THEO 678 Blog - Part 3

Many of the groups discussed so far this week are defined as 'cults', which deny an essential or several essentials of the Christian faith. These cults will often require that its members stay faithful to the leader or leaders of the cult, lest lose their salvation. The members are also required to conform to a set of rules of purity and will often have to confess sins publicly. In this sense, community is more important than the individual, which will often lead to the idea that members are saved as a group and not individually.

However, while some churches may not stray from essential doctrines, there are ways that a church can become cultic. This is not to say that the church has strayed completely away from Christianity, but it would be in danger of leaning toward one of the characteristics of a cult. Sound confusing enough? I will try to explain what I mean.

First of all, a church is in danger of being cultic if it believes that they are the only 'true' believers.  This is not to say that they believe they are the only ones who are saved, like many cults do.  However, a cultic church will believe that their doctrines and methods are the best.  In this same light, a cultic church will attempt to separate themselves from other Christian groups and will only accept leaders who are exactly like them.  Again, this is not because they do not believe other Christians are saved, but simply because they have held to a minor doctrine that has caused them to break fellowship with others.  One doctrine can, in these groups, become the filter through which all other decisions are made.

What is the danger of this? The loss of the importance of the Gospel. If the advancement of the Gospel is not as important as the defense of a minor doctrine or a certain way of doing things, the church is in danger of missing its purpose.  The Gospel of Jesus must always be kept as the priority.