HIDDEN

HERESY
Is spiritualism invading Adventist churches today?

Thomas ∏ostert
Tom ∏ostert
Pacific Press® Publishing Association
Nampa, 1 Idaho
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
www.pacificpress.com
 Contents

Preface .................................................................................9

1. Can You Identify Modern Spiritualism? .............................13

2. Under the Radar ................................................................27

3. Mega/Gigachurches and the Last Great Deception ............41

4. Dangers in Mixing Truth and Error ...................................55

5. What’s Wrong With “Seeker Focused”?..............................75

6. Spiritualism in Modern Dress ........................................ 87

7. Satan’s Plans for the Remnant Church ..........................100

8. A Final Word of Caution ...............................................105

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 Pr eface

In early January 2005 I received a letter asking for my opinion

on a document by an unknown author. It addressed some of the
current trends in popular churches and suggested potential prob-
lems if Adventist churches took the same course. That letter and
document started me on a study far more detailed than I had ever
done on this subject. It also reinforced my concerns about some
disturbing trends I had noticed in the church.
As I researched the positions of well-known churches and com-
pared those findings with inspired counsel, my discoveries led to
an ever growing set of notes. Later, when I shared my thinking
with the conference presidents of the Pacific Union, they encour-
aged me to share the information more widely. What you have in
your hands is a result of what I have discovered so far.
I hope what you find in these pages will bring a new awareness
of the issues and a commitment to God’s truth in your own life.
This is the end time, and our loving Savior has shared with us—in
His own words and through His prophets—everything we need
to stay on course to the kingdom. He has given us guidance and
warnings to help our church relate to the world around us.
Certain things I discovered as I studied were new to me, and

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they were obviously controversial. So I counseled with a number

of people. I thank each one for taking the time to read the
material and share their opinions and suggestions. Special
thanks go to my friend Dr. Herb Douglass, who offered in-
valuable assistance and encouragement along the way. You
should be aware that except where otherwise indicated, all bold
type in this book represents emphasis that I have added. I have
also included full quotations in most cases in order to better
provide complete and correct context for the relevant portions
cited.
You may or may not agree with my conclusions. But in any
case, you will be more informed as to the veiled nature of
spiritualism in the great controversy going on between Christ
and Satan, and its present and future influence in the churches.
I also hope your understanding and commitment to the Seventh-
day Adventist mission will be expanded.

Thomas Mostert

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 CHAPTER

1
Can You Identify
Modern Spiritualism?

Spiritualism influencing the Adventist Church? “What a bi-

zarre idea,” you say. “How in the world could something so for-
eign to the very heart of Adventism possibly gain entry into this
church? And what pastor or member would stand by and let it
happen? That just isn’t possible!”
But before you dismiss this idea as impossible, take the quiz
below and see if you are really aware of the present façade of
modern spiritualism. Its concepts have become accepted in the
Christian church and now seem to be coming, unrecognized,
through the back door of some Adventist churches.

Spiritualism is now changing its form and, veiling some

of its more objectionable features, is assuming a Christian
guise. . . .
Christ is as verily rejected as before; but Satan has so
blinded the eyes of the people that the deception is not
discerned (The Great Controversy, pp. 557, 558).

“Satan . . . comes to poor, deceived mortals, through mod-

ern spiritualism. . . . The world knows but little as yet of the

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 HIDDEN HERESY

corrupting influence of spiritualism. The curtain was lifted,

and much of its dreadful work was revealed to me” (Testimonies
for the Church, vol. 1, p. 343). And in the context of Satan’s last
great deception, Ellen White wrote, “The line of distinction
between professed Christians and the ungodly is now hardly
distinguishable. Church members love what the world loves
and are ready to join with them, and Satan determines to unite
them in one body and thus strengthen his cause by sweeping
all into the ranks of spiritualism” (The Great Controversy,
p. 588).

Can you identify veiled spiritualism?

Read the following statements carefully. Within these well-
known non-Adventist theological teachings, see if you can spot
those that prepare the way for spiritualism. Circle the numbers
that express spiritualistic concepts. (Note: You are looking for
that which opens the door to spiritualism, not whether you
agree with the theological viewpoint.)

1. Through continuous spiritual consciousness, death no

longer exists.
2. Sin is any act or thought that robs myself or another hu-
man being of his or her self-esteem.
3. To be born again means we must be changed from a
negative to a positive self-image—from inferiority to
self-esteem, from fear to love, from doubt to trust.
4. In the mind of Jesus, self-esteem is the ultimate human
value. Christ came to teach that simple truth, and He
came to live it.

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 CAN YOU IDENTIFY MODERN SPIRITUALISM?

5. Jesus Christ knew, in reality, there is no evil. Therefore

evil is a false law man has made for himself.
6. All true believers are one with Christ and each other,
regardless of denominational background.
7. “If I Accept Jesus Christ Is My Salvation Forever?” Defi-
nitely! Your salvation is through the most trustworthy
being in the universe—Jesus Christ! You didn’t do any-
thing to earn your salvation, and you can’t do anything
to lose it. Your salvation is maintained by God’s trust-
worthiness and love, not by what you do.
8. When you stand before God, He will not ask you about
your religious background or doctrinal views. The only
thing that will matter is: Did you accept Jesus?
9. If you want Jesus to come back sooner, focus on fulfilling
your mission, not figuring out prophecies.
10. I invite you to bow your head and quietly whisper the
prayer that will change your eternity: “Jesus, I believe in
you and receive you.” Go ahead. If you sincerely meant
that prayer, congratulations. Welcome to the family of
God.

If you circled all ten statements, you spotted veiled spiritual-

ism. If you missed some, you will learn more in the following
pages. (The source for each of the ten statements above is given
at the end of this chapter.)
You will also recognize that most of these statements come
from very popular and fast-growing churches. Since some Ad-
ventists are studying the church growth concepts of these
churches, it is possible that while pursuing the worthy goal of

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 HIDDEN HERESY

growing the church, the door is opened to concepts that could

have a corrupting influence.

The two great end-time errors

In the vast sweep of end-time events that will take place be-
fore Jesus comes, spiritualism and Sunday sacredness will play
pivotal roles. They will contribute to the spiritual decline of the
popular churches, even as these churches seem caught up in a
grand revival. Ellen White describes the last deception in these
words:

Through the two great errors, the immortality of

the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the
people under his deceptions. While the former lays the
foundation of spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of
sympathy with Rome. The Protestants of the United
States will be foremost in stretching their hands across
the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will
reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman
power; and under the influence of this threefold union,
this country will follow in the steps of Rome in tram-
pling on the rights of conscience (The Great Contro-
versy, p. 588).

Sacredness of God’s law

Satan began his rebellion in heaven with the clear goal of
doing away with the law of God. That was one of the primary
issues that caused him and a third of the angels to be cast out of
heaven. It is still his primary goal, and through various means he

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 CAN YOU IDENTIFY MODERN SPIRITUALISM?

is attempting to erase God’s law from human consciousness. We

must keep this clearly in mind as we move through this study,
for it is the key issue that emerges again and again in the great
controversy. “Satan grew bold in his rebellion, and expressed his
contempt of the Creator’s law. This Satan could not bear. He
claimed that angels needed no law but should be left free to fol-
low their own will, which would ever guide them right; that law
was a restriction of their liberty; and that to abolish law was one
great object of his” (The Story of Redemption, pp. 18, 19).

Because the children of men reject the plainest teach-

ings of his word, and trample upon his law, God leaves
them to choose that which they desire. They spurn the
truth, and he permits them to believe a lie. They refuse to
yield to the convictions of the Holy Spirit, and Satan,
transforming himself into an angel of light, leads them
captive at his will. If men were but conversant with the
word of God, and obedient to its teachings, they could not
be thus deceived; but they neglect the great detector of
fraud, and the mind becomes confused and corrupted by
the deceptive arts of men, and the secret power of the fa-
ther of lies (Signs of the Times, May 18, 1882).

Marvelous beyond expression is the blindness of the

people of this generation. Thousands reject the word of
God as unworthy of belief and with eager confidence
receive the deceptions of Satan. Skeptics and scoffers
denounce the bigotry of those who contend for the faith
of prophets and apostles, and they divert themselves by

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 HIDDEN HERESY

holding up to ridicule the solemn declarations of the Scrip-

tures concerning Christ and the plan of salvation, and the
retribution to be visited upon the rejecters of the truth. They
affect great pity for minds so narrow, weak, and supersti-
tious as to acknowledge the claims of God and obey the
requirements of His law. They manifest as much assurance
as if, indeed, they had made a covenant with death and an
agreement with hell—as if they had erected an impassable,
impenetrable barrier between themselves and the vengeance
of God. Nothing can arouse their fears. So fully have
they yielded to the tempter, so closely are they united
with him, and so thoroughly imbued with his spirit,
that they have no power and no inclination to break
away from his snare (The Great Controversy, p. 561).

The substitution of the laws of men for the law of

God, the exaltation, by merely human authority, of
Sunday in place of the Bible Sabbath, is the last act in
the drama. When this substitution becomes universal,
God will reveal Himself (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7,
p. 141).

Veiled spiritualism
Spiritualism is the other great issue in end-time events.
“Satan determines to unite them [professed Christians
and the ungodly] in one body and thus strengthen his
cause by sweeping all into the ranks of spiritualism” (The
Great Controversy, p. 588). But it will take on a new look,
dress in new clothes, and appear to be something it isn’t.

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 CAN YOU IDENTIFY MODERN SPIRITUALISM?

Under this “Christian” guise, spiritualism successfully pre-

pares people to accept the false teachings of evil spirits that
directly contradict Scripture.

Those who oppose the teachings of spiritualism are as-

sailing, not men alone, but Satan and his angels. They
have entered upon a contest against principalities and
powers and wicked spirits in high places. Satan will not
yield one inch of ground except as he is driven back by the
power of heavenly messengers. The people of God should
be able to meet him, as did our Saviour, with the words:
“It is written.” Satan can quote Scripture now as in the
days of Christ, and he will pervert its teachings to sus-
tain his delusions. Those who would stand in this time
of peril must understand for themselves the testimony
of the Scriptures.
Many will be confronted by the spirits of devils per-
sonating beloved relatives or friends and declaring the
most dangerous heresies. These visitants will appeal to
our tenderest sympathies and will work miracles to sustain
their pretensions. We must be prepared to withstand them
with the Bible truth that the dead know not anything and
that they who thus appear are the spirits of devils.
Just before us is “the hour of temptation, which shall
come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the
earth.” Revelation 3:10. All whose faith is not firmly estab-
lished upon the word of God will be deceived and over-
come. Satan “works with all deceivableness of unrighteous-
ness” to gain control of the children of men, and his

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 HIDDEN HERESY

deceptions will continually increase. But he can gain his

object only as men voluntarily yield to his temptations.
Those who are earnestly seeking a knowledge of the truth
and are striving to purify their souls through obedience,
thus doing what they can to prepare for the conflict, will
find, in the God of truth, a sure defense. “Because thou
hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee”
(verse 10), is the Saviour’s promise. He would sooner send
every angel out of heaven to protect His people than leave
one soul that trusts in Him to be overcome by Satan (Ibid.,
pp. 559, 560).

Men of intelligence are infatuated with Satanic

sorcery as verily today as in the days of Paul. Thousands
accept the opinion of the minister or obey the injunc-
tions of the pope or priest, and neglect God’s word and
despise his truth. God would have his people learn their
duty for themselves. The Bible declares his will to men,
and it is as much our privilege and our duty to learn that
will as it is that of ministers and popes and priests to learn
it. What they can read from God’s word, we can all read
(Signs of the Times, May 18, 1882).

It is true that spiritualism is now changing its form

and, veiling some of its more objectionable features, it
is assuming a Christian guise. . . .
Even in its present form, so far from being more worthy
of toleration than formerly, it is really a more dangerous,
because a more subtle, deception. While it formerly de-

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 CAN YOU IDENTIFY MODERN SPIRITUALISM?

nounced Christ and the Bible, it now professes to accept

both. But the Bible is interpreted in a manner that is pleas-
ing to the unrenewed heart, while its solemn and vital
truths are made of no effect. Love is dwelt upon as the
chief attribute of God, but it is degraded to a weak senti-
mentalism, making little distinction between good and
evil. God’s justice, His denunciations of sin, the require-
ments of His holy law, are all kept out of sight. The people
are taught to regard the Decalogue as a dead letter. Pleas-
ing, bewitching fables captivate the senses and lead men to
reject the Bible as the foundation of their faith. Christ is as
verily denied as before; but Satan has so blinded the eyes
of the people that the deception is not discerned (The Great
Controversy, pp. 557, 558).

Notice carefully how the quotation above details the subtle

changes in the public face of spiritualism—changes all designed
to create an atmosphere in which false teachers can tear down
God’s law. Notice that Ellen White points out five specific as-
pects to this veiled form of Satan’s tool. All can now be seen in
modern Christian churches:

1. “The Bible is interpreted in a manner that is pleasing to

the unrenewed heart, while its solemn and vital truths
are made of no effect.”
2. “Love is dwelt upon as the chief attribute of God, but
it is degraded to a weak sentimentalism, making little
distinction between good and evil.”
3. “God’s justice, His denunciations of sin, the requirements

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 HIDDEN HERESY

of His holy law, are all kept out of sight. The people are
taught to regard the Decalogue as a dead letter.”
4. “Pleasing, bewitching fables captivate the senses and
lead men to reject the Bible as the foundation of their
faith.”
5. “Christ is . . . denied . . . ,” but the eyes of the people are
blinded so that they don’t see the deception.

These concepts prepare the ground for the last great de-
ception.

The line of distinction between professing Christians

and the ungodly is now hardly distinguishable. Church
members love what the world loves and are ready to join
with them, and Satan determines to unite them in one
body and thus strengthen his cause by sweeping all
into the ranks of spiritualism. Papists, who boast of
miracles as a certain mark of the true church, will be read-
ily deceived by this wonder-working power; and Protes-
tants, having cast away the shield of truth, will also be
deluded. Papists, Protestants, and worldlings will alike ac-
cept the form of godliness without the power, and they
will see in this union a grand movement for the con-
version of the world, and the ushering in of the long-
expected millennium (The Great Controversy, pp. 588,
589).

I was directed to this scripture as especially apply-

ing to modern spiritualism: Colossians 2:8: “Beware lest

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 CAN YOU IDENTIFY MODERN SPIRITUALISM?

any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit,

after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world,
and not after Christ.”. . .
“Vain deceit” fills the minds of poor mortals. They
think there is such power in themselves to accomplish
great works that they realize no necessity of a higher
power. Their principles and faith are “after the tradi-
tion of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not
after Christ” (Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2,
p. 723).

Jesus has not taught them this philosophy. Nothing of

the kind can be found in His teachings. He did not direct
the minds of poor mortals to themselves, to a power which
they possessed. He was ever directing their minds to God,
the Creator of the universe, as the source of their strength
and wisdom. Special warning is given in verse 18: “Let no
man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility
and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things
which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly
mind” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 297).

Inspiration describes other pieces of the end-time puzzle

that help us understand more clearly how “the two great er-
rors” are established. Jesus prophesied, “Many will turn away
from me and betray and hate each other. And many false proph-
ets will appear and will lead many people astray. Sin will be
rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold” (Mat-
thew 24:10–12, NLT).

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 HIDDEN HERESY

Paul said,

And now, brothers and sisters, let us tell you about the
coming again of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be
gathered together to meet him. . . .
For that day will not come until there is a great rebel-
lion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—
the one who brings destruction. He will exalt himself and
defy every god there is and tear down every object of ado-
ration and worship. He will position himself in the temple
of God, claiming that he himself is God (2 Thessalonians
2:1–4, NLT).

The Bible declares that before the coming of the

Lord there will exist a state of religious declension sim-
ilar to that in the first centuries. “In the last days perilous
times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves,
covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to
parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection,
trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers
of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers
of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godli-
ness, but denying the power thereof.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times
some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing
spirits, and doctrines of devils.” 1 Timothy 4:1. Satan will
work “with all power and signs and lying wonders, and
with all deceivableness of unrighteousness.” And all that
“received not the love of the truth, that they might be

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CAN YOU IDENTIFY MODERN SPIRITUALISM?

saved,” will be left to accept “strong delusion, that they

should believe a lie.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11. When this
state of ungodliness shall be reached, the same results will
follow as in the first centuries.
The wide diversity of belief in the Protestant churches is
regarded by many as decisive proof that no effort to secure
a forced uniformity can ever be made. But there has been
for years, in churches of the Protestant faith, a strong and
growing sentiment in favor of a union based upon common
points of doctrine. To secure such a union, the discussion of
subjects upon which all were not agreed—however impor-
tant they might be from a Bible standpoint—must neces-
sarily be waived (The Great Controversy, p. 444).

By the pride of human wisdom, by contempt for the

influence of the Holy Spirit, and by disrelish for the truths
of God’s word, many who profess to be Christians, and
who feel competent to teach others, will be led to turn
away from the requirements of God. Paul declared to
Timothy, “The time will come when they will not endure
sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to
themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall
turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned
unto fables.” [2 Timothy 4:3-4.]
The apostle does not here refer to the openly irreligious,
but to the professing Christians who make inclination
their guide, and thus become enslaved by self. Such are
willing to listen to those doctrines only that do not
rebuke their sins or condemn their pleasure-loving

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 HIDDEN HERESY

course. They are offended by the plain words of the

faithful servants of Christ and choose teachers who
praise and flatter them. And among professing minis-
ters there are those who preach the opinions of men
instead of the word of God. Unfaithful to their trust,
they lead astray those who look to them for spiritual guid-
ance (Acts of the Apostles, pp. 504, 505).

After describing in graphic detail how society will fall apart

in the end time, Paul adds that the basic reason will be due to
people acting “as if they are religious, but they will reject the
power that could make them godly” (2 Timothy 3:5, NLT).
Peter puts it this way: “I want to remind you that in the last days
there will be scoffers who will laugh at the truth and do every
evil thing they desire” (2 Peter 3:3, NLT).

_______________________________
Key to quiz references:

1. Love, Medicine, and Miracles, p. 220. Dr. Bernie Siegel, New Age/occult
writer endorsed by Norman Vincent Peale.
2. Self-Esteem: The New Reformation, p. 14. Robert Schuller, Word Books,
1982.
3. Ibid., p. 68.
4. Hour of Power Web site. Robert Schuller. Spiritual Guidance section (ba-
sic beliefs) “The Greatest Day in the History of the World,” February 4, 2005.
5. The Game of Life, p. 30. Florence Shinn, metaphysician, endorsed on the
cover by Norman Vincent Peale. (Peale was the inspiration for Robert Schul-
ler.)
6. Willow Creek Statement of Belief, The Church. From the Willow Creek
Web site, February 4, 2005. Bill Hybels, founding pastor.
7. Saddleback Church Beliefs, Rick Warren, from the church Web site.
8. The Purpose Driven Life, p. 34. Rick Warren, Zondervan, 2002.
9. Ibid., p. 286.
10. Ibid., pp. 58, 59.

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