Cult

[felix]

The word "Cult" has a built in connotation that causes people to avoid whatever is labeled "Cult". The denotation of Cult can be found here: http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/cult I think there is a problem with how this word is being used...

The word "Cult" does not need to be in our Christian vocabulary. What we need to know is the following classifications: Scriptural or Non-scriptural, Christ or anti-Christ.

No longer should we label some group Cult but whether they are scriptural or non-scriptural. No longer should we label some group Cult but Christ or anti-Christ. I believe the use of this word "cult" is destructive to the Lord's move for it has been a word of oppression against the true worshippers of God who worship in spirit and in truth (john 4:24).

For instance, a person has labeled a group a cult because they call on the Name of the Lord literally during meetings as in "Jesus is Lord" or "Oh Lord Jesus". How does this prove that they are a cult? This must be compared to scripture not human opinion!

1 Corinthians 12:3

Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.

Clearly this is scriptural and worshipping Christ...Yet so many people once someone or some group is labeled as a "cult", they avoid the group and have this cultish impression foremost above whether these are the ones that the Father seeks.

The one who accuses a group of being a cult is the one in power while the accused is automatically forced into a defensive and passive mode without choice. No one questions the accuser but the accused. And even in the end when the ones accused have proven their righteousness in accordance to scripture the accusers still believe the same.

The pharisees had done the same thing...though they accused Jesus Christ of everything (being of the devil and committing blasphemy) they could not stand up against Jesus's references to scripture. The times and conditions of today is EXACTLY the same! There are pharisees among us today who are white washed tombs but inside are filled with dead bones. They are clean on the outside but dirty in the inside. Those who persecute those sent by God. And today the word cult is such a word of persecution used in a way just like the pharisees.

Brothers and sisters, it's not that using the word cult is wrong or bad but just that when you say someone or something is a cult (or you hear someone say something is a cult) do you have to clear that from your mind and then turn to God for discernment. The spiritual man judges all things (1 cor 2:15). When something is called a cult you need to PRAY and judge accordingly through the Spirit of God. When something is not called a cult you still need to PRAY and judge accordingly through the Spirit of God. I do not think you will receive the word "cult" anymore but whether this thing is CHRIST or ANTI-CHRIST. Physically you will see whether this is SCRIPTURAL or NON-SCRIPTURAL.

[Times]

Felix, I agree for the most part with what you said. The word cult used to be thought of to mean groups like the one founded by Jim Jones. Today, that same word is used against groups that have differen't views from the one throwing the label around. It is used as a means of demonization. Cult is not the only word used for this purpose. Other words used are right-wing, evangelical, Pharisee, legalist, etc. You get the idea. When someone teaches anything that goes against our doctrinal stands, the easiest thing to do is put a label on them.

Like everyone else, I have my own set of standards and doctrinal beliefs. At the same time, I do not find it appropriate to demonize everyone that feels differently about a particular subject. If I cannot win a debate without stooping to such tactics, maybe I would be better off to examine the belief I am holding to, because perhaps I am wrong.

There are cult watch sights on the internet that abuse the word cult. They like to label groups a cult on the basis of the style of worship they have or the fact they may disagree over a pet doctrine of the one with the site like OSAS. In general, if a church teaches that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God and acknowledges his diety, I would be slow to label them a cult. I will certainly point out doctrinal errors, but theological mistakes do not make a cult, at least in my book.

What about the church that says Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God,and acknowledges His diety, and maybe they will even say He died and rose the third day. But they say homosexually is a different life style, or having children outside of marriage is one of those things, or living together before getting married is a cultural thing. The Bible says different. If it goes against the Bible (God's word) it is wrong. Groups of people that continually go against the word of God is a cult. One man stands up in front of a congregation and condones these activities and the congregation goes along with it, what would you call it. It doesn't have to be a Jim Jones type situation to be a cult.

Was Garner Ted Armstrong head of a cult. Or was he just a harmless preacher with a different message?

Edited May 25, 2006 by Times

[Times]

It is not a matter of whether or not such doctrines are harmful Times. There is no doubt that they are. The question is are such churches cults? If a church condoning homosexuality is a cult, then the Presbyterian Church USA is a cult. There is a difference to me in a cult and a church with false doctrines. Most of the churches that allow for such things as you described are ones that don't take the Bible to be literal. They believe it is a good book with nice ideals, but not the innerant Word of God. They believe that the church changes as the culture changes and that portions of scripture are out dated. I do not go along with such nonsence but at the same time do not label them cult religions, just in error.

You mentioned a specific person and asked if I considered him a cult leader. The problem is that I don't know the specifics of what he taught so I cannot answer that. Did he believe in the diety of Christ? Also, the issue is not whether or not churches that teach error are harmful, because any false doctrine is. The question is whether they are a cult or not and I still prefer to hold to a very narrow definition of a cult.

The people in this church you mentioned (the Prespyterian Church USA) are taking the leadership at their word. I am amazed at the people that do not read the Word and see for themselves that Homosexuallity (as an example) is a sin. I call that a cult, they are for what ever reason listening to the powers that be and most of them are being controlled by those powers. Now maybe I should use a better word than cult, but I can't think of one. These types of churches fit the definition of "cults." Please do not be offended by my comments. I am merely trying to get us (myself included) to think. Tossing around ideas is a good way to learn. Opinion concerninf=g these types of subjects are not going to get us into Heaven or keep us out. It might, though, cause someone on the fence to think and start searching for the truth and find it. Which is Jesus came to this earth to die for each one of us, He was buried and rose from the dead the third day. I believe we can agree on that, can we not? The rest is for learning purposes. Thank you for reading my ideas and I will continue to read yours. I may not agree with everything I read but I feel this is good learning ground. God bless you. Keep it coming I really enjoy everyones comments on this forum.

[Times]

Times, the only thing I would say concerning your latest post is that regardless of the word "cult" being used, we both are in complete agreement that homosexuality is sin and there is no place for condoning such behavior in the Christian Church world. I would also say the same thing in regard to commiting fornication and having children outside of marriage. The disagreement is one over teminology and nothing more so I see no reason to argue about it.

The Bible is our standard, or at least it should be. As gospel singer Jeff Steele said in his song, "For The Sake Of My Children," "If the Bible says it is right it is right. If the Bible says it is wrong it is wrong." That is the way we should all look at things.

AMEN