Unmasking the Cults by Alan W. Gomes (English) Paperback Book

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An introduction to the "Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements", this book defines the characteristics of a "cult of Christianity" and why such a group subverts the search for spiritual truth. It explains the emotional and spiritual appeal of cults, who is susceptible, and the techniques cult leaders use to attract members.

FORMATPaperback LANGUAGEEnglish CONDITIONBrand New Publisher Description

In this introduction to the "Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements", Dr. Gomes defines the characteristics of a "cult of Christianity" and why such a group subverts the search for spiritual truth. He explains the emotional and spiritual appeal of cults, who is susceptible, and the techniques cult leaders use to attract members. This book, in dealing with a wide range of issues relating to cults and religious movements in general, complements the other books in the series, all of which focus on specific religious groups. Why this series? This is an age when countless groups and movements, old and new, mark the religious landscape in our culture, leaving many people confused or uncertain in their search for spiritual truth and meaning. Because few people have the time or opportunity to research these movements fully, these books provide essential information and insights for their spiritual journeys.Except for this book, each book in the series has five sections: a concise introduction to the group; an overview of the group's theology - in its own words; tips for witnessing effectively to members of the group; a bibliography with sources for further study; and a comparison chart that shows the essential differences between biblical Christianity and the group. The writers of these volumes are well qualified to present clear and reliable information and help us discern religious truth from falsehood.

Back Cover

In this introduction to the Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements, Dr. Gomes defines the characteristics of a "cult of Christianity" and why such a group subverts the search for spiritual truth. He explains the emotional and spiritual appeal of cults, who is susceptible, and the techniques cult leaders use to attract members. This book, in dealing with a wide range of issues relating to cults and religious movements in general, complements the other books in the series, all of which focus on specific religious groups. -- Why this series? This is an age when countless groups and movements, old and new, mark the religious landscape in our culture, leaving many people confused or uncertain in their search for spiritual truth and meaning. Because few people have the time or opportunity to research these movements fully, these books provide essential information and insights for their spiritual journeys. Except for this book, each book in the series has five sections: - A concise introduction to the group - An overview of the group's theology -- in its own words - Tips for witnessing effectively to members of the group - A bibliography with sources for further study - A comparison chart that shows the essential differences between biblical Christianity and the group -- The writers of these volumes are well qualified to present clear and reliable information and help us discern religious truth from falsehood.

Author Biography

Alan W. Gomes (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is associate professor of historical theology and chairman of the department of theology at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University.

Table of Contents

Contents How to Use This Book 6 I. What Is a Cult? 7 II. Statistics on Cults 18 III. Theological Characteristics of Cults 24 IV. Sociological and Psychological Perspective on Cults and False Religions 47 V. Why Do People Join Cults? 81 VI. Keeping People Out of the Cults 86

Prizes

Runner-up for Christian Book Award 1999Runner-up for Christian Book Award 1996

Long Description

In this introduction to the Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements, Dr. Gomes defines the characteristics of a "cult of Christianity" and why such a group subverts the search for spiritual truth. He explains the emotional and spiritual appeal of cults, who is susceptible, and the techniques cult leaders use to attract members. This book, in dealing with a wide range of issues relating to cults and religious movements in general, complements the other books in the series, all of which focus on specific religious groups. -- Why this series? This is an age when countless groups and movements, old and new, mark the religious landscape in our culture, leaving many people confused or uncertain in their search for spiritual truth and meaning. Because few people have the time or opportunity to research these movements fully, these books provide essential information and insights for their spiritual journeys. Except for this book, each book in the series has five sections: - A concise introduction to the group - An overview of the group's theology -- in its own words - Tips for witnessing effectively to members of the group - A bibliography with sources for further study - A comparison chart that shows the essential differences between biblical Christianity and the group -- The writers of these volumes are well qualified to present clear and reliable information and help us discern religious truth from falsehood.

First Chapter

Part I:What Is a Cult?I. The Origin of the Word CultA. Our English word cult comes from the Latin word cultus, which is aform of the verb colere, meaning ''to worship or give reverence to adeity.''B. Cultus was a general word for worship, regardless of the particular godin question.1. The Vulgate, a Latin translation of the Bible, uses the word in the generalsense of worship, regardless of the deity in view. For example, inActs 17 it is used both of the worship of false gods (v. 23) and of thetrue God (v. 25).2. The word is also used in Christian Latin texts that speak of the worshipof the one true God.C. It is understandable, then, that the word cult would naturally be appliedto a religious group of people, but this general meaning is too broad forthe present purpose.II. The Preferred Definition of a CultThroughout this book we will be using the word cult in a very specific, preciseway.A. The Preferred DefinitionA cult of Christianity is a group of people who claim to be Christian, yetembrace a particular doctrinal system taught by an individual leader,group of leaders, or organization, which (system) denies (either explicitlyor implicitly) one or more of the central doctrines of the Christian faithas taught in the sixty-six books of the Bible.B. Key Features of the Preferred Definition1. ''A cult of Christianity. . .''a. A cult is a group that deviates doctrinally from a ''parent'' or ''host''religion; that is, cults grow out of and deviate from a previouslyestablished religion.b. Although the focus of this book is on cults of Christianity, non-Christian religions (e.g., world religions) have had cults arise fromthem as well.(1) Cults of Islam include the Sufis and the Nation of Islam. Whilethese groups claim to be Muslim, they deviate fundamentallyfrom the teaching of Islam, from which they are derived.(2) Cults of Hinduism include Hare Krishna, Self-Realization Fellowship,and Vivekananda.c. I have deliberately chosen the expression ''cult of Christianity'' inpreference to the term ''Christian cult.''(1) Phrases such as ''Christian cult'' or ''cultic Christian groups'' areconfusing because they send mixed signals.For most Christians, the word cult refers to a group that is non-Christian. Therefore, the expression ''Christian cult'' is an oxymoron.(2) The expression ''cult of Christianity'' makes a clear distinctionbetween Christianity and cults as well as highlighting thederivative nature of cults.2. ''. . . is a group of people . . .''a. One individual with unorthodox views does not constitute a cult.An individual with unorthodox theology is a heretic, but he or shemust gain a following before we can meaningfully speak of a cult.b. There is no other prescribed size, however, which must be reachedbefore a group qualifies as a cult.(1) Some cults are quite small, having only a handful of followers,while other cults number into the millions.(2) Some cults that have started with very few members havegrown into the millions (e.g., Mormonism), while others thatat one time had significant followings have become all butextinct (e.g., the Shakers).3. ''. . . who claim to be Christian . . .''a. It is important to make a distinction between groups that claim tobe Christian and those that make no such profession.(1) For example, it would not be meaningful to speak of Islam asa cult of Christianity since it makes no claim to be Christian.Indeed, Muslims are generally anti-Christian. Islam is a worldreligion that opposes Christianity, but it is not a cult.(2) Jehovah''s Witnesses and Mormons, however, do qualify as cultsof Christianity because they claim to be Christian---indeed, tobe the only true Christian group on earth.b. Note: A group that admits it is not Christian is not somehowinnocuous simply because it is not a cult of Christianity.(1) All belief systems and worldviews that deny the gospel are false,and therefore lead men and women away from the true God ofthe Bible.(2) The point is that not all false belief systems are wrong in thesame way: Cults are false in their claim to be true representationsof Christianity, while avowedly non-Christian religions arefalse in their denial of Christianity.c. The distinction between cults of Christianity and openly non-Christian belief systems is not merely academic. On a practicallevel, one approaches a member of a cult differently from a personwho is hostile to the very notion of the Christian faith.4. ''. . . yet embrace a particular doctrinal system . . .''a. A group must hold to a set of religious doctrinal beliefs (e.g., aboutGod, sin, salvation) to qualify as a cult.b. A group that makes no religious statements whatever---even ifeccentric in other respects---is not a cult.For example, imagine a lodge whose members dress up eachThursday evening in moose antlers and lederhosen. The lodgepresident calls the meeting to order by blowing on an enormouscurved horn. After reading the minutes from the previous week,members play a rousing game of bingo for two hours. The meetingcloses with the lodge anthem (''a moose is kind, thrifty, andcheerful to everyone he meets''), and the members return home.Now, if our imaginary lodge makes no statements about God, sin,salvation, the afterlife, etc., then such a group is not even a religion,much less a false religion or cult.c. In saying that the group embraces a doctrinal ''system,'' this doesnot mean that the system must be highly complex, sophisticated,or thorough.(1) The complexity of cultic belief systems varies considerablyfrom group to group.(2) For example, the Watchtower Society espouses a relativelycomprehensive system of doctrine, while the Children of Godare less systematic and comprehensive in their belief system.Both groups, however, hold a belief system, and one contraryto the Christian faith.5. ''. . . taught by an individual leader, group of leaders, or organization . . .''a. Some cults, such as the Children of God, the Unification Church,and the Branch Davidians, look to a strong, authoritarian''prophet'' as the source of truth.b. In other cults, authority resides in a group of leaders or an organization.For example, the Jehovah''s Witnesses claim that theWatchtower Society''s Governing Body is the ''faithful and discreetslave,'' who dispenses ''doctrinal food in due season.''

Details ISBN0310704413 Author Alan W. Gomes Short Title UNMASKING THE CULTS Pages 94 Publisher Zondervan Language English ISBN-10 0310704413 ISBN-13 9780310704416 Media Book Format Paperback DEWEY 239 Year 1995 Audience Age 18-99 Country of Publication United States Place of Publication Grand Rapids Residence US Birth 1955 Illustrations black & white illustrations DOI 10.1604/9780310704416 AU Release Date 1995-05-01 NZ Release Date 1995-05-01 US Release Date 1995-05-01 UK Release Date 1995-05-01 Imprint Zondervan Series Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements Publication Date 1995-05-01 Alternative 9780310864554 Audience Tertiary & Higher Education We've got this

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