Is this a Christian Cult?

What is it that makes something a cult, and not just a religion, or an institution?

A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.

Based on that criteria alone? No. I'd think not.

I think a part of the criteria for "cult" status is hidden agendas.

Is Harvard a cult?

Is Harvard a cult?

I futher cannot at all accept the contention on Fishin's part that he could simply substitute "liberal" and "Harvard Univesity" and that: ". . . no one would blink at the statement." I suggest that one hell of a howl would be raised, were HU every to do such a thing.

In the first place, that would make the passage read:

"But, to its critics, what is perhaps most striking about this huge, influential college with its self-confidence and focus, and its links with America's liberal political elite, is its utter transparency. Harvard University is an institution devoted to spreading its word, spreading its view of the world, and helping to place its students in positions of authority and influence. And it does so in plain view."

I continue to seriously doubt that anyone at HU would approve such a text. Even if only being dishonest, i doubt they would make an appeal to being card-carrying members of the "liberal politcal elite." My personal experience is that most elitist are reluctant to acknowledge as much.

Moreover, this statement is extremely guileful. I know you too well not to know that you're aware that:

So, then, Fishin', if you're sincere here, i can take it you consider doing nothing with one's life; or actively spreading an institution's word and view, while actively seeking a position of authority and influence--are the only two options open to a university graduate?

Perhaps someone at Harvard wouldn't write using those words. But then those words were written by anyone at Patrick Henry either. They were written by a newspaper columnist critical of PHU. I seriously doubt anyone at PHU would approve of that text as a description of their school either.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees September 28, 2002

The Mission of Patrick Henry College is to train Christian men and women who will lead our nation and shape our culture with timeless biblical values and fidelity to the spirit of the American founding. In order to accomplish this mission, the College provides academically excellent higher education with a biblical worldview using classical liberal arts core curriculum and apprenticeship methodology.

The Vision of Patrick Henry College is to aid in the transformation of American society by training Christian students to serve God and mankind with a passion for righteousness, justice and mercy, through careers of public service and cultural influence.

The Distinctives of Patrick Henry College include practical apprenticeship methodology; a deliberate outreach to home schooled students; financial independence; a general education core based on the classical liberal arts; a dedication to mentoring and discipling Christian students; and a community life that promotes virtue, leadership, and strong, life-long commitments to God, family and society.

The Mission of the Department of Government is to promote practical application of biblical principles and the original intent of the founding documents of the American republic, while preparing students for lives of public service, advocacy and citizen leadership.

The Mission of the Department of Classical Liberal Arts is to provide students with a broad background in classical languages, logic, rhetoric, Biblical studies, history, English composition and literature, philosophy, science, and mathematics. They will encounter a multiplicity of ideas animating the world's great leaders and thinkers of the past in order to see how God has worked in and continues to work in His creation.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees September 28, 2002

The College is, and shall always remain, a Christian institution dedicated to bringing honor and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ in all of its activities. Each Trustee, officer, faculty member and student of the College, as well as such other employees and agents of the College as may be specified by resolution of the Board of Trustees, shall fully and enthusiastically subscribe to the following Statement of Faith:

There is one God, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth.

Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, is God come in the flesh.

The Bible in its entirety (all 66 books of the Old and New Testaments) is the inspired word of God, inerrant in its original autographs, and the only infallible and sufficient authority for faith and Christian living.

Man is by nature sinful and is inherently in need of salvation, which is exclusively found by faith alone in Jesus Christ and His shed blood.

Christ's death provides substitutionary atonement for our sins.

Personal salvation comes to mankind by grace through faith.

Jesus Christ literally rose bodily from the dead.

Jesus Christ literally will come to earth again in the Second Advent.

Satan exists as a personal, malevolent being who acts as tempter and accuser, for whom Hell, the place of eternal punishment, was prepared, where all who die outside of Christ shall be confined in conscious torment for eternity.

Of course it is. It's written by someone that wrote an entire article that is critical of the school.

Nope. I certianly see lots of room in between those two postions. When was the last time you heard a commencement speech that encouraged anything but for the graduates to acheive great things in their lives? They may not choose the exact words that the writer of the article chose but the jist of any graduation speech is the same. Telling the graduates that they should go out and seek to be captians of industry, political figures, etc.. is standard graduation fodder. Are those not "postions of authority and influence"?

Creation. Any biology, Bible or other courses at PHC dealing with creation will teach creation from the understanding of Scripture that God's creative work, as described in Genesis 1:1-31, was completed in six twenty-four hour days. All faculty for such courses will be chosen on the basis of their personal adherence to this view

God has ordained three primary social institutions to order human affairs: the family, the church, and civil government. Each of these institutions honors God when it operates under the principles of His word within its God-given scope of authority: