South Korea is increasingly becoming a hotbed for cults. A few of them have successfully made their way into the United States through aggressive but sometimes secretive and covert means. On this episode of the Profile, we talk with Chris, a former member of the cult of Shincheonji (pronounced shin-shon-JEE), a group that began in South Korean in 1984. Chris will share with us what Shincheonji teaches, how he became involved, their tactics, and finally how he escaped.

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The Book of Abraham is considered to be sacred scripture by mainstream Latter-day Saints today. Joseph Smith claimed that the Egyptian papyri from which the Book of Abraham had come was the authentic, autograph original of Abraham himself, detailing his sojourn in Egypt. But through a series of events, those original papyri which were thought to have been lost, resurfaced in 1966 in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It is now widely acknowledged, even by some in the mainstream LDS Church, that Smith's translation was not in accordance with what the papyri actually described. 

We continue with our July 2024 presentation from Eric Johnson of Mormonism Research Ministry (www.MRM.org) about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. Here on part two, Eric provides more details about the origins and translations of the Book of Abraham. We also feature a question-and-answer session with Eric and our Watchman Fellowship Utah Mission Team. This training took place at MRM's new Utah Christian Research Center in Draper, Utah (www.utahchristianresearchcenter.com).

Eric Johnson has been a student of Mormonism since 1987 when he first served as a summer missionary to Utah. Eric graduated from San Diego State University as well as at Bethel Seminary San Diego. Eric cohosts the daily radio program Viewpoint on Mormonism and writes for MRM’s Mormonism Researched newsletter.  He is the co-author of Answering Mormons’ Questions: Ready Responses for Inquiring Latter-day Saints (Kregel, 2013),  Mormonism 101: Examining the Religion of the Latter-day Saints (Baker Book, 2015) and Introducing Christianity to Mormons (Harvest House, 2022).

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Who was Joseph Smith? Even after nearly 200 years since the first Book of Mormon was published in 1830, Smith remains something of an enigma. He is viewed as a charismatic farm-boy prophet and martyr by Latter-day Saints and a public enemy, adulterer, and charlatan by many others. How did Smith write the Book of Mormon and convince his followers he had received another testament of Jesus Christ? This week and next on the Profile, we feature Mormonism Research Ministry (www.MRM.org) staff member Eric Johnson. Our two-part broadcast is an exclusive training presentation Eric gave our Watchman Fellowship's Utah Mission Team this past July about Joseph Smith and how the Book of Mormon came to be. This training took place at MRM's new Utah Christian Research Center in Draper, Utah (www.utahchristianresearchcenter.com).

Eric Johnson has been a student of Mormonism since 1987 when he first served as a summer missionary to Utah. Eric graduated from San Diego State University as well as at Bethel Seminary San Diego. Eric cohosts the daily radio program Viewpoint on Mormonism and writes for MRM’s Mormonism Researched newsletter.  He is the co-author of Answering Mormons’ Questions: Ready Responses for Inquiring Latter-day Saints (Kregel, 2013),  Mormonism 101: Examining the Religion of the Latter-day Saints (Baker Book, 2015) and Introducing Christianity to Mormons (Harvest House, 2022).

Related Links: Get the rest of the story including some of our most popular podcasts on Mormonism, access to some of our key LDS articles and our free, 4-page Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism):

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Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

251 From Islam to Jesus [Part 2] Hedieh Mirahmadi's Faith Journey

apologetics, Apologetics Profile, Watchman Fellowship, Hedieh Mirahmadi, Daniel Ray, Christianity, gospel, Islam, Sunni, Shia, Sufi, Ahmadiyya, Muslim, ExMuslim, former muslim, Muhammed, Quran, Qur'an, Koran, Isa, terrorism, counter terrorism, radical islam, islamic terrorism, evangelism, gospel, islamophobia

Can you remember where you were on September 11, 2001? This week on the Profile, we continue our conversation with former Muslim Hedieh Mirahmadi as she recounts what it was like for her as a Muslim serving under President George W. Bush during the tragic events of 9-11. Hedieh shares how she began question Isalm and how she left everything behind to be with her father in California. You'll hear her remarkable testimony of how God used that break to bring her to Jesus.

Hedieh Mirahmadi was a devout practicing Sufi Muslim for over 20 years and served under five U.S. presidents as an advisor on Islamic relations. Her professional career both inside the U.S. government and the private sector was built around her Islamic faith and how to defeat Islamic terrorism. No matter what she did as a Muslim, however, she never felt as though her sins were truly forgiven or that she would obtain paradise. Hedieh became a follower of Christ after hearing His voice call her name, "Hedieh, it's Me." She and her husband Andy live in Southern California and host the Living Fearlessly Devotional podcast. To learn more about Hedieh visit her ministry website at www.resurrectministry.com.

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Join us this week to hear the remarkable story of how Jesus revealed Himself to a devout Muslim of over 20 years. Hedieh Mirahmadi served as an advisor and counter-terroist intelligence agent to five U.S. Presidents, but no matter what she did in her efforts to fight terrorism or as a  disciplined follower of Allah, she never had any assurance that she was or ever would be fully forgiven of her sins. This week, we'll hear how Hedieh became a Muslim and began her career working for the federal government.

Hedieh Mirahmadi was a devout practicing Sufi Muslim for over 20 years and served under five U.S. presidents as an advisor on Islamic relations. Her professional career both inside the U.S. government and the private sector was built around her Islamic faith and how to defeat Islamic terrorism. No matter what she did as a Muslim, however, she never felt as though her sins were truly forgiven or that she would obtain paradise. Hedieh became a follower of Christ after hearing His voice call her name, "Hedieh, it's Me." She and her husband Andy live in Southern California and host the Living Fearlessly Devotional podcast. To learn more about Hedieh visit her ministry website at www.resurrectministry.com.

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There is no quick or easy answers to the questions and doubts people have about Christianity. If you have experienced a season of doubt or if you know someone who has or is passing through such a time, we often wonder what say or what to do. We wonder if we've been deceived or if we haven't thought through everything we should have. We are tempted to envy others who seem to have it all together and become fearful of expressing our doubts. Maybe we are intimidated by objections for which we have no answer. This week on the Profile we continue our conversation with author, apologist, and pastor Bobby Conway as he continues to share his experiences and wisdom from his own struggles with doubt and how we might respond to our own doubts or the doubts of our friends, loved ones, or ardent skeptics.

Bobby Conway is a Christian apologist, author, and pastor. He holds a Master's Degree in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Ministry degree in Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion from the University of Birmingham in England. Bobby hosts the YouTube channel Christianity Still Makes Sense and serves as co-host of the nationally syndicated radio show Pastor's Perspective. He currently serves as the Lead Pastor of Image Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Book: Does Christianity Still Make Sense? https://uhop.me/Conway1

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Jesus tells us that in this world, we will have trouble. We also know from experience that part of that trouble includes times of intense and difficult doubts. Jesus, however, reminds us not to fear, that He has overcome this world and all its troubles and sorrows. He has even defeated death itself. The Apostle Paul encourages us likewise that the troubles through which we pass can be and often do serve as a means of encouraging others who are experiencing the same doubts and difficulties. This week and next on the Profile, we encourage you to hear our encouraging conversation with pastor, author, and apologist Bobby Conway, about how Jesus graciously restored and strengthened his faith.

Bobby Conway is a Christian apologist, author, and pastor. He holds a Master's Degree in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Ministry degree in Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion from the University of Birmingham in England. Bobby hosts the YouTube channel Christianity Still Makes Sense and serves as co-host of the nationally syndicated radio show Pastor's Perspective. He currently serves as the Lead Pastor of Image Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Book: Does Christianity Still Make Sense? https://uhop.me/Conway1

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Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

One of the most common interpretive mistakes we can make when reading the Bible is imposing our own cultural assumptions, biases, and understanding upon its texts. On part two of our conversation with New Testament scholar, theologian, and author, Dr. Craig S. Keener, we talk further about how needful it is for us as Christians to understand the culture and times in which the New Testament was written. Craig's best-selling book, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament provides a helpful reference for a wider audience that is accessible, easy to understand, and informative.

Dr. Craig S. Keener is F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. He is the author of 37 books with 1.4 million copies in circulation. His books have won 13 national and international awards, including six from Christianity Today. He has written commentaries on Matthew, Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, Galatians, 1 Peter, Revelation, John (1,600 pages), and Acts (4,500 pages). His other books include a two-volume work on miracles and works about the Spirit, ethnic reconciliation, women in ministry, divorce, and various other topics. His publishers include Baker Academic, Cambridge, Eerdmans, InterVarsity and Zondervan.

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Considered to be one of the best references on the cultural and historical background of the New Testament, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament has sold over half a million copies since it was first published. On the next two episodes of the Profile we sit down with the author of the commentary, New Testament scholar, and theologian, Dr. Craig S. Keener. Craig discusses the 2014 second edition of the book and how important it is for Christians to understand the culture and times in which the Bible was written.

Dr. Craig S. Keener is F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. He is the author of 37 books with 1.4 million copies in circulation. His books have won 13 national and international awards, including six from Christianity Today. He has written commentaries on Matthew, Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, Galatians, 1 Peter, Revelation, John (1,600 pages), and Acts (4,500 pages). His other books include a two-volume work on miracles and works about the Spirit, ethnic reconciliation, women in ministry, divorce, and various other topics. His publishers include Baker Academic, Cambridge, Eerdmans, InterVarsity and Zondervan.

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Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

If someone were to ask you why you think the New Testament is historically reliable, what might you tell them? If you're not sure, or just need a bit of a refresher course on how to respond to skeptics and non-Christians who doubt the veracity of the New Testament accounts, our episode again this week can surely be a great place to start. We continue our conversation with author Dr. Benjamin Shaw about his new book Trustworthy - Thirteen Arguments for the Reliability of the New Testament (www.ivpress.com/Trustworthy). Whether you are familiar with the topic or just getting started, Ben's thesis is sure to be an encouragement to your defense of the faith.

Dr. Ben Shaw has been working with Dr. Gary R. Habermas for over a decade doing philosophical, historical, and theological research while also publishing multiple works together. Additionally, part of his responsibilities was to minister to various people who had questions about Christianity: disciples, doubters, and skeptics. Dr. Shaw has authored or co-authored over two dozen publications (see below) and has given presentations at conferences (AAR, etc.) and universities (UVA, etc.). He has taught at Liberty University and Colorado Christian University. Ben has an MA in Religious Studies and a Ph.D. in Theology and Apologetics from Liberty University.

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