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Post by Obadiah on Aug 28, 2022 7:48:28 GMT -8
Apologetics is the study and practice of the intellectual defense of a belief system. An apologist is someone "who speaks or writes in defense of a faith, a cause, or an institution."
A cult apologist is someone who consistently or primarily defends the teachings and/or actions of one or more movements considered to be cults - as defined sociologically and/or theologically.
So now we have that cleared up, what is a cult?
Newer religions and cults that use the Bible are growing to an unprecedented degree. Christianity and Western culture is fading from the public scene and Jehovah’s Witnesses, the New Age, and Mormons are all devouring people. Like the group of blind men and the elephant, each religion professes to have the way of truth and the way to everlasting life. The bad news is some cults want to kill you or get you killed hence the expression" don't drink the Kool-Aid."
But some cults can cause a lot of havoc in people's lives before they ever get to that point.
The estimates for the number of cults range from 700 to 3000. There are probably 40 million people involved in cults in one form or another in North America. There are over 5 million Jehovah’s Witnesses and over 9 million Mormons and 10 million people who hold to one new age religion or another worldwide.
And of course, all of these are in opposition to the truth. 1 billion Muslims over 1 billion Catholics and between four and 8 million Muslims in North America.
I plan to learn some of the important characteristics of cults and how to avoid them in this Thread.
Here are some things to lookout for.
What is the source of the movement’s authority for doctrine and practice? Do members rely on the Bible alone or add some other book(s) that is equal to or supersedes its authority? Do they depend only on a special leader or leaders to interpret the Bible for them?
Does the movement clearly affirm basic historic Christian teachings? What do its leaders believe about the nature of God, the person and work of Christ, and the plan of salvation?
What is the movement’s attitude toward other Bible-believing, Christian groups? Do its leaders view them with any degree of suspicion or rejection?
Do they insist you must be a member of their group to be assured of salvation? Also, does the movement regard people who leave or wish to leave the organization with scorn or good will?
How does the movement explain the way of salvation? Do its leaders affirm salvation by grace through Christ alone, or is it by works, church membership, or obedience to the group’s leaders?
The answers to the above questions can help sincere Christians evaluate the truth and motives of most religious movements. In any case, Christians should develop a good understanding in order to know how to shine God's light on them.
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Post by Theophilus on Aug 28, 2022 13:44:33 GMT -8
I would say to a Christians, a cult can be defined as a perversion of biblical Christianity. I've been fortunate enough to never have run into any. I like to think of myself as being a strong enough Christian not to fall or any of their shenanigans. But I know that a lot of people do.I spend a lot of time wondering how that happens considering all the devastation that's been perpetrated against a lot of cult members.
A characteristic of many cults is their claim to be Christian or a fuller revelation of Christianity. I believe this may be what makes them so dangerous. I think a good many Christians are seduced into a cult by mistakenly believing that they represent just another Christian denomination. And many non-Christians join a cult thinking they are becoming Christians.
I know some of the cults like to use a lot of Christian words, but I also know they change the meaning behind them to seduce people into their web of lies. So a cult member can speak of Christ, the Holy Spirit, faith, and sin but mean something entirely different from the orthodox Christian understanding.
The way they speak about Christ is a dead giveaway. It's the most significant departure from Christianity that all cults are guilty of and thats rejecting Jesus Christ as God. No cult confesses Jesus as the Son of God, the second person in the triune Godhead, eternally coequal in essence, power, and authority with the Father and the Holy Spirit. The Jesus of the cults is far removed from the holy Son of God revealed in Scripture. Members of the Unification Church, for example, view Jesus as a man whom people not only can equal, but also can surpass. The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Jesus is a unique, but still created lesser god. To the Mormons, Jesus is the spirit brother of Lucifer. Christian Science speaks of Jesus as a human being who demonstrated “Christness” or the “divine idea,” but He is not the resurrected Son of God.
Any person or religious organization that denies Jesus as the Son of God as revealed in the Bible is forever separated from Christianity
No one who [habitually] denies (disowns) the Son even has the Father. Whoever confesses (acknowledges and has) the Son has the Father also.
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to and different from that which we preached to you, let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!
Gal. 1:8
All cults reject the Jesus of Scripture. On this evidence alone, no cult belongs in the Christian family. If Jesus is who He claims to be (fully God and fully human:
No one who [habitually] denies (disowns) the Son even has the Father. Whoever confesses (acknowledges and has) the Son has the Father also.
1 John 2:22
The cults are wrong and are not Christian. but you knew that right?
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Post by Aeliana on Aug 31, 2022 6:45:12 GMT -8
Of-shoots of Christianity can be extremely dangerous. The testimonies of many survivors of modern-day cults are horrendous. And that's why a lot of cult leaders are dead or in prison. Many claim their religious community (or church) is the only true church. Therefore, since they're doing God's work, they want you to go along with whatever evil practices they come up with. Most of the ones I've seen want to separate married couples so they can prey upon the wives and the children.
Between all the long meetings, incessant activities, micro-managing of their social life, social exclusionary tactics and constant indoctrination, the result is a form of mind control and social programming. Some of them like Scientology even get their members to pay thousands of dollars for the privilege of being deceived.
When any church or group—especially those without a historic footprint from the first few centuries of Christianity—claims to be the only true church, they are demonstrating delusion and deception, since Jesus has been building His true church for more than 2000 years since His resurrection.
Always remember and never forget "Don't Drink the Kool-Aid”.
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Post by Obadiah on Aug 31, 2022 7:20:38 GMT -8
Of-shoots of Christianity can be extremely dangerous. The testimonies of many survivors of modern-day cults are horrendous. And that's why a lot of cult leaders are dead or in prison. Many claim their religious community (or church) is the only true church. Therefore, since they're doing God's work, they want you to go along with whatever evil practices they come up with. Most of the ones I've seen want to separate married couples so they can prey upon the wives and the children. Between all the long meetings, incessant activities, micro-managing of their social life, social exclusionary tactics and constant indoctrination, the result is a form of mind control and social programming. Some of them like Scientology even get their members to pay thousands of dollars for the privilege of being deceived. When any church or group—especially those without a historic footprint from the first few centuries of Christianity—claims to be the only true church, they are demonstrating delusion and deception, since Jesus has been building His true church for more than 2000 years since His resurrection. Always remember and never forget "Don't Drink the Kool-Aid”. Hi Aeliana, and welcome to the Forum. I've never been a big fan of someone else is Kool-Aid, You never know what they've put in it. To me personally one of the most dangerous cults out there would be Mormonism. They are extremely good a doing cult Apologetics. So how do Christians know their faith is valid, rather than the Mormons' faith? For me the best way is to study the evidence for the uniqueness and truth of biblical Christianity. Then it's quite easy to see the lies how did Mormonism. I've read that bank tellers handle real currency when training to know the difference between counterfeit money and real money. Once you know the truth it's a lot easier not to fall for the lie. No critic of Christianity can logically, convincingly dispute the fact that in all history, only one Man claimed to be God incarnate, predicted His resurrection from the dead in public, and rose from the dead in proof of His claims. To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. Acts 1:3 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all men by raising him from the dead. Acts 17:31 Whether one cares to accept it, the simple fact is that biblical Christianity is the only religion with convincing, concrete evidence to support its claims. Further, of the world's religious literature, only the Bible can logically and evidentially be considered the Word of God. Therefore, biblical truth is the only viable standard by which to judge religious truth claims |
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Post by Theophilus on Aug 31, 2022 8:43:36 GMT -8
Of-shoots of Christianity can be extremely dangerous. The testimonies of many survivors of modern-day cults are horrendous. And that's why a lot of cult leaders are dead or in prison. Many claim their religious community (or church) is the only true church. Therefore, since they're doing God's work, they want you to go along with whatever evil practices they come up with. Most of the ones I've seen want to separate married couples so they can prey upon the wives and the children. Between all the long meetings, incessant activities, micro-managing of their social life, social exclusionary tactics and constant indoctrination, the result is a form of mind control and social programming. Some of them like Scientology even get their members to pay thousands of dollars for the privilege of being deceived. When any church or group—especially those without a historic footprint from the first few centuries of Christianity—claims to be the only true church, they are demonstrating delusion and deception, since Jesus has been building His true church for more than 2000 years since His resurrection. Always remember and never forget "Don't Drink the Kool-Aid”. Hi Aeliana, and welcome to the Forum. I've never been a big fan of someone else is Kool-Aid, You never know what they've put in it. To me personally one of the most dangerous cults out there would be Mormonism. They are extremely good a doing cult Apologetics. So how do Christians know their faith is valid, rather than the Mormons' faith? For me the best way is to study the evidence for the uniqueness and truth of biblical Christianity. Then it's quite easy to see the lies how did Mormonism. I've read that bank tellers handle real currency when training to know the difference between counterfeit money and real money. Once you know the truth it's a lot easier not to fall for the lie. No critic of Christianity can logically, convincingly dispute the fact that in all history, only one Man claimed to be God incarnate, predicted His resurrection from the dead in public, and rose from the dead in proof of His claims. To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. Acts 1:3 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all men by raising him from the dead. Acts 17:31 Whether one cares to accept it, the simple fact is that biblical Christianity is the only religion with convincing, concrete evidence to support its claims. Further, of the world's religious literature, only the Bible can logically and evidentially be considered the Word of God. Therefore, biblical truth is the only viable standard by which to judge religious truth claims Right on! Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me (John 14:6) Jesus here says: I am the means of coming to the Father (the way) in that I am the truth and the life.—F. L. Godet. The three terms lay down the proposition that no other than Christ is the Mediator of eternal salvation with God in the Messianic kingdom, under three several characteristic aspects which are coordinated yet in such a way that the advance is made from the general to the particular.—H. A. W. Meyer. Note as belonging to all three of these that remarkable: I am. We show a way, Christ is it. We speak truth, Christ is it. Parents impart life, which they have received, Christ is life. He separates himself from all men by that representation that he is not merely the communicator or the teacher or the guide, but that he himself is, in his own personal being, way, truth, life.—Alexander Maclaren. The way without error, the truth without darkness, the life without end. The way in exile, the truth in counsel, the life in reward. All the words call us to Christ. Post me, per me, ad me, after me, by me, to me. After me, because I am truth; by me, because I am the way; to me, because I am life.—Thomas Adams. And the best quote ever: I am the way. This is spiritually spoken of that union of the believer with Christ, which opens a way of approach to God, so that as Christ himself returns to the Father, the believer may follow in his footsteps and attain to the same place of glory and bliss.… Christ opens for all his followers a way to heaven, by the atoning efficacy of his blood. He is therefore figuratively declared to be the way, because he is thus the author of salvation to them that believe in him.—John J. Owen. |
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e v e
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Post by e v e on Sept 4, 2022 13:51:46 GMT -8
answer to the op is modern christianity..
lawlessness…
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slyzr
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Posts: 124
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Post by slyzr on Oct 30, 2022 15:54:51 GMT -8
Apologetics is the study and practice of the intellectual defense of a belief system. An apologist is someone "who speaks or writes in defense of a faith, a cause, or an institution." A cult apologist is someone who consistently or primarily defends the teachings and/or actions of one or more movements considered to be cults - as defined sociologically and/or theologically. So now we have that cleared up, what is a cult? Newer religions and cults that use the Bible are growing to an unprecedented degree. Christianity and Western culture is fading from the public scene and Jehovah’s Witnesses, the New Age, and Mormons are all devouring people. Like the group of blind men and the elephant, each religion professes to have the way of truth and the way to everlasting life. The bad news is some cults want to kill you or get you killed hence the expression" don't drink the Kool-Aid." But some cults can cause a lot of havoc in people's lives before they ever get to that point. The estimates for the number of cults range from 700 to 3000. There are probably 40 million people involved in cults in one form or another in North America. There are over 5 million Jehovah’s Witnesses and over 9 million Mormons and 10 million people who hold to one new age religion or another worldwide. And of course, all of these are in opposition to the truth. 1 billion Muslims over 1 billion Catholics and between four and 8 million Muslims in North America. I plan to learn some of the important characteristics of cults and how to avoid them in this Thread. Here are some things to lookout for. What is the source of the movement’s authority for doctrine and practice? Do members rely on the Bible alone or add some other book(s) that is equal to or supersedes its authority? Do they depend only on a special leader or leaders to interpret the Bible for them? Does the movement clearly affirm basic historic Christian teachings? What do its leaders believe about the nature of God, the person and work of Christ, and the plan of salvation? What is the movement’s attitude toward other Bible-believing, Christian groups? Do its leaders view them with any degree of suspicion or rejection? Do they insist you must be a member of their group to be assured of salvation? Also, does the movement regard people who leave or wish to leave the organization with scorn or good will? How does the movement explain the way of salvation? Do its leaders affirm salvation by grace through Christ alone, or is it by works, church membership, or obedience to the group’s leaders? The answers to the above questions can help sincere Christians evaluate the truth and motives of most religious movements. In any case, Christians should develop a good understanding in order to know how to shine God's light on them. Cults are all about no one can be. I was baptized as a mormon ......... could not exist on that tree. Then I got re-baptizedat at a Pentecostal camp meeting. Could not be then either. They even gave me a death certificate for not being. Went from bad to worse ..... What is a cult ..... IMO ..... no one can be, but for them being. |
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e v e
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Post by e v e on Dec 29, 2022 17:04:32 GMT -8
all sects, denominations, have cult aspects, being unaware
the scroll was corrupted and following their own natural mind
and what the pastors preach….
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Post by Bronson on Apr 9, 2023 16:21:36 GMT -8
Apologetics is the study and practice of the intellectual defense of a belief system. An apologist is someone "who speaks or writes in defense of a faith, a cause, or an institution." A cult apologist is someone who consistently or primarily defends the teachings and/or actions of one or more movements considered to be cults - as defined sociologically and/or theologically. So now we have that cleared up, what is a cult? Newer religions and cults that use the Bible are growing to an unprecedented degree. Christianity and Western culture is fading from the public scene and Jehovah’s Witnesses, the New Age, and Mormons are all devouring people. Like the group of blind men and the elephant, each religion professes to have the way of truth and the way to everlasting life. The bad news is some cults want to kill you or get you killed hence the expression" don't drink the Kool-Aid." But some cults can cause a lot of havoc in people's lives before they ever get to that point. The estimates for the number of cults range from 700 to 3000. There are probably 40 million people involved in cults in one form or another in North America. There are over 5 million Jehovah’s Witnesses and over 9 million Mormons and 10 million people who hold to one new age religion or another worldwide. And of course, all of these are in opposition to the truth. 1 billion Muslims over 1 billion Catholics and between four and 8 million Muslims in North America. I plan to learn some of the important characteristics of cults and how to avoid them in this Thread. Here are some things to lookout for. What is the source of the movement’s authority for doctrine and practice? Do members rely on the Bible alone or add some other book(s) that is equal to or supersedes its authority? Do they depend only on a special leader or leaders to interpret the Bible for them? Does the movement clearly affirm basic historic Christian teachings? What do its leaders believe about the nature of God, the person and work of Christ, and the plan of salvation? What is the movement’s attitude toward other Bible-believing, Christian groups? Do its leaders view them with any degree of suspicion or rejection? Do they insist you must be a member of their group to be assured of salvation? Also, does the movement regard people who leave or wish to leave the organization with scorn or good will? How does the movement explain the way of salvation? Do its leaders affirm salvation by grace through Christ alone, or is it by works, church membership, or obedience to the group’s leaders? The answers to the above questions can help sincere Christians evaluate the truth and motives of most religious movements. In any case, Christians should develop a good understanding in order to know how to shine God's light on them. I've never heard of cult apologist before, but it makes sense. Sounds like something I could get into. |
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