JCISGD Posted October 3, 2009 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 64 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 1,345 Content Per Day: 0.24 Reputation: 30 Days Won: 1 Joined: 03/05/2009 Status: Offline Birthday: 04/10/1961 Share Posted October 3, 2009 IMO the following is a formula to recognise a cult or if a church (group of people) are leaning towards becoming one. If N.Z we have a large splinter group off the mainstream pentecostal church called Destiny Church, headed by a Bishop (apostle?) Brian Tamaki. IMO this group is in grave danger of becoming a fully fledged cult, doing much harm to the cause of Christ and ruining the faith of gulliable people. Although they do not fulfill the list below they have these leanings. All quotes below are mine, or used as common expressions. 1. They claim to be the only church, and often claim unbroken succession from the apostles. Although the Church has never been eliminated entirely in any generation, many times persecution has forced her underground to survive and resurface later. Even in the time of the Apostles great persecution spread the church into all regions as they fled to safety. Whenever a true Christian fled/moved to another country, there the church soon existed. 2. They call themselves by another name other than just a Christian. i.e "im a Mormon, J.W, Catholic etc" Destiny church here promote their name heavily in all their services as a seperate people "not like those other luke warm christians" 3. They insist on uniformity and usually this shows up in a dress code or strong preference by peer pressure. 4. They are denominally selfish and exclusive of other Christian groups, and usually end up with shelter groups and communes to avoid being in the world. Alarm bells have gone off here as Destiny church begin implementing plans to build a self sufficient community for "Destiny people" in the heart of the city. 5. Their self appointed leader (not subject to the 5 fold ministry) has total authority and power, usually enjoying the lions share of the fianances. Brian Tamaki in N.Z enjoys wealth unparralled among pastors here and clearly shows a preference for the bling of the world and bears no ressembalence to the Apostle Paul. 6. The preaching will mostly be against the base (overt) sins of adultery, theft, homosexuality etc and not the covert sins of pride, coveting, selfishness etc. This appeals to mans self righteous nature, and pleases the flesh to feel "im glad im not like those sinners". To be clear all sin should be preached against untill the pastor can see he has rooted it out from among his flock, but pointing the finger at the world instead of the plank in their own eye is a common trait of cults. In hindsight i probably shouldve posted this in controvertial topics, i leave it for the moderators to decide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneLight Posted October 3, 2009 Group: Royal Member Followers: 22 Topic Count: 1,294 Topics Per Day: 0.21 Content Count: 31,762 Content Per Day: 5.23 Reputation: 9,762 Days Won: 115 Joined: 09/14/2007 Status: Offline Share Posted October 3, 2009 I know some very fine Catholic brothers and sisters. They differ in doctrine, but they still follow Jesus Christ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Believer1997 Posted October 3, 2009 Group: Royal Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 66 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 6,363 Content Per Day: 1.13 Reputation: 119 Days Won: 9 Joined: 11/07/2008 Status: Offline Share Posted October 3, 2009 I also have many friends who are Catholic and love Christ. I do not agree with the comment in the OP that included Catholics as cultists. Consider the following: (1) Cult members are Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Shalhevet~ Posted October 3, 2009 Group: Royal Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 334 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 2,049 Content Per Day: 0.38 Reputation: 120 Days Won: 4 Joined: 08/13/2009 Status: Offline Share Posted October 3, 2009 2. They call themselves by another name other than just a Christian. i.e "im a Mormon, J.W, Catholic etc" So you're basically saying that any church which isn't non-denominational could be a cult? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick-Parker Posted October 4, 2009 Group: Royal Member Followers: 8 Topic Count: 200 Topics Per Day: 0.23 Content Count: 4,271 Content Per Day: 4.95 Reputation: 1,855 Days Won: 0 Joined: 12/17/2021 Status: Offline Birthday: 06/03/1955 Share Posted October 4, 2009 Did I miss something? I don't see where the OP singled out the Catholic Church. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCISGD Posted October 4, 2009 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 64 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 1,345 Content Per Day: 0.24 Reputation: 30 Days Won: 1 Joined: 03/05/2009 Status: Offline Birthday: 04/10/1961 Author Share Posted October 4, 2009 2. They call themselves by another name other than just a Christian. i.e "im a Mormon, J.W, Catholic etc" So you're basically saying that any church which isn't non-denominational could be a cult? Sorry i shouldve been clearer. No i meant that cults always have a name other than Christian. I go to a denomination that is called Apostolic, but i am not an Apostolic, i am just a Christian and i also go to any church around the world that preaches Christ crucified and the bible as inerrent. I hesitated to include Catholics as i knew it would upset some, but a Catholic will always even when "non practicing" (in blatant sin) call themselves " a Catholic". They do not say i am a Christian who goes to a catholic church, they have given themselves another name and this is what they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiritman Posted October 4, 2009 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 127 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 1,131 Content Per Day: 0.16 Reputation: 23 Days Won: 1 Joined: 04/22/2005 Status: Offline Birthday: 02/25/1962 Share Posted October 4, 2009 Did I miss something? I don't see where the OP singled out the Catholic Church. example: 2 at the end. I would also like to add, that cults usually will take some of the scripture, but not include those other verses that are necessary to get the full meaning of the subject. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCISGD Posted October 4, 2009 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 64 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 1,345 Content Per Day: 0.24 Reputation: 30 Days Won: 1 Joined: 03/05/2009 Status: Offline Birthday: 04/10/1961 Author Share Posted October 4, 2009 I know some very fine Catholic brothers and sisters. They differ in doctrine, but they still follow Jesus Christ. hi OL, do you accept then that you are not a Christian in Catholic church teaching unless you join the Catholic church, which they also teach is the only true church? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amor Posted October 4, 2009 Group: Removed from Forums for Breaking Terms of Service Followers: 1 Topic Count: 13 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 2,194 Content Per Day: 0.30 Reputation: 34 Days Won: 0 Joined: 06/18/2004 Status: Offline Share Posted October 4, 2009 2. They call themselves by another name other than just a Christian. i.e "im a Mormon, J.W, Catholic etc" So you're basically saying that any church which isn't non-denominational could be a cult? Sorry i shouldve been clearer. No i meant that cults always have a name other than Christian. I go to a denomination that is called Apostolic, but i am not an Apostolic, i am just a Christian and i also go to any church around the world that preaches Christ crucified and the bible as inerrent. I hesitated to include Catholics as i knew it would upset some, but a Catholic will always even when "non practicing" (in blatant sin) call themselves " a Catholic". They do not say i am a Christian who goes to a catholic church, they have given themselves another name and this is what they are. Catholics in societies where catholics are a minority that is. This is, at least in part, because in such societies they are labeled as different by others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCISGD Posted October 4, 2009 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 64 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 1,345 Content Per Day: 0.24 Reputation: 30 Days Won: 1 Joined: 03/05/2009 Status: Offline Birthday: 04/10/1961 Author Share Posted October 4, 2009 I also have many friends who are Catholic and love Christ. I do not agree with the comment in the OP that included Catholics as cultists. Consider the following: (1) Cult members are Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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