the cults: their rise and our response copyright by norman l. geisler 2008

The Cults:The Cults:Their Rise and Our Their Rise and Our

ResponseResponse

Copyright by Norman L. Geisler 2008

IntroductionIntroduction1. “Cults live on the unpaid bills of the church.”--Walter Martin2. If so, then the contemporary church is bankrupt.3. There are some 3000 cults.4. Over 30 million Americans are in cults. Mormons alone have 12 million.5. Cults influence reach 1/3 of Americans: a. 1/3 believe in reincarnation b. 1/3 are into astrology c. 4/10 have has contact with the dead

1. “Cults live on the unpaid bills of the church.”--Walter Martin2. If so, then the contemporary church is bankrupt.3. There are some 3000 cults.4. Over 30 million Americans are in cults. Mormons alone have 12 million.5. Cults influence reach 1/3 of Americans: a. 1/3 believe in reincarnation b. 1/3 are into astrology c. 4/10 have has contact with the dead

OutlineOutlineI. The Rise of the CultsII. The Response of the Church

I. The Rise of the CultsII. The Response of the Church

I. The Rise of the I. The Rise of the CultsCultsA. Defining a Cult

1. An Important Difference: a. Cult--Denying essentials b. Cultic--Exalting non-essentials 2. Common Characteristics of Cults: a. Heresy--a denial of an

essential doctrine

A. Defining a Cult 1. An Important Difference: a. Cult--Denying essentials b. Cultic--Exalting non-essentials 2. Common Characteristics of Cults: a. Heresy--a denial of an

essential doctrine

2. Common Characteristics2. Common Characteristics a. Heresy--a denial of an essential doctrine like:

1. Human depravity 2. Mary’s virginity 3. Christ’s purity 4. Christ’s deity 5. Christ’s humanity 6. God’s unity 7. God’s tri-unity 8. God’s unmerited mercy

a. Heresy--a denial of an essential doctrine like:

1. Human depravity 2. Mary’s virginity 3. Christ’s purity 4. Christ’s deity 5. Christ’s humanity 6. God’s unity 7. God’s tri-unity 8. God’s unmerited mercy

2. Common Characteristics2. Common Characteristics a. Heresy--a denial of an essential doctrine like:

9. Faith’s necessity 10. Christ’s atoning death 11. Christ’s bodily resurrection 12. Christ’s bodily ascension 13. Christ’s priestly session 14. Christ’s second coming [15. Infallibility of the Bible] [16. Literal Interpretation of it]

a. Heresy--a denial of an essential doctrine like:

9. Faith’s necessity 10. Christ’s atoning death 11. Christ’s bodily resurrection 12. Christ’s bodily ascension 13. Christ’s priestly session 14. Christ’s second coming [15. Infallibility of the Bible] [16. Literal Interpretation of it]

Note: 1. Not everything cultic is a cult. 2. Not every group is a cult in all four senses. 3. Doctrinally, a cult is any group claiming to be Christian but which denies one or more fundamentals of thehistoric Christian Faith.

Note: 1. Not everything cultic is a cult. 2. Not every group is a cult in all four senses. 3. Doctrinally, a cult is any group claiming to be Christian but which denies one or more fundamentals of thehistoric Christian Faith.


1. An Important Difference: a. Cult--Denying essentials b. Cultic--Exalting non-essentials 2. Common Characteristics a. Heresy--A denial of an

essential doctrine of the Faith b. Exclusivity--An inside track to

the truth

A. Defining a Cult 1. An Important Difference: a. Cult--Denying essentials b. Cultic--Exalting non-essentials 2. Common Characteristics a. Heresy--A denial of an

essential doctrine of the Faith b. Exclusivity--An inside track to

the truth

b.b. Exclusivity--Exclusivity--An Inside An Inside track to the truthtrack to the truth

1. Tendency to pronounce others ‘outsiders’ to the truth.

2. Tendency to a self-appointed messianic or prophetic

role. 3. Usually a claim to extra-biblical source of truth (Leadership has a direct “pipeline” to God).

1. Tendency to pronounce others ‘outsiders’ to the truth.

2. Tendency to a self-appointed messianic or prophetic

role. 3. Usually a claim to extra-biblical source of truth (Leadership has a direct “pipeline” to God).


1. An Important Difference: a. Cult--Denying essentials b. Cultic--Exalting non-essentials 2. Common Characteristics a. Heresy--a denial of an

essential doctrine b. Exclusivity--an inside track to

the truth c. Authority--demand allegiance

to authority figure(s)

A. Defining a Cult 1. An Important Difference: a. Cult--Denying essentials b. Cultic--Exalting non-essentials 2. Common Characteristics a. Heresy--a denial of an

essential doctrine b. Exclusivity--an inside track to

the truth c. Authority--demand allegiance

to authority figure(s)

c.c. Authority--Authority--Demand of Demand of allegiance to an allegiance to an

authority authority figure(s)figure(s) 1. Obedience is usually essential. 2. Consequences are often harmful. 3. Consequences are sometimes fatal.

1. Obedience is usually essential. 2. Consequences are often harmful. 3. Consequences are sometimes fatal.

Cult Leader Marshall ApplewhiteCult Leader Marshall Applewhite

39 Dead Cult Members!39 Dead Cult Members!

19971997

1993 The Waco Cult1993 The Waco Cult74 Killed74 Killed

Jim Jones People’s TempleJim Jones People’s Temple

914 Dead914 Dead

Dead!Dead!


1. An Important Difference: a. Cult--Denying essentials b. Cultic--Exalting non-essentials 2. Common Characteristics a. Heresy--a denial of an essential

doctrine b. Exclusivity--an inside track to the truth c. Authority--demand allegiance to

authority figure(s) d. Morality--legalism/antinomianism

A. Defining a Cult 1. An Important Difference: a. Cult--Denying essentials b. Cultic--Exalting non-essentials 2. Common Characteristics a. Heresy--a denial of an essential

doctrine b. Exclusivity--an inside track to the truth c. Authority--demand allegiance to

authority figure(s) d. Morality--legalism/antinomianism

d. d. MoralityMorality--legalistic/antinomian--legalistic/antinomian

1. Extra-biblical laws (not in Bible) a. Asceticism b. Vegitarianism

2. Anti-biblical laws (against Bible) a. Legalism (laws for everything) b. Antinomianism (no law for anything)

Note: Legalism is working for grace (not from grace). Antinomianism is spurning grace (“Let

us sin that grace may abound”).

1. Extra-biblical laws (not in Bible) a. Asceticism b. Vegitarianism

2. Anti-biblical laws (against Bible) a. Legalism (laws for everything) b. Antinomianism (no law for anything)

Note: Legalism is working for grace (not from grace). Antinomianism is spurning grace (“Let

us sin that grace may abound”).


B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally--It results from the failure of the church to teach sound doctrine. a. If truth is not found in the church, then it will be sought outside the church. b. “All nature rushes to fill a vacuum”

is true doctrinally as well.

A. Defining a Cult B. Explaining the rise of Cults

1. Doctrinally--It results from the failure of the church to teach sound doctrine. a. If truth is not found in the church, then it will be sought outside the church. b. “All nature rushes to fill a vacuum”

is true doctrinally as well.


B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically

A. Defining a CultB. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically


B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically a. We did not evangelize India;

now India is evangelizing us.

A. Defining a CultB. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically a. We did not evangelize India;

now India is evangelizing us.


B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically a. We did not evangelize India;

now India is evangelizing us. b. We were not worshiping the

Creator; now cults are worshipping the creation.

A. Defining a CultB. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically a. We did not evangelize India;

now India is evangelizing us. b. We were not worshiping the

Creator; now cults are worshipping the creation.


B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially

A. Defining a CultB. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially


B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially a. Most cultist find community in

their cult which they did not find in their church.

A. Defining a CultB. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially a. Most cultist find community in

their cult which they did not find in their church.


B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially a. Most cultist find community in

their cult which they did not find in their church. b. They find family in the cult they

didn’t find in their kin.

A. Defining a CultB. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially a. Most cultist find community in

their cult which they did not find in their church. b. They find family in the cult they

didn’t find in their kin.


B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially 4. Morally

A. Defining a CultB. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially 4. Morally


B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially 4. Morally a. Secularists--relativize the absolute.

A. Defining a CultB. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially 4. Morally a. Secularists--relativize the absolute.


B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially 4. Morally a. Secularists--relativize the absolute. b. Cultist--absolutize the relative.

A. Defining a CultB. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially 4. Morally a. Secularists--relativize the absolute. b. Cultist--absolutize the relative.


B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially 4. Morally 5. Philosophically

A. Defining a CultB. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially 4. Morally 5. Philosophically

E. PhilosophicallyE. Philosophically 1. Swing of the pendulum from:

Materialism to Pantheism

All is matter to All is mind Outer space to Inner space No God at all to God is all

2. Desire for novelty (Acs 17:21; 2 Tim. 4:3) (The unhealthy desire for “new truth”) 3. The rise of relativism and pluralism (Everyone has his own “truth”) 4. The lack of Christian philosophy

(Only good ideas can defeat bad ones)

1. Swing of the pendulum from:

Materialism to Pantheism

All is matter to All is mind Outer space to Inner space No God at all to God is all

2. Desire for novelty (Acs 17:21; 2 Tim. 4:3) (The unhealthy desire for “new truth”) 3. The rise of relativism and pluralism (Everyone has his own “truth”) 4. The lack of Christian philosophy

(Only good ideas can defeat bad ones)


B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially 4. Morally 5. Philosophically 6. Spiritually

A. Defining a CultB. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially 4. Morally 5. Philosophically 6. Spiritually

F. SpirituallyF. Spiritually1. Decline of Vibrant Christianity (The absence of light brings

darkness)

1. Decline of Vibrant Christianity (The absence of light brings

darkness)


darkness)2. Resurgence of Spiritual Forces (When God dies, the gods arise)


darkness)2. Resurgence of Spiritual Forces (When God dies, the gods arise)


darkness)2. Resurgence of Spiritual Forces (When God dies, the gods arise)3. Failure of Christians to use the

armor of God (Eph. 6) to fight the forces of evil.


darkness)2. Resurgence of Spiritual Forces (When God dies, the gods arise)3. Failure of Christians to use the

armor of God (Eph. 6) to fight the forces of evil.

I. The Rise of the CultsI. The Rise of the CultsII. The Response of the ChurchII. The Response of the ChurchI. The Rise of the CultsI. The Rise of the CultsII. The Response of the ChurchII. The Response of the Church

A. Doctrinally--teach whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). 1. We can’t recognize error, unless we know the truth. 2. Only experts in the genuine

can recognize the counterfeit. 3. Teach in two column contrasts (It counters their blurring of

distinctions).

A. Doctrinally--teach whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). 1. We can’t recognize error, unless we know the truth. 2. Only experts in the genuine

can recognize the counterfeit. 3. Teach in two column contrasts (It counters their blurring of

distinctions).

Christianity vs. New AgeChristianity vs. New AgeGod is--God is--

Beyond world Identical to worldPersonal Impersonal He It Only Good Good and evil Only Light Light & darkTheism Pantheism

Beyond world Identical to worldPersonal Impersonal He It Only Good Good and evil Only Light Light & darkTheism Pantheism

I. The Rise of the CultsI. The Rise of the CultsII. The Response of the II. The Response of the ChurchChurch

I. The Rise of the CultsI. The Rise of the CultsII. The Response of the II. The Response of the ChurchChurch A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically--Provide challenge & commitment to a worthwhile cause. 1. If more worshiped Father God, less people would worship Mother Earth. 2. If we valued human life more, less people would value baby seals over baby humans.

A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically--Provide challenge & commitment to a worthwhile cause. 1. If more worshiped Father God, less people would worship Mother Earth. 2. If we valued human life more, less people would value baby seals over baby humans.

I. The Rise of the CultsI. The Rise of the CultsII. The Response of the II. The Response of the ChurchChurch A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially

A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially

I. The Rise of the CultsI. The Rise of the CultsII. The Response of the II. The Response of the ChurchChurch A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially 1. If they don’t find love at home,

they will seek it away form home.

A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially 1. If they don’t find love at home,

they will seek it away form home.

I. The Rise of the CultsI. The Rise of the CultsII. The Response of the II. The Response of the ChurchChurch A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially 1. If they don’t find love at home,

they will seek it away form home. 2. If their true parents do not

accept them, they will seek false “parents” who will accept them.

A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially 1. If they don’t find love at home,

they will seek it away form home. 2. If their true parents do not

accept them, they will seek false “parents” who will accept them.

I. The Rise of the CultsI. The Rise of the CultsII. The Response of the II. The Response of the ChurchChurch A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially D. Morally

A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially D. Morally

I. The Rise of the CultsI. The Rise of the CultsII. The Response of the II. The Response of the ChurchChurch A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially D. Morally 1. Avoid absolutizing the relative-- lest they are turned off by it.

A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially D. Morally 1. Avoid absolutizing the relative-- lest they are turned off by it.

I. The Rise of the CultsI. The Rise of the CultsII. The Response of the II. The Response of the ChurchChurch A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially D. Morally 1. Avoid absolutizing the relative-- lest they are turned off by it. 2. Avoid relativizing the absolute-- lest they seek an absolute elsewhere.

A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially D. Morally 1. Avoid absolutizing the relative-- lest they are turned off by it. 2. Avoid relativizing the absolute-- lest they seek an absolute elsewhere.

I. The Rise of the CultsI. The Rise of the CultsII. The Response of the II. The Response of the ChurchChurch A. Doctrinally

B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially D. Morally E. Philosophically

A. Doctrinally

B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially D. Morally E. Philosophically

E. PhilosophicallyE. Philosophically1. No one goes to a doctor who does not study sickness. a. We must know truth to recognize err.

b. But we must know the disease to treat it.

2. Those who don’t study true philosophy will be swallowed by false philosophy. a. Paul said “beware of philosophy” (Col. 2:8).

b. But we can’t beware of bad philosophy unless we be aware of good philosophy.

3. Show self-defeating nature of false views. a. “You can’t trust your senses.” b. “You can’t talk about ultimate reality.” c. “I came to realize that I am God.”

1. No one goes to a doctor who does not study sickness. a. We must know truth to recognize err.

b. But we must know the disease to treat it.

2. Those who don’t study true philosophy will be swallowed by false philosophy. a. Paul said “beware of philosophy” (Col. 2:8).

b. But we can’t beware of bad philosophy unless we be aware of good philosophy.

3. Show self-defeating nature of false views. a. “You can’t trust your senses.” b. “You can’t talk about ultimate reality.” c. “I came to realize that I am God.”

Why Study Error?Why Study Error? "To be ignorant and simple now--not to be able to meet the enemies on their ground--would be to throw down our weapons, and to betray our uneducated brethren who have, under God, no defense but us against the intellect- ual attacks of the heathen. Good philoaophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered.”

"To be ignorant and simple now--not to be able to meet the enemies on their ground--would be to throw down our weapons, and to betray our uneducated brethren who have, under God, no defense but us against the intellect- ual attacks of the heathen. Good philoaophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered.”

(The Weight of Glory, 50)(The Weight of Glory, 50)

I. The Rise of the CultsI. The Rise of the CultsII. The Response of the II. The Response of the ChurchChurch A. Doctrinally

B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially D. Morally E. Philosophically F. Spiritually

A. Doctrinally

B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially D. Morally E. Philosophically F. Spiritually

F. SpirituallyF. Spiritually1. Recognize Satan is a defeated foe (Eph. 4:8-14; Col. 2:14-15; Heb. 2:14-15). a. He is declawed and defanged. b. He can bark but not bite (1 Pet. 5:8). 2. Take on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18). 3. Stop trying to exorcise evil spirits and start exercising the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18). 4. Stop trying to speak a word of faith and start putting faith in the Word (Mt. 4:4, 7, 10).

1. Recognize Satan is a defeated foe (Eph. 4:8-14; Col. 2:14-15; Heb. 2:14-15). a. He is declawed and defanged. b. He can bark but not bite (1 Pet. 5:8). 2. Take on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18). 3. Stop trying to exorcise evil spirits and start exercising the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18). 4. Stop trying to speak a word of faith and start putting faith in the Word (Mt. 4:4, 7, 10).

The Word of God:Know ItTeach It

Defend It

The Word of God:Know ItTeach It

Defend It

In Brief--In Brief--Know the WordLove the BrethrenEvangelize the World

Know the WordLove the BrethrenEvangelize the World

I. Generally--Because of the unpaid bills of the churchII. Specifically A. Psychologically (a search for identity) B. Socially (a search for community) C. Doctrinally (a desire for novelty)--2Tim. 4:3; Acts 17:21 D. Morally/Spiritually (a desire for autonomy)--Rom. 1:18 E. philosophically (a search for reality)III. Basically: A failure in truth and/or in love of the family and the church to: A. Provide a loving community B. Teach the truth systematically C. Share the message evangelistically

I. Generally--Because of the unpaid bills of the churchII. Specifically A. Psychologically (a search for identity) B. Socially (a search for community) C. Doctrinally (a desire for novelty)--2Tim. 4:3; Acts 17:21 D. Morally/Spiritually (a desire for autonomy)--Rom. 1:18 E. philosophically (a search for reality)III. Basically: A failure in truth and/or in love of the family and the church to: A. Provide a loving community B. Teach the truth systematically C. Share the message evangelistically

Why Cults Have Grown Why Cults Have Grown

What we can do?What we can do? What we can do?What we can do? I. Generally: Pay the unpaid bills of the Church.II. Specifically: A. Psychologically (provide identity in Christ) B. Sociologically (provide a community in the Church) C. Doctrinally (provide orthodoxy)--2Tim. 4:3; Jn. 8:32) D. Morally/Spiritually (submission to God’s sovereignty)--Rom. 1:18 E. Philosophically (satisfaction in Christianity’s rationality).III. Basically: Make the family and church spiritual

communities that are: A. Loving each other fervently B. Teaching the truth systematically C. Sharing the message evangelistically

I. Generally: Pay the unpaid bills of the Church.II. Specifically: A. Psychologically (provide identity in Christ) B. Sociologically (provide a community in the Church) C. Doctrinally (provide orthodoxy)--2Tim. 4:3; Jn. 8:32) D. Morally/Spiritually (submission to God’s sovereignty)--Rom. 1:18 E. Philosophically (satisfaction in Christianity’s rationality).III. Basically: Make the family and church spiritual

communities that are: A. Loving each other fervently B. Teaching the truth systematically C. Sharing the message evangelistically

914 Dead at 914 Dead at

Jonestown!Jonestown! 1978

The Word of God The Word of God has--has--

1. Infallibility (John 10:35)2. Inerrancy (Mt. 22:29; Jn. 17:17) 3. Imperishability (Mt. 5:17-18)4. Impeccability (Psa. 19:7)5. Eternality (Isa. 40:7)6. Undefeatability (Isa. 55:11)7. Ultimate Supremacy (Mt. 15:3,5)

1. Infallibility (John 10:35)2. Inerrancy (Mt. 22:29; Jn. 17:17) 3. Imperishability (Mt. 5:17-18)4. Impeccability (Psa. 19:7)5. Eternality (Isa. 40:7)6. Undefeatability (Isa. 55:11)7. Ultimate Supremacy (Mt. 15:3,5)

the cults: their rise and our response copyright by norman l. geisler 2008

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truth slide

essential doctrine slide

church slide

dead slide

waco cult

authority figures slide

dead cult members

christs purity