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.
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