What Scientology Teaches—and How It Differs from Biblical Christianity | Ephesians 2:8-10
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For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:8-10
First, hear my heart: I love people involved in Scientology. We can disagree deeply and still be kind. Christians must never trade biblical truth for friendship—but neither should we abandon love when we speak truth. With that spirit, let’s look clearly at what Scientology is, how it operates, and why it is not a church in any biblical sense.
A Movement with Star Power—and Serious Questions
From Los Angeles to Clearwater, Scientology is impossible to miss. Media investigations have chronicled heartbreaking stories from former adherents, extensive litigation, and aggressive tactics toward critics. The organization courts the mainstream through polished PR, a web of “front groups” (in publishing, consulting, health care, and education), and glitzy “Celebrity Centers” that pamper high-profile entertainers. Meanwhile, rank-and-file members encounter a very different, far costlier system.
L. Ron Hubbard and the Core System
Scientology was launched by L. Ron Hubbard, a pulp science-fiction writer whose claims about his life were frequently disputed. His 1950 book Dianetics introduced “auditing,” a counseling method that aims to erase mental “engrams” (traumatic imprints) using an E-meter—a device that records skin responses while a subject answers probing questions. As the system evolved, Hubbard taught that human beings are thetans—immortal spirits who pre-existed, were exiled to Earth, and now must ascend costly tiers of enlightenment to recover godlike powers. At advanced levels, adherents encounter space-opera cosmology and the need for higher, pricier auditing to clear spiritual dangers. Fees, “fixed donations,” course packages, and tape/lecture sets can run into the thousands upon thousands of dollars, with some staff signing contracts pledging “a billion years” of service.
When authorities challenged Scientology’s medical claims and tax status decades ago, the organization leaned harder into religious language—auditing became a “confessional,” the E-meter a “religious artifact,” fees “donations,” and a vast corpus of Hubbard’s writings “scripture.”
Why Scientology Is Not a Church (Biblically)
Scientology loves the word church. Some governments have refused to recognize it as such, calling it a commercial enterprise in religious dress. More importantly, Scripture itself defines what a church is:
Jesus founded the church and is its Head (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18).
A true church displays five marks:
Faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation (Acts 5:14).
Koinonia—Spirit-born fellowship centered in Christ.
Unity in sound doctrine, not a blend-your-own spirituality (Acts’ repeated “of one accord”).
Moral and spiritual purity (1 Cor. 1:2).
Spiritual power—lives transformed by the gospel.
Scientology fails these tests. Its head is not Jesus Christ but Hubbard’s system. Its “good news” is not Christ crucified and risen but a stairway of practices and payments promising self-elevation.
Core Doctrinal Clashes with Scripture
Auditing and salvation by technique. Auditing is presented as a path to freedom and enlightenment. Scripture presents salvation as grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, “not by works” (Eph. 2:8–9; Titus 3:5).
Pre-existence and reincarnation. Scientology teaches that you lived before, will live again, and can climb toward divinity through levels. The Bible says, “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Heb. 9:27).
Becoming a god. Scientology promises recovered godlike potential. Scripture locates humanity “a little lower than the heavenly beings” (Ps. 8:4–6), insists “none is righteous” (Rom. 3:10), and never offers deification. We are redeemed sinners, not gods in formation.
Two eternal destinations—no middle ladders. Jesus taught a real heaven and a real hell (Luke 16:23). Eternal life is in the Son: “He who has the Son has life” (1 John 5:11–13).
Beware “hollow and deceptive philosophy.” Paul warns against systems “depending on human tradition…rather than on Christ” (Col. 2:8). A glossary of thousands of novel terms, a proprietary device, and secretive levels should raise Berean eyebrows (Acts 17:11).
No new revelators. Scripture is God’s complete and sufficient revelation. Claims of unique prophets or exclusive pathways mark false teachers (2 Pet. 2:1–2; 1 John 2:22).
Deception can feel like light. Satan “masquerades as an angel of light,” and his servants as “servants of righteousness” (2 Cor. 11:13–15). A warm experience or “spiritual high” is not the test of truth; the Word is.
A Word to Christians—and to Our Neighbors in Scientology
Prominent Hollywood figures publicly credit Scientology for changing their lives. That public boldness should challenge believers who keep quiet about Christ. Do your co-workers know you follow Him? We must be clear about the gospel and compassionate toward people. Imagine the person doing twelve hours of taped auditing in a week, desperate for hope. Let’s meet that ache with the real hope of Jesus.
Bottom line: Scientology is not a biblical church and not a path to God. The Savior you need is not a technique, tier, or device—but a Person. Jesus died once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God (1 Pet. 3:18). Run to Him. Open your Bible. Test every spirit. And hold fast to the truth, in love.
