ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CULTS AND NEW RELIGIONS
by John Ankerberg and John Weldon
Harvest House Publishers, 731 pages, $19.95

John Ankerberg and John Weldon come up big with their Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions — really big. Weighing in at over 2.5 lbs. and over 700 pages, this massive volume is one of the most exhaustive and up-to-date investigations of non-Christian sects ever published. It even delves into some world religions and occultic groups that have transformed into contemporary movements.

The book surveys over 50 easily recognized groups. While some entries are brief, several others such as the Watchtower Society, Latter-day Saints and Freemasonry are thoroughly detailed in sections of 60 pages or more.

The book’s layout makes for quick information retrieval. The shorter profiles contain “Info at a Glance” and “Doctrinal Summary” sections. These segments list fundamental, historical and theological facts about the group. The larger profiles contain extended descriptions of the group’s history and doctrine, critical analysis, biblical refutation of unorthodox beliefs, false prophecies, witnessing suggestions, and comparison charts.

A 66-page “Doctrinal Appendix” is really a book within the book. It presents and biblically defines all the major tenets of the Christian faith, including the Trinity, the deity of Christ, salvation, death and the afterlife, and much more.

Ankerberg and Weldon have brought together thousands of hours of research into this one volume. It may well prove to be a “one-stop” reference work to assist in the struggle against the onslaught of non-Christian cults and new religions.

—MKG

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