Religious Cults part2: The Christian Perspective
Christians define religious cults from a different perspective. Simply, a cult is any religious group that deviates from the fundamental teachings of the historic, Bible-based, Christian faith as confirmed through the ancient ecumenical creeds. Generally, if a religious organization follows Jesus Christ, but denies or distorts essential Christian doctrines such as the Trinity, the resurrection, or salvation by grace alone, that organization is considered a cult. Traditional examples are the Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christian Science, the Unity School of Christianity, and the Way International. All of these groups add to the simple gospel of Jesus Christ. In addition, some add to the Bible, such as Mormonism’s The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price. Similarly, Christian Science has added Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. The Jehovah’s Witnesses have actually changed the text of the Bible to make it fit their version of doctrine.
Religious cults add their own rules, rituals and ceremonies — their own works of righteousness to the finished work of Jesus on the cross. These organizations officially state that Jesus’ sacrifice is sufficient for salvation, but then they go on to say that their version of “works” must be added to the simplicity of His grace in order to warrant true salvation. These groups will often use James 2:26 (”faith without works is dead”) to establish that works are part of salvation. Although it is true that faith without works is dead, it isn’t the works that save us. Works are merely the result of a truly changed life through a saving faith in Jesus. A true Christian does good works because he has received the free gift of salvation, not to get salvation.
Related posts
Tags: , and the Way International, Bible, Christian Science, Christians, Cults, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, the Unity School of Christianity
February 23rd, 2008 at 3:02 am
Mormons are not Creedal Christians. However, they do believe in the Jesus Christ of the New Testament:
The Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) is often accused by Evangelical pastors of not believing in Christ and, therefore, not being a Christian religion. This article http://mormonsarechristian.blogspot.com/ helps to clarify such misconceptions by examining early Christianity’s comprehension of baptism, the Godhead, the deity of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.
The Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) adheres more closely to First Century Christianity and the New Testament than any other denomination. For example, Harper’s Bible Dictionary entry on the Trinity says “the formal doctrine of the Trinity as it was defined by the great church councils of the fourth and fifth centuries is not to be found in the New Testament.”
One Baptist blogger stated “99 percent of the members of his Baptist church believe in the Mormon (and Early Christian) view of the Trinity. It is the preachers who insist on the Nicene Creed definition.” It seems to me the reason the pastors denigrate the Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) is to protect their flock (and their livelihood).
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:52 am
a cult is any religious group that deviates from the fundamental teachings of the historic, Bible-based, Christian faith