Originally Posted by UntoHim
HOW NOT TO BE DECEIVED BY CULTS
(EVEN CHRISTIAN ONES)
By Todd Fishkind
The following checkpoints are by no means exhaustive, but here are some prominent signs to watch out for:
1) WHEN THERE'S ALWAYS A STUDY GUIDE:
There's always some study guide, a "key to the scriptures," or, some founder's writing, in order to provide the true interpretation, or the INSPIRED word (as opposed to the literal word), or to "complete the revelation" of the Bible. These guides lead you down narrow corridors of thought, and are intended to keep, (and often discourage), you from studying on your own. This is often reinforced with powerful group dynamics of fear, and an intensely loyal following. Not all study guides are bad, of course. But, be careful with special editions, which may highlight certain aspects of scripture, to the exclusion, or even negation, of others. Or which imply, in any way, that the standard versions are not enough.
Be especially careful of any remade version, bearing the instrumentality or image of an apostle, popular teacher or tele-evangelist.
Beware of too many private interpretations and novel opinions, which have the effect of alienating and isolating you, and your church, from the Lord's body at large.
Also, be careful with people who bear a theme of restoration, who sincerely seek to bring back a radical, pure, New Testament church life, but who have a spirit of exclusion; who regard all other ministries as "off", or "out to lunch", or simply less fortunate than they are, because, they do not have THE revelation.
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