False Doctrine Often Found in Cults
Dave Breese in his book, “Know The Marks of a Cult,” points out the following false doctrine often found in cults:
Extrabiblical Revelation:
The belief that God is still speaking today through documents and individuals – revealing new truth that may supercede what is recorded in the Bible.
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. – Revelation 22:18,19
The Greek word translated here as ‘book’ is literally translated ‘scroll’. Do these verses talk about the scroll written by John entitled “Revelation” or is it talking about the combined books of the Bible? Some interpretations teach this verse relates to the whole bible. Moses gave a similar warning.
Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you. You saw with your own eyes what the LORD did at Baal Peor. The LORD your God destroyed from among you everyone who followed the Baal of Peor, but all of you who held fast to the LORD your God are still alive today. – Deuteronomy 4:1-4
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. – II Tim. 3:16,17
If it talks about the combined books of the bible, what about the Apocrypha? Who has the authority to withhold those books from the scripture?
Cult leaders claim they have God’s authority to lead others by saying, “God spoke to me” or “A spirit, or the Spirit, told me to tell you…” Paul warned that anyone – even an angel from heaven – who preaches another Gospel will be cursed.
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! – Galatians 1:8-9
Salvation by Works:
This is the teaching that eternal life depends on something we do rather than on faith in the work of Christ on the cross.
Eternal life is therefore not dependent on the grace of God alone but on human responsibility instead.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished — he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. – Romans 3:22-28
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. – Galatians 5:1
While our good works (or evil works) may demonstrate what we believe, they are only a reflection of who we are. Doing good does not bring us salvation.
Uncertain Hope:
This view is that we can never be sure, in this world, that we have eternal life.
Salvation is never settled but is constantly affected by the changing circumstances of life. Cult followers are kept in hopeless bondage of an insecure relationship with God.
The scriptures, however, promise over and over again that we posses a sure salvation.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. – 1 Peter 1:3-6
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession — to the praise of his glory. – Ephesians 1:13,14
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. – Hebrews 6:19,20
For the born again Christian who has accepted Christ as their savior, there is no question about their salvation.
Presumptuous Messianic Leadership:
Many cults elevate a human leader and his teachings to a messianic level.
The scriptures state that Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith, our High Priest and our Mediator.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:2
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. – Hebrews 4:14
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men — the testimony given in its proper time. – I Tim. 2:5,6
Christians are to serve one another and submit themselves to one another rather than elevate one over another.
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature rather, serve one another in love. –
Galatians 5:13
Doctrinal Ambiguity:
Cults are characterized by indefinite doctrines that often change with every new wind that blows.
True Christianity was established on certain foundational truths that have not changed throughout time. Scripture predicts that many will refuse to believe sound doctrine and will look for teachers who will tell them what they want to hear.
For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. – II Tim. 4:3,4
Denunciation of Others:
Cults are exclusive; they are convinced that their views alone are correct and that their leader is the only one who possesses truth.
They denounce all other religions as being satanic and corrupt. They condemn anyone who does not join their organization or who might attempt to leave the group.
Claim of “Special Discoveries”:
Cults claim to have mysterious, otherwise unavailable, inside information.
Leaders claim to have received a secret calling from God and to have received vital information given to no one else.
Defective Christology:
The sure mark of a cult is a denial of the deity of Christ.
They reduce Him to the level of a prophet or teacher.
Segmented Biblical Attention:
Cults generally focus attention on certain passages of the Bible to the exclusion of others.
While this is sometimes a problem even within the doors of Christian churches, it alone does not make a cult. We must forever be on our guard of segmented Biblical attention. The Bible says that all Scripture is inspired and profitable.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. – II Tim. 3:16,17
A question I’m left with when I think of this issue is WHO defines what ALL Scripture is? I believe “man” has made a good faith effort to distinguish between God-inspired Scripture and the mere writings of man. But in that imperfect effort, what may have they overlooked? Are we to accept the rulings of men on religious councils to define for us WHAT is Scripture? What about the Apocrypha and other writings?
Entangling Organizational Structure:
Cults often demand total commitment from their converts to an organization that entangles them in a complicated set of human restrictions.
Financial Exploitation:
Cult members have a never-ending financial obligation to their group.
Cult leaders often strongly imply that money contributed to the cause will buy numerous gifts, powers and abilities for the giver.