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

SCJ Lesson 42 Analysis: “Secrets of Heaven: Figurative New Wine and New Wineskins”

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Introduction: The Wine Tasting That Changes Everything

Imagine you’re invited to an exclusive wine tasting by a sommelier with an impressive reputation. He’s knowledgeable, articulate, and passionate about wine. For months, he’s been teaching you about viticulture—how grapes are grown, how soil affects flavor, how fermentation works. You’ve learned about different varieties, regions, and vintages. Everything he’s taught you has been accurate and fascinating.

Then one evening, he brings out a special bottle. “This,” he says with reverence, “is unlike anything you’ve tasted before. Everything we’ve studied—all the great wines of history—were merely preparation for this moment. Those wines were shadows. This is the reality.”

He pours a glass. The color seems right. The aroma is pleasant. He uses all the familiar terminology—notes, body, finish. But as he continues talking, something shifts. “The great wines of the past,” he explains, “were incomplete. They pointed to this wine. And I’m the only one who has access to it. If you want to truly understand wine—if you want to experience what wine was always meant to be—you must drink from my vineyard.”

At first, this sounds profound. You’ve invested months learning from him. You trust his expertise. The wine tastes good. But gradually, a troubling question emerges: If this is the only true wine, what about all the other wines you’ve enjoyed? Were they worthless? And if you leave this tasting room, will you ever find satisfaction again?

This is what happens in SCJ Lesson 42.

The lesson appears to be a straightforward Bible study about wine symbolism—exploring what Scripture means by “new wine,” “wineskins,” and the vine. The instructor, Nate, walks students through passages from John, Isaiah, and Revelation, explaining the spiritual meaning of these agricultural metaphors. Everything seems biblical, well-researched, and spiritually enriching.

But beneath the surface, something dangerous is being constructed. The lesson is building a framework that will eventually position SCJ’s teachings as the “new wine” that believers must consume to have spiritual life. Just as Lesson 41 established three Passovers (with the third being SCJ’s “revealed word”), Lesson 42 establishes that there is old wine (Old Testament), new wine at the first coming (Jesus’ teachings), and new wine at the second coming (which will be revealed as SCJ’s interpretation of Revelation).

The lesson also introduces a critical identity shift. Students are told they are “a royal priesthood” who have “received the new word, which others may not have yet received.” They’re told “it will be your job, as those receiving the new word, to help others receive that same word by re-understanding the mindset.” This is recruitment language disguised as spiritual calling. Students are being positioned as enlightened insiders who must evangelize others into SCJ’s system.

By the end of this lesson, students will have accepted that:

1. Wine represents teachings/words
2. There are true vines and false vines (true pastors and false pastors)
3. There is good wine and “maddening wine” (good teachings and false teachings)
4. They are part of a special group receiving “new wine” that others don’t have
5. Their job is to help others receive this new wine

What students don’t yet realize is that the “new wine” is SCJ’s interpretation of Revelation, the “true vine” will be identified as Lee Man-hee, the “maddening wine” will be defined as traditional church teachings, and their “job” will be aggressive recruitment into SCJ.

The lesson sits at Lesson 42 of the Introductory Level—students have now invested approximately five months of study. They’ve absorbed the foundational concepts (sealed Bible, parables, God’s pattern, three Passovers), they’ve built relationships within the study, they’ve likely begun distancing from their home church, and they’re experiencing identity formation as part of an enlightened group. The psychological investment is deep, making it increasingly difficult to walk away.

Let’s examine how this lesson uses legitimate biblical content to build an illegitimate framework, and how we can recognize and respond to this deception.

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Part 1: The Opening Setup—Identity Formation and Recruitment Language

What SCJ Teaches in This Lesson

The lesson opens with a seemingly tangential discussion about literal alcohol consumption, quoting Proverbs 31:4-5 about kings not drinking wine. The instructor then makes this application:

“This principle is also mentioned for spiritual leaders in the book of 1 Peter.”

1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

The instructor then says:

“You know, you are a royal priesthood, those who have been called, like spiritual kings or leaders. As you are learning the revealed word today, you are stepping into that role as ones who have received that new word, which others may not have yet received.

It will be your job, as those receiving the new word, to help others receive that same word by re-understanding the mindset.”

Why This Opening Is Dangerous

This opening appears to be a simple application of Scripture to students’ lives, but it’s actually accomplishing several manipulative goals:

1. Identity Formation as Spiritual Elite

By applying 1 Peter 2:9 to students specifically (rather than to all believers), the instructor is creating a sense of special identity. Students are being told they are “royal priesthood” not because they believe in Jesus (which is what 1 Peter 2:9 actually teaches), but because they are “learning the revealed word today.”

This creates a two-tier system:

• Tier 1: SCJ students who have “received the new word”
• Tier 2: Other Christians who “may not have yet received” this word

This is spiritual elitism disguised as biblical teaching. It makes students feel special, chosen, and enlightened—which creates psychological investment in the group and makes questioning more difficult.

2. Introducing Recruitment as Spiritual Calling

The statement “It will be your job, as those receiving the new word, to help others receive that same word” is recruitment language. Students are being told that their spiritual responsibility is to bring others into this study. This serves multiple purposes:

• Commitment escalation: When you recruit others, you become more committed yourself (cognitive dissonance theory)
• Validation seeking: If others accept the teaching, it validates your own acceptance
• Relationship leverage: SCJ will later use students’ recruitment efforts to keep them involved (“You brought these people in—you can’t abandon them now”)
• Organizational growth: Obviously, recruitment grows the organization

3. The Language of “Re-understanding the Mindset”

The phrase “help others receive that same word by re-understanding the mindset” is revealing. It acknowledges that people will need to change their thinking—to “re-understand” their mindset—to accept SCJ’s teaching. This is preparation for the cognitive restructuring that SCJ requires.

Students are being told that their job is not just to share information, but to change how people think. This is indoctrination language, not evangelism language.

Chapter 14 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “Identity Shifting,” addresses this technique: “Cult-like groups don’t just teach new information—they create new identities. They take your existing identity as a Christian and gradually replace it with a new identity as a member of their group. You go from being ‘a Christian’ to being ‘someone who understands the revealed word’ to being ‘part of the 144,000’ to being ‘a Shincheonji member.’ Each step seems small, but cumulatively, they transform your entire sense of who you are.”

Biblical Context: What 1 Peter 2:9 Actually Teaches

Let’s examine what 1 Peter 2:9 actually means in context:

1 Peter 2:9-10: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

Who is Peter addressing?

Peter is writing to “God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia” (1 Peter 1:1). He’s writing to Christians—believers in Jesus Christ who have been “chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood” (1 Peter 1:2).

What is Peter saying?

Peter is applying Old Testament language about Israel to the church. In Exodus 19:5-6, God told Israel: “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

Peter is saying that what was true of Israel in a limited, national sense is now true of the church in a universal, spiritual sense. ALL believers in Jesus Christ are:

• A chosen people
• A royal priesthood
• A holy nation
• God’s special possession

What is the purpose?

“That you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” The purpose of being a royal priesthood is to declare God’s praises—to worship Him and to proclaim His excellencies to others.

What is Peter NOT saying?

Peter is NOT saying:

• Some Christians are royal priesthood and others aren’t
• You become royal priesthood by learning special teachings
• Being royal priesthood means you have knowledge others don’t have
• Your job is to recruit people into a specific organization
• You need to “re-understand the mindset” of others

The Biblical Doctrine of the Priesthood of All Believers

The New Testament clearly teaches that ALL believers are priests:

Revelation 1:5-6: “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.”

Revelation 5:9-10: “And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.'”

Notice: Jesus “has made us to be a kingdom and priests”—all believers, not a special subset. This is the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers, which was central to the Protestant Reformation. It means that all Christians have direct access to God through Christ, without needing human mediators.

SCJ’s use of 1 Peter 2:9 to create a spiritual elite contradicts this fundamental biblical doctrine. They’re creating a two-tier system where some believers have special access to “revealed word” while others don’t—exactly the kind of hierarchical system that the priesthood of all believers was meant to eliminate.

The Misuse of “Revealed Word” Language

Throughout this lesson and previous lessons, SCJ repeatedly uses the phrase “revealed word.” This language is carefully chosen to sound biblical while actually introducing a problematic concept.

What does “revealed word” suggest?

• That the Bible alone is insufficient
• That special revelation is needed beyond Scripture
• That some people have access to this revelation while others don’t
• That understanding requires a special teacher or organization

What does the Bible teach about revelation?

The Bible teaches that God’s revelation in Jesus Christ is complete and final:

Hebrews 1:1-2: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.”

God has spoken definitively through His Son. There is no need for additional revelation beyond Christ and the apostolic testimony about Christ (which we have in the New Testament).

Jude 3: “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.”

The faith was “once for all entrusted”—not partially delivered, awaiting completion by a modern organization. The complete faith has already been revealed.

2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Scripture thoroughly equips believers. It doesn’t need to be supplemented by “revealed word” from SCJ.

When SCJ uses language like “revealed word,” they’re implying that they have access to revelation beyond Scripture. This is a red flag for any biblically-grounded Christian.

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Part 2: The Wine Symbolism—Building the Framework

What SCJ Teaches in This Lesson

The lesson provides a review of Lesson 41, emphasizing:

“We discussed how Jesus’ words of life were pointing not only to the time of his first coming but also to the time of his second coming. We talked about how Jesus’ flesh and blood were shed for people’s redemption from sin, but also to fulfill his prophecy.”

The instructor then introduces the main reference:

Revelation 6:5-6: “When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, ‘Come!’ I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, ‘Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!'”

The instructor states: “It is crucial to comprehend the significance of the oil and the wine that the angel instructed not to harm in the Book of Revelation. Today, we shall delve into the symbolism of the wine, and in our next lesson, we will examine the oil.”

The lesson then walks through the physical process of wine production:

1. Vineyard (where vines are planted)
2. Vines (grow in the vineyard)
3. Grapes (fruit of the vines)
4. Wine (fermented grapes)
5. Wineskins (containers for wine)

The instructor then adds: “A person’s heart is supposed to be a container.”

Why This Framework Is Being Established

This section appears to be straightforward biblical symbolism study, but it’s actually building a framework that will be used to make SCJ’s teachings essential. Here’s what’s being set up:

The Equation Being Established:

• Vineyard = Israel/God’s people
• Vine = Pastor/Teacher
• Grapes = Fruit/Disciples
• Wine = Teachings/Word
• Wineskin = Heart/Container for teachings

This equation will eventually lead to:

• True Vine = Lee Man-hee
• New Wine = SCJ’s interpretation of Revelation
• New Wineskin = Hearts that accept SCJ’s teaching
• Old Wineskin = Traditional Christians who reject SCJ
• Maddening Wine = False teachings from traditional churches

Students don’t see this yet, but the foundation is being laid. By establishing that wine = teachings, SCJ can later claim that their teachings are the “new wine” that believers must consume.

Biblical Context: Wine Symbolism in Scripture

Wine has multiple symbolic meanings in Scripture, and it’s important to understand the legitimate biblical uses before we can recognize how SCJ misuses them.

1. Wine as Joy and Blessing

In the Old Testament, wine is often associated with joy, celebration, and God’s blessing:

Psalm 104:14-15: “He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.”

Ecclesiastes 9:7: “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.”

Isaiah 25:6: “On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines.”

Wine represents celebration, abundance, and God’s provision.

2. Wine as Judgment

Wine can also symbolize God’s wrath and judgment:

Jeremiah 25:15: “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: ‘Take from my hand this cup filled with the wine of my wrath and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it.'”

Revelation 14:10: “They, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath.”

In this usage, wine represents the intoxicating, overwhelming nature of God’s judgment.

3. Wine as False Teaching

Wine can symbolize false teaching that intoxicates and deceives:

Revelation 14:8: “A second angel followed and said, ‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great,’ which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.”

Revelation 17:2: “With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”

Revelation 18:3: “For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”

This “maddening wine” represents false teaching, idolatry, and spiritual adultery that deceives nations.

4. Wine as the New Covenant

At the Last Supper, Jesus used wine to represent His blood and the new covenant:

Matthew 26:27-29: “Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.'”

The wine represents Jesus’ blood, shed for the forgiveness of sins, establishing the new covenant.

The Key Point:

Wine has multiple symbolic meanings in Scripture, depending on context. It can represent joy, judgment, false teaching, or covenant blood. The meaning is determined by the context, not by a one-size-fits-all equation.

SCJ’s approach is to establish a rigid equation (wine = teachings) and then apply it universally. This ignores the rich, varied symbolism of wine in Scripture and forces every passage into their predetermined framework.

The Problem with Rigid Symbol Equations

Chapter 11 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Pattern Trap: When Typology Becomes a Straitjacket,” addresses this problem:

“Biblical symbolism is rich, flexible, and context-dependent. The same symbol can mean different things in different contexts. Water can represent cleansing, judgment, chaos, or the Holy Spirit—depending on the passage. Fire can represent God’s presence, judgment, purification, or the Holy Spirit—depending on context.

But SCJ creates rigid, inflexible equations: this always means that. Once they establish that ‘wine = teachings,’ they apply it everywhere, regardless of context. This approach doesn’t honor Scripture’s rich symbolism—it flattens it into a simplistic code that serves their theological agenda.”

The danger is that once students accept these rigid equations, they lose the ability to read Scripture naturally. Every mention of wine becomes about teachings. Every mention of a vine becomes about a pastor. The Bible becomes a puzzle to be decoded rather than God’s revelation to be understood and obeyed.

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Part 3: The Vine Teaching—True and False Pastors

What SCJ Teaches in This Lesson

The lesson moves to John 15:1:

John 15:1: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.”

The instructor explains:

“Jesus said, ‘I am the True Vine, and my Father is the gardener,’ highlighting his unique position. He proclaimed himself to be the true vine.

Vines produce grapes from their branches. Therefore, when Jesus declared, ‘I am the true vine,’ it was necessary for him to specify that he is the ‘true’ one. Why? Because a falsehood also exists. If something is not true, then it is false, right? Thus, Jesus needed to clarify that he is the True Vine, distinguishing himself from false vines that also exist.

Keep this in mind: Jesus was a pastor, a teacher, a rabbi of the word. The primary meaning of ‘vine,’ therefore, is a pastor, which aligns well with our discussion on ignited trees—same meaning. The Vine represents a pastor, and later in verse 5, Jesus said, ‘And you are my disciples.’

In other words, ‘You, my disciples, are the branches connected to me, and it is your job to go out and bear fruit,’ which is what branches do—they grow fruit on them. And fruit represents evangelists or bringing others to be connected to Jesus, as the disciples were.”

What’s Right and What’s Wrong

What’s Right:

The instructor correctly notes that:

1. Jesus identified Himself as the “true” vine, implying there are false vines
2. The vine-and-branches metaphor describes the relationship between Jesus and His disciples
3. Branches are meant to bear fruit
4. Fruit-bearing involves bringing others to Christ

These are legitimate biblical observations.

What’s Wrong:

The problem is the rigid equation being established: Vine = Pastor. This equation will be used later to identify Lee Man-hee as a “true vine” (true pastor) and to condemn other pastors as “false vines.”

The lesson is subtly shifting from “Jesus is the true vine” to “the vine represents a pastor.” This shift allows SCJ to later apply the vine metaphor to human leaders, specifically Lee Man-hee.

Biblical Context: What John 15 Actually Teaches

Let’s examine John 15:1-8 in full context:

John 15:1-8: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

What is Jesus teaching?

Jesus is teaching about the vital, organic connection between Himself and His disciples. The key themes are:

1. Jesus is the source of life. Just as branches derive their life from the vine, disciples derive their spiritual life from Jesus. Apart from Him, we can do nothing (v. 5).

2. Remaining/abiding is essential. The word “remain” (or “abide” in some translations) appears 11 times in John 15:1-11. The emphasis is on maintaining connection with Jesus through faith, obedience, and love.

3. Fruit-bearing is the result of abiding. When we remain in Christ, we naturally bear fruit. This fruit includes:

• Christlike character (Galatians 5:22-23)
• Good works (Colossians 1:10)
• Bringing others to faith (Romans 1:13)
• Praise and worship (Hebrews 13:15)

4. The Father prunes believers. God disciplines and refines believers to make them more fruitful (v. 2). This pruning is an act of love, not judgment.

What is Jesus NOT teaching?

Jesus is NOT teaching:

• That “vine” is a code word for “pastor”
• That there are multiple “true vines” (human pastors)
• That disciples must connect to a human vine/pastor to have life
• That fruit-bearing primarily means recruiting people into an organization

The Danger of Making “Vine = Pastor”

When SCJ establishes that “vine = pastor,” they’re setting up a framework where human pastors become the source of spiritual life, rather than Jesus. This will eventually lead to the teaching that believers must be connected to the “true vine” (Lee Man-hee) to have spiritual life.

But Jesus is clear: “I am the vine; you are the branches” (v. 5). He doesn’t say, “I am a vine, and there will be other vines.” He says, “I am THE vine”—the one and only source of spiritual life.

John 14:6: “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”

Jesus is the exclusive way to the Father. There is no other vine, no other mediator, no other source of spiritual life. To suggest that believers need to be connected to a human “true vine” is to undermine Jesus’ unique, exclusive role.

1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”

There is ONE mediator—Jesus Christ. Not Jesus and Lee Man-hee. Not Jesus and any human pastor. Jesus alone.

The “True” vs. “False” Vine

The instructor emphasizes that Jesus called Himself the “true” vine because false vines also exist. This is correct—but we need to understand what Jesus meant by “false vines.”

What are “false vines”?

In the Old Testament, Israel was often described as God’s vine:

Psalm 80:8-9: “You transplanted a vine from Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land.”

Isaiah 5:1-2: “I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit.”

Jeremiah 2:21: “I had planted you like a choice vine of sound and reliable stock. How then did you turn against me into a corrupt, wild vine?”

Israel was God’s vine, but they became corrupt and failed to produce good fruit. They became a “false vine”—claiming to be God’s people but not bearing the fruit of righteousness.

When Jesus calls Himself the “true vine,” He’s saying: “Israel failed. They were supposed to be God’s fruitful vine, but they became corrupt. I am the true Israel, the true vine, the one who will actually produce the fruit God desires.”

Jesus is contrasting Himself with Israel’s failure, not establishing a category of “true pastors” vs. “false pastors” in the way SCJ will later use it.

What about false teachers?

Yes, the Bible warns about false teachers:

Matthew 7:15: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”

2 Peter 2:1: “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.”

False teachers exist, and we must be discerning. But the test of a true vs. false teacher is not whether they’re connected to SCJ—it’s whether their teaching aligns with Scripture and points to Jesus Christ.

1 John 4:1-3: “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. 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.”

The test is: Does the teaching acknowledge Jesus Christ? Does it point to Him? Does it exalt Him? Does it make Him central?

Ironically, SCJ’s teaching fails this test. While they use Jesus’ name, their system ultimately makes Lee Man-hee central (as the one who reveals the “new wine”), makes their organization necessary for salvation, and shifts focus from Jesus’ finished work to understanding their interpretations.

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Part 4: The Isaiah 5 Teaching—Vineyard as God’s People

What SCJ Teaches in This Lesson

The lesson indicates that it will examine Isaiah 5:1-7, which describes Israel as God’s vineyard that produced bad fruit. While the full text isn’t included in the excerpt provided, the lesson is clearly setting up the interpretation that:

1. Vineyard = God’s people
2. God expected good fruit but got bad fruit
3. This pattern repeats in every era

This will later be applied to suggest that just as Israel failed at the first coming, traditional churches have failed at the second coming, and SCJ is the true vineyard producing good fruit.

Biblical Context: Isaiah 5 in Context

Let’s examine Isaiah 5:1-7 in full:

Isaiah 5:1-7: “I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit.

Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad?

Now I will tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be destroyed; I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled. I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briers and thorns will grow there. I will command the clouds not to rain on it.

The vineyard of the LORD Almighty is the nation of Israel, and the people of Judah are the vines he delighted in. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.”

What is Isaiah teaching?

Isaiah is using a parable to indict Israel for their sin. God had done everything necessary to make Israel fruitful:

• Planted them in good soil (brought them to the Promised Land)
• Cleared away stones (drove out the nations)
• Built a watchtower (provided protection)
• Cut out a winepress (gave them everything needed for success)

But despite God’s care, Israel produced “bad fruit”—injustice, unrighteousness, bloodshed, and distress instead of justice and righteousness.

What is the “bad fruit”?

Verse 7 makes it clear: God “looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.”

The bad fruit was:

• Injustice and oppression
• Violence and bloodshed
• Unrighteousness and wickedness
• Ignoring the cries of the poor and oppressed

Isaiah 5:8-23 elaborates on Israel’s sins:

• Greed and materialism (v. 8)
• Drunkenness and debauchery (v. 11-12)
• Arrogance and pride (v. 21)
• Perverting justice (v. 23)

What is God’s judgment?

Because Israel failed to produce good fruit, God would remove His protection (v. 5-6). The vineyard would be destroyed, trampled, and made a wasteland. This prophecy was fulfilled when Babylon conquered Judah and destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC.

The Key Point:

Isaiah 5 is about Israel’s specific, historical failure to live righteously despite God’s abundant provision. It’s not establishing a repeating pattern where God’s people always fail and need to be replaced by a new group.

How SCJ Misuses Isaiah 5

SCJ will use Isaiah 5 to suggest:

1. Pattern of failure: Just as Israel failed, the church has failed
2. Need for replacement: Just as Jesus came to replace Israel, SCJ comes to replace the church
3. Bad fruit identification: Traditional churches are producing “bad fruit” (false teachings)
4. Good fruit identification: SCJ is producing “good fruit” (true teachings)

But this application misses several critical points:

1. The Church is Not Israel

While there are continuities between Israel and the church (both are God’s people), they are not identical. The church is not simply “Israel 2.0” that can fail and need to be replaced by “Israel 3.0” (SCJ).

The church is the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27), built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ as the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). Jesus promised that “the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). The church will not fail in the way Israel failed because it’s built on Christ, not on human effort.

2. Jesus Fulfilled Israel’s Role, Not Replaced It

Jesus didn’t come to replace Israel with a different group. He came to fulfill Israel’s calling and to open the way for Gentiles to be included in God’s people. The church is the continuation and expansion of God’s redemptive plan, not a replacement that can itself be replaced.

Romans 11:1-2: “I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew.”

Romans 11:17-18: “If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.”

Paul warns Gentile believers not to be arrogant toward Israel. The church has been grafted into God’s people; it hasn’t replaced them. And certainly, the church cannot be replaced by SCJ.

3. Good Fruit vs. Bad Fruit

When SCJ claims that traditional churches produce “bad fruit” while they produce “good fruit,” we need to ask: What is the fruit being measured?

In Isaiah 5, the bad fruit was injustice, oppression, and unrighteousness. The good fruit God desired was justice and righteousness—how people treated one another, especially the vulnerable.

But SCJ measures fruit differently. For them:

• Bad fruit = Not accepting SCJ’s interpretations, not joining their organization
• Good fruit = Accepting SCJ’s teachings, recruiting others into SCJ

This is a self-serving definition of fruit. By their own standard, they’re the only ones producing good fruit—which conveniently validates their claim to be the true vineyard.

But Jesus defined good fruit differently:

Matthew 7:16-20: “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”

What fruit should we look for?

• Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
• John 13:35: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
• Matthew 22:37-40: “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Good fruit is love—love for God and love for others. It’s the fruit of the Spirit. It’s Christlike character and conduct.

When we apply this biblical standard, we must ask: Does SCJ produce this fruit? Do their practices reflect love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?

The evidence suggests otherwise:

• Deception (hiding their identity, lying about affiliation)
• Manipulation (using fear and guilt to control members)
• Division (separating families, condemning all other churches)
• Exploitation (demanding excessive time and resources)
• Pride (claiming exclusive access to truth)

These are not the fruits of the Spirit. They’re the fruits of a manipulative organization masquerading as God’s true vineyard.

Chapter 18 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Real Test of Authority,” addresses this: “Jesus said we would recognize true and false teachers by their fruit. Not by their claims, not by their knowledge of Scripture, not by their organizational size—by their fruit. When you examine SCJ’s fruit—the deception, the broken families, the psychological harm, the spiritual abuse—it becomes clear that this is not good fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit.”

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Part 5: The Psychological Progression—Where Students Are Now

The Journey to Lesson 42

By Lesson 42, students have been studying for approximately five months. Let’s trace their psychological and spiritual journey:

Months 1-2 (Lessons 1-15): Foundation laying

• Bible was “sealed” and incomprehensible
• Parables hide meaning requiring special interpretation
• God has a pattern that repeats throughout history
• Prophecy requires fulfillment to be understood
• Students need this teaching to understand Scripture

Months 3-4 (Lessons 16-30): Framework building

• Symbols have specific meanings (lampstand, tree, etc.)
• Prophets can be parables pointing to future fulfillment
• Historical examples serve as warnings for today
• Students are like Caleb with “a different spirit”
• Discomfort with teaching means spiritual growth

Month 5 (Lessons 31-42): Identity formation and recruitment preparation

• Three Passovers (Old Testament, First Coming, Second Coming)
• Flesh and blood = words of life
• Students are “royal priesthood” receiving “new word”
• Their job is to help others “receive that same word”
• There are true vines and false vines
• Wine represents teachings (setting up “new wine” concept)

What Students Have Accepted

By the end of Lesson 42, students have likely internalized:

1. Cognitive Framework:
   • Bible requires special interpretation
   • Symbols have fixed meanings
   • God’s pattern repeats in every era
   • Understanding requires SCJ’s teaching
2. Identity Beliefs:
   • They are part of a special, enlightened group
   • They have received “new word” others don’t have
   • They are “royal priesthood” with special calling
   • They are like Caleb—faithful remnant who accept truth
3. Behavioral Commitments:
   • Attending study multiple times per week
   • Distancing from home church and traditional teachings
   • Beginning to recruit others into the study
   • Suppressing doubts and questions
4. Emotional Investment:
   • Deep relationships with instructor and fellow students
   • Excitement about “revealed word”
   • Fear of missing out or being left behind
   • Anxiety about judgment for those who reject this teaching

The Psychological Techniques at Work

Several powerful psychological techniques are operating in Lesson 42:

1. Identity Elevation

By telling students they are “royal priesthood” who have “received the new word,” SCJ elevates their identity. This creates:

• Pride: “I’m part of something special”
• Belonging: “I’m part of an elite group”
• Purpose: “I have an important job to do”

This elevated identity makes it psychologically costly to leave. Leaving would mean:

• Losing the special identity
• Admitting you were deceived
• Returning to “ordinary” Christian status
• Disappointing the group

2. Recruitment as Commitment Device

By positioning recruitment as students’ spiritual responsibility, SCJ accomplishes multiple goals:

• Escalation of commitment: When you recruit others, you become more committed yourself (you can’t tell them it’s false after bringing them in)
• Social proof: If others accept the teaching, it validates your own acceptance
• Relationship leverage: The people you recruit become additional ties keeping you in
• Cognitive dissonance reduction: Recruiting others helps you convince yourself the teaching is true

3. Us vs. Them Mentality

The lesson creates clear categories:

• Us: Those who have received the new word, the royal priesthood, the new wineskins
• Them: Those who haven’t received it yet, those in traditional churches, the old wineskins

This us-vs-them mentality:

• Creates group cohesion
• Justifies separation from family and church
• Makes questioning feel like betrayal
• Prepares for future teaching that churches are “Babylon”

4. Spiritual Language for Manipulation

By framing everything in spiritual language (“royal priesthood,” “revealed word,” “new wine”), SCJ makes it difficult to question without feeling spiritually rebellious. If you question whether you should recruit others, you’re not just questioning a practice—you’re questioning your spiritual calling as “royal priesthood.”

5. Progressive Revelation

Students still don’t know they’re studying Shincheonji. They don’t know about Lee Man-hee. They don’t know the full implications of what they’re accepting. This progressive revelation keeps them moving forward without seeing the full picture until they’re deeply invested.

Chapter 13 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Psychology of Deception: Why Smart People Fall for False Teaching,” explains: “Effective manipulation doesn’t happen all at once. It’s a gradual process of small commitments that build on each other. Each step seems reasonable in isolation. But cumulatively, they lead you far from where you started. By the time you realize how far you’ve come, you’ve invested so much that turning back feels impossible.”

The Cost of Involvement at This Stage

By Lesson 42, students have invested:

Time:

• 42 lessons × 1.5-2 hours each = 63-84 hours of class time
• Homework and review time
• Additional events and gatherings
• Total: Likely 100+ hours over 5 months

Relationships:

• Deep bonds with instructor
• Friendships with fellow students
• Possibly recruited family or friends
• Likely distanced from church community

Identity:

• Seeing themselves as “royal priesthood”
• Believing they have special knowledge
• Feeling called to help others understand
• Experiencing purpose and significance

Emotional Investment:

• Excitement about “revealed word”
• Hope for the second coming
• Fear of judgment
• Anxiety about loved ones who don’t understand

The psychological cost of walking away at this point is significant. Students would have to:

• Admit they invested 5 months in something false
• Lose the relationships they’ve built
• Give up the special identity they’ve embraced
• Face the people they recruited and tell them it’s not true
• Return to their church and explain where they’ve been

This is why SCJ’s gradual approach is so effective. By the time students realize what they’re involved in, the cost of leaving feels overwhelming.

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Part 6: Biblical Refutation of Key Claims

Claim 1: “You are royal priesthood as ones who have received the new word”

What SCJ Implies: Students become royal priesthood by receiving SCJ’s “revealed word.” This creates a two-tier system of enlightened insiders vs. ordinary Christians.

Biblical Response:

ALL believers are royal priesthood, not because of special knowledge, but because of faith in Jesus Christ:

1 Peter 2:9-10: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

Notice the basis: “him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Believers are royal priesthood because God called them and showed them mercy through Christ, not because they learned special teachings.

Revelation 1:5-6: “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever!”

We are made priests by Christ’s blood, not by receiving “revealed word.” The basis is Jesus’ sacrifice, not our knowledge.

Revelation 5:9-10: “And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.'”

Christ purchased people “from every tribe and language and people and nation” and made them priests. This is universal for all believers, not limited to those who accept SCJ’s teaching.

The Priesthood of All Believers:

The doctrine of the priesthood of all believers means:

• All Christians have direct access to God through Christ (Hebrews 4:16)
• All Christians can approach God’s throne of grace (Hebrews 10:19-22)
• All Christians have the Holy Spirit as teacher (1 John 2:27)
• All Christians can understand Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

There is no spiritual elite who have special access to God or special understanding of Scripture. This was the error of the medieval Catholic Church, which created a priestly class mediating between God and ordinary believers. The Reformation recovered the biblical truth that all believers are priests.

SCJ is repeating the medieval error by creating a new priestly class—those who have “received the new word”—who mediate understanding to ordinary Christians. This contradicts the clear biblical teaching of the priesthood of all believers.

Claim 2: “It will be your job to help others receive that same word by re-understanding the mindset”

What SCJ Teaches: Students have a spiritual responsibility to recruit others into SCJ’s study and to change how people think (“re-understand the mindset”).

Biblical Response:

Christians are indeed called to share the gospel and make disciples. But there’s a crucial difference between biblical evangelism and SCJ’s recruitment:

Biblical Evangelism:

• Shares the gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)
• Points people to Jesus, not to an organization
• Respects people’s freedom to accept or reject
• Is done openly and honestly
• Focuses on faith in Christ for salvation

SCJ’s Recruitment:

• Shares SCJ’s interpretations, not the simple gospel
• Points people to their organization and teachings
• Uses manipulation and deception
• Hides the organization’s identity
• Focuses on understanding teachings for salvation

What does the Bible say about evangelism?

Matthew 28:19-20: “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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

The Great Commission is to make disciples of Jesus, teaching them to obey His commands. It’s not about recruiting people into a specific organization or teaching them to accept one group’s interpretations.

Acts 8:35: “Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.”

Philip’s evangelism focused on “the good news about Jesus”—not on complex interpretations or organizational affiliation.

1 Corinthians 2:1-2: “And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

Paul’s message was simple: “Jesus Christ and him crucified.” He didn’t come with complex interpretations or hidden knowledge. He proclaimed the straightforward gospel.

2 Corinthians 4:2: “Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.”

Paul explicitly renounced:

• Secret ways (SCJ hides their identity)
• Deception (SCJ uses deceptive recruitment)
• Distorting God’s Word (SCJ forces Scripture into their framework)

Instead, Paul set forth “the truth plainly.” Biblical evangelism is characterized by honesty, transparency, and clarity—the opposite of SCJ’s approach.

The “Re-understanding the Mindset” Language:

The phrase “re-understand the mindset” is revealing. It acknowledges that people will need to fundamentally change how they think to accept SCJ’s teaching. This is not biblical transformation—it’s cognitive restructuring, a technique used by manipulative groups to reshape how members think.

Biblical transformation comes through:

• The Holy Spirit’s work (2 Corinthians 3:18)
• Renewing of the mind through God’s Word (Romans 12:2)
• Growing in knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:18)

SCJ’s “re-understanding” comes through:

• Accepting their interpretive framework
• Suppressing critical thinking
• Viewing everything through their lens
• Depending on their organization for understanding

These are fundamentally different processes. One is spiritual transformation by the Holy Spirit; the other is psychological manipulation by human techniques.

Claim 3: “Vine = Pastor” and there are true vines and false vines

What SCJ Teaches: The vine represents a pastor, and just as Jesus was the true vine, there are true pastors (eventually identified as Lee Man-hee) and false pastors (all others).

Biblical Response:

Jesus is THE vine, not A vine. He is the unique, exclusive source of spiritual life:

John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Jesus doesn’t say, “I am a vine, and there will be other vines.” He says, “I AM the vine”—the one and only source of life for believers.

The Exclusivity of Christ:

Throughout John’s Gospel, Jesus makes exclusive “I AM” claims:

• “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35)
• “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12)
• “I am the gate” (John 10:9)
• “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11)
• “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25)
• “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6)
• “I am the true vine” (John 15:1)

These are not metaphors that can be applied to other people. They are declarations of Jesus’ unique, exclusive role. No one else is the bread of life, the light of the world, the gate, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way, or the true vine.

What about pastors/teachers?

Yes, God gives pastors and teachers to the church:

Ephesians 4:11-13: “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 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

But pastors and teachers are servants who point people to Christ. They are not vines providing life—they are branches helping other branches remain connected to the vine (Christ).

1 Corinthians 3:5-7: “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”

Paul and Apollos were servants. They planted and watered, but God made things grow. They were not the source of life—God was.

The Danger of Making Pastors “Vines”:

When SCJ makes “vine = pastor,” they’re setting up a system where believers depend on human leaders for spiritual life. This will eventually lead to dependence on Lee Man-hee as the “true vine.”

But this contradicts the clear biblical teaching that Jesus alone is the source of spiritual life. Pastors are important, but they are servants and under-shepherds, not sources of life.

1 Peter 5:2-4: “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”

Pastors are under-shepherds. Christ is the Chief Shepherd. Pastors care for the flock, but the flock belongs to God, not to the pastor. And pastors are accountable to the Chief Shepherd.

When a group teaches that believers must be connected to a specific human leader (the “true vine”) to have spiritual life, that’s a cult of personality, not biblical Christianity.

Claim 4: Wine represents teachings, setting up “new wine” as SCJ’s interpretations

What SCJ Is Setting Up: By establishing that wine = teachings, SCJ is preparing to claim that their interpretations are the “new wine” believers must consume.

Biblical Response:

As we discussed earlier, wine has multiple symbolic meanings in Scripture depending on context. It can represent joy, judgment, false teaching, or covenant blood. The meaning is determined by context, not by a rigid equation.

But even if we grant that wine can sometimes represent teaching, we must ask: What teaching? And from whom?

The New Wine Jesus Spoke About:

Matthew 9:17: “Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

Jesus spoke about new wine and new wineskins in the context of His teaching vs. the old religious system. The “new wine” was the gospel of grace, the new covenant in His blood. The “old wineskins” were the rigid religious structures of Judaism that couldn’t contain this new message.

The new wine is the gospel—the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. It’s not SCJ’s interpretations of Revelation.

Acts 2:13-17: “Some, however, made fun of them and said, ‘They have had too much wine.’ Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: ‘Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.”‘”

At Pentecost, observers thought the disciples were drunk on wine. Peter explained they were filled with the Holy Spirit. The “new wine” of the Spirit had been poured out.

If wine represents anything in the New Testament era, it represents the Holy Spirit and the gospel of grace—not human interpretations of prophecy.

The Danger of SCJ’s “New Wine”:

SCJ will eventually claim that their interpretations are the “new wine” believers must drink. But this makes salvation dependent on consuming their teachings rather than on faith in Christ.

The biblical gospel is that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). We don’t need to consume “new wine” (SCJ’s teachings) to be saved—we need to believe in Jesus.

John 6:29: “Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.'”

The work God requires is faith in Jesus, not understanding SCJ’s interpretations.

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Part 7: The Path Forward—Recognizing and Responding

Red Flags in Lesson 42

If you’re currently taking SCJ’s study and you’ve reached Lesson 42, here are critical red flags to recognize:

1. Identity Manipulation

You’re being told you’re “royal priesthood” because you’ve received “new word”—not because you believe in Jesus. This creates spiritual elitism and makes you dependent on SCJ for your special status.

Ask yourself: Does the Bible teach that some Christians are royal priesthood and others aren’t? Or does it teach that ALL believers are royal priesthood through faith in Christ?

2. Recruitment Pressure

You’re being told it’s your “job” to help others “receive that same word by re-understanding the mindset.” This is recruitment language disguised as spiritual calling.

Ask yourself: Is this biblical evangelism (sharing the gospel of Jesus) or organizational recruitment (bringing people into SCJ’s system)? Would I feel comfortable explaining to my pastor what I’m recruiting people into?

3. Rigid Symbol Equations

You’re being taught that symbols have fixed meanings (vine = pastor, wine = teachings) that apply universally, regardless of context.

Ask yourself: Does the Bible use symbols this rigidly? Or does it use rich, flexible imagery that means different things in different contexts? Am I being taught to read Scripture naturally or to decode it through SCJ’s framework?

4. Progressive Revelation

You’re five months into the study and still don’t know the organization’s name or full theology. Information is being revealed gradually to keep you moving forward without seeing the full picture.

Ask yourself: Why is the organization’s identity hidden? If this teaching is true, why can’t it be presented openly and honestly? What am I afraid I’ll discover if I research this organization online?

5. Us vs. Them Mentality

The lesson creates categories of enlightened insiders (those who have received the new word) vs. outsiders (those who haven’t). This justifies separation from family, church, and anyone who questions the teaching.

Ask yourself: Does this reflect Jesus’ heart for unity among believers (John 17:20-23)? Or does it create unnecessary division? Am I being encouraged to love and serve the broader church, or to separate from it?

Questions to Ask Your Instructor

If you’re in Lesson 42, here are questions to ask:

1. About Identity:

• “You said we’re royal priesthood because we’ve received the new word. But doesn’t 1 Peter 2:9 say ALL believers are royal priesthood through faith in Christ? Why are we special?”
• “If royal priesthood is based on receiving this word, what about Christians throughout history who didn’t have access to this teaching? Were they not royal priesthood?”

2. About Recruitment:

• “You said it’s our job to help others receive this word. Can you explain exactly what organization we’re recruiting them into? What’s the name of this organization?”
• “Why can’t I tell people upfront what organization this is? If it’s from God, shouldn’t we be transparent?”

3. About Interpretation:

• “You said vine = pastor. But Jesus said ‘I am THE vine,’ not ‘I am A vine.’ How can vine represent multiple pastors if Jesus is THE vine?”
• “You’re teaching that wine = teachings. But wine has different meanings in different Bible passages. How do you know which meaning applies where?”

4. About Authority:

• “You’ve mentioned ‘revealed word’ many times. Who is revealing this word? What authority do they have? How can we verify their claims?”
• “If this interpretation is correct, why didn’t the apostles teach it? Why didn’t the early church understand it? Why did we have to wait 2,000 years for this revelation?”

5. About Testing:

• “The Bible says to test all teaching (1 John 4:1). Can I discuss what I’m learning with my pastor and get his perspective?”
• “Can I research this organization online? If not, why not? What am I afraid I’ll find?”

Watch how your instructor responds:

• Does he welcome questions or deflect them?
• Does he provide clear, biblical answers or vague, evasive responses?
• Does he encourage you to verify the teaching or discourage outside input?
• Does he address your concerns directly or make you feel guilty for asking?

Legitimate Bible teaching welcomes questions and verification. Manipulative teaching suppresses questions and isolates students from outside input.

For Families: Helping Someone in Lesson 42

If your loved one is in Lesson 42, they’re at a critical stage. They’ve invested five months, they’re experiencing identity formation as “royal priesthood,” and they’re being prepared to recruit others. Here’s how to help:

1. Understand Their Mindset

By Lesson 42, your loved one likely believes:

• They’re part of something special and important
• They have knowledge others don’t have
• They have a spiritual calling to share this with others
• Questioning feels like spiritual rebellion
• You “don’t understand” because you haven’t received the word

2. Stay Connected

Don’t cut off relationship, even if you’re frustrated. Your ongoing presence and love are essential. They need to know that leaving SCJ won’t mean losing you.

3. Ask Gentle, Probing Questions

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

• “That’s interesting that you’re royal priesthood. I thought all Christians were royal priesthood through faith in Jesus. Can you help me understand the difference?”
• “You mentioned it’s your job to help others receive this word. What organization is providing this word? Can you tell me their name?”
• “I’d love to understand this better. Can we study these passages together and see what they say in context?”

4. Share Your Concerns Lovingly

• “I love you and I’m concerned. You’ve been studying for five months and still don’t know the organization’s name. That doesn’t seem right to me.”
• “I’ve been reading about this organization online, and I’m worried. Can we talk about what I’ve found?”
• “I respect your desire to learn the Bible, but I’m concerned that you’re being taught to see yourself as spiritually superior to other Christians. That doesn’t seem like Jesus’ heart.”

5. Provide Resources

• Share this analysis
• Direct them to https://closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination
• Offer to read Scripture together
• Suggest they talk with their pastor

6. Set Boundaries

• You can love your family member without enabling SCJ involvement
• It’s okay to say, “I won’t attend SCJ events or support this organization”
• It’s okay to limit discussions about SCJ if they become contentious

7. Pray and Don’t Give Up

Many people leave SCJ after months or years. Your faithful presence, prayer, and truth-speaking matter, even if you don’t see immediate results.

Chapter 28 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” provides comprehensive guidance for families, including communication strategies, boundary-setting, and long-term support.

For Pastors: Responding to Lesson 42

If church members are in Lesson 42, they’re being told they’re “royal priesthood” with a job to “help others receive the new word.” They’re being prepared to recruit others and are experiencing identity formation as spiritual elite. Here’s how to respond:

1. Teach on the Priesthood of All Believers

Preach or teach on 1 Peter 2:9 and related passages, emphasizing that ALL believers are royal priesthood through faith in Christ, not through special knowledge. This directly counters SCJ’s elitism.

2. Teach on Biblical Evangelism

Clarify the difference between biblical evangelism (sharing the gospel of Jesus) and cultic recruitment (bringing people into an organization through deception). Emphasize that Christian witness is characterized by honesty, transparency, and respect for others’ freedom.

3. Teach on Testing Teaching

Equip your congregation to test all teaching against Scripture (1 John 4:1). Provide tools for recognizing manipulation, such as:

• Hidden identity (legitimate ministries are transparent)
• Progressive revelation (truth can be presented openly)
• Isolation from input (truth welcomes verification)
• Identity manipulation (creating spiritual elitism)

4. Reach Out Personally

If you know someone is in SCJ’s study:

• Contact them personally
• Express concern lovingly
• Offer to discuss what they’re learning
• Provide biblical responses to SCJ’s teaching
• Continue reaching out even if initially resistant

5. Warn the Congregation

Don’t be afraid to warn about SCJ by name. Explain:

• Their deceptive recruitment tactics
• Their practice of hiding identity until Advanced Level
• Their teaching that creates spiritual elitism
• The harm they cause to individuals and families

6. Build Strong Community

SCJ thrives on isolation. When your church is a genuine, loving community where people feel known and valued, they’re less vulnerable to groups offering counterfeit community.

7. Provide Recovery Support

For those who leave SCJ, provide:

• Safe space to process the experience
• Biblical teaching to counter SCJ’s framework
• Community to replace lost relationships
• Patience as they rebuild trust and faith

For more pastoral guidance, visit https://closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination.

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Part 8: The True New Wine—Returning to the Gospel

The Simplicity of the Gospel

In contrast to SCJ’s complex system of vines, wine, wineskins, true pastors, false pastors, new word, and revealed interpretations, the biblical gospel is beautifully simple:

The Problem: We are sinners separated from God (Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:2)

The Solution: Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

The Response: We receive eternal life through faith in Jesus (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9)

The Assurance: We can know we have eternal life now (1 John 5:13)

This is the gospel. It doesn’t require:

• Understanding complex interpretations
• Accepting “revealed word” from a special organization
• Joining a specific group
• Recruiting others into a system
• Seeing yourself as spiritually elite
• Five months of study to comprehend

It requires simple faith in Jesus Christ.

The True New Wine: The Gospel of Grace

When Jesus spoke about new wine, He was contrasting the gospel of grace with the old religious system:

Luke 5:36-39: “He told them this parable: ‘No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, “The old is better.”‘”

The Context:

Jesus had just called Levi (Matthew) to follow Him, and they were eating with tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees criticized this, and they also questioned why Jesus’ disciples didn’t fast like John’s disciples and the Pharisees did.

Jesus responded with the new wine/new wineskins parable. He was saying:

The Old Wine: The old religious system of Judaism—with its rigid rules, traditions, and emphasis on external observance. This was the “old wine” the Pharisees preferred.

The New Wine: The gospel of grace—salvation by faith, not works; relationship with God through Jesus, not through religious performance; freedom in Christ, not bondage to rules.

The Old Wineskins: The rigid structures of Judaism that couldn’t contain the new message of grace.

The New Wineskins: Hearts transformed by the gospel, able to receive and contain the message of grace.

The Point: You can’t mix the gospel of grace with the old system of works-righteousness. They’re incompatible. The gospel requires new hearts, new thinking, new structures.

What Is the New Wine?

The new wine is the gospel—the good news that:

We are saved by grace, not works: Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

We have direct access to God through Jesus: Hebrews 10:19-22: “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings.”

We are free from the law’s condemnation: Romans 8:1-2: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

We have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us: Romans 8:9: “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.”

We are all priests with direct access to God: 1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

This is the new wine—the glorious gospel of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It’s not SCJ’s interpretations. It’s not “revealed word” from a human organization. It’s the simple, powerful, life-giving message that Jesus saves sinners by grace through faith.

What Are the New Wineskins?

The new wineskins are hearts transformed by the gospel—hearts that:

Receive grace instead of trying to earn salvation: We stop trying to prove ourselves worthy and simply receive God’s gift of salvation through faith.

Trust Jesus instead of religious systems: We stop depending on organizations, rituals, or human mediators and trust in Jesus alone.

Experience freedom instead of bondage: Galatians 5:1: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

Walk by the Spirit instead of following rules: Galatians 5:16: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

Love instead of judge: John 13:34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

New wineskins are hearts that have been transformed by the gospel to receive grace, trust Jesus, experience freedom, walk by the Spirit, and love others.

The Irony: SCJ Offers Old Wine in Old Wineskins

Here’s the tragic irony: SCJ claims to offer “new wine,” but what they actually offer is old wine in old wineskins.

Old Wine: Works-based salvation

• You must understand the correct interpretations
• You must complete the study program
• You must accept the revealed word
• You must join the right organization
• You must recruit others
• Your salvation depends on your knowledge and performance

This is the old wine of works-righteousness, dressed up in new language.

Old Wineskins: Rigid religious structures

• Hierarchical organization with special leaders who mediate truth
• Complex system of rules and requirements
• Emphasis on external performance (attendance, recruitment, etc.)
• Creation of spiritual elite vs. ordinary believers
• Dependence on human organization for salvation

This is the old wineskin of religious institutionalism, claiming to be new.

The Gospel Offers True New Wine:

• Salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9)
• Direct access to God through Jesus (Hebrews 10:19-22)
• Freedom from religious bondage (Galatians 5:1)
• The Holy Spirit as teacher (1 John 2:27)
• Priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9)
• Simple faith in Jesus’ finished work (John 19:30)

This is the true new wine—and it’s freely available to all who believe in Jesus Christ.

An Invitation to Drink the True New Wine

If you’ve been drawn into SCJ’s teaching, you may feel:

• Exhausted by the complexity and demands
• Anxious about whether you understand correctly
• Burdened by the responsibility to recruit others
• Confused about your identity and calling
• Trapped by the investment you’ve made

Jesus offers something different:

Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Jesus’ yoke is easy and His burden is light. Not because His standards are low, but because He carries the weight. He did the work. He paid the price. He finished the task. All He asks is that we come to Him in faith.

John 7:37-38: “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.'”

Jesus invites anyone who is thirsty to come and drink. Not “anyone who completes the study program.” Not “anyone who understands the revealed word.” Not “anyone who joins the right organization.” Anyone who is thirsty.

And what must you do to drink? Believe in Him. That’s it. Simple faith in Jesus Christ.

Revelation 22:17: “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”

The water of life is a free gift. You don’t earn it. You don’t work for it. You don’t understand your way into it. You simply take it by faith.

This is the true new wine—the gospel of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It’s simple, it’s free, it’s powerful, and it’s available to you right now.

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Part 9: The Maddening Wine—What’s Really Intoxicating?

SCJ’s Future Teaching About “Maddening Wine”

While Lesson 42 doesn’t fully develop the concept yet, SCJ will later teach that there is “maddening wine” that believers must avoid. They will identify this maddening wine as:

1. False teachings from traditional churches
2. Doctrines that contradict SCJ’s interpretations
3. Any teaching that doesn’t accept Lee Man-hee as the promised pastor

By establishing the wine = teachings equation in Lesson 42, SCJ is preparing students to accept that some teachings (traditional church doctrines) are “maddening wine” that intoxicates and deceives, while other teachings (SCJ’s interpretations) are “pure wine” that enlightens and saves.

Biblical Context: What Is Maddening Wine?

The Bible does speak about “maddening wine” in Revelation:

Revelation 14:8: “A second angel followed and said, ‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great,’ which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.”

Revelation 17:2: “With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”

Revelation 18:3: “For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”

What is this maddening wine?

In Revelation, “Babylon” represents the world system opposed to God—characterized by:

• Idolatry (spiritual adultery)
• Materialism and greed
• Persecution of God’s people
• Deception of the nations
• Pride and self-exaltation

The “maddening wine of her adulteries” represents the intoxicating influence of this world system—the seductive appeal of wealth, power, pleasure, and self-worship that deceives nations and leads them away from God.

What is the maddening wine NOT?

The maddening wine is NOT:

• Orthodox Christian teaching
• Biblical doctrines held by the historic church
• Teachings that emphasize salvation by grace through faith in Christ
• Churches that proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior

SCJ will later claim that traditional churches are “Babylon” serving “maddening wine,” but this interpretation has no biblical support. The churches in Revelation are distinct from Babylon. Jesus addresses seven churches in Revelation 2-3, calling them to repentance and faithfulness—not condemning them as Babylon.

The Real Maddening Wine: SCJ’s Teaching

Ironically, if we apply the biblical concept of “maddening wine” (teaching that intoxicates and deceives), SCJ’s teaching fits the description far better than orthodox Christianity:

1. It Intoxicates with Pride

SCJ’s teaching makes students feel special, enlightened, and superior to other Christians. This is the intoxicating wine of pride.

Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

James 4:6: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

The gospel humbles us—we’re saved by grace, not by our understanding or merit. SCJ’s teaching puffs up—you’re royal priesthood because you’ve received the new word.

2. It Deceives with Complexity

SCJ’s teaching creates a complex system where salvation depends on understanding intricate interpretations. This deceives people into thinking they must earn salvation through knowledge.

2 Corinthians 11:3: “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

The gospel is simple—believe in Jesus. SCJ’s teaching is complex—understand the parables, recognize the fulfillment, accept the revealed word, acknowledge the promised pastor.

3. It Enslaves with Requirements

SCJ’s teaching creates bondage—you must attend multiple studies per week, recruit others, suppress doubts, distance from family, and eventually devote your life to the organization.

Galatians 5:1: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

The gospel frees us. SCJ’s teaching enslaves us.

4. It Divides with Elitism

SCJ’s teaching creates division—enlightened insiders vs. deceived outsiders, true church vs. Babylon, those who have the word vs. those who don’t.

Ephesians 4:3-6: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

The gospel unites believers in Christ. SCJ’s teaching divides believers into categories.

5. It Deceives with False Promises

SCJ promises understanding, enlightenment, and salvation through their teaching. But these promises are false—salvation comes through faith in Jesus, not through understanding SCJ’s interpretations.

Colossians 2:8: “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.”

This is the real maddening wine—teaching that intoxicates with pride, deceives with complexity, enslaves with requirements, divides with elitism, and makes false promises. This is what believers must avoid.

How to Recognize Maddening Wine

The Bible gives us clear tests for recognizing false teaching (maddening wine):

1. Does it point to Christ or away from Him?

1 John 4:2-3: “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.”

True teaching exalts Jesus and makes Him central. False teaching may use Jesus’ name but ultimately points to something else (an organization, a human leader, a system of knowledge).

2. Does it align with Scripture or contradict it?

Acts 17:11: “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.”

True teaching aligns with Scripture when read in context. False teaching requires forcing Scripture into predetermined frameworks.

3. Does it produce good fruit or bad fruit?

Matthew 7:16-20: “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”

True teaching produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). False teaching produces division, deception, pride, fear, and control.

4. Does it free or enslave?

John 8:31-32: “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'”

True teaching frees us from bondage to sin, fear, and religious performance. False teaching creates new forms of bondage.

5. Does it welcome testing or suppress it?

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

True teaching welcomes examination and verification. False teaching suppresses questions and isolates from outside input.

When we apply these tests to SCJ’s teaching, it becomes clear that their teaching is the maddening wine—not orthodox Christianity.

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Part 10: Conclusion and Call to Action

The Critical Moment

Lesson 42 represents a critical moment in SCJ’s indoctrination process. Students have invested five months. They’ve absorbed the foundational concepts. They’re experiencing identity formation as “royal priesthood” who have “received the new word.” They’re being prepared to recruit others. And they’re being taught to see themselves as spiritually superior to other Christians.

But they still don’t know they’re in Shincheonji. They still don’t know about Lee Man-hee. They still don’t know the full implications of what they’re accepting. This is by design—SCJ reveals information gradually to keep students moving forward without seeing the complete picture until they’re deeply invested.

For Current Students: This is the moment to pause, investigate, and ask hard questions. You’ve invested five months, but that’s not a reason to continue down a false path—it’s a reason to carefully examine whether the path is true before you invest more time and bring others into it.

For Families: This is the moment to reach out with love, concern, and truth. Your loved one is being told they’re special, called, and enlightened. They need to hear from you that they’re loved unconditionally, that you’re concerned, and that this teaching doesn’t align with Scripture.

For Pastors: This is the moment to teach clearly about the priesthood of all believers, biblical evangelism, and how to test teaching. Your congregation needs tools to recognize and resist manipulation.

The Path Forward

If you’re in SCJ’s study:

1. Pause the study. Tell your instructor you need time to process and verify what you’re learning.
2. Research SCJ. Look up “Shincheonji” online. Read testimonies from former members. Visit https://closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination.
3. Talk to your pastor. Share what you’re learning and get biblical perspective from a trusted Christian leader.
4. Read Scripture in context. Don’t just accept SCJ’s interpretations—read the passages yourself and see what they naturally mean.
5. Ask hard questions. Use the questions provided in this analysis to challenge the teaching.
6. Trust your discernment. If something feels wrong, it probably is. The Holy Spirit gives believers discernment.
7. Know you can leave. You’re not trapped. You can walk away. God’s love for you doesn’t depend on completing this study.

If you’re helping someone in SCJ:

1. Stay connected. Don’t cut off relationship, even if you’re frustrated.
2. Ask questions. Help them think critically without attacking them personally.
3. Provide resources. Share this analysis and other materials from closerlookinitiative.com.
4. Pray consistently. Spiritual deception requires spiritual intervention.
5. Set boundaries. Love them without enabling their involvement.
6. Don’t give up. Many people leave SCJ after months or years. Your faithful presence matters.

If you’ve left SCJ:

1. Know you’re not alone. Many people have left SCJ and recovered.
2. Process the experience. Allow yourself to grieve the time lost, relationships broken, and trust violated.
3. Reconnect with healthy community. Find a church where you can heal and grow.
4. Rebuild your faith. Return to the simple gospel—salvation by grace through faith in Jesus.
5. Seek help if needed. Consider counseling to process the psychological impact.
6. Use your experience. Your story can help others recognize and avoid deception.

The True Vine and the True Wine

Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

He also said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35).

Jesus Himself—not an organization, not a human leader, not a system of interpretations—is the source of spiritual life. When we remain in Him through faith, we have everything we need:

• Life: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10)
• Truth: “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6)
• Freedom: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36)
• Peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27)
• Joy: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11)
• Love: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love” (John 15:9)

This is what Jesus offers—not through complex interpretations, not through organizational membership, not through special knowledge, but through simple faith in Him.

Romans 10:9-10: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

This is the gospel. This is the true new wine. This is the life that satisfies.

Final Words

The wine that SCJ offers may seem appealing—it promises understanding, enlightenment, purpose, and belonging. But it’s maddening wine that intoxicates with pride, deceives with complexity, and enslaves with requirements.

The wine that Jesus offers is different—it’s the wine of grace, freely given to all who believe. It doesn’t require five months of study to understand. It doesn’t depend on joining the right organization. It doesn’t create spiritual elitism. It simply requires faith in Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 55:1-3: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live.”

This is God’s invitation—come and drink freely. No cost. No requirements. No complex system to navigate. Just come and drink.

If you’re thirsty for truth, for life, for meaning, for purpose—come to Jesus. Not to an organization. Not to a human teacher. Not to a system of interpretations. To Jesus Himself.

He is the true vine. He offers the true wine. And He invites you to come and drink freely.

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Additional Resources

For more information about SCJ’s teachings and how to respond:

“Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” – Complete 30-chapter analysis providing biblical, theological, and psychological frameworks for understanding and responding to SCJ.

Closer Look Initiative – Visit https://closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination for comprehensive resources, including:

• Detailed examination of SCJ’s theology
• Testimonies from former members
• Guidance for families and churches
• Biblical refutations of specific SCJ teachings
• Support and recovery resources

Key Chapters from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims” Referenced in This Analysis:

• Chapter 8: “The Anatomy of Spiritual Manipulation”
• Chapter 9: “The Gospel According to Shincheonji (And Why It’s Not the Gospel)”
• Chapter 11: “The Pattern Trap: When Typology Becomes a Straitjacket”
• Chapter 13: “The Psychology of Deception: Why Smart People Fall for False Teaching”
• Chapter 14: “Identity Shifting”
• Chapter 18: “The Real Test of Authority”
• Chapter 28: “Hope and Help—Guidance for Members, Families, Christians, and Seekers”

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This refutation was prepared using the frameworks and principles from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” a comprehensive 30-chapter analysis of Shincheonji’s theology and practices. The analysis applies biblical, theological, and psychological lenses to examine SCJ’s teaching methods and doctrinal claims, always with the goal of pointing people back to the simple, life-giving gospel of Jesus Christ.

May God grant wisdom and discernment to all who seek truth. May those who have been drawn into deceptive teaching find their way back to the simple, sufficient, glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. May families be reunited, churches be strengthened, and the body of Christ be protected from false teaching. And may Jesus Christ—the true vine, the bread of life, the way, the truth, and the life—be glorified in all things.

“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 24-25)