What's the difference? I've heard many people attempt to use these two words interchangeably and, often, inappropriately.
Quite simply, the word "occult" is derived from a Latin word (occultus) that means, basically, "that which is hidden." The word "cult," on the other hand, comes from a word which means "to cultivate." In other words Will Harris Camo Jersey , to break down and train up in accordance with the prescribed method. That's what this article is all about.
DEFINING THE CULTS
Many years ago, as I was devouring every spiritual thing I could get my hands on (good and bad), I wound up involved with a group that 2020's Barbara Walters later referred to as "the fastest growing cult in America." The group referred to themselves as the Boston Church of Christ andor the Cornerstone Church of Christ. They now refer to themselves as the International Churches of Christ, not to be confused with the traditional Church of Christ. I'll spare you the many gory details but, essentially, this group was known for their unique "discipleship" technique - nothing short of blackmail - which has resulted in quite a few lawsuits. In fact, I was one of those who ultimately wound up getting a lawyer who wrote them a letter to get them to leave us alone.
Afterward, one man Jahlani Tavai Camo Jersey , referred by the group as my "discipler," called my home one evening, trying to make sense of my legal action. I naively informed him that he was involved in a cult (something cultist actually expect to hear, seeing it as persecution which only underscores their purposes) that had received numerous law suits and that he should leave the group at once. He laughed at the absurdity of the notion as my warning only confirmed his convictions that he was on the right team. At the end of the conversation, I said, "Well, I guess I'll see ya in Heaven, huh?" He snapped back T.J. Hockenson Camo Jersey , "That's the point, of us isn't going!" Since then, I have been invited to several of that group's Bible "Studies" and wound up being more than a little disruptive by way of the questions I was asking that threw off the speaker's sales pitch. No converts were made on those nights, that's for sure.
Please bear in mind that these were well-meaning, kind, VERY sincere individuals. But they were deceived. Remember, they are NOT the already know who that is!
A man who was considered by many to be the greatest authority on the cults, the late Dr. Walter Martin Kenny Golladay Camo Jersey , described a cult simply as "A group of people gathered around a specific person's misinterpretation of the Bible." Cults are groups that claim to be in harmony with Christianity but deny foundational Christian doctrines such as the Trinity or the unique deity of Jesus Christ. The group I had joined agreed with most everything the traditional Church of Christ teaches except that it took James 5:16 too far ("Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed"). They actually had used people's confidential confessions as a means of blackmailing and were sued for slander and defamation of character. One of the signs of a cult, according to James Walker of Watchman Expositor, is that they will multiply, divide, add or subtract from basic Christian doctrine.
Jesus warned us about the cults. In Matthew 7:15-17, he warned, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them." Here Jarrad Davis Camo Jersey , what Jesus was warning us was that cultists will look, act, and sound very much like genuine Christians. However, they are wolves in sheep's clothing. One can masquerade as a true believer for a time, but eventually one's words, actions, and especially one's beliefs will betray them. That's why relationship is SO critical to us as we enter into spiritual involvement with others. Galatians 5:22 tells us what the fruits of the Spirit - the evidence that the Holy Spirit resides within us - are. Just because one calls themselves Christian doesn't mean they ARE, no more than standing in a coffee bar makes one a Cappuccino.
Why is the cult I was involved with - or any other cult - growing so fast? Their growth can be attributed to several key factors:
1) We were warned by Jesus and the apostles that there would be days like this. In Matthew 24:23-26 Kerryon Johnson Camo Jersey , Jesus warned that, as His return draws near, there will be an increase in false prophets who will ensnare many with false teachings. It's true. It's happening. I see it all the time. In 2 Peter 2:1-3, Peter warns us that false teachers will arise from WITHIN the church. Yes, that's happening, too. Bad, unbiblical teaching abounds!
2) The growth of the cults contributes to the breakdown of the family, including Christian families AND the universal family of God Marvin Jones Jr Camo Jersey , all those who consider themselves born-again children of God. Also, the breakdown of the family unit has served to fill the ranks of cults as people go looking for acceptance. As families go, so goes the Church. As the Church goes, so goes the nation. Like urban gangs, cults provide the acceptance and family atmosphere longed for by many who stem from broken homes. The cult leader often winds up taking the place of a father figure.
3) Finally, we can attribute the alarming rise of cults to the failure of the Church to fulfill the Great Commission of Christ. It has been said, "The cults are the unpaid bills of the church." Cults thrive because Christians are lacking in biblical and theological understanding, therefore Barry Sanders Camo Jersey , we have very little impact on the spiritual climate of our nation. Dr. Martin stated, "The rise of the cults is directly proportional to the fluctuating emphasis which the church has placed on the teachings of biblical doctrine to Christian laymen. To be sure, few pastors, teachers, and evangelists defend adequately their beliefs, but most of them -- and most of the average Christian laymen -- are hard put to confront and refute a
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