Recently I was researching the teaching on perfection and its origins. I came across a source which included a post with the above title… “Striving for perfection and the true gospel”. The post can be found here… http://carm.org/striving-for-perfection . The site is run by the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry. First, let me say I have not read everything on this site, everyone should proceed with caution and decide on their own about the material located there. However, the first article I found gave some very good points explaining the trap involved with the teaching on perfection in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). Here are a few quotes…

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that its members are to strive to be perfect.  This perfection, hopefully, results in exaltation, in becoming a god.”

“As you can see, the Mormon is taught that he must triumph over sin, that he is saved by grace after all he can do, and that he must be perfect.  In fact, many Mormons have told me that the gospel is the Law and Ordinances of the Mormon Church, further verifying that forgiveness of sins in the LDS church is dependent upon the persistent and necessary effort of the Mormon to keep the Laws of God.” (emphasis added)

 The writer goes on to explain how seeking salvation by keeping the Law does not work. The Gospel does not include “all we can do…”. After many years in Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) and listening to the many rules – dos and don’ts — from Jane Whaley; this was refreshing to read. Could it be that at least on this one point of trying to obtain salvation by keeping the Law – that WOFF and Mormons are alike? We read on to find, “The real gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, not the Laws and Ordinances of the Mormon Church”. Could the end of that statement just as easily read  … “Laws and Ordinances of the Word of Faith Fellowship”? We have posted recently about rules and the results, that post is found here.. http://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=3649  Instead of “all we can do” as it reads in the Mormon literature, in WOFF-life, it could read – “all Jane tells us to do…”  Or so it seems to me…

   Concerning apologetics and the website mentioned as a source, I am not sure just what all “apologetics” includes. However, here is one definition-

Apologetics (from Greek , “speaking in defense”) is the discipline of defending a position (usually religious) through the systematic use of reason. Early Christian writers (c. 120-220) who defended their faith against critics and recommended their faith to outsiders were called apologists.[1]

(found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apologetics )

     This website appears to use apologetics to defend the Christian faith and expose heresy and religious cults. I read and searched through some of their references and came across a very interesting person. This site included information about – “Apostle Eric” von Anderseck. The post was written by Matt Slick and can be found here… http://carm.org/why-write-about-apostle-eric-vonanderseck While reading about this man, I came across this statement, “This reminds me of the various mind control techniques used in some cult groups where the leadership attempts to retain strict control over what is said and done and often tell their members that if they leave their group, they are in danger of damnation.  After having spoken to several former members of his group, I know that this is what is happening there.” (emphasis added)  

   The first part of the quote was enough to get my attention. “…the leadership attempts to retain strict control over what is said and done..”  Where have I experienced that before? Yes, that is right- WOFF. And the next part about telling members if they leave they are in danger of damnation? Where has that fear tactic been used before?- Yes, there are many other groups besides WOFF that tell their folks if you leave, you will lose your place in God, go to hell, die early, never make it, be sick or some such other calamity. But, the fact that Jane uses that fear maneuver cannot be denied. So, what does this say about WOFF and other groups who use this tactic? Can we be surprised anymore at the number of groups officially called cults that operate in similar ways to Jane Whaley and WOFF? No, we cannot even pretend to be surprised. WOFF is what it is and they do what they do. On the CARM website, WOFF is not specifically mentioned- yet. But, check back, things could change.

A music video for those that care to watch….

    Thank you, for taking time to visit and read this blog. Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. The author is not a licensed mental health professional and encourages those that need professional help to seek it. The intent of the material is to inform and be a resource. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. There are readers at WOFF. Comments are invited from all readers, including present or former members. Polls are not scientific and no private information is gathered.

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    (Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. ) Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 248.