I've always had an interest in studying the beliefs of modern day cults. It started when I took a class during my sophomore year at CBC, and then I've just done some research on my own after that.
According to Walter Martin, author of The Kingdom of the Cults, here are some important factors to remember in dealing with modern day cults.
1) The only way to spot a counterfeit faith, is to be familiar with the original truth. This is where studying Scripture, and memorizing God's Word are imperative. When we have the truth hidden in our hearts, we are able to recognize when theology does not line up with the Word.
2) Before you enter into a discussion with a cult member, you must recognize that there is a language barrier. They may have a belief in Jesus, but it is not the same Jesus that is found in Scirpture. (For instance, we know Scripture says that Jesus is fully God and fully man, born of a virgin. A Morman's Jesus, is the actual physical child of Elohim (their verson of God), and Mary. They believe that Jesus was a God, not THE God) They will use the term "salvation", but it is not the same grace giving redemption that is found in the Word. They will say they believe in God, but it is not Yahweh. Therefore, we are not speaking the same language. These differences must be accounted for, and recognized before a productive conversation can take place.
3) Cults are the unpaid bills of the church. This statement impacted me more than any other in this book. Often, those who have been converted to a cult, had once been exposed to an authentic faith, yet did not feel welcomed in the Christian circle. People crave community, and when that is not offered in our churches, they will go elsewhere to find it. These cults have extremely extroverted cohorts, and have a slogan that says,"Come one, come all." They are inviting, welcoming, and go out of their way to make visitors feel comfortable. They essentially put the traditional evangelical church to shame.
Tomorrow I will list Martin's 12 Marks of a modern day cult. I think this is a difficult subject to discuss, because people are afraid of being labeled as jugdmental, critical, or intolerant. A few years ago we taught a class on cults to our students. I had one student come to class and tell me that their parent (who was a Christian) said that Mormans were just another kind of Christian. My heart stopped beating for a moment. That is exactly what the enemy wants the Church and world to believe. It is necessary to know what Scripture says, and to be uncompromising in using the Word as our standard for Truth.
4 comments:
I still have your copy of this book from about 8yrs ago. Oops! Good book tho! Very informative.
xoxo
I remember you taking this class, and I remember you talking about it too. I wished Evangel would have offered something like this.
I think it's really tough talking with people like these. Because they believe in their heart that YOU are doomed to hell for not believing. I remember sitting in my kitchen with a pair of Mormons. They were crying for me and I was crying for them, because we both thought the other was so misled and lost. And, when I showed them hard truth, in the Word, such as references to God being THE ONE & ONLY deity, they just changed the subject or said, "if you just open your heart, you will believe." It's tough. And unfortunately, they are so trained with their own doctrine that they will not be converted simply by your conversation. But, God says the Word will not return void, and my prayer is always that something that was spoken will stick with them as they continue to study the Word. Recently, I had a pair of KIDS knock on my door with the JW's message. As I probed them deeper about their faith, they made a statement that was soooo unbiblical. I can't even remember what it was....something regarding Jesus' time on earth. I told them to show me in the Bible. They pulled out THEIR JW bible (Watchtower), and I stopped them and said, "No! Show me in THIS Bible." They couldn't....so I sent them on their way, and said I'd love for them to come back once they found that in the Bible. They never returned. Lastly (I know this is so long...SORRY!) Ryan & I had the opportunity to visit the Dwyers (Christian missionaries in Salt Lake, UT) and see them in action among the LDS followers. As we toured the LDS church, the Mormon tour guide kept speaking in that 'language' as you have described. And, sure enough, many of the tourists grabbed onto that verbage (ie: Our Saviour Jesus Christ, forgiveness of sin, etc...). It was so fun to watch Bryan Dwyer speak up and clearly define the difference between the Christian Jesus & the Mormon Jesus. The Christian salvation & the Mormon salvation. You could almost see a light go on in the faces of the nearby tourists. Oops! Guess we foiled THAT tour! LOL! Very good post, Bethany! And sorry again that this reply is so long! You sparked somthing here! xoxo
Hmmm somehow the cult thing hits very close to home! I just refer it to when I was in the "c". Boy am I glad we are out of there.
Yes I am a blogger now, and you have to add me because I have no idea what I am doing on here. How do I add people?
I love the Hills, where do you think I got the name Brody from? But now that he has a gf forget it! Heidi and Spencer just need to get off the show. Who cares about them anyway?
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