Transcript What is a “Cult?” - Beth Yeshua Messianic Fellowship

What is a “Cult?”
Is the Messianic Movement at
Large, or Beth Yeshua specifically
a “Cult?”
Part 1

Introduction
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.
Definition of Word “cult”

From Latin – “cultus” - meaning worship

Cult is literally the "care" owed to the god and
the shrine.
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
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)
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.
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!
“Different” Behavior




Many Christian groups practice things that
by society’s 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!
“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!
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!
Mainstream Churches



May very well have one or more of the
characteristics of a “cult.”
Does this make them a “cult?”
NO!
Important to Define “Cult”


It is SO easy to throw out this pejorative
toward other groups of people that don’t
believe what you do.
Need to understand what this word means
before we use it on another group!
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.
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/dictionary/dic_c-d.htm
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.
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.
1) New Revelation

Cult's teachings often change and new
revelations are needed to justify the
changes.
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
21:17-24
Call to the faith of the First Century
believer BEFORE the Greek Early Church
Fathers brought their platonic Greek
thinking into it!
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 Father’s writings, etc.
Part 2

Review previous Sabbath teaching.
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.
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.
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 “nonScripture” 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.
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.
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 6:4.
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 28:19.
4. YHVH and His Word are eternal, that is: He, His
Word and His Will has always, and will always, be the
same. Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, Matthew 5:18; 24:35.
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 1:12-14.
4) Denial of Salvation by Grace

Cults reject the idea of salvation by
grace. They mostly hold to salvation by
works.
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 10:9-11, 1 Corinthians 5:7).
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 2:8)!
HOWEVER, it is expected that a saved person,
who truly loves the Lord will obey Him! “If you
love me, keep My commandments.” (John
14:15; 2 John 1:6; James 2:14-26)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
3) Dogmatism

Cults believe that they alone have the
truth and they are the only ones to
interpret the Bible correctly.
Messianic Movement & Beth
Yeshua


We don’t 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 preEarly Church Fathers (Greek leaders)
understanding. Even Marvin Wilson notes
this!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
7) Antagonism

Isolationism leads to antagonism toward
the outside world. Other Christian groups
are considered evil and bad.
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 paganoriginated, non-Biblical practices found in the
Church today.
Evidently God is too: Revelation 18:4
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.
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.
Messianic Movement & Beth
Yeshua




What is “legalism?”
Many Christian groups are “legalistic” –
Can’t play cards, can’t drink alcoholic
beverages, can’t dance, can’t watch
movies, etc.
Easier to define what is NOT “legalism” –
Example: Yeshua (Jesus)
Yeshua NOT “legalistic”




Yeshua did not sin – Hebrews 4:15
Sin is the transgression of the Law – 1
John 3:4
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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).
Messianic Movement & Beth
Yeshua


Doesn’t 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. That’s why we’re under MBI.
4) Intolerance toward Others

Many cults have a low tolerance toward
people of other groups. This is seen in
antagonism toward these groups.
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.
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!
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!
Use the Materials I provided…


From mainstream, Christian anti-cult
ministries – such as the late Dr. Walter
Martin’s, or Norman L. Geisler and Ron
Rhodes’ ministries.
These materials come from sources that
define what a cult is!
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.