Post by pitbull on Nov 9, 2008 5:26:52 GMT -5
DAILY WISDOM
“Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in hither: [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,” [Proverbs 9:4]
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
FLEE, FOLLOW, AND FIGHT
1 Timothy 6:1-12
1. Flee like a saint [6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22
2. Follow like a servant [6:11; Luke 9:33]
3. Fight like a soldier [6:12; 2 Timothy 2:3-4]
RELIGIOUS AWARENESS
WHAT IS A CULT?
March 9, 1996 (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org) - The term "cult" is from the Latin word "cultus," which refers to worship and religious devotion. It is most commonly used today of a religious sect, particularly those sects which seriously deviate from traditional Bible Christianity. Since the term "cult" is not a Bible one, there is no absolute definition of it. Webster's College Dictionary gives three basic definitions of a cult: "a particular system of religious worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies; a group that devotes itself to or venerates a person, ideal, fad, etc.; a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist." According to the Dictionary of Cults, Sects, Religions and the Occult, a cult is "a relatively small, often transitory religious group that commonly follows a radical leader. In recent times, orthodox Christians have used the term to describe those religious groups that deny the Trinity and specifically the deity of Jesus Christ. Their teachings are contrary to historic Christian orthodoxy." Walter Martin, in The Kingdom of the Cults, defined a cult as "any religious group which differs significantly in some 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."
Because of this variation and uncertainty in the definition of the term "cult," it should be employed cautiously and should be plainly defined by the user. This editor believes Bible terms describing error are much more helpful. These are terms such as "false prophets" (Mt. 7:15; 24:24); "heresies" (2 Pet. 2:1); "heretic" (Tit. 3:10); "false teacher" (2 Pet. 2:1); "false apostles, deceitful workers" (2 Co. 11:13); "doctrines of devils" (1 Tim. 4:1); "tradition of men" (Col. 2:8); "evil workers" (Ph. 3:2); "another gospel" (2 Cor. 11:4; Gal. 1:6), "antichrists" (1 Jn. 3:18); "evil men and seducers" (2 Tim. 3:13); "deceivers" (2 Tim. 3:13); "every wind of doctrine" (Eph. 4:14); "them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned" (Rom. 16:17).
One of the chief errors relating to the use of the term "cult" today is in limiting biblical separation to the basis of only a few "cardinal" doctrines. A book published in 1976 entitled Whom Then Can We Believe? (Maurice Burrell and J. Stafford Wright, Moody Press) dealt with a number of groups commonly labeled as cults: Christian Science, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Theosophy, Armstrongism, Spiritualism, and Christadelphianism. We believe the authors erred in limiting their doctrinal tests to "that which all the churches, Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant, including the denominational churches, have always regarded as the truth about the being of God as drawn from Scripture." Denominations are not the standard for truth; the Bible is! And Scriptural authority is not limited to part of the Bible or to certain teachings of the Bible, but extends to the whole Bible. God nowhere instructs us to base our judgments upon or to establish doctrinal unity by finding common ground between the major denominations.
We do not dispute the fact that some teachings of the Bible are more important than others, particularly in regard to salvation. The doctrine of the Gospel is more important than the doctrine of fasting, for example. Yet the Bible enjoins God's people to exalt all Bible doctrine. We are to preach all Bible doctrine--the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27; 2 Tim. 4:1-6). We are to earnestly contend for all Bible doctrine--the faith which was delivered to us (Jude 3). We are to forbid others to teach ANY doctrine which is contrary to Bible doctrine (1 Timothy 1:3). We are to observe Bible doctrine in every detail--without spot (1 Tim. 6:14), as a solemn trust which has been committed to us (1 Tim. 6:20). The doctrine of baptism is important. The doctrine of the Holy Spirit is important. The doctrine of sanctification is important. The doctrine of the church is important. Eternity security is important. Pastoral standards are important. The woman's role in Christian service is important. Doctrine related to Prophecy is important. Doctrine related to separation is important. Doctrine related to evangelism and world missions is important.
The passages of Scripture previously cited (Acts 20:27; Jude 3; 1 Tim. 1:3; 6:14,20; 2 Tim. 4:1-6) do not allow me to pick a few Bible doctrines--the virgin birth, deity, and resurrection of Christ and salvation by grace alone, for instance--and exalt these as the sole basis for fellowship. We must stand on the whole counsel of God, and that tends to limit fellowship significantly!
Let me give a practical example of what I am talking about. Many refuse to label the Roman Catholic Church as a cult, because the Roman Catholic Church believes in the deity of Jesus Christ and certain other "cardinal" Bible doctrines. In our estimation, this is a useless debate. Whether or not the Roman Catholic Church is defined as a cult is not very important. The fact is that the RCC teaches a false gospel which mixes grace and sacraments, faith and works together; it teaches "another gospel," and it is therefore cursed of God as were the Galatian heretics of old (Galatians 1).
Another example. I do not believe that the Assemblies of God are a cult or that those who are involved with the AG are necessarily unsaved. But I do believe the AG teaches many false doctrines which are contrary to the Word of God and I therefore cannot fellowship together with them. For me to contend earnestly for the whole counsel of God creates a barrier between me and the AG. This is only one example of countless which could be given.
Thus the term "cult" is not necessarily a helpful one. In fact, it can be dangerous.
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[This is excerpted from the Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity, version 2.0, copyright 1996]