TLEM
True Light Educational Ministry
Then
you will
know the Truth and the Truth will set you free ( John
8:32)
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THE
BOSTON CHURCH OF CHRIST
Today
more than ever, we must prepare our children for college. One area that we
often neglect to prepare the children is in educating them about the different
groups they will encounter at college. Students leaving home for the first
time, or entering a new type of school program, are often lost and confused.
Unfortunately there are a number of groups waiting to swallow up these
children. Some of the groups are clearly and obviously cults, such as The Way
International, Hara Kissna and the Moonies. Others appear on the surface to be
Christian, Bible oriented loving groups. One such group is the Boston Church
of Christ. That is the main body's name. They name the branches after the
location they are in, such as the New York Church of Christ.
This
group claims, as do most cults, that they are the only true church. This
church has a very young history. In 1906 disputes and unrest occurred in the
Frontier American Presbyterian church, and a separately-recognized group
called The Church of Christ emerged. This group, as conservatives, interprets
the New Testament as a source of all that is permissible for worship and
belief. In this view, they totally reject the use of musical instruments in
worship. They also believe there is no biblical justification for
organizations beyond the local congregation. Several of these independent
churches formed a college outreach group "Campus Evangelism," in the
late 1960s. One of these groups, formed in 1967 in Gainesville, Florida,
became known as the Crossroads Church of Christ in 1967. This group adopted a
discipleship program. This program created a controversy that swept through
the Church of Christ worldwide.
It was
during this time Kip McKean, while a Florida University student, converted. He
tried to start discipling ministries in several different congregations
without success. In 1979, Kip McKean, age 25, moved to the Boston suburb of
Lexington. There he formed the Boston Church of Christ. The Church of Christ
concludes and agrees that the Boston church has developed into a cult.
As we
examine the general description of a cult, the Boston Church of Christ fully
qualifies to be referred to as a cult.
Cults
have a supreme leader or ruler. McKean is the absolute leader. The major
doctrine McKean has established is a "one-on-one" discipling. In
practice, any new convert must submit to one who is "more mature in the
Lord." The submission, therefore, is to one who has been in the movement
longer. This submission is absolute. This then forms a chain of authority back
up to McKean, a pyramid type of leadership. The older converts are discipled
by Bible talk leaders. The Bible talk leaders are discipled by zone
evangelists, who are, in turn, discipled by Kip McKean. This technique has
drawn charges of mind control.
The
disciples often require total submission without question. They often even
give orders that have nothing to do with spiritual matters. These orders may
include who to date, what courses, or major field to study, and even who to
marry. Unless they follow this blind obedience, they are branded weak
spiritually and rebellious.
The
method of keeping the flock in line appears to be their doctrine of personal
confession to ones discipler. The sins are not sins against the discipler, but
any sin. Confessed sins told to the discipler are not kept confidential. More
often, the sins becomes known all the way up the discipling hierarchy the next
day. Rather than being forgiven for the sins, they frequently use the sins
against the disciples to hold them under control.
Research
studies using Meyer's-Briggs Type indicator (MBTI) and other psychological
studies demonstrated frightening results. The Boston Church of Christ
teachings lead to influencing members to change their personalities to conform
to the group. This is an unnatural and unhealthy personality change. These
results are achieved through mind control. Where mind control and doctrine of
absolute submission to a leader exists, there is potential for tragedy.
The
Boston Church of Christ also teaches that a valid baptism is necessary for
salvation. A valid baptism is one done by their church. Church of Christ
converts, or any Christian convert, must be re-baptized by them. Baptism is
based on the mature knowledge that is required before one is allowed to be
baptized. Their teachings in this area deny the validity of any other
religious experience of those involved.
As
Christians we must make the children and others aware of the dangers of this
group. Teach them that where the individual relies altogether on another
person to protect them from all error, they will cease searching the
Scriptures. This will open them up for false teachings. Teach them that they
should be seeking their guidance in Jesus and His teachings. Jesus stated that
He is the way, the truth and the light.
For
Additional Information Contact
True
Light Educational Ministry
P.O. Box
310
Shirley,
NY 11967
Telephone
(631) 395-4646
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