Sunday, December 23, 2007

The Christ Church Cult

Pastor Todd Bordow nails it again, this time outlining two common traits of cults. Before you read his comment, however, please note that Beelzeblog now uses his blog to openly recruit people to move to Moscow. He has lost all credibility with the locals; he couldn’t evangelize them even if wanted to. So he must keep his base in tact by recruiting souls to move to Moscow. Also note that about two years ago folks in Moscow gave a new name to the local sect, calling it The Christ Church Cult. The name sticks to this day. I republish this comment on my anonymous attack blog without permission:

A number of you are uncomfortable describing the DW/FV movement as cult-like, but if you have worked with cults you will recognize the two similarities listed below, and don’t worry, you will see as you read that this is on topic.
  1. People quitting their jobs to relocate to Moscow, ID, not because DW preaches the gospel clearly, but for other reasons; i.e., joining the law-abiding spiritually “elite.” This elitist feeling of being among the faithful few is intoxicating and addicting.

  2. Once committing emotionally to the movement, whether because you need the guarantee of faithful children unstained by the world, or DW’s antagonistic and critical outlook toward unbelievers and the majority of churches resonates with you (both common cult characteristics), you are forced to justify and explain away the most ridiculous claims made by the leaders — anyone remember Harold Camping?
For example, consider the claim by DW that God not only justifies and sanctifies individuals, but justifies and sanctifies his visible church, even though some within it might not be inwardly justified and sanctified. Think about how irrational and nonsensical that is. How is an entity “forgiven and declared righteous” while people within it not really forgiven and declared righteous? How do you take this stuff seriously? You do so when you are emotionally attached to the movement, and since in this movement a clear gospel message is not valued, followers are willing to allow the gospel to be obfuscated for the sake of continuing the movement and justifying its leaders. That is why no matter the logic or facts used to correct the statements of the FV leaders, the FV supporters continue on unabashed. Most true Christians in this movement need to crash first before they are courageous enough to walk away from the movement and still know they are okay spiritually.

Blessings,

Todd Bordow
Pastor — Covenant Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth (OPC)
Fort Worth, TX

Thank you.

5 comments:

S. A. Smith said...

Look at this too. Much of it matches testimony from Wilson 'family' members...

Mark T. said...

Right now Wilson is flaming emails to Pastor Lane trying to chill the conversation. He’ll probably prevail because the thread is now off point, but the best thing the Reformed church could do for itself is identify Christ Church, Moscow, as a cult.

S. A. Smith said...

I know, just when it gets interesting people start to get slapped on the wrist. There's order and diplomacy, and there's lukewarmness. Though having moderated forums before, and being the ultimate anything-goes moderator, I know how people will exploit the freedoms to mess the environment up if they see things they don't want to be made public, and so rules have to be applied and effective for all sides. So, I guess I have to say I respect the job they have and do. I'll probably post this over there so they know I know I'm walking a razor's edge...

Seth Foster, whoever he is, has written some good comments over there...

Mark T. said...

Robert,

I have the highest regard for your contribution to this controversy and for the most part I agree with pretty much all your comments. It’s clear to me, at any rate, that you see through the FV fakes.

But Pastor Lane has clearly defined the boundaries of his blog — he wants the content academic and the tone respectful. Unlike you, I can’t compete at an academic level and I wouldn’t try. However, I can show restraint and treat the FVists with respect on Pastor Lane’s blog, pursuant to his ground rules. I agree with you that the FVists know no rules and that they are duplicitous every step of the way, but that’s not a license for either of us to disrespect Pastor Lane. It’s a cause for him to pursue in his time, without me interfering.

I suppose my point here is to encourage you to stay within the rules, and, better yet, consider starting your own blog. I think that if you concentrated on 600 words per day in one well-thought essay, instead of 45 words every 12 minutes, you would be much more effective. You have colorful metaphors, good analogies, and excellent points. Moreover, you can pull Calvin out of your hat faster than anyone I’ve ever seen.

Just my two cents, if they make sense.

S. A. Smith said...

Something tells me you're more of a match for the academic types than I am, but I take all the rest into consideration...