International Journal of Cultic Studies ■ Vol. 3, 2012 81
strive for, and I am trying to achieve in
this book.
Dr. Theissen’s philosophical approach, as
announced in the subtitle, may be at odds with
my more experiential and existential approach.
He researches the academic work of other
scholars, while pastorally oriented persons are
more concerned about specific individuals and
their families whose lives have been drastically
harmed by abusive proselytizers. I take my hat
off to my colleagues in the ICSA who have
worked diligently to make our cause respectable
in the halls of scholars. Here is one we have yet
to convert.
Although I personally and professionally
approve and agree with the author’s 15 criteria
for ethical evangelism and his condemnation of
the many moral violations he cites, I found his
writing style tediously repetitious after the first
140 pages, as I muttered to myself, “Oh, you
already told me that more than once.”
The cult phenomena may not have served his
purposes very well, and InterVarsity may
concur but Elmer John Theissen’s inability to
share my perspective and commitments in that
regard left me disappointed and doubtful of the
depth, breadth, and relevance of his scholarly
wisdom.
strive for, and I am trying to achieve in
this book.
Dr. Theissen’s philosophical approach, as
announced in the subtitle, may be at odds with
my more experiential and existential approach.
He researches the academic work of other
scholars, while pastorally oriented persons are
more concerned about specific individuals and
their families whose lives have been drastically
harmed by abusive proselytizers. I take my hat
off to my colleagues in the ICSA who have
worked diligently to make our cause respectable
in the halls of scholars. Here is one we have yet
to convert.
Although I personally and professionally
approve and agree with the author’s 15 criteria
for ethical evangelism and his condemnation of
the many moral violations he cites, I found his
writing style tediously repetitious after the first
140 pages, as I muttered to myself, “Oh, you
already told me that more than once.”
The cult phenomena may not have served his
purposes very well, and InterVarsity may
concur but Elmer John Theissen’s inability to
share my perspective and commitments in that
regard left me disappointed and doubtful of the
depth, breadth, and relevance of his scholarly
wisdom.
