CULTS-WHAT ARE THEY? - By: Cristie Monville

CULTS-WHAT ARE THEY?

When you look up “CULT” in the dictionary you will find:

[French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate]

1. formal religious veneration : WORSHIP

2. a system of religious beliefs and ritual : also its body of adherents

3. a religion regarded as unorthodox of spurious; also its body of adherents

4. a system for the cure of disease based upon dogma set forth by its promulgator

5. a great devotion to a person , idea, object, movement or work

We will use the third reference from: Merriam-Webster, (1996, c1993) 10th edition.)

The word spurious in the definition is extremely appropriate:

1. of illegitimate birth : BASTARD

2. outwardly similar or corresponding to something without having its genuine qualities

3. a: of falsified or erroneously attributed origin : FORGED

b: of a deceitful nature or quality

If we apply these definitions to different, so called, Christian groups we would need to have a guidebook so that you can compare the false, forged and deceitful from the authentic and genuine. The guide is the Bible, Scripture, and absolutely nothing else, its what the Bible states.

2Timothy 3:16-17: “ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, forinstruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” KJV

The more damaging cults to professing Christians will be ones that closely mimic genuine Christianity. Probably the most unsafe would be:

Word of Faith Movement: they distort the Gospel to the Prosperity Gospel

Roman Catholicism: They have untrue teachings, the worst of which is on salvation

You may wonder why Islam isn't listed here. Islam is another religion because they do not base their beliefs on Jesus Christ and is very discernable from Christianity.

Matthew 7:15-16 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You

shall know them by their fruit….

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