What is a Cult

1
What is a Cult?

• Is the Messianic Movement at Large, or Beth
  Yeshua specifically a Cult?

2
Part 1

• Introduction

3
We have Been Called a Cult

• A pastor in this local area has said this to 3
  different families that I know of.
• We get this accusation from others who are
  ignorant of what we believe.
• It is easier to call names to people of different
  beliefs than to understand them and seek the
  truth.

4
Definition of Word cult

• From Latin cultus - meaning worship
• Cult is literally the "care" owed to the god and
  the shrine.

5
Definition of Word cult

• Adherents of an exclusive system of religious
  beliefs and practices
• a system of religious beliefs and rituals
  "devoted to the cultus of the Blessed Virgin"
  wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
• In religion and sociology, a cult is a group of
  people (often a new religious movement) devoted
  to beliefs and goals which may be contradictory
  to those held by the majority of society. Its
  marginal status may come about either due to its
  novel belief system or due to idiosyncratic
  practices that cause the surrounding culture to
  regard it as far outside the mainstream.
  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult

6
Definition of Word cult

• In traditional usage, the cult of a religion,
  quite apart from its sacred writings
  ("scriptures"), its theology or myths, or the
  personal faith of its believers, is the totality
  of external religious practice and observance,
  the neglect of which is the definition of
  impiety. Cult is literally the "care" owed to the
  god and the shrine. ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult
  _(religion)

7
The Church is a cult

• If we wish to take the literal description, the
  Church is a cult, too!
• It has a religious system that is contrary to
  that of the majority of society!
• It has practices of devotion toward God.

8
We may find characteristics of cults within
most of our churches today.

• Example Authoritarianism I know several
  non-Messianic pastors of mainline denominations
  who are very authoritarian. Does this mean that
  they are a cult? NO!
• Catholics hold to the authority of the Pope and
  the Church. Does this mean that they are a
  cult?
• NO!

9
Different Behavior

• Many Christian groups practice things that by
  societys standards (or even other mainstream
  Christian standards) that may be considered
  different or deviant.
• Pentecostalism Slain in the Spirit, speaking
  in tongues, etc.
• Does this mean that Pentacostals are a cult?
• NO!

10
Different Beliefs

• There are over 1,000 different Christian sects
  and denominations. Each claims to have a more
  exact understanding of Biblical truth. Baptists
  baptism Methodists method Pentacostals
  pentecost/Spirit etc.
• Does this mean that each of them are cults
  because they hold that they have a more exact
  understanding of Biblical truth than the others?
• NO!

11
Exclusivity

• Many mainstream denominations believe they are
  exclusive and that the others may or may not be
  saved.
• At one time, Catholics believed that no one
  outside of their faith was saved.
• Does this mean that they are a cult?
• NO!

12
Mainstream Churches

• May very well have one or more of the
  characteristics of a cult.
• Does this make them a cult?
• NO!

13
Important to Define Cult

• It is SO easy to throw out this pejorative toward
  other groups of people that dont believe what
  you do.
• Need to understand what this word means before we
  use it on another group!

14
Definition of a cult

• From Christian sources
• Dr Walter Martin "any religious group which
  differs significantly in some one or more
  respects as to belief or practice from those
  religious groups which are regarded as the
  normative expressions of religion in our total
  culture.  I may add to this that a cult might
  also be defined as a group of people gathered
  about a specific person or person's
  mis-interpretation of the Bible"
• Martin, Walter.  The Kingdom of the Cults. 
  Minneapolis, Bethany House Publishers, 1985.

15
Definition of a cult

• A religious group that follows a particular
  theological system. In the context of
  Christianity, and in particular, CARM, it is a
  group that uses the Bible but distorts the
  doctrines that affect salvation sufficiently to
  cause salvation to be unattainable. A few
  examples of cults are Mormonism, Jehovah's
  Witnesses, Christian Science, Christadelphians,
  Unity, Religious Science, The Way International,
  and the Moonies. (See also Cults)www.carm.org/dic
  tionary/dic_c-d.htm

16
Different Dimensions of a cult

• Norman L. Geisler and Ron Rhodes in When Cultists
  Ask says, "There are three different dimensions
  of a cult - doctrinal, sociological, and moral...
  Keep in mind, though, that not every cult
  manifests every single trait we discuss
• Geisler, Norman L. and Rhodes, Ron.  When
  Cultists Ask.  Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 1997.

17
Doctrinal Characteristics of a Cult

• There are four characteristics in the doctrinal
  dimension of a cult.  They are
• 1) New Revelation, 2) Denial of the Sole
  Authority of the Bible, 3) A Distorted View of
  God and Jesus, and 4) Denial of Salvation by
  Grace.

18
1) New Revelation

• Cult's teachings often change and new revelations
  are needed to justify the changes.

19
Messianic Movement Beth Yeshua

• Calls for the Return to revelation of First
  Century believers as found in BOTH the Older and
  Newer Testaments.
• Early church Torah observant Acts 2117-24
• Call to the faith of the First Century believer
  BEFORE the Greek Early Church Fathers brought
  their platonic Greek thinking into it!

20
Clear Delineation

• We try to clearly delineate between Scripture and
  non-Scripture
• Between Canonical writings and those which are
  not Talmud, Mishnah, Midrash, Early Church
  Fathers writings, etc.

21
Part 2

• Review previous Sabbath teaching.

22
2) Denial of the Sole Authority of the Bible

• In order of the cults to push their idea of new
  revelation, they need to reject the sole
  authority of the Bible and put it on the same or
  in fact lower level as the new revelation.

23
Messianic Movement Beth Yeshua

• The Scripture IS our sole Authority (Period).
• Even Protestants who claim Sola Scriptura
  (Scripture Only) and claim to follow Biblical
  practices only still follow after non-Scriptural
  practices, such as the Sunday Sabbath a
  Church tradition. We appeal back to Scripture
  and say there is NO Scriptural support for this
  later practice.

24
Messianic Movement Beth Yeshua

• We will quote from other sources Mishnah,
  Talmud, Early Church Writings, etc., to show
  dynamics and history but these are clearly
  delineated as non-Scripture and hold no
  authority!
• Bruce and any other Messianic leader does not
  hold a position of ex cathedra where we sit in
  the throne of Peter as does the Pope and able
  to bring forth newer revelation and practice.

25
3) A Distorted View of God and Jesus

• Many cults do see Jesus as who he is - the Son of
  God who is fully God at the same time.  They
  believe Jesus to a lower degree like a god but
  not the God.  Cults reject the Trinity and they
  reject the existence of the Holy Spirit.  Cults
  also reject the bodily resurrection of Jesus
  Christ.

26
Messianic Movement Beth Yeshua

• Our Statement of Faith says
• 2. Hear, O Israel YHVH the LoRD is our Elohim.
  He is One YHVH. He alone is YHVH. Deuteronomy
  64.
• 3. The nature of YHVH is a compound unity
  expressed in the aspects of Abba the Father,
  Yeshua Salvation, the Son, Messiah and Ruach
  HaKodesh the Holy Spirit/Breath in this age.
  Matthew 2819.
• 4. YHVH and His Word are eternal, that is He,
  His Word and His Will has always, and will
  always, be the same. Malachi 36, Hebrews 138,
  Matthew 518 2435.
• 6. Yeshua of Natzeret is the Messiah of Israel,
  the Savior of the world, the King of kings and
  Lord of lords. He is YHVH who appeared among
  mankind in the flesh, and now is glorified with
  all power in Heaven and in Earth, at the right
  hand of Abba. John 112-14.

27
4) Denial of Salvation by Grace

• Cults reject the idea of salvation by grace. 
  They mostly hold to salvation by works.

28
Messianic Movement Beth Yeshua

• 7. Messiah Yeshua is the ultimate and final
  Passover Lamb required for the removal of sins.
  He died by execution stake (stagion) on a tree
  (xulon) and rose from the dead three days
  afterward. Everyone who repents of their sins,
  and trusts that Yeshua is the Messiah, who died
  as our Passover Lamb and rose again, they are
  forgiven their sins and come into a renewed
  covenant with YHVH through Him, and therefore
  become inheritors of all the promises YHVH made
  with Abraham and Israel. (Isaiah 53, Romans
  109-11, 1 Corinthians 57).

29
Saved by Faith ONLY

• I have emphasized this over and over in many
  messages! We are NOT saved by keeping Torah, or
  any other set of rules or regulations. We
  are saved by faith and faith alone (Ephesians
  28)!
• HOWEVER, it is expected that a saved person, who
  truly loves the Lord will obey Him! If you love
  me, keep My commandments. (John 1415 2 John
  16 James 214-26)

30
SOCIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A CULT

• There are seven characteristics in the
  sociological dimension of a cult.  They are
• 1) Authoritarianism, 2) Exclusivism, 3)
  Dogmatism, 4) Close-mindedness, 5)
  Susceptibility, 6) Isolationism, and 7)
  Antagonism. 

31
1) Authoritarianism

• This is the acceptance of a authority figure who
  often uses mind-control techniques on their
  followers for control.  The word of these
  authority figures (founder or prophet) are
  considered ultimate.
• For abusive cults, the key word is CONTROL 
  CONTROL CONTROL by Submitting to the Leadership -
  leaders tend to be the absolute end, looked to as
  prophets of God, as specially anointed apostles.
  Or they can be a strong, controlling,
  manipulative personality who demands submission
  even if he changes his views or conflicts occur
  in doctrine or behavior. sometimes they can be
  looked on as God Himself. Often to obey a leader
  and their teaching is equal to obeying God.

32
Messianic Movement Beth Yeshua

• We do not have an authoritarian leadership. No
  head of Messianic Movement. Have many covering
  organizations composed of a group of leaders
  (MJAA, UMJC, MBI, IAMCS, UTOM, ATOM, etc).
• Voluntary submission of congregations to covering
  organizations.
• We deliberately set up leadership so that no one
  person(s) is set up as the authority figure.

33
MBI Credentials

• 3. Association. The MBI Credentialed Minister
  agrees that association with MBI is totally
  voluntary. Only those Ministers with Current
  Credentials are eligible for leadership within
  Messianic Bureau International. The MBI
  Credentialed  Minister hereby agrees to all
  future amendments to the qualifications,
  regulations, and statement of faith, as long as
  he/she is a credential holder with MBI.

34
2) Exclusivism

• Cults usually believe that they alone have the
  truth as opposed to other Christian
  denominations.  Some cults practice communal
  living (some religious groups that practice
  communal living are not cults) to make it easier
  to maintain control over cult members.

35
Messianic Movement Beth Yeshua

• We believe that there are people saved in every
  denomination of Christendom. People are saved by
  faith alone, not by works or what denomination
  they belong to.

36
3) Dogmatism

• Cults believe that they alone have the truth and
  they are the only ones to interpret the Bible
  correctly.

37
Messianic Movement Beth Yeshua

• We dont have a corner on truth.
• We DO appeal to the Body of Believers to go back
  to the Hebraic understanding of the Scriptures
  not to what came in after the death of the
  Apostles!
• The Bible is a Hebrew book and can be understood
  best by going back to the pre-Early Church
  Fathers (Greek leaders) understanding. Even
  Marvin Wilson notes this!

38
4) Close-mindedness

• Cult members are so devoted to their cult that
  they are unwilling to even consider any other
  point of view even if they know they are wrong. 

39
Messianic Movement Beth Yeshua

• We know well what the Church and Judaism teaches
  we try to hold fast to what is true and
  Scriptural and reject what is not.
• We consider what other groups say and do. Some
  Messianic groups are more Pentecostal, some
  more Orthodox Jewish. Whole spectrum of
  expression of worship.

40
5) Susceptibility

• Many people that join cults are gullible and some
  are psychologically vulnerable.  This goes hand
  in hand with close-mindedness in that they will
  ignore anything that contradicts their claims
  while practicing blind faith that is absent of
  sound reasoning.  

41
Messianic Movement Beth Yeshua

• We want people to have a reasoned faith. This is
  the purpose of our Torah studies, etc.
• Bring in materials from many sources Messianic
  First Fruits of Zion, etc., Christian Jewish
  Roots of Christianity, Catholic Church, etc.

42
6) Isolationism

• Extreme cults create fortified boundaries and are
  hard on those who are thinking or are attempting
  to desert.  Isolationism creates fear among cult
  members to obey their leaders giving them even
  more control.

43
Messianic Movement Beth Yeshua

• We do not tell people to be isolated from our
  Christian brothers and sisters.
• We do not forbid them from fellowshipping with
  other believers.
• We do not persuade people that they must stay
  with us or lose their salvation. I have
  encouraged people that are not being ministered
  to at Beth Yeshua to go to other congregations
  that they can be ministered to!

44
7) Antagonism

• Isolationism leads to antagonism toward the
  outside world.  Other Christian groups are
  considered evil and bad.

45
Messianic Movement Beth Yeshua

• Messianic Movement overall has no antagonism
  toward fellow-believers! Many times, it is the
  opposite they have antagonism toward us!
• My antagonism is not toward the people in other
  Christian groups I was there!
• My antagonism is toward the pagan-originated,
  non-Biblical practices found in the Church today.
• Evidently God is too Revelation 184

46
MORAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A CULT

• There are four characteristics of the moral
  dimension of a cult.  They are
• 1) Legalism, 2) Sexual Perversion, 3) Physical
  Abuse, and 4) Intolerance toward Others.

47
1) Legalism

• Since cults reject salvation by grace, they often
  practice legalism.  This is a setting down of
  rigid rules that are not Biblical.  This is also
  for the leaders to control their members. 

48
Messianic Movement Beth Yeshua

• What is legalism?
• Many Christian groups are legalistic Cant
  play cards, cant drink alcoholic beverages,
  cant dance, cant watch movies, etc.
• Easier to define what is NOT legalism
• Example Yeshua (Jesus)

49
Yeshua NOT legalistic

• Yeshua did not sin Hebrews 415
• Sin is the transgression of the Law 1 John 34
• Yeshua did not transgress the Law.
• Conclusion Obeying the Torah therefore is NOT
  Legalism or else Yeshua was the perfect
  Legalist since He kept it perfectly!

50
2) Sexual Perversion

• In cults there are huge cases of sexual
  perversion.  Some cults allow polygamy (more than
  one wife).  Some cults sexually lure people into
  their cult.  The leaders of some cults have been
  reported to having sex with a great deal of women
  in their cult including young girls.

51
Catholic Church

• Has many instances of child sexual abuse, many
  times these priests were simply transferred out
  to other parishes!
• Are they a cult because of this?
• NO!

52
Messianic Movement Beth Yeshua

• The Torah, which we want to follow as
  Messianics, FORBIDS such behavior!
• It is when we move AWAY from the commandments of
  God (the Law) that we move towards those
  perversions!
• There is NO place found for this in either the
  Messianic Movement OR Beth Yeshua!

53
MBI Credentials

• 4. Immorality. The Messianic Minister is
  responsible to report any immorality or
  substantial change in their walk or belief as
  varying from the standard of MBI, and submit to
  the Executive Office for the work of redemption
  and restoration. If any Messianic Minister is
  believed to have performed an act of adultery,
  homosexuality, or any immorality as stated in
  Torah, they shall be put immediately on
  Disciplinary Suspension and may not act upon
  their official duties, nor minister from the
  Bima, until restored to active status. Any
  Messianic Minister who will not be restored
  according to the process of MBI shall turn in
  their credentials their commission/ordination
  shall be immediately rescinded and they will be
  Dismissed.

54
MBI Credentials

• 20. Obedience. Knowledgeable disobedience of
  these regulations or any plain commandment of
  Scripture may result in change of status or loss
  of credential.

55
3) Physical Abuse

• Some cults are guilty of engaging in physical
  abuse.  Many ex-cult members accuse their former
  leaders of beating, depriving of sleep and food
  as a way of control.  Many times these attacks
  are directed at children.  There is also
  psychological abuse (fear, isolation,
  intimidation).

56
Messianic Movement Beth Yeshua

• Doesnt happen in the Messianic Movement at
  large. Messianic leaders who are under one of the
  covering organizations would be suspended from
  ministry should they do this.
• There is an accountability to the rest of the
  Body to insure this abuse does not happen.
  Thats why were under MBI.

57
4) Intolerance toward Others

• Many cults have a low tolerance toward people of
  other groups.  This is seen in antagonism toward
  these groups.

58
Messianic Movement Beth Yeshua

• Though there is some intolerance in some
  Messianic circles to people in other groups or
  churches, we try not to let that happen in the
  Movement at large or in Beth Yeshua in
  particular.
• However, it is one thing to be tolerant to other
  people and another to be tolerant to sin.

59
Not Every Cult has All the Characteristics

• It is good to note again that not every cult has
  all of these characteristics.  But every cults
  has at least one or more of the characteristics
  listed here!

60
Check out what we are

• I encourage people to study out what we are
  before labeling us.
• If we are a cult, I would not expect you to
  continue attending.
• Next time someone, including a pastor, tells you
  that Beth Yeshua or the Messianic Movement is a
  cult challenge them to explain why they say
  that!

61
Use the Materials I provided

• From mainstream, Christian anti-cult ministries
  such as the late Dr. Walter Martins, or Norman
  L. Geisler and Ron Rhodes ministries.
• These materials come from sources that define
  what a cult is!

62
Get their Books

• Geisler, Norman L. and Rhodes, Ron.  When
  Cultists Ask.  Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 1997.
• Martin, Walter.  The Kingdom of the Cults. 
  Minneapolis, Bethany House Publishers, 1985.