Is the United Church of God a cult?

Answer 1

One common definition of a cult is an authoritarian organization led by a charismatic personality who enforces obedience to his ideals and beliefs. By this definition, the United Church of God (UCG) is not a cult, because it is governed by a 12-man council of elders. However, the Church faithfully teaches the doctrines of the now deceased Herbert W. Armstrong, who was a very charismatic and controlling leader of the Worldwide Church of God (WCG), which was widely considered to be a cult. Armstrong believed that he was an end-time apostle proclaiming the soon-coming 'Kingdom of God'. WCG discontinued Armstrong's teachings after his death, prompting members faithful to Armstrong doctrines to split and form their own organizations. The United Church of God is one of many of these offshoot organizations. These organizations vary from moderate to more extreme forms, the latter of which tend to have controlling leaders and exhibit clear characteristics of a cult. The more moderate groups, such as UCG, have departed from Armstrong's more eccentric teachings such as a ban on birthdays and makeup.

The United Church of God teaches a unique form of Christianity derived from the teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong, which is known by non-adherents as 'Armstrongism'. Armstrongism teaches that groups of the same beliefs are the 'only true church', and that all other religions are false or satanic counterfeits. 'Converted' members are seen as an exclusive and select group of people specially chosen by God to become 'first-fruits' - a future group of 'god-beings' and 'kings and priests' in the literal earthly 'Kingdom of God.' God has specially 'drawn' his 'elect' and revealed the hidden knowledge of his 'truth' only to them, whereas the rest of the world is blinded by Satan to this special knowledge. The 'sign' of God's 'chosen people' is literal sabbath keeping and obedience to the Old Covenant (Mosaic) law, excluding temple and ritual laws. Significant demands are placed on members, such as two tithes and Holy Day observances. Members are not permitted to work from sunset to sunset on Holy-Days or the Sabbath (Saturday), even if they lose their employment as a result. Armstrongist groups, such as UCG, consider themselves as being different and apart from 'the world', i.e. non-believers. As an example, they will not celebrate Christmas in any form because Christmas is 'extra-biblical' and 'pagan' in origin.

Other key UCG beliefs that differ from traditional Christianity include the rejection of the Trinity, and their belief that Western white nations (predominantly England and the U.S.A.) are the direct lineal descendants of the northern tribes of Israel.

Answer 2

I believe David C. Pack is working under the authority of God. The Restored Church of God is not a cult. It teaches the commandments and statutes established by God. They give away free books and booklets to all who want them. They're not selling God's message (Freely you have received, freely give.)

Another answer

What is a Cult?

Cults or sects are religious movements, churches, or other organizations that have all or some of the following characteristics:

1. Cults usually claim to be biblically-based, Christian organizations.

2. All cults deny or redefine any or all essential Christian doctrines.

3. Sects may adhere officially to essential Christian teachings while exhibiting other characteristics of cults or sects. The Restored Church of God believes Jesus came and died for our sins but that he did not come to save the world at this time.

4. Cults usually claim to be led by divinely inspired leaders. David Pack states that the two witnesses of Revelation will come out of his church and that he will train them for their 3½ year mission on earth.

5. Cults usually claim to possess a new and inspired written scripture that supplements or supersedes the authority of The Bible. Mr. Pack states that Herbert W Armstrong was the Elijah proclaimed to come before the "End Time". He states this in his book and video of the same name"I Will Send Elijah to Restore All Things" Mr. Armstrong taught that his book "Mystery of the Ages" was the most important book since the bible.

6. Cults usually claim to be the only true (or the most true) church in the world. Restored Church of God does state this, as with all WCG splinter groups.

Another answer"Cult" is a subjective, pejorative term used by critics. If leadership by a central figure makes a group a cult, then the Roman Catholic Church qualifies, correct? If doctrine is the standard, each Christian denomination has teachings that the others disagree with--hence so many denominations. Who is "orthodox"?

The Restored Church of God is not a cult. It is a Christian Church with members in over 40 countries on six continents. Its primary goals are found in Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:19.

Another answer

The word "cult" entails different meanings in different schools of thought. In pop culture a cult is usually a demonic or evil group which is lead by a charismatic lunatic.

In the religious field the meaning is different. When defining religions, a new demonization is defined when a group of people who believe in the same basic principles of the founding religion separated due to smaller theological issues. For example, when the Journey Church emerged out of the Southern Baptist Church, as well as a few other congregations, it was regarded as a new denomination because the Journey believes in the same basic principles but differs on their approach to evangelism.

Under this definition it is possible to be a cult to some and not a cult to others. For example, the Protestant faith is considered a cult to the Catholic faith. This is because the protestant reformation denied the tenet beliefs of divine authority of the Catholic Church. I myself am a Protestant and so I very clearly mean no disrespect. Again the word cult carries a bad connotation however it contains no lexical bad meaning in the field of religion.

So under this understanding the Restored Church of God is a cult simply because it denies the central teaching of all other churches.

Furthermore one should consider deeply the claims of David C. Pack. He claims to be the leader of the only "True" Christian church. Two logical and theological problems are presented by this statement.

One is that one true leader of the Church, as defined by scripture, is Christ. (Eph 5:22-23) It has be the place of false prophets and heretics to pronouns themselves at the same level as Christ. This is not to say that Pack is either but it is to say he runs the logical risk.

Second is that the Church is the tool which God has chosen to use to redeem the world. If the RCG is the only true church then that is to say that God has not been working through the other churches since the original 12. With this statement the Apostle's Creed, Nicene Creed, the reformation, and the work of every theologian becomes void.

David C. Pack and the RCG claims are alarming when understood under this light. Under the classic religious understanding of the word "cult," the RCG is a cult. Under the biblical understanding, David C Pack may be considered a false prophet. One should watch him carefully, testing every word he says against scripture. If they ever differ or counter one another, disregard him as a false prophet.

Answer 3

Yes. Restored Church of God has identical doctrines and practices to the former Worldwide Church of God which was widely considered a cult. RCG's founder, David Pack, was a minister in Worldwide before breaking off in 1995.

Depends on what one means by "cult". Promoters of an imagined orthodoxy will often use the word in a pejorative fashion to slander groups they consider to be heretical. Negative preaching efforts dubbed "counter-cult ministries" often spring up around these controversies, with the apparent twin goals of lambasting what they consider "false religion" and of poaching members from the "heretical" groups in question. Secular institutions have more useful and ethical standards for applying the term and many, in fact, have abandoned "cult" altogether for less ideologically loaded and more descriptive vocabulary. "High-demand groups" is a common phrase used to describe what have traditionally been called "cults".

RCG (Restored Church of God) is one among many essentially identical sects that have branched off of the now-defunct WCG (Worldwide Church of God) and have carried on its high-demand traditions. These include:

• A lack of transparency. One may not become a member without first expressing to the satisfaction of church officials a solid dedication to various core doctrines. Outside visitors are not welcome to worship services.
• A focus on the leader. The "pastor general" of these groups is always touted as the singular voice of God on Earth. He often wields total and absolute power within the organization, with no ethical or political oversight whatsoever. This is true of RCG's David Pack.
• An insular culture. These groups always emphasize scriptures that encourage separation from the outside world, and their application is strongly urged if not demanded of the member. Cutting off of ties to non-member family and friends is not uncommon. Voting and military service are strictly forbidden.
• A "no-contact policy". An official policy, dating back to a ruling by the founder of WCG, Herbert Armstrong, forbids members in good standing from all contact with former members or members of other, similar groups. This includes family members. Many of these daughter sects follow this ruling to this day. RCG is among them.
• An obsession with conspiracy theories and violent apocalyptic scenarios. The central doctrine of such groups is Adventism, the belief that Jesus will return to Earth shortly. As such, RCG and related groups lean heavily on "prophetic" doomsday messages, often fortified with sensational visions of carnage, rape and cannibalism.
• Officially sanctioned anti-intellectualism. Members are strongly discouraged from thinking critically, and are instead directed toward memorizing slogans and talking points, one of which, for example, is an injunction against "human reasoning". The member who expresses doubts about a doctrine or asks critical questions is unfailingly met with accusations, slander and threats of excommunication from on high.
• Constant and excessive demand for financial support. The monetary burden such groups place on their members in the form of tithes and offerings often exceeds 20% of household income (gross, not net, incidentally). Tithes are considered a direct command from God and these groups typically maintain that there are three of them. RCG, being among the most conservative of the relevant sects, certainly demands that members remain faithful to the three-tithe system.

It should be clear to any reasonable, informed and impartial observer that RCG is rightly described as a "high-demand group", i.e., a cult.

Answer 4

Most protestants would consider it borderline. They would basically agree with the apostles creed which is the standard for a group to be considered a Christian denomination, however they teach that certain works (particularly baptism) are necessary for salvation which causes them to be out of step with the founders of the protestant reformation as well as the vast majority of modern day protestants.

Answer 5

Actually, yes. The definintion for the word "cult" is a group or sect bound together by belief of the same thing, person, ideal, etc. The word cult used today is generally spoken in reference to a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader. As an evangelical Christian, I have been taught that any religion deviating from the bounds of Truth (the Holy Bible). I think this is mainly referring to religious cults. I think there is a huge difference between a religiously based cult and a socially based cult, and I don't know much about those groups that would be considered more of a social cult. This definition of cult I don't necessarily agree with, because even a good, solid, bible believing/teaching church is going to be somehow imperfect as we are all human, and fall short of God's glory and perfection. (Romans 3:23) So to define a cult as something that fails to fully be bound in teaching and action to Truth is pretty far-fetched. For that to be true I believe every leader, every member, every ministry would have to be flawless which can't happen since nobody is perfect. Churches that teach things that do not agree with scripture (and you'd have to research it and dig into Scripture/pray to know for sure) are cult ish but again, there's a fine line between major deviations from Truth and denominations that may not have a fully biblical doctrine but still have people under that denomination who's faith is genuine and true. There are Pseudo-Christian cults such as Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses that play off that they are very biblically based but when it comes down to things like salvation, who they worship and practices that they testify to in God's name saying that THIS IS TRUTH, and its not (blasphemy). those are the kinds of things I see as cults. The organizations that are set up with a doctrine that if you believe those doctrines you cannot still be a Christian. I don't know enough about Pentacostal Church to know for sure if it would truly be defined as a cult.

Answer 6

The Living Church of God is built around the teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong. It is believed to be an occult and the teachings were against traditional Christian belief.