In order to stand firm in the faith, it is important to have a good working knowledge of Christian terms and definitions so that we may discern counterfeit religious beliefs wherever we might encounter it. Scripture repeatedly warns us about spiritual deception, and Jesus’ own words ring loudly for those who have ears to hear, what the spirit says.
In Matt. 7:15-23 Jesus says: “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they ? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.”It is essential that we stay faithful to Christ and His word in these days where doctrinal delusion, apostasy from the Truths found in Scripture, and false teachings abound. When a group claims to be Christian and the beliefs deviate because of aberrant teachings in doctrine or theology, then they are referred to as being “pseudo-Christian or a form of Counterfeit of Christianity. We must Stand Firm in the Faith, and contend for the Faith that was once for all delivered to the Saints. Jude 3
Sometimes the word “Cult” is used to describe a group and it’s teaching indiscriminately or wrongly, so we will be focusing on ‘what is a cult.' It is our responsibility individually to equip our minds with accurate and clear biblical facts and definitions of our Faith so we can best determine and discern the true from the false. There are many good Apologetic resources available these days on the internet that deal primarily with cults and apologetics to help equip believers. There are also good solid evangelical discernment ministries that exclusively minister to believers in discernment and apologetics, and help with information in these fields of study of cults and new religious movements, using their gifts, time, resources, and services to assist and edify the body of Christ.
The best way to avoid any involvement in a cult or cultic group’s teaching is to be so familiar with the truth (found in the Bible) that when a counterfeit comes along you will be able to discern it because of time spent studying your Bible and gain knowledge of the Scripture. For Christians, the ‘truth’ we adhere to is the doctrines and teachings found in the Scriptures. It is our source of teachings and doctrines that come from all 66 books of the Bible including old and New testament. In determining ‘what is a cult’ below is two short definitions. One term most Christians use or hear is the term: Orthodoxy or Orthodox Christian beliefs, in defining these terms we site 2 examples:
Orthodoxy: “From the Greek orthodoxos, from orthos, “right,” “straight,” and doxa, “opinion,” “belief.” Belief in or acceptance of the truth of doctrines taught in Scripture; the preexistence of Christ, the virgin birth, His sinless life, the bodily resurrection and the Second Coming. Today the word is used synonymously with historical biblical Christianity and is opposed to liberalism or neo-orthodoxy.” Pg. 150-151 of Compact Dictionary of Doctrinal Words - Terry L. Miethe, Bethany House Publishers 1988. (bolding added for emphasis)
“Orthodoxy” is derived from two Greek words meaning “right” and “honor.” Orthodox faith and orthodox doctrines are those that honor God rightly, something that ought to be desirable and good. In Christian usage, the term “heresy” refers to a false doctrine, i.e. one that is simply not true and that is, in addition, so important that those who believe it, whom the church calls heretics, must be considered to have abandoned the faith. “ Pg.1 - Heresies And Orthodoxy In the History of The Church - Harold O.J. Brown - 1998 (bolding added for emphasis)
Sometimes when people use the word “Cult” the only thing that seems to come to mind is Jonestown or Jim Jones of the Peoples Temple, who was a charismatic healer and leader of a cult group who moved his followers to Guyana, and in 1978 during an investigation of the group because of complaints of abuse, Jones incited and forced his followers to commit suicide by drinking a poison -laced Kool-aid and shooting those who did not comply, causing the deaths of 914 people including a California Congressman. or Marshall Applewhite of the Heaven’s gate cult, which was a new age group that focused their beliefs on UFO‘s. 38 members of heaven’s gate died including the leaders. Cults can have many different traits and ideologies, that may not appear strange or look odd, so a good knowledge of terms is helpful and wise to know.
One good book we recently read though that gives an excellent definition of a “Cult”, is from: Today’s Religions and Spirituality by James K. Walker. James Walker is the President of Watchman Fellowship. Please contact their website and email for more information. Visit their website at: http://www.watchman.org/ for more information. We are citing from the book pg. 9-10 to give a good solid definition for uses of Cult:
“The term cult is based on the Latin word cultus, which is found in English in agrarian terms such as cultivation and in the word culture. The root is also used in a religious context to refer simply to any system of belief and worship. In a Christian context, the word is used to denote an inauthentic alternative to the Christian faith.”
“The term cult has also evolved in the work of psychologists, sociologists, and anthropologists, who frequently use the word to describe religious structure or belief patterns with meanings (usually non-pejorative) unique to their disciplines.
Another usage of the word cult is found in the secular cult-awareness movement ----sometimes referred to by critics as the anti-cult movement. The international Cultic studies association (ICSA.-----Formerly the American Family Foundation) of Bonita Springs, Florida, is an interdisciplinary network of academicians, professionals, former group members, families who study and educate the public about religious groups and cults. Specifically they provide information about social-psychological influences and control, authoritarianism and zealotry found in cultic groups, alternative movements, and other environments. They use the word cult within the context of the following 10 traits:
1. Submission to Leadership---Leaders tend to exert absolute control, frequently portraying themselves as prophets of God (or even God Himself). Such individuals demand submission even if changes or conflicts occur in ideology or behavior.
2. Polarized Worldview---Cults usually view the outside world through a paradigm of existential conflict, in which the group must be isolated from the hostile and contaminated world outside.
3. Emphasizing Emotion over Thought---Emotions, intuitions, and mystical insights are typically given priority over rational conclusions.
4. Emotional Manipulation---Cult leaders frequently manipulate group and interpersonal dynamics to influence responses. (This type of manipulation may be very subtle and take the form of questions or suggestions that evoke emotional responses such as fear, guilt, or a false sense of obligation designed to trigger compliance with the leadrs’ desires.)
5. Denigration of Critical Thinking---Some cults characterize any independent thought as selfish and rational use of intellect as evil.
6. Restrictive Soteriology---Salvation, enlightenment, or fulfillment can only be realized in the group.
7. Situational Ethics---Any action or behavior is justifiable as long as it furthers the group’s goal. The group (or leader) determines absolute truth, which then supersedes all outside juridical laws.
8. Preeminence of the Group---The group’s concerns typically supersede an individual’s goals, needs, aspirations, and concerns. Tremendous pressure is exerted upon individual members to conform to the norms of the group.
9. Condemnation of Apostates and Critics---Members are frequently allowed no contact with former members or critics of the group. This prohibition is often even levied against members who make critical comments of the group or its leader.
10. Isolation from Nonmembers---Contact with nonmembers, even family, is frequently restricted to proselytic encounters.
Some Christian Definitions
Cult: In addition to the usages mentioned above, mainstream Christians often define a cult as a group who presents an inauthentic form of Christianity that seriously deviates from the essential doctrines of classical Christianity. In most cases, the group in question claims to be Christian or compatible with Christianity but the organization’s aberrant beliefs concerning central doctrines of the faith result in the group being classified as unorthodox, or cultic. In this sense, the term cult primarily has a doctrinal or theological meaning and could be used to describe pseudo-Christian groups or forms of counterfeit Christianity. Most often, Watchman Fellowship uses this theological meaning when using the word cult.
For over 20 years at Watchman Fellowship, we have used the following “mathematical formula” to identify four patterns often evident in the cults in terms of theological deviation:
1. Addition---Pseudo-Christian groups often add to Scripture, either by introducing additional works to the canon of Scripture (e.g. the Book of Mormon), receiving additional “revelations” from God (e.g. the apocalyptic revelations of David Koresh), or declaring that the Bible cannot be understood apart from the indispensable literature or teachings of their group (e.g. the reliance of Jehovah’s Witness upon literature from the Watchtower Society). See Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18
2. Subtraction---Pseudo-Christian groups subtract from the humanity of Christ (e.g. the gnostic HERESY) or the deity of Christ, either through an Arian denial of his deity (e.g. the Jehovah’s Witnesses) or by claiming that all humans are either gods or united with God (e.g., New Age devotees who attempt to achieve a Christ-consciousness). See 2 Corinthians 11:3-4.
3. Multiplication---Pseudo-Christian groups multiply the requirements for salvation, teaching that Christ’s atoning work on the cross and resurrection is not sufficient. Good works, law keeping and earning favor are also required for one to receive eternal life--rather then salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone (e.g. the substation groups who require observance of the Jewish Sabbaths, dietary laws, tithing, etc, as preconditions for receiving eternal life). See Galatians 1:6-8; 2:16
4. Division---Pseudo-Christian groups often divide their followers loyalties by teaching that one cannot be loyal to God without being loyal to their leader, group, or organization. The characteristics, sometimes called the “only true church syndrome,” leads followers to believe that there is no salvation, outside of that organization or leader. This creates another “mediator between God and men” besides Jesus. This condition often results in the worst kind of spiritual abuse, as followers feel they must stay and endure whatever the group demands because there is no salvation elsewhere.) See 1 Timothy 2:5. “ Pg. 11-12.
Please contact Watchman Fellowship by visiting their website for more information: http://www.watchman.org