The Cult Of Modernism

Very good question Bro. Mark. A very good question indeed!

 

Since you used the word "modernism" in the title, is this how you define a "modernist"?

 

Mark,

A cult is a little different from what you are describing. Generally a cult is an identifiable group which isolates itself somewhat, although not necessarily physically. Generally a cult authority has strong control over the members and some kind of money contribution or 'tithe' is demanded. Salvation is seen as only through that group, with penalties for leaving, including eternal damnation. Certain rites or ceremonies are often adhered to. If the cult is a Christian cult, the claim is made that the Bible cannot be understood without the help of the authority/authorities, and often additional 'scriptures' are used in addition to the Bible.

I think you can easily see Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christadelphians, etc. all fit in this description. In my opinion, the Roman Catholic church does, as well. They are all deeply involved in heretical doctrines and Mormons, Christadelphians, and Roman Catholics are all involved in the occult as well, which is strictly forbidden by the Bible.

However what you are describing in terms of many of the mainline denominations would, I think, be more accurately described as apostate. Instead of closing ranks, as a cult would do, they are opening doors to allow the world and all its lethal 'wisdom' in, nullifying the Word of God. For this they will be severely judged, I am sure.

[ September 19, 2002, 04:58 PM: Message edited by: Helen ]

 

I could not go to a church that believed those things. But neither could I go to a church that had the correct views on those things, but thought that slavery wasn't so bad, or that the "races" should be separate.
However, I have never confused discussion on the BB with church.

When we stand before Christ, we will give account for our individual lives, not somebody else's.
We each have incredible blind spots, all the while we are amazed that others cannot see theirs.

Karen

 

Helen, I'd have to disagree and say that "cult" is a very fitting word in reference to what he's talking about. Check out some of the alternate uses of the word...I think we're just used to using it in reference to specific things too often!
Mark, it is not a stretch of logic, because the more able someone is to give up logic the more apt they are to find reality...because reality doesn't lie in what we see and feel to be real, but in that which can't be seen and sensed in order to be known. What most people define as reality is what will die and pass away, but if they would stop to think about it, they'd see that it's the spiritual that never leaves, despite the effects of time or presence.
The gifted "artist" may be a painter or he may be a preacher of God and weave words, but whoever and whatever he is, his gift lies in the ability to take the "illogical" (which is reality) and rationalize it to other people's abilities to understand.
Obviously there's not too many that take pride in doing this anymore!

Gina

PS. How was THAT little post for further proof of my insanity???

 

I think we tend to use "cult" like we use the word "heretic":

Heretic - someone who doesn't believe like we thing they should.

Cult - a chuch whose religious practices are a little too wierd for my taste.

 

I think a more correct definition would be:
Heretic- Someone who teaches doctrine contrary to the Word of God.(false teacher)

Cult- Any church or place that teaches doctrine contrary to the Word of God.

Also when I speak of the Word of God I am referring to the Bible Gen.-Rev.

 

Personally, I think fundamentalism is every bit as rife with modernism as certain kinds of liberalism are. A liberal might say, "The Bible cannot be true because it claims the Earth was made in six days - and it wasn't." A fundamentalist might say, "The Bible is true because it says the Earth was made in six days - and it was. See here's 4,000 pages of scientific proof on which my faith rests."

The good news (or perhaps the bad news if your faith is defined by modernism) is that the atrociously named but epistemologically accurate era of "postmodernism" really is upon us. A postmodern thinker can say, "The Bible is true. It says the Earth was made in six days. The Earth was not made in six days. God is mystery." and then go on with their lives.

Fundamentalism is answering modernist questions that fewer and fewer people are asking.

Joshua

 

Warm Christian greetings!

Helen is quite correct to describe modernistic beliefs as "apostate". Sadly we have seen evidence of apostates on the BB; may the Lord be merciful to their souls and bring them to Himself.

Kind regards

Robert J Hutton