May/June 2003

Cults
What makes them so bad, anyway?

by Monte Wolverton

If we want to get letters from readers, all we need to do is run an article explaining and defending the historic Christian faith against some wrong teaching or biblical misinterpretation.

Defending and explaining biblical doctrines is called apologetics. An apologetic article in The Plain Truth usually results in a tidal wave of letters and emails, pro and con. The cons often go something like this:

"Why are you so critical of other Christians? Why don't you just leave other people alone and let them believe what they want?"

Christians who practice apologetics are often viewed as critical, cantankerous and negative because they uphold the historic Christian faith by pointing out doctrinal error.

Most Christian denominations were formed because they disagreed with another denomination over some peripheral point of teaching. Nevertheless, most denominations that call themselves Christian generally agree on the core doctrines of Christianity. All denominations that are actually Christian subscribe to and accept core doctrines of Christianity.

The Plain Truth emphasizes the main and plain teachings of the Bible -- the historic and essential doctrines of Christianity. We believe it is important to discuss these biblical essentials.

In this article, we look at "Christian" cults -- groups that claim to follow Christ, yet deny one or more of the core teachings of Christianity (see "Core Christianity" on page 45).

So why is aberrant teaching such a big deal? Even if it's theologically wrong, who does it really hurt? At worst, isn't it sort of a victimless spiritual crime?

Cults -- Bad for You, Bad for Everyone

Cults in general, and Christian cults (groups that claim to be Christian but are not) in particular, are harmful on several levels. Not only are cults theologically inaccurate -- presenting a distorted view of God -- but their bad theology almost certainly leads to a truckload of other ills.

Bad theology, bad teaching and bad biblical interpretation are not only spiritually damaging, but they lead to false assumptions and inaccurate worldviews, which form the basis for bad decisions.

Usually, there is some scriptural basis for the misinformation that "Christian" cults teach. Some cult experts refer to this misinformation as exaggerated truth claims. Less tactful critics call them unbiblical assertions or even lies. Intentional or not, Christian cults lie to their followers in the name of God. Here are a few of the biggest whoppers.

"We're the one true church." Cults are cults, theologically, because they differ on one or more of the major teachings of orthodox Christianity -- teachings that are sound, biblical and that have stood the test of time. But cults will tell you that somehow, somewhere, Christianity got off the track, and that God has raised up their group to "restore the truth" in these "end times."

There is, in fact, one true church in the Bible. It consists of everyone who believes in Jesus Christ as the Son of God -- who has accepted him as Lord and Savior. Those who share a genuine belief in Jesus are all part of his universal church.

When a group teaches on its own authority that it is the only true church, it encourages followers to behave exclusively and to treat other human beings with contempt.

"God speaks through us." A cult by its very nature is trying to perpetuate a unique set of teachings. These constitute the group's unique selling proposition and exaggerated truth claims. Without such distinctions, there would be no unique offer to attract members. The cult, of course, believes that these teachings must be preserved and protected from change. Cults therefore suppress personal opinion, critical thinking and free exchange of ideas.

The Bible contains warnings against personal interpretations of Scripture (2 Peter 1:20) and human argument against God (2 Corinthians 10:5). But nowhere in Scripture is sound thinking discouraged. In fact, Jesus' teaching method involved asking his disciples questions and challenging them to think critically and carefully.

Cults, on the other hand, steer followers away from critical and clear thinking.

Administering a cult and its teaching is all about control. Personal decisions are often made for people who are trained to obey, rather than being educated in how to make biblically sound, Christian decisions.

Cult leaders often hold eccentric ideas that fly in the face of education, science and medicine.

Followers, mistrusting conventional education, often do not obtain adequate schooling, making them even more gullible and incapable of questioning and evaluating the cult's unorthodox and sometimes dangerous ideas.

The Bible stresses obedience to the gospel, as well as respect for the pastoral ministry. It charges ministers with teaching and explaining Scripture. It tells us to get sound advice (Proverbs 20:18) and to involve God in all of our concerns (1 Peter 5:7). But it does not give clergy the authority or ability to manage parishioners' lives, much less in areas where clergy has little or no expertise.

At their least harmful, cults rob people of self-determination and the maturity that comes as a result of facing challenging decisions.

At their worst, the lack of critical thinking and unquestioning obedience to cult hierarchies has led to the Branch Davidian disaster in Waco, Texas, and the People's Temple mass suicide in Guyana.

"You're not good enough." While there are variations on this message, this teaching keeps members in a state of forced humility, and they are therefore malleable and dependent on cult leadership.

This may seem to echo the biblical teaching that all have sinned and that none of us can be good enough to earn salvation. But the Bible also teaches that God has made us righteous through the work of Jesus (Hebrews 10:10).

This empowering truth of the gospel is not good news for cults, who seem to want their members to believe that their behavior is in question continually, and the only way they can ever hope to improve, overcome or qualify is by towing the cult line.

Some followers actually attempt to escape this dark cloud of oppression and guilt by rising to positions of leadership and authority within the organization -- where they then treat people as they have been treated.

But leaders eventually find that the cult treats them worse than members, as they are drawn into its political web and must struggle to maintain their position, or risk being scapegoated and "disfellowshipped" in disgrace.

Followers who have been subjected to this treatment often view God as a harsh, stern taskmaster instead of a loving creator who gave himself to save us.

"The end is just around the corner." Many cults -- those who call themselves Christian as well as those who do not pretend to be Christian -- have a strong apocalyptic component. For such groups, the end of the age is their focus rather than Christ. This virus, of course, is widespread even within the orthodox evangelical Christian community.

As a result, followers live in a constant state of anxiety, fluctuating between dread and anticipation (depending on one's perceived spiritual state). Lack of anxiety is interpreted as cause for worry, and the failure to be tormented and troubled about the future indicates complacency.

Because the end is always seen to be near, followers are prone to neglect physical responsibilities, such as long-term career goals, education, financial planning and investments -- even needed medical and dental treatment.

If you are convinced that the economy and society are perpetually on the verge of collapse, you will not be inclined to invest time and money in sound career or financial goals.

Further, professional and financial achievements are often seen as suspect, since these "materialistic" pursuits might lead followers away from the group.

Ironically, cult leaders often seem to have no problem with acquiring lavish material possessions and investing in a future that their followers believe will never happen.

Since followers are not encouraged to pursue higher education or long-term financial goals, many of them live a hand-to-mouth existence. Because of this, cult leaders often use a "crisis" model to raise funds. Cults often move from one manufactured crisis to the next as they try to motivate their financially strapped followers to dig deeper into their pockets and fund yet another project that is beyond the organization's normal operating budget.

This is an unethical and irresponsible way to run an organization, but even worse where it is employed in God's name.

It is true that the Bible teaches Christ will come again, and that believers are not to make this physical life their focus. But the Bible also teaches that believers are to live responsible and productive lives here and now (Ephesians 4:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13).

The cause of Christ is more effectively advanced by stable believers who are responsible and mature citizens.

"We are more important than your family or community." Families have a stabilizing effect on individuals. Cults who recruit young people usually seek to remove new followers from the influence of family or close friends. Cults also use families and friendships to keep followers in the fold -- as eventually the vast majority of their friends and family are also part of the cult. Members are often discouraged from excessive involvement in the community (unless it is to recruit new members). Some cults ban voting.

The cult becomes a surrogate family, and the only community that followers will ever need.

Scripture does warn of involvement with "the world," (1 John 2:15-17, referring to the evil that is in the world). Scripture also says that some may need to choose between family and Christ. Yet the overall thrust of New Testament teaching is that families should remain intact and connected with their communities (1 Timothy 3:2-7).

"We are God's perfect government on earth." Cults put their best foot forward. After all, each cult considers itself to be God's sole representative, sometimes speaking of itself as the kingdom of God. More fundamentally, cultic groups tend to be legalistic, placing great emphasis on correct behavior and appearance. Unanimity in leadership is therefore paramount.

Yet in the New Testament, we do not see the apostles suffering from group-think. Rather, we see differences of opinion and exchange of ideas. There was open debate at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:6-21), open disagreement between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36-41), and a dispute between Paul and Peter (Galatians 2:11).

Today, healthy church and para-church organizations conduct most of their business openly. Decisions are made by democratic or collegial processes. Mistakes are acknowledged and corrected. Checks and balances are present.

But if there is debate or disagreement among cult leadership, you'll hear little or nothing about it. Leaders will not readily admit to making mistakes (which will usually be repackaged as successes, or blamed on some other leader who has fallen into disfavor, subsequent to being ousted).

Because of the pressure to be flawless, serious problems (both personal and corporate) are swept under the carpet. Allowed to grow, these festering sores often cause followers to become disillusioned and leave. Of course, cult leaders quickly point to biblical passages such as 2 Thessalonians 2:3, showing that such a "falling away" or "rebellion" was prophesied.

Disillusionment is perhaps the worst and most lasting effect of cults. The more sincere, the greater the loyalty and the greater the respect for the cult leaders, the more devastating is the disillusionment of followers when they finally realize they were duped and deceived. Their orderly universe has been turned upside down, shaken and scattered.

As a result, many former cult members give up on Christianity altogether. They become cynical, bitter and skeptical. If they are attracted to any kind of religion at all, it is more often than not the vague spirituality of the New Age movement, which is a vast depository of unbiblical teaching.

The Fruit of "Christian" Cults

At their worst, "Christian" cults:

· lie about being the only spiritual show in town.

· rob followers of the ability to think clearly.

· rob followers of confidence and control over their own lives.

· rob followers of financial stability.

· rob followers of sound life and career goals and education.

· alienate followers from family and community.

· make false prophecies.

· arrogate to themselves false authority -- even infallibility.

And they do all this in the name of God.

Cults create a trance-like illusory world in which some followers are little more than blind drones doing the bidding of their corrupt masters.

This all flows from bad theology and unsound Bible interpretation.

It is alarming to see that similar problems are also present even in some Christian churches with relatively sound theology, at least officially. Unbiblical teaching ensnares and entangles -- and eventually enslaves.

If you or someone you know is involved in a cult, cultic teaching or Christian groups with cult-like characteristics, you need to take action. It's not easy or comfortable to make the break. But eventually, you need to face the painful truth and embrace the plain truth of your freedom in Jesus Christ. 

Were they or weren't they? These founders of two prominent American cults claimed to be Christian. Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon church, was born in Sharon, Vermont, in 1805, and had little formal education. At the age of 14, Smith became interested in religion, but was allegedly instructed by God the Father and Jesus Christ not to join any church. He later developed an interest in magic and divination and offered his services as a clairvoyant, but was found guilty of disorderly conduct and being an impostor in 1826. A year later he claimed to have been visited by an angel named Moroni, who told him where to find ancient documents inscribed on thin golden plates. He "translated" these and published them as the Book of Mormon in 1830. Later that year, Smith organized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He founded cities in Ohio, Missouri and Illinois; he sent missionaries throughout the world; established Mormon doctrine; built several Mormon temples; and was even a candidate for president of the United States. But Mormons were not accepted in most communities, and Smith and his brother were killed by a mob in Carthage, Illinois, in 1844. Today, over 100 denominations totalling 11 million people are classified as Mormon. Yet Mormon teachings drastically differ from historical Christianity. Joseph Smith ridiculed the idea of the Trinity, teaching that Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three separate deities, and that humans can also achieve godhood. While Mormons teach that Jesus is redeemer and is a God, the Mormons also teach that Jesus attained and qualified for divinity -- in opposition to the Bible, which states that Jesus is and was eternally God. _____________________ Charles Taze Russell was born in 1852, in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, where he later became active in the Christian Congregationalist church. He wrote and lectured on biblical prophecy, preaching that the return of the "invisible spirit of Jesus Christ" happened in 1874. He began publishing his journal, The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence, in 1879, and in 1884, he formed The Watch Tower Bible And Tract Society. As Russell's movement grew, he relocated to Brooklyn, New York. After his death in 1916, his successor, Joseph Rutherford, coined the term "Jehovah's Witnesses." Rutherford restructured and reorganized the Watchtower Society into the form it takes today. Jehovah's Witnesses and derivative groups claim some 6 million members worldwide. Russell's teachings were a radical departure from biblically based historical Christianity. Like Joseph Smith, Russell was antitrinitarian. Russell taught that the idea of the Trinity was Satanic. Rather, he taught that God the Father is the "supreme God" whose real name is Jehovah, and that the Holy Spirit is the impersonal active force of God. According to Russell, Jesus is not Jehovah, but merely a created "god being" known originally as Michael the Archangel. Russell also taught that Jesus rose spiritually, not bodily, from the dead.

Basic Rules for Reading the Bible Cults owe their incorrect teaching largely to unsound biblical interpretation. But, there are procedures to ensure that we interpret the Bible as objectively as possible. Here are three basic principles of sound Bible interpretation: 1) The Bible must be read in context for its original meaning to its original audience, before any modern application can be deduced (many cultic teachings result from a failure to follow this simple rule). 2) The original context includes an understanding of the history, culture and linguistic genre used in the passage. 3) Rules of logic must govern what can be deduced from Scripture -- the Bible interprets itself. Subjective ideas and personal prophetic revelations have no place in this process. Learn these principles and more in Experiencing the Word, available from Plain Truth Ministries. Call 1-800-309-4466 for a free sample.

Core Christianity The main and plain teachings of Christianity are all clearly stated in the Bible. Here are some critical, core beliefs that the gospel of Jesus Christ insists on. Most heresy is some form of deviation from these five essentials. The Trinity. There is only one true God who is Triune -- God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit -- three distinct yet co-essential divine persons who are one.This teaching emerged as a biblical standard in response to unbiblical ideas about the Godhead that were being propounded in the first three centuries after Christ. Every alternative teaching about the nature of God has proven to be a source of major theological problems -- either diminishing God or exalting humans. The Trinity is affirmed by many passages, including: Matthew 28:19; Mark 3:29; 12:29; John 1:1-18; 14:12-23; 16:27; Acts 2:32-33; Ephesians 1:1-14; 3:14-19; 4:6; 1 Timothy 1:16-17; Titus 2:11-13; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 5:7-8; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14. The Deity of Jesus. Acts 4:12 states that "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." The Bible teaches that Jesus is God in the flesh -- that he is the eternal Son of God who came to us in the flesh that we might be saved -- that he was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to a virgin -- that he was fully God and fully man -- that he died for our sins -- that he rose from the dead in an immortal body -- and that he lives. If Jesus is not and was not God, then he could not have been payment for our sins. That's the very core of Christianity. Salvation by Grace Through Faith. We are saved by grace through faith, not by works so that no one can boast of their own human spiritual accomplishments and value. Jesus' work of atonement on the cross is completely sufficient to save us. Anyone who believes this is born again, has eternal life, and is saved (1 John 5:1-13). That God offers this salvation to all humans is grace. That we believe him is faith, which is itself a gift from God. Salvation is therefore by grace, though faith (Ephesians 2:8). While a saved person will be motivated to do good works (Galatians 6:10), salvation can't be earned by works. A High View of Scripture. The Bible is the word of God, and we live our lives by it. The 66 books of the Bible were recognized as authoritative by the early church through a series of councils. The Scriptures are complete. They need no reinterpretation or amendment from some other source (Mary Baker Eddy, Charles Taze Russell and Joseph Smith notwithstanding). Because the Bible is the inspired Word of God, humans are not free to read their own meanings into it (2 Peter 1:20-21). That being the case, we must approach the biblical text reverently and carefully. The Universal Church. There is only one Christian church, consisting of all believers (Ephesians 4:4-6). Jesus is the head of the church (Colossians 1:18), which is metaphorically his body (verse 24). The body of Christ transcends denominational boundaries. A Christian's most important relationship is with God, not his or her denomination or congregation. With freedom of religion, however, comes the possibility of competition between denominations to attract believers. While a little competition can be a healthy thing even within the body of Christ, some denominations, ministries and teachers have gone to the extreme of claiming to have truth that others don't. The plain truth of the Bible is that no denomination or church body has an exclusive franchise to represent God on earth.

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