Editing Christian countercult movement (section)

==Variations and models==
Countercult apologetics has several variations and methods employed in analyzing and responding to [[cult]]s. The different nuances in countercult apologetics have been discussed by [[John A. Saliba]]<ref>{{cite book |author=John A. Saliba |title=Understanding New Religious Movements |pages=212–223}}</ref> and Philip Johnson.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Philip Johnson |title=Apologetics, Mission and New Religious Movements: A Holistic Approach |journal=Sacred Tribes Journal |volume=1 |number=1 |date=Fall 2002 |pages=5–220}}</ref>

The dominant method is the emphasis on detecting unorthodox or heretical doctrines and contrasting those with orthodox interpretations of the [[Bible]] and early creedal documents. Some apologists, such as [[Francis J. Beckwith]], have emphasized a philosophical approach, pointing out [[logic]]al, [[epistemological]] and [[Metaphysics|metaphysical]] problems within the teachings of a particular group.<ref>Francis J. Beckwith & Stephen E. Parrish, ''See the gods fall'', Joplin: College Press, 1997. Francis J. Beckwith, Carl Mosser & Paul Owen ed. ''The New Mormon Challenge'', Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.</ref> Another approach involves former members of cultic groups recounting their spiritual autobiographies, which highlight experiences of disenchantment with the group, unanswered questions and doubts about commitment to the group, culminating in the person's conversion to [[Evangelicalism|evangelical Christianity]].<ref>James R. Adair & Ted Miller ed. ''Escape from Darkness'', Wheaton: Victor, 1982. Chris Elkins, ''Heavenly Deception'', Wheaton: Tyndale House, 1980. Joe Hewitt, ''I Was Raised a Jehovah's Witness'', Denver: Accent Books, 1979. Latayne C. Scott, ''Ex-Mormons: Why We Left'', Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1990.</ref>

Apologists like [[Dave Hunt (Christian apologist)|Dave Hunt]] in ''Peace, Prosperity and the Coming Holocaust'' and [[Hal Lindsey]] in ''The Terminal Generation'' have tended to interpret the phenomena of cults as part of the burgeoning evidence of signs that [[Second Coming|Christ's Second Advent]] is close at hand.<ref>Dave Hunt, ''Peace, Prosperity and the Coming Holocaust: The New Age Movement in Prophecy'', Eugene: Harvest House, 1983. Hal Lindsey, ''The Terminal Generation'', Old Tappan: Fleming H. Revell, 1976.</ref> Both Hunt and [[Constance Cumbey]] have applied a [[Conspiracy theory|conspiracy]] model to interpreting the emergence of [[New Age]] spirituality and linking that to speculations about fulfilled prophecies heralding Christ's reappearance.<ref>Constance E. Cumbey, ''The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow'', Shreveport: Huntington House, 1983. Evaluated in Elliot Miller, ''A Crash Course on the New Age Movement'', Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1989, pp. 193–206. John A. Saliba, ''Christian Responses to the New Age Movement: A Critical Assessment'', London: Geoffrey Chapman, 1999, pp.58–63.</ref>