A Refutation Using “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story”

Analysis of SCJ Bible Study Lesson 5: “Distinguishing Good vs Evil Part Two”

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Introduction: The Spiritual Security Scanner

Imagine you’re going through airport security. A TSA agent pulls you aside and says, “I need to show you something important. Most people don’t realize this, but the standard security scanners miss the real threats. Let me teach you how to identify what’s truly dangerous.”

He takes you to a back room where he has a special device. “This scanner,” he explains, “can detect spiritual threats that ordinary scanners miss. See this person?” He points to a monitor showing a passenger. “The standard scanner shows nothing, but my scanner reveals they’re carrying spiritual contraband.”

Over several sessions, he trains you to use his scanner. You learn to identify “spiritual threats” that others can’t see. The scanner beeps at certain people—sometimes at travelers who seem perfectly normal, sometimes even at other security personnel. “Don’t trust the standard scanners,” he warns. “They’ve been compromised. Only this scanner shows the truth.”

You become proficient with the device. You start seeing threats everywhere—in your workplace, your neighborhood, even your church. The scanner beeps most loudly at religious buildings. “That makes sense,” the agent explains. “The enemy’s greatest work happens where people think they’re safest. Churches are the primary battlefield.”

Months later, you discover the truth: the “scanner” was a prop. It wasn’t detecting real threats—it was programmed to beep according to the agent’s agenda. He wanted you to distrust everyone except him and his organization. The device didn’t give you discernment; it gave you his prejudices. And now you’ve categorized your entire world according to his programming, seeing enemies in churches while trusting strangers, suspecting pastors while following someone who deceived you from the start.

This is what happens in SCJ Lesson 5.

The lesson appears to be a biblical teaching about spiritual discernment—how to distinguish God’s work from Satan’s work, how to test spirits, and how to identify where spiritual battles are taking place. Instructor Nate walks students through Scripture passages about prophecy and fulfillment, Satan’s strategies, and the importance of testing teaching. Everything seems biblically grounded, spiritually mature, and necessary for Christian growth.

But beneath the surface, something else is happening. The lesson is installing a “spiritual scanner” that’s been programmed with SCJ’s agenda. By the time students realize what’s happening, they’ve already accepted the framework: that “testimony of fulfillment” is the primary way to identify God’s work (preparing for Lee Man-hee’s claims), that churches are Satan’s primary battlefield (preparing to distrust all churches except SCJ), that Satan works most effectively in religious settings (inoculating against pastoral warnings), and that words and thoughts are the primary way spirits operate (preparing for SCJ’s teaching that there is no personal Holy Spirit, only “spirits” working through people).

Lesson 5 is particularly strategic because it builds directly on Lesson 4’s foundation about distinguishing good from evil in the spiritual world. Now students are learning how this spiritual battle manifests in the physical world—specifically in churches. They don’t yet know they’re in Shincheonji. They don’t yet know that this “discernment framework” will be used to convince them that all churches except SCJ are infiltrated by Satan, that their pastors are deceived, that warnings from Christian leaders prove SCJ is right, and that the Holy Spirit is not a divine person but merely “good spirits” working through people. They’re learning to use a spiritual scanner, unaware that it’s been rigged to lead them away from truth.

Let’s examine how this lesson operates on multiple levels simultaneously, using the analytical tools from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story.”

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Part 1: What’s Biblical vs. What’s SCJ—Distinguishing the Layers

The Surface Layer: Legitimate Biblical Teaching

At first glance, Lesson 5 contains solid biblical content:

1. God Fulfills His Promises

“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19)

This is biblical. God is faithful and keeps His promises.

2. We Should Test Prophetic Claims

“If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken.” (Deuteronomy 18:22)

This is biblical. We should test prophetic claims by whether they come true.

3. Satan Is a Deceiver

“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)

This is biblical. Satan is the father of lies.

4. We Should Be Alert to Spiritual Attacks

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

This is biblical. We should be spiritually vigilant.

5. False Teaching Can Infiltrate Churches

“For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.” (2 Corinthians 11:4)

This is biblical. Paul warned about false teaching in churches.

This is why the lesson is effective. As Chapter 2 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” explains, Shincheonji operates by presenting “Two Realities, Same Story.” The biblical content is real and accurate, but it’s being used to construct a “discernment framework” that will later be weaponized to support heretical teachings.

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The Hidden Layer: SCJ’s Interpretive Framework

Beneath the biblical teaching, the lesson is building several theological and psychological frameworks that are uniquely SCJ:

1. The “Testimony of Fulfillment” Framework

The lesson establishes that the primary way to identify God’s work is through “testimony of fulfillment”:

“Prophecy and fulfillment distinguish God’s word and work… A place testifying to God’s fulfillment is where He is working.”

“To know we are where God is working today, there needs to be testimony of what God is doing now, in our time. A place testifying to God’s fulfillment is where He is working.”

“What did God do in the past? What is God doing today? That’s what the disciples testified to 2,000 years ago – the promises fulfilled in their time. That distinguished the apostles from everyone else.”

“I want to conclude – a church with testimony of fulfillment is a place where Satan does not work. A place with no testimony of fulfillment is where Satan works.”

What’s Biblical: God does fulfill His promises (Numbers 23:19, Isaiah 55:11). The apostles did testify to what they witnessed (Acts 1:8, 1 John 1:1-3). We should test prophetic claims (Deuteronomy 18:22).

What’s SCJ: The lesson is creating a framework where:

• The primary identifier of God’s work is “testimony of fulfillment”
• Churches without this specific “testimony” are where Satan works
• Having this “testimony” proves Satan is not working there

This will later be used to claim that:

• SCJ has “testimony of fulfillment” (Lee Man-hee’s interpretation of Revelation)
• All other churches lack this testimony, so Satan works there
• Accepting SCJ’s “testimony” is necessary to be where God is working

Biblical Response:

While God does fulfill His promises and we should test prophetic claims, the New Testament does not establish “testimony of fulfillment” as the primary way to identify where God is working. Instead, it identifies God’s work by:

1. The gospel being preached:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16)

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:14)

2. The fruit of the Spirit:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

3. Love for one another:

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

4. Sound doctrine:

“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16)

5. The presence of the Holy Spirit:

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17)

The apostolic testimony was unique:

The apostles’ role as eyewitnesses was unique and unrepeatable:

“Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” (Acts 1:21-22)

The apostles were chosen specifically because they were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection. This was a unique, foundational role that cannot be replicated today.

The foundation is complete:

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” (Ephesians 2:19-20)

The foundation has been laid. We don’t need new apostolic testimony to new fulfillments. We build on the foundation already established.

The danger of this framework:

By making “testimony of fulfillment” the primary identifier of God’s work, the lesson:

• Prepares students to accept Lee Man-hee’s claims of witnessing Revelation’s fulfillment
• Dismisses all churches that don’t have SCJ’s specific “testimony”
• Creates a false binary: SCJ (has testimony) vs. all other churches (don’t have testimony, so Satan works there)
• Ignores biblical criteria like sound doctrine, fruit of the Spirit, and love

The Manipulation:

This framework will later be used to claim:

• “We have testimony of fulfillment (Lee Man-hee’s account), so God is working here”
• “Your church doesn’t have this testimony, so Satan is working there”
• “You must leave your church (where Satan works) and join SCJ (where God works)”

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2. The “Churches Are Satan’s Battlefield” Framework

The lesson establishes that churches are Satan’s primary target and battlefield:

“As was mentioned, Satan often works most in churches. Of course, his prime targets are people trying to get closer to God.”

“Have you ever wondered why there is always strife and arguments in churches? Why there are always issues when someone falls?”

“This is the battleground. Not bars, not strip clubs, not nightclubs or places commonly discussed. It’s not Hollywood or other worldly places. The battleground is and has always been the church, and will continue to be so.”

“A church with testimony of fulfillment is a place where Satan does not work. A place with no testimony of fulfillment is where Satan works.”

What’s Biblical: Paul did warn about false teaching in churches (2 Corinthians 11:3-4, Galatians 1:6-9). Jesus warned about wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15). The enemy does sow weeds among wheat (Matthew 13:24-30).

What’s SCJ: The lesson is creating a framework where:

• Churches are Satan’s primary battlefield
• Most churches are infiltrated by Satan (those without “testimony of fulfillment”)
• Problems in churches prove Satan is working there
• Only churches with SCJ’s “testimony” are free from Satan’s work

Biblical Response:

While it’s true that false teaching can infiltrate churches and believers face spiritual battles, the Bible does not teach that churches are Satan’s primary target or that most churches are under Satan’s control:

1. The church is Christ’s body:

“And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” (Ephesians 1:22-23)

2. Christ builds and protects His church:

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18)

Jesus promised that His church would not be overcome. If most churches are under Satan’s control (as SCJ implies), then Jesus’ promise failed.

3. The Holy Spirit guides the church:

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:13)

The Holy Spirit has been guiding the church for 2,000 years. The claim that all churches except SCJ have been under Satan’s control implies the Holy Spirit failed.

4. Problems in churches don’t prove Satan controls them:

The New Testament churches had problems:

• Corinth: divisions, immorality, lawsuits, disorder (1 Corinthians)
• Galatia: false teaching about circumcision (Galatians)
• Ephesus: losing first love (Revelation 2:4)

Yet Paul didn’t say “Satan controls these churches.” He addressed the problems while affirming they were still churches of God.

5. We should address problems, not abandon churches:

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.” (Galatians 6:1)

“My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20)

The biblical response to problems in churches is restoration and correction, not abandonment.

The Manipulation:

By teaching that churches are Satan’s primary battlefield and that most churches (those without SCJ’s “testimony”) are where Satan works, the lesson:

• Prepares students to distrust all churches except SCJ
• Reinterprets problems in churches as evidence of Satan’s control
• Makes students feel they must leave their churches to escape Satan
• Inoculates against warnings from pastors (“Of course pastors oppose us—churches are Satan’s battlefield”)

This is particularly insidious because it uses legitimate biblical warnings about false teaching to create blanket distrust of all churches except SCJ.

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3. The “Spirits Work Through Words and Thoughts” Framework

The lesson establishes that spirits (both good and evil) work primarily through words and thoughts:

“Spirits work through communicating thoughts and ideas, which can be based in truth or deception.”

“Have you ever had an intrusive thought that seemed to come out of nowhere and startled you? I have experienced that regularly. In those moments, it’s important to pause and discern where that thought came from – is it from God, my own mind, or an external influence?”

“As Jesus said in John 6:63, ‘The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.’ Words and the thoughts they convey are powerful vehicles through which spirits operate.”

What’s Biblical: The Bible does teach that:

• Satan can influence thoughts (John 13:2, Acts 5:3)
• We should take thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5)
• Words are powerful (Proverbs 18:21, James 3:5-6)
• Jesus’ words are spirit and life (John 6:63)

What’s SCJ: The lesson is laying groundwork for SCJ’s theology that:

• There is no personal Holy Spirit (third person of Trinity)
• “Holy Spirit” just means good spirits working through people
• “Spirits” are impersonal forces that work through words/thoughts
• Multiple “holy spirits” (good spirits) exist, not one Holy Spirit

SCJ’s Full Teaching (revealed in later lessons):

SCJ teaches that:

• The “Holy Spirit” is not a divine person but God’s spirit/power working through people
• There are many “holy spirits” (good spirits), not one Holy Spirit
• Jesus is not God but a created being who received God’s spirit
• The Trinity is a false doctrine
• Spirits (good and evil) work primarily through words and thoughts

The Problem:

This fundamentally denies the biblical doctrine of the Trinity and the personhood of the Holy Spirit.

What the Bible Actually Teaches:

1. The Holy Spirit is a person, not just a force or “good spirits”:

The Holy Spirit:

• Speaks: “The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it'” (Acts 8:29)
• Teaches: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things” (John 14:26)
• Testifies: “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me” (John 15:26)
• Intercedes: “The Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (Romans 8:26)
• Can be grieved: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God” (Ephesians 4:30)
• Can be lied to: “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit?” (Acts 5:3)
• Has a mind: “And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit” (Romans 8:27)
• Makes decisions: “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us” (Acts 15:28)

These are personal attributes, not attributes of an impersonal force or multiple “good spirits.”

2. The Trinity is biblical:

While the word “Trinity” doesn’t appear in Scripture, the concept is clearly taught:

The Father is God:

“Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live” (1 Corinthians 8:6)

The Son is God:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:1, 14)

“Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!'” (John 20:28)

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9)

The Holy Spirit is God:

“Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.'” (Acts 5:3-4)

Peter equates lying to the Holy Spirit with lying to God.

The three are distinct yet one:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19)

Notice: “in the name” (singular) of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit—three persons, one name.

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14)

3. The use of “Elohim” (plural) in Genesis:

Some might use the plural form “Elohim” in Genesis to argue against the Trinity or to support the view of multiple spirits. However:

Elohim is a plural of majesty:

In Hebrew, “Elohim” is grammatically plural but takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God:

“In the beginning God [Elohim] created [singular verb] the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1)

If “Elohim” referred to multiple gods or spirits, it would take a plural verb. The singular verb indicates one God.

The plural of majesty is used for emphasis:

This is similar to the “royal we” in English. It emphasizes God’s majesty and fullness, not multiple gods or spirits.

The Trinity is hinted at in the Old Testament:

“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness'” (Genesis 1:26)

The plural pronouns hint at plurality within the Godhead, which the New Testament reveals as the Trinity.

4. Jesus is fully God, not a created being:

SCJ teaches that Jesus is a created being. The Bible teaches otherwise:

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9)

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:15-17)

“Firstborn” here means preeminence, not created first. Jesus is the Creator, not a created being.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:1-3)

Jesus is the eternal Word who was God and through whom all things were made.

The Manipulation:

By teaching that spirits work through words and thoughts without clearly affirming the personhood of the Holy Spirit, the lesson:

• Lays groundwork for denying the Trinity
• Prepares students to accept that “Holy Spirit” means “good spirits” (plural)
• Makes it easier to later teach that Jesus is not God but a created being
• Reduces the Holy Spirit to an impersonal force rather than the third person of the Trinity

This is particularly dangerous because it’s introduced subtly, without explicitly denying the Trinity at this early stage. Students accept the framework before realizing where it leads.

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Part 2: The Psychological Mechanisms at Work

How the Lesson Functions as Indoctrination

As Chapter 5 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” explores, we can examine this lesson through two lenses: “Investigating Shincheonji’s Divine Blueprint vs. The Cult Playbook.” Let’s look at how Lesson 5 employs sophisticated psychological techniques:

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1. Creating Distrust of Churches

The Technique:

The lesson systematically builds distrust of churches by:

• Teaching that churches are Satan’s primary battlefield
• Explaining church problems as evidence of Satan’s work
• Claiming that churches without “testimony of fulfillment” are where Satan works
• Using biblical warnings about false teaching to create blanket suspicion

The Psychological Function:

This creates cognitive dissonance: students are sitting in what appears to be a Bible study (which they likely found through a church or Christian connection), but they’re being taught that churches are where Satan works most effectively. This dissonance will later be resolved by:

• “My church doesn’t have ‘testimony of fulfillment,’ so Satan works there”
• “This Bible study has ‘testimony of fulfillment,’ so God works here”
• “I need to leave my church and join this organization”

The Problem:

This creates isolation from the very communities that could help students recognize deception. By the time students realize they’re in a cult, they’ve already been conditioned to distrust the pastors, churches, and Christian resources that could help them.

Biblical Response:

The Bible teaches us to be part of a church community:

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)

While we should test teaching and address problems, we shouldn’t abandon the church based on one organization’s claim that they alone have “testimony of fulfillment.”

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2. Installing a Binary Framework

The Technique:

The lesson creates a binary framework:

• Churches with “testimony of fulfillment” = where God works, Satan doesn’t work
• Churches without “testimony of fulfillment” = where Satan works, God doesn’t work

The Psychological Function:

This binary thinking eliminates nuance and creates an us-vs-them mentality. Students begin to see the world in black and white:

• SCJ (has testimony) = good
• All other churches (no testimony) = bad

The Problem:

This binary framework:

• Ignores the reality that all churches have strengths and weaknesses
• Dismisses legitimate churches that preach the gospel but don’t have SCJ’s specific “testimony”
• Creates spiritual elitism (“We have what they don’t have”)
• Makes it impossible to receive correction from outside SCJ

Biblical Response:

The Bible recognizes complexity and nuance:

“Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.” (1 Corinthians 3:1-2)

Paul addresses the Corinthians as believers (“brothers and sisters,” “in Christ”), but recognizes they’re immature. They’re not “Satan’s people”—they’re immature believers who need to grow.

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3. Redefining Key Concepts

The Technique:

The lesson subtly redefines key biblical concepts:

• “Holy Spirit” → spirits (good and evil) working through words/thoughts
• “God’s work” → having “testimony of fulfillment”
• “Satan’s work” → churches without this testimony
• “Discernment” → identifying who has SCJ’s specific testimony

The Psychological Function:

By using familiar biblical language but changing the meanings, the lesson makes heretical ideas seem biblical. Students think they’re learning orthodox Christianity because the words are familiar, but the meanings have shifted.

The Problem:

This is classic cult technique: use biblical language but redefine it to support the group’s theology. As Chapter 3 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” explains, this is how “The Sacred Lens” operates—using biblical stories to construct a different reality.

Biblical Response:

We must define biblical terms according to how Scripture itself defines them, not according to how any organization redefines them. When someone uses familiar biblical language, we should ask: “What do you mean by that term? How does Scripture define it?”

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4. Inoculation Against Correction

The Technique:

The lesson pre-emptively frames opposition as evidence of being right:

• “Satan works most in churches”
• “His prime targets are people trying to get closer to God”
• “The battleground is and has always been the church”

The Psychological Function:

This inoculates students against warnings from pastors and church leaders. When a pastor expresses concern about this Bible study, students will think:

• “Of course the pastor is concerned—Satan works in churches”
• “This opposition proves we’re getting closer to God”
• “The pastor is being used by Satan”

The Problem:

This prevents students from receiving legitimate, loving intervention from spiritual leaders who care about them.

Biblical Response:

The Bible teaches us to receive correction:

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” (Proverbs 12:1)

“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.” (Proverbs 19:20)

“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” (Proverbs 27:6)

True wisdom receives correction, even when it’s uncomfortable.

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Part 3: The Progression of Indoctrination

Where Lesson 5 Fits in the Recruitment Process

Understanding where this lesson appears in SCJ’s curriculum helps us see its strategic function:

Introductory Level (Parables) – Lesson 5:

• Students have completed 4 lessons on parables and spiritual warfare
• They’re now learning how spiritual battles manifest in the physical world
• They’re investing significant time (2-4 classes per week)
• They still don’t know they’re in Shincheonji
• They haven’t yet been taught SCJ’s core doctrines explicitly

The Strategic Function of Lesson 5:

This lesson serves as a transition point—moving from abstract spiritual concepts to concrete application in identifying where God and Satan work:

What students have learned (Lessons 1-4):

• The Bible is written in parables that require interpretation
• There’s a spiritual war between good and evil
• Most Christians don’t understand these things

What Lesson 5 adds:

• “Testimony of fulfillment” identifies where God works
• Churches without this testimony are where Satan works
• Problems in churches prove Satan’s influence
• Spirits work through words and thoughts

How this prepares for later teaching:

By Intermediate Level (Lesson 65+), students will learn:

• SCJ has “testimony of fulfillment” (Lee Man-hee’s account)
• All other churches lack this testimony, so Satan works there
• The Holy Spirit is not a person but “spirits” working through people
• Jesus is not God but a created being

By Advanced Level (Lesson 98+), students will learn:

• Lee Man-hee is the “promised pastor” who witnessed Revelation’s fulfillment
• All churches except SCJ are “Babylon”
• Leaving your church to join SCJ is leaving Satan’s territory for God’s territory
• The Trinity is a false doctrine

The framework from Lesson 5 makes these later teachings seem like the logical conclusion rather than the radical departure from Christianity they actually are.

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Part 4: Red Flags in This Lesson

Warning Signs That Should Prompt Investigation

Even without knowing this is Shincheonji, several elements of this lesson should raise concerns:

1. “Testimony of Fulfillment” as Primary Identifier

“A church with testimony of fulfillment is a place where Satan does not work. A place with no testimony of fulfillment is where Satan works.”

Red Flag: Why is this Bible study making “testimony of fulfillment” the primary way to identify where God works?

Healthy Christian Teaching:

• Identifies God’s work by the gospel being preached, sound doctrine, fruit of the Spirit, and love
• Doesn’t create a binary based on one specific criterion
• Recognizes that churches can have strengths and weaknesses
• Doesn’t claim that churches without a specific “testimony” are where Satan works

2. Churches as Satan’s Primary Battlefield

“This is the battleground. Not bars, not strip clubs, not nightclubs or places commonly discussed… The battleground is and has always been the church.”

Red Flag: Why is this Bible study teaching that churches are Satan’s primary target and that most churches are infiltrated by Satan?

Healthy Christian Teaching:

• Acknowledges that false teaching can infiltrate churches
• Teaches discernment and addresses specific problems
• Doesn’t create blanket distrust of all churches
• Affirms that Christ builds and protects His church (Matthew 16:18)

3. Vague About “Spirits”

“Spirits work through communicating thoughts and ideas… Words and the thoughts they convey are powerful vehicles through which spirits operate.”

Red Flag: Why is this Bible study talking about “spirits” (plural) without clearly affirming the personhood of the Holy Spirit?

Healthy Christian Teaching:

• Clearly teaches that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity
• Distinguishes between the Holy Spirit and evil spirits
• Doesn’t reduce the Holy Spirit to an impersonal force or “good spirits”
• Affirms the Trinity

4. Creating Isolation

The overall effect of this lesson is to create distrust of churches and pastoral leadership, which leads to isolation from the very communities that could help students recognize deception.

Red Flag: Why is this Bible study systematically undermining trust in churches and pastors?

Healthy Christian Teaching:

• Encourages involvement in a local church
• Respects pastoral leadership while teaching discernment
• Doesn’t create blanket suspicion of all churches
• Values the global body of Christ across denominations

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Part 5: For Students Currently in This Study

Questions to Ask Yourself

If you’re currently taking this Bible study, here are some questions to consider:

About the Framework:

1. What is “testimony of fulfillment”?
   • Who decides what counts as “testimony of fulfillment”?
   • Why is this the primary way to identify where God works?
   • What about churches that preach the gospel, show fruit of the Spirit, and demonstrate love—do they not have God’s work if they don’t have this specific “testimony”?
2. Am I being taught to distrust churches?
   • Am I starting to see my church as a place where Satan works?
   • Am I viewing my pastor with suspicion?
   • Is this Bible study creating isolation from my church community?
3. What is being taught about the Holy Spirit?
   • Is the Holy Spirit presented as a person or as “spirits” (plural)?
   • Is the Trinity clearly affirmed?
   • What is meant by “spirits work through words and thoughts”?

About My Relationships:

4. Am I becoming isolated?
   • Am I pulling away from my church?
   • Am I starting to distrust pastoral leadership?
   • Am I viewing concerns from church leaders as evidence they’re influenced by Satan?
5. How am I responding to concerns from loved ones?
   • When family or friends express concern, do I dismiss it as “Satan working in churches”?
   • Am I willing to hear their concerns?
   • Or have I been taught that their concerns prove I’m on the right path?

About the Teaching:

6. Where is this teaching leading?
   • If churches without “testimony of fulfillment” are where Satan works, which church has this testimony?
   • If I’m being taught to distrust my church, where am I being led?
   • What organization will I be told has the “testimony of fulfillment”?
7. Is this teaching creating spiritual pride?
   • Do I feel I’m learning things most Christians don’t know?
   • Am I starting to feel superior to other Christians?
   • Am I thinking my church is inferior to this Bible study?

About Investigation:

8. Am I free to investigate concerns?
   • Can I research this organization online?
   • Can I discuss what I’m learning with my pastor?
   • Or do I feel I shouldn’t question because that would show I’m influenced by Satan?
9. What does my pastor think?
   • Have I shown my pastor the materials from this Bible study?
   • Am I willing to hear my pastor’s concerns?
   • Or have I been taught to dismiss pastoral input?
10. What do mature Christians say?
    • Have I asked mature Christians I trust about this teaching?
    • Am I willing to hear their perspective?
    • Or have I been taught that they’re all deceived?

Biblical Principle:

“Test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

If this teaching is true, testing it will confirm that truth. If it’s false, testing it will set you free.

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Part 6: For Family and Friends of Students

How to Help Someone in This Study

If someone you love is taking this Bible study, here’s how to help:

1. Understand What’s Happening

Your loved one is being taught a framework that:

• Makes “testimony of fulfillment” the primary identifier of God’s work
• Creates distrust of all churches except the one with this “testimony”
• Lays groundwork for denying the Trinity and the personhood of the Holy Spirit
• Inoculates against pastoral warnings

2. Ask Strategic Questions

Rather than attacking the teaching, ask questions that promote critical thinking:

About “testimony of fulfillment”:

• “What exactly is ‘testimony of fulfillment’?”
• “Who decides what counts as this testimony?”
• “What about churches that preach the gospel and show fruit of the Spirit—don’t they have God’s work?”

About churches:

• “Does the Bible teach that most churches are under Satan’s control?”
• “What did Jesus promise about His church in Matthew 16:18?”
• “If all churches except one are where Satan works, doesn’t that mean Jesus’ promise failed?”

About the Holy Spirit:

• “What does this Bible study teach about the Holy Spirit?”
• “Is the Holy Spirit a person or just ‘spirits’ (plural)?”
• “What does the Bible say about the Trinity?”

3. Provide Resources Gently

Share resources without pressure:

• “I found this article about how to test teaching. Would you be willing to read it?”
• “There’s a website (closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination) that examines these teachings. Can we look at it together?”
• “I’d love to hear what your pastor thinks about this teaching. Can we talk to them together?”

4. Maintain Relationship

The most important thing is staying connected. SCJ wants to isolate your loved one by teaching them that churches (and by extension, church-going family/friends) are where Satan works. By maintaining relationship, you provide a lifeline when they’re ready to leave.

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Part 7: The Real Biblical Framework

What the Bible Actually Teaches About Discernment

The lesson presents a framework for identifying where God and Satan work, but this framework has been rigged to lead students to SCJ. Let’s look at what the Bible actually teaches:

How to Identify Where God Is Working

1. The gospel is being preached:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16)

2. Sound doctrine is taught:

“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16)

3. The fruit of the Spirit is evident:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearence, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

4. Love is demonstrated:

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

5. The Holy Spirit is present:

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:16-17)

How to Test Teaching

1. Does it align with Scripture?

“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11)

2. Does it confess Jesus Christ as Lord?

“This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.” (1 John 4:2-3)

3. Does it produce good fruit?

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:15-16)

4. Does it build up the church?

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Ephesians 4:11-12)

The Truth About the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is a person:

• He speaks (Acts 8:29)
• He teaches (John 14:26)
• He testifies (John 15:26)
• He intercedes (Romans 8:26)
• He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30)
• He can be lied to (Acts 5:3)

The Holy Spirit is God:

“Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit… You have not lied just to human beings but to God.'” (Acts 5:3-4)

The Trinity is biblical:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19)

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Conclusion: The Rigged Scanner

Lesson 5 appears to be teaching biblical discernment—how to identify where God and Satan work. But upon examination, it’s actually installing a “spiritual scanner” that’s been rigged to identify SCJ as God’s work and all other churches as Satan’s work.

SCJ’s Scanner:

• God works where there’s “testimony of fulfillment” (SCJ)
• Satan works in churches without this testimony (all other churches)
• The Holy Spirit is “spirits” working through words/thoughts
• Problems in churches prove Satan’s control

Biblical Discernment:

• God works where the gospel is preached, sound doctrine taught, fruit of Spirit evident, and love demonstrated
• We test all teaching against Scripture
• The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity
• Problems in churches should be addressed, not used to abandon the church

The Question:

Will you use SCJ’s rigged scanner, or will you use biblical discernment?

The Choice:

You can continue using the scanner this organization has given you, seeing Satan in every church except theirs.

Or you can return to biblical discernment: testing all teaching against Scripture, identifying God’s work by biblical criteria, and remaining connected to the body of Christ.

The Real Discernment:

Real discernment doesn’t come from a rigged scanner. It comes from:

• Knowing Scripture
• Testing all teaching
• Seeking wise counsel
• Remaining connected to the church
• Affirming orthodox doctrine (including the Trinity)

Truth welcomes examination. Deception fears it.

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Resources for Further Investigation

For detailed examination of Shincheonji’s teachings:

• Visit https://closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination

For understanding discernment and testing teaching:

• Review Chapters 10, 12, and 13 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story”

For biblical teaching on the Trinity and Holy Spirit:

• Review Chapters 14 and 15 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story”

For help leaving or supporting someone who’s leaving:

• See Chapter 28: “Hope and Help—Guidance for Members, Families, Christians, and Seekers”

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Remember: Biblical discernment identifies God’s work by the gospel, sound doctrine, fruit of the Spirit, and love—not by one organization’s claim to have exclusive “testimony of fulfillment.”

“Test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)