July 27, 2012
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detecting cults
We all know what a cult is right. I mean do we really? If someone were to ask you right now how would you define it?
Dictionary com defines it among other ways as
“a particular system of religious Worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies. ” By this definition even true Christians could be called a cult. We should be on the look out for those who would twist the word of God and grace of Christ.
What prompted these thoughts
Today I was with a group of individuals and one particularly crusty female who talked in very graphic terms. I noticed that one other member was also very quiet: he seemed uncomfortable and afterwards asked him about it. He seemed to know the scripture incredibly well and have a good grasp on history. When I told him I was studying Old Testament he opened right up and talked about Constantine and seemed to specifically stress the worship on the Sabbath. I was impressed by his knowledge of scripture and history as well as his seeming devotion to the Bible as his authority and balanced view of not behaving” mindless faith”
Upon finally conceding to come with him to a Bible study I found that he seemed to believe that the sabbath was central to Gods covenant, not too many problems yet, that to be saved one had to be baptized, and that we had all had previous lives up in heaven……. there was some more but you get the idea. The sad thing is not barring psychological techniques employed by him and probably on him he has obviously passionate about his faith. He even talked about the importance of knowing the true Jesus, How ironic.
I guess all this shows that immorality and false religion are not too far apart. My main hope for this young man is that he will see throughout the interpretation of his mentors and actually see the Bible for what it is. For myself may God forgive my weakness and continue to change me and allow me the privilege of sharing his Light.
Comments (2)
Interesting topic. Good post. Here are some of my thoughts.
I have found that most of what we would call “Christian Cults,” seem to have a couple things in common-mosaic law, lack of pure grace, a belief that the bible has mistakes in it, and an unbalanced view of the importance of Elders and Pastors.. They all ignore the Pauline Epistles so the best way to minister to them is quote the Pauline Epistles and ask them why they ignore the Pauline Epistles. Of course if you haven’t read the Pauline Epistles first you would have to become very familiar with them.
Mosaic law-they follow different parts of mosaic law like: Sabbath should be on Saturday instead of Sunday; We shouldn’t get blood transfusions because of what it says in Leviticus; It is ungodly for a man to have long hair (Leviticus), If you sin after you are saved you have backslidden and are not saved till you repent (works), It is more godly to be vegetarian (Old testament before Noah), Tithing is not mosaic law because it was by Abraham before Moses (so was circumcision ), Your not saved if you speak tongues, your not saved if you do speak tongues, Following of Jewish Feasts makes one more Godly, Replacement theology and many many more.Or to dress with hair in a bun or a certain way.
Cults have elders that go to the Greek inferring their congregants are incapable of properly interpreting scripture and this must be done by an Elder, Pastor or Denominational Leader. This is inconsistent with God’s word and plan for mankind. If the Elders or Teachers could be trusted there would have been no need whatsoever for a bible. The bible came to mankind exactly for that reason, as a checks and balances tool on the integrity of the gospel and scriptural truth. the highly successful Jehovah witnesses Cult started in a Bile study movement in the 1800′s when they decided there were mistakes in the bible and they had to go back to the Greek and fix certain parts of the translation reviving the Arianism movement that was abolished in around 300 A.D. Christ never had much respect for the Elders and Rabbi’s or Teachers of his time. he excoriated them on a regular basis as well did John the Baptist. Christ did this so much he said we are not to call anyone Teacher or Master. Christ chose the church dogma to be taught by the Apostle Paul rather then the other disciples or the one the disciples chose to replace Judas. When Christ taught he treated people with respect never Lording over the congregants as seen in the Christian cults where they belittle any one who question their authority.
Cults always ignore the simplicity of the gospel. Once your saved you can become unsaved if you sin. They usually ignore whole parts of scripture, especially the Pauline Epistles. They constantly quote scripture out of context by never reading the paragraph before and the one after the verse. They go to the Greek like they are some expert that understand the Greek better then the original translator God Breathed through. Certain verses are pooh pooh-ed while others are put on a pedestal. they hide their real beliefs portraying themselves as Christian. They always run and will never discuss scripture with someone knowledgeable of scripture.
God Bless,
Brother RobertLeeRE
@RobertLeeRE - true. thanks for stopping by. It just bears out the fact that we must be prepared in all circumstances as sin and deception look different academically then they do up close.