“Know the Marks of Cults” by Dave Breese Part 3

    We will continue with insights from the book:  “Know the Marks of Cults” by Dave Breese, (copyright 1975, SP Publications, ISBN 0-88207-704-x). In the second post from this book we reviewed the “Extra Biblical Revelation” as a mark of a cult. Next, Breese writes about “A False Basis for Salvation” in cults. Upon reading the title for this chapter, I was remembering all the Scripture references I had learned at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). Jane Whaley taught what felt like from dawn to dark and beyond on certain subjects. Several meetings were spent on Scripture references centering on salvation and knowing if one was truly saved. So, I had my ideas about skipping over this chapter.

    However, as I read Breese’s work, I noted several alarming points he makes about cults and their denial of true Biblical salvation. For sure, Scriptures are taught at WOFF. But, to be true to our methodology of assessing WOFF and other groups; what are the practices that go along with the teaching of salvation at WOFF? Members of WOFF are taught chapter and verse. That impression is confirmed by the number of Scripture references on their website. But, what is practiced that either confirms or denies, the Scriptural understanding for salvation?

     Breese writes that “Eternal salvation comes to the believer because of imputed righteousness”. (page 34)  This is not to be confused with personal righteousness that one may walk in through the fulfillment of Scriptural principles. “Personal righteousness is not, however, the basis of his salvation.” (page 35) No amount of personal righteousness or “holy righteous living” as referred to at WOFF, can be one’s basis for salvation. That would be salvation through works.

    “No message is more viciously attacked by the cult promoters of our present world than the Gospel of the grace of God. …It is absolutely maddening to the professional religious promoters that God saves individuals freely, by grace alone. … No false religion in the world can possibly survive unless it is able to destroy the Gospel of the grace of God and introduce or encourage a system of human works as a basis of salvation.” (page 35 emphasis added) The presence of so many rules and “don’ts” at WOFF would lead me to agree with this assessment. Do you agree? Here is the link to the first of the series on “WOFF Don’ts” – https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=650   

“In many of these religious programs, what a person believes is of little consequence; it is what he does that counts.”  (page 36) This statement would hold true at WOFF because of this: Can you take your exact WOFF beliefs and subsequent actions on those beliefs, to another church and be a functioning part? No. Are the beliefs and practices from WOFF portable? No. Why? Because the beliefs and practices of WOFF revolve around Jane Whaley. She regulates, and relegates her members to do and be what she wants them to be. If not, “You will miss the call of God.” or “You are not going to make it.” A true Christian can find more than one church in America to be a part of with his Bible centered beliefs and practices. Why? Because the true love of God and the actions proceeding from that love are comfortable and welcome among true believers. WOFF-life and WOFF practices are centered on a person (Jane Whaley) and that makes them unique to WOFF and thus perverted from God’s plan for the body of Christ. Do any former members agree that this has been the case?  

    This leads to the next mark of a cult that Breese expounds upon, “Uncertain Hope”. No, I had no doubt when I read the title of this chapter that this was true at WOFF. “The issue of salvation is never settled. The follower lives in constant fear that he has not done enough, given enough, prayed enough, worshipped enough to be sure of salvation.” (page 39) “The Christian is “sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. (Eph 1:13).. The cultists (cult leaders…) make no such promise. Because they are interested in producing perpetual obligation as against spiritual freedom, they keep their followers in hopeless bondage of a continually insecure relationship with God.” (page 41 emphasis added)

    Jane Whaley and her leaders are continually chastising the members about their sin and that no one is ever pleasing to God. There is always another “devil to get out” or “sin to expose” or … whatever. “The person who is anxious is also exploitable.” (page 44)  Jane knows this and apparently, in my opinion, it is a key to her keeping her power over the members of WOFF. Only Jane lives above sin and can do as she pleases. “That sin is not in me and won’t touch me…” says Jane.

    Let’s remember that this book was written BEFORE Jane and Sam Whaley started WOFF. The author had no reason to single out WOFF. The happenings at WOFF are not new. They are some of the oldest tricks in the devil’s playbook. Finding insights such as these and comparing them to my experience at WOFF has been a satisfying, but, in many respects a sad venture.   

    Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. The author is not a licensed mental health professional and encourages those that need professional help to seek it. The intent of the material is to inform and be a resource. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. There are readers at WOFF. Comments are invited from all readers, including present or former members. Polls are not scientific and no private information is gathered.

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      (Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. ) Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 157.