ProJesus

“Dear JESUS, I have a problem...It’s me” “Dear child, I have the answer.....It’s ME”

WHAT IS A CULT?

To start with, let's see what Mr. Webster says is the definition of a cult. Cult: "Religious worship, common doctrine or leader, based on fanatical (extreme) beliefs, veneration (reverence) for a leader, united philosophically. In theological terms, a cult is a group that denies "essential Biblical doctrine while claiming to be Christian.

Cults include: The Jehovah Witnesses, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Christian Science, Unification Church, The Way International, Transcendental Meditation, Unity School of Christianity, Scientology, New Age and others. Aberration groups will also be discussed (Deviation from the correct course).

One of the most devastating experiences someone could face is to have a loved one involved in a cult. There are a few traits of a cult that will help us to recognize them. It is of utmost importance for us to discern a cult when we see one.

The first trait of a cult is its manipulation of Scripture. The Bible is twisted to fit the leader or group's interpretation. Private interpretations are forbidden because the leader of the cult is the only one, of course, who is able to understand God's voice properly. Their teachings distort the historic, orthodox claims of Christianity.

Next there is little concern for individual thought and development. Education is usually discouraged while the convert is bombarded with the cult's doctrine. Members are called to leave or neglect their old family and life-style for a brand new one.

A third trait is time. They will want you to spend much of your time working for their organization. Family, school and leisure are most often neglected. Cults tend to have an exclusive "us" - "them" mentality in which society and old associates are all out to get them. Anyone outside of the group is suspect.

If a religious group exhibits one or more of the marks mentioned above, that group may well be considered a cult. Jesus Christ said that in the last days many false prophets would arise and deceive many (Matt. 24:11, 24). To avoid the deception of the cults, we should be rooted in the teachings of the historic Christian faith, and receive Jesus Christ, God the Son, second Person of the Trinity, as Lord of our lives. (CRI CP0201)

An aberrational group affirms essential orthodox Christianity, but it adds teachings that undermine the ideology of true orthodox Christianity. Aberrational groups include: Seventh-day Adventism; The Local Church of Witness Lee; many of the the Church of Christ groups; and many of the teachers of the Word of Faith movement.

While each of these groups affirms the essential elements of orthodoxy, each one adds teachings that undermine historic and essential Christian doctrines; therefore, evangelical Christians do, indeed, consider each of these to be aberrational groups.
Listed here are a few books to assist you further in your research on cults.

Abanes, Richard. Defending the Faith: A Beginner's Guide to
Cults and New Religions. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1997.

Ankerberg, John and John Weldon. Encyclopedia of Cults and New
Religions. Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1999.

Geisler, Norman L. and Ron Rhodes. When Cultists Ask: A Popular
Handbook on Cultic Misinterpretations. Grand Rapids:

Martin, Walter. The Kingdom of the Cults. Rev. 30th Anniversary
ed. Hank Hanegraaff, General Editor. Minneapolis: Bethany, 1997.

Rhodes, Ron. Challenge of the Cults and New Religions. Grand
Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.

CRI founder Dr. Martin used to say that the best way to recognize a counterfeit is to be thoroughly familiar with the genuine (Jesus Christ and His Word the Bible).