Refuting Scientology

Refuting Scientology from a Reformed Christian Perspective

Scientology, founded by science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard in the 1950s, presents a worldview that blends pseudoscience, self-help, and spiritual beliefs. It claims to offer a path to personal enlightenment and freedom through a series of spiritual processes known as "auditing" and by achieving states like "Clear" and "Operating Thetan." From a Reformed Christian perspective, however, the teachings of Scientology are not only misguided but deeply incompatible with the gospel of Jesus Christ. This blog will examine the core tenets of Scientology and provide a Reformed critique, rooted in the authority of Scripture.

1. The Nature of God and Reality

Scientology offers a vague and non-biblical understanding of God. Hubbard himself spoke ambiguously about God or a "Supreme Being," and Scientology leaves it up to the individual to define their view of God. Instead of focusing on God, Scientology centers around the human being as a "thetan"—an immortal spiritual entity that has lived through countless past lives. Scientology views the universe as an illusion or something created by the collective agreement of thetans.

Reformed View: Scripture begins with a clear statement about the nature of God: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). The Bible presents God as the sovereign, personal, and holy Creator, distinct from His creation. Unlike the pantheistic or relativistic views in Scientology, the God of the Bible is transcendent, omnipotent, and perfectly knowable through His revelation. Furthermore, the Reformed tradition teaches that all truth is found in the Word of God (Sola Scriptura), not in the human mind or experience. Any worldview that diminishes the reality of God as revealed in Scripture and elevates human beings to a god-like status is idolatry.

2. The Nature of Humanity

In Scientology, humans are seen as essentially good but trapped in the physical world, carrying negative energy or "engrams" from past lives. These engrams, stored in the subconscious mind, are said to be the root of mental, emotional, and physical problems. Through the process of auditing, Scientology claims that individuals can free themselves from these engrams and regain control over their existence.

Reformed View: The Bible teaches that humanity, while originally created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), has fallen into sin (Genesis 3). Human beings are not inherently good; rather, we are born with a sinful nature that separates us from God (Romans 3:23). The idea that humans can achieve spiritual freedom and enlightenment through self-effort or mental processes is antithetical to the biblical doctrine of total depravity. According to Scripture, we are dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:1) and incapable of saving ourselves. Salvation comes solely through God's grace, not through personal development or human effort (Ephesians 2:8-9).

3. The Doctrine of Salvation

Scientology’s concept of salvation revolves around achieving personal freedom through auditing and progressing up the "Bridge to Total Freedom." This progression is centered on self-discovery, healing past traumas, and reaching advanced spiritual states like "Operating Thetan," where one supposedly gains control over matter, energy, space, and time.

Reformed View: In stark contrast, Reformed theology teaches that salvation is not a process of self-liberation but a divine act of redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ. The Bible declares that salvation is not about reaching higher states of consciousness or gaining personal power. Instead, it is about being reconciled to God through the atoning work of Christ on the cross. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). Salvation in Christ is not something we achieve by climbing a spiritual ladder; it is something God freely gives to us through faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection. Any belief system that teaches salvation through human effort denies the heart of the gospel.

4. The Nature of Sin

Scientology does not recognize the biblical doctrine of sin. It sees humanity’s problems as primarily psychological or emotional, rooted in the accumulation of engrams. For Scientologists, sin and moral guilt are not central issues; rather, they believe that personal freedom and spiritual progression come through knowledge and mental clarity.

Reformed View: In Reformed Christianity, sin is the fundamental problem that afflicts humanity. Sin is not merely a psychological issue but a moral and spiritual rebellion against a holy God (Romans 1:18-32). The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and it is sin that alienates us from God, not just from our own potential or inner peace. The Bible teaches that we are all born sinners (Psalm 51:5), and that the only remedy for sin is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who bore the punishment for our sins on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). The denial of sin’s seriousness in Scientology leads to a misunderstanding of the human condition and the true need for a Savior.

5. The Role of Jesus Christ

In Scientology, Jesus is not central to its belief system. He is often regarded as a teacher or an enlightened figure, but Scientology does not view Him as the incarnate Son of God, nor does it recognize the significance of His death and resurrection for the salvation of humanity.

Reformed View: Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. The Bible teaches that He is the eternal Son of God, who took on human flesh (John 1:14) to accomplish the redemption of sinful humanity. His death on the cross was a substitutionary sacrifice, taking upon Himself the penalty for our sins (Isaiah 53:5). His resurrection from the dead is the assurance of our justification and victory over sin and death (Romans 4:25). Any belief system that diminishes the person and work of Jesus Christ is fundamentally opposed to the gospel. As Jesus Himself said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).

6. The Authority of Scripture

Scientology relies heavily on the writings of L. Ron Hubbard, particularly Dianetics and other Scientology texts, which are seen as the primary sources of spiritual knowledge. The Bible is either ignored or considered secondary, with no authoritative role in the spiritual life of a Scientologist.

Reformed View: Reformed Christianity is grounded in the belief that the Bible is the inerrant and authoritative Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) is sufficient for teaching, correction, and training in righteousness. It is the final authority on all matters of faith and practice. Any belief system that elevates human writings above or alongside Scripture is a form of idolatry and leads people away from the truth of God's Word. As Reformed Christians, we affirm that the Bible is not merely a spiritual guide; it is the revelation of God’s redemptive plan for humanity through Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

Scientology, with its emphasis on self-help, spiritual progression, and the denial of biblical doctrines like sin and the atonement, stands in direct opposition to the gospel of Jesus Christ. From a Reformed Christian perspective, its teachings are not just a different path but a dangerous deviation from the truth. The Bible warns us that "there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death" (Proverbs 14:12).

Reformed theology calls us back to the foundational truths of Scripture: humanity’s need for a Savior, the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement, and the grace of God in salvation. Scientology's focus on self-realization and spiritual progress is ultimately a dead end, because true freedom and life are found not in human effort, but in Christ alone. As the apostle Paul reminds us, "For freedom Christ has set us free" (Galatians 5:1), and it is only through Him that we are reconciled to God and experience true spiritual freedom.