This question could have a very simple answer - some might say "yes", I would say "no". But the fist point to consider is "what is a cult?"

I have tried to find a definitive definition of what a cult is and discovered the following: According to the Compact Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary (1971) the term, "cult," originally referred to "worship; reverential homage rendered to a divine being or beings...a particular form or system of religious worship; especially in reference to its external rites and ceremonies ...devotion or homage to a particular person or thing." More recently, the term has taken on additional connotations: "3 : A religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious...4 : A system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator...5 a. great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work...b. a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion." (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition, 1994) Using this "yardstick", are the Christadelphians a cult?

The first two definitions refer to a "system of religious worship" and " devotion or homage to a particular person or thing". Now if we don't object too strongly to Almighty God being referred to as a "particular person or thing", then we could put our hand up and say "Yes, we are a cult", but those same criteria could be applied to every Christian denomination.

The third definition refers to "a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious". How are the Christadelphians regarded? This come to the root of the issue. I have looked at several sites where the Christadelphians are branded as a "cult" and the criterion seems to be - "You don't agree with us, therefore you must be a cult". We can appreciate that other Christians consider our beliefs differ from what has become the norm over 2,000 years, but we would say that our beliefs fit more closely to what the Bible teaches; our beliefs have not been influenced by non-Christian religions or philosophies. Our aim is to be true to First Century teaching and our belief is that we are close to achieving it.

The fourth definition refers to healing about which the Christadelphians make no claims whatsoever.

The fifth definition returns to the idea of devotion to a person, idea etc. Critics point to the role of Dr. John Thomas in the founding of the Christadelphians and state that we are his disciples, followers, etc. The fact is that Dr. Thomas and his successor are well respected because of the immense work they carried out, in our view, separating the “Wheat” of True Christianity from the “Chaff” of false teaching and traditions. However, they are not revered and they are not considered infallible. They had no new revelation; they "merely" studied the Bible prayerfully and devoted their lives to preaching and teaching what they had "unearthed".

Why do I care if the Christadelphians are called a cult? Only because, it has become universally thought of as a "bad thing". Originally, it was only a descriptive term, but currently it is used as a very disparaging term indeed. The word "Cult" has associations of scams, "get-rich-quick" schemes and fronts for child abuse, brain-washing etc.

Can any of these accusations be made against the Christadelphians? Well, although there are different groupings of Christadelphians and I cannot claim detailed knowledge of all of them, I have not ever encountered any such activities within the "denomination". I am not claiming all Christadelphians are perfect, or that there has never been anyone who has "strayed from the straight and narrow". We are only human and all fall short of the Glory of God. But any such activity would be taken very seriously indeed and if the individual would not turn away from their course of action, then moves would be made to distance ourselves from them until they repented.

In fact, the likelihood of anyone getting rich through the Christadelphians would be remote indeed. There are no paid officials of any kind. The most anyone is likely to get is some travelling expenses or a free lunch!

So if you were worried, I hope that you now feel reassured. But if for any reason you wish to discuss the matter further then please do not hesitate to contact us.

You can Email us at The Dawn Christadelphians