Protestant Witch-hunt and the Case of Murray J. Harris
Back in the 1998, Murray J. Harris wrote a very interesting book called _Jesus as God-The New Testament Use of Theos in Reference to Jesus._
While I don't agree with all Harris has written in this book, and it was very well done, and the references given are invaluable. It is a good read and looks at different ways of approaching certain ways of translating the popular proof-texts, such as John 1:1, Romans 9:5, Titus 2:13 etc.
However, few of us know that Harris was investigated by "cult-watch organizations" about 25 years ago.
"In November of 1992, _Christianity Today_ reported that 'nearly three dozen' cult-watch organizations were branding as heresy the Resurrection teaching of Dr. Murray Harris, professor of New Testament exegesis and theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. These watchdog groups, led by Witness Inc., contended that Harris teaches doctrine similar to that of Jehovah's Witnesses. According to the president of Trinity, Harris has been evaluated by an august committee made up of theologians from Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary, Denver Conservative Baptist Seminary, and Reformed Theological Seminary. They pronounced him 'within the bounds of orthodoxy.' None of that stopped the cult-watchers. In March of 1993, Witness Inc., mailed out a 'special update' on the controversy. They referred to the efforts of the committee as a 'type of kangaroo court.' They have circulated a form letter condemning Harris' doctrine, appealing for Christians to sign it and return it to them."
-see Heresy Hunters, pp. 37, 38 by James R. Spencer;
_Trinity Prof Attacked for Resurrection Teaching" Christianity Today (11 November 1992); 62;
Millard Erickson, et al., "Report of the Ad Hoc Committee to Examine the Views of Dr. Murray J. Harris" (9 February 1993)
I find the above quite interesting, some several different angles.
First, "THREE DOZEN CULT-WATCH ORGANIZATIONs"!!!. Isn't that over-kill?! Believe me, this number has ballooned with the internet. These people aren't about "freedom," they are about thought and information control. They are the same people that claim "cultists" aren't really free, yet they are running these witch-hunt operations in order to quell freedom. It is not about freedom, it is about making sure everybody else thinks JUST LIKE THEM.
Unfortunately, I have to wonder at how much better a book like _Jesus as God_ could have been if Harris could have written it without fear of reprisal from his own community.
Another example is Gwen Shamblin, who was popular 15 years ago with the multi-million dollar Weigh-Down Workshop. She evidently made statements against the Trinity, and said that the name Jehovah cannot be applied to Christ. Well, Nelson publishers refused to release her book, my local store refused to carry her Diet book, and she has had to endure a war of words and boycotts.
Now, according to these cult-watchers, "Some cultic groups discourage members from thinking independently. The 'thinking,' as it were, has already been done for them by the cult leadership; the proper response is merely to submit." From Six Sociological Characteristics of Cults
It has been my experience that Cult-Watch groups really want to regulate thought and determine how others ought to understand the Bible.
In other words, the cult fighters have become the cults.
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