First Plumbline Apologetics ~ Doctrines of the Family

DOCTRINES of The Family.

It is somewhat of a problem to evaluate many doctrines in The Family/COG. David Berg has taught conflicting, haphazard, and confusing things concerning some doctrine. The Family also has a history of public adjustment and deception, in order to diminish opposition to their cause.

THE TRINITY: According to The Family's recent statements of faith, they claim to be in harmony with orthodoxy. They affirm "one true, eternal God and the unity of the Godhead, that there are three distinguishable but inseparable Persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit" ("Our Statement of Faith," World Services, April 1992). Yet in Berg's teachings, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit representations are far from orthodox. GOD THE FATHER: Berg's writings and pictures consistently depict the Father as a white-haired man who is described as "a sexy, naked god in a wild orgy of the Spirit" and "A Pimp" (Mo Letters #286 :23; 520:27).

GOD THE SON: Again, The Family's recent statement of faith concerning Jesus Christ appears orthodox. It affirms His Deity, miraculous and divine conception, virgin birth by Mary, sinlessness, full substitutionary atonement, bodily resurrection, perpetual intercession for His people, and his second coming and judgment ("Our Statement of Faith"). Yet in Berg's teachings, he declares that the Angel Gabriel, as God's representative, actually had intercourse with Mary and
produced Jesus (Mo Letters #1061, published 1981; #1566, published 1983; #2359, published 1990).

Berg also teaches "by revelation" that Jesus repeatedly fornicated with His female followers, especially with Mary, Martha and Mary Magdalene (Mo Letters #651:45; 569:183; 48:10).

And, if that is not enough, Berg teaches that Jesus had venereal disease (Mo Letter #569).

There are a number of "contradictory statements concerning the divine/human natures of Christ in Berg's writings. Sometimes he speaks of Jesus being the eternal living Son, and most often refers to Him as being the created Son"
(Dictionary of Cults, Sects, Religions and the Occult, p. 55).

In meeting personally with The Family's leaders in Romania, Watchman found that they used exactly the same arguments and verses that Jehovah's Witnesses use to prove that Jesus is created not eternal.

THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Holy Spirit is consistently depicted in their literature as a semi-naked, voluptuous woman. Berg describes the Holy Spirit variously as "God the Mother, Queen of Heaven, Queen of love, elixir of love." Berg depicts the Holy Spirit as the enabler to experience "spiritual orgasm by being filled with the Spirit" (Mo Letters #2115, 723, 44; "He Stands in the Gap," May 1991).

MAN'S DESTINY: Again, the latest statement of faith appears to affirm orthodoxy. It affirms that all are sinners, that salvation is by grace through faith in the atoning work of Christ alone, and that one must personally believe on and personally receive Jesus Christ, be born again, and is eternally secure ("Our
Statement," pp. 1-2).

Historically, the COG did preach the Biblical gospel even though their teachings on Christian living were distorted. However, as Berg's aberrant doctrine evolved, the gospel became more distorted. For example, repentance is seldom, if ever, seen in his writings as a response to the gospel. Berg's teachings and ethod
of evangelism promoting sexual permissiveness and the "law of love" (antinomianism; no law; licentiousness) distorts the gospel. Berg also teaches a universal salvation through a purgatory-like process (Mo Letter #316, p. 24).

Other Doctrines.

1). The"law of love": Berg's twisting of passages like John 1:17,
1 Corinthians 6:12, Galatians 5:14, and others has produced one
of the central heresies of The Family. Berg teaches that the law
has been abrogated and has been replaced by love and the law
of the Spirit which Berg interprets to mean "if someone's actions are motivated by love [unselfish] and are not hurtful to anyone else involved, then those actions are acceptable to God" ("Our Basic Beliefs"). In other words, license is given to fornication, adultery, vulgarity, profanity, even group sex (formerly incest, prostitution, and child sex as well).

2). Apocalyptic messages: Many of Berg's writings contain prophecies of doom and warning to the church, U.S. and foreign governments, and the world in general. As with all false prophets, most all of these are failures and many are bizarre.

3). Spiritism and the occult: Berg has a long history of personal
involvement with and endorsement of astrology, possession and revelation by spirit guides and helpers (which included departed saints and pagans), use of mediums. In addition to Necromancy, Berg claims to have sexual intercourse with spirits and pagan goddesses (Mo Letters #621:26; 554; 102:7-12; 61:17; 268:1-2, 12;107:18, 25).

4). Forsaking all: According to a number of former members, the Family has the same patterns found in other cults which use unethical, manipulative thought reform, and mind control techniques such as information control, isolation, guilt, fear, persecution complex, giving up career, family, or whatever impedes the group's agenda.