What Is A Cult

INTRO: I want to deal with a matter this morning that deserves some time and which I have pondered for some time. Let me put it in the form of a question: What is a cult? The term ‘cult’ is sometimes thrown around rather loosely by Christians. The word ‘cult’ does not occur in the Bible. It is a term used differently by different people and different groups to describe different concepts. So in determining what a cult is, one has to understand from whose viewpoint the definition comes.
Some time ago I listened to a certain topic by Ravi Zacharias and He defined what he sees as the meaning of the term ‘cult’ from a Christian perspective. I fully agree with him that when we speak to those outside the Christian faith we need to be careful how we use the term ‘cult’. As a matter of fact, we need to be careful how we use it when we speak to Christians or when we brand other Christian groups as a cult.
I received an e-mail a while ago calling me a cult leader. I listened to Paul Washer’s pastor some time ago and he said he was called a cult leader. Maybe some of you are accused of following a cult leader. Those who say these things are mostly ignorant of what a cult is, and surely none of them realize how serious the charge they are making is. Some day we must all stand before God Almighty and give account of our lives and without doubt, such charges, if not repented of, will be among them.