This lesson explores the spiritual realm, focusing on the distinction between good and evil spirits. It emphasizes that there are two types of spirits: holy spirits, aligned with God, and evil spirits, which are fallen angels that rebelled against God. The lesson aims to deepen our understanding of God’s nature and character compared to that of Satan, as well as to examine the origins of evil.
Key points include the understanding of God as the ultimate source of goodness, described as “I AM” and the Creator of all things. In contrast, Satan, originally created as a high-ranking angel, fell from grace due to pride and the desire to be like God. This rebellion led to the creation of demons, who now serve as agents of evil in the world.
The lesson underscores the importance of spiritual discernment to navigate the ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil. It warns that Satan and his demons often disguise themselves as angels of light, making it crucial for individuals to recognize and resist their deceptive influences. Ultimately, the lesson calls for a commitment to humility and reliance on God as the foundation of all that is good.
Shincheonji holds distinct theological views that differ from mainstream Christian denominations, yet it also shares some common teachings. This overlap can sometimes blur the lines between their beliefs and those of traditional Christianity. Therefore, it is essential to exercise critical thinking and discernment to differentiate between these shared elements and the unique doctrines they present.
While their interpretations warrant careful examination through a critical and biblical lens, it is equally important to approach these matters with an open yet discerning mindset.
The following notes were documented in person during Shincheonji’s 9-month Bible Study Seminar. They provide insight into the organization’s approach to introducing and explaining its beliefs to potential new members, often referred to as the ‘harvesting and sealing.’ This process is described as being ‘born again’ or ‘born of God’s seed,’ which involves uprooting the old beliefs and replanting new ones. This uprooting and replanting must occur continuously. By examining this process, we can gain a better understanding of the mindset and beliefs held by Shincheonji members.
Distinguishing Good vs. Evil Part One
There are two kinds of spirits. Holy spirits and evil spirits.
The two main discussion points will be:
1) Understanding the distinctions between the nature and character of God versus Satan.
2) Examining explanations for Satan’s origins.
We will begin by exploring the identity of God.
1. Who is God?
When contemplating God, what attributes come to mind?
– God is Spirit. Worship Him in spirit and in truth.
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.
– Creator of the heavens and the earth.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
– Father of all.
one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
– One God: You are alone.
LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.
– “I AM”. Self-existence.
God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.”
Jehovah was one of the names used for God. We do not address God casually by his name Jehovah out of respect. Instead, we respectfully call him Lord, just as we would call our earthly father out of respect.
When God spoke to Moses, He introduced Himself as “I AM WHO I AM” – meaning He is the eternal, self-existent One with no beginning and no end. He does not need a creator, because He has always existed.
God is the source and standard of life itself. He does not need someone else to give Him life, because He is life. Similarly, He does not need someone else to give Him light, because He is light. Let’s understand what God is the standard of:
A certain ruler asked him, ‘Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’
Why do you call me good?’ Jesus answered. ‘No one is good–except God alone.
Jesus answered, “No one is good except God alone.” Jesus was doing many wonderful things for people – going around healing, teaching with compassion, and performing good deeds. When someone called Jesus “Good teacher,” he had to reframe their concept of “good.”
Though good deeds are important, they are not the standard for what is good. So what did Jesus say? “No one is good except God alone.” This means that the source of Jesus’ goodness was his proximity to God, who is inherently and only good – there is no evil in Him. When Jesus says God is good, he’s saying God is what good is. Good is defined by those three letters: G-O-D. So for anything to be truly good, it must originate from and belong to God. It cannot be good on its own.
This is a key point to remember. God is not alone in the spiritual realm – angels also exist. But the source of goodness is God alone.
2. Who are Angels?
Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Not all spirits are angels. Angels are ministering spirits to those who will receive salvation. Angels were created by God to serve those who will inherit salvation.
How did they come to be? They were created.
Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.
Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion.
Angels are created beings made to praise and obey God. How many angels are there? Countless.
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.
The Apostle John struggled to quantify the vast number of angels, describing them as thousands upon thousands, even 10 thousand times 10 thousand – simply innumerable. This begs the question: How does God maintain order among such a multitude of angelic beings?
The Bible indicates that there is a structure and hierarchy in heaven. God has appointed certain angels to have unique leadership roles, where they are responsible for overseeing groups of other spirits.
“Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”
Joshua encounters a divine commander and falls to his face in awe. This divine commander is believed to be the Archangel Michael.
Before creation, in the spiritual realm, there was no evil – only perfection, unity and holiness. At this point, the spiritual world was undivided, whole and beautiful. Unfortunately, this unity was later disrupted by an event involving Satan.
3. Who Is Satan?
Did God create Satan?
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
It says here, the serpent was more cunning than any other part of God’s creation. The serpent was devious, conniving, and scheming, always looking to deceive. What is this passage talking about – literal snakes that you find in your backyard or countryside? Not at all. Although literal snakes do tend to make their way into things, this is talking about a spiritual entity.
He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.
This text references the serpent from Genesis, described as the ancient serpent, which represents the Devil. It does not refer to literal snakes, but rather uses the serpent as a metaphor for Satan. Further examination of additional names and descriptions for Satan across scripture could prove insightful. As one example, the term ‘Satan’ is used in writings attributed to David.
And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?
Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.
In this passage, David is speaking to Joab specifically, the original Hebrew text uses the term “Satan” which means adversary.
So the term “Satan” was used to mean an adversary, opponent or one who plots against another. It is a title similar to the term “devil.” This provides context around the biblical usage of the term Satan to mean an accuser or enemy, rather than referring to a specific entity.”
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Opposer, adversary, Satan, devil all mean a very similar thing. They refer to qualities and actions that Satan embodies as he tries to undermine goodness.
But how did Satan come to be this way?
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
God says “Let us make man in our image.” There is debate over who the “us” refers to here – potentially God speaking to the angels or to the spiritual world. More analysis is needed to fully understand this passage.
There is a similar passage in Genesis 3:22 where God says something comparable. This verse is often misunderstood. Further examination of Genesis chapter 3 in context may provide clarity
And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”
God said, “Man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil.” The use of “one” in the English language here is a bit ambiguous – it can mean either singular or plural. In this context, God seems to be using it in the plural sense, referring to himself and other divine beings.
Earlier, there was only good in the beginning. Evil did not yet exist. So when God says man has become like “the one” who knows good and evil, he is referring to a being who deviated from the initial state of pure good and came to also know evil. “Man has become like one; who used to be, one of us, knowing good and evil”
This implies evil originated from a separation – a deviation from unity with the divine source that was originally all good. Man now resembles that separated being in also having awareness of duality. The text prompts further reflection on the potential origins of evil given that God and the spiritual world were initially all good without evil.
One might ask, what is the origin of evil?
12 How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!
13 You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens;
I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.
14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”
15 But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.
Evil began to form within him – a desire emerged. Specifically, Lucifer desired to become like God; not just similar, but to actually become God. As a created being, he wanted to surpass the Creator.
To become greater than something, one must first separate from it in order to surpass it. God is good – nothing bad or less good. So to separate from good means to turn towards evil. Lucifer’s desire to be greater than God, who is good, was an evil desire.
Lucifer did not just ponder the thought of being God. He brought the thought to life. Let us examine Ezekiel 28:11-19 for further details.”
11 The word of the Lord came to me: 12 “Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“‘You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings[b] were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared.
14 You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.
15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.
16 Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.
17 Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.
18 By your many sins and dishonest trade you have desecrated your sanctuaries. So I made a fire come out from you, and it consumed you, and I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching.
19 All the nations who knew you are appalled at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more.’”
This prophecy is about the king of Tyre, but it seems to be referring to more than just a human king. What does verse 12 say?
It speaks of “lamenting” and judging the “king of Tyre.” At first glance, this seems to refer to a human ruler. However, the next verse says this figure was in the Garden of Eden. The human king of Tyre was not alive at that time, so who is this really referring to?
Let’s learn more about who Satan once was, according to verses 13-15:
– You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
– You were in Eden, the garden of God.
– Every precious stone adorned you. Your settings and mountings were made of gold.
– You were created as a guardian cherub, a high-ranking angel.
– You were anointed and appointed by God.
– You were on the holy mount of God and walked among the fiery stones.
The key point is that God did not create Satan in his current evil state. He created a guardian angel who later became Satan by his own choice. This is important because people often blame God for the evil in the world, as if He created it that way originally. But He did not.
15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.
16 Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned.
So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.
17 Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.
18 By your many sins and dishonest trade you have desecrated your sanctuaries.
So I made a fire come out from you, and it consumed you, and I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching.
19 All the nations who knew you are appalled at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more.’”
Verse 15 states you were blameless in his ways, meaning he was good initially. There was no evil in him to begin with. From the day he was created until wickedness was later found in him. This verse is referring to Satan before his fall, when he was still without sin. The fall came about because of the emergence of Satan’s ego and ambition to be equal to God.
Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
Pride and greed refer to arrogance and self-absorption. For example, being boastful about one’s looks or talents as if one is solely responsible for them. In reality, our appearance and abilities are gifts, often inherited from parents or other sources outside of our control.
The passage suggests that God condemns pride because it echoes the arrogance of a fallen angel who rebelled, caused discord, and became Satan. This story conveys that unchecked pride and greed can lead to harm.
Rather than pride, the passage advocates for humility – recognizing that our gifts and position come from external sources. Practicing humility also helps preserve harmony and prevents the discord associated with the fall of Satan.
The text notes that Satan has an army of fellow fallen angels called demons. This imagery conveys that pride and greed have a tendency to spread disunity rather than remain isolated. Yet the passage calls us to the opposite virtue of humility, which brings people together.
4. Who are Demons?
Demons are fallen angels.
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
Scripture teaches that God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them into hell. When cast into hell, they became demons. This raises questions – if God is purely good, how could pride, greed or evil arise? What did God grant his angels, as he grants us?
The gift of free will. A being lacking free will cannot sin. Automatons and robots cannot sin; the angels have free will as well. They praise and obey God by choice, not compulsion.
They desire to praise God, finding Him worthy. Demons are a group of angels who rebelled against God. It’s a common misconception that a third of the angels rebelled. Additionally, there are countless angels according to scripture. How many angels rebelled against God?
The number of the mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand. I heard their number.
This passage discusses a spiritual war unfolding between good and evil forces. It references Revelation 12:16, which mentions an army of 200 million on the side of Satan. This is a sizable number, but not nearly as innumerable as the “countless” holy forces.
The key takeaway is that Satan and his demons have the capacity to cause tremendous damage in our world, even though their numbers are far fewer. This spiritual battle has made its way into the physical world ever since the events described in Genesis 2-3, when evil first entered into creation.
Luke 18 9-14
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
That makes more sense, doesn’t it? Two people came up to pray to God. One person had a prideful prayer, saying “God, thank you that I’m not like these other people here. I fast, I tithe, I follow the law. Thank you Lord.” The other person, a tax collector, couldn’t even look up to God and said “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Who was justified before God? The tax collector who humbly admitted his sin.
The Pharisee reminds God of Satan in his pride. We should not have prideful characteristics. If we notice those in ourselves, we need to repent and humble ourselves repeatedly, not just once. This is an ongoing practice.
Satan too started off good and became evil through pride. We need constant humility and repentance. Let’s be those who repent always.
Memorization
“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Instructor Review
SUMMARY
Distinguishing Good from Evil – Part One
In the spiritual world, there are two kinds of spirits: good spirits, who belong to God the Creator, and evil spirits, who were once good angels created by God but rebelled against Him.
Originally, God only created good spirits and angels. Genesis describes how God saw that His creations were good. The angels he made were holy ministering spirits who praised and obeyed God. However, one high-ranking guardian angel formed in his heart the desire to become God. As Ezekiel 28 describes, through his widespread trade and influence, he was able to convince other angels to rebel with him. These rebellious angels became demons – their number is given in Revelation as 200 million.
These angels fell due to the sins of pride and greed. Their rebellion sparked a spiritual war that came into the physical world. As this war continues, these demons, led by Satan who was once an angel himself, seek to devour and lead astray those trying to draw closer to God. They disguise themselves as angels of light to more effectively deceive people.
Thus, it is critical for us to be able to spiritually discern between good and evil. If we cannot distinguish, we risk becoming casualties in this spiritual war that started with a rebellion in the heavenly realms but now threatens all of humanity. We must see through the deception of the enemy who appears as an angel of light and cling to God, the original source of all good.
Review with the Evangelist
Review
Distinguishing good from evil part one.
1. In the spiritual world, there are two kinds of spirits: good and evil. Originally, there was only one kind of spirit – good spirits, holy spirits that belonged to God.
2. The creator was God, who is spirit. Who is He? He identified Himself as “I AM”, which is translated as Jehovah. As described in Genesis, God set the standard for what is good when He created the world. At the end of each day of creation, God saw that “it was good.” This conveys that God only creates good things. He does not create evil. What He creates is good.
3. When God created the angels, He made them good. The angels praised God and obeyed Him. They are ministering spirits, countless in number – one cannot count them. The angels are as countless as the stars, which we also cannot fully count, only estimate. Unfortunately, one of the high-ranking guardian angels formed in his heart the desire to become God. This angel started a coup, as referenced in Ezekiel 28 through the term “your widespread trade.
4. Lucifer conducted widespread trade among the angels. Through this, he convinced other angels to rebel against God alongside him. Those that did became demons. Revelation chapter 9 states their number is 200 million, which is not a third of the countless angels. The reason these angels fell was due to their pride and greed making them self-exalting.
As spiritual warfare wages on, there are now two sides battling, no longer just one. This war is making its way into the physical world. If we cannot distinguish between good and evil forces, we risk becoming casualties.
In this war, Satan, who was once an angel, and demons, who were also once angels, aim to lead astray and spiritually attack those trying to draw closer to God. They will not appear with stereotypical pitchforks and horns. Rather, they will seem like angels of light – a much more effective deception. We must cultivate spiritual discernment to see through false appearances.
Let’s Us Discern
A Refutation Using “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story”
Analysis of SCJ Bible Study Lesson 4: “Distinguishing Good versus Evil, Part One – Spiritual World”
Introduction: The Foundation That Looks Solid
Imagine you’re building a house. An experienced-looking contractor arrives with impressive blueprints and begins laying what appears to be a solid foundation. He uses familiar building materials—concrete, rebar, proper measurements. He quotes building codes accurately and demonstrates deep knowledge of construction principles.
“Most builders don’t understand foundations properly,” he explains. “They follow outdated codes that lead to structural problems. But I’ve been trained in the original architectural principles that most contractors have forgotten.”
He shows you examples of other houses with cracks and settling issues. “See? Those builders thought they knew what they were doing, but they didn’t understand the true foundation principles. Your house will be different because we’re using the correct method.”
Months pass. The foundation looks solid. You’ve invested significant time and money. The contractor has been knowledgeable, professional, and thorough. But then a licensed structural engineer stops by and examines the foundation. His face grows concerned.
“This foundation looks solid on the surface,” he says, “but it’s been built with a subtle flaw. See these measurements? They’re slightly off—not enough to notice immediately, but enough that when you build on this foundation, the entire structure will gradually shift. In a few years, your walls will crack, your doors won’t close properly, and eventually, the whole house could become unstable.”
You’re shocked. The foundation looked perfect. The contractor seemed so knowledgeable. How could this happen?
The engineer explains: “The contractor used real building materials and quoted real building codes. That’s why it looked legitimate. But he subtly altered the specifications in ways that seem insignificant now but will cause major problems later. By the time you notice, you’ll have built your entire house on this flawed foundation, and fixing it will require tearing everything down and starting over.”
This is what happens in SCJ Lesson 4.
The lesson appears to be a solid biblical teaching about the spiritual world—who God is, who angels are, the origin of Satan, and the nature of good and evil. Instructor Nate walks students through Scripture passages about God’s attributes, the fall of Lucifer, and the existence of demons. Everything seems orthodox, biblically grounded, and theologically sound.
But beneath the surface, something else is happening. The lesson is laying a theological foundation that looks solid but contains subtle flaws that will support heretical teachings later. By the time students realize where this foundation leads, they’ve already built their entire understanding of Scripture on it, and correcting it will require deconstructing everything they’ve learned.
Lesson 4 is particularly strategic because it appears to teach basic Christian theology that any orthodox believer would affirm: God is spirit, God is good, Satan was a fallen angel, demons are fallen angels. Students don’t yet know they’re in Shincheonji. They don’t yet know that this “solid foundation” contains subtle alterations that will later support teachings that deny the Trinity, reduce the Holy Spirit to impersonal “spirits,” present Jesus as a created being, and claim that Lee Man-hee is the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. They’re building on what looks like a solid foundation, unaware of the flaws that will eventually cause the entire structure to collapse.
Let’s examine how this lesson operates on multiple levels simultaneously, using the analytical tools from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story.”
Part 1: What’s Biblical vs. What’s SCJ—Distinguishing the Layers
The Surface Layer: Legitimate Biblical Teaching
At first glance, Lesson 4 contains orthodox biblical content:
1. God Is Spirit
“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)
This is biblical. God is indeed spirit.
2. God Is the Creator
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
This is biblical. God is the Creator of all things.
3. God Is Good
“Why do you call me good?’ Jesus answered. ‘No one is good–except God alone.” (Luke 18:19)
This is biblical. God is the standard and source of goodness.
4. Angels Are Created Beings
“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14)
This is biblical. Angels are created beings who serve God.
5. Satan Was a Fallen Angel The lesson correctly teaches that Satan was originally a guardian cherub who fell through pride (Ezekiel 28:12-19, Isaiah 14:12-15).
This is orthodox Christian teaching.
6. Demons Are Fallen Angels
“For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness…” (2 Peter 2:4)
This is biblical. Demons are fallen angels who followed Satan in rebellion.
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 theological foundation that contains subtle flaws designed to support heretical teachings later.
The Hidden Layer: SCJ’s Theological Framework
Beneath the biblical teaching, the lesson is laying groundwork for several theological distortions that are uniquely SCJ:
1. The “God Is Spirit” Framework (Preparing to Deny the Trinity)
The lesson emphasizes that “God is spirit” and discusses the spiritual realm extensively:
“God is Spirit. Worship Him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)
“Not all spirits are angels. Angels are ministering spirits to those who will receive salvation.”
“Before creation, in the spiritual realm, there was no evil – only perfection, unity and holiness.”
What’s Biblical: God is indeed spirit (John 4:24). There is a spiritual realm. Angels are spirits.
What’s SCJ: The lesson is laying groundwork for SCJ’s teaching that:
- “Holy Spirit” doesn’t refer to the third person of the Trinity but to “holy spirits” (plural)
- There are many “holy spirits” (good spirits), not one Holy Spirit
- The Holy Spirit is not a divine person but God’s spirit/power working through people
- Jesus is not God but a created being who received God’s spirit
SCJ’s Full Teaching (revealed in later lessons):
SCJ teaches that:
- The “Holy Spirit” is not a person but refers to good spirits or God’s spirit working through people
- There are multiple “holy spirits” (good spirits), not one Holy Spirit who is the third person of the Trinity
- Jesus is not God incarnate but a created being who received God’s spirit
- The Trinity is a false doctrine invented by mainstream Christianity
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 “spirits” or an impersonal force:
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:
The lesson mentions Genesis 1:26 where God says “Let us make mankind in our image”:
“God says ‘Let us make man in our image.’ There is debate over who the ‘us’ refers to here – potentially God speaking to the angels or to the spiritual world.”
What’s Biblical: The plural pronouns in Genesis 1:26 (“Let us make mankind in our image”) have been understood by orthodox Christianity as an early hint of the Trinity—plurality within the Godhead.
What SCJ Might Use This For: SCJ might use the plural “Elohim” and the plural pronouns to argue:
- That “God” refers to multiple beings (God and angels)
- That this supports their view of multiple “holy spirits” rather than one Holy Spirit
- That this undermines the Trinity
Biblical Response:
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 beings, 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 beings.
The “us” in Genesis 1:26 refers to the Trinity, not angels:
Several reasons support this:
- Mankind is made in God’s image, not angels’ image:
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them” (Genesis 1:27)
The verse immediately clarifies that mankind is made in God’s image (singular), not “their” image (plural). If God were speaking to angels, we would expect “their image.”
- Mankind is not made in the image of angels:
Scripture never says humans are made in the image of angels. We are made in the image of God alone.
- The Trinity is hinted at throughout the Old Testament:
“Come near me and listen to this: From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret; at the time it happens, I am there. And now the Sovereign LORD has sent me, endowed with his Spirit” (Isaiah 48:16)
This verse mentions the LORD (Father), “me” (the Messiah/Son), and “his Spirit” (Holy Spirit).
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. The passage explicitly says “all things have been created through him“—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 emphasizing “God is spirit” and discussing the spiritual realm without clearly affirming the Trinity and the personhood of the Holy Spirit, the lesson:
- Lays groundwork for later teaching that “Holy Spirit” means “good spirits” (plural)
- Prepares students to accept that the Holy Spirit is not a divine person
- Makes it easier to later teach that Jesus is not God but a created being
- Uses the plural “Elohim” and “us” in Genesis to support these distortions
This is particularly insidious because it’s introduced at the foundational level, before students realize where it’s leading.
2. The “One of Us” Framework (Preparing for SCJ’s Interpretation)
The lesson discusses Genesis 3:22 in a way that sets up SCJ’s later interpretation:
“God said, ‘Man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil.’ The use of ‘one’ in the English language here is a bit ambiguous – it can mean either singular or plural. In this context, God seems to be using it in the plural sense, referring to himself and other divine beings.”
“Earlier, there was only good in the beginning. Evil did not yet exist. So when God says man has become like ‘the one’ who knows good and evil, he is referring to a being who deviated from the initial state of pure good and came to also know evil. ‘Man has become like one; who used to be, one of us, knowing good and evil'”
“This implies evil originated from a separation – a deviation from unity with the divine source that was originally all good. Man now resembles that separated being in also having awareness of duality.”
What’s Biblical: Genesis 3:22 does say “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil.”
What’s SCJ: The lesson is interpreting “one of us” to mean:
- There was a being who “used to be one of us” (among the good beings)
- This being deviated and came to know evil
- Man has become like this fallen being
This interpretation is preparing students for SCJ’s later teaching about spiritual beings and the nature of good and evil.
Biblical Response:
The standard interpretation of Genesis 3:22:
“And the LORD God said, ‘The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.'” (Genesis 3:22)
The phrase “like one of us” is understood in several ways by orthodox Christianity:
1. God speaking within the Trinity:
The “us” refers to the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Man has gained knowledge of good and evil, which is an attribute of God (who knows all things). However, unlike God who knows evil without being corrupted by it, man now knows evil through experience and has been corrupted by it.
2. God speaking with His heavenly court:
Some scholars suggest God is speaking with His heavenly court (angels). However, this doesn’t mean angels have the same knowledge of good and evil as God, but rather that God is addressing His heavenly assembly.
3. The irony of the serpent’s lie:
The serpent told Eve: “You will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). God’s statement in Genesis 3:22 may be ironic—man has indeed gained knowledge of good and evil, but not in the way the serpent promised. Instead of becoming like God in power and glory, man has become fallen and corrupted.
The problem with SCJ’s interpretation:
SCJ’s interpretation that “one of us” refers to a being who “used to be one of us” and fell is reading something into the text that isn’t there. The text doesn’t say “like the one who used to be one of us.” It says “like one of us.”
The context of Genesis 3:
The context is about man’s disobedience and the consequences. God is not explaining Satan’s fall here; He’s explaining man’s new condition after eating the forbidden fruit.
The Manipulation:
By interpreting “one of us” to refer to a fallen being, the lesson:
- Introduces a novel interpretation that isn’t supported by the text
- Prepares students to accept SCJ’s later teachings about spiritual beings
- Makes students think they’re learning “deeper” meanings that others miss
- Lays groundwork for SCJ’s complex spiritual cosmology
3. The “Pride and Separation” Framework
The lesson emphasizes that evil originated from pride and separation:
“Evil began to form within him – a desire emerged. Specifically, Lucifer desired to become like God; not just similar, but to actually become God. As a created being, he wanted to surpass the Creator.”
“To become greater than something, one must first separate from it in order to surpass it. God is good – nothing bad or less good. So to separate from good means to turn towards evil. Lucifer’s desire to be greater than God, who is good, was an evil desire.”
“The passage suggests that God condemns pride because it echoes the arrogance of a fallen angel who rebelled, caused discord, and became Satan. This story conveys that unchecked pride and greed can lead to harm.”
What’s Biblical: Pride was indeed the root of Satan’s fall (Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:17). Pride is condemned throughout Scripture (Proverbs 16:18, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5).
What’s SCJ: The lesson is emphasizing the concepts of:
- Separation from God as the origin of evil
- Pride as wanting to “become like God”
- The danger of exalting oneself
While these are biblical concepts, SCJ will later use this framework to:
- Claim that Christians who reject SCJ are prideful (separating from God’s work)
- Argue that questioning Lee Man-hee equals prideful rebellion
- Present humility as accepting SCJ’s teaching without question
Biblical Response:
While pride is indeed the root of Satan’s fall and is condemned in Scripture, we must be careful about how this teaching is applied:
1. Humility doesn’t mean accepting false teaching:
“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.” (Jude 3)
Contending for the faith is not pride; it’s faithfulness.
2. Testing teaching is not prideful:
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)
“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)
The Bereans were praised for testing even apostolic teaching. Testing teaching is wisdom, not pride.
3. Questioning false claims is not rebellion:
When Paul confronted Peter for hypocrisy (Galatians 2:11-14), was Paul being prideful? No, he was defending the truth of the gospel.
The Manipulation:
By emphasizing pride and separation as the origin of evil, the lesson prepares students to:
- Feel that questioning SCJ’s teaching is prideful
- Believe that rejecting SCJ equals separating from God
- Accept that humility means submitting to SCJ’s authority
- Fear that expressing doubts makes them like Satan
This is a classic cult tactic: use legitimate biblical teaching about pride to silence dissent and questioning.
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 4 employs sophisticated psychological techniques:
1. Establishing Theological Foundations
The Technique:
The lesson presents what appears to be orthodox Christian theology about God, angels, Satan, and demons. Students are learning concepts that any Christian would affirm:
- God is spirit
- God is good
- Satan was a fallen angel
- Demons are fallen angels
The Psychological Function:
By teaching orthodox theology at this stage, the lesson:
- Builds trust (“This teaching is biblical”)
- Establishes credibility (“These instructors know Scripture”)
- Creates a foundation that will later support heretical teachings
- Makes students think they’re learning mainstream Christianity
The Problem:
The foundation contains subtle flaws that will support heretical teachings later. Students don’t realize that:
- “God is spirit” is being used to prepare for denying the Trinity
- The discussion of the spiritual realm is laying groundwork for redefining the Holy Spirit
- The emphasis on pride and separation will be used to silence questioning
Biblical Response:
We must examine not just what is taught, but how it’s taught and where it’s leading:
“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!” (Galatians 1:8)
Paul warns that even if teaching seems to come from a legitimate source, if it leads to a different gospel, it must be rejected.
2. Using Legitimate Questions to Introduce Novel Interpretations
The Technique:
The lesson raises legitimate theological questions:
- Who is the “us” in Genesis 1:26?
- What does “one of us” mean in Genesis 3:22?
- How did evil originate if God created everything good?
The Psychological Function:
By raising these questions, the lesson:
- Makes students feel they’re engaging in deep theological study
- Creates the impression that mainstream Christianity hasn’t answered these questions
- Prepares students to accept SCJ’s novel interpretations as “answers”
- Makes students think they’re learning things most Christians don’t know
The Problem:
The questions are legitimate, but SCJ provides interpretations that:
- Aren’t supported by the text
- Contradict orthodox Christian theology
- Prepare for later heretical teachings
- Make students dependent on SCJ for “answers”
Biblical Response:
Legitimate questions should be answered with sound exegesis and orthodox theology, not with novel interpretations that contradict Scripture:
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
“Correctly handling” the word of truth means interpreting Scripture according to sound principles of exegesis, in harmony with the rest of Scripture, and in line with historic Christian orthodoxy.
3. Creating a Framework for Later Teachings
The Technique:
The lesson establishes concepts that will be built upon later:
- God is spirit (preparing to redefine Holy Spirit)
- “One of us” (preparing for SCJ’s spiritual cosmology)
- Pride and separation (preparing to silence questioning)
The Psychological Function:
By establishing these concepts now, the lesson:
- Creates a framework that later teachings will reference
- Makes later heretical teachings seem like natural progressions
- Prevents students from recognizing departures from orthodoxy
- Builds a complete theological system that’s difficult to deconstruct
The Problem:
Students are accepting a theological framework without realizing where it leads. By the time they encounter heretical teachings, they’ve already accepted the foundations that support them.
Biblical Response:
We must examine not just individual teachings, but the entire theological system they create:
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)
Paul warns against philosophical systems that seem wise but are actually “hollow and deceptive.”
Part 3: The Progression of Indoctrination
Where Lesson 4 Fits in the Recruitment Process
Understanding where this lesson appears in SCJ’s curriculum helps us see its strategic function:
Introductory Level (Parables) – Lesson 4:
- Students have completed 3 lessons on parables and interpretation
- They’re now receiving “foundational” teaching about the spiritual 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 4:
This lesson serves as a theological foundation that will support later heretical teachings:
What students learn at Lesson 4:
- God is spirit (preparing to redefine Holy Spirit)
- There are good spirits and evil spirits (preparing for “holy spirits” plural)
- Satan fell through pride (preparing to silence questioning)
- “One of us” in Genesis (preparing for SCJ’s interpretations)
How this prepares for later teaching:
By Intermediate Level (Lesson 65+), students will learn:
- The “Holy Spirit” is not a person but refers to good spirits (plural)
- Jesus is not God but a created being who received God’s spirit
- The Trinity is a false doctrine
- Lee Man-hee has received God’s spirit like Jesus did
By Advanced Level (Lesson 98+), students will learn:
- Lee Man-hee is the “promised pastor” of Revelation
- He is the “one who overcomes” mentioned in Revelation
- Salvation requires being “sealed” in SCJ
- All other churches teach false doctrine (Trinity, deity of Christ, etc.)
The framework from Lesson 4 makes these later teachings seem like the logical conclusion rather than the radical departure from Christianity they actually are.
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. Vague About the Trinity
The lesson discusses God being spirit and mentions “us” in Genesis, but never clearly affirms the Trinity.
Red Flag: Why doesn’t this Bible study clearly teach the Trinity?
Healthy Christian Teaching:
- Clearly affirms the Trinity as foundational Christian doctrine
- Teaches that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity
- Distinguishes between the Holy Spirit (divine person) and angels (created spirits)
- Uses Genesis 1:26 to hint at the Trinity, not to suggest God was speaking to angels
2. Novel Interpretation of Genesis 3:22
“When God says man has become like ‘the one’ who knows good and evil, he is referring to a being who deviated from the initial state of pure good and came to also know evil. ‘Man has become like one; who used to be, one of us, knowing good and evil'”
Red Flag: Why is this Bible study providing a novel interpretation of Genesis 3:22 that isn’t found in mainstream Christian teaching?
Healthy Christian Teaching:
- Interprets “one of us” as referring to the Trinity or God’s heavenly court
- Doesn’t read into the text things that aren’t there
- Recognizes the irony in God’s statement (man gained knowledge but lost innocence)
- Doesn’t use this verse to build a complex spiritual cosmology
3. Emphasis on “Spirits” Without Clarity
The lesson discusses “spirits” extensively—holy spirits, evil spirits, ministering spirits—without clearly defining the relationship between these spirits and the Holy Spirit.
Red Flag: Why is this Bible study talking about “spirits” (plural) without clearly teaching about the Holy Spirit (singular, third person of Trinity)?
Healthy Christian Teaching:
- Clearly teaches that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity
- Distinguishes between the Holy Spirit and angels
- Doesn’t create confusion by talking about “spirits” without clarity
- Affirms the personhood of the Holy Spirit
4. Setting Up Pride as Silencing Tool
The lesson emphasizes that pride was Satan’s downfall and that pride leads to separation from God.
Red Flag: While this is biblical, how might this teaching be used later to silence questioning?
Healthy Christian Teaching:
- Teaches against pride while encouraging humble questioning
- Distinguishes between prideful arrogance and legitimate testing of teaching
- Encourages the Berean approach of examining Scripture
- Doesn’t use “pride” to silence dissent
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 Trinity:
- Does this Bible study clearly teach the Trinity?
- Have you heard clear teaching that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three persons in one God?
- Or is the teaching vague about the Trinity?
- What is being taught about the Holy Spirit?
- Is the Holy Spirit presented as a divine person?
- Or is there talk about “spirits” (plural) without clarity about the Holy Spirit?
- What is being taught about Jesus?
- Is Jesus presented as fully God and fully man?
- Or is there any suggestion that Jesus is a created being?
About Interpretation:
- Are novel interpretations being presented?
- Are you hearing interpretations of Scripture that you haven’t heard before?
- Are these interpretations supported by the text and consistent with Christian orthodoxy?
- How are questions answered?
- When you ask questions, are you given answers that align with mainstream Christian teaching?
- Or are you given novel interpretations that make you dependent on this organization?
About the Framework:
- Where is this teaching leading?
- What theological framework is being built?
- How might the concepts you’re learning now be used later?
- Is this teaching creating dependency?
- Are you starting to feel you need this organization to understand Scripture?
- Are you losing confidence in your ability to read and understand the Bible?
About Investigation:
- Am I free to investigate concerns?
- Can I research this organization online?
- Can I discuss what I’m learning with my pastor or mature Christians?
- Or do I feel I shouldn’t question?
- 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?
- What do orthodox Christian resources say?
- Have I compared this teaching with orthodox Christian theology?
- Does this teaching align with historic Christian creeds (Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed)?
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.
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 what appears to be orthodox Christian theology, but with subtle flaws that will support heretical teachings later. They’re learning:
- God is spirit (preparing to deny Trinity)
- There are good and evil spirits (preparing to redefine Holy Spirit)
- Pride leads to separation (preparing to silence questioning)
2. Ask Strategic Questions
Rather than attacking the teaching, ask questions that promote critical thinking:
About the Trinity:
- “What does this Bible study teach about the Trinity?”
- “Is the Holy Spirit presented as a divine person or as ‘spirits’ (plural)?”
- “What does this study teach about Jesus—is He fully God?”
About interpretation:
- “Have you heard any interpretations that seem different from mainstream Christianity?”
- “How does this study interpret ‘Let us make man in our image’ in Genesis 1:26?”
- “What does your pastor think about these interpretations?”
About the framework:
- “Where do you think this teaching is leading?”
- “What theological system is being built?”
- “Does this teaching align with the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed?”
3. Provide Resources Gently
Share resources without pressure:
- “I found this article about the Trinity. 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. By maintaining relationship, you provide a lifeline when they’re ready to leave.
Part 7: The Real Biblical Framework
What the Bible Actually Teaches
The lesson presents a framework about the spiritual world that looks orthodox but contains subtle flaws. Let’s look at what the Bible actually teaches:
The Trinity
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)
“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… You have not lied just to human beings but to God.'” (Acts 5:3-4)
Three persons, one God:
“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)
The Holy Spirit Is a Person
The Holy Spirit:
- Speaks (Acts 8:29)
- Teaches (John 14:26)
- Testifies (John 15:26)
- Intercedes (Romans 8:26)
- Can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30)
- Can be lied to (Acts 5:3)
- Has a mind (Romans 8:27)
- Makes decisions (Acts 15:28)
Jesus Is Fully God
“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1:1, 3)
Testing Teaching
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)
“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)
Conclusion: The Foundation That Looks Solid
Lesson 4 appears to be teaching orthodox Christian theology about the spiritual world. But upon examination, it’s actually laying a theological foundation that contains subtle flaws designed to support heretical teachings later.
SCJ’s Foundation:
- God is spirit (preparing to deny Trinity)
- There are good and evil spirits (preparing to redefine Holy Spirit)
- Pride leads to separation (preparing to silence questioning)
- Novel interpretations (preparing for SCJ’s system)
Biblical Foundation:
- The Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three persons in one God
- The Holy Spirit is a divine person, not “spirits” (plural)
- Testing teaching is wisdom, not pride
- Scripture interprets Scripture, not novel systems
The Question:
Will you build on SCJ’s flawed foundation, or on the solid rock of Christ and orthodox Christian theology?
The Choice:
You can continue building on the foundation this organization is laying, accepting their subtle alterations.
Or you can return to the biblical foundation: the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the personhood of the Holy Spirit, and historic Christian orthodoxy.
The Real Foundation:
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11)
The foundation is already laid. It’s Jesus Christ—fully God and fully man, second person of the Trinity, Creator of all things.
Truth is solid. Deception has flaws.
Resources for Further Investigation
For detailed examination of Shincheonji’s teachings:
For understanding the Trinity:
- Review Chapters 14 and 15 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story”
For understanding how SCJ builds its theological system:
- Review Chapters 2, 3, and 5 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”
Remember: Orthodox Christian theology is not a secret system requiring special teachers. It’s been taught openly for 2,000 years and is summarized in historic creeds. Any teaching that departs from these foundations should be examined carefully.
“Test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
Outline
Understanding Good and Evil: A Biblical Exploration
I. Introduction
- This section introduces the class topic – discerning the nature of good and evil in the spiritual world.
- It highlights the key objectives: understanding the differences between God and Satan and examining Satan’s origins.
II. Who is God?
- Explores the biblical definition of God, emphasizing His attributes as Spirit, Creator, Father, and the sole source of goodness.
- Uses scripture passages like John 4:24 and Genesis 1:1 to support these claims.
- Emphasizes God’s self-existence (“I AM”) as described in Exodus 3:14-15, highlighting that He is the ultimate standard of goodness.
III. Who are Angels?
- Explains the nature and role of angels as ministering spirits created by God to serve those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14).
- Uses Psalms 103:20-22 to illustrate their obedience and praise of God.
- Notes the vast number of angels described in Revelation 5:11 and hints at a hierarchical structure among them, citing the example of Archangel Michael in Joshua 5:14.
IV. Who is Satan?
- Discusses the origins of Satan, challenging the misconception that God created him as an evil being.
- Uses Genesis 3:1 and Revelation 20:2 to introduce the concept of the “serpent” as a metaphor for Satan, further analyzing the terms “Satan” and “Devil” as titles representing adversarial qualities.
- Explores the ambiguity of Genesis 1:26 and 3:22, suggesting that God may be addressing other divine beings when using the term “us,” and highlighting the concept of evil originating from a separation from God.
V. The Fall of Lucifer
- Examines Isaiah 14:12-15 to analyze Lucifer’s fall from grace, driven by his desire to be equal to God, an inherently evil ambition.
- Connects this event to the introduction of evil into the world, emphasizing that Lucifer’s choice to separate from God, the source of good, led to his downfall.
- Analyzes Ezekiel 28:11-19, using the description of the “King of Tyre” as a metaphor for Lucifer’s original state as a perfect and beautiful angel who was corrupted by pride and greed.
VI. The Consequences of Pride and Greed
- Emphasizes that God did not create Satan as evil; rather, Satan’s free will led him to choose pride and greed, ultimately causing his fall from grace.
- Uses Proverbs 16:8 to warn against the dangers of pride and greed, highlighting the importance of humility and recognizing that our gifts come from God.
- Connects Satan’s fall with the concept of disunity, suggesting that pride and greed lead to separation and conflict, contrasting with humility which fosters harmony.
VII. Who are Demons?
- Explains that demons are fallen angels who followed Lucifer in his rebellion against God, citing 2 Peter 2:4.
- Reemphasizes the role of free will in angelic beings, allowing them to choose between good and evil, contrasting with the inability of inanimate objects to sin.
- Debunks the myth that a third of the angels rebelled, referencing Revelation 9:16 which mentions a specific number of demonic forces (200 million), a significant number but still far fewer than the countless holy angels.
VIII. The Ongoing Spiritual War
- Highlights the impact of the spiritual war between good and evil forces on the physical world, referencing the events of Genesis 2-3 as the entry point of evil into creation.
- Uses the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14 to illustrate the dangers of pride and the importance of humility in resisting demonic influence.
- Warns against the deceptive tactics of demons, who often appear as angels of light, emphasizing the need for spiritual discernment to avoid becoming casualties in this ongoing conflict.
IX. Conclusion
- Summarizes the key points: the distinction between good and evil spirits, the origins of Satan as a fallen angel corrupted by pride, the ongoing spiritual war, and the need for spiritual discernment.
- Calls for continuous repentance and humility to counter the influence of evil forces.
X. Study Guide
- Provides key questions for reflection and further study, focusing on the nature of God, Satan, and the ongoing spiritual war.
- Encourages readers to avoid repeating the prideful traits of Satan.
XI. Review
- Offers additional review questions prompting deeper reflection on the topics covered, emphasizing the duality of spirits in the spiritual world, the ongoing battle between good and evil, and God’s condemnation of evil.
- Hints at future topics for exploration, including discerning spirits and understanding how evil manifested in the physical world.
A Study Guide
Distinguishing Good from Evil: Part One – Spiritual World
Quiz
Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences.
- According to the lesson, what is the standard of good, and what biblical passage supports this idea?
- How does the lesson describe God’s self-identification and what does it signify?
- Explain the nature of angels as presented in the lesson and cite a relevant biblical passage.
- What was Satan’s original nature before his fall from grace, and what caused this transformation?
- How does the lesson explain the emergence of evil in a world created by a purely good God?
- Who are demons, and how do they relate to the concept of free will?
- What specific event marked the entry of evil into the physical world, according to the lesson?
- How does the lesson characterize Satan’s tactics in the spiritual war against humanity?
- Explain the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, and its relevance to the lesson’s message.
- What key lesson does the instructor emphasize regarding pride and its connection to Satan?
Answer Key
- The standard of good is God Himself. Luke 18:18-19 states that “No one is good—except God alone.” This means true goodness originates from and belongs to God.
- God identifies Himself as “I AM,” which is translated as Jehovah. This signifies His eternal, self-existent nature, having no beginning and no end.
- Angels are ministering spirits created by God to serve those who will inherit salvation. Hebrews 1:14 describes angels as “ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.”
- Satan was originally a high-ranking guardian angel, created good and blameless by God. His desire to become equal to God, fueled by pride and a desire for power, led to his fall.
- The lesson explains that God granted angels free will. Evil emerged not from God’s creation, but from the choice of Lucifer (Satan) to rebel against God, choosing pride and self-exaltation over obedience and humility.
- Demons are fallen angels who followed Satan in his rebellion against God. Their fall highlights the concept of free will, as they chose to disobey God, demonstrating that even beings created good can choose evil.
- The events described in Genesis 2-3, specifically the temptation and fall of Adam and Eve, mark the entry of evil into the physical world.
- Satan, in the spiritual war, disguises himself as an “angel of light” to deceive people, using deception rather than overt force to lead them away from God.
- The parable contrasts the prideful prayer of the Pharisee, boasting of his righteousness, with the humble plea of the tax collector who acknowledges his sinfulness. It emphasizes that God favors humility over pride, connecting pride to the fall of Satan.
- The instructor emphasizes that pride is the root of Satan’s fall and warns against harboring prideful characteristics. He encourages continual repentance and humility to avoid following Satan’s path.
Additional Questions
1. What is the standard of good? God Luke 18:18-19
2. Who is God?
– “I AM”, that is self-existent ( Exodus 3:14-15)
– The Word (John 1:1)
3. Who is Satan?
– A created being
4. Did God create Satan?
– Satan separated from God
– Free will
– No (Isaiah 14:12-15)
Be careful to show the same trait as Satan.
Glossary of Key Terms
- Holy Spirit: The spirit of God, representing His presence and power.
- Evil Spirit: A spirit opposed to God, often associated with demons and Satan.
- Satan: The fallen angel, also known as Lucifer, who rebelled against God and became the embodiment of evil.
- Demon: A fallen angel who followed Satan in his rebellion against God.
- Free Will: The ability to make choices independently, without external coercion.
- Guardian Cherub: A high-ranking angel, often depicted as protecting sacred spaces.
- Pride: An excessive belief in one’s own importance or abilities, often seen as a sin.
- Greed: An intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth or power.
- Spiritual Discernment: The ability to distinguish between good and evil, truth and falsehood, in the spiritual realm.
- Angel of Light: A deceptive appearance used by Satan to disguise his true nature.
Breakdown
Timeline of Events
Before Creation:
- Only God and good spirits (angels) exist.
- The spiritual realm is characterized by perfection, unity, and holiness.
Creation:
- God creates the heavens and the earth.
- God creates humankind in his image, granting them dominion over the earth.
The Fall of Lucifer:
- Lucifer, a high-ranking guardian cherub, develops pride and a desire to become equal to God.
- This desire leads him to separate from God’s goodness and turn towards evil.
- Lucifer, now called Satan, influences other angels to rebel, and they become demons.
- God casts Satan and his demon followers out of heaven.
The Garden of Eden:
- Satan, in the form of a serpent, tempts Adam and Eve to disobey God.
- Humanity falls into sin, gaining knowledge of good and evil, and are banished from the Garden of Eden.
The Present:
- A spiritual war continues between the forces of good (God and his angels) and evil (Satan and his demons).
- This war manifests in the physical world, with Satan and his demons attempting to deceive and lead humanity astray.
Cast of Characters
God:
- The eternal, self-existent Creator of all things.
- The source and standard of goodness and life.
- Characterized by holiness, love, and justice.
Angels:
- Created by God as ministering spirits to serve those who will inherit salvation.
- Innumerable in number.
- Characterized by obedience, praise, and service to God.
- Examples: Archangel Michael (commander of the army of the Lord)
Lucifer/Satan:
- Originally a high-ranking guardian cherub, anointed and appointed by God.
- Became corrupted by pride and a desire to be equal to God.
- Led a rebellion against God, drawing other angels into his cause.
- Now the adversary of God and humanity, seeking to deceive and destroy.
- Also known as the devil, the ancient serpent, the accuser, the enemy.
Demons:
- Fallen angels who followed Satan in his rebellion.
- Number 200 million.
- Seek to deceive, tempt, and spiritually attack humanity.
- Disguise themselves as angels of light.
Humanity:
- Created in God’s image with dominion over the earth.
- Fell into sin through disobedience, becoming susceptible to the influence of Satan and his demons.
- Called to repent and follow God, resisting the temptations of evil.
Note: The lesson material provided focuses primarily on the spiritual realm and the origins of evil. Information on specific events in the physical world and individual humans (apart from Adam and Eve) is limited.
Overview
Overview: Distinguishing Good vs. Evil, Part One
Main Themes:
- The Nature of God: Defining God as the ultimate source of good, highlighting His self-existence (“I AM”) and the standard He sets for goodness.
- The Origin of Evil: Exploring the fall of Lucifer, an initially perfect angel, whose pride and ambition led him to rebel against God and become Satan.
- The Ongoing Spiritual War: Describing the ongoing battle between good and evil forces, with Satan and his demon army seeking to deceive and destroy humanity.
- The Importance of Discernment: Emphasizing the need for spiritual discernment to recognize and resist the deceptive tactics of evil, which often masquerades as good.
Key Ideas & Facts:
- God is the sole source of goodness. “No one is good–except God alone.” (Luke 18:19) He is self-existent (“I AM”), the Creator, and the standard by which all good is measured.
- Angels were created good but possess free will. They are ministering spirits designed to serve those who inherit salvation. (Hebrews 1:14)
- Satan was originally a perfect angel named Lucifer. “You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.” (Ezekiel 28:12) He became corrupted by pride and the desire to surpass God. (Isaiah 14:12-15)
- Demons are fallen angels who joined Satan’s rebellion. Their number is estimated at 200 million. (Revelation 9:16)
- A spiritual war rages between good and evil. Satan and his demons employ deception, often appearing as “angels of light,” to lead humanity astray. (2 Corinthians 11:14)
- Humility is essential to resist the temptations of pride and greed. The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector highlights the importance of recognizing our own sinfulness and seeking God’s mercy. (Luke 18:9-14)
Important Quotes:
- “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)
- “He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:2)
- “Man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:22) – Implying a separation from the original state of pure good.
- “You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.” (Ezekiel 28:15) – Highlighting the initial goodness of Lucifer before his fall.
Call to Action:
The seminar emphasizes the urgency of developing spiritual discernment to recognize and resist evil influences. It calls for constant self-reflection, repentance, and the cultivation of humility to avoid falling prey to the same pride that corrupted Satan.
Further Research:
The seminar prompts further investigation into the following topics:
- The nature of the “widespread trade” mentioned in Ezekiel 28:16
- Deeper analysis of Genesis 3 and the introduction of evil into creation
- Scriptural evidence for the specific tactics and disguises employed by demons
- Strategies for developing and strengthening spiritual discernment
Q&A
Q&A: Distinguishing Good from Evil in the Spiritual World
1. If God is good, why is there evil in the world?
God did not create evil. He created angels, including Lucifer, who were initially good and holy. Lucifer, driven by pride and a desire to be like God, chose to rebel. This rebellion, along with the angels who followed him, marked the origin of evil. God granted His creations free will, enabling them to choose good or evil. Therefore, evil arose from a choice made by a being with free will, not from God’s creation.
2. Who is Satan, and where did he come from?
Satan, also known as Lucifer, was originally a high-ranking angel, a guardian cherub, created by God. He was perfect in beauty, wisdom, and adorned with precious stones. However, pride and a desire for power corrupted him, leading him to rebel against God. This fall from grace transformed him into Satan, the adversary.
3. Are demons fallen angels?
Yes, demons are fallen angels who followed Lucifer in his rebellion against God. They were once holy beings but chose to embrace evil and now oppose God and His followers. Revelation estimates their number to be 200 million.
4. What is the spiritual war?
The spiritual war is an ongoing battle between the forces of good and evil. On one side are God and the holy angels, and on the other side are Satan and his demonic followers. This conflict originated in the spiritual realm with Lucifer’s rebellion and now extends into the physical world, impacting humanity.
5. How can we distinguish between good and evil spirits?
Distinguishing between good and evil spirits requires spiritual discernment. Satan and his demons often disguise themselves as “angels of light” to deceive people. Studying scripture, prayer, and seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit can help us develop the discernment necessary to recognize and resist evil influences.
6. What are the dangers of pride and greed?
Pride and greed are at the root of evil. Lucifer’s fall was fueled by pride and his greedy desire for power. These sins lead to arrogance, self-exaltation, and separation from God. As seen in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, pride hinders genuine connection with God while humility leads to justification.
7. What is the significance of God’s self-identification as “I AM”?
When God revealed Himself to Moses as “I AM” (translated as Jehovah), He declared His eternal, self-existent nature. This signifies that He has no beginning or end, relying on no one for existence. He is the source of life, light, and goodness.
8. How should we approach God in prayer?
The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector highlights the importance of approaching God with humility in prayer. Boasting about one’s righteousness reflects pride, similar to Satan’s attitude. Instead, we should acknowledge our shortcomings and seek God’s mercy, as the tax collector did. Humility allows us to connect with God genuinely and receive His grace.