The Graven Image Of Soriano

Often when you engage in discussion with members of Soriano's CGI (Church of God International), they reveal (consciously and unconsciously) unbiblical doctrines like the ones presented in this blog. When you delve deeper, they are not shy in presenting Biblical reference which more often than not, do not have relevance to the doctrine they preach. It just so happens that a word or two can be found in such verses, that they use it to try and substantiate their claims. It's not hard to recognize the shallow nature in which they interpret scripture. This is mainly because their fundamentals are shaky, so everything built upon it is easily toppled.

When you refute their falsehood, be prepared to receive all manner of degrading words, cussing, and ridicule. They will no longer see you as a potential new member, but a threat. Of the numerous encounters I've had with Soriano's followers (I say Soriano's followers because they don't follow what the Bible says, just what Soriano says) I've been called everything from 'stupid' to 'demon', but that's okay. Words don't hurt anyway. It only emboldens me to try and pierce through the armor of lies Soriano has clad on them. The members' eyes are obviously blinded from the fact that they don't even bother investigating obvious flaws in Soriano's argument simply because they consider him above everyone else.

"Soriano is sent", is what you'd often hear as retort. "Soriano is the only sensible teacher", and "Only the sent should interpret scripture". If that is not a spiritual death wish, I don't know what is. The followers are brainwashed of the Biblical fact that reading and studying scripture is not exclusive to the leader of the group. Nowhere in the Bible is it said that reading scripture is for those sent alone. On the contrary, the Bible is very clear that we should all read and study God's words to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord.

- God's word is our spiritual food, because we cannot live by bread alone (Matthew 4:4);

- We can use it to answer ANY QUESTION we have about life, and we are guaranteed that the answers within are without error (2 Timothy 3:16);

- We can depend on it simply because God does not change. What holds true then is true now, and will still be true in the future no matter how advanced we get (Ecclesiastes 1:9, Malachi 3:6);

- God's word helps us identify false teachings. There so many of these damnable heresies that the word of God helps us identify them. We learn to discern between the good and evil, the true and false;

- Further, the word of God equips us to do battle for the faith. To uphold what is true, God-breathed, and holy (2 Timothy 3:17; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12).

With the Bible openly talking like this, why is it that Soriano's followers not recognize the truth that study of scripture is for all?

There is no other answer other than "Because Soriano says so". Here lies the danger of idolatry. We know that idolatry is not limited to the worship of graven images. It comes in different forms that without the discernment scripture provides, we cannot readily identify them. In a nutshell though, idolatry happens when we replace God as the center of our lives. Anything that has a greater pull at our hearts than God has is idolatry. And there is none other than Soriano who has the greatest pull in these people's hearts. He has them catering to his every whim. So why not make them attend his concert? Or why not make them boycott a TV station? They'll follow him, so WHY NOT?  

Submission to Soriano's opinion is a form of idolatry. How they raise his words with authority is scary. The "what he says is so" attitude replaces the authority of God's word. The cultic control Soriano has over his subjects is not something to be taken lightly. They see it as defiance to go against what Soriano has said. They blindly follow Soriano to their destruction. They are convinced that they have NO RIGHT to interpret scripture because they are not "sent". That is a blatant lie of Soriano! They content themselves with what Soriano feeds them. Picking up the Bible and reading from it merely becomes lip service. They don't chew and digest God's words, they let Soriano do all the chewing! This is why they remain spiritually hungry.

They are also convinced that Soriano is sent of God, where in fact, no church ever sent him, not even his old church. He had to break away and create his own church. THEN install himself as "sent". How could he be sent then? Can you see the similarities with Satan's ambitions? And lastly, which could be the most bizarre of all, is that they are convinced Soriano himself is a god. They acknowledge Soriano introducing himself as a god. And as followers, who are they to defy a god?

---

Please include them in your prayers. May God open their eyes to the truth that is before them. That they may see and understand that they are committing idolatry, and that the folly of following someone who is no more saved than they are will lead them to fall.