Wait, It's A Cult?

[UntoHim]

I think our friend ZNP has been pray-reading too much of J. Gordon Melton and Hank Hanegraaff (just razzin you Z)

Seriously, Melton and Hanegraaff both came to the nonsensical and absurd notion that since the term "cult" has been misapplied a few times that no group is deserving of being dubbed with the label. They also brought forth this somewhat comical idea that since every religion or sect could be considered a cult by somebody (presumably even by just a few people), then every religion or sect is a cult...and therefore since every religion or sect is a cult then nobody's a cult.

Not to over simplify this matter, I think many reasonable Christian people could, or should, ask the following: "Just WHO is calling WHO a cult?". I mean, if the Moonies or Warren Jeffs' polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints calls some local Baptist church a cult, does that make them a cult? Conversely, if Dr. Walter Martin, the foremost cult researcher in the world, hears about Local Church members marching on Moody church/Bible Institute shouting slogans of "Down with Christianity!", then hears about LC members say "we want to be little Witness Lees" and "we are baby gods!", and then confirms some of the aberrant and divisive teachings of Lee, then declares the Local Church to be "a cult of Christianity", is Dr. Martin unreasonable is making such a declaration?

Yes, yes, I understand that our dear brothers and sisters in the Local Church have not marched on Moody church lately. (and let's thank God and some semi-sober minded Local Churchers for this!), and they have cutback quite a bit on the "we are baby gods" nonsense, but neither have they turned away from nor repudiated the excesses in teaching and practices of the past. In fact, they have actually doubled-down on such unbiblical, and yes even neo-cultic, notions as "We are becoming God in life and nature, but not in the Godhead". Neither have they repudiated the notion that Witness Lee was "the one minister with the one ministry for the age". Neither have they repudiated the teaching that every Christian church besides the Local Church are "a daughter of the great harlot". And the list goes on and on.

My honest, albeit regretful, assessment is that any group that is properly and legitimately classified as a cult of Christianity, and subsequently refuses to turn away from or repudiate the very teachings and practices which caused the assessment, remains under the veil of an aberrant or even cultic group. Are there worse "cults of Christianity" around? You betcha. Are there worse places for young people and new Christians to get tied into? Absolutely! But many of us have seen and experienced that the Lord can work through godly men and women, and yes, even institutions (gasp) without the need to declare themselves to be the only group through whom God is making his Kingdom come.
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[Ohio]

Originally Posted by UntoHim

and they have cutback quite a bit on the "we are baby gods" nonsense, but neither have they turned away from nor repudiated the excesses in teaching and practices of the past. In fact, they have actually doubled-down on such unbiblical, and yes even neo-cultic, notions as "We are becoming God in life and nature, but not in the Godhead". Neither have they repudiated the notion that Witness Lee was "the one minister with the one ministry for the age". Neither have they repudiated the teaching that every Christian church besides the Local Church are "a daughter of the great harlot". And the list goes on and on.

My honest, albeit regretful, assessment is that any group that is properly and legitimately classified as a cult of Christianity, and subsequently refuses to turn away from or repudiate the very teachings and practices which caused the assessment, remains under the veil of an aberrant or even cultic group. Are there worse "cults of Christianity" around? You betcha. Are there worse places for young people and new Christians to get tied into? Absolutely! But many of us have seen and experienced that the Lord can work through godly men and women, and yes, even institutions (gasp) without the need to declare themselves to be the only group through whom God is making his Kingdom come.
-

I hear what you're saying boss, but it just don't tip the scale for me.

Most Christians don't call the EOC a cult, and they have been teaching deification (man becomes deified) for centuries. Ole Hank, the Bible Answer Man, obviously doesn't think so.

And both the RCC and the Brethren Exclusives love to proclaim their own MOTA equivalent, i.e. the Pope and "our Brother." But who today is warning the nation about them?

This is why I prefer danger to be the key ingredient. It matches the definition most people have.

[UntoHim]

My friend I'm not trying to warn the nation, just whoever wanders by here. Also, I'm not worried about the EOC or the Roman Catholic Church. That's beyond the preview of our little forum. We have enough to worry about with the Local Church of Witness Lee, wouldn't you agree?

So "becoming God in life and nature" doesn't tip the scale for you? How about "we are baby gods"....does that do the trick? How about Witness Lee being the "forth of the Trinity"? Does that sound like danger to you?

It's all a matter of degree my old buddy. Nobody is calling the Local Church of Witness Lee some evil, mind controlling, Jim Jones kool aid cult. But neither are some innocuous, just-a-little-off-kilter evangelical, orthodox sect of Christianity. I think this fact is vividly portrayed throughout the 1,000+ threads on our forum.

Getting back to the original post of the thread starter, is there any doubt that the Local Church of Witness Lee matches up with most of these points? The only ones that don't fit are the "works prove faith" and "salvation is a big unknown", the rest of them are spot on. I think leastofthese deserves a little more respect and consideration than our responses have been on this thread up till now. We can do better! Let's do this thing!
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[Ohio]

Originally Posted by UntoHim

Getting back to the original post of the thread starter, is there any doubt that the Local Church of Witness Lee matches up with most of these points? The only ones that don't fit are the "works prove faith" and "salvation is a big unknown", the rest of them are spot on. I think leastofthese deserves a little more respect and consideration than our responses have been on this thread up till now. We can do better! Let's do this thing!
-

I do respect leastofthese, and that's why I offered my reasoned and seasoned opinions on the matter. Perhaps they don't match his own, but I got the impression that he was seeking honest feedback.

So I gave it to him!

Or her!

[Evangelical]

All-knowing leadership. An individual or group of people claims to be sent by God to "rule" the one true religion—which only includes members of that particular cult.

- there is no explicit ruling. There is no guru or otherwise.



No room for differences. Cult members must believe exactly the same way and in exactly the same things; there is no room for disagreeing with the cult's rules or doctrines.

1 Cor 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.


A new and better way. Cults often claim they've been given a "special revelation" from God that's superior to the Bible, or explains what the Bible is really trying to say.

Heb 10:20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place.


Down on Christian doctrine. Cults often depict basic Christian doctrines and beliefs (like the Trinity, deity of Christ, salvation by grace through faith) as "full of holes" and completely illogical.


The LR never says these things are full of holes and illogical. It fully affirms the Trinity, deity of Christ and salvation by grace through faith. By the way, the Trinity is illogical. 1+1+1=1 does not fit into our concepts and mathematical frameworks. That is why it is called "a mystery".


Scriptures get an added twist. Bible verses are often taken out of context or twisted to mean something very different than what was originally intended.

This could be said of any individual or Christian group who does not correctly interpret the Bible. e.g. word-faith prosperity movement.


"Christians are wrong." Cult members believe God has given their group the job of pointing out "heretical and evil" teachings of Christianity.

This could be any apologetic website or ministry that cares about sound doctrine.

Works prove faith. Cult members often claim their good works are superior to those performed by Christians, and they say their works prove their religion is the one-and-only truth.

Luther taught that works prove faith. Also, the bible says:

James 2:18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.



Salvation is a big unknown. Since cults often teach that salvation is based on performance, cult members can never know if they've done everything necessary to get to heaven.

Sounds like the Catholic or Orthodox churches. The LR believes in assurance of salvation. In fact, we have been accused of "easy believism", believe in the Lord 3 times and you will be saved. Clearly, we do not believe in anything about our performance getting us to heaven.

No exit. Leaving the cult is not an option, and intimidation is often used to keep cult members from even thinking about getting out.

There is no pressure to stay in the LR. People come and go all the time.

Hebrews 6:4-6 is rather intimidating for those who would renounce the faith.

[Ohio]

Sorry Evangelical, but it's hard to believe anything you wrote.

We were there. We know better.

[Evangelical]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Sorry Evangelical, but it's hard to believe anything you wrote.

We were there. We know better.

Anything? What about number 8.

Do you believe number 8 is an accurate portrayal of the LC?:

8. Salvation is a big unknown. Since cults often teach that salvation is based on performance, cult members can never know if they've done everything necessary to get to heaven.

Anyone who has encountered the LC for even a little bit knows that we believe in the assurance of salvation and salvation by faith alone, even without any works at all.

On the one hand we are accused of "easy believism", now we are accused of salvation by works?

Which is it?

[Drake]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

All-knowing leadership. An individual or group of people claims to be sent by God to "rule" the one true religion—which only includes members of that particular cult.

- there is no explicit ruling. There is no guru or otherwise.



No room for differences. Cult members must believe exactly the same way and in exactly the same things; there is no room for disagreeing with the cult's rules or doctrines.

1 Cor 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.


A new and better way. Cults often claim they've been given a "special revelation" from God that's superior to the Bible, or explains what the Bible is really trying to say.

Heb 10:20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place.


Down on Christian doctrine. Cults often depict basic Christian doctrines and beliefs (like the Trinity, deity of Christ, salvation by grace through faith) as "full of holes" and completely illogical.


The LR never says these things are full of holes and illogical. It fully affirms the Trinity, deity of Christ and salvation by grace through faith. By the way, the Trinity is illogical. 1+1+1=1 does not fit into our concepts and mathematical frameworks. That is why it is called "a mystery".


Scriptures get an added twist. Bible verses are often taken out of context or twisted to mean something very different than what was originally intended.

This could be said of any individual or Christian group who does not correctly interpret the Bible. e.g. word-faith prosperity movement.


"Christians are wrong." Cult members believe God has given their group the job of pointing out "heretical and evil" teachings of Christianity.

This could be any apologetic website or ministry that cares about sound doctrine.

Works prove faith. Cult members often claim their good works are superior to those performed by Christians, and they say their works prove their religion is the one-and-only truth.

Luther taught that works prove faith. Also, the bible says:

James 2:18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.



Salvation is a big unknown. Since cults often teach that salvation is based on performance, cult members can never know if they've done everything necessary to get to heaven.

Sounds like the Catholic or Orthodox churches. The LR believes in assurance of salvation. In fact, we have been accused of "easy believism", believe in the Lord 3 times and you will be saved. Clearly, we do not believe in anything about our performance getting us to heaven.

No exit. Leaving the cult is not an option, and intimidation is often used to keep cult members from even thinking about getting out.

There is no pressure to stay in the LR. People come and go all the time.

Hebrews 6:4-6 is rather intimidating for those who would renounce the faith.

Very accurate assessment.

I was there. I am there.

Drake

[aron]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

No room for differences. Cult members must believe exactly the same way and in exactly the same things; there is no room for disagreeing with the cult's rules or doctrines.

1 Cor 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought

But where o where did WL agree with anyone? Where was he perfectly united in mind and thought? I remenber him telling us he hadn't learned anything from anyone else for 40 or 45 years.

Yet we were expected to be united with his mind and thought.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by aron

But where oh where did WL agree with anyone? Where was he perfectly united in mind and thought? I remember him telling us he hadn't learned anything from anyone else for 40 or 45 years.

Silly aron ... MOTA don't have to agree with anyone. It's us that s'posed to agree with him. (or her.)

[aron]

Lawless pseudo-Christian personality cults: Eastern Lightning (Zhao Weishan); Family of God (David [Moses] Berg); Branch Davidians (David Koresh); Mormon Fundamentalist Polygamy (Warren Jeffs); People's Temple (Jim Jones); Heaven's Gate (Marshall Applewhite).

Law-ful pseudo-Christian personality cults: Jehovah's Witnesses (Charles Taze Russel); Mormons (Joseph Smith); Unification Church (Sun-Myung Moon); Rastafarians (Haile Selassie).

Christian personality cults: LSM LC (Witness Lee); Seventh-Day Adventists (Ellen White); Christian Science (Mary Baker Eddy).

Non-Christian personality cults: Scientology (L Ron Hubbard)

All of the above were dominated by out-size personalities and their personal "revelations". In all cases, the Revelator was the conduit to revealed truth.

[Evangelical]

Originally Posted by aron

But where o where did WL agree with anyone? Where was he perfectly united in mind and thought? I remenber him telling us he hadn't learned anything from anyone else for 40 or 45 years.

Yet we were expected to be united with his mind and thought.

Where did the apostle Paul agree with anyone? Can you answer?

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

No room for differences. Cult members must believe exactly the same way and in exactly the same things; there is no room for disagreeing with the cult's rules or doctrines.

1 Cor 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

Within the context of the Bible there is no differences. It's when you make non-essential matters essential for fellowship, that's when divisions come in.

Take the Brethren of the 19th century. It resulted in division not because of the Bible but due to personalities.
Same with the recovery movement of the 20th and 21st centuries. Divisions due to personalities.
When you try to use 1 Corinthians as a basis to get unanimous support regarding quarantines, that's lacking in many areas. Not once is there's the thought, what are the facts why these brothers are being quarantined? Is there the consideration a brother is slandered and misrepresented?
Doesn't matter if that what's transpiring. Just be united in mind and thought.

Ones who have more spiritual maturity see making non-essential matters essential for fellowship such as quarantines or labeling localities as needing to be replastered as divisive. It's a message the Lord is closing one door and opening another.

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Terry

Within the context of the Bible there is no differences. It's when you make non-essential matters essential for fellowship, that's when divisions come in.

Take the Brethren of the 19th century. It resulted in division not because of the Bible but due to personalities.
Same with the recovery movement of the 20th and 21st centuries. Divisions due to personalities.
When you try to use 1 Corinthians as a basis to get unanimous support regarding quarantines, that's lacking in many areas. Not once is there's the thought, what are the facts why these brothers are being quarantined? Is there the consideration a brother is slandered and misrepresented?
Doesn't matter if that what's transpiring. Just be united in mind and thought.

Ones who have more spiritual maturity see making non-essential matters essential for fellowship such as quarantines or labeling localities as needing to be replastered as divisive. It's a message the Lord is closing one door and opening another.

Something Igzy said from post #98 from The Unique Move Of God thread,
"The Bible tells us to discern teachings. It tells us to discern teachers and apostles. It tells us to discern spirits. "

In the LC culture, how do you exercise discernment without being labeled "divisive", "rebellious", "independent", etc when discernment isn't corresponding to the preferred outcome of the blended brothers?

[ZNPaaneah]

Originally Posted by UntoHim

I think our friend ZNP has been pray-reading too much of J. Gordon Melton and Hank Hanegraaff (just razzin you Z)

Seriously, Melton and Hanegraaff both came to the nonsensical and absurd notion that since the term "cult" has been misapplied a few times that no group is deserving of being dubbed with the label. They also brought forth this somewhat comical idea that since every religion or sect could be considered a cult by somebody (presumably even by just a few people), then every religion or sect is a cult...and therefore since every religion or sect is a cult then nobody's a cult.

Not to over simplify this matter, I think many reasonable Christian people could, or should, ask the following: "Just WHO is calling WHO a cult?". I mean, if the Moonies or Warren Jeffs' polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints calls some local Baptist church a cult, does that make them a cult? Conversely, if Dr. Walter Martin, the foremost cult researcher in the world, hears about Local Church members marching on Moody church/Bible Institute shouting slogans of "Down with Christianity!", then hears about LC members say "we want to be little Witness Lees" and "we are baby gods!", and then confirms some of the aberrant and divisive teachings of Lee, then declares the Local Church to be "a cult of Christianity", is Dr. Martin unreasonable is making such a declaration?

Yes, yes, I understand that our dear brothers and sisters in the Local Church have not marched on Moody church lately. (and let's thank God and some semi-sober minded Local Churchers for this!), and they have cutback quite a bit on the "we are baby gods" nonsense, but neither have they turned away from nor repudiated the excesses in teaching and practices of the past. In fact, they have actually doubled-down on such unbiblical, and yes even neo-cultic, notions as "We are becoming God in life and nature, but not in the Godhead". Neither have they repudiated the notion that Witness Lee was "the one minister with the one ministry for the age". Neither have they repudiated the teaching that every Christian church besides the Local Church are "a daughter of the great harlot". And the list goes on and on.

My honest, albeit regretful, assessment is that any group that is properly and legitimately classified as a cult of Christianity, and subsequently refuses to turn away from or repudiate the very teachings and practices which caused the assessment, remains under the veil of an aberrant or even cultic group. Are there worse "cults of Christianity" around? You betcha. Are there worse places for young people and new Christians to get tied into? Absolutely! But many of us have seen and experienced that the Lord can work through godly men and women, and yes, even institutions (gasp) without the need to declare themselves to be the only group through whom God is making his Kingdom come.
-

I have no issue with using a non scriptural term, which some have concluded is my position.

Likewise, I have no issue with that non scriptural term being "cult".

My issue is that we need a real definition. The definitions I have seen would all classify the early church as a cult, which I feel puts those making these definitions clearly in the camp of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

1. To be a cult you have to have a "false prophet" running it. This was my reference to receiving the fellowship of the apostles. I'm not interested in vague expressions like "giving the Bible verse an extra twist".

2. However, it is not adequate to simply having a teacher who is in error, that would be equivalent to Apollos. You also have to have the abuse of the saints.

So, if you simply had the first point you could claim that the 7th day adventists are a cult, but once you add the 2nd point then it makes it clear the church of Scientology is a cult. Perhaps the Mormons and JW's would also rise to the level of cult. Manson, Moonies, etc would all be cults.

You don't want to wait until they bring out the Kool aid to realize there is an abusive situation, so the precursor is always "making merchandise of the saints".

Now as some have pointed out selling books and tapes is so widespread that is too universal to be useful. So then the basis of making merchandise of the saints has to be a lie. The "cult leader" is going to fabricate some story about aliens picking us up, or bringing in a revolution, or being the closest coworker of the minister of the age.

But the real give away is "you shall know them by their fruit". You could claim that the Catholic church is a cult based on their definition, but is the fruit charity and good works? I recall in the Local church they were specifically taught not to be involved in good works, and any church that tried to have any program other than "supporting the ministry" was dealt with.

When the great leader doesn't want you giving to the poor but rather wants you to have a standing order for the books he sells and that no one wants, that is the biggest take away that this is a false prophet, abusing the saints.