Myth of Jesus, page-518

Howdy @wotsup

A friendly question:

What is the name of your organisation?
.
https://carm.org/cult-comparison-chart



re
Your many posts have all these colorful hallmarks:

1
"
Down on Christian doctrine.
Cults often depict basic Christian doctrines and beliefs (like the Trinity, deity of Christ, salvation by grace through faith) as "full of holes" and completely illogical.


Scriptures get an added twist.
Bible verses are often taken out of context or twisted to mean something very different than what was originally intended.


"Christians are wrong."
Cult members believe God has given their group the job of pointing out "heretical and evil" teachings of Christianity......"

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2
" ...The second way to define a cult is popular in evangelical Christian circles.
From this perspective, a cult is any group that deviates from the orthodox teachings of the historic Christian faith being derived from the Bible and confirmed through the ancient ecumenical creeds.


WHAT IS A CULT- Psuedo-Christian Cults

These groups deny or distort fundamental Christian doctrines such as the Trinity, the deity of Christ, and salvation by grace through faith alone. Some cults that would fall into this category are the Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christian Science, The Way International, and the Unity School of Christianity.

Most of these cults claim to be Christian, and even consider the Bible to be authoritative. But they manipulate the Scriptures to fit their own beliefs. Although they may claim to serve Jesus Christ, and may even use the same terminology orthodox Christians use, their definitions are vastly different.


WHAT IS A CULT- The Dangers of False Teachings

These groups do not lead to the Christ of the Bible, but to another Jesus and another gospel (2 Cor. 11:1-4; Gal. 1:8,9). We must therefore reject these false teachings, and “earnestly contend for the faith which was once and for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3)......"



( see more detail, from links below)


John 14:6
Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁶ Jesus said to him,
“^[a]I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life;
no one comes to the Father but through Me.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John 14:1-10&version=AMP

Cheers
G


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Defining a Cult

What makes them different from genuine Christians?
Don Veinot



While the specifics vary from group to group, here are some general characteristics of religious cults that distinguish them from genuine Christian beliefs:

All-knowing leadership. An individual or group of people claims to be sent by God to "rule" the one true religion—which only includes members of that particular cult.

No room for differences. Cult members must believe exactly the same way and in exactly the same things; there is no room for disagreeing with the cult's rules or doctrines.

A new and better way. Cults often claim they've been given a "special revelation" from God that's superior to the Bible, or explains what the Bible is really trying to say.

Down on Christian doctrine. Cults often depict basic Christian doctrines and beliefs (like the Trinity, deity of Christ, salvation by grace through faith) as "full of holes" and completely illogical.

Scriptures get an added twist. Bible verses are often taken out of context or twisted to mean something very different than what was originally intended.

"Christians are wrong." Cult members believe God has given their group the job of pointing out "heretical and evil" teachings of Christianity.

Works prove faith. Cult members often claim their good works are superior to those performed by Christians, and they say their works prove their religion is the one-and-only truth.

Salvation is a big unknown. Since cults often teach that salvation is based on performance, cult members can never know if they've done everything necessary to get to heaven.

No exit. Leaving the cult is not an option, and intimidation is often used to keep cult members from even thinking about getting out.

There's more! What's with the Dudes at the Door? by Kevin Johnson and James White (Bethany House) is packed with information and details about various popular cults. Look for it at your local Christian bookstore, or purchase online at amazon.com.

For more information on this topic, see our article What's a Cult?.

Don is president of Midwest Christian Outreach (MCO)—an organization that provides resources and seminars on detecting cults and on defending your Christian faith. For more information, see www.midwestoutreach.org.

https://www.christianitytoday.com/iyf/2001/julaug/definition-of-cult.html



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What's a Cult?

How to tell the difference between a religion and a cult.
Answer by Marshall Shelley

......


The third, and most commonly used definition, refers to a religious group that is:

1) Exclusive.
They may say, "We're the only ones with the truth; everyone else is wrong; and if you leave our group your salvation is in danger."

2) Secretive.
Certain teachings are not available to outsiders or they're presented only to certain members, sometimes after taking vows of confidentiality.

3) Authoritarian.
A human leader expects total loyalty and unquestioned obedience.


For the most part, this third definition of cult is being used less and less today. Experts who watch for dangerous or harmful religious groups now use the term new religious movements.
The word cult can hurt people because it carries so much negative meaning. My sister was accused of being in a cult just because she preferred hanging out with Christian friends rather than going out drinking with other friends. She might have been in with a group of people that was unlike the norm (because they devotedly followed Christ), but she certainly wasn't following a harmful faith.

My friend Jason, however, fell in love with a girl who was part of a church that was exclusive, secretive, and authoritarian. At first he was happy to tell me about what he was learning. But as he got further into that religious group, he told me less and less. When the leaders of that church told him that he had to quit our church to keep dating the girl, I got very suspicious. When he got married and his parents couldn't even attend the wedding because they weren't members of Jason's new religion, it was clear that this was harmful.

Unlike that, Christians accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Still, they recognize that he has followers in many different Christian denominations and nondenominational churches who accept Christ. We don't believe that the truth is available only to a select few—instead, salvation through Jesus is open to everyone. We also believe that God is above any human leader.

Marshall, a former pastor, is editor of Leadership Journal, a magazine for pastors

https://www.christianitytoday.com/iyf/advice/faithqa/what-is-cult.html



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What Is a Religious Cult?



WHAT IS A CULT?- Introduction

With such an overwhelming number of religious groups around these days, it is necessary to understand the difference between a legitimate religious group and a cult.

What exactly is a cult?


WHAT IS A CULT- Definitions

There are two ways to define a cult. The first way to describe a cult is popular in the secular media. From this perspective, a cult is a religious or semi-religious sect whose members are controlled almost entirely by a single individual or by an organization.

This kind of cult is usually manipulative, demanding total commitment and loyalty from its followers. Converts are usually cut off from all former associations, including their own families. The Hare Krishnas, the Family of Love led by Moses David Berg, and Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church are some examples of this kind of a cult.

The second way to define a cult is popular in evangelical Christian circles.
From this perspective, a cult is any group that deviates from the orthodox teachings of the historic Christian faith being derived from the Bible and confirmed through the ancient ecumenical creeds.


WHAT IS A CULT- Psuedo-Christian Cults

These groups deny or distort fundamental Christian doctrines such as the Trinity, the deity of Christ, and salvation by grace through faith alone. Some cults that would fall into this category are the Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christian Science, The Way International, and the Unity School of Christianity.

Most of these cults claim to be Christian, and even consider the Bible to be authoritative. But they manipulate the Scriptures to fit their own beliefs. Although they may claim to serve Jesus Christ, and may even use the same terminology orthodox Christians use, their definitions are vastly different.


WHAT IS A CULT- The Dangers of False Teachings

These groups do not lead to the Christ of the Bible, but to another Jesus and another gospel (2 Cor. 11:1-4; Gal. 1:8,9). We must therefore reject these false teachings, and “earnestly contend for the faith which was once and for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). And, of course, remember the Bible also goes on to admonish us that we must do this with gentleness, and with respect. Remember, you must present the message, but you need to recognize that it is only the Holy Spirit that changes the heart.

On the cults and answering the question “What is a cult”, that’s the Bible Answer Man Perspective. I’m Hank Hanegraaff.

http://www.equip.org/perspectives/what-is-a-religious-cult/


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