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Question 32 (ABM) - Is the message a cult?: Difference between revisions
Question 32 (ABM) - Is the message a cult? (view source)
Revision as of 02:24, 15 February 2019
, 5 years ago→Response from BTS - What is a cult?
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=Response from ABM= | =Response from ABM - Parts of the message are a cult= | ||
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==Clarification by ABM== | ==Clarification by ABM - The definition of a cult== | ||
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In the most basic and historic definition, the word cult means "a unique culture." In that regard, the entire Branham movement represents a unique religious culture. | In the most basic and historic definition, the word cult means "a unique culture." In that regard, the entire Branham movement represents a unique religious culture. | ||
In | In Christian theological terms, a Christian cult is a group who denies the supremacy of Christ. This is really the aspect on which I answered your question. A large part of the message groups have abandoned the supremacy of Christ. | ||
The pop-culture definition of a cult is a | The pop-culture definition of a cult is a kool-aid drinking, suicidal, brainwashed bunch of nuts. I was not considering that definition when I answered your question, and I do not think the message movement fits that definition. I would say there are a very tiny minority of historic fringe groups that would fall into this category, but to my knowledge, there are no groups like that which still exist. Leo Mercer, Paul Shaffer, and the men like that are all dead, and they never represented anything beyond a tiny minority. | ||
Kind regards | Kind regards | ||
ABM | |||
=Response from BTS - What is a cult?= | |||
Dear ABM, | |||
Sorry to go back to this but I think you missed part of my email. I specifically referred to Robert Morey's definition of a cult in his book, How to Answer a Mormon: Practical Guidelines for What to Expect and What to Reply When the Mormons Come to Your Door: | |||
:''A “cult” has been defined as a religious group founded by and built upon the teachings of a religious leader whose authority is viewed as being equal to or greater than the Bible and whose teachings are in opposition to the doctrines of biblical and historic Christianity. | |||
:''The crucial part of the above definition of the word cult is, “whose authority is viewed as being equal to or greater than the Bible.” '''The founder of the cult is viewed as being a “prophet”''' or “prophetess” of God. '''Since he or she is the “voice of God,” the person’s teachings are authoritative.''' Thus the cult is based solely upon the religious authority of the founder. Everything depends on the validity of that authority. | |||
:''The '''issue of religious authority''' is the most basic problem one encounters when witnessing to a cultist. While the child of God looks to the Scriptures as the ultimate standard by which to decide religious truth, the cultist looks to his leader to decide the truth for him. As long as the Christian and the cultist are looking to different religious authorities, there is no common ground between them where they can begin. | |||
I think this definition is reasonable and it holds for virtually everyone I have met in the message. Message followers often state that they believe in the supremacy of the scriptures but when pushed will admit that they cannot point out a single doctrinal point where they would not follow William Branham. As such, they have effectively exalted William Branham's message above the Bible. | |||
Shalom, | |||
BTS | |||
= ABM - What is a cult? = | |||
BTS, | |||
I do not think we are differing substantially. I was primarily concerned I was not clear in my original answer that I was not supporting a pop-culture definition of the word "cult". | |||
I believe the definition you give can be succinctly described and denying the supremacy of Christ. I agree, the majority of message believers would argue that the Bible and Christ are the final authority, but in practice, most will consider the statements of Bro. Branham to carry greater weight than scripture or the words of Christ. But certainly not all of them fit that definition, and I would also suggest that a large percentage of those who take Bro. Branham's statements out of context and place their interpretation above the scripture do so unknowingly, because they have never heard the correct or more full viewpoint. Most who I come into contact with are not hard to persuade that they simply misunderstood Bro. Branham when you can show them the clear biblical meaning. (As opposed to trying to convince them he was a false prophet) I think that is a noteworthy fact. Paul did not convince the pagans to give up their false beliefs by first convincing them their gods were false, but rather by showing them a better way. I do not believe Bro. Branham was a false teacher or false prophet, he just was confusing from time to time in his doctrines and people have twisted it. But I certainly believe the manner in which some have subsequently used and interpreted his teachings are certainly wrong. When I minister to message people I do so with the intention of helping them see the proper biblical interpretations which I believe Bro. Branham himself held, as opposed to the doctrinal trainwreck some parts of the message have become. It is often the basic and most elementary teachings which message preachers seem to neglect. I find people to be very receptive of such a message. | |||
My primary concern on this point is to clarify is that by using the word "cult" here, it is not to convey the pop-culture image of a cult. As far as people go, most message believers are kind and pleasant people. To quote former message believer Peter Duyzer from his book, he "never experienced friendship, or love, like we did there. It was the closest thing, in our minds, to the early church." I will also quote critic and author Edward Babinski who said they are "odd in their beliefs, but for the most part honest hard-working citizens". My basis for saying some segments are a cult is only because in my view they have denied the supremacy of Christ, in word or deed. Those who have not done so, are not a cult. | |||
For your specific definition, I would say the average person would not consider the LDS to be a cult, because most people really only consider the pop-culture definition of the word. But from a purely Christian theological standpoint, we would indeed consider them a cult. Not because they are drinking blood, or worshiping Satan, or sacrificing children, or passing around the kool-aid, but because they have denied the supremacy of Christ. | |||
Kind regards, | |||
ABM | ABM | ||