Makestraightpaths.com examines the teachings of the religious group variously known as “the Family,” “The Family International,” the “Children of God,” or the “Family of Love,” and evaluates these teachings from a Christian perspective.

TOPICAL ARRANGEMENT OF PAGES

with brief synopses

About Make Straight Paths

To  Maria and Peter. A personal letter to Maria and Peter explaining the rationale behind Make Straight Paths, and calling on them to acknowledge the various errors for which they are responsible as the current leaders of the Family.

Maria and Peter's response. Maria and Peter sent a short reply to the above letter via their secretary. The full text of the reply with comments. There is something very troubling about the ease with which they dismiss serious allegations of false teaching.

Introduction to Current Members. If you are currently a member of the Family, this letter explains the rationale behind this web site. Please do not allow yourself to be offended at the suggestion that the Family may have incorrectly interpreted the Scriptures. After all, the Scriptures are the word of God, and therefore take precedence over all other writings. Many groups throughout history have zealously and sincerely gone astray. It is only pride that prevents us from admitting the possibility.

Introduction for Former Members. If you are a former member of the Family, this gives some suggestions as to how to see this site. Former members, it seems, are all different. Some retain their faith, others abandon all semblance of belief. Make Straight Paths may help those who have left the Family but whose life is still affected by the teachings of the group.

About Make Straight Paths. This page explains the overall rationale and purpose for this website, as well as clarifying its extent and limitations.

FAQ. Frequently asked questions about the Family, about this website, and about specific doctrines, with links to the pages that answer them.

About the Family

What Potential Members Should Know. If you are thinking about joining the Family, this is the information you need to know before you decide. There is a list of a number of doctrines you would eventually be required to believe, and actions you would need to support and/ or participate in. Essential reading.

History. This page contains a brief description of who the Family is, and a synopsis of its history, highlighting some of the key milestones.

Relationships. This page discusses the unique relationships that occur in the Family within marriage, between parents and children, men and women, sexual partners, and leaders and followers.

Terminology. The Family developed numerous abbreviations, code phrases and special terms, mostly only understood by insiders. This list contains the main terms.

Family Government. A brief explanation of how the Family governs itself, including the relationship between the 'Home' and the top leadership.

The Destruction of Men. A hard-hitting analysis of the specific problems that face men in the Family in their roles as husband, father, leader and man. How the Family appears to have systematically destroyed manhood, and what Family men need to do about it.

The Bible

The Word of God. What is the Word of God? Before we read about various doctrines in the Bible, we must learn what the Bible says about itself. Does the Bible allow itself to be judged by other writings? Is it possible that Family writings are also the Word of God?

The Standard. The Bible is the ultimate gauge by which all truth and error is to be determined. in fact, the Bible warns against listening to one's spiritual leaders, or even against listening to angelic beings when the message given contradicts the Bible.

Doctrinal Unity. There are a number of doctrines held by the Family which separate them from mainstream Christianity. While the body of Christ is diverse, there is to be an overarching unity binding all together. The Family appears to have excluded itself from this unity.

New weapons. The Family claims that verses like Hebrews 4:12 and Ephesians 6:17 prove that not only do Christians have spiritual weapons at their disposal, but also that Family members have been given new, additional spiritual weaponry beyond that which is described in the Bible.

The Jigsaw The Family suggests that the Bible is like a jigsaw puzzle with a number of missing pieces. This page analyses texts from the book of John that the Family uses to 'prove' that the Bible is incomplete.

Milk and Meat There are several places in the Bible where God's Word is compared to 'milk' or 'solid food' ('meat' in the KJV). Does this mean that the Family's controversial doctrines could be classified as 'solid food'? What do those verses mean?

New wine. The Family claims that they are 'new bottles' eagerly receiving the 'new wine' while churchy Christians are 'old bottles' who aren't strong enough to receive the radical new message. This page examines Jesus' parable of the new and old wineskins to find out if this is a valid application.

The Memory Book. The Family has produced a number of booklets in order to aid Scripture memorisation. While their desire to memorise Scripture is commendable, there are a number of serious problems with these booklets.

Romans 10:17. The Family teaches that faith increases as we read the word of God. In fact, they teach that the more Family members read Family publications, the more faith in them they will have. However Romans 10:17 does not teach a method for self-indoctrination but rather discusses saving faith.

The keys of the kingdom

Keys of the kingdom. The Family has a unique interpretation of Matthew 16:19, teaching that the 'keys of the kingdom' is a powerful spiritual force. This doctrine is completely unbiblical.

Keys interpretations. Commentaries on Matthew 16:19 from various Bible scholars and preachers.

The Family's defence of the keys. In response to Family members' questions about the keys, the Family published a GN containing a series of arguments defending the keys. This page examines those arguments in detail.

Hearing from spirit helpers

Saul and the witch.  The Bible recounts that on the night before his final battle, King Saul went to a witch in order to contact the prophet Samuel, who had died some time before. The Family claims that this story sets a precedent for contacting people who have died, especially as Samuel was a godly man, a true prophet of God. In general, the Family does not condone going to witches, but this passage is used in the Family as proof that contacting the dead is in fact possible.

The Transfiguration. This is another passage where godly people who had died were seen and heard by those still living. In this case Moses and Elijah talked with Jesus while Peter, James and John stared on in amazement. The Family claims that this passage proves that not only is it possible to contact the dead, but that it is legitimate to do so.

The messenger in the book of Revelations. The Family believes that much of the book of Revelations was given to the apostle John by a departed saint. Therefore, according to the Family, Christians may contact the spirits of the dead in order to receive prophetic messages.

Lazarus and the rich man. In this parable, the paths of two people are followed after they die. It has much to tell us about communication between the world of the living and the realm of the dead. 

Angels and demons. Over the years, the Family has developed its theories about angels, claiming to know the names and roles of many angels. This page contains excerpts from two dictionaries articles about angels and a number of useful links.

The great cloud of witnesses. Hebrews 12:1 says that believers are surrounded by “a great cloud of witnesses.”  The Family believes that this means that the spirits of dead believers are actually present to render assistance when needed, and therefore maybe contacted at will.

Bible commandments regarding contacting the dead. The Bible has a number of specific commands regarding contacting the dead. This pages discusses these passages in light of the Family's beliefs.

Trying the spirits. The First Epistle of John contains an enigmatic passage encouraging its readers to “try” or “test” the spirits whether they are of God. The Family believes that this passage means that Christians have the power, authority and means to evaluate whether a certain spirit being is of God or of the devil. In other words, according to the Family, Christians may determine whether the “spirit helper” they are in contact with is the spirit of a departed saint or actually a demon in disguise.

Sex and the law of love

Galatians 5. The Family interprets Galatians 5:14 to mean that the OT laws against sexual immorality do not apply, as long as the actions are done in love. However, the verse takes on a different meaning when examined in the context of the chapter it is in.

Christian Freedom. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul strenuously defended the concept of freedom: Christians should resist all attempts to enslave them, because one of the reasons Jesus came was to give them freedom. Exactly what freedom do Christians have, and what are the limits. An examination of the book of Galatians.

Jesus and adultery. The founder of the Family (Berg/Dad) taught his followers that 'adultery' no longer exists as a sin for Christians. Unfortunately, many Family members are unaware that Jesus talked about sex and adultery, but he never condoned extra-marital sex, nor said that the commandment against adultery was no longer in effect. This web page briefly examines the Bible passages where Jesus specifically talked about the sin of adultery.

1 Thessalonians 4. As he only spent a short time in Thessalonica, Paul was unable to thoroughly ground the new believers in all aspects of the faith and this fact worried him tremendously. There were a couple of issues that Paul wanted to address, several areas in which the young Thessalonian church was "lacking in their faith." So, he wrote them the letter which we now call 'First Thessalonians.' This web page examines the fourth chapter of First Thessalonians in view of the Family's teachings on sexual matters.

Bought with a price. In general, Family members understand 1 Corinthians 6:20 to mean that Jesus Christ 'paid' for their lives with his death on the cross, and therefore they now wholly belong to him. So, Christians are under obligation to obey him to their utmost ability. However they do not realise that the context of this verse shows that it directly relates to their sexual practices.

Definitions. This page consist of excerpts from various Dictionaries and Bible Encyclopaedias on the topics of Adultery and Fornication. They show that the Family's definitions of these terms are completely unjustified.

Law of love 1. The Family believes that Jesus came to bring a new law, the Law of Love, which may be paraphrased as 'Whatever is done in love is lawful in the sight of God.' Therefore, according to the Family, sex outside of marriage is no longer a sin, as long as it is done in love. Family teaching is that one of the reasons Jesus came to earth was in order to institute the Law of Love. Therefore, the first place to look for confirmation of the Family's doctrine would be in the words of Jesus himself, as recorded in the Gospels. This web page examines two passages where Jesus talked about the 'Law of Love,' to see if the Family's interpretation is possible.

Law of love 2. Although the Old Testament law clearly condemns sex outside of marriage, the Family believes that Jesus came to bring a new law, the Law of Love, which may be paraphrased as 'Whatever is done in love is lawful in the sight of God.' Therefore, according to the Family, sex outside of marriage is not sin, as long as it is done in love. There are several places in the New Testament epistles that mention the 'Law of Love,' and this web page examines those passages to see if they may be used to justify the Family's sexual beliefs.

The early church. The Family often claims that God intended the book of Acts to be the blueprint for the church. If the Family is correct, then the book of Acts will show a liberal attitude towards extra-marital sex, but if they are wrong then Acts will clearly condemn sexual activity. There is one occasion recorded in Acts, when all the apostles and elders came together to discuss an extremely important controversy, and while doing so touched on the topic of sex. This page examines Acts 15 in light of the Family's sexual beliefs.

Lust. In general, scriptural warnings against the sin of sexual lust are ignored in the Family. The founder of the Family (Berg/Dad) declared that it was practically impossible to refrain from lusting after sexually attractive people, and therefore Jesus did not mean that lust or adultery were wrong but that these were examples of laws that were impossible to keep. However, this view severely misrepresents the Bible, for sexual lust is condemned in the New Testament, by Jesus himself, and by the apostles after the Holy Spirit came.

Marriage. This page briefly summarise the main passages in the New Testament that mention marriage, in contrast to the Family's teachings, which generally minimise marriage, legitimise divorce and remarriage and condone and encourage extra-marital sex.

Romans 6. The Family argues that because Christians are saved by grace without works, therefore, obedience to the Mosaic Law is not necessary, and in fact they may break the Mosaic Law without fear of committing sin. Therefore, according to the Family, extra-marital sex is no sin. However, there are serious flaws in this teaching that come to light when one studies the sixth chapter of Romans.

Stumbling others. The Family usually does not address the scriptural admonition to refrain from causing harm to other people through overzealous application of what one believes to be the will of God. However, the Bible admonishes believers that love is more important than freedom and care for others is an essential component of obedience. In other words, if one's freedom is unloving, then one must voluntarily refrain from those actions, and if one's obedience hurts other believers then one is not truly obedient.

Married to each other. One biblical doctrine that Berg/Dad said applied to sexual matters was that of the unity of believers implied by their representation as the bride of Christ. The doctrine is often referred to as "One Wife," in reference to the title of one of the first letters in which it was alluded to. Are Christians really 'married to each other' as the bride of Christ? Does this permit sexual freedom?

Judging on the Basis of Love. ‘Love’ is highly prominent in Family teaching. Family teaching uses the biblical emphasis on love to justify actions that God declares are not acceptable in his sight, it confuses human concepts of interpersonal love with love for and from God, and elevates 'love' to such importance that it is allowed to take precedence over other biblical attributes. This web page summarises several of the Family's teachings on love, and compares them to what the Bible says.

Freedom Truth and Relativity. A discussion of the absolute nature of truth. There can be no 'relative' truth.

The nature of God

Where is God in the Family? What happened to God the Father? The Family has an almost entirely "Jesus-only" doctrine, but the Bible consistently and repeatedly exhorts believers to form a relationship with God the Father. This page shows the importance of God the Father to believers, and the dangers of neglecting Him.

Who is Jesus? Jesus Christ is the Word of God, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the exalted and victorious Son of God. Yet Family members visualise Jesus on a far more intimate and personal level, describing Him as the believer's lover, bridegroom, husband, coach, big brother and best friend. However, there are serious questions that must be asked of a Christian's relationship with Jesus if it consists almost exclusively of personal, familiar expressions of endearment, while almost entirely neglecting His majesty and role as Lord, Master and King. This page compares the Family's view of Jesus with the way the Bible portrays Him.

Jesus the Bridegroom. The founder of the Family (Dad/Berg) wrote about Jesus as a lover almost since the very beginning in the late 1960's. Sometimes he wrote about it in reference to God's saving love (as in "For God so loved the world..." John 3:16), but frequently he wrote about Christians maintaining a kind of romantic or sexual relationship with Jesus. After Dad/Berg's death in 1994, his successor (Maria/Zerby) continued this theme, expounding and expanding on it in numerous publications. Recent Family publications frequently identify Jesus simply as "Our Lover" or "Our Bridegroom." This page examines the Bible verses that refer to the relationship between God or Jesus and His people as a "marriage," in order to determine the feasibility of the Family's position.

God is Love... Love is God? 1 John 4:8 says that God is love. Does that mean that Love is God?

Salvation and the Holy Spirit

Salvation. In the Family, salvation is certainly treated seriously. The Family is basically organised around evangelical concepts, that is, most activities are designed to induce the unconverted to come to a place of salvation. In the Family, this is called "winning souls." Personal salvation is a pre-requisite for membership; one cannot belong to the Family unless one has professed personal faith in Jesus Christ. Most Family members have a basic understanding of what salvation means. However, there are also serious problems with the Family's version of salvation. At best it is simplistic and shallow. At worst, it is so deceptive that a person may believe he has satisfied the requirement for his own salvation, yet remain unrepentant, unforgiven and unsaved.

The Gospels on Hell. What did Jesus say about Hell? What was important for Him to explain?

The Holy Spirit. One of the most controversial doctrines propagated by the Family - or one of the oddest - has been the assertion that the Holy Spirit is female. For years, the Family pictured the Holy Spirit in numerous publications, cartoons, tracts and posters as a sexy, voluptuous woman. However, relatively recently, these images were gradually phased out, until the Holy Spirit became rarely mentioned at all. There are a number of serious biblical problems with the Family's doctrine of a female Holy Spirit, and with the lifestyle in the Family that actually demonstrates the absence of the Spirit of God.

Witnessing. The Family has always been highly motivated to go witnessing. In fact, Family members often look down on 'Church Christians' who witness less than they do, or whose witnessing gets less results, or whose methods appear rigid, traditional or ineffective. However, there are several major problems with witnessing in the Family, which are not resolved either by comparisons with Christian churches, or by the number of hours spent witnessing, the number of people witnessed to, or the number of 'souls saved.' This page analyses the motivations, the methods and the message of Family witnessing. It also discusses the controversial practice of "FFing."

Freedom from what What is it that Christians have been freed from? How then should we live?

The Two Builders. A study of the parable in Matthew 7:24-27.

Sin

Sin: a Definition. In trying to explain what sin is, Family members may say that sin is “missing the mark” and some are aware that this is in fact a definition based upon the original language of the word in the Bible, although few, if any, would be able to give any more details than that. Family members know that sin is disobedience to God, doing things that displease Him. However, if one thinks that 'sin' is little more than the occasional unintentional blunder of the mind, then there is no longer any urgency to seek out and obey the will of God. If one believes that 'sin' is only an unavoidable human error of judgement, then it is not really important to know which things please or displease God. One's actions become justified according to one's sincerity, not whether or not they offend or please God.

The Ten Commandments The founder of the Family taught his followers that they may break the Ten Commandments with impunity, provided they were acting in love. He pointed out that a loving Christian would not steal, lie or murder, and therefore, as long as one lived a loving life, the Ten Commandments were unnecessary. Therefore, he said, not only is it unnecessary to keep the Law for salvation, it is also wrong to attempt to do so. Further, as it is unnecessary to keep the Law for salvation, he believed that this means it is unnecessary to keep the Law at all. Unfortunately, he was guilty of a fundamental error in his reasoning.

Romans 14:23 Whatever is not of Faith is Sin, so does that mean that whatever is of faith is OK?

Titus 1:15 To the pure all things are pure. Does this verse legitimise any action done with pure motives?

Prayer

Commanding God The founder of the Family made much of the verse in the book of Isaiah in which God apparently authorises His children to command Him what to do. Unfortunately, Isaiah 45:11 does not say that believers may command God. In fact, it is only in the King James Version that it appears to say this, and then only if this verse is removed from its context. In other words, if the verse is read in its context in any other version than the King James, it is almost impossible to interpret it to mean that a believer may command God - quite the opposite, in fact!

Working Miracles. Family members do not claim that they have the ability to produce miracles upon demand but they believe that it is definitely possible for a man or woman of faith to access miracle-working power. Verses often quoted include Philippians 4:13 ("I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"), Luke 1:37 ("With God nothing will be impossible"), John 14:14 ("If you ask anything in my name I will do it"), and Mark 16:17 ("These signs will follow them that believe..."). An analysis of these verses in context with regard to the doctrine that faith is linked to miracle-working power.

The Temptation in the Wilderness. The story of Jesus’ temptation is quite well-known: After his baptism, Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days where he was tempted by the Devil. There were three separate temptations, and the Devil’s aim appears to have been the destruction of Jesus’ ministry before it even began. Jesus successfully resisted temptation by quoting Scriptures to the Devil and returned from the experience strong in the Spirit. For the most part, the Family’s understanding of this story centres on the method Jesus used to defeat the Devil, that is, by boldly quoting relevant Scriptures. Family teaching on this story usually explains that the Word of God has mighty power, and that when Christians are likewise tempted, they should do as Jesus did, and fight back using God’s Word as a spiritual weapon. However, a close examination of this passage reveals not only some problems with the way the Family interprets Jesus’ use of the Scriptures, but also a number of serious warnings that are relevant to every Family member.

Praying Against Enemies. Is it scriptural for Christians to 'pray against' enemies, asking God to harm them in some way?

Prophecy

Prophecy Keeping prophecy in perspective.

The Sure Word of Prophecy. What is the meaning of 2 Peter 1:19? Does it mean that all prophecy is sure?

Trying the spirits. Does 1 John 4:1-3 contain a test for discerning angels from demons?

The Prophet of the Endtime. The Bible tells of prophets to whom God gave anointing to lead His people. How does that work today?

Getting prophecy 1. How the Bible shows people getting prophecies compared with the Family method.

Getting prophecy 2. Analysis of verses in Jeremiah and Amos that talking about prophecy.

Getting prophecy 3. What can we learn from the day of Pentecost about how we get prophecies in these days?

Miscellaneous

Finding God's Will How can we find God's will? Do the Family's 'Seven Ways' work?

Tithing. Is it scriptural for the Family – or any church – to insist that tithes be paid as a condition of membership?

Deceivers Yet True. Does Paul give licence for Christians to mislead people in order to protect themselves?

Discipleship

Communal living. Is the book of Acts the blueprint for the church? Does it say that Christians should live communally?

Labour Not… John 6:27 says we should not work for 'food that perishes.' Does that mean we should not have secular employment?

The Just Shall Live By Faith  What does the Bible actually mean when it says that the just live by faith?

Be Separate "Come out from among them and be separate..." Separate from whom?

Hot, Cold or Lukewarm A deeper look at what it means to be lukewarm.

Forsaking All 1. An overview of the Family's interpretation of Luke 14:33. Who did Jesus actually say should forsake all?

Forsaking All 2. What are the biblical reasons for forsaking all?

Forsaking All 3. What does the Bible say we should be prepared to forsake?

Forsaking All 4. Financial arrangements for the church in the New Testament.

Family Documents

The Statement of Faith. The Family first published a Statement of Faith in April 1992, and updated it in September 2004 and again in 2009. This document looks as though it could have been produced by almost any church: the opening sentence proudly proclaims that "The Family International’s fundamental beliefs concur with those held by hundreds of millions of Christians the world over." However, a number of the sections in the Statement of Faith only partially outline the Family’s doctrine, or contain Scriptures that have been  misinterpreted, or either unintentionally or deliberately, in order to give the appearance that they support utterly unbiblical doctrines. There are also several doctrines that are completely absent from this document, although adherence to these beliefs are considered mandatory for Family membership.

How to interpret the Bible

Scripture Twisting in the Family. Twelve different ways that the Family misuses the Scriptures.

The Authority of the Bible. The balance between Bible teachers and the Bible alone.

Basic Bible Interpretation. A brief overview of Bible interpretation.

The Bible Student. The qualities, preparation and presuppositions necessary for coming to correct interpretation.

Proof-texting. Taking verses out of context to prove a point.

Various Bible studies

Eph 5:21-6:9 Introduction. Overview and links to the series on Ephesians 5:21-6:9

Ephesians 5:21-6:9 The Context. What is the background and context of the passage?

Ephesians 5:21-6:9 The Content. The structure and summary of the passage.

Ephesians 5:21-6:9 Definitions. Dictionary definitions of the key terms in the passage.

Ephesians 5:21-6:9 Principles and Application. The conclusion of the passage; what it means for us today.

Psalm 11 An expositional study on Psalm 11.

Parable of the Unjust Steward. An expositional study on the parable in Luke 16.

The Two Builders. A study of the parable in Matthew 7:24-27.

Acts 15 An expositional study on the controversial incident in Acts 15:1-11.

Covenant. A formal look at the various covenants of the Bible.

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