An Excerpt from the book by Ron Rhodes

Defining Cults

SCRIPTURE OFTEN WARNS ABOUT spiritual deception (Matthew 7:15-23; 24:5; 2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:8; 1 John 4:1). God obviously does not want people to be deceived. This is one reason a study of the cults is important.

In this handbook, the term "cult" is not intended as a pejorative, inflammatory, or injurious word. The term is used simply as a means of categorizing certain religious or semireligious groups in modern Western culture.

The word "cult" comes from the Latin word cultus, which means "worship." In a sense, then, cults are groups that have distinguishable forms of worship. This definition, however, is far too broad to be of any real use. Modern usage is much more specific.

Today the word "cult" is often used in both a sociological and a theological sense. Sociologically, a cult is a religious or semireligious sect or group whose members are often controlled or dominated almost entirely by a single individual or organization. A sociological definition generally includes (but is not limited to) the authoritarian, manipulative, and sometimes communal features of cults. Some cults, such as the Children of God and the Moonies, manifest many of these sociological characteristics. Other cults—the Baha'i Faith and Unitarian Universalism, for example—manifest few if any of these characteristics. For this reason, a sociological definition of the cults is probably not precise enough.

Without meaning to discount insights we can gain from sociology on the cults, I believe we are best served by defining cults theologically. Theologically, a cult is a religious group that derives from a parent religion (such as Christianity) but in fact departs from that parent religion by denying (explicitly or implicitly) one or more of the essential doctrines of that religion. So, for example, the Jehovah's Witnesses and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are cults in the sense that they both derive from the parent religion of Christianity but deny one or more of the essential doctrines of historic Christianity. For example, the Jehovah's Witnesses deny the doctrine of the Trinity and argue that Jesus is not eternal deity. The Mormons also deny the eternal deity of Jesus and argue that human beings can one day become gods. Obviously such beliefs separate them from mainstream historic Christianity.

Likewise, the Nation of Islam is a cult of Islam (the parent religion) because it denies one or more of the essential doctrines of Islam. The Hare Krishna sect is a cult of Hinduism (the parent religion) because it denies one or more of the essential doctrines of Hinduism. Such groups, then, are cults in this narrowly defined, non-pejorative sense.

If this definition is correct, then we must also clarify what the essential doctrines of Christianity are. Many churches and groups claiming to be Christian have differences of opinion over such issues as church government, the proper mode of baptism, and when the rapture of the church is going to happen. These issues do not define cults because these are considered peripheral doctrines (that is, they are minor doctrines over which people can freely disagree). Other doctrines of the Christian faith are so essential that if you deny one or more of them, you are no longer truly Christian. Five doctrines are especially important:

1. Scripture. The Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God.
2. God. The one true God is infinite and eternal, revealed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
3. Jesus. Jesus is eternal God as the second person of the Trinity. In the incarnation, He took on a human nature, being born of a virgin. He died for humankind's sins and three days later physically rose from the dead.
4. Humanity. God created human beings in His image, and they are morally accountable to him. They forever remain creatures who are morally accountable to the Creator.
5. Sin and Salvation. Every human being is born into the world in a state of dire sin and is estranged from God. People can do nothing to merit salvation before God. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, based solely on the atonement wrought by Christ.

When we talk about cults of Christianity, we are referring to groups that derive from the parent religion of Christianity but deny (explicitly or implicitly) one or more of the above essential doctrines of Christianity.

Doctrinal Characteristics of Cults

Among cults, one will frequently find one or more distinguishing characteristics, such as an emphasis on new revelation from God, a denial of the sole authority of the Bible, a distorted view of God and Jesus, and/or a denial of salvation by grace through faith. Not every cult manifests the characteristics below, but these characteristics are quite common. And those that do possess these characteristics don't do so to the same degree.

New Revelation. Many cult leaders claim to receive new revelations. Mormon presidents claim to receive revelations from God. New Agers claim to receive revelations from the Ascended Masters. UFO cult leaders claim to receive revelations from space brothers. Spiritists claim to receive revelations from the great beyond. Typically in cults, in a conflict between the Bible (old revelation) and the new revelation, the new revelation supersedes the Bible.

Denial of the Sole Authority of the Bible. Many cults deny the sole authority of the Bible. Christian Scientists, for example, elevate Mary Baker Eddy's book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, to supreme authority. Unification Church members elevate Reverend Moon's Divine Principle to supreme authority. New Agers often exalt The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ. Mormons place The Book of Mormon as the top authority.

A Distorted View of God. Many cults espouse a distorted view of God. The Jehovah's Witnesses deny the Trinity. New Agers believe that all in the universe is God (pantheism). Mormons believe human beings can become gods, and therefore many gods exist in the universe (polytheism). Witches and Wiccans believe in a Mother Goddess (paganism). Oneness Pentecostals believe Jesus is the one God and that he himself is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (modalism).

A Distorted View of Jesus Christ. Cults typically espouse a distorted view of Jesus Christ. Jehovah's Witnesses say Jesus was created as the archangel Michael and was a "lesser god" than God the Father. Mormons believe Jesus was the first spirit child of the heavenly Father and one of his unnamed wives. Spiritists say the human Jesus became the Christ through reincarnation. Hindu cults argue that Jesus was just an avatar or perhaps a guru. Some New Agers believe the human Jesus attained Christhood by learning from Indian gurus as a child in India. UFO cults suggest that Jesus was a hybrid being—half human and half alien (thus accounting for his miracles). Members of the Baha'i Faith argue that Jesus was just one of many manifestations of God.

Cults also have a distorted view of Jesus' work at the cross. Jehovah's Witnesses say Jesus died on a stake as a mere man (not the God-man), and he died for the sins of Adam. Mormons say Jesus' death on the cross provided resurrection for all people but not full redemption. Some New Agers say Jesus died to balance world karma. Reverend Moon, of the Unification Church, believes Jesus did not complete the work of redemption, and therefore the Lord of the Second Advent (presumably Moon) must complete the job.

A Distorted View of the Holy Spirit. Cults typically espouse a distorted view of the Holy Spirit. The Jehovah's Witnesses believe the Holy Spirit is not a person but simply the force or power of God. The Way International also interprets the Holy Spirit as the force of God. The Children of God believe the Holy Spirit is the feminine aspect of God and is often depicted as a sensuous woman. Some New Agers equate the Holy Spirit with the Chi force. Oneness Pentecostals argue that the Holy Spirit is simply one of the modes of manifestation of Jesus.

A Distorted View of Humankind. Many cults espouse a distorted view of humankind. New Agers, for example, believe human beings are a part of God. Mind Science enthusiasts believe the same. Mormons believe that through a long process of eternal progression, human beings may become exalted to godhood.

Denial of Salvation by Grace. Cults typically deny salvation by grace, thus distorting the purity of the gospel. The Mormons, for example, emphasize the necessity of becoming increasingly perfect in this life. The Jehovah's Witnesses emphasize the importance of distributing Watchtower literature door-to-door as a part of "working out" their salvation. Oneness Pentecostals say that to be saved, one must have faith in Christ, repent of all sins, be baptized in water in the name of Jesus only, be baptized in the Holy Spirit as evidenced by speaking in tongues, and obey the holiness code throughout life. Hindu cults teach that one must become increasingly perfect in each successive lifetime through reincarnation.

Redefinitions of Biblical Terms. Cults often use words from the Bible—words like God, Jesus, sin, salvation, the cross, resurrection, and ascension—but redefine them to mean something entirely different from what historic Christianity teaches. This is known as the "terminology block." We must not forget that 2 Corinthians 11:4 warns of a different Jesus, a different spirit, and a different gospel (see also 2 Peter 2:1-3; Galatians 1:6-9; Acts 20:28-31; Matthew 24:24).

Sociological Characteristics of Cults
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Cults are best defined theologically, but sociology helps us to understand the human dynamics of cultic groups. Sociological characteristics of cults can include such things as authoritarianism, exclusivism, isolationism, the fear of disfellowshipping, and threats of satanic attack. As with the doctrinal characteristics, not every cult manifests the following characteristics. And those that do possess them may do so to greater or lesser degrees.

Authoritarianism. Authoritarianism usually involves an authority figure—often an alleged prophet—whose word is considered ultimate and final. The late David Koresh of the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas, is a tragic example. Members of this group followed Koresh to their death. Often such authoritarianism involves legalistic submission to the rules and regulations of the group that the leader established.

Exclusivism. Cults often believe that they alone possess the truth of God. The Mormons have a long history of teaching that they are the exclusive community of the saved on earth. The Jehovah's Witnesses believe they are the exclusive community of Jehovah on earth.

Isolationism. The more extreme cults sometimes create fortified boundaries. They sometimes require members to renounce and break off past associations with parents and siblings. The cult then functions as a surrogate family for those who have lost their biological families.

Fear of Disfellowshipping. Some cults disfellowship any member who questions or resists the teachings or instructions of the group. For example, if a Jehovah's Witness questions or resists the teachings of the Watchtower Society, he or she can be disfellowshipped and then shunned by family members and friends. The same is true in the Mormon church. Fear of disfellowshipping serves to keep cult members from causing any trouble in the cult.

Threats of Satanic Attack. Some cults warn new followers that friends and relatives may be used by Satan to try to dissuade them from remaining with the group. When a friend or relative actually does try to dissuade a new member in this way, the group appears to be in possession of God's truth. This, in turn, encourages the new convert to be even more loyal to the group.

How to Use This Book

I will briefly examine the history and teachings of 40 cults and cultic movements. You can read this book straight through or use it as a reference book.

Excerpted from Find It Quick Handbook on Cults and New Religions by Ron Rhodes. Copyright © 2005 by Harvest House Publishers. Excerpted by permission. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

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