1. The Cults: Their Rise and Our Response Copyright by Norman L. Geisler 2008

2. Introduction 1. Cults live on the unpaid bills of the church.--Walter Martin 2. 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 Martin 2. 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

3. Outline I. The Rise of the Cults II. The Response of the Church I. The Rise of the Cults II. The Response of the Church

4. I. The Rise of the Cults 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 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

5. 2. Common Characteristics a. Heresy--a denial of an essential doctrine like: 1. Human depravity 2. Marys virginity 3. Christs purity 4. Christs deity 5. Christs humanity 6. Gods unity 7. Gods tri-unity 8. Gods unmerited mercy a. Heresy--a denial of an essential doctrine like: 1. Human depravity 2. Marys virginity 3. Christs purity 4. Christs deity 5. Christs humanity 6. Gods unity 7. Gods tri-unity 8. Gods unmerited mercy

6. 2. Common Characteristics a. Heresy--a denial of an essential doctrine like: 9. Faiths necessity 10. Christs atoning death 11. Christs bodily resurrection 12. Christs bodily ascension 13. Christs priestly session 14. Christs second coming [15. Infallibility of the Bible] [16. Literal Interpretation of it] a. Heresy--a denial of an essential doctrine like: 9. Faiths necessity 10. Christs atoning death 11. Christs bodily resurrection 12. Christs bodily ascension 13. Christs priestly session 14. Christs second coming [15. Infallibility of the Bible] [16. Literal Interpretation of it]

7. 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 the historic 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 the historic Christian Faith.

8. I. The Rise of the Cults 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 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

9. b. Exclusivity--An Inside track to the truth b. Exclusivity--An Inside track 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).

10. I. The Rise of the Cults 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) 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)

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

13. Cult Leader Marshall Applewhite

14. 39 Dead Cult Members! 1997

16. 1993 The Waco Cult 74 Killed

17. Jim Jones Peoples Temple

18. 914 Dead

21. Dead!

22. I. The Rise of the Cults 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 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

23. d. Morality--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).

24. I. The Rise of the Cults 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. 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.

25. I. The Rise of the Cults A. Defining a Cult B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically A. Defining a Cult B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically

26. I. The Rise of the Cults A. Defining a Cult B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically a. We did not evangelize India; now India is evangelizing us. A. Defining a Cult B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically a. We did not evangelize India; now India is evangelizing us.

27. I. The Rise of the Cults A. Defining a Cult 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 Cult 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.

28. I. The Rise of the Cults A. Defining a Cult 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 Cult 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.

29. I. The Rise of the Cults A. Defining a Cult B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially A. Defining a Cult B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially

30. I. The Rise of the Cults A. Defining a Cult 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 Cult 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.

31. I. The Rise of the Cults A. Defining a Cult 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 didnt find in their kin. A. Defining a Cult 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 didnt find in their kin.

32. I. The Rise of the Cults A. Defining a Cult B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially 4. Morally A. Defining a Cult B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially 4. Morally

33. I. The Rise of the Cults A. Defining a Cult B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially 4. Morally a. Secularists--relativize the absolute. A. Defining a Cult B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially 4. Morally a. Secularists--relativize the absolute.

34. I. The Rise of the Cults A. Defining a Cult 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 Cult B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially 4. Morally a. Secularists--relativize the absolute. b. Cultist--absolutize the relative.

35. I. The Rise of the Cults A. Defining a Cult B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially 4. Morally 5. Philosophically A. Defining a Cult B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially 4. Morally 5. Philosophically

36. E. 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)

37. I. The Rise of the Cults A. Defining a Cult B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially 4. Morally 5. Philosophically 6. Spiritually A. Defining a Cult B. Explaining the rise of Cults 1. Doctrinally 2. Ecclesiastically 3. Socially 4. Morally 5. Philosophically 6. Spiritually

38. F. Spiritually F. Spiritually 1. Decline of Vibrant Christianity (The absence of light brings darkness) 1. Decline of Vibrant Christianity (The absence of light brings darkness)

39. F. Spiritually F. Spiritually 1. Decline of Vibrant Christianity (The absence of light brings darkness) 2. Resurgence of Spiritual Forces (When God dies, the gods arise) 1. Decline of Vibrant Christianity (The absence of light brings darkness) 2. Resurgence of Spiritual Forces (When God dies, the gods arise)

40. F. Spiritually F. Spiritually 1. Decline of Vibrant Christianity (The absence of light brings 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. 1. Decline of Vibrant Christianity (The absence of light brings 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.

41. I. The Rise of the Cults II. The Response of the Church A. Doctrinally--teach whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). 1. We cant 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 cant 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).

42. Christianity vs. New Age God is-- Beyond world Identical to world Personal Impersonal He It Only Good Good and evil Only Light Light & dark TheismPantheism Beyond world Identical to world Personal Impersonal He It Only Good Good and evil Only Light Light & dark TheismPantheism

43. I. The Rise of the Cults II. The Response of the Church 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.

44. I. The Rise of the Cults II. The Response of the Church A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially

45. I. The Rise of the Cults II. The Response of the Church A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially 1. If they dont find love at home, they will seek it away form home. A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially 1. If they dont find love at home, they will seek it away form home.

46. I. The Rise of the Cults II. The Response of the Church A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially 1. If they dont 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 dont 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.

47. I. The Rise of the Cults II. The Response of the Church A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially D. Morally A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially D. Morally

48. I. The Rise of the Cults II. The Response of the Church 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.

49. I. The Rise of the Cults II. The Response of the Church 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.

50. I. The Rise of the Cults II. The Response of the Church A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially D. Morally E. Philosophically A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially D. Morally E. Philosophically

51. 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 dont study true philosophy will be swallowed by false philosophy. a. Paul said beware of philosophy (Col. 2:8). b. But we cant beware of bad philosophy unless we be aware of good philosophy. 3. Show self-defeating nature of false views. a. You cant trust your senses. b. You cant 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 dont study true philosophy will be swallowed by false philosophy. a. Paul said beware of philosophy (Col. 2:8). b. But we cant beware of bad philosophy unless we be aware of good philosophy. 3. Show self-defeating nature of false views. a. You cant trust your senses. b. You cant talk about ultimate reality. c. I came to realize that I am God.

52. 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. (The Weight of Glory, 50)

53. I. The Rise of the Cults II. The Response of the Church A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially D. Morally E. Philosophically F. Spiritually A. Doctrinally B. Ecclesiastically C. Socially D. Morally E. Philosophically F. Spiritually

54. 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). 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).

55. The Word of God: Know It Teach It Defend It The Word of God: Know It Teach It Defend It

56. In Brief-- Know the Word Love the Brethren Evangelize the World Know the Word Love the Brethren Evangelize the World

57. I. Generally --Because of the unpaid bills of the church II. 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 church II. 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

58. 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 Gods sovereignty)--Rom. 1:18 E. Philosophically (satisfaction in Christianitys 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 Gods sovereignty)--Rom. 1:18 E. Philosophically (satisfaction in Christianitys 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

59. 914 Dead at Jonestown! 1978

60. The Word of God 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)