I see people refer to 'KJO' as a 'cult'.
I've also seen other sects, like Calvinists, referred to as a 'cult'.
What is a cult?
What defines it?
Anyone?
Walter Martin in The Kingdom of the Cults quotes a work by Dr. Charles Braden in which a cult is defined as "any religious group which differs significantly in one or more respects as to belief or practice from those religious groups which are regarded as the normative expressions of religion in our total culture." (page 17)
Walter Martin himself adds that "a cult might also be defined as a group of people gathered about a specific person or person's misinterpretation of the Bible." (also on page 17)
I like the latter definition better, myself.
I only have time for the briefest of answers, but...
A true cult has some or all of the following characteristics:
1. A single leader, or small group of leaders, who control the lives of the members to a greater or lesser extent: David Koresh, Sun Myung Moon, Jim Jones, Guru Maharaj Ji, "Moses David" Berg (Children of God, now "Family of Love"), Mormon Council of Elders, and, in former times, the Pope.
2. A non-Biblical or extra-Biblical set of "Scriptures" that are placed on the same level as the Bible, but really supercede the Bible: The Book of Mormon, Mary Baker Glover Patterson Eddy's Science And Health, With Key To The Scriptures , Sun Myung Moon's The Divine Principle, Berg's "Mo Letters," Koresh's lectures on the Seven Seals of Revelation, Herbert W. Armstrong's Mystery of the Ages, the decrees and ex cathedra statements of the Roman Catholic Cardinals and Pope ("Vatican II," etc.), and so on.
3. The teaching that salvation cannot be found outside the group itself: Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Moonies, Children of God, and, officially, Catholics, in the Council of Trent, which has never been rescinded. Christian denominations may claim to have specific truths that others do not share, but Baptists do not say that all non-Baptists are going to Hell.
4. The practice of forcing members to cut off all ties with family and friends outside the group: total social isolation. Children of God, Moonies, "Heaven's Gate," some Hare Krishnas (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), Jim Jones' "People's Temple," etc.
5. A sub-Biblical understanding of the Person and work of Jesus Christ: for example, that He is a created being (Jehovah's Witnesses), that He and Satan are brothers (Mormons), that He is not the only Mediator between God and man (Roman Catholics). This is universal in every cult.
6. This cannot be called a cult characteristic, because it is not true of all, but cults are prone to it: extreme sexual licentiousness, including "sacred prostitution" and pedophilia, both of which were countenanced as God-ordained activities by the Children of God/Family of Love, as well as Jim Jones. Obviously, this does not apply to Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses and Catholics. Pedophile priests and Mormons with multiple wives are not officially countenanced by their "churches."
There are other characteristics, but that'll do for starters.
Thank you, both.
By those two posts, I would propose that 'KJO' (so-called) and Calvinism are not cults.
(08-05-2010 02:53 PM)Here Am I Wrote: [ -> ]Thank you, both.
By those two posts, I would propose that 'KJO' (so-called) and Calvinism are not cults.
I propose to agree with your proposal! :biggrin:
What would be a more accurate description? Bible believing extremists?
(08-05-2010 02:53 PM)Here Am I Wrote: [ -> ]Thank you, both.
By those two posts, I would propose that 'KJO' (so-called) and Calvinism are not cults.
No, they're not. But, in fairness, it drives me crazy to hear Dr. Ruckman talk about "the Alexandrian Cult." I know what he means, but I wish he'd stick to calling it The Scholars' Union or something. Whatever those weasels and ne'er-do-wells are, they're not a cult, at least by my definition.
(08-05-2010 04:55 PM)William Wrote: [ -> ] (08-05-2010 02:53 PM)Here Am I Wrote: [ -> ]Thank you, both.
By those two posts, I would propose that 'KJO' (so-called) and Calvinism are not cults.
No, they're not. But, in fairness, it drives me crazy to hear Dr. Ruckman talk about "the Alexandrian Cult." I know what he means, but I wish he'd stick to calling it The Scholars' Union or something. Whatever those weasels and ne'er-do-wells are, they're not a cult, at least by my definition.
I agree with you, William, but "The Alexandrian Cult" just sounds real good though.
Oh, and I agree that Calvinism is not a cult either.
My pastor preached a message once on the five marks of a cult. He taught that having one of these doesn't automatically make you a cult, but that the more of these you have the more likely you are in a cult.
Here are his points:
1. Elitism.
i.e. "Us four and no more..." found in RCC, Church of Christ, etc.
2. Baptismal Regeneration.
More RCC, Church of Christ, etc...
3. Multiple Final Authories.
RCC and Mormons
4. No Eternal Security.
RCC and Just about everone else too.
5. Quirky Escotology.
RCC, JWs, Mormons, etc....
I don't think he used the word "quirky". He preached it like six years ago.
What do you think about the Baptist Briders?
Distinctions of a Brider...
1. They believe that the local Baptist Church is the Bride.
2. Believe the church started with John the Baptist.
3. Believe they have the only authority to do Gods work.
4. And church in your Bible is always a reference to the Independent Baptist Church.
(08-05-2010 09:20 PM)phil hinson Wrote: [ -> ]What do you think about the Baptist Briders?
Distinctions of a Brider...
1. They believe that the local Baptist Church is the Bride.
2. Believe the church started with John the Baptist.
3. Believe they have the only authority to do Gods work.
4. And church in your Bible is always a reference to the Independent Baptist Church.
While they are elitists, they don't claim to be the only saved folks out there. I don't think they're anywhere near being a cult.
