The Kingdom of the Cults
Encyclopedia
The Kingdom of the Cults, first published in 1965, is a religious book by Baptist
minister Walter Ralston Martin. By 1989 it had sold over 500,000 copies and was one of the ten best-selling American spiritual books. It has been described as being regarded by evangelicals as "the authoritative reference work on major cult systems for nearly 40 years". Martin wanted information on cult
s to be freely available. It is "unapologetically hostile to young and developing spiritual trends", according to one religion scholar.
There have been several editions over the years with some changes. In the 1985 edition the Nation of Islam
was not mentioned, and in the 2003 edition it was put back in a chapter on Islam
itself. After Martin's death, a revised and expanded edition was issued which listed Ravi K. Zacharias as co-author. In 2004, Zacharias told an evangelical pastor that he had only lent his name to the book and had not written any of it. Bethany House
of Minneapolis, Minnesota
, published it through several editions.
The book examines a large number of new religious movements, including major groups such as Christian Science
, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jehovah's Witnesses
, Islam
, Theosophy
, Buddhism
, the Bahá'í Faith
, Unitarian Universalism
, Scientology
, and Seventh-Day Adventism, and minor groups including various New Age and Eastern religions. The book covers each group's history and teachings, and contrasts them with those of mainstream Christianity. It has been criticized by some members of those faiths, particularly Mormons
, upset that their faiths were labeled "cults".
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
minister Walter Ralston Martin. By 1989 it had sold over 500,000 copies and was one of the ten best-selling American spiritual books. It has been described as being regarded by evangelicals as "the authoritative reference work on major cult systems for nearly 40 years". Martin wanted information on cult
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
s to be freely available. It is "unapologetically hostile to young and developing spiritual trends", according to one religion scholar.
There have been several editions over the years with some changes. In the 1985 edition the Nation of Islam
Nation of Islam
The Nation of Islam is a mainly African-American new religious movement founded in Detroit, Michigan by Wallace D. Fard Muhammad in July 1930 to improve the spiritual, mental, social, and economic condition of African-Americans in the United States of America. The movement teaches black pride and...
was not mentioned, and in the 2003 edition it was put back in a chapter on Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
itself. After Martin's death, a revised and expanded edition was issued which listed Ravi K. Zacharias as co-author. In 2004, Zacharias told an evangelical pastor that he had only lent his name to the book and had not written any of it. Bethany House
Bethany House
Bethany House Publishers is an evangelical publisher that publishes mostly Christian fiction and Non-Fiction. Bethany House Publishers was bought out in 2003 by Baker Publishing Group. In 2010, Bethany House has been open of fifty-two years....
of Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
, published it through several editions.
The book examines a large number of new religious movements, including major groups such as Christian Science
Christian Science
Christian Science is a system of thought and practice derived from the writings of Mary Baker Eddy and the Bible. It is practiced by members of The First Church of Christ, Scientist as well as some others who are nonmembers. Its central texts are the Bible and the Christian Science textbook,...
, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses is a millenarian restorationist Christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream Christianity. The religion reports worldwide membership of over 7 million adherents involved in evangelism, convention attendance of over 12 million, and annual...
, Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, Theosophy
Theosophy
Theosophy, in its modern presentation, is a spiritual philosophy developed since the late 19th century. Its major themes were originally described mainly by Helena Blavatsky , co-founder of the Theosophical Society...
, Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, the Bahá'í Faith
Bahá'í Faith
The Bahá'í Faith is a monotheistic religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in 19th-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. There are an estimated five to six million Bahá'ís around the world in more than 200 countries and territories....
, Unitarian Universalism
Unitarian Universalism
Unitarian Universalism is a religion characterized by support for a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning". Unitarian Universalists do not share a creed; rather, they are unified by their shared search for spiritual growth and by the understanding that an individual's theology is a...
, Scientology
Scientology
Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by science fiction and fantasy author L. Ron Hubbard , starting in 1952, as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics...
, and Seventh-Day Adventism, and minor groups including various New Age and Eastern religions. The book covers each group's history and teachings, and contrasts them with those of mainstream Christianity. It has been criticized by some members of those faiths, particularly Mormons
Mormons
The Mormons are a religious and cultural group related to Mormonism, a religion started by Joseph Smith during the American Second Great Awakening. A vast majority of Mormons are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while a minority are members of other independent churches....
, upset that their faiths were labeled "cults".