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Is the Message a Cult?: Difference between revisions

Is the Message a Cult? (view source)

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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.
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.<ref>Robert A. Morey, How to Answer a Mormon: Practical Guidelines for What to Expect and What to Reply When the Mormons Come to Your Door (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1983), 12–13.</ref>


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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.<ref>Robert A. Morey, How to Answer a Mormon: Practical Guidelines for What to Expect and What to Reply When the Mormons Come to Your Door (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1983), 12–13.</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>
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>


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