Richard J. Mouw: This evangelical says Mormonism isn’t a cult
My Take: This evangelical says Mormonism isn’t a cult While I am not prepared to reclassify Mormonism as possessing undeniably Christian theology, I do accept many of my Mormon friends as genuine followers of the Jesus whom I worship as the divine Savior.
- 1 view
I think we may have the same issue with the word “cult” that we do with the word “fundamentalist”.
[QUOTE=dictionary.com] 1. a particular system of religious worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
2. an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, especially as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.
3. the object of such devotion.
4. a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.
5. Sociology . a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols. [/QUOTE] Obviously, this word has lost its historic meaning, and is no longer useful IN POPULAR CULTURE except as an pejorative.[/QUOTE] If the above definition is true, then I am a cultist. 1. I observe the sacraments. 2. I venerate Jesus Christ, indeed, I worship Him. 3. Applying the word “cult” to Jesus comes too close to blasphemy for my liking, but you see how it could apply. 4. I am a member of a church. 5. I do have some sacred ideology, and I participate in the sacraments.
An argument about whether or not LDS are cultists is not useful in the political context. It only puts up a brick wall. Let it suffice to say that they (our LDS neighbors) preach “another gospel” than we do.
[QUOTE=dictionary.com] 1. a particular system of religious worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
2. an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, especially as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.
3. the object of such devotion.
4. a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.
5. Sociology . a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols. [/QUOTE] Obviously, this word has lost its historic meaning, and is no longer useful IN POPULAR CULTURE except as an pejorative.[/QUOTE] If the above definition is true, then I am a cultist. 1. I observe the sacraments. 2. I venerate Jesus Christ, indeed, I worship Him. 3. Applying the word “cult” to Jesus comes too close to blasphemy for my liking, but you see how it could apply. 4. I am a member of a church. 5. I do have some sacred ideology, and I participate in the sacraments.
An argument about whether or not LDS are cultists is not useful in the political context. It only puts up a brick wall. Let it suffice to say that they (our LDS neighbors) preach “another gospel” than we do.
The news media went to BJU and interviewed Dr. Royce Short on this topic.
Todd, do you have a link?
But I would disagree with Dr. Short on this statement:
“Well, Mormonism is one of the fastest growing religious groups in the United States … “
We all keep hearing this, but is it really true?
For instance, in the last five years, what are the growth numbers of people in America going to a Calvary Chapel versus going to an LDS chapel?
I don’t know the answer, but I would like to find out.
“Well, Mormonism is one of the fastest growing religious groups in the United States … “
We all keep hearing this, but is it really true?
For instance, in the last five years, what are the growth numbers of people in America going to a Calvary Chapel versus going to an LDS chapel?
I don’t know the answer, but I would like to find out.
The comments below the linked stories are good examples of why the word “cult” isn’t useful in popular culture today.
not a cult. But, neither is Hinduism or Buddhism and they still aren’t “Christian”.
Hoping to shed more light than heat..
Discussion