Cultism & the Alternative

8/31/2019

Having just stopped scrolling through Facebook posts has left me with very little to say this morning. But, perhaps the muddle of idle thoughts will coalesce. There’s always hope, right? It was interesting to see this long and seemingly serious discussion about what to call God and Jesus. The participants called to mind how God was spelled in Hebrew (but there is an argument there) and how Jesus is spelled in Greek/Hebrew/?? I was wondering to myself, why not call God God or Lord God or God Almighty or Jehovah! Did any of these folks not read Exodus 6:3? 

And how about Jesus: why not call Jesus Jesus or Jesus Christ or the Lord Jesus Christ or Immanuel or Raboni or Master? But, I suppose that would be too simple. Most of these folks who wish to keep these things as the front-most discussion do not believe the Bible is simple; they will not accept the “simplicity which is in Christ Jesus,” nor do they accept the King James Bible as it says it, where it says it, to whom it says it. If they were to take that approach they would lose their hold on those who presently believe them—their religion. Hm. 

Religion. The opiate of the masses. When IT becomes the lead thing instead of Christ being the sole answer, religion will soon become one of two things: either a “dustbowl of regret” or a cult. If its peril comes quickly (when it is easily found to be corrupt), its patrons are left with regret. But, if it grows or is added to past the first generation, it will soon carry man-made religiosities (bad doctrine) and Christ will no longer be the Savior in the simplicity He intended—see Paul’s 2 Cor.11.

The above paragraph partially explains why I do not believe in denominations as having any validity. The Lord never instructed any one of them to be in existence. 

I truly doubt that people like Luther, Calvin, the Wesley brothers, John Knox or many others had in their minds at any time during their earthly ministry that something should carry their name forward as if they had been some great thing. Yet those churches have become so very cult-like in every doctrinal practice, just as the church they all came from, the Roman Catholic Church. Go to the doctrines of any denomination you can name, look at their written “statement of faith and practice,” and then sit down with your King James Bible and compare and contrast see if they always agree with it—they will not. So, what does that make them? a man-made cult. An organization which has created its own authority. They will exalt a person or an angel or a founder. They will practice rituals which are solely their own, They will alter or mis-apply some (or many) bible passages. They will borrow things the bible declares that God gave to others and claim them for themselves. And finally, they will (in one way or another) place great emphasis on money or gain or both. The other picture of a cult is what their reaction is toward someone who “leaves the fold.” They ostracize, shun, and speak evil of them. In the extreme, they persecute them forcefully.

If you now attend a church, examine it carefully. Look for its historical beginning to see how the Word of the Lord was placed: was it believed or merely used? Was it left to be the only authority, or did the church fathers claim some special reverence? Do they give titles other than pastor, teacher, or evangelist to anyone? (note: in Ephesians, the last church doctrinal book written to be placed in the bible, these are the only valid offices amongst believers.)

So, be careful, my friends. Watch carefully where you spend your time, your resources, your money, etc. If you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, is there a reason why you should “belong” to a church? No, there isn’t. Plain and simple. If you just like the place, you certainly have the liberty to go and be a member, but don’t make claims about how the Lord sent you there. The Lord will send you to that which exalts His name and His Word and will build up your faith in His Word.

As to the SIMH today: It was one right after another, several being Orchestral and Chorale arrangements of rock n roll music—usually very beautiful. I had watched several of those on YouTube yesterday evening and there they were early this morning. I hope you have a very blessed weekend and seek the Lord early. Oh, by the way, 

We are having a bible class here at our house tomorrow morning as a way to tell some folks about the Lord and about how to study His word. If you are anywhere close to Fort Payne, AL, come on by about 10AM. You may call or text for the address.—Jerry Lockhart, 210-378-5748

Thanks for reading, the Elder