Where did Stephen Covey get his 7 habits?

Published nearly 26 years ago, Stephen Covey's development training program, "The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People" today is as popular as ever. 

But most people who use it are unaware of the fact that Covey has discovered how to communicate Mormon teachings to non-Mormons by simply changing his vocabulary. 

Bill Gordon explains that a study of Covey's writings reveal the Mormon ideas and beliefs behind many of the principles found in 7 Habits.

E. Bernard and Manasseh Jordan: Whose Side Are They On?

E. Bernard and Manasseh Jordan are enemies of the gospel. Their talk of prosperity, power, and prophecy ultimately points us to the Jordans themselves and to a mystical power within us. 

These sheep-fleecers preach and teach dark, cultic doctrines in the house of God. And, writes David Kowalski, they would likely not have gained entry in that house without the help of their good friend, Benny Hinn. 

A wake-up call for Christians who fall for anything that promises to make them healthy, rich, and happy.

http://www.apologeticsindex.org/2776-e-bernard-and-manasseh-jordan

David Jang

David Jang has become an increasingly influential figure in Asian and now American evangelicalism, says Christianity Today in the introduction to an August, 2012 investigative report.

Many people say Jang leads a group that has encouraged the belief that he's the 'Second Coming Christ.' Reportedly Jang specifically denied ever teaching this.

At Apologetics Index we have started a collection of research resources on the David Jang controversy.

Properity Gospel Scam

Are you familiar with the so-called Prosperity Gospelhttp://www.apologeticsindex.org/139-prosperity-teaching (also known as Prosperity Teaching)?

This teaching is used by preachers, evangelists and others to squeeze as much money as possible from their followers.

Here is how it works:

You are told that God wants you to be rich (and/or healthy), but that He can not bless you unless you first send money (also known as a "seed-faith offering") to whichever televangelist or teacher tells you about this scheme.

They tell you that by 'sowing' your seed (yes, your money), you are showing God that you trust him -- that you have faith in him.

I have personally written several big-name evangelists who teach this trick, suggesting that if they truly believe what they teach on this subject, they would never again do any fundraising.

Needless to say, I did not receive any replies, and to this day these preachers are still begging for donations.

That means the Prosperity Teaching Scam -- for that is what it is -- does not work, except of course for those who are devious enough to have people send their 'seed' to them.

At Apologetics Index we have a collection of research resources on the Prosperity Gospel.

General Assemblies and Church of the First Born

Last month two couples, one in Washington and one in Oregon, were charged in the deaths of their respective sons.

One couple was charged with second-degree manslaughter; the other with second-degree murder.

In both cases authorities said the deaths were preventable, were it not for the fact that both sets of parents rejected medical assistance in favor of attempts at faith healing.

Both couples belong to churches known as General Assemblies and Church of the First Born.

We've posted a brief overview at this small 'denomination' on Apologetics Index.

Apologetics Index Update, Dec. 12, 2011

At Apologetics Index we have recently updated the following research resources:

• Buddhism
  Buddhism is considered to be the world's fourth largest religion, after Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism.
  
  As with everything in Apologetics Index, while we have a particular focus on Christian apologetics this updated entry continues our tradition of linking to study resources from a variety of perspectives.
• Spiritual Gifts
  Specifically we've added a link to a helpful pamphlet by Rose Publishing, titled 'What the Bible Says About Spiritual Gifts'
• Calvinism and Arminianism
  Few discussions regarding Christian theology bring with them so much heat and so little light than the ones regarding Calvinism versus Arminianism.
  
  At Apologetics Index we tend not to get involved in discussion on this topic. Instead we provide a brief overview, and provide two articles that present what we consider to be a balanced point of view.
• Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center
  Wellspring Retreat & Resource Center is a non-profit residential treatment facility that provides a program of counseling and instruction to victims of cultic abuse, religious abuse and/or mind control.

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