Question:

Are Jehovah’s Witnesses a cult?  What is a cult?  I am not a Jehovah’s Witness, but I do not believe they are a cult.

            The apostles were sent out to preach from house to house, door to door in two’s.  Who still carries that out as Jesus instructed?  Who preaches the good news of the Kingdom as Jesus instructed?  Which organization is doing this all over the earth for a witness to all the nations before the end comes?

            It is not you.  It can only be one of two organizations: Mormons (L.D.S.) or Jehovah’s Witnesses.

            Yours sincerely,

            Francis

Answer:  Dear Francis,

            There are two kinds of cults: sociological cults and theological cults.  Sociological cults deviate from society, are anti-social, and usually slavishly addicted to the teachings of one person who is held in high esteem (if not worshipped) by the group.  The charismatic leader may or may not attempt to justify his or her teachings by an interpretation of the Bible.  Not all cults twist the Bible to their own ends.

            Theological cults deviate from the teachings of Christianity, setting themselves up as the one and only true way, teaching, religion--and bashing all Christians.  Theological cults all have a warped and unbiblical teaching of the nature of God (both Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses do this) and go downhill from there.  Theological cults believe that salvation is gained by works, or by a combination of human works and divine grace.  The Bible and orthodox Christianity teaches that salvation is by grace.  Period.  Theological cults enslave followers into a vast system of humanly imposed works, traditions, activities and requirements—so that the individuals have little time to think.  Thinking is not encouraged.  Study of the Bible is not encouraged (apart from well-worn and well-traveled proof texts that are taken out of context that seem to prove what the cult wants the Bible to say).

            For further insight into cultic behaviors and practices, please feel free to take a look at our cover article in the Jan-Feb 2002 issue of the Plain Truth, posted here on the web site for your convenience, as we share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.

            It is true that the Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses evangelize and witness to the world—but that is not all the Bible commands Christians to do.  The content of the message must be true, Christ-centered, biblically accurate, and about the gospel of Jesus Christ.  This they do not do.  The fruit of their evangelism is to bring people into the slavery of legalism, the bondage of following the traditions of teachings of men, not of Jesus Christ, bringing them to worship laws and regulations, instead of the Lord.  See Matthew 23:15.

            That’s the plain truth.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht