Is Shincheonji’s recruiting process biblical?
When it comes to sharing the gospel, a Shincheonji person may claim that Jesus used the “wisdom of hiding” to carry out his evangelism, and sometimes even used deception, citing John 7:7-8 when he did not go to the festival with his brothers.
Christian Response
While it is true that Jesus would tell his disciples to not share information, Jesus never told his Disciples or followers to lie about his identity. Also, the interpretation of SCJ does not take into account the historical context of why Jesus was doing this.
While it is true that the Jews were attempting to kill him, as seen in John 7:1, we can also see that Jesus did not want the Disciples to cause a revolt, since they still believed that the Messiah would overthrow Rome.
Facing Persecution and Using Wisdom?
Shincheonji Response
The Christians also faced heavy persecution, resulting in them hiding in caves, as seen in Hebrews 11:38, and having to be as “innocent as doves and as wise as serpents” citing Matthew 10:16.
Christian response
While it is true that the Christians did face severe persecution, Jesus never allowed the use of deception for evangelism.
Using Matthew 10:16 as a way to justify the use of deception is another example of SCJ adding and subtracting to God’s word. When reading the Bible, one needs to take into account the context of the chapter, because Jesus also says the following:
Matthew 10:27 – What I tell you in the darkness, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim on the housetops.
Matthew 10:33 – But whoever denies Me before people, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 16:25 – For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
As for the Christians in hiding in Hebrews 11:38, using this to justify lying about your faith would be considered heretical during the early Christian church.
We can take a look at the example of Stephen in Acts.
Acts 7:54-60 – Now when they heard this, they were infuriated, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they shouted with loud voices, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one mind. When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Then he fell on his knees and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.
Would it not have made sense for Stephen to use the “wisdom of hiding”, and pretend to be a Jew, and temporarily deny Christ in order to live out his life and help spread the Kingdom of God?
We also see James, son of Zebedee, martyred for his faith.
Acts 12:1-3 – Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church, to do them harm. And he had James, the brother of John executed with a sword.
Would it not have made sense for James to also use the wisdom of hiding to spare his own life?
Using these examples, Shincheonji’s use of the Wisdom of Hiding is inconsistent, and quite frankly, illogical and hypocritical.