In part one, we looked at how “cult” can refer to a group’s heretical theology (“theological cult”) or to its dangerous practices (“sociological cult). A personality cult is the second type, with personality-driven problems centering on central leader. To discuss the signs of a personality cult, we used the name named Al, as he sees himself as the Alpha, the #1, the head-honcho. And depending on how narcissistic he is, he might honestly believe he’s the only hope for this church’s success. Then we looked six signs of a personality cult:
1. One Charismatic Leader Is THE Face Of The Church
2. Narcissistic Leader
3. Authoritarian Leadership-Model
4. Other Leaders In The Church Are “Yes Men”
5. “Lone Wolf” Approach To Decision-Making
6. Vindictive Church Discipline
Now let’s look at 6 more signs of a personality cult.
7. NO CRITIQUE IS ALLOWED INSIDE THE CHURCH
Another common element in personality cults is how they cannot handle healthy critique. There is no tolerance for members critiquing Al’s theology, teachings, or vision for the church. He wants agreement, solidarity, even uniformity, and he can exert a tremendous amount of pressure to that end. Church members don’t necessarily have to dress alike and live in a commune. But they are strongly encouraged to support the leadership no matter what. Any questioning, disagreement, or failure to cooperate is treated like a malicious power play or as a personal failing. Critics are either villainized or treated as immature, selfish, doubters tangled up in private sin. A bevy of Scriptures can be cited (out of context), supporting this stifling uniformity culture too. “Do not grumble against one another” (James 5:9, NET). “Do not judge so that you will not be judged” (Matthew 7:1). “Do everything without grumbling or arguing” (Philippians 2:14). And of course, “Don’t touch my chosen ones! Don’t harm my prophets!” (Psalm 105:15).
Those verses are not talking about a principled and gracious critique of false teaching or wise critique of a foolish decision. And we could just as easily cite Scriptural evidence about how we should “contend for the faith” (Jude 1:3), “expose” works of darkness (Eph 5:11), and “fight the good fight with faith and a good conscience” (1 Timothy 1:18-20). Plus, the Apostle Paul himself models righteous critique of church leaders when he rebukes St. Peter over a church matter (Galatians 2:11-21)!
8. There’s NO ACCOUNTABILITY FROM OUTSIDE THE CHURCH
Personality cults have little room for critique from their members and even less room for accountability from those outside the congregation. Personality cults may have strained and broken relationships with their parent churches or they may just have a lot of defenses in place to keep denominational authorities in the dark. As for Al, he doesn’t go out looking for accountability partners either. He doesn’t like to have his ideas challenged, and he has no interest in having anyone call him on the carpet. He may have several layers of defense mechanisms to keep people from getting that close to him, yet ironically, he can probably name a half-dozen people whom he claims “hold him accountable.” If he has anything close to an “accountability partner” that person is wrapped around his finger, having long-been manipulated into compliance. Or he just keeps them at arm’s length, never letting them know enough gritty details to have an informed opinion about his personal life or sin-struggles.
9. CULTURE OF SILENCE
Cultures of silence stem from our self-serving biases. We all try to protect our reputation. We all want to be seen in a positive light. We all have this self-serving bias. But personality cults take it way farther than healthy people and churches would. People normally try to hide embarrassing and incriminating details. That’s just how we are. But personality cults take that self-preservation to another level by assuming the best of their leaders, denying all allegations, blaming the victims, and (sometimes) covering up their crimes.
Cultures of silence emerge in personality cults, in part, because Al isn’t humble or willing enough to endure correction. He can wander way off course without any serious accountability pulling him back on track. The further he veers into authoritarianism, and narcissism, the more likely he is going to do something grossly immoral or even criminal because he now thinks he can get away with anything. In many cases, he can. Wicked and criminal behavior goes unchecked because he built a framework of suppression in the church that disciplines whistle-blowers into silence and hides dirty laundry to “protect the ministry” and “preserve unity.”
Group leaders, staff, and leadership boards all have to report to Al before they say anything publicly. Al treats church resources like propaganda, using social media, rumors mills, bulletins, newsletters, and sermons to “get ahead of the narrative” and dictate the “official” story to the church. Members are discouraged from reporting any mischief to outside authorities (unless it benefits Al). Any investigations are conducted in-house often through yes-men that Al hand-picked. Al and his staff are not trying to make things right so much as they are trying to control the narrative and save face.
10. SECRETIVE FINANCES
Another bad sign for churches is when they hide their finances. Healthy churches recognize the need for financial transparency if for no other reason than that they need accountability to reduce temptation. Many churches have crashed and burned because someone was skimming money, or because they just didn’t handle their money wisely. Churches should have nothing to hide with their budget and financial records. In personality cults, Al might never let the congregation see the real budget. Or worse, there might not be a budget because he expects everyone to trust him to make all the financial decisions directly. When financial matters are cloaked in secrecy, it often means the leaders are hiding something. For example, they might be way over budget, have too much debt, Al might be paid too much, or other staffers paid too little. Or perhaps the budget just doesn’t reflect the values of a healthy church.
11. NO SHARED PULPIT
Another bad sign is when the pastor rarely ever shares the pulpit or any related teaching opportunities. He is okay with letting people cover responsibilities that don’t interest him. For example, he may have no interest in the children’s ministry, or in public works projects. So, he might happily share those teaching and leadership opportunities with others. But when it comes to visibly leading the church, from the front, through sermons, vision-casting, and overseeing important meetings, he always takes the head seat at the table. He does not share the pulpit often, but whenever he does, it is either in very small doses or it’s with close allies who are wrapped around his finger.
Al might even let another leader in the church preach, especially when it’s an unpopular topic. For example, it could be about disfellowshipping someone, or fund-raising for the building campaign, or announcing some bad news. The charismatic leader isn’t sharing the pulpit graciously, but out of self-interest. He’s having someone else do his dirty work, so he can keep his hands clean. If he wants the church to double their giving toward a new sanctuary and raising his own pay, he can use the head of the deacon board to preach, heavy-handed, on “sacrificial giving.” When people complain, predictably, they will to the pastor but about the head deacon. Effectively, he’s directing the complaint department to someone else’s desk. Generally, personality cult leaders don’t like sharing the pulpit, and when they do there are strings attached.
12. ABUSE
At this point, it almost goes without saying that personality cults are prime candidates for abuse whether physical, verbal, spiritual, or emotional abuse. When a narcissistic charismatic authoritarian leader is in charge, abusive behavior isn’t far behind. He may not start out abusive. He may have been an innocent, ministry-minded man-of-God in the past. But he now enjoys power and attention a bit too much, and like an addict, he molds his environment and manipulates his relationships to protect his addiction. Also like an addict, he is liable to escalate things resorting to more and more aggressive measures to exert his power, feed his ego, or silence his critics. And that can mean abuse.
***
If you have gone through this list and you think your church might be a personality cult then you don’t have to just roll-over and take it. Awareness is the first step. If you are in a safe and stable place spiritually, and you have the freedom to pull-away then you may just need to transfer to a healthier church or perhaps alert the proper authorities, like the police or presbytery. If, however, you have struggled and suffered in a toxic church then you may need more than a new church.
Resources for recovery:
Spiritual abuse? – Spiritual Abuse Resources (SAR)
Sexual abuse? – Lydia Discipleship Ministries
Substance abuse? – National Association for Christian Recovery (NACR)
Want More Resourcs on Abusive Churches?
David Johnson and Jeff Van Vonderen, The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse [Book]
Recommended resources related to the topic:
Another Gospel? by Alisa Childers (book)
Jesus, You and the Essentials of Christianity by Frank Turek (INSTRUCTOR Study Guide), (STUDENT Study Guide), and (DVD)
How to Interpret Your Bible by Dr. Frank Turek DVD Complete Series, INSTRUCTOR Study Guide, and STUDENT Study Guide
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dr. John D. Ferrer is an educator, writer, and graduate of CrossExamined Instructors Academy. Having earned degrees from Southern Evangelical Seminary and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, he’s now active in the pro-life community and in his home church in Pella, Iowa. When he’s not helping his wife Hillary Ferrer with her ministry Mama Bear Apologetics, you can usually find John writing, researching, and teaching cultural apologetics.
Making Sense of Christmas
3. Are Miracles Possible?, Jesus Christ, Theology and Christian ApologeticsThe Christmas season has a way of quickening the senses, doesn’t it? The taste of a kiss under a mistletoe tree, the flavor of nursing steamed Ghirardelli hot chocolate, or the sheer ecstasy of biting into that freshly made batch of flaky peanut brittle. Then there are the smells. Oh, the smells. The smell of Gingerbread houses, hot caramel apple pie, and the dreaded Turkish Delight. We cannot forget the sounds. The sounds of Christmas carolers, holiday bells and our favorite seasonal hymns and not so favorite ones too, like, Last Christmas. It’s also a sight fest. The sight of homes bedecked with multi-colored lights, lawns graced by nativity scenes, and Salvation Army volunteers ringing their bells for coins in the coffer. And of course, we cannot forget the touch of holding that long-awaited for gift as it is first unwrapped. Oh, how I loved unwrapping those Lego sets, or tearing open my new Star Wars action figures. Luke Skywalker. Darth Vader. Stormtroopers. Chewbacca. Yoda. Hans Solo. Keep them coming.
Alright, enough of that. We’re getting a little too sappy here. So, here’s my point. While it’s true that the Christmas season touches the chord of our senses, it’s also true that the heightened sensory extravaganza can numb us to the essential meaning of Christmas, making it even difficult for some to make sense of Christmas with all the added hoopla. As we inch toward this season, let us make sense of the season once again. But before we do, let me set an objection aside. Some might contend that since we don’t know the day on which Jesus was born, then we should avoid a collective celebration of Christmas altogether. While I’d agree, despite some who claim otherwise, I don’t think we can know Jesus’s D.O.B. But that’s to miss the point. We can still reserve a time to celebrate Christ’s incarnation, regardless of a fixed date, we can still revel in his descent to rescue us. Besides, it’s the event, not the date, that counts. It’s the Christ, not the calendar that we worship in remembrance.
Now to the event. The incarnation. The virgin birth. The very infleshing of the Logos. This is an event that’s hard to digest. We’re talking about God becoming flesh. It’s to this event that great sage from many decades ago, Mr. C.S. Lewis himself, referred to as, “The Grand Miracle.” Think about what so grandly entails this pivotal event. Or better yet, try and imagine it for a moment. We’re talking about God in gestation. I know, that’s a lot. On one level you can see the problem. And it’s this. In one sense, we can never make full sense of it. That’s because incarnation thinking boggles the brain. And yet, just the thought of it for the believer should humble our hearts in worship. We’re reflecting on a God who fastened himself in the Person of Christ to human flesh for all time. Knowing that God is Spirit, you’d think after Christ’s death He’d ditch the bodily experience throughout eternity, but no, it was a physical/bodily resurrection. It’s one thing to assume our nature for an earthly sojourn and another thing to assume our nature for an eternal sojourn.
As we seek to make sense of Christmas this year, make sense of this. Christ came to identify with us. To share in our nature. But there’s more. Much more. And yet, space permits me to carry us much farther. So, I’ll close with a few final reflections to feast on for December. First, Christmas is a time to remember that God became man so that man could be one with God. Yes, Christmas reminds us that God is a reconciling God. A rescuing God. A saving God. A relational God. Second, Christmas is a time to remember that God came to earth so that we could go to heaven. This is good news. No, it’s great news. By attaching ourselves to Christ we gain much more than forgiveness of our sins, removal of our guilt and the elimination of our shame. That’s because Jesus came down so we can go up. He came to earth, so we can go to heaven. And finally, Christmas is a gift, and the best gifts are meant to be shared. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. The gift that we will never finish unwrapping. The gift that’s meant to be given away. Christmas is a time for sharing. For sharing the Greatest Story Ever Told. It’s a time to remember that there are miracles and there is The Grand Miracle. That Light came into the world of darkness so that a world of darkness could enter His everlasting light. Selah.
Recommended resources related to the topic:
Miracles: The Evidence by Frank Turek DVD and Mp4
Early Evidence for the Resurrection by Dr. Gary Habermas (DVD), (Mp3) and (Mp4)
Reflecting Jesus into a Dark World by Dr. Frank Turek – DVD Complete Series, Video mp4 DOWNLOAD Complete Series, and mp3 audio DOWNLOAD Complete Series
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Bobby serves as lead pastor of Image Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is well known for his YouTube ministry called, One Minute Apologist, which now goes by the name Christianity Still Makes Sense. He also serves as the Co-Host of Pastors’ Perspective, a nationally syndicated call-in radio show on KWVE in Southern California. Bobby earned his Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, his Doctor of Ministry in Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary, and his Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion from the University of Birmingham (England), where he was supervised under David Cheetham and Yujin Nagasawa. Bobby’s also written several books, including The Fifth Gospel, Doubting Toward Faith, Does God Exist, and Fifty-One Other Questions About God and the Bible, and the forthcoming Christianity Still Makes Sense, to be published by Tyndale in April 2024. He’s married to his lovely wife Heather, and together they have two grown kids: Haley and Dawson.
Have You Joined the Rebellion Against Jesus Because of Leftist Infiltration? | with Megan Basham
PodcastHave you unknowingly joined the rebellion AGAINST Jesus? You’ve probably noticed that there’s no shortage of faith leaders and church denominations that have departed from biblical teachings to follow the political and moral positions of the culture instead. But with this secular societal backdrop, how can Christians remain faithful and avoid selling out to the whims of the culture?
In this week’s eye-opening podcast episode, Frank speaks with author, investigative reporter, (Christian) journalist, and writer for The Daily Wire, Megan Basham, to discuss the various ways in which Leftists have strategically infiltrated churches, parachurch organizations, and even Christian media with their secular agendas. During this episode, Megan will uncover the true reason why Leftists are targeting the Church and emphasize the need for Christians to be on guard against false teachers. Listen as Frank and Megan answer questions like:
It seems we’re being pressured on all sides to recant our Christian viewpoints, but we must stand firm on biblical truth and refuse to join in the rebellion against Jesus. We’re confident that this podcast episode will help you to do just that!
To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry.
You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE.
Follow Megan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/megbasham
Follow Megan on The Daily Wire: https://www.dailywire.com/author/megan-basham
Is Christmas Pagan?
3. Are Miracles Possible?, Jesus Christ, Theology and Christian ApologeticsTree decorating. Repetitive Christmas music on the radio. Sleigh bells ringing. Chestnuts burning. (Like, what does this even mean? Do people actually do this?) And the incessant cyber throat-punching over Christians who celebrate Christmas are actually celebrating an evil pagan holiday.
Ah… it’s the most wonderful time of the year.
Christmas is that magical time of the year again, full of bright lights, joyful music, and the warm and fuzzy feelings of family and gift-giving. But every so often, you might hear a claim tossed around that Christmas is rooted in pagan traditions. There are many people, especially online, who take this time of year very personally and feel the need to remind Christians that we are, indeed, participating in a pagan holiday. This can be very confusing for some Christians. They want to make sure they’re doing the right thing in God’s eyes but also don’t want to miss out on a holiday that worships our Lord because some people— passionate as they may seem— might be misled about this topic. If you’re a Christian, you might be left scratching your head, wondering if there’s any truth to these claims. Let’s break it down and look at Christmas from the Christian perspective.
A History Lesson (Don’t Worry, It’s a Short One!)
The mix-up often comes from the fact that Christmas is celebrated around the same time as the winter solstice and some ancient Roman festivals like Saturnalia. The early Christians didn’t have Jesus’s exact birthdate in their calendars. Deciding to celebrate on December 25th wasn’t about hopping on the pagan bandwagon, though. It was more about carving out a Christian identity that was distinct and separate from these celebrations. So the irony here is they were trying to be distinct from pagan practices, not syncretize with them.
Jesus’s Birthday Bash
From a Christian viewpoint, Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, and it’s got nothing to do with pagan festivals. This is probably the one that I want to emphasize the most. Think of the entire point of Christmas. It’s not a fake or false worship of Jesus, but the exact opposite. It’s remembering His birth and how God became human. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke in the New Testament give us these deets on Jesus’s birth. It involves heavenly announcements, prophetic fulfillments, and divine revelations – not exactly your typical pagan celebration ingredients.
All About Those Traditions
Across the ages, Christians have crafted and refined a plethora of charming traditions to honor and celebrate the holiday of Christmas. These customs range from the use of Advent calendars to mark the days leading up to the event, to the lighting of candles to signify the arrival of the Christ child. Another beloved activity is the singing of carols, which often feature lyrics that tell the story of the Nativity. Finally, many Christians enjoy creating intricate and beautiful nativity scenes, which depict the manger where Jesus was born surrounded by various characters from the Bible. These beloved traditions are deeply rooted in the Christian faith and are regarded as essential components of the Christmas season, rather than being borrowed from other religious or cultural practices.
The Real Meaning of Christmas
I alluded to this before, but it is worth noting that Christmas holds a significant connection to the Christian faith. The holiday revolves around the doctrine of the incarnation, which is the belief that God took on human form through the birth of Jesus. The idea of the incarnation is deeply rooted in the New Testament and was frequently discussed by the Apostle Paul in his letters. He emphasized the incredible mystery and beauty of this belief, which has been central to the Christian faith for centuries. As a result, various Christian customs have developed over time to celebrate the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. These customs range from religious services and prayer to gift-giving and festive decorations. Overall, Christmas is a time for Christians to reflect on the significance of the incarnation and to celebrate the joy of Jesus’s birth.
Wrapping It Up (See What I Did There?)
So, there you have it. This isn’t an exhaustive list, and numerous Christians (and even non-Christians!) have written about this topic, debunking it over and over again. When it comes to Christmas, it’s essential to separate myth from fact. For Christians, Christmas isn’t a refurbished pagan holiday but a heartfelt celebration of the birth of Jesus, with its unique traditions and meanings. Sure, Christmas trees and gift exchanges are all good, but at the core, it’s all about remembering that moment when heaven touched earth. In this context, Christmas will always be a Christian holiday. For that, I’m grateful.
I made a satirical video about this on my YouTube channel. I used my most controversial character, Judy McJudgerson, to make this point. So… even if you don’t agree with me, I hope you get a kick out of the mediocre wig. You can check it out here.
So no. Christmas isn’t pagan. Let’s stop the madness.
Merry Christmas.
Recommended resources related to the topic:
Miracles: The Evidence by Frank Turek DVD and Mp4
Early Evidence for the Resurrection by Dr. Gary Habermas (DVD), (Mp3) and (Mp4)
Reflecting Jesus into a Dark World by Dr. Frank Turek – DVD Complete Series, Video mp4 DOWNLOAD Complete Series, and mp3 audio DOWNLOAD Complete Series
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Melissa Dougherty is a Christian Apologist best known for her YouTube channel as an ex-new ager. She has two associate’s degrees, one in Early Childhood Multicultural Education, and the other in Liberal Arts. She also has a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies at Southern Evangelical Seminary.
My Truth vs. THE Truth at Harvard
PodcastWhy has antisemitism exploded on college campuses and around the world? In the aftermath of the horrifying Oct. 7th Hamas attack on Israel, students and even faculty members of some of our most prestigious institutions have gone on record to support the senseless and evil slaughtering of innocent Israeli citizens. As blatant acts of bullying and harassment have now been redirected toward Jewish college students, are the aggressors involved being held accountable?
During this week’s podcast episode, Frank reviews some disturbing headlines regarding antisemitism on college campuses and also talks about the recent congressional testimony of not one, but THREE (!) university presidents from Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and MIT who clearly stated on record that calling for the genocide (death) of Jews only constitutes harassment “depending on the context”. Frank will also play clips from the congressional meeting so that you can hear the madness for yourself! Listen as Frank answers questions like:
When Ivy League presidents like Claudine Gay can’t come right out and say that calling for the murder of Jews is objectively wrong, we have a BIG problem. Is a gaslight apology coupled with the lighting of menorah candles enough to vindicate leaders who unashamedly defend the violent pro-Palestinian agenda? Frank will discuss all this and more in this eye-opening and emotional podcast episode.
To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry.
You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE.
Resources mentioned during the podcast:
The Most Extreme Anti-Israel, Hamas-Sympathizing Moments on College Campuses Since the 10/7 Attacks
‘I Am Sorry’: Harvard President Gay Addresses Backlash Over Congressional Testimony on Antisemitism
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
Is Your Church A Personality Cult, Part 2
Theology and Christian ApologeticsIn part one, we looked at how “cult” can refer to a group’s heretical theology (“theological cult”) or to its dangerous practices (“sociological cult). A personality cult is the second type, with personality-driven problems centering on central leader. To discuss the signs of a personality cult, we used the name named Al, as he sees himself as the Alpha, the #1, the head-honcho. And depending on how narcissistic he is, he might honestly believe he’s the only hope for this church’s success. Then we looked six signs of a personality cult:
1. One Charismatic Leader Is THE Face Of The Church
2. Narcissistic Leader
3. Authoritarian Leadership-Model
4. Other Leaders In The Church Are “Yes Men”
5. “Lone Wolf” Approach To Decision-Making
6. Vindictive Church Discipline
Now let’s look at 6 more signs of a personality cult.
7. NO CRITIQUE IS ALLOWED INSIDE THE CHURCH
Another common element in personality cults is how they cannot handle healthy critique. There is no tolerance for members critiquing Al’s theology, teachings, or vision for the church. He wants agreement, solidarity, even uniformity, and he can exert a tremendous amount of pressure to that end. Church members don’t necessarily have to dress alike and live in a commune. But they are strongly encouraged to support the leadership no matter what. Any questioning, disagreement, or failure to cooperate is treated like a malicious power play or as a personal failing. Critics are either villainized or treated as immature, selfish, doubters tangled up in private sin. A bevy of Scriptures can be cited (out of context), supporting this stifling uniformity culture too. “Do not grumble against one another” (James 5:9, NET). “Do not judge so that you will not be judged” (Matthew 7:1). “Do everything without grumbling or arguing” (Philippians 2:14). And of course, “Don’t touch my chosen ones! Don’t harm my prophets!” (Psalm 105:15).
Those verses are not talking about a principled and gracious critique of false teaching or wise critique of a foolish decision. And we could just as easily cite Scriptural evidence about how we should “contend for the faith” (Jude 1:3), “expose” works of darkness (Eph 5:11), and “fight the good fight with faith and a good conscience” (1 Timothy 1:18-20). Plus, the Apostle Paul himself models righteous critique of church leaders when he rebukes St. Peter over a church matter (Galatians 2:11-21)!
8. There’s NO ACCOUNTABILITY FROM OUTSIDE THE CHURCH
Personality cults have little room for critique from their members and even less room for accountability from those outside the congregation. Personality cults may have strained and broken relationships with their parent churches or they may just have a lot of defenses in place to keep denominational authorities in the dark. As for Al, he doesn’t go out looking for accountability partners either. He doesn’t like to have his ideas challenged, and he has no interest in having anyone call him on the carpet. He may have several layers of defense mechanisms to keep people from getting that close to him, yet ironically, he can probably name a half-dozen people whom he claims “hold him accountable.” If he has anything close to an “accountability partner” that person is wrapped around his finger, having long-been manipulated into compliance. Or he just keeps them at arm’s length, never letting them know enough gritty details to have an informed opinion about his personal life or sin-struggles.
9. CULTURE OF SILENCE
Cultures of silence stem from our self-serving biases. We all try to protect our reputation. We all want to be seen in a positive light. We all have this self-serving bias. But personality cults take it way farther than healthy people and churches would. People normally try to hide embarrassing and incriminating details. That’s just how we are. But personality cults take that self-preservation to another level by assuming the best of their leaders, denying all allegations, blaming the victims, and (sometimes) covering up their crimes.
Cultures of silence emerge in personality cults, in part, because Al isn’t humble or willing enough to endure correction. He can wander way off course without any serious accountability pulling him back on track. The further he veers into authoritarianism, and narcissism, the more likely he is going to do something grossly immoral or even criminal because he now thinks he can get away with anything. In many cases, he can. Wicked and criminal behavior goes unchecked because he built a framework of suppression in the church that disciplines whistle-blowers into silence and hides dirty laundry to “protect the ministry” and “preserve unity.”
Group leaders, staff, and leadership boards all have to report to Al before they say anything publicly. Al treats church resources like propaganda, using social media, rumors mills, bulletins, newsletters, and sermons to “get ahead of the narrative” and dictate the “official” story to the church. Members are discouraged from reporting any mischief to outside authorities (unless it benefits Al). Any investigations are conducted in-house often through yes-men that Al hand-picked. Al and his staff are not trying to make things right so much as they are trying to control the narrative and save face.
10. SECRETIVE FINANCES
Another bad sign for churches is when they hide their finances. Healthy churches recognize the need for financial transparency if for no other reason than that they need accountability to reduce temptation. Many churches have crashed and burned because someone was skimming money, or because they just didn’t handle their money wisely. Churches should have nothing to hide with their budget and financial records. In personality cults, Al might never let the congregation see the real budget. Or worse, there might not be a budget because he expects everyone to trust him to make all the financial decisions directly. When financial matters are cloaked in secrecy, it often means the leaders are hiding something. For example, they might be way over budget, have too much debt, Al might be paid too much, or other staffers paid too little. Or perhaps the budget just doesn’t reflect the values of a healthy church.
11. NO SHARED PULPIT
Another bad sign is when the pastor rarely ever shares the pulpit or any related teaching opportunities. He is okay with letting people cover responsibilities that don’t interest him. For example, he may have no interest in the children’s ministry, or in public works projects. So, he might happily share those teaching and leadership opportunities with others. But when it comes to visibly leading the church, from the front, through sermons, vision-casting, and overseeing important meetings, he always takes the head seat at the table. He does not share the pulpit often, but whenever he does, it is either in very small doses or it’s with close allies who are wrapped around his finger.
Al might even let another leader in the church preach, especially when it’s an unpopular topic. For example, it could be about disfellowshipping someone, or fund-raising for the building campaign, or announcing some bad news. The charismatic leader isn’t sharing the pulpit graciously, but out of self-interest. He’s having someone else do his dirty work, so he can keep his hands clean. If he wants the church to double their giving toward a new sanctuary and raising his own pay, he can use the head of the deacon board to preach, heavy-handed, on “sacrificial giving.” When people complain, predictably, they will to the pastor but about the head deacon. Effectively, he’s directing the complaint department to someone else’s desk. Generally, personality cult leaders don’t like sharing the pulpit, and when they do there are strings attached.
12. ABUSE
At this point, it almost goes without saying that personality cults are prime candidates for abuse whether physical, verbal, spiritual, or emotional abuse. When a narcissistic charismatic authoritarian leader is in charge, abusive behavior isn’t far behind. He may not start out abusive. He may have been an innocent, ministry-minded man-of-God in the past. But he now enjoys power and attention a bit too much, and like an addict, he molds his environment and manipulates his relationships to protect his addiction. Also like an addict, he is liable to escalate things resorting to more and more aggressive measures to exert his power, feed his ego, or silence his critics. And that can mean abuse.
***
If you have gone through this list and you think your church might be a personality cult then you don’t have to just roll-over and take it. Awareness is the first step. If you are in a safe and stable place spiritually, and you have the freedom to pull-away then you may just need to transfer to a healthier church or perhaps alert the proper authorities, like the police or presbytery. If, however, you have struggled and suffered in a toxic church then you may need more than a new church.
Resources for recovery:
Spiritual abuse? – Spiritual Abuse Resources (SAR)
Sexual abuse? – Lydia Discipleship Ministries
Substance abuse? – National Association for Christian Recovery (NACR)
Want More Resourcs on Abusive Churches?
David Johnson and Jeff Van Vonderen, The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse [Book]
Recommended resources related to the topic:
Another Gospel? by Alisa Childers (book)
Jesus, You and the Essentials of Christianity by Frank Turek (INSTRUCTOR Study Guide), (STUDENT Study Guide), and (DVD)
How to Interpret Your Bible by Dr. Frank Turek DVD Complete Series, INSTRUCTOR Study Guide, and STUDENT Study Guide
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dr. John D. Ferrer is an educator, writer, and graduate of CrossExamined Instructors Academy. Having earned degrees from Southern Evangelical Seminary and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, he’s now active in the pro-life community and in his home church in Pella, Iowa. When he’s not helping his wife Hillary Ferrer with her ministry Mama Bear Apologetics, you can usually find John writing, researching, and teaching cultural apologetics.
What Babylon Teaches The Church About Discipleship | with Shanda Fulbright
PodcastWho (or WHAT) is discipling you and your family? We often talk about discipleship in Christian circles, with most of us instinctively associating it with some form of ministry training. While this is certainly an aspect of discipleship, it doesn’t quite encapsulate the concept as a whole. Is it safe to assume that the Church has been exclusive in its pursuit of producing disciples? Or has the culture managed to make a few disciples of its own?
In this midweek podcast, Phoenix Hayes sits down with former public school teacher, OCC instructor, and Biola certified Christian apologist, Shanda Fulbright, to talk about some practical ways to make faithful disciples. With help from Daniel and his Jewish friends, Shanda will explain what Christians can learn about discipleship from their experience in Babylon. During the episode, Phoenix and Shanda will answer questions like:
As you’ll hear during this episode, the unwavering faith of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn’t happen by accident. What was it that gave them the courage and the confidence to stand against the culture of their day? Listen and learn!
Do you need help discipling your 6-8th grader? Then don’t miss the opportunity to enroll your child in Shanda’s upcoming PREMIUM COURSE, ‘Let’s Get Real: Examining the Evidence for God‘, which kicks off on January 8th! During this 12-week course, each student will participate in 11 LIVE Zoom discussions with Shanda, and the 12th week will feature a LIVE Q&A session with Frank! Class starts soon so don’t delay, enroll your child HERE today!
To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry.
You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE.
Connect with Shanda online: https://www.shandafulbright.com/
Take one of Shanda’s online courses:
Train Your Brain: An Introduction to Logic – Self-Paced version for KIDS or ADULTS
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What Babylon Teaches The Church About Discipleship
Apologetics for Parents, Israel, Theology and Christian ApologeticsWhen you hear the word “disciple” does your mind go back to the first century where a group of twelve men followed Jesus and helped him pass out baskets full of loaves and fish? The word “disciple” is often associated with Christianity, and for good reason. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 commands every Christian to “go out and make disciples of all nations.” It’s no wonder that people’s idea of discipleship is linked only to religious groups.
My goal isn’t to change your mind that discipleship is a must when it comes to Christianity. My goal is to get you to think more deeply when it comes to what it means to disciple and be discipled. I’ll start with the claim that discipleship is not isolated to Christianity. And I’ll prove this by using an unconventional source – Babylon. In fact, I am going to make the case that Christian or not, you are somebody’s disciple. Your neighbor is somebody’s disciple. That person going through the Starbucks drive-thru? Yep, they’re somebody’s disciple too.
We can learn a lot about discipleship from Babylon.
Some might say Babylon is one of the most unconventional sources to teach us about discipleship. I agree, but when it comes to discipleship, Babylon had it down. They knew how to disciple and they did it well. Before we go any further, we first have to define what it means to be a disciple. A disciple is a follower or student of a teacher or philosopher. That means we are all somebody’s disciple because we all follow the ideas and beliefs of someone else. In essence, we have been and are being discipled in order to have arrived at the beliefs we hold.
In order to understand the Babylonian influence and culture during the time of Judah’s exile, let’s visit Daniel, chapter 1.
Babylon was under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar from around 605-562 BCE. It was a thriving city in Mesopotamia located on the Euphrates. Babylon is one of the most famous cities of antiquity, known for its symbolism of wickedness from Genesis to Revelation. In Genesis, Babylon is known as the location for the Tower of Babel. In Revelation, we see Babylon suffer the final judgment and wrath of God. So if you’re thinking, “What can Babylon possibly teach us about discipleship,” let me remind you – discipleship is not a word isolated to Christianity.
Babylon was intentional.
What does it mean to be intentional? It means you do things with and for a purpose. Babylon was intentional. Take a look at Daniel 1:1-4 and you’ll see that Nebachudnezzer strategically chose the young men of Judah. These weren’t just ordinary teenage boys. They were of royal descent; they were nobility. They were wise, good looking, and teachable. Babylon did not target the older population to serve the king. Babylon knew the minds of the young were moldable, impressionable, and these young men could be trained to learn the ways of Babylon.
Babylon understood the optimal time to make disciples and they pounced on it. The intent of Babylon was to win the minds of the young for greater service to the king.
Babylon was immersive.
Immersive means to be surrounded by. The training Babylon put these young men through was immersive with no room for flexibility. Verses 4-6 of chapter one gives us insight into this immersive discipleship training when it tells us the young men had to learn the language and literature of the Chaldeans. Not only did they learn to read and speak the language, they ate the food and wore the clothes. This immersive experience lasted for three years before they could even step foot into service to the king.
Babylon was not neutral.
Babylon left no room for neutrality. Discipleship is never neutral. Babylon proved this when they changed the names of the young men from their given Hebrew names to a new Babylonian name that gave tribute to the gods of the culture. For Babylon, it was not enough that these young men lived among them. They had to become one of them. Babylon forced the young boys to conform to the culture and forget the ways of their parents. But isn’t that the whole goal of discipleship – the student follows the teacher until the student becomes the teacher? Really, you can’t blame Babylon for their tactics. That’s just the way of discipleship.
What is Christian Discipleship?
I can go on and on about what Christian discipleship is, but I’ll spare you the details and make it short: it’s intentional, immersive, and it is not neutral. Yes, you read that right. Christian discipleship looks like Babylon’s discipleship. In fact, all discipleship does. Yes, Jesus commands us to go out and make disciples, but doesn’t that make you wonder what Christian discipleship actually entails and what makes it different from Babylon? In all four gospels, we see where the discipleship of the twelve was intentional, immersive, and not neutral.
Intentional and Immersive
Jesus intentionally chose the twelve (John 6:70). The twelve lived with Jesus, followed Jesus, and was part of His ministry for three and a half years. They witnessed storms ceasing at His word, blind men seeing, dead men rising, religious men trying to trap Him in His words, and the correction of their hard hearts and closed minds (Mark 8:21). They were privileged to get the inside scoop because after Jesus spoke in parables to the crowds they received special instruction behind the scenes (Mark 8). The timing of their training was intentional and so was the method of their training.
Jesus was not neutral. He watched many disciples walk away when they could not fathom the thought of eating His flesh and drinking His blood (John 6). He said He was the only way to the Father, calling all other religions and belief systems false (John 14:6). And Jesus told His disciples they could not have more than one master (Matt 24-26). In other words, He wasn’t neutral and neither was their discipleship training.
You are somebody’s disciple.
Since discipleship is not isolated to Christianity, that means discipleship can come from anyone passing on information and knowledge from one mind to the other. All discipleship involves education, and education is indoctrination. We must reconcile that in order to launch into the most important question that comes after it: who is discipling you? Who is discipling your kids? Because you are somebody’s disciple and so are they.
The days of Babylon might be a thing of the past but Babylon is still a representation of the secular culture and its wickedness today. Babylon is anything that sets itself up in the stead of God and no one understands discipleship better than Babylon, not even the twenty-first century church. If we did, we would understand that in discipleship, there is no room for compromise.
Who did it better?
After all of this, I bet you’d expect me to say we should follow Babylon’s lead in making disciples. I’m not. Although the plan of Christian discipleship looks the same as Babylons, the doctrine makes it different. Christians share the one true God, whereas Babylon does not. The goal of Christian discipleship is so that the good news of the gospel may reach the ears of all people in every nation. The goal of Babylon’s discipleship is so you will serve the god of the age and lose yourself in service to the king.
No, don’t follow the lead of Babylon. The answer to discipleship is found in the response of Daniel and his friends when faced with the temptations of the Babylonian culture. The text reads, “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies.” Daniel remained committed to the one true God. He did not waver in his traditions and customs, although I’m convinced the temptation was overwhelming.
One might wonder why. Why would Daniel and his friends resolve not to compromise? How could they withstand the temptation of Babylon and not crack under the pressure? I can tell you why – they were already somebody’s disciple. Before they left Judah, under the intentional, immersive, and unwavering training of their parents, they learned how to be a disciple of the one true God. How do I know? Because we are all somebody’s disciple. Even Babylon knows this.
Sign your kids up for the next round of Let’s Get Real: Examining The Evidence For God that begins in January, 2024.
Recommended resources related to the topic:
Intellectual Predators: How Professors Prey on Christian Students by Frank Turek (mp4 Download) (mp3) (DVD)
Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Greg Koukl (Book)
Jesus, You and the Essentials of Christianity by Frank Turek (INSTRUCTOR Study Guide), (STUDENT Study Guide), and (DVD)
Counter Culture Christian: Is the Bible True? by Frank Turek (Mp3), (Mp4), and (DVD)
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Shanda Fulbright is a credentialed teacher and has a certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, a certificate from the CrossExamined Instructor’s Academy as well as several certificates from Online Christian Courses. She hosts Her Faith Inspires podcast where she takes cultural issues and aligns them to biblical truth. You can read her blogs and find out more about her at shandafulbright.com.
Can Mathematics Be Used to Detect Design in Nature? | with Dr. William Dembski
PodcastHow do we know that life is designed? Would it surprise you to know that it can be done mathematically? You see, things like biological systems, specified complexity, and probabilistic hurdles leave no reasonable explanation for life as we know it without a creator. But are atheists and skeptics willing and able to address these hurdles without attributing them to so-called “chance”?
In this week’s podcast episode, Frank interviews Dr. William “Bill” Dembski, one of the founders of the modern-day intelligent design movement, who has an impressive academic background in philosophy, mathematics, and theology and sits on the Board of Directors at the Discovery Institute. In this thought-provoking episode, Bill and Frank team up to discuss the second edition of Bill’s book (co-authored by Winston Ewert) ‘The Design Inference: Eliminating Chance Through Small Probabilities‘, which lays out the mathematical way to detect design in nature. During their conversation, Bill and Frank will answer questions like:
As you’ll hear in this episode, it isn’t just a religious position that supports the existence of an intelligent designer. Objections to design, such as the argument from ignorance, are not valid when the design inference is applied correctly. How do we know that life is designed? Because the numbers just don’t lie!
To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry.
You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE.
Purchase ‘The Design Inference’ (2nd Edition): https://a.co/d/bfwaDUT
Connect with Bill online: https://billdembski.com/
Deconstructing Critical Theory | with Krista Bontrager & Monique Duson
PodcastWhat does the Bible teach us about race, ethnicity, unity, and justice? When Krista Bontrager (a conservative wife, homeschool mom, and Biola graduate) formed a close relationship with Monique Duson (a self-proclaimed former social justice warrior, international missionary, and Biola graduate), both women discovered that even in their shared love for Jesus, their views on these social issues couldn’t have been more diametrically opposed. With a topic as (potentially) divisive, triggering, and racially charged as social justice, how exactly did Krista and Monique manage to develop a close friendship and redirect their prior experiences and individual perspectives to form a ministry dedicated to answering these questions from a biblical worldview?
In this midweek podcast episode, CrossExamined’s Staff Writer, Phoenix Hayes, sits down with Monique and Krista, founders of the Center for Biblical Unity, to discuss the inspiration behind their upcoming book ‘Walking in Unity: Biblical Answers to Questions on Race and Racism.’ As they share the origin story of their friendship, you’ll see how walking and talking about their conflicting ideas strengthened their budding friendship and led them to a greater understanding of Critical Theory, including how it fundamentally clashes with the Gospel message. Listen as Phoenix, Monique, and Krista answer questions like:
Krista and Monique’s journey is proof that the Gospel still has the power to unite people from all walks of life, regardless of differences in age, ethnicity, and cultural backgrounds. This is a light-hearted conversation that will make you laugh, but also gives valuable insight into how to have tough conversations fruitfully. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for more details on when ‘Walking in Unity’ will be available again for pre-order. Due to a minor setback, the original release date has been delayed and the new date is TBD. You can also support Krista and Monique through their work at the Center for Biblical Unity.
To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry.
You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE.
Soon vs Suddenly: An Important Distinction on Jesus’ Return
4. Is the NT True?, Jesus ChristThe word “soon” can be quite ambiguous, if not misleading. When asked about homework, a teenager might reply that they expect to finish sometime soon. In my family, that word could equal 30 seconds for one child or 30 minutes for another. But despite these variations, the word “soon” still conjures up an idea of an approaching realization, like a progress bar on your phone that reads 99% complete.
We’ve all seen the signs that read, “Jesus is coming soon.” Taken straight from the Bible, we see no less than three times in one chapter when Jesus mentions “I am coming soon” (Rev 22:6-7, 12, 20). To some readers, this is a source of great hope and encouragement, but to others it is a source of mockery since it’s been nearly 2000 years since His statement was written down. So what gives?
To clarify confusion, we must take a closer look at the translation of the word tachos from Greek to English. Rather than an “almost there” connotation, the meaning behind the word has more to do with the speed or quickness of an event. Most of us have experienced the heart-stopping feeling when a bolt of lightning suddenly strikes nearby. One moment it was one way, and the next moment your hair was looking like Marv on Home Alone 2.
History is not much different. In the famous feast from which the phrase “writing on the wall” was coined, we see how the kingdom of Babylon was suddenly overtaken by the Medes and Persians (Daniel 5). All appeared to be normal and fine and then suddenly BAM! It all changed in an instant.
In light of this, the reader of Revelation can appreciate how God utilizes tachos similarly in His appeal to readiness. Rather than happening “soon” as many texts read, listen to how it sounds: “A revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave Him to show His bondservants what must happen suddenly” (Rev 1:1). See the difference?
Doug McIntosh in his preaching commentary on Revelation notes, “Casual believers will miss much of what is revealed here as the truth of this book describes things that must happen suddenly. Suddenly translates a Greek prepositional phrase that often means quickly or in rapid succession. The exact phrase used here also occurs in the Greek Old Testament or Septuagint (abbr. LXX) rendering of Psalms 2:12, which warns, “Seize upon instruction, lest the Lord be angry, and you will perish from the righteous way, when his anger suddenly blazes out.” Clearly Jesus Christ did not see any contradiction between avenging His servants’ mistreatment suddenly and the lapse of a long period: “Shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them suddenly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:7-8).[1]
The idea seems to be that most of the events that are predicted in Revelation will happen unexpectedly and quickly once they begin.
Consider the pattern in other parts of Scripture.
McIntosh further amplifies, “The voice of the Lord Jesus interjects a dose of reality: “Behold, I am coming suddenly.” After the conflagrations begin it is too late. When death may ensue at any second it is not the right time to reflect on the gravity and truthfulness of the message. For those who are faithful, the Lord holds forth a lovely promise: “My reward is with Me.” The words echo Isaiah 40:10, where the prophet proclaims, “Behold, the Lord God will come with might, with His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him and His recompense before Him.”[2]
Just as God judges unbelievers on the basis of their works, so He will judge believers at the judgment-seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Cor. 3:10-15). Good intentions and good theology are irrelevant. Only actions count: to give to everyone according to what he has done. Jesus can do this not only because He is the perfect Man but also because He is the “Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end” (Rev. 22:13).
The question for us all is not so much, “How soon before He returns?” but rather, “Am I right now ready for Him?”
Footnotes:
[1] https://dougmcintosh.org/pdf/CommentaryNT/CommentaryNTRevelation.pdf page 12.
[2] Ibid., page 172.
Recommended resources related to the topic:
How Can Jesus be the Only Way? Mp4, Mp3, and DVD by Frank Turek
Jesus, You and the Essentials of Christianity by Frank Turek (INSTRUCTOR Study Guide), (STUDENT Study Guide), and (DVD)
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Kent Suter was raised in Atlanta, GA and earned his Bachelor’s degrees in Biblical Studies and in Christian Education from Bryan College in Dayton, TN (2002). From there he attained a Master’s degree in Christian Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary (2008) where he served as student assistant to his late mentor and friend, Dr. Norman Geisler. Following his time at SES, he moved back to Atlanta and served as Youth Pastor for middle and high school students for 15 years at Cornerstone Bible Church. Today he and his wife of 20 years, Brook, and their four children reside in Orlando, FL.