Scripture Twisting: 20 Ways the Cults Misread the Bible

by James W. Sire

Book Overview

How often have you encountered some bizarre doctrine only to be stunned to hear a Bible verse quoted to support it? With new religious cults springing up almost daily and old ones growing rapidly, this is more and more common. How are they seemingly able to twist Scripture to mean something orthodox Christians have never believed it to mean in two thousand years?

James Sire, author of The Universe Next Door and How to Read Slowly,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0877846111
• ISBN13: 9780877846116
• Release Date: October 1980
• Publisher: IVP
• Length: 180 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Outstanding summary of ways Scripture is "reinvented"

It's true - none of us are perfect, and no one has 100% accurate understanding of the Bible. Yet Sire's little book is a great summary of 20 ways the Scripture gets twisted around (intentionally, and unintentionally). I found this a great teaching tool not only regarding cult teachings, but also for understanding errors within mainline denominational Scripture translations and interpretations, as well.

Scripture Twisting - The Methods Untwisted

This is probably the best resource I've seen on understanding how so many can read the same Bible and get entirely different meanings. Sire's clear and understandable writing style make the read enjoyable as well as informative. I give this book the highest recommendation I can to anyone, Christian or otherwise, as a great introduction to how to get at the intended meaning of the Bible.

Scripture Twisting untwists the web of cult thinking

Scripture Twisting By James W.Sire is, I think, the single best book on this subject. It is rare to find a book which does more than label and bash cults. This book does much more. It thoughtfully explains the errors of biblical interpretation and standard theological thought that leaders of major cults have had, in order to come to their conclusions about God. It is also very instructive for those of us who may be guilty of "misreading" our own Bibles to prove our own points or underscore our own personal theologies, rather than letting the Bible speak for itself.

Scripture Twisting: How We All Misread The Bible

This book is quite instructional on how not to make the most common errors in biblical interpretation, but I always thought it should have been respectfully entitled, "Scripture Twisting: Twenty Ways We All Misread The Bible." It's just human nature to want to put all the blame on others, and feel that we are doing things "right." No matter what the others do, we certainly have enough folks in our own congregations (I am not excluded) who have misinterpreted passages even with the best of intentions.

Required Reading

Every old or new believer in Christ should have this book in his/her library. James Sire has created a 'classic' with this book. I recommend it to every and anyone- proper Biblical interpretation can keep one off the road to spiritual darkness and Mr. Sire's book provides a good basis for learning proper Biblical interpretation, evaluating the claims of such cults as Mormons, JW's, the Unification church and others who believers in Christ are confronted with in their daily walk.