Dear COA Family,
Recently a student in St Andrew’s Hall approached me and anxiously asked me, “Is God our mother?”
She had been approached by a woman on her way to the hall and was told that if she did not believe that God is her mother (or a woman), she would not be saved. I assured her that even though God does care for and nurture us as a mother would (Isaiah 66:13), he is our Father in heaven. She did not need to join that group to be saved.
The student was greatly comforted after that.
What are cults?
According to theologian Roger Olsen, who is the leading authoritative Christian figure on this subject, a cult is a “a religious group that claims to be Christian but deviates significantly from essential doctrines of historic Christianity, especially concerning the nature of God, Christ, and salvation.
Here are some key elements:
- Deviation from Core Doctrines. Cults often deny key Christian doctrines such as the Trinity, the full divinity and humanity of Christ, or salvation by grace through faith.
- Authoritarian Leadership or Structure. Many cults are led by a charismatic
leader who claims exclusive authority or revelation, often above Scripture. - Isolation and Control. Cults may isolate members from outside relationships,
control behaviour, and discourage independent thinking. - Misuse of the Bible. Cults often twist or add to Scripture, creating their own
translations or extra-biblical writings.
How can we protect ourselves from the false teachings of cults? We need to know the word of God thoroughly so that we can recognise what is untrue. This means that we need to spend time to study God’s word for ourselves regularly and systematically. A haphazard reading of God’s word for devotional benefit is not enough.
We also need to involve ourselves to be part of a healthy Christian community. Cults often target isolated or spiritually immature individuals. A strong local church provides teaching, pastoral care, and accountability. You can also ask questions openly – healthy churches invite truth-seeking and transparency – and discern God’s leading and guidance corporately.
Our church’s study on the book of Hebrews aims to do just that. Hebrews 1 speaks
about the divinity and supremacy of Christ while Hebrews 2 emphasizes his humanity. Cults tend to minimize either one of these aspects. However, if Jesus were neither fully God nor fully man, he would not be able to save the whole of humanity. To have the right belief is that important and crucial!
May the Lord bless us in our pursuit of the truth and of Christ himself!
Blessings,
Revd Ian