The world's definition of Christian does not agree with the Biblical one. Nor does the Biblical one agree with many religious groups who call themselves Christian.
The secular and widely used definition of Christianity is pretty much any group that claims the name or uses the Bible.
The Biblical definition of Christian is far more restrictive. So many of those who call themselves Christian and are accepted as such by secular definition are in truth Christian Cults.
A Christian Cult is a group that claims the name Christian, uses the Bible, and Christian words, terms, symbols, etc. but do not accept the core beliefs and teachings of Christianity. Their Christ does not line up with the Biblical Christ in example. Or they teach salvation other than the Biblical salvation, and so on for the critical and key issues required to actually being a Christian.
Of course this results in arguments over who has the right to declare one a Christian or a Christian Cult. But any half knowledge of historical Christianity and Bible study quickly makes it clear who falls into which category with very few exceptions.
Christian means “follower of Christ.” So if one does not follow the historical Christ they are not Christian. And their Christ is a false Christ. And if their Christ is false their teachings on the apostles and Christ will always be shown to be false as well.
To turn the historical Christ into just another man forces all the claims of being born sinless, living a sinless life, and so on to go out the window. So the very foundation of the salvation message is destroyed. After all, Christ was declared God and he himself claimed to be God but if only a man he lied, which is a sin.
John 1:(NIV) The Word Became Flesh 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Colossians 2:(NIV) 9For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,
Revelation 22:(NIV) 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
And who is the Alpha and Omega? Revelation 1:(NIV) 8"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
Or that Christ is a lesser god and not God himself. Again these verses would be a lie if such were true.
On the less clear side are some that do not deny the nature of God but deny or pervert the message of Christ and the apostles. They add to or alter the message of salvation. They add intercessors and mediators. They claim new revelation where things have changed from the New Testament to their message as things changed from the Old Testament to the New Testament.
Or those who declare the Bible a social and cultural document that must be interpreted through those lenses. Thus truth evolves with time.
This is a totally untenable position. It says that 2,000 years ago homosexuality put you in Hell for eternity if you did not repent but today our “enlightened” understanding says God created homosexuality and it is perfectly acceptable. Or not a serious sin.
Or those who see the Bible as a philosophical document. Such say it is a magnificent document with great guidelines on how to live but the spiritual issues are totally pushed to the side. Total rejection of the sin nature of Man, the need for salvation, and the rest. Just live the best you can and that will get you to Heaven, if there is a Heaven.
So how can we know some things are not Christian but cultic or just erroneous? That nothing else was going to be added on a Biblical level? Or that spiritual truths are flexible in understanding and application? By the Bible:
Revelation 22:(NIV) br /> 18I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. 20He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.
The New Testament is a complete package. It makes it clear that the Church Age from its beginning to end with the awakening and reestablishment of Israel is fully revealed.
And just logic and consistency alone says that any reading and viewing of these later claims of additions declares the prior claims and declarations of the Bible lies. Or totally misleading at best.
God is not a God of confusion. And Cults and unhealthy doctrines are confusing at best.
