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rrmoderatorHere is a good working definition for a destructive cult as defined by a doctor that once taught at Harvard Medical School.
See [
www.culteducation.com]
"Certain psychological themes which recur in these various historical contexts also arise in the study of cults. Cults can be identified by three characteristics:
1. a charismatic leader who increasingly becomes an object of worship as the general principles that may have originally sustained the group lose their power
So? Everyone who is charismatic is a cult? Like any pastor doing his job well, he had his admirers. All good pastors do. But there were a good number who listened for the knowledge, and at the same time could not stand him personally. They came for the knowledge. Not the man. I was one of them to an extent.
For he was a military type in every way. He was authoritative and took no nonsense. Anyone who served in the military recognized this immediately. Those who wanted your typically sweet pastor were not happy there.
He remarked many a time as to why God picked him to have the gift to teach. For he openly admitted that his personality was not what the typical American church was accustomed to. This is where those who complain think he was abusive. And, I can see why. Luther was [b:f15340427f]the exact same way[/b:f15340427f], and even more so. I have read a volume of his biography, and he and Thieme are soul twins in many ways. Many.
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2. a process I call coercive persuasion or thought reform;
Just the opposite took place. He always guarded the privacy of everyone so no one would bully them to conform. Parents who forced their children to listen was not his teaching.
He removed gossips when found. For they destroyed ones right to privacy. They did not even have anyone sign a membership list. It was never asked. He stressed that anyone who wished to be was to remain anonymous if they so desired as they sat in the pews. That everyone should honor each others privacy if they choose to be shy and quite types.
Yet, he was a powerful personality and would not tolerate what is commonly found in many churches. No shouting out during his message, for he was teaching more or less on a seminary class level, than your typical devotional church.
He often times stressed that he was NOT the right pastor for everyone who was listening to him. And, that they should seek elsewhere where they can be happy. Yet, he was always a military type in his approach during the years of the hippy revolution. I still think he was giving the anti-authority types, authority right in their face. For in his early years and latter years, he was much more mellow and not that way. He was highly patriotic and despised all the anti-American sentiment that was coming in vogue. He reacted to it.....
Yet, he taught the word exegetically, and with great skill. Again, he was recommended to me by a professor of Ancient languages - Harvard. Professor Ashby disagreed with Thieme on several issues (as well as I do). Yet, Professor Ashby recommended Thieme to me.
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3. economic, sexual, and other exploitation of group members by the leader and the ruling coterie.
Never happened! Expoitation? How? And? Financial? He did not even charge for his tapes and books. Here is the financial policy.
There is no charge for any material from R. B. Thieme, Jr., Bible Ministries. Anyone who desires Bible teaching can receive our books and recordings without obligation. God provides Bible doctrine. We wish to reflect His grace.
R. B. Thieme, Jr., Bible Ministries is a grace ministry and operates entirely on voluntary contributions. There is no price list for books or recordings. No money is requested. When gratitude for the Word of God motivates a believer to give, he has the privilege of contributing to the dissemination of Bible doctrine.[/size:f15340427f]
This man was very close personal friends with Barry Goldwater. Chuck Swindoll was accepted at DTS on recommendation of Robert Thieme. He also had Hal Lindsey accepted on recommendation.
The problem he faced with DTS became political. For, he remained true to the ideals of Lewis Sperry Chafer who he studied under, and was one of his prized students. DTS was changing, and Thieme disproved openly.
In Christ, GeneZ