Religious Cults

As those who seek to be faithful to Christ flock out of apostate religion, they are in danger of falling prey to Christian cults, thus going from the frying pan into the fire.

The word “cult” derives from the Latin cultus meaning worship. In the seventeenth century it came to signify a particular form of religious worship especially in reference to external rites and ceremonies. Today, it implies a devotion to a particular doctrine, or theological view, that is not only frequently inconsistent with the whole body of scripture, but also leads to separation from other believers. Membership of a cult feeds the religious nature of man – emotions, feelings, good deeds – but does not truly touch the spirit.

The first thing to note is that cults attract people who are zealous for God. The cult market is made up of those who are dissatisfied with compromised Christianity. There is too, a desire to be part of an elite religious movement in the typical cult member and a hunger for personal significance, which many do not have in the world. Status anxiety, self-righteousness, pride, judgmentalism and disdain or contempt for other Christians are common attributes of cult members.

In cults, holiness is measured by separation “from”, not “to”. True holiness is separation to God, but cults focus on separation from the world, traditional organised religion, family, friends and any alternative source of influence. Such separation leads to dependence on the cult for fellowship, practical support and socialisation, further binding the cult member into the confines of the cult. Dependence on the cult grows and dependence on God diminishes. Cult members are encouraged to disregard the world and what is happening outside the immediate realm of the cult, choosing to be ignorant of current events in the society of which they are a part. This is construed as “holy separation”, but is, in fact, a denial of responsibility for citizenship. After all, Jesus didn’t hide Himself away from the world. Indeed, the criticism of the religious cults of His day was that He associated with all and sundry. And so should we.

Cults require individuals to surrender their priesthood. Doctrines have been settled once and for all; sometimes for hundreds of years. There is nothing to add and thus, little to be gained from searching out the Word of God, although cult members spend much time in meditating on the scriptures. But, given the binding nature of the doctrinal rigidity of the cult, to claim to have received revelation by the Holy Spirit that is inconsistent with the cult’s doctrinal position, would invite rebuke or rejection. Cults follow teachings handed down by men from generation to generation, and taught by men, not revealed by the Holy Spirit. Thus, the interpretation of scripture arrived at by a man several hundred years ago is considered to be all that God has to say on that subject. But cults “twist” scripture, as 2 Peter 3:16 puts it, in order to harness the authority of the (twisted) Word to the doctrines and purposes of the cult. According to Paul, the truth of God is changed into a lie, (Romans 1:25).

The cult generally has rules governing the behaviour of members and most cultic doctrines reinforce negatives – “thou shalt not” – rather than positives, such as love thy neighbour or love God. Cult rules most often relate to external aspects of living, such as television watching, smoking, swearing, the proper role of wives and moral behaviour generally. Cults seek to reform men and give them a new moral framework, as part of the external re-making of the new member. It is like a new model car having a new shape but no difference in the things that matter substantially – engine, braking, steering, transmission etc. The focus is on appearances, with the behaviour of members, particularly women and children, subject to critical scrutiny at meetings.

Many cults relegate women to subject status. This occurs in many ways – by enforcing permanent head covering of all females, by focusing on strict dress codes as a matter of rules, rather than conscience, and by discouraging women from seeking personal growth and fulfillment through the development of the skills and gifts that God has given them. Women become zombie-like cattle doomed for the marriage market within the cult. Their place as co-heirs in the kingdom and sharing the grace of life is effectively denied. Children, because they are removed from all other influences, including grandparents, family friends and other children not of the cult, are robbed of the capacity to make choices about faith and life. They become bound to the culture of the cult and ignorant of what lies outside it. Thus, they are denied the opportunity to choose Christ, since He has already been chosen for them.

At best, they can only be stunted Christians, if they can be called Christians at all.

Cults encourage uniformity, not unity. Uniformity is driven by adherence to the leadership’s rules, whereas unity is driven by submitting to the Holy Spirit. Unity implies the willing submission of diverse gifts and abilities to the body; uniformity implies disciplined ranks marching in step to rigid doctrines that have been received from other men, rather than revealed by the Holy Spirit. Unity derives from the recognition of diverse functions; uniformity requires uniform functions. Unity acknowledges diversity; uniformity demands sameness. Unity allows for healthy tensions; uniformity produces unhealthy subjugation. Unity is all about harmony; uniformity is everyone singing the same note. Interestingly enough, many cults favour one line singing and forbid the use of musical instruments in worship. So much for Psalm 150.

There is much more that we could write about cults – and we will do so. But what is vitally important here is to briefly identify the defences against being drawn into a cult, which we will deal with more fully in future editions.

Firstly, know that there is no redemption in Christianity, but only in Christ Himself.

Secondly, never surrender your crown to another (Rev. 3:11), or allow another to lord it over your faith (2 Cor. 1:24).

Thirdly, only gather together under the Headship of Christ, not of a man, or of men.

Fourthly, memorise the Word. Every Christian should aim to memorise at least one gospel, as well as several epistles and psalms.

Fifthly, take up your priesthood to God and God alone. The kingdom of God is made up of priests, not sheep.

Sixthly, remember that the term, “being in Christ”, describes an ongoing daily experience that directs the individual walk. It is not, as it is taught, a theological position. Nor is it belonging to a community of Christians.

Finally, never become involved with a group that requires you to burn your bridges. We are not called to be locked away in monastic seclusion. Christians who are attracted to this are seeking a sheltered workshop from reality that comes from the flesh, not from God.