Comment from Eric1

Excellent

Hi Dennis, this is a truly strong re[presentation of how to decide if you are in fact a part of some new cult, I personally found most cults I have learned about very creepy indeed, every teenager should have this list my friend.

 Comment Written 10-Jul-2016

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reply by the author on 10-Jul-2016

Thank you and indeed some cults are strange and creepy. But perhaps the most ensnaring and dangerous are those closest to the truth without being the truth. It behooves us all to make sure we are trusting the Christ depicted in the scriptures and believing His words about His mission to save a dying sinful world. God bless you, Dennis

Comment from dejohnsrld (Debbie)

Excellent

A very good list of items that may indicate you are in a cult. We had one in our area for a while. All of the members were supposed to work, but all of there earnings had to be given to the cult leader(s). I Don't know if they broke up or just moved on somewhere else. I haven't heard anything about them in quite a few years. Well written, my friend~Debbie

 Comment Written 09-Jul-2016

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reply by the author on 10-Jul-2016

Thank you and indeed some cults are easier to spot than others but perhaps the most ensnaring and dangerous are those closest to the truth without being the truth. It behooves us all to make sure we are trusting the Christ depicted in the scriptures and believing His words about His mission to save a dying and sinful world. God bless you, Dennis

Comment from light

Excellent

Interesting read. I study the Bible for myself, checking the original manuscripts or fragments in the Hebrew and Greek. I know that Yeshuah is the son of Eloheim.
Elaine

 Comment Written 09-Jul-2016

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reply by the author on 10-Jul-2016

I'm glad you believe Jesus is the Son of God and that you personally read the scriptures for yourself. In doing so, you must have noted the call for Christians to be in a church which reflects the truths Jesus taught, especially in relation to Himself and His mission. He Himself said if we know His will in these matters we will be blessed in obeying them. I honestly don't mean to lecture you, but I have known many over the years who isolate themselves from a Bible believing church for any number of reasons. They may do well for a while, but eventually, they suffer from being deprived of the fellowship of other like minded individuals. The flip side of this may be the church is also deprived of what you could bring to the fellowship.
I pray you consider these things and sincerely thank you for reading and commenting. God bless you, Dennis

reply by light on 11-Jul-2016

I believe He said, "Forsake not the assembly of yourselves together. I do attend home fellowships when I am able. Many churches are, in my opinion, cults because they do not teach the truth. We are also told to study to show ourselves approved unto God. I have been a believer since I was nine years-old. Translations change, but The Word is the same yesterday, today and forever. I have shared my knowledge of The Word for years.

Comment from Jim Lorson Sr

Excellent

I was asked one time if I was born again. I looked at the person asking this question and answered. "I was never unborn. Why would you ask such a idiotic question. I was baptized as a baby and that is good enough for me. I have believed in my Savior all of my life and this why I do not like or agree with organized religions. My Bible tell me everything that I need to know.

Well written and very well thought out,,,,,,jim

 Comment Written 09-Jul-2016

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reply by the author on 10-Jul-2016

Hi Jim, thank you for reading and commenting. I sincerely appreciate it. I must say it does seem you have been offended by what to me is a very reasonable question...reasonable in the light of Jesus telling a very religious man three times that he needed to be born-again. If you have a few minutes you might want to read chapter three of John and see Christ's stress on being born again. Nicodemus, the man Jesus was talking to, misunderstood Christ at first, as all he could picture was a natural birth. Happily, he came to understand through faith in Jesus and was instrumental later on in getting Christ's body to the tomb.
I know I'm pushing the envelope here, but baptism and being born again are not the same thing. Case in point, Jesus said unless one was born again, he could not see the Kingdom of God. Its plain the OT Prophets saw the Kingdom since they prophesized its coming. Its also plain to see they were never baptized but they were born again which gives one spiritual sight or spiritual ability to understand the Word. God bless you, Dennis

Comment from Spitfire

Excellent

Don't worry, Clark, I'm not in a cult. It's important that parents raise their children to go to church, otherwise they are vulnerable. Remember Jim Jones? That scared the heck out of me. I found a book in the library written by someone who 'escaped'. Funny thing is, although I finished it, I wanted a friend to read it a couple months later. The book had vanished. No record of the title. Definitely, secret. And very scary.

 Comment Written 09-Jul-2016

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reply by the author on 10-Jul-2016

I did not write this as a reaction to our recent conversations. I don't believe you are in a cult because cults try to imitate the truth of God as expressed in the Christian faith. What you are in is spiritual darkness which makes no pretense of honoring Jesus Christ and His words of life. The things you are following and relying on are in flat out opposition to what the Bible teaches. You really are in grave danger since there simply is no salvation except through faith in Christ. Christ and all the Apostles said this repeatedly and harmoniously. A read through of the Gospel of John could easily show you this...and really, is there any greater concept of spiritual matters than Jesus? Anything or anyone who would hold you back from experiencing His love for your soul is no friend...only a temporary spiritual band aid for what only Jesus can make right. God bless you, JB

reply by Spitfire on 10-Jul-2016

Um, you better pass on my spiritual posts.

reply by the author on 10-Jul-2016

I know, I do.

reply by Spitfire on 10-Jul-2016

This way, we can remain friends. See you someday on the other side. Our souls won't collide up there. :-)

Comment from Michael Ludwinder

Excellent

I thought this was terrific. I'm not sure about the underwear part! But overall I think you've done a great job of sharing your thoughts on what a cult is. Great job.

 Comment Written 09-Jul-2016

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reply by the author on 09-Jul-2016

Thank you...Mormons wear "secret underwear" as part of a deeper commitment to their church. Man is always trying to substitute ritual for the reality of Biblical faith, founded on the facts of Jesus Christ's person and work. God bless, Dennis

Comment from Phyllis Stewart

Excellent

You wear secret underwear but cannot find where the Apostles of the New Testament even alluded to such apparel.

LOL! Very good. Yes, cults use the language of the BIble but nothig more. It just SOUNDS biblical. People are so stupid and easily fooled. I wonder why they even have brains. Should donate them to elephants or some animal that might make good use of them!

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 Comment Written 09-Jul-2016

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reply by the author on 09-Jul-2016

Thanks...I honestly think much of the bible is misunderstood simply because some are simply very poor readers. Surely, like me, you have gotten reviews which miss the point entirely. The real killer is when they LOVE ones work! I've written on some serious biblical subjects like accountability, the unhappy destination of any who reject Christ and the brevity of life which have sometimes been received as "inspirational". I always find such responses unfathomable, given the seriousness of the subject.

Oh well, it happens to all writers. Robert Frost wrote "Mending Wall" in which he subtly pointed out how the neighbor's son mindlessly quoted his father's words, "Good fences make good neighbors." Frost's whole piece was against both the meaning of the quote and the thoughtlessness of the one reuttering them. The result? People even today say, "Good fences make good neighbors" and attribute the saying to Frost! It's either laugh or cry at such irony. Thanks for the review...I think you are great and enjoy talking with you very much. God bless you, Dennis

Comment from Lynn27

Excellent

This is eying opening essay. I suggested that you footnotes in the author's notes where readers can look up some this info.

You did a great job in writing this essay.

Lynn

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 Comment Written 09-Jul-2016

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reply by the author on 09-Jul-2016

Yes, that is a good idea! I did quote from the Gospel of John but should have suggested everyone read that Gospel in particular because the basics of the Christian faith are revealed there. Thank you for reading and reviewing so kindly, Dennis

reply by Lynn27 on 09-Jul-2016

You're welcome.

Comment from royowen

Exceptional

I remember being confronted by a well meaning "Christian" lady telling me that to speak in tongues was the evidence of the salvation, and if one didn't, one wasn't saved, I'd only been "awake" in God for three months, but took it to Him in prayer, I already recognised His voice, the their on the cross came to mind, and where Jesus decked several times "your faith has saved you" not baptism, not obeying certain rules, I've always sought God for confirmation, and He's made the truth clear in so many ways. One of the first scriptures to impact me was "My sheep know my voice"John 10:27, and "if it were possible even the elect would be deceived" Mattrhew 24:24. Well done, Dennis, blessings, Roy

 Comment Written 09-Jul-2016

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reply by the author on 09-Jul-2016

Thanks Roy. And as to sheep hearing the voice of the shepherd, I listened to a Pastor on the radio who had been to Israel. He witnessed two shepherds meeting on a road with their flocks. As the men chatted, the flocks intermingled, but when the went their separate ways, their flocks went with them! Amazing grace, brother!

reply by royowen on 09-Jul-2016

A good example of the sheep knowin their shepherd' voice well done Dennis,