Missing Answer

WHAT IS A CULT?

Is there really such a thing as a “cult”? Isn’t a cult just a religion with different beliefs from my own? Does it really matter? Don’t we all go to the same place when we die, anyway? How can it be called a “cult” when it is a “Christian” religion? These, and many other questions, make it difficult, in some cases, to distinguish a “cult” from a religion that teaches false doctrines.

It would be beneficial, first of all, to define what is meant by the word “cult.” Although there are social, political, and religious cults, let us deal with only the religious aspect.

A religious cult can be described as any group that significantly deviates from the cardinal doctrines or practices of the faith (more specifically, from the Bible). In many cases, a cult bases its beliefs upon one person’s interpretation — or, better yet, misinterpretation — of the Bible. A cult could further be defined as a group that deviates from the historical and cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith. This definition may seem to give the indication that almost any religion or group could be considered a cult. That is not necessarily the case. Whether a religion be a “cult,” or a mainstream denomination that teaches false doctrines, the guide for determining truth is always the Word of God — the Bible.

The Bible actually warns that there would be false teachers, false gospels, and even false “christs.” We find in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” Christ Himself tells us in Matthew 7:15, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” The allure of many cults is the fact that they align themselves with “Christian” teachings. In other words, they give just enough truth or use just the right words to make their teachings sound credible. For example, the Mormons claim that they believe in Jesus Christ. That sounds great, until you find out what they really believe about Christ. They are far from being a “Christian” religion.

Since false cults do exist, it is important that people be warned against believing in a false doctrine or group that would determine where they would spend eternity. It is not true that all religions or beliefs lead us to God. The Bible tells us in John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Christ did not state that He is “one” way to the Father, or that He is an alternative way: He specifically states that He is “the way.” Our salvation is based upon our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. If salvation should be compromised by adding additional requirements, or by teaching another way of salvation, then we have no assurance to heaven. Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 10:13 says,“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

How do we know what groups would be considered a cult? Sometimes that can be difficult. As was mentioned, many cults use “Christian” words, and even practices. There are, however, several characteristics that most cults have in common.

A human founder and strong leadership

The Bible makes it very clear that Christ himself founded the church (see 1 Corinthians 3:11; Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6-7; and Matthew 16:18). However, most cults have a human founder. For example, Charles Taze Russell founded The Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1879 in Pennsylvania. Joseph Smith started the Mormons in 1830 in New York. L. Ron Hubbard founded Scientology in 1954 in California. Many other examples could be cited. Please note that not all cults have one specific founder. Modern-day Wicca (part of the occult), did not have any one founder: it actually had its roots in Britain. The fact remains that in most cases, a cult has a leader who considers himself a messenger from God, with a special and unique access to God. As a result of their being “chosen” by God, cult leaders feel they can dictate all aspects of their group and teaching. Christianity is the only religion that holds its Foundation, its Cornerstone, as Jesus Christ the Son of God (1 Peter 2:6-7).

A Non-Biblical source of Authority

All cults require books other than the Bible for their authority. For example, Mormons will use the King James Version of the Bible; yet they say that “new revelation” has been given in the Book of Mormon, and that it must also be used. Other doctrinal books used by Mormons are the Doctrines and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. According to Mormon teachings, the Book of Mormon, which was “given” to Joseph Smith, actually supersedes the teachings of the Bible. Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that the Bible was not correctly translated; therefore, the writings of the Watchtower, along with their own “Bible,” the New World Translation, are necessary to explain what God really meant. Scientologists do not use the Bible, but instead use the book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, as well as other books by L. Ron Hubbard. Wicca and other occult movements do not claim to have a holy book; but many groups will use The Book of Shadows. Islam uses the Koran, which they believe was given to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel. Islam “accepts” the Law of Moses, the Psalms, and even the Gospels of Jesus; however, they state that Jews and Christians have corrupted these revelations.

One sign of a cult is that the Bible is either superseded by another “book,” or that it is interpreted and given “new” meaning by their leaders. The Bible, however, needs no higher authority. In 2 Timothy 3:16 Paul states, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” God’s Word has been given to us in a preserved state (the Bible), and we need no additional authority or new meaning. We are also told in Isaiah 40:8, “The word of our God shall stand for ever.” The Word of God never changes.

A Non-Biblical view of God and the Trinity

Many cults will either give a wrong view of God, or will totally deny the correct view of God. The Bible teaches that God is a Person who can speak and create (Genesis 1:1). He has a will and a mind. He is not some impersonal being or glorified man. (Mormons believe that He was once a man.) He is God! He is not one of many gods. Isaiah 43:10 says, “Before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.” In 1 Timothy 2:5, we read, “For there is one God.” God has always existed. Psalm 90:2 says, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”

Another Bible truth that is in direct conflict with the teachings of many cults is that of the Trinity — the truth that God is one God in three Persons. This doctrine is rejected by the cults. Islam totally rejects the Bible teaching of the Holy Spirit. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in the Trinity; and they believe that the Holy Spirit is an “active force.” The Occult does not believe in the Holy Spirit, either: they refer to a spirit as a kind of “energy.” Scientologists likewise do not have the Holy Spirit as part of their belief. Since most cults reject the truth of the Holy Spirit, they totally reject the Trinity, as well.

A Non-Biblical view of Jesus

One characteristic of all cults is a non-Biblical view of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul warns us in 2 Corinthians 11:4 about following after “another” Jesus. The Jesus that is believed in and taught by cults is always less than the Jesus that the Bible teaches. The Bible teaches that Jesus is God who became flesh. (“God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” 1 Timothy 3:16) The Bible teaches that He was born of a virgin. (“Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14) The Bible teaches that Christ is the Saviour of the world. (“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15) The Bible teaches that Christ died, was buried, and rose again the third day. (“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-6) The Bible teaches that He will return again for the saved. (“For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)

Cults have a view of Christ that is much different from the Christ of the Bible. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that He is not God, and that before He came to earth he was Michael the archangel. They also believe that He and the angels will destroy all non-Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Mormons believe that the Father and Mother in Heaven created Jesus as a “spirit child.” Mormons also believe that Jesus’ death on the cross does not provide full atonement (payment for our sins). Many of those in Wicca and the Occult reject Christ totally, while some consider Him a “spiritual teacher.” Scientologists rarely mention Jesus. They do not believe that He died for our sins. Islam teaches that Christ was just one of 124,000 prophets sent by Allah. They also believe that Christ was not crucified.

As you can see, cults have a very different view of Christ!

A Non-Biblical view of Salvation

One of the most obvious differences between Biblical Christianity and the cults is in the matter of salvation — how a person is saved. The Bible states that our salvation is only through the Lord Jesus Christ. In 1 John 1:9 we read, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Acts 4:12 tells us, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” The cults reject the Bible teaching that man cannot work his way to heaven or achieve salvation: but Titus 3:5 says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.”

Islam teaches that people are basically good, and that the balance between good and bad deeds is what determines whether one spends eternity in paradise or in hell. Scientologists teach that there is no sin, and, therefore, no need of repentance. Salvation according to Scientologists is the “freedom from reincarnation.” The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that you must be baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness; plus, you must earn (work for) everlasting life by doing door-to-door work here on earth. They also believe that salvation in heaven is limited to 144,000 people. Mormons believe that we are saved by our works. These works include being baptized as a Mormon (there is no entrance into Heaven without Mormon baptism and membership); devoutly following the Mormon leaders; tithing; and participating in secret temple rituals.

Conclusion

When one begins to study what cults such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Mormons, the Occult (which includes palm reading and psychics), Scientology, Islam, and a host of others believe; and when one compares their teachings with Bible, it is not hard to know where the truth is to be found. The problem for most people is that they find it hard to accept the simple truth of the Gospel, which is presented in the Bible. The Gospel is that Jesus Christ is one with the Father; that He died for our sins, and rose again the third day; and that by accepting Him as our Saviour, we can have eternal life.

There are many reasons why cults are prevalent among society, and why they continue to prosper. Cults are not necessarily filled with people who are immoral, or even “anti-God.” Usually, the members are people who are looking for hope and help in this present world. Many times cults provide a quick, simple, and believable answer to a person’s quest for hope and peace of mind. Sadly, in time, people find that the promises they have been given offer no peace or hope. Instead, they offer only more work on their part in order to secure their salvation.

My friend, the peace and hope that you may be longing for today can be found in the one and true God, through the shed blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. If you would like more information concerning the true God of the Bible, or more information concerning cults, please contact us at www.missinganswer.org.