Oct
11
Seeing “Cults” as People Groups
Filed Under Communicating with those of other faiths, New Religious Movements
I recently came across an intriguing concept while reading Encountering New Religious Movements: A Holistic Evangelical Approach (ed. Hexham, Rost, and Morehead II). According to the introduction, the various authors in this book intend to bridge the gap between apologetics and contextual missiology. As part of this project, they contend that Christians should approach those in New Religious Movements (NRM) in the same way as they would approach unreached people groups on the mission field.
On the one hand, this might not be a good idea because it might cause confusion. A “people group” is usually understood as an ethnolinguistic group with a shared identity, language, history, and culture. In missions, a people group is the largest group through which the gospel can flow without encountering significant barriers of understanding and acceptance.
On the other hand, seeing NRMs as unreached people groups might help in evangelism. Many Christians unfortunately tend to see those in NRMs (i.e. LDS, Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc) as opponents that need to be proven wrong. As would be expected, this approach usually closes the door to evangelism. In contrast, Christians tend to approach unreached people groups around the world with a greater sense of understanding and compassion. Maybe by seeing those in NRMs like we see those in unreached people groups, we will be more likely to encounter them with love rather than with contention.
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5 Responses to “Seeing “Cults” as People Groups”
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Interesting idea. Personally, I’m kind of scared of the Jehovah’s Witnesses that come knocking on my door…I’m not up to confronting them, so I usually just take their literature, smile, and throw it away after they leave. Never thought about seeing them as people who haven’t been reached with the Gospel. Interesting.
I think that’s right. The IMB (at least at one point) designated the Jains as a people. While they are not a NRM, they certainly represent a belief structure which is different enough from their neighbors that a separate strategy was/is needed to reach them. Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc. ought to be seen in this light as well, and your point about not seeing them as combatants but just another type of lost person is well taken . . .
This is a GREAT and very helpful concept. Thanks for passing it along.
To “approach those in New Religious Movements (NRM) in the same way as they would approach unreached people groups on the mission field” woudn’t mean we have to label them people a people group.
We just need to apply the same insights we have gained in people group strategy.
So the title might be “Applying people group principles to reaching NRM’s.”
jason
I think that the approach to this is very intriguing to me. As you concluded that, “we would become more likely to encounter them with love than contention,” What I see in this idea is removal of judgments and the placement of value more on the person, as opposed to their ideas. It’s transitioning from a possible legalistic approach of “you need to change,” to saying, “I accept you just the way you are.” What would our Christian culture look like if we all felt this way? What would happen if we chose to live in the awareness of this thought daily? how would we respond to people asking for money? how would we respond to our spouse, our children, or our family? What might it feel like if someone accepted me, just the way i am?
I get the sense that this idea is serious. It seems to me that this can be transformational. Multiple time Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus clearly made that point that he is valuable. He also made emphasized that we are valuable. So, to me, i can see how this thought can be life-changing. Just the way that a white racist, living in the south, who deciding to be in relationship with a black person, can be life changing. Just the way that Jesus was companions with Judas.
I think it’s a great thought.
you have put words to my feelings, thank you,we need to help persons as we so were helped at some time before,when we stand back and let the enemy claim these souls,what shall become of us,lots of us just read parts of the word and we dont cross reference so we are taught wat others belief and accept it without searching the word for support .through every situation advice is in the book just find it .