11,141
edits
Is the Message a Cult?: Difference between revisions
→What is a cult?
No edit summary |
|||
| (6 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 21: | Line 21: | ||
|} | |} | ||
Cults either ignore the Bible altogether, or they say, ‘Ah yes, the Bible gives us the truth, but if you really want to understand the Bible, you must interpret it in the light of this revelation which has come to us’. In speaking thus, of course, they resemble Roman Catholicism which also claims this extra authority, this extra understanding, this further revelation. And in practice, whatever lip-service they may pay to the Scriptures, the real authority is this other... this extra... this new... this direct revelation that has been given.<ref>David Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The Christian Warfare: An Exposition of Ephesians 6:10–13 (Edinburgh; Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth Trust, 1976), 128.</ref> | Cults either ignore the Bible altogether, or they say, ‘Ah yes, the Bible gives us the truth, but if you really want to understand the Bible, you must interpret it in the light of this revelation which has come to us’. In speaking thus, of course, they resemble Roman Catholicism which also claims this extra authority, this extra understanding, this further revelation. And in practice, whatever lip-service they may pay to the Scriptures, the real authority is this other... this extra... this new... this direct revelation that has been given.<ref>David Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The Christian Warfare: An Exposition of Ephesians 6:10–13 (Edinburgh; Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth Trust, 1976), 128.</ref> | ||
===Ten warning signs of a potentially unsafe group/leader=== | |||
The following lists are taken from the [https://www.culteducation.com/warningsigns.html Cult Education Institute]: | |||
#Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability. | |||
#No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry. | |||
#No meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget, expenses such as an independently audited financial statement. | |||
#Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions. | |||
#There is no legitimate reason to leave, former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil. | |||
#Former members often relate the same stories of abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances. | |||
#There are records, books, news articles, or television programs that document the abuses of the group/leader. | |||
#Followers feel they can never be "good enough". | |||
#The group/leader is always right. | |||
#The group/leader is the exclusive means of knowing "truth" or receiving validation, no other process of discovery is really acceptable or credible. | |||
===Ten warning signs regarding people involved in/with a potentially unsafe group/leader=== | |||
#Extreme obsessiveness regarding the group/leader resulting in the exclusion of almost every practical consideration. | |||
#Individual identity, the group, the leader and/or God as distinct and separate categories of existence become increasingly blurred. Instead, in the follower's mind these identities become substantially and increasingly fused--as that person's involvement with the group/leader continues and deepens. | |||
#Whenever the group/leader is criticized or questioned it is characterized as "persecution". | |||
#Uncharacteristically stilted and seemingly programmed conversation and mannerisms, cloning of the group/leader in personal behavior. | |||
#Dependency upon the group/leader for problem solving, solutions, and definitions without meaningful reflective thought. A seeming inability to think independently or analyze situations without group/leader involvement. | |||
#Hyperactivity centered on the group/leader agenda, which seems to supercede any personal goals or individual interests. | |||
#A dramatic loss of spontaneity and sense of humor. | |||
#Increasing isolation from family and old friends unless they demonstrate an interest in the group/leader. | |||
#Anything the group/leader does can be justified no matter how harsh or harmful. | |||
#Former followers are at best-considered negative or worse evil and under bad influences. They can not be trusted and personal contact is avoided. | |||
===Ten signs of a safe group/leader=== | |||
#A safe group/leader will answer your questions without becoming judgmental and punitive. | |||
#A safe group/leader will disclose information such as finances and often offer an independently audited financial statement regarding budget and expenses. Safe groups and leaders will tell you more than you want to know. | |||
#A safe group/leader is often democratic, sharing decision making and encouraging accountability and oversight. | |||
#A safe group/leader may have disgruntled former followers, but will not vilify, excommunicate and forbid others from associating with them. | |||
#A safe group/leader will not have a paper trail of overwhelmingly negative records, books, articles and statements about them. | |||
#A safe group/leader will encourage family communication, community interaction and existing friendships and not feel threatened. | |||
#A safe group/leader will recognize reasonable boundaries and limitations when dealing with others. | |||
#A safe group/leader will encourage critical thinking, individual autonomy and feelings of self-esteem. | |||
#A safe group/leader will admit failings and mistakes and accept constructive criticism and advice. | |||
#A safe group/leader will not be the only source of knowledge and learning excluding everyone else, but value dialogue and the free exchange of ideas. | |||
=How do cult members act?= | =How do cult members act?= | ||
| Line 48: | Line 85: | ||
:''...I have never put Brother Branham's teachings above the Bible! He told us that the Bible is our absolute and that is what I believe. | :''...I have never put Brother Branham's teachings above the Bible! He told us that the Bible is our absolute and that is what I believe. | ||
While such people may think that they place the Bible above William Branham's teaching, this | While such people may think that they place the Bible above William Branham's teaching, is this, in fact, the case? We would ask followers of William Branham to answer the following questions: | ||
#William Branham was '''one of the greatest prophets of all time''' | #Do you believe that William Branham was '''one of the greatest prophets of all time'''? | ||
#Do you believe that as the seventh angel, '''William Branham could not make any significant doctrinal errors''' because the purpose of his ministry was to reveal all of the hidden mysteries of God? | |||
# | #Is there anything that William Branham taught that disagreed with the Bible? | ||
#Do you believe (as William Branham taught) that '''the only true evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is believing the Word for your hour'''? This refers specifically to '''the teachings of William Branham'''. As a result, if you think that William Branham's message has any significant errors, to a message believer this proves that you don't have the Holy Spirit. But '''if you believe what William Branham taught, then you have the baptism of the Holy Spirit.''' | |||
# | #Do you believe that "'''''the message is Jesus Christ'''''"? | ||
'''If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you are actually putting William Branham's message above the Bible, whether you admit it or not. How can we say that?''' | |||
In the Psalms, David says: | #Virtually all message believers will state that William Branham was one of the seven church age messengers and, therefore, at least the equal of Paul the Apostle. In addition, they generally believe that his ministry as the [[Revelation 10:7|Seventh Angel]] puts him in a league '''above all the other church age messengers'''. This statement in and of itself is '''puts William Branham's message above the Bible'''. | ||
#'''A message believer does not have the option of disagreeing with William Branham''', except possibly in respect of a relatively few minor issues. | |||
#Some message followers believe that to the extent that William Branham did make any significant errors, '''God corrected him before he died'''. This has resulted in the doctrine of [[Progressive Revelation]], which basically states that if William Branham taught different things about a subject, one should rely on his last teaching on the issue. But almost all message believers would agree that William Branham did not make any doctrinal errors | |||
#If presented with a clear teaching in the Bible that disagrees with William Branham, message followers will '''always accept William Branham's teaching''' and never that of the Bible. | |||
'''As a result, it is clear that followers of William Branham hold his teachings above that of the Bible.''' | |||
In the Psalms 138:2, David says: | |||
:''I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for '''you have exalted above all things your name and your word.'''<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ps 138:2.</ref> | :''I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for '''you have exalted above all things your name and your word.'''<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ps 138:2.</ref> | ||
| Line 83: | Line 126: | ||
The following video is a look at interracial marriages from a Biblical perspective by John Piper: | The following video is a look at interracial marriages from a Biblical perspective by John Piper: | ||
< | <youtube width='800' height='600'>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSoQsu3os-c</youtube> | ||
=The message is in addition to the Bible= | =The message is in addition to the Bible= | ||
| Line 138: | Line 181: | ||
As a result of the above, '''it is clear that "message believers" are members of a cult.''' | As a result of the above, '''it is clear that "message believers" are members of a cult.''' | ||
=Quotes of William Branham= | |||
Based on William Branham's own words, the message as it currently exists is a cult: | |||
:''But if you've sold your inheritance, if you sold out and done these things… What am I saying? Return back. If you joined up with some cult that tries to keep you away from fellowship with other brethren, leave the thing. This is jubilee. Amen. I feel religious. Return. Return. This is jubilee. Don't let it pass by. Remember, don't let it pass by.<ref>William Branham, 62-1122 - Return And Jubilee, para. 71</ref> | |||
William Branham appeared to be afraid that people would think that he was starting a cult: | |||
:''There had to come forth, must come forth; God ordained it so, that there must come forth, them Seven Seals must be opened. It was supposed to be done in this Laodicean age. And I think, beyond any shadow of doubt… Not as we brag; we have no brag, only on Jesus Christ; none of us. We only brag on Jesus Christ. But we are thankful with the… for the privilege of knowing by any… beyond any shadow of doubt, God has chose us in this last days, and has proven it by the signs in the Heavens and in the earth; and every one of them coming right straight back to the Word, to prove that it's so, this age that we live in, the Message and how It is. We're not a cult. We're not a bunch of fanatics. We are servants of God, that's been called by the Holy Ghost. You'll have all kinds of names tacked to you, but that don't mean it's so.<ref>William Branham, 65-1031M - Power Of Transformation, para. 125 </ref> | |||
{{Bottom of Page}} | {{Bottom of Page}} | ||
[[Category:The Message]] | [[Category:The Message]] | ||
[[Category:Doctrines]] | [[Category:Doctrines]] | ||
[[Category:Critical analysis of William Branham]] | [[Category:Critical analysis of William Branham]] | ||