A Christian’s View – The Theology of Voting for Mitt Romney for President
Part Two of Five – What is a Cult
In Part One, we looked at a general introduction. Here, in Part Two, we’ll look at how to recognize a cult.
Now, let us look at the “Why” question. It should come as no surprise, based upon what I have previously stated in this article, that the question of Mormonism as a cult is at the heart of my conviction.
What is a Cult?
One of my most revered writers is Dr. Norman Geisler. Dr. Geisler states, “There is no universally agreed-upon definition of a cult; there are only some generally recognizable traits.”[1] Dr. Geisler also states, “… there are three different dimensions of a cult—doctrinal, sociological, and moral.”[2]
Dr. Millard J. Erickson is general in his definition. Cults are defined as:
Groups that are heretical in one or more significant respects and that frequently practice strong social control over their members. They sometimes also engage in forms of brainwashing to gain and retain converts.[3]
Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty commission, explained:
When we use the word 'cult,' that's a theological definition of a movement that claims to be within the confines of the Christian faith and clearly is not within the confines of the Christian faith. It is a new religion.[4]
To be clear, what is a cult is juxtaposed against the Christian faith. Some professing Christians will not like the exclusivity of this statement, but it must be true since the Christian faith is true and because it is foundational to the Christian faith that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is true about all of which it speaks. If one does not believe this proposition, then the rest of the article will not make sense. That is why it is so important to understand this is my personal conviction based upon my Christian worldview. I believe this is a sound position based upon conservative, evangelical Christian principles.
Dr. Geisler states that it is probably best to describe certain of the characteristics of cults in an effort to better understand the issue. He explains that not every cult exhibits all of the characteristics, but all exhibit one or more. He lists three basic characteristics: Doctrinal, Sociological and Moral.[5]
Regarding the Doctrinal Characteristics, Dr. Geisler lists the elements of (1) “New Revelation,” (2) “Denial of the Sole Authority of the Bible,” (3) “Distorted Views of God and Jesus,” and (4) “Denial of Salvation by Grace.”[6]
Regarding New Revelation, Geisler states that “many cult leaders claim to have a direct pipeline to God”[7] like Mormonism that has taken position that has allegedly come from God and has then succumbed to social or political pressure by alleging that a new revelation has come from God to reverse the previous. Examples are not allowing African Americans to participate in the priesthood and then changing to allow this participation and allowing polygamy and then changing to prohibit polygamy, to mention a couple.
Regarding Denial of the Sole Authority of the Bible, Geisler comments that Mormons “believe the Book of Mormon is higher Scripture than the Bible.”[8] Regarding the Distorted Views of God and Jesus, Geisler writes that “Mormons do speak of a ‘Trinity,’ but redefine it into Tritheism (i.e., three gods).”[9] Finally, the element of Salvation by Grace, “The Mormons, for example, emphasize the necessity of becoming more and more perfect in this life.”[10] Do not confuse this position with the Christian perspective of doing what is right out of commitment to God. Mormonism teaches one must do certain things in order to graduate to the next life as a god.[11]
Regarding Sociological Characteristics, Dr. Geisler points to “authoritarianism, exclusivism, dogmatism, close-mindedness, susceptibility, compartmentalization, isolation, and even antagonism.”[12] Specifically referencing Exclusivism, Dr. Geisler says that “The Mormons believe they are the exclusive community of the saved on earth.” Do not confuse this with the Christian view that salvation only comes through Jesus. For Dogmatism, “Mormons claim to be the only true church on earth.”[13];[14] The Christian view speaks of the “Church” in a universal sense, as those who have been saved by grace, through faith alone.[15] For Close-mindedness, “One educated Mormon we encountered said he did not care if it could be proved that Joseph Smith was a false prophet; he still would remain a Mormon.”[16] For Susceptibility:
Many Mormons have a "burning in the bosom" which makes it nearly impossible to reason with them about their faith. Cultists often accept teachings by a kind of blind faith that is impervious to sound reasoning. One Mormon missionary said he would believe the Book of Mormon even if it said there were square circles![17]
Next are the Moral Characteristics for which Dr. Geisler points to Legalism, Sexual Perversion, Physical Abuse and Intolerance Toward Others. Legalism involves extrabiblical standards to which followers must adhere like Mormon teaching “forbidding the use of coffee, tea, or any drink with caffeine.”[18] Regarding Sexual Perversion, “Joseph Smith (and other Mormon leaders) had many wives.”[19]
Correcting the Cults does a good job of going from Genesis through Revelation showing how Christianity differs widely from Mormonism in a number of areas: Creation, Salvation, the Deity of Christ as a member of the Trinity, Pre-existence, the Virgin Birth, the Relationship between Jesus and satan, the Fall, Sacred Books, Heaven and Hell and countless other ways. Much more time could be used to develop the Biblical position, but, for now, I’ll just quote this:
Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist – he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father.[20]
Mormonism does not call Jesus “the Christ” – Messiah in exclusivity – but rather that we are all destined to be gods if we comport to Mormonism. See footnote 11, supra.
The Philosophical Law of Opposites states that if two statements are opposites, both cannot be true. In that Mormonism and fundamental, evangelical Christianity support many opposites, they cannot both be true. You may argue that fundamental, evangelical Christianity is not true in your opinion, but it is hardly logical to claim that Mormonism and Christianity are both true. Thus it is simply not logical for a Mormon to claim to be a Christian or for a Christian to claim to be a Mormon.
Next, in Part Three, we’ll look at The Danger of Cults.
Doug
Douglas S. Holden © December30, 2011. All Rights reserved.
[1] Correcting the Cults, © 1997 by Norman L. Geisler and Ron Rhodes, p. 9
[3] The Concise Dictionary of Christian Theology, Millard J. Erickson, Crossway Books, Wheaton, IL (2001), p. 45.
[4] The Christian Post > Politics| Wed, Oct. 12 2011 03:42 PM EDT. Mormonism Debate: What Is a Cult? Different Understandings Confuse the Debate on Mormonism, By Napp Nazworth.
[5] Correcting the Cults, p. 10
[11] After you become a good Mormon, you have the potential of becoming a god, (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345-347, 354.) "Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them," (Doctrine and Covenants 132:20).
[12] Correcting the Cults, p. 11
[14] Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 NIV
[15] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Eph 2:8-9 NIV
[16] Correcting the Cults, p. 12
[20] 1 John 2:22, 23 NIV.
