Is Christianity a Cult?

If you are worried about a loved one who is involved in a group that you suspect might be a cult. Please know that Biblical Christianity is not a cult and promotes love, service, critical thinking, and community engagement.

Indoctrination & Brainwashing

Many cults use psychological techniques such as indoctrination and brainwashing to manipulate members into accepting their beliefs and values uncritically and to keep them loyal to their group.

Biblical Christianity, on the other hand, encourages believers to make their own decisions about their faith instead of trying to control their thoughts or actions through manipulation or force. Christianity emphasizes that all people are sinners and the importance of personal responsibility for their own beliefs, thoughts, and actions. Christianity also encourages believers to seek out the truth for themselves while they are guided by the Holy Spirit.

You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32, CSB

Biblical Christianity also values different ways of thinking and encourages believers to engage with people with different ideas and points of view. It doesn’t try to force its followers to believe or act in a certain way. Instead, it encourages them to seek a deeper knowledge of God and His will for their lives.

No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29, CSB

Judas Iscariot, one of the first followers of Jesus, stole from Jesus and betrayed Jesus for money. Jesus never tried to force Judas to act in a certain way, even though Jesus knew exactly what Judas was doing and would do. Instead, Jesus allowed him to make his own choices, even though those choices were ultimately harmful.

Also, Biblical Christianity encourages people to love, care for, and help others instead of trying to use or control them. God reveals through the Bible that Christians are called to love and serve everyone, no matter what they believe or where they come from, and to be a positive influence in the world.

He replied to them, “The one who has two shirts must share with someone who has none, and the one who has food must do the same.” Luke 3:11, CSB

Strong  Leaders

Many cults have a leader, or leaders, who say they have special access to a higher power or special knowledge. However, in Christianity, Jesus Christ is viewed as the leader and ultimate authority.

Christianity teaches that all followers of Christ have the same access to God through faith in Jesus, who willingly sacrificed Himself in order to save them. And that the Bible is fully sufficient for people to come to Christ, be saved, and be reconciled to God.

For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. Ephesians 2:18, CSB

Some leaders may claim or exhibit special powers, like being able to heal or tell the future. However, just having these abilities is not enough to classify a group as a cult. Rather, the way in which these powers are used and the context in which they are used can be indicators of whether a group is a cult or not.

For example, if a leader claims to have special powers and uses them to manipulate or exploit followers for power or profit, or if the leader’s claims of special powers are not based in reality, this could be a red flag that the group is a cult.

Isolation

Cult leaders often keep their followers away from people outside the cult, either by cutting off communication or by making the outside world seem dangerous or inferior. In contrast, Biblical Christianity encourages believers to be a part of their communities and does not ask them to isolate themselves.

It is important to remember that the situation of isolation matters. In some cases, a person choosing to isolate themselves from certain people or situations may be beneficial for their personal well-being. For example, a recovering drug addict may be encouraged to avoid time with their drug-using friends in order to avoid relapse. The difference to watch out for is whether a person is being encouraged or if they are being put in a situation that takes away their choice.

Control

Cult leaders may control their followers’ daily lives, telling them what to wear and do. In contrast, Biblical Christianity emphasizes personal responsibility and encourages believers to make their own choices as long as they follow Biblical principles.

In life, it is expected and helpful for a leader to give advice and encourage someone on what to do. For example, a coach may encourage their team to follow certain training routines so that they can improve their performance. A teacher may ask students to do certain assignments in order to learn and grow.

However, in a cult, control is often used as a way to manipulate and take advantage of people. Cult leaders may use control to keep followers in line and to prevent them from questioning the group’s beliefs or practices.

In Christianity, there is nothing a person can do to earn their salvation. Rather, it is a gift freely given to those who trust in Jesus and His death and resurrection, as the payment for your disobedience and your unwillingness. That His payment satisfied the demands of God’s wrath and guaranteed that every single person who believes in Him will also be resurrected to eternal life.

8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10, CSB

Another way that Christianity differs from the control often exercised in cults is that the guidance and leading of a Christian comes from the Holy Spirit, rather than from a human leader. It’s important to note that the Holy Spirit does not control or take over a person in the same way that some cults or other religions might claim that spirits do, such as awakening the kundalini spirit. Rather, the Holy Spirit is believed to gently guide and lead believers, helping them to grow in their faith and make decisions that are in line with God’s will.

When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. … John 16:13, CSB

Exploitation

Cult leaders often take advantage of their followers’ trust and loyalty by exploiting them financially, emotionally, or sexually. This can happen when followers’ money or other resources are used to help the cult or its leaders, by forcing or tricking members into giving money or other resources under false pretenses.

One example of exploitation common in cults that claim to be Christian is what is known as the Prosperity Gospel, also known as the “health and wealth gospel.” This is a belief that God wants believers to prosper financially and in their health. And That giving to their ministry will result in blessings of wealth and health. This belief has been used by some cult leaders to exploit followers by pressuring them to give large amounts of money, often through the use of manipulative tactics such as guilt, fear, and emotional appeals.

Related to the Prosperity Gospel is the idea of “seed money,” which involves believers giving money to a minister or church with the belief that it will be returned to them multiplied.

In Christianity, believers are called to be good stewards of the blessings and resources that God has given them. This includes a responsibility to take care of those in need and to use their resources in a way that is faithful to God’s will. In other words, those who have been blessed with prosperity in this life are expected to use that prosperity to serve others and to honor God with their choices and actions.

17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share, 19 storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19, CSB

It is important to remember that the exploitation of believers for financial gain has a long history in cult traditions. One example is the sale of indulgences by the Roman Catholic Church during the Middle Ages. Indulgences were documents that were sold to certify that a person’s soul would enter heaven more quickly by reducing their time in the fictional purgatory. This was one of the key factors that led to the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. Protestant reformers such as Martin Luther and John Calvin Biblically rejected the sale of indulgences and other forms of exploitation by the Church.

Exploitation is a warning sign of a cult, and it is important to be aware of tactics that have been used to exploit people for financial gain. It is important to be skeptical of any religious group or leader that seeks to take advantage of a person’s trust or devotion, and to ensure that their giving is motivated by a desire to serve and honor God, and not by the promise of material blessings.

Groupthink

Groupthink is a characteristic frequently observed in cults. This is where the members are expected to agree with the group’s beliefs and their ways of doing things. Groupthink is when people in a group tend to value and prioritize unity of thought over critical thinking and individual freedom. In Christian-claiming cults, it is common to ignore the authority of the Bible or to use out of context passages or far-reaching interpretations of God’s Word. Groupthink can lead to a lack of diversity of thought and a failure to consider alternative viewpoints or to question the group’s beliefs and ways of doing things.

One example of groupthink is the reluctance of some groups in the United States regarding the abolition of slavery. During the 19th century, many slaveholders tried to justify slavery by using the Bible to say that it was God’s will for some people to be slaves. Christians who were against slavery, such as Charles Spurgeon, were often condemned by churches and their congregations.

Spurgeon was a well-known Baptist preacher in England. He was a strong opponent of slavery and Biblically fought against the evils of slavery. He argued that the enslavement of other human beings went against God’s design for humanity and that it was incompatible with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Even though he was criticized and for his views, Spurgeon stood firm in his Biblical conviction that slavery was wrong and his teachings helped expose the evils of slavery and those who refused to repent.

After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands. Revelation 7:9, CSB

The gospel is a message of hope and change for all people, from every nation, tribe, and language no matter who they are or what they have done, no matter if they’re rich or poor, young or old, or what their background is. God’s grace is within reach, no matter your situation or your past mistakes. The only requirement is a change of mind. To turn from sin and toward Christ in faith, trusting in Jesus as your Savior. Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, and He conquered death proving that death is not the end. When you place your faith in Him, you’ll be forgiven and the promise of eternal life. This is the gospel message, and it’s a true message of hope and change.

Biblical Christianity is based on Jesus Christ’s teachings and the Bible’s authority and doesn’t use manipulation or exploitation to attract or keep followers. Instead, true Christianity encourages believers to love and serve others, to think critically and seek truth, and to engage with and serve their communities.

We sincerely hope this information is useful and helps you and your loved ones out. If you have more questions, feel free to contact us or a pastor or counselor from a Bible-believing church.