of articles and eighteen books, including the award-winning From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya. Visit her website at www.RuthTucker.com.

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