David Weaks

Skeptics see cults everywhere.  There really are cults, but what about the church we can read about in the New Testament?  Is it a cult because its members are fervent believers, and because they devote their lives to the Lord?  Is it a cult because it is governed by the Bible?

What is a cult?  Perhaps it would be helpful to identify the traits of cultism.  Cultism involves:

• Fanatical devotion to a man;

• The foundation of the movement is the fantastic and superhuman claims of "the man;"

• The man alone has enlightenment.

• The suppression of critical and investigative thinking among adherents;

• Manipulative conversion techniques;

• The cessation of all family and fraternal relations because of "the man;"

• All personal decisions and plans are made only with the approval of "the man;"

• Intimidation of members and skeptics alike.

Fanatical Devotion To "The Man"

The Church of Christ is not a cult, because members are not fanatically devoted to any man.  There is no mere man whose teachings, writings, or ramblings are binding law.  No mere man's words are above question.  Jesus Christ is the object of our devotion.  His laws are the laws of God, Himself (John 10:30).  He is not just a man, He is God with us (Matthew 1:23; John 1:1, 14).  The church of Christ is built upon the Son of God, who is the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).  We are utterly devoted to Jesus Christ, because He has all authority (Matthew 28:18), and He alone has the words of life (John 6:68).

Fantastic Claims Of "The Man"

Cults revolve around the spectacular claims and supposed experiences of their leaders.  Members accept those claims blindly.  Buddha claims to have sat under a Bo tree for seven weeks until he received enlightenment.  Joseph Smith, Jr. was supposedly visited by an Angel named Moroni as a boy of 12, and was later visited by the angel, who gave him golden plates, and the means to translate the inscriptions on them for publication as the Book of Mormon.  All of these claims are unsubstantiated and unproven.

Jesus Christ performed many miracles, but He did these things in the presence of witnesses.  Once, He fed five thousand men, as well as women and children, with five loaves and two fish (Matthew 14:16-21).  He raised Lazarus, who had been dead four days (John 11:17, 39-44).  The power of Jesus Christ was even noted among historians of the time, such as Josephus and Philo.  Everything that Jesus did was recorded in order to produce faith (John 20:30-31).  All of the works of Jesus were a testimony from God to men (Acts 2:22).

"The Man" Alone Has Enlightenment

Joseph Smith, Jr. claimed that his revelation came during a period of intense religious fervor in America; a time when men were searching for the right church.  Joseph claims that Jesus Christ appeared to him in the woods, and told him that none of the churches on earth were right.  Joseph alone would receive the truth concerning the one true church.

The church of Christ is not a cult, because members do not follow the supposed enlighten-ment of some mere man.  They follow the truth as revealed by Jesus Christ in the Bible.  Peter said that only Jesus had the words of life (John 6:68).  Jesus said that He spoke only what was commanded Him by His Father (John 12:49).  Jesus alone has all authority (Matthew 28:18).

Suppression Of Critical Thinking

Cults suppress critical thinking among adherents.  Secrets are also kept from initiates or they are doled out only as the initiate rises within the cult ranks.  For example, Freemasonry has the rite of "circumambulation" which is the ritualized search for light.  With each rise in degree, the Mason is given more secrets of the cult.  Only the upper degrees are supposed to have the "light" (knowledge).

Anyone who questions cult leaders or their doctrines are threatened, and even punished.  But New Testament Christians are not only expected to question what is taught, we are required to do so.  Paul told us to "test all things; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21).  John told us to not "believe every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are from God" (1 John 4:1).  The Bereans were said to be noble because they "searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11).

Manipulative Conversion Techniques

Cults target people who are lonely, who feel rejected by the world, and who crave love and acceptance.  The cults shower these people with affection, and an unlimited number of "brothers and sisters."  Some even use sex as a bait.  Simply put, cults offer potential adherents whatever they think they are lacking.

The church of Christ is not a cult because, it makes no offers beyond salvation.  There is certainly fraternity, and brother-hood, which comes from being a member of Christ's body, but the emphasis of the gospel is on spiritual things.  On Pentecost, Peter urged his audience to "save yourselves from this perverse generation" (Acts 2:40).  Rather than promising sexual gratify-cation, the Bible commands us to "flee fornication" (1 Corinthians 6:18).  While cults appeal to people's most selfish desires, God requires us to "let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others" (Philippians 2:4).

Cutting All Family and Fraternal Ties

Cults require adherents to cut all ties with family and friends from the past.  The only relationships that can be maintained are with the cult leader and those in good standing with him.  It is drummed into the minds of adherents that the cult leader and  members are the only ones who love them.  This tactic assures that adherents will never be exposed to any influence which might generate independent thought.  Scientologists are urged to write "letters of disconnect" to their family.  People who introduce independent thought are labeled "suppressive persons."  All of this is meant to isolate the adherent from any influence outside of the cult.

The church of Christ is not a cult, because, according to the Bible, a Christian has an indispensable duty to his family.  A husband must love his wife (Ephesians 5:25, a wife must submit to her husband (vs. 22), children must submit to their parents (Ephesians 6:1-3), and fathers must train their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).  A Christian must also provide financially for his family (1 Timothy 5:8).  How can a Christian do any of these things if he must sever all family relations?

All Decisions Approved By "The Man"

In cults, members view the cult leader as a father figure, and treat him accordingly.  They are his children, and they depend on him for everything - love, instruction, and even family planning.  In Scientology, the Sea Org is the ministerial workhorse of the movement.  Its members are the equivalent of ministers.  They are not allowed to have children.  As a result, members who get pregnant often seek abortions rather than having to leave the Sea Org (Tom Cruise, An Unauthorized Biography, Andrew Morton, p. 130).

The church of Christ is not a cult, because members only bow the knee to the Lord (Romans 11:4).  There is no man before we will stand in final judgment; we will stand before Jesus Christ, Himself (2 Corinthians 5:10).  Christians make all of our decision in light of how we may best "seek first His kingdom" (Matthew 6:33).  What mere men think, in their purely human opinions, does not shape our judgments like divine revelation does.

Conclusion:

The charge that the church of Christ is a cult carries a lot of emotional weight with it.  People who hear the claim are immediately on guard against what they perceive as a danger.  However, the claim has no merit.  The church of Christ is the kingdom of God on earth (Mark 9:1; Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:9).  It was not invented by man, but was built by Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 16:18).