Is Calvary Chapel a cult?

What do you think about this question? Is Calvary Chapel a cult?

For the sake of discussion here, let's assume that cult means a group with aberrations in theology or practice which set it apart from significant points of historical Christian theology or practice. Of course, this does beg the question of which historical theology or practice so it will be necessary to both explain what Calvary Chapel teaches and then explain what has historically been understood and practiced in the church.

For instance, Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa teaches that the Trinity consists of three separate persons. Historically Christian theologians have rejected the word separate in favor of a more theologically precise word, distinct.

Another example is that of the resurrection. Chuck Smith teaches that the resurrection body is not physical and has no connection to the present physical body. He teaches that the Christian receives this body at death. Historially, Christian theologians have taught that the resurrection body is physical and has a connection to the present physical body in that the body is raised and made incorruptible. Also, the traditional view is that the resurrection does not happen at death but following some intermediate period.

Serious errors in the doctrine of the Trinity and the resurrection of the body are sufficient to declare that Calvary Chapel is a cult in theology.

What is Calvary Chapel?

Calvary Chapel is both a church and a group of churches. The original Calvary Chapel was Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa (CA) led by Pastor Chuck Smith. As a group Calvary Chapel consists of over 700 churches mostly in the USA, but also in other parts of the world.

Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa is a mega-church with over ten thousand attendees.

Calvary Chapel BLOG

This BLOG is to discuss Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa and the Calvary Chapel denomination.