IS MY CHURCH A CULT?

No church is perfect. Since Jesus stated, “…I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18), the church has been confronted with numerous challenges. Because of these challenges, the church has become more resilient as a community of overcomers. 

Strategies of overcoming were evident from within the New Testament. The fledgling church confronted Jewish influences. Among them was Apollos, a native of Alexandria. “He knew only the baptism of John.” When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, “they invited him to their home and explained the way of God more adequately” (Acts 18:24).

Other confrontations required more than a home visit. Some opponents were reprimanded publicly, some were shunned and even excommunicated. In each case, an assessment was necessary, and the appropriate discipline applied. Discipline was applied after determining if the issues concerned doctrinal beliefs or the practicing of those beliefs.

Sometimes we describe deviant behavior among Christian groups as cultic. Cultic groups are usually led by charismatic and self-appointed leaders, who tightly control members, requiring unwavering devotion to a set of beliefs. Here are a few forms of control that cultic groups normally display:

■ Behavior Control: An individual’s associations, living arrangements, food, clothing, sleeping habits, finances, etc., are strictly controlled.
■ Information Control: Cult leaders deliberately withhold or distort information, lie, propagandize, and limit access to other sources of information.

■ Thought Control: Cult leaders use loaded words and language, discourage critical thinking, bar any speech critical of cult leaders or policies, and teach an “us vs. them” doctrine.
■ Emotional Control: Leaders manipulate their followers via fear (including the fear of losing salvation, fear of excommunication, etc.), guilt, and indoctrination.

Earlier, we established that the church belongs to Jesus. The apostle Paul contended that “Jesus loved the church and gave himself up for her…” (Ephesians 5:25). Hence, it is reasonable to expect members of the church to know, love and obey the Owner. Cults have a problem with knowing, loving and obeying Jesus. Some see Him as an angel, a mere prophet, a shaman or even a guru. 

The core of the Christian message is the historical Jesus of the New Testament. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul contends, any message without the historical Jesus as the center, is not the Christian message. Jesus deserves more than a prominent place, he must have the only place. “If anyone,” contends Paul, “ is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse” (Galatians 1:9).

Cultic leaders normally see themselves, or are seen by followers, as chosen by and as authoritative as Jesus. They demand absolute obedience as Jesus would. Their writings are revered as the teachings of Jesus. Some cultic leaders would even claim exclusive access to Jesus via dreams and revelational insight. 

That alleged insight authorizes them to ignore acceptable principles of interpreting the Scriptures. They show total disregard for orthodoxy and scholarship with the wider community of faith. Coupled with this is an attitude of isolation and exclusivism. They listen to no one else but themselves. They see themselves as beyond needing counsel from other leaders within the community of faith. Following the dictates of their founder, one group sees itself as the remnant church. In essence, we are the true church. 

Now if you witness these cultic outcomes, along with fiscal mismanagement and inappropriate sexual behavior among your leaders, you need to withdraw from that group. You need to seek help from others in the wider community of believers. You need to consider Paul’s words to the Colossians: “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ” (Colossians 2:8).