Introduction
In the age of social media theology, memes often replace deep study. Recently, an image has been circulating titled "Cults Deconstructed with One Verse." It’s a provocative premise: take six controversial theological movements (labeled in the image as "cults") and dismantle their entire foundation with a single Bible passage.
While the simplicity is appealing, biblical interpretation is rarely that straightforward. "Proof-texting"—pulling a verse out of context to prove a point—can be a dangerous game, even when well-intentioned.
Today, we are going to take the claims made in this viral image seriously. We will look at the group mentioned, the verse provided to refute them, and then analyze the argument. We will look at why the verse seems to work as a "gotcha" (the Pro), but also why it might not be the slam-dunk argument it appears to be, often by looking at contradictory scripture or context (the Con).
Let’s dive into this theological cross-examination.
1. Mormonism (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
The Claimed Refutation:
"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." - Galatians 1:8
Analysis: The Pro Side (Why it seems to work)
This is perhaps the strongest surface-level argument on the list. The origin story of Mormonism hinges on Joseph Smith being visited by an angel named Moroni, who delivered the "golden plates" that became the Book of Mormon. Paul’s warning in Galatians specifically mentions an "angel from heaven" bringing a gospel different from the apostolic tradition. For many orthodox Christians, the additional scriptures and unique doctrines of Mormonism clearly constitute "another gospel."
Analysis: The Con Side (The counter-perspective)
Mormons are well aware of this verse. Their defense is that they are not preaching "another" gospel, but the restored fullness of the original gospel that had been lost. Furthermore, they argue that the Bible predicts angelic involvement in spreading the gospel in the latter days. They frequently cite Revelation 14:6 to support Moroni's visitation: "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth..." The debate, therefore, isn't whether an angel could come, but whether Joseph Smith's message aligns with the New Testament.
2. Seventh-Day Adventism
The Claimed Refutation:
"And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight." - Acts 20:7
Analysis: The Pro Side (Why it seems to work)
A core tenet of Seventh-Day Adventism is that the Saturday Sabbath is eternal and that worshipping on Sunday is a mark of apostasy. This verse in Acts is often used by Protestants to show that the earliest Christians had already shifted their primary corporate worship and communion ("breaking bread") to "the first day of the week" (Sunday) in honor of the resurrection.
Analysis: The Con Side (The counter-perspective)
Adventists argue that a narrative description of a single meeting in Acts does not constitute a command to change one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11, "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy"). They might point out that early Christians met almost daily (Acts 2:46), so a Sunday meeting doesn't negate Saturday Sabbath. Furthermore, scripture shows Paul habitually attending synagogues on the Sabbath to preach (Acts 17:2). They view Acts 20:7 as a descriptive event of a farewell meeting, not a prescriptive theological shift.
3. Jehovah's Witnesses
The Claimed Refutation:
"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." - Matthew 1:23
Analysis: The Pro Side (Why it seems to work)
Jehovah's Witnesses deny the Trinity. They believe Jesus is God's first creation (often identified as Michael the Archangel), but he is not Almighty God himself. Matthew records the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy that the Messiah would be called Emmanuel, meaning "God with us." This seems like a direct affirmation of Christ’s full deity—that Jesus is literally God dwelling among humanity.
Analysis: The Con Side (The counter-perspective)
Jehovah's Witnesses interpret "Emmanuel" differently. They argue that names in the Bible often reflect God's actions rather than the essence of the person bearing the name. To them, Jesus is "God with us" in the sense that he is God’s perfect representative and the means through which God is reconciling the world. To counter the deity argument, they rely heavily on verses emphasizing Jesus’s subordination to the Father, such as Jesus's own words in John 14:28: "...for my Father is greater than I."
4. Roman Catholicism
The Claimed Refutation:
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." - 1 Timothy 2:5
Analysis: The Pro Side (Why it seems to work)
This is a classic Protestant objection to Catholic practices concerning Mary and the Saints. Catholicism encourages believers to ask saints to intercede for them. Critics argue that if Jesus is the only mediator, then praying to anyone else, even just asking for their prayers, undermines Christ's unique and sufficient role as the bridge between humanity and the Father.
Analysis: The Con Side (The counter-perspective)
Catholic theology distinguishes between the unique "Mediator of Redemption" (Jesus alone) and "mediators of intercession" (all Christians). They argue that asking a saint in heaven to pray for you is no different than asking a friend at church to pray for you, which Scripture encourages (James 5:16, "pray one for another"). They believe those in heaven are more alive than we are and are actively involved in prayer, pointing to Revelation 5:8, which depicts elders in heaven presenting bowls of incense that are "the prayers of saints."
5. Charismatic Movement
The Claimed Refutation:
"Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe." - 1 Corinthians 14:21-22
Analysis: The Pro Side (Why it seems to work)
In many modern Charismatic and Pentecostal churches, speaking in tongues is practiced primarily among believers during worship services as a sign of the Holy Spirit's presence or for personal edification. This verse seems to directly contradict that practice, stating explicitly that tongues are a sign for unbelievers, not believers.
Analysis: The Con Side (The counter-perspective)
This verse is notoriously difficult to interpret and is part of a much larger argument Paul is making. Charismatics argue that Paul is quoting Isaiah to make a specific point about judgment on unbelieving Israel. More importantly, they point out that earlier in the very same chapter, Paul affirms the exact opposite use for tongues: personal edification for the believer. 1 Corinthians 14:4 states, "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself." They argue the "refutation" verse is taken out of context and ignore Paul's concluding instruction in verse 39: "forbid not to speak with tongues."
6. Hebrew Roots Movement
The Claimed Refutation:
"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." - John 1:17
Analysis: The Pro Side (Why it seems to work)
The Hebrew Roots movement emphasizes a return to Torah observance for Christians, including keeping Levitical dietary laws and Old Testament feasts. This verse in John creates a sharp dichotomy between the Mosaic Law and the grace/truth brought by Jesus. The argument is that we are now under the new covenant of grace, and returning to the shadow of the old law is a theological regression.
Analysis: The Con Side (The counter-perspective)
Adherents of this movement argue that standard Christian theology creates a false dichotomy between "law" and "grace." They believe Jesus did not come to abolish the Torah, but to show how to live it out perfectly. They rely heavily on Matthew 5:17: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." They argue that "truth" cannot be separated from God's law, citing Psalm 119:142: "thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth."
Conclusion
The meme is catchy, but theology is complex. While the verses provided in the image raise valid critiques of these various movements, none of them act as a "magic bullet" that instantly destroys an entire theological system without rebuttal.
Almost every major theological disagreement involves balancing varying scriptures that seem to dwell in tension with one another. While it is vital to recognize heresy, "one-verse deconstruction" is rarely a sufficient method for arriving at the truth.
