Restorationism is a movement that originated in the early 1800's up to the current day. In essence, after Protestantism emerged from the Reformation, various aberrant groups began to criticize various elements of Protestantism. Some of these groups include Armstrongism (various Sabbath-keeping Church of God groups like Restored Church of God, United Church of God, Living Church of God, Philadelphia Church of God, Church of God - International), Seventh Day Adventism, Landmark Baptists, Mormonism, Church of Christ (Campbellites), Jehovah's Witnesses, Iglesia Ni Cristo, and a lot of the Hebrew Roots Movement groups.
The essential claim of Restorationists is that their movement restores the true apostolic faith to Christianity. Restorationist movements focus on discrediting the rest of Christianity, and promoting themselves as the true faith.
They generally claim that denominations are evidence that Christianity (excluding themselves) is fatally flawed and a tool of Satan.
Often they refer to their belief system as "the truth", obvious cultic language. That is what the Armstrongites I was involved with used to describe Herbert Armstrong's teachings. I have seen individuals in the chat room use the phrase as well. For instance, a young lady told another Sabbathkeeper "I am so glad we know the truth"...in relation to their common Sabbathkeeping.
The particular flavor of Restorationism I am familiar with is the Sabbathkeeper variety. Sabbathkeeping organizations often hold the position that those who don't keep the Sabbath are sinning against God. It's also often associated with being under the Mark of the Beast, either now or at some future point.
Armstrongites, SDAs, and some Hebrew Roots/Messianic Jew/"Torah observers" often believe this. Often, they have a distorted view of church history meant to support their claims that the church has veered far away from the truth.
It is interesting that some of these individuals make false claims concerning the number of denominations. For instance, recently I heard the figure of 60,000 different denominations. That's about twice as many denominations as I've heard by even the most outrageous claims issued by the Roman Catholic Church (which also uses the number of denominations as support for their position that they are the true church).
Anyways, it's hilarious that those making such claims are part of organizations which have added to the number. Most of them would claim that they aren't a denomination; they are the "true church". Others are simply small groups, but they seem to be oblivious to the fact that they themselves have added to the number while decrying that the vast number of groups.
And, when these groups break up due to differences of opinion, often they dissolve into splinter groups. Can we not say that these splinter groups, each with a separate name, are denominations? They would loudly protest that designation but that's the reality of the situation. Their position is totally hypocritical.
I also find it interesting that these groups hold beliefs that are heretical. Some outright deny the Trinity or the deity of Christ. Others define the Trinity in their terms, and claim that they believe in the Trinity but not the "Roman Catholic Trinity". Roman Catholics do not believe differently concerning the Trinity than evangelical Christians, therefore in essence the group is saying they don't believe in the Trinity.
Some will claim that they believe other Christians in other organizations are believers, but will still claim to be the true church. Seventh Day Adventism, for example, teaches that it is the true church, and is the "visible church of God" but there is an "invisible church of God" that is composed of all true believers. To deny this would be to refute their "remnant church" claim, which teaches that due to Sabbathkeeping and the "spirit of prophecy" (which mainly refers to Ellen G. White's prophetess status), they are the end time "remnant church" mentioned in Revelation.
Here's a good article on Restorationism:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restorationism
With regards to these sorts of cultic claims, I suggest that you apply the claims of the cult to themselves. For instance, cults claim that denominationalism proves falseness. Within a short period of time, these cults break down into different groups themselves. Point this out to them and watch them squirm and make excuses for their own splinter groups and how they don't qualify as denominations.
Also, be aware that there are individuals who are caught up in these claims who are regarded as "teachers" here on the site, despite their unorthodox associations. I suspect that some of them don't even believe in core Christian teachings such as the Trinity. They may claim they do, but then they define the Trinity in a different manner that evangelical Christianity defines it. For instance, do they believe that God is one Being yet three distinct Persons, and that these Persons are co-essential (sharing the same essence) and co-eternal (have existed eternally)?
With "Torah observers", the problem with their theology is even more apparent, though. Some are blatantly teaching that the Mosaic Covenant is in effect as a whole. This is impossible as the Temple and Levitical priesthood was integral to the Mosaic Covenant, and neither of those exist. Therefore, no one can be claiming to observe the Mosaic Covenant.
Check out the Restorationist article. When it comes down to it, a lot of the cultic movements are simply an outgrowth of this.
Concerning the Hebrew Roots Movement, here's a really good audio:
https://player.fm/series/the-christ...0/the-hebrew-roots-movementburden-or-biblical
The person who is being interviewed is a Messianic Jew, Steven Kreloff.
The essential claim of Restorationists is that their movement restores the true apostolic faith to Christianity. Restorationist movements focus on discrediting the rest of Christianity, and promoting themselves as the true faith.
They generally claim that denominations are evidence that Christianity (excluding themselves) is fatally flawed and a tool of Satan.
Often they refer to their belief system as "the truth", obvious cultic language. That is what the Armstrongites I was involved with used to describe Herbert Armstrong's teachings. I have seen individuals in the chat room use the phrase as well. For instance, a young lady told another Sabbathkeeper "I am so glad we know the truth"...in relation to their common Sabbathkeeping.
The particular flavor of Restorationism I am familiar with is the Sabbathkeeper variety. Sabbathkeeping organizations often hold the position that those who don't keep the Sabbath are sinning against God. It's also often associated with being under the Mark of the Beast, either now or at some future point.
Armstrongites, SDAs, and some Hebrew Roots/Messianic Jew/"Torah observers" often believe this. Often, they have a distorted view of church history meant to support their claims that the church has veered far away from the truth.
It is interesting that some of these individuals make false claims concerning the number of denominations. For instance, recently I heard the figure of 60,000 different denominations. That's about twice as many denominations as I've heard by even the most outrageous claims issued by the Roman Catholic Church (which also uses the number of denominations as support for their position that they are the true church).
Anyways, it's hilarious that those making such claims are part of organizations which have added to the number. Most of them would claim that they aren't a denomination; they are the "true church". Others are simply small groups, but they seem to be oblivious to the fact that they themselves have added to the number while decrying that the vast number of groups.
And, when these groups break up due to differences of opinion, often they dissolve into splinter groups. Can we not say that these splinter groups, each with a separate name, are denominations? They would loudly protest that designation but that's the reality of the situation. Their position is totally hypocritical.
I also find it interesting that these groups hold beliefs that are heretical. Some outright deny the Trinity or the deity of Christ. Others define the Trinity in their terms, and claim that they believe in the Trinity but not the "Roman Catholic Trinity". Roman Catholics do not believe differently concerning the Trinity than evangelical Christians, therefore in essence the group is saying they don't believe in the Trinity.
Some will claim that they believe other Christians in other organizations are believers, but will still claim to be the true church. Seventh Day Adventism, for example, teaches that it is the true church, and is the "visible church of God" but there is an "invisible church of God" that is composed of all true believers. To deny this would be to refute their "remnant church" claim, which teaches that due to Sabbathkeeping and the "spirit of prophecy" (which mainly refers to Ellen G. White's prophetess status), they are the end time "remnant church" mentioned in Revelation.
Here's a good article on Restorationism:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restorationism
With regards to these sorts of cultic claims, I suggest that you apply the claims of the cult to themselves. For instance, cults claim that denominationalism proves falseness. Within a short period of time, these cults break down into different groups themselves. Point this out to them and watch them squirm and make excuses for their own splinter groups and how they don't qualify as denominations.
Also, be aware that there are individuals who are caught up in these claims who are regarded as "teachers" here on the site, despite their unorthodox associations. I suspect that some of them don't even believe in core Christian teachings such as the Trinity. They may claim they do, but then they define the Trinity in a different manner that evangelical Christianity defines it. For instance, do they believe that God is one Being yet three distinct Persons, and that these Persons are co-essential (sharing the same essence) and co-eternal (have existed eternally)?
With "Torah observers", the problem with their theology is even more apparent, though. Some are blatantly teaching that the Mosaic Covenant is in effect as a whole. This is impossible as the Temple and Levitical priesthood was integral to the Mosaic Covenant, and neither of those exist. Therefore, no one can be claiming to observe the Mosaic Covenant.
Check out the Restorationist article. When it comes down to it, a lot of the cultic movements are simply an outgrowth of this.
Concerning the Hebrew Roots Movement, here's a really good audio:
https://player.fm/series/the-christ...0/the-hebrew-roots-movementburden-or-biblical
The person who is being interviewed is a Messianic Jew, Steven Kreloff.
