C.U.L.T.

Last time I wrote we looked at the essential Christian doctrines with the acronym B.A.S.I.C.S. The reason I use acronyms is that they are good memory tools so that when I discuss things with people, I don¹t have to think, "Gee, I wish I had that book handy." Acronyms help me to bring points up quickly and to not forget anything.

B.A.S.I.C.S. is both a positive test for finding a good church, pastor, author and a negative test to identify a cult or cultic writers. This time I want to look at attributes more commonly found in cults. To identify some common characteristics we will use the acronym C.U.L.T. This acronym is a positive test to identify cults or churches with cultic tendencies.

As part of a non-denominational church (Calvary Chapel) that has only a 40-year history, from time to time my fellowship has been labeled as a cult. This usually happens when a teenager from a "traditional" church background comes to the church, gets saved, gets off drugs, and gets their lives cleaned up by Jesus. At this point, occasionally parents may have the pastor investigated and label the church a cult. They miss that child who never shared the truth of the gospel with them (but was really in a lot of trouble). It is quite a shame that such things happen, but unfortunately, they do.

C - Conduit

I know . . . I know . . . you are asking, "What does conduit have to do with cults?" Well, the actual conduit used by electricians has nothing to do with cults, but it does provide a good illustration for a key idea. Conduit is a pipe or tube that both protects and directs the path of electrical wire.

One of the common characteristics of cults is that they have a charismatic communicator who claims to be the conduit between creator and the creation.

Cults usually, if not always, have one single person who is the voice through which God is speaking and bringing the church back from its "backslidden ways." At least that's what they claim. Just think about it . . . Jones, Koresh (Branch Davidians), Russell (the Watchtower, i.e. Jehovah's Witnesses), Smith (the Mormons), et al.

One may say, "Yes, but protestant denominations also follow men who are charismatic leaders." That is true, but there is a big difference. Since I am part of Calvary Chapel I will use Calvary Chapel as an example. The founder of the Calvary Chapel movement is Chuck Smith, who is currently the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California. Chuck has a big influence on Calvary Chapels all over the world. When he talks, Calvary Chapel pastors and people listen. But, the big difference is that Calvary Chapel pastors recognize that Chuck Smith is a man used by God, but that he can and does err, and that Chuck's teaching needs to be checked with and judged by the Bible rather than checking the Bible with and judging it by Chuck's teaching. Chuck Smith will admit that and encourage it himself.

Any good Bible teacher will do that. We need to respect them. They are well-studied. They are often older men who have much experience to learn from. But men such as Chuck Smith, Adrian Rogers, Charles Stanley, Tony Evans, and many others, would say, "Judge my teaching by the Bible and not the Bible by my teaching."

U - Unique

All cults, that I have ever been aware of, claim to be the unique and only way to God. Just ask the next Jehovah's Witness you meet what he thinks of the Mormon church (or any other church) and vice versa, ask the Mormon what he thinks of the Watchtower.

Again, one may protest saying, "Christians claim to have the only way to God."

Once more, there is a distinction. Christians acknowledge that their denomination is not the only denomination. One cannot truly claim to be a follower of Jesus and say that there are other ways to God besides Jesus. Jesus himself made that claim (John 14:6) that there is no other way to the Father but through him.

I have no problem with a person being a Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, independent, Wesleyan, or even Roman Catholic (some are saved). But with each of these groups there is a humility that cults lack. There is an admission that the leaders can err. These groups, while all holding to key specific doctrines, will often (should be always) admit they could be wrong on secondary issues, but that secondary doctrines are okay to disagree about.

Cults don't allow for such. It's possible that a Baptist or Presbyterian friend of mine may get greater rewards in Heaven than me. With the cults, if other denominations make it to Heaven at all, they will have a lesser status of some kind or another.

L - Literature

Cults have other literature that is key to at least growing in the truth, if not necessary to coming to the truth at all. The Watchtower claims that if you participate in their study program, that in two years you will have greater light even if you don't read the Bible! But, if you read only the Bible without their literature, you will fall further into darkness. Of course the Mormons have extra books that they claim are Scripture, i.e. equal to or even better than the Bible: The Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.

Now Christians have a lot of literature too. But, none of it is essential. I love many commentators: Warren Wiersbe, J. Vernon McGee, John MacArthur, and many more. They may help me understand passages better because they've thought about a passage more or read some other works. I read their books; they share insights and give me a shortcut to quicker knowledge. But, I will not be plunged into greater darkness if I don't read any single one of them, or even all of them. I will grow in Jesus because his Holy Spirit will guide me into all truth either through their books, or tapes, or my pastor, or by just opening my eyes to something as I read the Bible all by myself.

In regard to the cults, you cannot come to the knowledge of the truth simply by reading the Bible. Of course, the reason is quite simple: the Bible doesn't teach what they teach. The only way you will get their understanding is through their literature.

T - Theology

Lastly, all cults have aberrant theology. They all depart from essential doctrines of the Christian faith. For a study on that, I refer you to my previous two articles on B.A.S.I.C.S.

May God bless you, keep you, make His face to shine upon you, and give you peace.

Joe
Hebrews 12:2