Sat, Jan 14th - 10:33PM

A LOOK AT THE CULTS

Many well-meaning ministers express a longing to return to the 1950s era, some even describing the 1950s as a golden age for Christianity in America, failing to realize that the cultural and religious trends of the 1950s (and previous decades) led to the accelerated and enormous increase in the cults, the occult, and modernism that characterized the 1960s and continues. Consider just a few examples:                              

· Neglecting and denying the influence of the Bible and Christianity in American history in school textbooks and mass media.

· Replacing Bible truths with humanism.

· The teaching that Bible standards only apply to the religious (church) aspects of life and not the secular realm.

· Acceptance of the theory of evolution in Christian circles, and endorsement of the theory of evolution by many respected clergy and mainline churches.

· Replacing Biblical separation (godly relationships, conduct, and distinctions within society) with isolation and neutrality.

· Using the Bible, Gospel music, and religious activities to escape reality instead of facing it.

· Putting material prosperity, appearance, and social status above character in importance.

· Replacing ministry and patriarchy with church programs.

· Ministerial exemption from the draft encouraged cowards, unbelievers, heretics, and sexual perverts to pursue positions and careers in ministry.

The list of cultural and religious trends of the 1950s and previous decades that increased the appeal of the cults could continue but these examples should suffice to help you see the point. Rather than romancing the past or longing for a return to the past, we should focus on how we can avoid the mistakes of the past.

What leads so many into cults, especially since most initiates into cults come from a religious background in a mainstream church or denomination? Cults use the heart to trap the mind. Think of this in terms of fishing: Emotion (such as love-bombing) is the lure, doctrine (false doctrine mingled with truth) is the hook, and fear (along with guilt) is the barb or net that helps keep the "fish" from getting away. Cults replace personal Bible study, discernment, and growth with a childlike dependence on a religious leader or group. The cults teach a faith, but not Biblical faith. Biblical faith is based on facts or knowledge of God's Word, and while feelings may result, feelings are not the basis of Biblical faith. Remember the pattern: 1.) Fact, 2.) Faith, 3.) Feelings: in cults and the occult this pattern is usually reversed. Faith, like love, always has an object, and cults present a wrong object of faith.

The Hebrew word rendered "world" in Ecclesiastes 3:11 means eternity or the ages. In other words, humans are born with a natural need for spiritual guidance and an effective religion or belief system. Even though they are wrong, the cults do fill a basic need and provide answers. Hungry sheep will wander in search for food. Looking at church ads, and considering what people are being fed in many churches and through Christian radio, Christian television, and Christian literature, it should surprise us that the cults do not attract more 'wandering sheep' than they do. (Consider Acts 20:28) American students who were raised on English often have far more difficulty with English classes and English grammar than many foreign students who learned English when they were grown or almost grown. Often the students in a foreign language class having the most difficulty are the children of immigrants who speak that language as their native tongue; in many cases the children of immigrants know just enough of their parents' language to communicate with family and assume that they are fluent. We have a similar situation in Christian circles when it comes to doctrines and basic Bible knowledge. In any denomination, there are a lot of people who grew up in church, assume they are spiritual and knowledgeable because they attended preaching services and Sunday School, learned how to go through the motions of worship, learned just barely enough about the Bible to argue about it, and often have a lot of beliefs (myths, taboos, traditions, and assumptions, second-hand information, etc.) but little to no Bible knowledge. A typical cult recruit or initiate comes from a religious background but is not well-grounded in faith and knowledge.

How can you witness to cult members? Knowing what they believe is one thing but knowing how to relate to them personally and how to deal with cult members that you meet in public places, social situations, work, school, and at your doorstep is quite another thing. Here are a few suggestions:

When a cult member comes to your door let him go through his presentation without interruption on your part. When he finishes disregard what he said and share your testimony. Tell him what the Lord Jesus Christ means to you and share your salvation experience. Then ask him to share his testimony and insist that he tell you about his personal experience with Jesus Christ. This will throw him off his track. If he should try to give some sort of testimony this is a good sign that you may be able to eventually reach him with the truth. If he should get angry or upset and leave, the Lord can use your testimony to work on his heart.

When dealing with cult members that you meet in public places, social situations, work, school, etc., remember that a personal testimony is a powerful evangelistic tool, and you should look for opportunity to share your testimony ASAP.

Be extremely patient and don’t be expecting to convert anyone overnight. (Consider Matthew 21:28-31 & John 16:12) Don’t be surprised if it is necessary to go over the same point numerous times, and don’t be surprised if it takes a long time for him to recognize that his faith is misplaced or see that at least a few teachings of his cult are wrong.

Never use witnessing as opportunity to show off your intellect or Bible knowledge, and keep in mind that there is no canned approach that applies to every circumstance and each individual cult member.

Regular personal Bible study to develop your knowledge and understanding of the Bible and Bible doctrines is important if you wish to be effective in leading someone out of darkness and into the truth and avoid being deceived yourself, and regular intercessory prayer is necessary.

When responding to cult members that come to their door many Christians like to use what could be called the Invasion or Blitzkrieg method of evangelism: They want to attack and destroy every heresy in the cult’s belief system quick, fast, and in a hurry. While a Christian may feel that he scored a victory by winning an argument this rarely yields good results as far as leading anyone to Christ. It would be better to focus on one or two issues each time you meet with a cult member and not force him to digest more than he can take in one sitting. If you would do this, and if you are friendly and respectful to him, he is more likely to ponder the information you give him instead of shrugging it off (as you might do if someone attacked every point of your belief system all at once), and he is more likely to make an appointment to return and discuss other issues with you and possibly keep returning (which is what you should want him to do). I also like to illustrate the point this way: I like fried chicken, and I find it difficult to turn down a chicken dinner, but I do not want anyone to throw pieces of chicken at me or beat me over the head with a drumstick.

It is important to be kind and respectful to cult members and find a common ground, such as their commitment to God (even though they have an obviously heretical view of God). Note Paul's approach to the Athenians in Acts 17:22-23. Was he hostile or argumentative with the Athenians, and did he expect them to meet him where he was at in knowledge and spirituality? No, he found a common ground and approached them from there.

Remember that the objective is to win hearts and minds, not win arguments or be right, and the goal is the eventual salvation of lost souls; it is usually better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.

Make sure you respect the Bible as the authority for your claims or statements. (Do not say: My pastor says..., I have always said..., etc.)

Do not be afraid to say no. If you don't want him to think of you as a prospect and be that much more determined to win you over (instead of being receptive to the truth) then don't buy anything or accept anything free. You can give a polite refusal and still converse with him.

Do not be intimidated by their attitude that they are more spiritual or knowledgeable than you are. Since they are the ones trying to sell you something let them be the ones that must prove themselves to you.

Speak with conviction. (Acts 4:13) Why should someone consider your message if you do not sound convinced of it yourself?

Avoid answering leading questions (What do you think about world conditions? Have you ever wondered...? What do you think about... [some news item]? Do you think there is a solution to the crime problem, or a way to feel secure? Etc...), as cults often train their members to use leading questions to discern how best to win you over.

If he tries to quote a whole list of Bible passages out of context all at once, insist that you be allowed to pause and read each passage aloud in context (include perhaps about 4 or 5 verses preceding and maybe 4 or 5 verses following the passage.). This forces him to consider his proof texts in relation to immediate context, which he may have never done before, and hopefully he might start doing this on his own.

Do not pretend to have all the answers. (You don’t.)

Do not put on a pretense. Remember that they are quick to spot hypocrisy.

Since you do not already know all about his beliefs and his organization, do not pretend that you do.

Since you do not like to be patronized or demeaned you should give him the same courtesy that you want from others.

Show concern for a cult member, buy him a cup of coffee, look for opportunity to demonstrate kindness to him, etc... Show him that you love and care about him despite disagreeing with him. Most members of a cult were lured into the cult through love-bombing and need to see that there are caring people outside of the cult.

Express your humanness. Cults often demand such a high standard of perfection that meeting someone who is secure in his faith despite being less than perfect can make a good impression.

Appeal to their insecurity. While they appear assured and confident, inside they are troubled by questions and doubts and often feel trapped. You should try to steer the conversation beyond minor issues and debatable points and toward matters of the heart and spirit.

Many Christians think the key to leading cult members out of darkness and into the truth is to merely show them Bible passages and win arguments, but this idea is far removed from reality. Avoid arguments over proof texts. Keep in mind that when you show a Bible passage to the cult member his conditioned and preprogrammed mind automatically replaces what the passage says with what the cult leaders or their publications say it means. It may be needful to explain how the wording, grammar, immediate context, and the whole Bible impacts the meaning of a Bible passage.

Cult members believe cult heresies because they have been taught (programmed) to trust the cult leadership and their publications to think for them, to not critically analyze cult teachings, and to avoid or ignore criticisms of the cult and cult teachings. On the other hand, cult members often feel compelled and obliged to answer sincere questions and people outside of the cult to understand and accept "the truth," which is why good questions are often an effective means of persuading them to think and start seeing the fallacies of the cult and its teachings.

Remember to pray for cult members and pray especially for the cult members you are acquainted with or will eventually meet.

For information about cults, the occult, and the New Age Movement visit:

Watchman Fellowship www.watchman.org