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HOW
TO IDENTIFY EXCLUSIVISM IN A GROUP OR SPIRITUAL LEADER The
following list of symptoms have been compiled after many years of
ministering to those who have had associations with exclusive and
“cultic” Christian groups. Each symptom by itself is not necessarily
indicative of such a group, but all taken together they strongly suggest
imbalance and danger. 1.
The group will present itself as serious about personal holiness, so
will appeal to earnest Christians who intensely want to be holy ê
Their standards for personal holiness will be very conservative and
challenging ê
Their sobering sounding tape titles, article headlines, and exposés
attract serious-minded believers ê
Their emphasis on how they are more “on fire” than the
“lukewarm” church will attract those who agree that the modern
church is weak
ê
Leaders as well as group members dwell on those things which make them
unique and set apart from the rest of the body of Christ ê
They seem to look for things in which to take pride, ie: their knowledge
of the true biblical standard, their use of the only acceptable Bible
translation, their proper recognition of biblical customs, etc. ê
Group members frequently discuss the shortcomings of those they consider
unenlightened. Some may mock, but others will couch their criticism in
compassionate sounding expressions of concern ê
Their elevated view of themselves may cause them to doubt that few, if
any, outsiders are truly saved
(Excluding
organizations which are purposed in ministering to cults.) ê
They have a judgmental, fault-finding
style of teaching, which may be characterized by uncompassionate mocking,
scorning, and belittling of those they regard as “spiritually blind” Prov
21:24 The proud and
arrogant man--" Mocker" is his name; he behaves with
overweening pride. ê
Leaders’ constant criticism of others will eliminate all outside
leaders as respectable, effectively pointing followers back to them as
the only leaders worth following ê
They may label as “false teachers” all who do not agree with their
interpretations of the Bible, which often, will be everyone outside the
group. Not uncommonly, they will publicly post the names of highly
prominent evangelical leaders whom they regard as false teachers.
ê
Their general attitude may be hostile and angry, which they will
justify, labeling it as righteous anger ê
The arrogant, judgmental spirit of their ministry will often quickly
infect those who drink from their well ê
Newcomers, once infected, will discover that they are suspicious and
hyper-critical of the spiritual leaders they have trusted and respected
in the past
ê
Their ideas are non-traditional, and they may claim to be restoring lost
elements of the gospel ê
Leaders frequently emphasize their enlightenment, authority, or whatever
else gives them credibility, to attract
and keep followers. (They trust in their fleshly efforts, and do
not trust that biblical revelation stands on its own authority, nor that the Holy Spirit will be faithful to bear witness to the
Truth) ê
Their emphasis on new “insights” will leave newcomers feeling a
sense of excitement at having their eyes opened ê
Doctrines or
practices considered by most to be minor, they will deem absolutely
critical, and they will then condemn or belittle all those who do not
elevate or hold to the same doctrines or practices
ê
Great emphasis is placed on issues related to the outward expressions of
respect for God, ie: they are absorbed with proper or improper days of
worship, avoiding christianized pagan holidays and customs, appropriate
attitudes of sobriety and reverence in worship, correct expressions of
the fear of God, etc. ê
They reverence the things of
God more than the character of God.
That is, they are more likely to judge others according to the
group’s standards of symbolic respect, than on the basis of whether or
not they manifest the love and humility of Christ. ê
They claim to be honoring God better than others, and seem unaware that
their pride and judgmental attitude negate all their outward
righteousness. ê
They are preoccupied with
outward "appearance" of holiness, so great emphasis is placed upon
cleaning up the outside, ie: grooming, makeup, hair styles, clothes,
jewelry, etc. ê
They tend to define holiness more as the avoidance of carnal influences,
rather than the presence of the love and character of Christ. ê
They are not content with the general standards God created in
Scripture, but create extra-biblical rules, which in their opinion, are
proper applications of Scripture for everyone. ê
They hold others accountable to their personal, extra-biblical standards of
holiness, ie: they have well-defined rules related to TV watching,
music, entertainment, education, parenting, possessions, etc. (God
anticipates that we will extrapolate from Scripture personal rules for
ourselves and our families, but when we judge others by those personal
standards we enter into the sin of the Pharisees) ê
Membership in the group requires adherence to many extra-biblical rules
and standards. ê
Once members, people are intimidated into submission by group leaders.
Fear of consequences keeps members in line. ê
If asked about those who have left the group, rarely will leaders speak
of an ex-member with respect. Leaders will typically portray all or most
ex-members as blind, deceived, or rebellious. Ex-members, in fact, are
often castigated as infectious, and are subjected to shunning by the
group. As
you consider the things you have read here, please remember that a group
is not dangerous because its members are on fire for Jesus and take
seriously their calling to live holy lives. That is actually the calling
of the Church. No, it not intensity that makes a group
dangerous. It is the presence of pride. This elevated self-view will not
be obvious to group members. They will know too well that only God is to
receive glory for whatever good is in their lives, so they will not
overtly give credit to themselves. However, they will glory in feelings
of specialness, their pride expressing itself in condescension and
arrogant judgment. They will not realize it is an exalted view of their
own insights which makes them quick to discredit all others. May the
Lord protect His sheep from those wolves which creep in to devour them.
Amen! Adapted
from “BREAKING FREE: Escaping an exclusivist Christian group.”
Breaking
Free: Escaping an
Exclusive Christian Group Have you been
part of a group that you thought enjoyed special enlightenment? Did you feel
sorry for those outside the group and worried for anyone who left or moved away?
Did your leaders keep tight control over group members, and discredit anyone who
didn't agree with them or chose to leave? Did the group take pride in its high
“biblical” standards, but held everyone to standards that merely reflected the
leaders' opinions about the Scriptures? Was there an emphasis on externals, like
how to groom or dress and what corruptions must be avoided? Did the leaders'
constantly criticize other groups and continually expose those they labeled as
“false teachers,” so now you don't know where to go or what to believe? Having
left, does it feel like a weight has been lifted from you?
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