Our Problem of Detecting Error

Do we have a biblical process of detecting or discerning error? Probably not. Just think for a moment about two issues.

First of all, the Christian community has accepted the common usage of the word 'cult. The word is okay in and of itself, but more than often, Christians assume all error is on the outside. This is not true. Paul and Jesus give us much evidence that error can lie within.

Secondly, many of God's people are not truth conscious. They do not regularly study the scriptures. They can not tell you why the deity of Christ is important or even more where the scriptures show the deity of Christ.

Where does this leave us? Very vulnerable to falsehood. With the added dimension of radio and television preachers, and a host of books and magazine articles, we have a big problem on our hand. We need a biblical perspective on dealing with error.

The apostle Paul in a dramatic farewell sermon cautioned the Ephesian elders as he was about to leave them. He warned them of two ways to be careful of error: error from within and error from within.

"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them". (Acts 20:28-30).

Error from without "come in among you" (Acts 20:29)

Outside problems are those trying to infiltrate the Christian community. The cults are the prime suspects because they are aggressive in trying to steal the sheep. The cults like Jehovah Witnesses and International Church of Christ are big organizations with printed literature. However, we should not limit our understanding to these groups. There are many individuals who are also casting their influence over the community of God's people. A church cannot steal sheep for it would still be in the fold. Only those who are not part of God's church can steal a sheep.

2) John's method of Detecting Error (1 John)

John in the book of 1 John gives three tests of a genuine Christian. We tend to focus on one or two but leave out a third. This would be the area we ourselves most likely have problems in.

In fact, all these commands are one. When we love the truth of God, we are loving God and all that He stands for. Inferior theology comes from the lack of devotion to God's wisdom and an over–affection of one's own supposed wisdom. When we love God, we will love what God loves. Obedience is simply ones heart purposely affirming His love for God by restraining His ways to match what God says is important.

Jesus, John and Paul are just a few of many examples of godly men confronting error. The more we love the church, the more we will protect her.

Defining and Describing a Cult

Only understanding error from a biblical perspective, should we focus on the word cult. The cults are only one way error confronts the average Christian. The word 'cult' has both tight and loose definitions. The popular understanding of cult is quite extreme because the way the media usually paints a picture of extremists brainwashing their cult members into morbid plots. This is not the sense we use the term 'cult.'

A more workable and practical definition of cult for Christians focuses on three aspects:

Not all cults have all three of these problems, at least they are not visible to most people. Problems in the area of false doctrine are most easily noticed if we can discern false teaching. Those who do not know what they believe about the Bible are very susceptible to cults. Each of us are responsible to know the scriptures well.

As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; (Ephesians 4:14, NASB).

One often does not detect the controlling element until one joins or tries to leave. The International Church of Christ (1) strongly emphasizes discipling Christians but becomes cultish by their overbearing pressure on people to give their money through their organization. They only notice the intense pressure when they try to leave. Their false teaching of baptismal regeneration brings people to focus on ritual instead of Christ's work. We see a strong spirit of exclusiveness by demanding their own baptism because their baptism is the only accepted one.

Cults then range from extremist groups that have nothing to do with Christianity (except their leader says they are the Christ such as the Moonies) to groups who have a strong and controlling leader that changes certain basic Christian doctrines. In summary be careful of any group that makes all those who do not belong to their own group as errant and gone astray. Cults thrive on exclusiveness.

We should start wondering whether some denominations should be called cultish. We agree they are not usually controlling of their members, but they have departed from the standard confessions of faith even if they still say they adhere to them. With departure in Christian belief is a host of evil practices which they would consider permissible.

Other resources:
Materialism versus spiritualism
Baptism of the dead
No resurrection
Compromise and subjectivism
Toleration: Five Arguments for fixed standards
Christ's Deity