Cults and Charisma: The Eccentricities of 19th Century American Religion

 

Summary

In our exploration of the religious landscape of 19th-century America, we have encountered a fascinating array of eccentricities, particularly in the form of cults. These groups, often diverging significantly from mainstream Christianity, have been a notable part of America's religious history. The freedom of religion in America, while a cherished value, has also allowed for the proliferation of these groups, some of which have developed their own unique theologies and practices.

One of the primary characteristics of these cults is their claim to restore true Christianity, which they believe was lost over time. The Mormons, for example, assert that Joseph Smith's revelations restored the original Christian faith. Another type of cult focuses on healing, such as Christian Science, which combines spirituality with claims of physical healing. This group, founded by Mary Baker Eddy, teaches that physical reality is an illusion and that true healing comes from overcoming this illusion.

The third type of cult emphasizes spirituality, often presenting a radically different understanding of God's presence and power. Christian Science, again, serves as an example with its focus on spiritual reality over physical existence. In contrast, Mormonism emphasizes the physical, with beliefs about eternal marriage and the potential for humans to become gods.

Eschatology cults, the fourth type, are preoccupied with the second coming of Christ. The Seventh-day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses emerged from this tradition, initially inspired by William Miller's failed predictions of Christ's return. Despite the "Great Disappointment" of 1844, these movements persisted, adapting their beliefs to maintain their followers' faith.

The Shakers, known for their celibate communities and ecstatic worship, illustrate the diversity of American religious movements. Their emphasis on simplicity and spiritual humility, expressed through dance and song, reflects a unique approach to faith.

These cults often thrive under charismatic leaders who captivate followers with their vision and authority. However, the gullibility of people and a lack of theological education also contribute to the rise of such movements. As Luther wisely noted, wherever God builds a church, the devil builds a chapel next door, often larger and more enticing.

Key Takeaways:

- Freedom and Eccentricity: The religious freedom in America has allowed for the emergence of numerous cults, each with its own unique theology and practices. This freedom, while valuable, also presents the danger of leading people away from orthodox Christianity. [01:37]

- Restorationist Claims: Many cults claim to restore the true Christian faith, which they believe was lost over time. This appeal to a purer form of Christianity can be enticing but often leads to significant theological deviations. [03:30]

- Healing and Spirituality: Cults like Christian Science emphasize healing and spirituality, often presenting a radically different understanding of reality. This focus on overcoming physical illusions can be attractive but ultimately diverges from biblical teachings. [05:44]

- Eschatological Focus: Some cults are preoccupied with the second coming of Christ, leading to predictions and expectations that can result in disillusionment. The persistence of these movements, despite failed prophecies, highlights the power of charismatic leadership and the human desire for certainty. [13:29]

- Charismatic Leadership and Gullibility: Charismatic leaders play a significant role in the formation and growth of cults. Their ability to captivate followers, combined with a lack of theological education, makes people susceptible to being led astray. [11:39]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:29] - Eccentricities in 19th Century America
- [01:08] - The Rise of Cults
- [01:37] - Freedom and Religious Proliferation
- [02:18] - Early Mormonism and Legal Challenges
- [02:51] - Characteristics of Cults
- [03:30] - Restorationist Cults
- [04:36] - Healing Cults and Christian Science
- [05:44] - Spirituality and Physical Reality
- [07:03] - Mormonism's Physical Focus
- [08:00] - Christian Science's Illusion of Physicality
- [09:39] - Challenges in Christian Science
- [11:09] - Charismatic Leaders and Gullibility
- [12:28] - Lack of Theological Education
- [13:29] - Eschatology Cults and The Great Disappointment
- [16:51] - The Shakers and Celibate Communities
- [21:18] - The Desire for Exclusive Truth
- [22:14] - Conclusion and Next Steps

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Galatians 1:6-9
- 2 Timothy 4:3-4
- Matthew 24:23-24

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Observation Questions:

1. What are some of the key characteristics of cults mentioned in the sermon, and how do they differ from mainstream Christianity? [02:51]

2. How does the sermon describe the role of charismatic leaders in the formation and growth of cults? [11:09]

3. What are the different types of cults identified in the sermon, and what are their main focuses? [03:30]

4. How did the sermon explain the persistence of eschatology cults despite failed prophecies? [13:29]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways do restorationist cults appeal to the desire for a "purer" form of Christianity, and what theological deviations might this lead to? [03:30]

2. How does the sermon suggest that the lack of theological education contributes to the rise of cults, and what might be the implications for modern believers? [12:28]

3. What does the sermon imply about the human desire for certainty and how it can lead to the formation of eschatology cults? [13:29]

4. How does the sermon illustrate the tension between spiritual and physical realities in the teachings of cults like Christian Science and Mormonism? [05:44]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you encountered a belief system that claimed to restore "true" Christianity. How did you discern its validity, and what steps can you take to ensure your beliefs are grounded in biblical truth? [03:30]

2. Consider the role of charismatic leaders in your own faith journey. How can you ensure that your faith is based on Scripture rather than the personality or charisma of a leader? [11:09]

3. How can you equip yourself with a solid theological foundation to avoid being led astray by teachings that deviate from orthodox Christianity? What resources or practices might help in this endeavor? [12:28]

4. Have you ever been drawn to a belief or practice that promised healing or spiritual insight? How did you evaluate its alignment with biblical teachings, and what did you learn from the experience? [05:44]

5. In what ways can the desire for certainty in uncertain times lead individuals to follow eschatological predictions? How can you find peace and assurance in your faith without relying on specific predictions about the future? [13:29]

6. Reflect on the balance between valuing religious freedom and maintaining theological integrity. How can you engage with diverse beliefs while staying true to your faith? [01:37]

7. How can you foster a spirit of humility and simplicity in your own spiritual practices, similar to the Shakers, without falling into the trap of exclusivity or isolation? [16:51]

Devotional

Day 1: The Dual Nature of Religious Freedom
The religious freedom in America has allowed for the emergence of numerous cults, each with its own unique theology and practices. This freedom, while valuable, also presents the danger of leading people away from orthodox Christianity. The 19th-century American religious landscape was marked by a variety of groups that diverged significantly from mainstream Christianity. These groups, often labeled as cults, thrived in an environment that celebrated religious freedom. While this freedom is a cherished value, it also opened the door for the proliferation of movements that developed their own unique theologies and practices. The challenge lies in discerning the truth amidst a sea of spiritual eccentricities. [01:37]

Galatians 5:13-14 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you use your religious freedom to serve others and promote truth, rather than being led astray by enticing but unorthodox teachings?


Day 2: The Allure of Restoration
Many cults claim to restore the true Christian faith, which they believe was lost over time. This appeal to a purer form of Christianity can be enticing but often leads to significant theological deviations. Groups like the Mormons assert that their teachings restore the original Christian faith, claiming that it was lost over time. This restorationist claim can be attractive to those seeking a more authentic spiritual experience. However, these movements often introduce significant theological deviations that stray from traditional Christian teachings. The challenge is to discern the authenticity of such claims and remain grounded in biblical truth. [03:30]

2 Timothy 4:3-4 (ESV): "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."

Reflection: Are there areas in your spiritual journey where you are tempted to seek out teachings that align with your desires rather than biblical truth? How can you guard against this?


Day 3: The Illusion of Healing and Spirituality
Cults like Christian Science emphasize healing and spirituality, often presenting a radically different understanding of reality. This focus on overcoming physical illusions can be attractive but ultimately diverges from biblical teachings. Christian Science, for example, teaches that physical reality is an illusion and that true healing comes from overcoming this illusion. This perspective can be appealing to those seeking spiritual and physical healing. However, it diverges from biblical teachings that affirm the reality of the physical world and the importance of faith in Christ for true healing. The challenge is to discern the difference between spiritual truth and illusion. [05:44]

Colossians 2:8 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."

Reflection: How can you ensure that your understanding of healing and spirituality is rooted in Christ and not in philosophies that deviate from biblical truth?


Day 4: The Persistence of Eschatological Movements
Some cults are preoccupied with the second coming of Christ, leading to predictions and expectations that can result in disillusionment. The persistence of these movements, despite failed prophecies, highlights the power of charismatic leadership and the human desire for certainty. Movements like the Seventh-day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses emerged from eschatological traditions, initially inspired by failed predictions of Christ's return. Despite the "Great Disappointment" of 1844, these movements adapted their beliefs to maintain their followers' faith. This persistence underscores the power of charismatic leadership and the human desire for certainty in uncertain times. [13:29]

Matthew 24:36 (ESV): "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a healthy anticipation of Christ's return without being swayed by speculative predictions or charismatic leaders?


Day 5: The Influence of Charismatic Leadership
Charismatic leaders play a significant role in the formation and growth of cults. Their ability to captivate followers, combined with a lack of theological education, makes people susceptible to being led astray. These leaders often possess a compelling vision and authority that draw people in, especially those lacking a strong theological foundation. The challenge is to develop discernment and a solid understanding of biblical teachings to avoid being misled by charismatic but unorthodox leaders. [11:39]

1 John 4:1 (ESV): "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."

Reflection: What steps can you take to deepen your theological understanding and discernment to protect yourself from being led astray by charismatic leaders?

Quotes


Cults or sects are groups that have developed so much of their own theology and their own character away from the received truth of Christianity, usually away from not just evangelical Christianity, but away from catholic Christianity that is rejecting the doctrine of God or the doctrine of Christ that had been received in the church from the ancient church period. [00:00:49]

I think part of the reason is simply that America has been so free in terms of religion. Since there has not been legal restriction on the practice of religion, unless a cult gets involved in something really wild like the use of peyote or some mind-altering drug or something illegal in that sense, the forces of the law have not come down on that religion. [00:01:42]

The first kind of cult we have are what we could call “restorationist cults.” These are cults that tend to teach that true Christianity has been lost some time in the past and now is finally being properly restored. Mormons are a good example of that. Joseph Smith taught that the revelation given to him was a revelation showing how true Christianity had died out early in the history of the church and only now with the restoration of the prophetic office was true Christianity and the true practice of Christianity being restored. [00:03:30]

In the 19th century probably the most famous healing cult was Christian Science, founded by Mary Baker Eddy and her famous book, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.” But Christian Science was not only a healing cult, but it also represented the third kind of cults that we could talk about, and that is cults that focused on spirituality, a different kind of spirituality, a different kind of way of practicing religion, a different way of understanding the presence and the power of God amongst His people. [00:05:02]

Mormonism and Christian Science are interesting kinds of polar opposites when it comes to cults, because Mormonism is a cult almost entirely focused on the physical, the importance of marriage, of marriage sealed for eternity, the importance of the temple and fulfilling your obligations in the temple, the notion that you will become a god of your own world if you are a man and reign over that world populated by your own children in the time to come. [00:05:57]

Mary Baker Eddy, in a rather remarkable way, combined a new approach to spirituality in a way that would lead, she insisted, to healing. What Mary Baker Eddy really said is, there is no physical reality. Physical reality is entirely an illusion. It is a result of evil forces controlling your mind, and what you need to do is to liberate your mind from the illusion of the physical. [00:05:44]

I think often one factor is really powerful, charismatic leaders. It has to be the Joseph Smith as the first prophet and then Brigham Young as the next prophet who were powerful, charismatic —charismatic with a small c, not Pentecostal— but just very effective communicators, dominant personalities driven by their own vision in such a powerful way that other people are drawn in. [00:11:03]

And of course, people are gullible. P.T. Barnum, “There is a sucker born every minute.” I mean, people want to believe certain things and it’s much easier somebody said to get people to believe what they want to believe than to get them to believe what they don’t want to believe. And of course ultimately, we believe this is a demonic strategy to lead people away from the truth. [00:11:39]

The fourth kind of cult that we have in the history of the American churches is what we could call an “eschatology cult,” a cult that is so focused on the second coming of Christ that everything is controlled by that expectation. In a sense, we could say that the Seventh-day Adventist movement in its early years had a tendency to be cultic in that regard. [00:13:29]

William Miller was a farmer in the early part of the 19th century in America, and he was a careful student of the Bible, and he concluded that he knew the date of Christ’s return. Now today that seems like a kind of strange and eccentric point of view. Actually in the 17th and 18th century, there were a number of people who thought that they could calculate the date of Christ’s return. [00:14:00]

Some people abandoned Christianity altogether because of this disappointment, but others, the most prominent of whom was Ellen G. White, said Miller was not really wrong, he simply was wrong in the event that would take place in October of 1844. It was not that Christ would return visibly in glory in October 1844, but that Christ would rise from his throne to enter the heavenly temple to begin the investigative judgment to determine who would finally enter the eternal kingdom. [00:15:21]

It is also true, I think, people sometimes have a desire to be the only ones who really know the truth. “It is just us who are really right,” now that is true only of Calvinists, right? But Calvinism has never had that extreme exclusivity. Other people may not be as right as we are, but other people are going to heaven. But these cults almost always say, “We’re the only people going to heaven. We’re the only people who really follow the law. We’re the only people who really understand.” [00:21:18]

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Transcript
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