Here we will examine five characteristics of cults. Many are quick to point to cults when discussing professed believers that are on the wrong track, but it should be noted that many modern evangelicals and evangelical churches have these characteristics in common with cults. 

A LACK OF HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Some groups believe Christians were all in darkness for eighteen or nineteen centuries and now they alone possess the truth. Sometimes evangelicals are guilty of making the same assumption. Certainly, there have been times in Christian history when some truths were more or less widely known or understood than other times, but God has always had dedicated believers that, although imperfect and not all-knowing, preserved the faith, safeguarded the truth, and upheld the authority of Scriptures. For example, long before Martin Luther began teaching the doctrine of justification by faith there were already Christians in the mountains of Germany teaching justification by faith. (Consider Ephesians 4:11-15)

DISTORTED VIEW OF THE HOLY BIBLE

How is it that cult members and liberal theologians sincerely believe obvious heresies even though they often appear to study more than most? The problem lies with what they respect as the final authority or the standard of truth. When someone puts the words of men above the word of God, they naturally interpret Scriptures in relation to publications and human theories instead of interpreting Bible passages in relation to context and the whole Bible. (1 Timothy 1:5-7; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Peter 3:16)

First-hand Bible knowledge from personal Bible study is essential. We do need ministers, teachers, Christian fellowship, and Christian literature to help us, and there are difficulties in the Bible, but for the most part the Bible is self-explanatory and self-interpreting when one is familiar with its contents. (Psalm 119:130; Proverbs 2:3-6; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17; Ephesians 4:11-15; 1 Peter 2:2)

Christ deliberately bypassed the religious elite and highly educated to reveal truths to ordinary people, and the Apostles commended and encouraged personal study and discernment. The Bible was written to be read and understood by ordinary people and God's truth is not hidden from everyone except for a few clever individuals. The Bible is the complete word of God and the final authority, and the truth can withstand questions and criticism. So why should we assume that God intended for us to accept the teachings of people claiming to have some special key to understanding Scripture without personal study and discernment on our part to verify their teachings? (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Timothy 3:16)

“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” (1 John 2:27) As is true today, when John wrote the First Epistle of John there were a lot of divisions, programs, heresies, and fads spreading throughout Christendom, and many false teachers working to corrupt the churches. (Acts 20:29-30; 2 Corinthians 11:14-15; 2 Peter 2; Jude) Deceivers often claim to have a special enlightenment or illumination, superior insight, or special key to understanding, or claim that one needs a superior spirituality or special revelation (which they claim to have) to know the truth, which is the reason for the warning in 1 John 2:27. While there is more to life in Christ than the initial experience (new birth) that occurs at faith and repentance, and God does bestow wisdom and spiritual gifts to make someone more effective in the Lord’s work, this does not mean that some have a special key to understanding Scripture that other genuine believers do not have. While there are difficulties in the Bible and we occasionally need help, for the most part the Bible is self-interpreting and self-explanatory when one is familiar with its contents.  (Incidentally, if your theology, religious experience, or "spiritual gift" does not make you love more, hunger for the word of God, and have a burden for lost souls, this is another sign that you are on the wrong track.)

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14) Deceivers like to use this passage to insist that it takes a special enlightenment or key to understanding (which they claim to have) to understand Scripture. This passage does not say the Bible can only be understood by certain gifted individuals, it says that though natural men can understand what the words in the Bible mean they decide that what the Bible says is foolish. A good example of this can be seen when atheists argue with what they know and acknowledge that the Genesis account of creation says; it means nothing to them because of their lack of spiritual discernment. The Bible was written to be read and understood by ordinary people and God's truth is not hidden from everyone except for a few clever individuals. The Holy Bible is the final authority, and the truth can withstand questions and critical analysis. (Psalm 119:130; Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17)

A DESIRE TO CAUSE DIVISION

In a war it often makes sense for a country to ally with other countries that are fighting for the same cause. We can apply this principle to Christian work and spiritual warfare. We should be careful not to hinder the cause of Christ through a spirit of competition.

The purpose of the church is to exalt Christ in the community and the world, and Bible-believing, Gospel-preaching churches that agree on fundamental doctrines and moral absolutes should be considered allies. (Personally, I have never met anyone with whom I always agree on every point, especially minor points of belief.)

This is not suggesting that we compromise truth and convictions or compromise with heresy, but rather a reminder that it is often possible to tolerate differences without compromising truths and convictions. For example, if we lead a lost soul to Christ and he conscientiously chooses to join another Bible-believing church this is still cause for rejoicing.

In the Old Testament, ancient Israel was not one tribe but was divided into different tribes so that the different tribes would cheque and balance each other; this is an obvious reason for different denominations.

Jesus is the way, not a human organization. (John 14:6) While we should not compromise with heresy or immorality, beware of those who teach an us-only pride or a we-versus-they complex. (Psalm 119:63; Mark 9:38-42; Acts 20:29-30; Romans 16:17-18; Philippians 1:18)

TENDENCY TO MAJOR ON MINORS

 Beware of those that are so preoccupied with riding religious hobby horses and proving they are right and everyone else is wrong that they lose perspective on the basic truths and message of the Bible. (Matthew 23:23-24; Romans 14; 1 Timothy 1:3-7) 

RETURN TO PAST ERRORS

 Beware of those that insist on disputing teachings that were settled, not by force but by diligent and prayerful studies and discussions ages ago, such as the virgin birth and complete deity of Christ, the triunity of God, salvation through the blood, etc. While you should study and be prepared to defend Bible doctrines, you should question the motives behind a return to past errors.

P.S. I owe thanks to Richard W. De Haan, who wrote the RBC Booklet “How To Recocognize A Good Church,” and in the booklet outlined five marks of a cult. That booklet inspired me to write this blog article.