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From Bruce Williams “Answers. Do they exist? Is it really possible to have them? In an age when the very idea of absolute truth is quickly labeled as audacious and intolerant, do we dare look for “the” answers? Or is it better just to shrink back and decide not to “go there.” But if answers do exist, where do we go? Isn’t that what Oprah’s show is for? And in an age when every question can be “googled” and answers are flashed by the thousands in a nanosecond, do we really need a book like this? I believe, yes, even now more than ever.” —Bruce Williams
From Gordon Ferguson Doctrine is important to anyone intent on pleasing God and helping others to please God. Religion without doctrine is like a human body without a skeletal system. A coherent body of belief that reflects the thinking of God must be the starting point if our lives are to be lived differently and have impact. See how Paul put it in 1 Timothy 4:16: “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” It is clear that life and doctrine go hand in hand. Both must receive careful attention. Whoever first said they are like the two wings of an airplane was on the right track. Try to have the right life without doctrine and you will end up with some sort of “mushy moralism” that will neither help people nor please God. On the other hand, become a doctrinal expert and give no attention to your own inner person—your heart and your attitudes—and you will do more harm than good. Prepared to Answer is designed to help us be confident and knowledgeable without being arrogant. —Gordon Ferguson
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction–Life and Doctrine
SECTION ONE —Catholic Religion
Chapter One The Falling Away Was Foretold by God
Chapter Two Authority in Religion: From God or from Men?
Chapter Three The Exaltation of Men
Chapter Four Ritualism vs. Faith: Coming to Christ
Chapter Five Ritualism vs. Faith: Living in Christ
SECTION TWO—PROTESTANT Religion
Chapter Six A Long History of Reactions
Chapter Seven Calvinism: The Doctrinal Basis of Protestantism
Chapter Eight Protestant Doctrines of Salvation
Chapter Nine Restoration Churches
Chapter Ten Pentecostalism
Chapter Eleven Evangelicalism in the 21st Century
SECTION THREE—THREE SECTS
Chapter Twelve The Jehovah’s Witnesses
Chapter Thirteen The Sabbath-Keepers
Chapter Fourteen The Mormons
Epilogue Final Considerations and Cautions
Appendix I What about the Apocrypha?
Appendix II The Doctrine of Original Sin
Appendix III New Testament Teaching on Women’s Role
Appendix IV The New Age Movement by Thomas Jones
Appendix V Watchman Nee’s Teaching on Soul And Spirit: A Form of Neo-Gnosticism
Appendix VI Matters of Conscience: A Deeper Look
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