Notes on Cults BIG IDEAS: 1. What is a Cult? 2. Characteristics of Cults 3. Overview 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. “A cult is a group of people polarized around someone’s interpretation of the Bible and is characterized by major deviations from orthodox Christianity relative to the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith, particularly the fact that God became man in Jesus Christ.” Walter Martin 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; Cults give authoritative answers to man’s basic questions: Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? And Do I have a place? CULTS APPEAL TO MAN’S BASIC HUMAN NEEDS. CULTS MAKE A FAVORABLE IMPRESSION. LACK OF BIBLICAL DISCERNMENT. RELIGIOUS PARANOIA. EXTREME RULES & CONTROL/OUT OF CONTROL TRADITIONS. THEIRS IS THE ONLY TRUE CHRISTIAN SECT. Cults prosper because Christians have sometimes failed to be a vital influence in the world. In his book, The Comfortable Pew, Pierre Berton writes, “The virus that has been weakening the church for more than a generation is not the virus of anti-religious passion but the very lack of it. The Church to its opponents has become as a straw man, scarcely worth a bullet. Most ministers are scarcely distinguishable by their words, opinions, actions, or way of life from the nominal Christians and non-Christians who form the whole of the community.” In other words, if the church fails to carefully and seriously provide spiritual warmth and a true exposition of the Word of God, those with spiritual needs will find other avenues of fulfillment. Many cults prey on ignorance and try to impress the uninformed with pseudo-scholarship. LACK OF BIBLICAL DISCERNMENT As we just saw from Chris Elkins, a crumbling biblical foundation in the Church is leading to an explosive growth in the cults membership. Also in this section of lack of biblical discernment is the fact that cults dissuade their members from self Bible study. They rely on the sects’ materials and writings or the leaders’ proclamations. If biblical study is allowed, it is with a grossly misinterpreted version that the sect uses. Another characteristic of cults is religious paranoia. Cult leaders will isolate people to the point of controlling every aspect of their lives. They will control who they see and talk to, where they can go, what they read and watch and sometimes even where they work! They will convince their members that everyone else is against them so they need to band together and hold strong for the good of the group. Many times they will use it as an example of religious persecution with in turn proves they are right. Jehovah’s Witnesses are masters of this tactic. Cults will also place all their faith in their leader who they value as either their answer person, prophet, or even their God. Mormonism exalts their prophets above all else even when they contradict each other or even contradict themselves. The 5 major things that differ from Christianity that point to a cult are: 1. Source of Authority 2. Nature of God 3. Nature of Jesus 4. Nature of Man 5. Means of Salvation Take Aways: 1. Are you grounded in the true Word of God 2. Are you able to give a defense for the hope that is in you 3. Are you willing to share with others the Truth of the Gospel with meekness and love