Buff Scott was the editor of a little paper called “The Reformer.”  He was a militant liberal who made it his life’s work to attack churches of Christ that do not use musical instruments in their public worship services.  On several occasions, he indicated that we are a cult, or at least that we have many traits and characteristics of a cult.  Here is a statement from one issue of “The Reformer.”

“Naturally, I don’t place the Church of Christ on the same cultic level as the Witnesses and Mormons, but on the other hand we dare not deny that many of the brainwashing traits peculiar to the Church of Christ are akin to those employed by the popular cults.” (The Reformer,  Sept/Oct., pg. 2, 1996). 

Now, what does Mr. Scott base his brainwashing conclusion upon?  He bases it on the fact that we use a lot of scriptures.  Hear him again: 

“Some time ago I examined the first 16 pages of The Spiritual Sword,  a journal published by the Getwell Church of Christ, Memphis, Tennessee.  Here is what I found:  There were 214 references to scripture in the first 16 pages.  “Baptism” was mentioned or alluded to 61 times.  “Truth” [or doctrine] was appealed to 60 times.  I lost count of the number of times “Church of Christ” was spoken of.  The number, however, equaled or exceeded “baptism” and “truth.”  Imagine the numerous scriptures that were referred to or quoted in the full length of the journal  [this issue contained 48 pages].  I examined the first 16 pages only.  If there were 214 biblical references for each group of 16 pages, the total count would be 642! 

The same day I inspected Thrust, a magazine edited by Jerry Moffitt.  It was no different.  Scores of scriptures were listed, most of which dealt with “baptism,” the “one church” dogma, “truth,” and “instrumental music in church.”  “Firm Foundation, Gospel Advocate, Guardian of Truth, and others deal with scripture in the same manner and to the same extent. 

Listen up.  Since excessive usage of scripture is not usually necessary to settle a clear point of doctrine, we cannot but wonder why Church of Christ editors and writers feel constrained to quote or refer to so much scripture when writing about their party’s principal doctrines.  Still more astonishing is why they subject Church of Christ readers to the same basic scriptures and to the same “first principle” tenets in each  issue of their journals?”

There we have it.  According to this self-proclaimed expert on matters pertaining to Christianity, using a lot of scriptures in teaching is a sign of brainwashing, and brainwashing is a trait of a cult.

Do we use too many scriptures when we teach, be it by way of sermons or written material?  I say no.  The Bible is our guide, our standard for living, and the only means by which God communicates His will to us.  It seems to me that we should complain when one is using too few scriptures in his teaching, not when he uses too many.

Was Paul a cult leader?  He quoted from numerous Old Testament passages in his teaching.  If Paul lived today and he was not an apostle, it would probably be said that he did so excessively.  In Romans 3:10-18 Paul quotes one scripture after another to prove that the Jews were sinners just like the Gentiles.  Was Paul trying to brainwash his listeners?  When Paul was at Ephesus, he taught the brethren there day and night, declaring unto them the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27, 31).

Brethren, despite Mr. Scott’s conclusions, we are not to shun away from referring to the scriptures often in our teaching.  We are not to be ashamed of using a lot of scriptures, even ones that teach much the same thing, in our presentation of the gospel.  Paul said, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” (Colossians 3:16).  If I can convince one of truth by using just one scripture, that’s wonderful, but there is nothing cultish about being repetitious when it comes to reminding people of that truth.  Listen to Peter:

2 Peter 1:12–21 (NKJV)
¹² For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. ¹³ Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, ¹⁴ knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. ¹⁵ Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.

Was Peter a brain-washing cult leader?  Of course not, but he did know the value of repeating the truth.  Teaching false doctrine is what we should be on guard against, not persuading men to obey the truth by using as many Bible references as is needed.