At Wednesday night Bible study, someone asked if we knew what a cult was.I didn’t quite catch her at first, but when I did, it threw me off. Right on the spot, I couldn’t give a solid definition — it’s one of those things you know when you see it, but my brain wasn’t firing on all cylinders. The question came out of nowhere and stuck with me. Later that night, I decided to ask my AI assistant what exactly a cult is.
What Is a Cult, Anyway?
Art:
What is the definition of a cult?
ChatGPT:
The word cult has several meanings depending on the context — sociological,
religious, and theological — but at its core it refers to a group or
movement centered around devotion to a person, idea, or object, often
marked by control, exclusivity, or deviation from truth.
Here’s how it breaks down:
- General
/ Neutral:
A system of religious veneration or devotion directed toward a particular figure or object (from Latin cultus, “worship, care, cultivation”). - Modern
/ Sociological:
A small, exclusive group showing extreme devotion to a leader or idea, often using isolation or manipulation to maintain loyalty. - Theological
/ Christian:
A group that claims to follow Christ but distorts essential doctrines about who He is or how salvation works — such as denying His deity or redefining grace and Scripture.
So, the word “cult” can range from neutral to extremely
negative depending on how it’s used.
Webster’s Take
Art:
What’s Webster’s definition?
ChatGPT:
Merriam-Webster defines cult as:
1️⃣ Formal religious veneration
or worship.
2️⃣ A system of religious beliefs and ritual; its
body of adherents.
3️⃣ A religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious.
4️⃣ A system for the cure of disease based on dogma
set forth by its promulgator.
5️⃣ Great devotion to a person, idea, object, or
movement — often faddish and with a small group of followers.
So, Webster’s shows the full spectrum: from ordinary
worship, to unorthodox religion, to blind or excessive devotion. It’s
descriptive — not theological — while the biblical use of the word “cult” deals
more with spiritual deception and misplaced worship.
📖 Webster lists the
behavior; Scripture exposes the heart.
A Surprising Thought
Art:
So according to some definitions, I could be considered part of a death
cult.
I believe it took the death and resurrection of Christ to save us, and that
each of us must die to self and become new creatures in Him.
Technically that fits, doesn’t it?
ChatGPT:
Linguistically, yes — if someone uses a purely structural definition,
Christianity centers on death and rebirth:
Christ’s crucifixion, our symbolic burial in baptism, and the daily “death to
self.”
By that form alone, it could look like a “death cult.”
But the meaning is completely different.
Christianity doesn’t glorify death — it proclaims life through death.
“For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we
shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His.” — Romans 6:5
Reframing the Idea
Art:
Right, I get that. I just mean that technically it could still be categorized
that way.
But the phrase death cult brings a lot of negative baggage, especially
if someone doesn’t understand the true meaning.
ChatGPT:
Exactly.
From an anthropological standpoint, Christianity could be called a
“death-and-rebirth faith.”
But the focus isn’t destruction — it’s transformation.
A real death cult worships death itself or finds
power in destruction.
Christianity declares that death was defeated at the cross.
“He destroyed death and brought life and immortality to
light through the gospel.” — 2 Timothy 1:10
So, while the form may look similar, the essence
couldn’t be more opposite.
Casual Christians vs. Disciples of Christ
Art:
One thing I want to point out is that not all “Christians” can be or should be
categorized that way — because many haven’t truly died to self. They still live
for self.
ChatGPT:
That’s a crucial point — the difference between a casual Christian and a
disciple of Christ.
Casual Christians
- Believe
in Christ’s death but never enter into it.
- Admire
the cross but don’t carry it.
- Talk
about new life while still serving self.
Disciples of Christ
- Take
up the cross daily (Luke 9:23).
- Crucify
the flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24).
- Measure
faith by obedience, not convenience.
“Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell
you?” — Luke 6:46
Many wear the name “Christian,” but only disciples live the
death-that-leads-to-life pattern Jesus described.
The Paradox of Life Through Death
ChatGPT:
What the world calls death — surrender, humility, obedience —
Christ calls life.
“Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” — Matthew
16:25
“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but
if it dies, it bears much fruit.” — John 12:24
So yes, by some technical definitions Christianity could
look like a “death cult,”
but in reality, it’s a life-through-death faith — the triumph of
resurrection life over mortal death.
Art:
That’s exactly it.
It’s not a death cult — it’s the only path to real life.
The cross wasn’t the end; it was the beginning.
Reflection
That single question in Bible study caught me off guard, but
it made me start thinking and studying so the next time I will be prepared to answer.
Maybe the challenge for all of us who claim Christ:
to move from casual Christianity to true discipleship —
from talking about death and resurrection to actually living it.
1 Peter 3:15-16 (ESV)
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make
a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet
do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so
that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may
be put to shame.
AI is just a tool — but like any tool, it can be misused.
ChatGPT can make mistakes, so always verify important information.
AI can also mislead you or shape its answers toward what it thinks you want to hear.
It’s programmed to sound friendly and personal, but remember: it’s just a collection of ones and
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