What is a cult? How would you know one if you saw one?
The word “cult” comes from a Latin word cultus which meant “worship.” But a cult is more than just a group
that worships. Some dictionary definitions of the word “cult” include:
- A system of religious belief, esp. one not
recognized as an established religion, or the people who worship according to
such a system of belief:[i]
- A religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious;
also : its body of adherents[ii]
- A religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.[iii]
Some of the common misconceptions of a cult one might hear are
a religious group which is: small, regarded by others as strange or sinister,
excessive, misplaced, and – a splinter group. But just because a group is
small, it does not make them necessarily wrong. Just because they are
considered “strange,” it doesn’t make them a cult. That which is true is often
considered strange by the people of this world. If a faction splinters off of
another, this doesn’t mean they are outside the realm of orthodoxy. Even though
many of these characteristics are often common in many cults, I think we would be
wise to consider a more biblical definition of a cult.
True Christianity is a cloth that is woven with many groups
and denominations. Even though some may claim they are the one true, mother
church and that all other groups are not legitimate, this is not so.
The existence of many
different groups, some of which believe a little differently, does not qualify
any of them as a cult. Most denominations have statements of faith which define
their doctrine. You will notice a common core belief system from most of them
too, though they may differ on the non-essentials.
I have been a member of Baptist churches ever since Jesus
saved me from my sin. Most Christians recognize Baptists as true Christians.
However, when a team of us went up from Texas to a northern American state to
do some ministry up there, I found out that many people of the groups there
regarded Baptists as a cult.
In Poland, where I went several years ago, the Baptist
churches had felt the need to put “Christian Baptist Church” on their signs so
that they would not be regarded by others as a cult but as Christian. They had
suffered some persecution from some. Many Poles believed that Christians should
all belong to their one group.
What I’m saying is that it is easy to place the label “cult”
upon any group that does not believe exactly like us. This is wrong because
when we use only the worldly definition of what constitutes a cult, it is
possible for any group of Christians to label any other group of Christians as
a cult. This causes even more division among the people of God.
A false definition of a cult, however, does not negate the
true definition. So let’s look at the true definition. A cult is a group of
people who profess Christianity but whose practices and beliefs are in direct
disagreement with the core beliefs of Christianity. These core beliefs include reliance
upon the bible as God’s word; God as Creator and giver of the moral law; belief
in the unity of God in three persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit); recognition
of the sinful nature of mankind; belief in the death, burial and resurrection
of Jesus Christ; salvation by grace through faith in Jesus; heaven and hell as the
final destiny of all humanity; and the imminent return of Jesus Christ.
John, the Apostle of Jesus, wrote:
For many deceivers have gone out
into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is
a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those
things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. Whoever
transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He
who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone
comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your
house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.[iv]
Here are some biblical characteristics of a cult or a false
group: All cults have most, if not all of these ways about them.
- Teaches doctrine which is foreign to scripture, especially in the area of Jesus Christ and Salvation. Most often, in cult teachings, they deny the Godhood of Jesus Christ.
- Requires unquestioned devotion to a human, fallible leader. This leader is often accountable to no one else.
- Isolates its members from all other groups. The bible teaches us that we are to be separated, but not isolated from the rest of the world.
- Extra-biblical revelation. The cult will add books, writings and teachings from within to be regarded as equal to or superior to the bible.
- Adheres to prophecies which are proven to be false.
- Often the group, in obedience to its leader, teaches and believes that there is no salvation apart from itself.
Just because it may be popular to label a group as “a cult” does not make them one. There are many legitimate groups of Christians who may be outside the mainstream but which do not resemble any of the characteristics of cultism. And just because someone is a member or connected to a cult group does not necessarily mean they are unsaved. They may just be confused. We trust that God will truly lead them to the light and bring them out.
Finally: If you know someone who is in a cult, they are not irredeemable. Pray for their salvation and for their enlightenment to the truth, and if God provides you the opportunity, share the gospel of Jesus with them. God may use it to draw them unto himself.
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