5/8 How do you Identify a Cult from Recognised Christian Foundations?
Some groups are accused of being a cult; even some Christian groups that hold to a very Biblical foundation. So what are the signs of a Cult? How can you tell if the group you associate with, really is a Cult? Here are some guidelines how help you spot what is a Cult and what is a Godly, loving groups of Christian believers.
A. THE ETHOS OF MOST CULTS
Except for the ambitions and driven of the leader/s, most cults will appear to do good works. If this were not the perception, members would not join the Cult. Most people involved are usually moral and possess ethical standards and beliefs.
Many use the Bible along with additional revelation from another source. Some of these Cults even claim Jesus Christ as their higher Source of knowledge, along with spirit guides and reincarnated teachers from the past.
However, our Bible doctrine does define who we follow as the Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem of the virgin Mary, the begotten of the Father. Sad to say, so few Christian really read and study their Bible that it is easy to lead some of them astray when that wolf in sheep’s clothing comes knocking on their door. Often it the ignorant and short-sighted views that open the door to the Cults and false Religions.
B. A CHECK-LIST TO IDENTIFY A CULT
1. A special Revelation of Truth:
Do they add their own special revelations, or are their doctrines elevated above the Bible? Have additions and selective deletions made their version a special interpretation of basic Christian doctrines?
“Deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:13-14.
2. Their view of God
Do they deny the Bible’s view of God, the deity of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit? Do they replace Him with another or say His mission is incomplete and must be added to by another person? Remember, the average trained cult member will know their terminology very thoroughly – often better than the average Christian.
3. God’s Grace is enough for Salvation:
Do they add more requirements for Salvation? Do they have a list of added things to do to get your name in heaven? Is outward behaviour part of the elite’s position?
4. How much unity and Godly balance within the group and leader/s:
Are there divided loyalties or tensions in choosing between doing God’s will and the will of the leader/s? Are there added controls to keep people “in line”? Is there limited contact between families, married couples or the outside world not found in the Bible? Be aware of those who speak negatively about conventional Christianity and emphasize their spiritual power/s.
5. How is their moral stand:
Does their fruit match their doctrinal, ethical and moral stand? Is their teaching a reality in their private and public life? Do they set one standard for others and another for themselves?
Many Christians have been drawn into cults because of their ignorance of basic 
Scripture. Other people have chosen to enter a cult group based on what that group can ‘do’ for them – their belonging needs and living in a caring community. Others join groups based on the cult’s ‘loving’ attitude towards others. None of these are Biblical reasons for turning away from “….. the faith delivered unto us”.
C. HOW ARE PEOPLE KEPT WITHIN THE GROUP?
Most often Cults will have their own methods to keep their people, both united yet separate from ‘the world’. Look at the encouragement by the leader/s to seek Truth, read their Bible and think through the issues rather than just keep within the ‘standard line from their peers and the group.
1. How much Free will is there?
In other words, how much free will is there to stay or to leave as they are called by the Lord Jesus?
a. Most often people in a Cult are kept within the group by dependence, either psychological, physically or financially.
b. Isolation has cut them off from past friends or family and so making it easier to control their movements and thinking.
c. Intensive programs, also known as ‘brainwashing’, are often used to constrain and re-train the members to think the way their leader/s wish them to. These ‘teaching sessions’ are tightly controlled by the leader/s with very little input from anyone outside their movement. Is there freedom to go and hear another speaker down the road?
d. Needy and hurt people need comfort. Do members within the group take on the role of mother, father, priest or healer? Often the balance shifts from being a separate person with a will of their own to that of a dependent child, seeking approval from the leader/s or the group.
e. Because of the input from the Cult group, is there a deep sense of ‘indebtedness’. The ‘You rescued me now I am yours’ mentality is a clear indication of something outside of God’s grace going on.
f. When someone tries to leave or visit another outside group, the level of guilt applied shows another sign of control. To see another group means a betrayal of the ‘truth’ and leader/s. A common result is either a threat or to reject and isolate that person until they realise it is only their group they need.
g. Subtle and not so subtle threats are applied to keep the people close to their leader/s. This can be emotionally isolation to actual physical abuse to hold their people inside their truth. Sometimes, the threat of missing that perceived ‘apocalyptic event’ is used; being left behind is seen as the most terrible thing that could happen.
As we have been through defining a Cult and the signs of Cult activity, there are many groups we could think of that would be classified as a Cult. The bottom line comes down to what they recognise as their authority, Their view of who God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are, the control of their leadership structure and how they treat the basic doctrines found in Jesus’ teaching.
I have included a very interest YouTube in the next post continuing on the topic or recognising Cults. In our next post, we will lay out some guidelines for helping someone get out of a Cult, how to talk with people who are caught in the Cult movements. Join us then,
Susanne Fengler, Blog Author
www.christianfoundations-jesus.treeoflife.info
Tags: signs of a Cult
Filed under: Challenges to the Christian Faith
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