5/2 So how are the Cult’s teaching different to Christian Foundations?
So far, we have set out the basis for this part of our series on the Challenges to the Christian Foundations by stating that our foundation is the Bible teachings on topics under question. We then went onto defining what we meant by the word ‘Cult’ and how easy it is to get caught up in the ‘charisma’ of a person rather than their character.
A. SO WHAT DO CULTS TEACH THAT IS DIFFERENT TO JESUS’ TEACHINGS?
1. Perhaps the best key to spotting a Cult teaching is to look at three main areas:
a. Their source of Authority
Having Christian Foundations means that we use the Bible as the Supreme Guideline for all conduct, belief, judgements and practices as a Christian.
However, Cults and false Religions do not accept this as a final source of their Truth, for everything. Most often, a ‘new revelation, document or book is of equal value. Then some do not even believe the Bible to be divinely inspirited and therefore, reject it outright.
Other groups use their own reasoning, their feelings of being accepted or their own biases to be used, disguised as the inspirited word of their god.
b. A dynamic leader
Some of these Religions and faiths will give the highest place to a charismatic leader as having all the answers and the truth about life. Absolute allegiance is given to these ‘gifted and special people’.
Usually there is none or few ‘co-equals’ in their followers, so the leader’s viewpoint carries absolute authority and cannot be questioned.
c. The process of ‘Salvation’
Christianity affirms that the process of salvation and knowing God is totally a divine, grace-given work of God’s grace and does not need ‘works’ to gain His acceptance. The emphasis is placed on what a person must do in order to earn their place with God.
Many Cults and Religions deny any place for the work of the Holy Spirit in converting and bring people to ‘Regeneration’ apart from personal effort. Some kind of ‘good works’ is often added. This makes human effort the way to gain God’s righteousness and approval – rather than faith in Jesus Christ.
2. Other Topics are Added to or changed from the Christian faith
a. The God-inspired nature and foundation of our faith, the Bible,
b. The Trinity – Yes there is one God but three separate, distinct persons combine to form who we call God. Some cults deny one or even two of the Persons and cling to ‘God’ only. They have no assurance of their faith through the witness of the Holy Spirit; some question and reject the place, the work of or the Person of the Holy Spirit.
c. The Person and deity of Christ, or the purity of His blood and sacrifice, or of His virgin birth. Others question His resurrection and role with the Father in heaven right now.
d. Others add to God’s grace with mankind’s ability – or even the need for ‘personal salvation’.
e. Other groups challenge the reality of an afterlife and how to get there, or of personal resurrection.
f. Some cults and false Religions deny the physical second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and what that future looks like.
g. The existence of heaven or hell is also at the heart of some Cult’s views.
3. Some miss the mark by taking only parts of the Bible
a. Do they follow an actual physical Person called Jesus that was born of the virgin Mary, or was He merely a great prophet, teaching and sometimes did what others thought were miracles.
b. Some follow the view that it is only Jesus they follow and can leave the Bible teaching to the scholars and pastors. They don’t need a church body or a regular service. They may find themselves in that desert place without Jesus.
Another major difference between the Christian faith in the true Jesus is the Cult’s system is who sets the doctrines and what is the leadership structure. Join us in our next post as we look at the typical Cult leader/s and their followers.
Susanne Fengler, Blog Author
www.christianfoundations-jesus.treeoflife.info
Tags: Compare cults to Bible, Cult Teachings
Filed under: Challenges to the Christian Faith
this was awsome!! i’ve been reading them for days now. and i will continue reading your other posts.