Wait, It's A Cult?

[leastofthese]

I remember sitting in the front book room in “fellowship” with a full-time brother – who I truly enjoyed spending time with and respect as a brother in Christ – when he proactively defended the Church in XYZ as being a cult. I didn’t bring up the church being a cult, nor did our topic of discussion start to lean in that direction – but he defended this position like it wasn’t the first or last time that he would layout his argument.

I recently googled "definition of a cult" and one of the first results was an article from Christianity today. I don't know anything about this website, so I'm not claiming it to have authority or even provide an accurate or exhaustive definition. I just thought it was very interesting considering each point in relation to LSM denomination, LCs.

I was hoping that I could get help from this forum to compile quotes from the works of Witness Lee or experiences from the LC that drive home the validity of each statement below. I know that I have personally seen most of these first hand during my time in the LC.

All-knowing leadership. An individual or group of people claims to be sent by God to "rule" the one true religion—which only includes members of that particular cult.

No room for differences. Cult members must believe exactly the same way and in exactly the same things; there is no room for disagreeing with the cult's rules or doctrines.

A new and better way. Cults often claim they've been given a "special revelation" from God that's superior to the Bible, or explains what the Bible is really trying to say.

Down on Christian doctrine. Cults often depict basic Christian doctrines and beliefs (like the Trinity, deity of Christ, salvation by grace through faith) as "full of holes" and completely illogical.

Scriptures get an added twist. Bible verses are often taken out of context or twisted to mean something very different than what was originally intended.

"Christians are wrong." Cult members believe God has given their group the job of pointing out "heretical and evil" teachings of Christianity.

Works prove faith. Cult members often claim their good works are superior to those performed by Christians, and they say their works prove their religion is the one-and-only truth.

Salvation is a big unknown. Since cults often teach that salvation is based on performance, cult members can never know if they've done everything necessary to get to heaven.

No exit. Leaving the cult is not an option, and intimidation is often used to keep cult members from even thinking about getting out.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/iyf...n-of-cult.html