Pastor Ding has been serving in a city in East China for many years. Early in the pandemic, he noticed that church members were once infested by heretical groups such as the Eastern Lightning, the hyper-grace gospel, the "Discipleship Home Network” online platform, and Shincheonji.
For example, the heretical Shincheonji Church of Jesus from South Korea sends posters to WeChat groups in China, inviting people to join their online Bible classes. Another example is that some orthodox churches have issued announcements against the "Ministry of Repentance and Holiness Church" founded by Kenyan self-proclaimed Prophet David Owuor. The so-called ministry explains the Old Testament's Passover and advocates that each person should become a Nazirite. It has attracted many young university students in China, spreading their message through gospel tracts.
During the pandemic, Chinese churches couldn't hold in-person gatherings, leaving many believers spiritually deprived. To prevent heresies, Ding trained the small group leaders to explain and provide training on how to guard against heresies. The congregation would report any encounters with heresies to Ding, keeping him informed about groups that required caution.
Pastor Cui, serving in a city in Central China, also faces challenges from the prevalence of heresies, especially Shincheonji.
"Shincheonji has advanced brainwashing techniques," Pastor Cui said. "Shincheonji’s tactics are similar to other heresies, and many believers have weak discernment. With a strict system, Shincheonji provides excellent service, following up intensively online."
Cui believes that hierarchical systems are essentially pyramid schemes. MLM organizations cheat people through high returns, whereas some heresies lure believers with limited atonement. Employing certain tactics, a cult organization claims that only 144,000 people can be saved and that Christ is coming soon; warning Christians that if they don't strive hard, they won't be saved.
He stated that the alarming point is that university students are often the most easily brainwashed group, due to their lack of social experience and discernment abilities.
Pastor Cui knew of a believer who once fell into heresy. At that time, this believer was new to the Christian faith and had a shallow understanding of the truth. However, using his social experience, he sensed something "off" about the atmosphere there and left.
Additionally, social indifference also makes believers more susceptible to heresies. Nowadays, many young people often don't want to get married or date, which provides an opening for heresies that cater to emotional needs. Heresies always employ a dual approach of emotional and doctrinal appeal.
Heresies often attract those who need emotional care and those who are serious about the truth. "It's good for believers to love learning, but it can be troublesome if they are too serious about the truth when heresies beguile them," Cui said. "For example, some people constantly worry about their salvation, questioning who is the most genuine and orthodox. Despite the Reformed Church's serious attitude towards truth, it can't match the heresies’ meticulous dedication. Heresies often have dedicated young personnel who spend a lot of time on this." Because they have a large number of young people, heresies are very active and "outstanding" on diverse online platforms, with advanced technology as well.
To prevent believers from falling into heresies, Pastor Cui claimed that it is the key to raising believers’ general knowledge. "For example, we need to help believers develop a deeper understanding of ecclesiology. The church is a visible entity where people gather together. The hallmark of Shincheonji is gathering believers online to carry out training sessions without real relationships. Yet, believers often know nothing about those teachers, their professions, or their training backgrounds," he explained.
He added that many church members lack social common sense and don't seek to understand the other party's information. Even within the church, members would know about the pastor’s birthplace, faith journey, work experience, and family members.
Pastor Cui said, "Relationship building happens through face-to-face meetings and interactions, whereas heresies mainly brainwash people through one-on-one care and salvation panic."
Cui continued, "Heresies' tactics are actually similar, such as deifying the leader, doomsday narratives, and intense brainwashing. There's nothing new. The issue arises when we tend to focus on more important things, like doctrines, while neglecting basic points—such as knowing nothing of the person with whom we have important connections."
"You are ignorant if you don't know the other person's background but blindly entrust everything to them," Pastor Cui concluded.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
丁牧师在华东地区一城市服事了很多年，早在疫情之初他便发现教会的信徒曾经受到过东方闪电、恩典福音、门训家园、新天地等异端的侵扰。
比如，新天地以微信发送海报的方式，大量邀请人来参加他们的网络圣经课堂。一些正统教会公告反对的肯尼亚宣教团，他们主要讲解旧约的逾越节，并提倡人人都要做圣洁的拿细耳人。他们吸引了很多年轻大学生，并通过发放福音单张传播他们的信息。
疫情期间，教会无法实地聚会，很多信徒无法得到属灵的供给。为防范异端，丁牧师专门地培训了教会的各个小组长，让他们在小组里做防异端说明和培训。教会的成员接触了什么异端，就会向他反馈，让他也知道最新一些需要谨慎的团体。
华中的崔牧师所在的城市教会也是面对很多异端盛行的挑战，尤其是新天地。
“新天地的洗脑能力很厉害，”崔牧师说：“新天地的套路其实和其他异端都是一样的，只是信徒的分辨力太弱了。新天地的系统做得更好，服务很到位，在网络上一对一跟进得很厉害。”
崔牧师觉得异端系统其实就是传销系统。只不过传销系统是通过金钱来激励人(通过高额回报来诱惑人)，而异端系统则是通过有限的救恩来激励人。异端有他的套路，比如，有的异端会说只有十四万四千人才能得救，而基督就快来了；末日就要到了，你不努力的话，就不会得救了。
值得警惕的一点是“大学生往往是最容易被洗脑的群体”，因为他们缺少社会阅历，没有什么分辨能力。
崔牧师所熟知的有一个信徒曾经就陷入到异端里面。那时这位信徒刚刚信仰，对于真理的理解确实并不那么深刻。但是他竟然靠着自己的社会阅历判断那里的“氛围不太对劲”，就离开了。
此外，现代社会关系冷漠也是使得信徒容易被异端容易的原因之一。现在的年轻人往往不愿意结婚和谈恋爱，这也为异端提供了一个破口，他们总是要有情感需要的。另外，异端总是情感和理论双管齐下。
异端吸引的人往往是那些需要情感关怀的人和对真理比较认真的人。“信徒爱学习是好事，但是有时太过较真又碰到了异端就麻烦了。”崔牧师说：“比如，有的人常常想着自己到底得不得救，到底谁最真，谁最正统。改革宗对真理的态度再怎么认真，也没有异端对真理的态度更加认真。因为异端往往找专人（大量年轻人）专门花了大量的时间干这个。”也正是因为有大量的年轻人，异端才会在各大网络平台做得相当活跃、“出色”，而且技术层面也做得非常好。
避免信徒陷入异端，崔牧师认为“提高信徒的基本常识”才是行之要道。比如，我们需要提高信徒对教会论的认识。教会就是实体线下的，是真实的一群人在一起聚会。而新天地最大特点就是“把聚会变成了线上，而把关系变成了培训” 。可是，我们往往是什么都不知道那些老师是谁，做什么职业，曾经在哪里培训过。(==当summary）
他补充说，很多教会信徒缺少社会常识，不会去了解对方的信息。即便是教会里面的传道人，我们也会了解他是哪里人，在哪里信主；干过什么事，做过什么工作，家里都有什么人。
崔牧师说道：“建立关系是通过真实地见面与交流。而异端主要是通过一对一的关怀，通过救恩恐慌给人洗脑。”
“异端的套路其实都差不多的，” 最后，崔牧师总结地说：“神话教主、末世论、高强度洗脑，没有什么新鲜的东西。出问题的地方是我们往往容易关注更高的点，比如教义；而忽略了基本的点——那与自己有重要连接的人，自己却不知道他的底细。”
“若我们不知道对方的底细，就一股脑将自己的一切都托付于他，是一种无知的行为。” 崔牧师最后说。
经验 | 两位南方牧者的探索：如何避免信徒被异端“拉走”？
Pastor Ding has been serving in a city in East China for many years. Early in the pandemic, he noticed that church members were once infested by heretical groups such as the Eastern Lightning, the hyper-grace gospel, the "Discipleship Home Network” online platform, and Shincheonji.
For example, the heretical Shincheonji Church of Jesus from South Korea sends posters to WeChat groups in China, inviting people to join their online Bible classes. Another example is that some orthodox churches have issued announcements against the "Ministry of Repentance and Holiness Church" founded by Kenyan self-proclaimed Prophet David Owuor. The so-called ministry explains the Old Testament's Passover and advocates that each person should become a Nazirite. It has attracted many young university students in China, spreading their message through gospel tracts.
During the pandemic, Chinese churches couldn't hold in-person gatherings, leaving many believers spiritually deprived. To prevent heresies, Ding trained the small group leaders to explain and provide training on how to guard against heresies. The congregation would report any encounters with heresies to Ding, keeping him informed about groups that required caution.
Pastor Cui, serving in a city in Central China, also faces challenges from the prevalence of heresies, especially Shincheonji.
"Shincheonji has advanced brainwashing techniques," Pastor Cui said. "Shincheonji’s tactics are similar to other heresies, and many believers have weak discernment. With a strict system, Shincheonji provides excellent service, following up intensively online."
Cui believes that hierarchical systems are essentially pyramid schemes. MLM organizations cheat people through high returns, whereas some heresies lure believers with limited atonement. Employing certain tactics, a cult organization claims that only 144,000 people can be saved and that Christ is coming soon; warning Christians that if they don't strive hard, they won't be saved.
He stated that the alarming point is that university students are often the most easily brainwashed group, due to their lack of social experience and discernment abilities.
Pastor Cui knew of a believer who once fell into heresy. At that time, this believer was new to the Christian faith and had a shallow understanding of the truth. However, using his social experience, he sensed something "off" about the atmosphere there and left.
Additionally, social indifference also makes believers more susceptible to heresies. Nowadays, many young people often don't want to get married or date, which provides an opening for heresies that cater to emotional needs. Heresies always employ a dual approach of emotional and doctrinal appeal.
Heresies often attract those who need emotional care and those who are serious about the truth. "It's good for believers to love learning, but it can be troublesome if they are too serious about the truth when heresies beguile them," Cui said. "For example, some people constantly worry about their salvation, questioning who is the most genuine and orthodox. Despite the Reformed Church's serious attitude towards truth, it can't match the heresies’ meticulous dedication. Heresies often have dedicated young personnel who spend a lot of time on this." Because they have a large number of young people, heresies are very active and "outstanding" on diverse online platforms, with advanced technology as well.
To prevent believers from falling into heresies, Pastor Cui claimed that it is the key to raising believers’ general knowledge. "For example, we need to help believers develop a deeper understanding of ecclesiology. The church is a visible entity where people gather together. The hallmark of Shincheonji is gathering believers online to carry out training sessions without real relationships. Yet, believers often know nothing about those teachers, their professions, or their training backgrounds," he explained.
He added that many church members lack social common sense and don't seek to understand the other party's information. Even within the church, members would know about the pastor’s birthplace, faith journey, work experience, and family members.
Pastor Cui said, "Relationship building happens through face-to-face meetings and interactions, whereas heresies mainly brainwash people through one-on-one care and salvation panic."
Cui continued, "Heresies' tactics are actually similar, such as deifying the leader, doomsday narratives, and intense brainwashing. There's nothing new. The issue arises when we tend to focus on more important things, like doctrines, while neglecting basic points—such as knowing nothing of the person with whom we have important connections."
"You are ignorant if you don't know the other person's background but blindly entrust everything to them," Pastor Cui concluded.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Two Southern Pastors Share How to Prevent Believers from Heresies
