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The Salvation Army: Charity or Cult?

Every Christmas season, Americans and people in other countries have become accustomed to seeing the bells and pots of the charitable group, The Salvation Army.  But do we Christians ever stop to think about the background and beliefs of the Salvation Army?  I mean, many Christians hunger so much for the manifestation of moral principles that we have been willing to support Mormons for president of the USA (see Mitt Romney). Is the Salvation Army a, "Christian" organization?

The history of the Salvation Army starts in England during the late 1800s. William Booth, a Methodist preacher started the Salvation Army, originally under the name, The Christian Mission.  Perhaps the best way to understand the principles of the Salvation Army is by reading the book by Booth, called "In The Darkest England and the Way Out". (1890)

A significant quote:

"When in the streets of London a Cab Horse, weary or careless or stupid, trips and falls and lies stretched out in the midst of the traffic there is no question of debating how he came to stumble before we try to get him on his legs again. The Cab Horse is a very real illustration of poor broken-down humanity; he usually falls down because of overwork and underfeeding. If you put him on his feet without altering his conditions, it would only be to give him another dose of agony; but first of all you'll have to pick him up again. It may have been through overwork or underfeeding, or it may have been all his own fault that he has broken his knees and smashed the shafts, but that does not matter. If not for his own sake, then merely in order to prevent an obstruction of the traffic, all attention is concentrated upon the question of how we are to get him on his legs again. Tin load is taken off, the harness is unbuckled, or, if need be, cut, and everything is done to help him up. Then he is put in the shafts again and once more restored to his regular round of work. That is the first point. The second is that every Cab Horse in London has three things; a shelter for the night, food for its stomach, and work allotted to it by which it can earn its corn. These are the two points of the Cab Horse's Charter. When he is down he is helped up, and while he lives he has food, shelter and work. That, although a humble standard, is at present absolutely unattainable by millions—literally by millions—of our fellow-men and women in this country. Can the Cab Horse Charter be gained for human beings? I answer, yes."

The analogy to the motivation of the Salvation Army is that all attention is given to get the Cab Horse back on his feet, yet we rarely put that much attention toward the re-grounding of fallen humanity. But is Booth advocating an utopian dream, to reach the poor everywhere?  After all, even Jesus understood it is not possible nor necessarily the goal to erradicate all poverty (ref), especially since some poverty is indeed self inflicted and desired by the person.  So, while Booth's "Scheme" as he calls it in the book is a decidely "socialistic" scheme, I do not find his over all "doctrine" to be anti-Christian.

We can deduce the "doctrines" of the Salvation Army from its eleven stated doctrines (ref).

1. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.
2. We believe that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.
3. We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead - the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.
4. We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the divine and human natures are united, so that he is truly and properly God and truly and properly man.
5. We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocency, but by their disobedience they lost their purity and happiness, and that in consequence of their fall all men have become sinners, totally depraved and as such are justly exposed to the wrathi of God.
6. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has by his suffering and death made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved.
7. We believe that repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit, are necessary to salvation.
8. We believe that we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself.
9. We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.
10. We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
11. We believe in the immortality of the soul; in the resurrection of the body; in the general judgment at the end of the world; in the eternal happiness of the righteous; and in the endless punishment of the wicked.

Number 6 has clearly, Arminian/Semi-Pelagian/Synergistic overtones, as would be expected from Booth's Methodist background, but even that remains within acceptable Christianity.  Number 9 implies that salvation can be lost.  Number 11 clearly shows that the Salvation Army does advocate the realm of hell -- so many "Christian" movements or organizations that lean liberal, often jettison the doctrine of Hell and eternal punishment.

CONCLUSION

While the Salvation Army may have socialistic tendencies and almost a utopian outlook it is still within the frame of historic Christianity.  As far as I know, Booth never even implied to be the recipient of special revelation nor did he claim to figure out some long, lost doctrine.

So, even though the Salvation Army does not administer "sacraments/ordinances" such as baptism or the Lord's Supper/communioni, it remains within the pale of Christian orthodoxy since the Salvation Army is not really a "denomination" as much as it is a Christian charity -- it is not the Salvation Army's place to baptize and offer the Lord's Supper anyway.

 

 

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Just came over

Just came over to let you know you have a brand new fan! Reading one post on your website got me absorbed instantly. Really, you are fantastic!

The Salvation Army

The writer of the commentry really has missed completely the purpose of the salvation Army. the S.A IS a denomination, it IS a church. That IS its primary purpose and no other. It is simply a part of The church Of Jesus Christ which includes Catholics, Baptists< methodists, Anglicans all part of teh same church. Any social or charitable work The Salvation Army does merely stems from its belief that that is what Christ would have us do. Its a church in action, pure and simple. registration as a charity is merely a necessity to comply with societies regulations.

In Response

I thank you for your aticle and read with interest the reasons for us fitting into some type of orthodoxy...Firstly, TSA is a church, charity statuc comes into place after our status as a church. One needs to ask what consitutes church, I find scripture points consistently to the people or community being the church. Acts 2 shows an image os the people of God living out community within community.

The non-sacramental theology is based on the celebration of a God is who is real, still at work, and no need to outward expressions such as 'sacraments' to prove our faith. We do celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ through remembrance at every meal. For those within our fellowship who feel the need to be baptised there are allowed...

First and foremost we are the people of God, who have been saved and sanctified through the Blood of Jesus...secondly we are a charity...

Blessings
ohn

the so-called "utopian view" of TSA

General William Booth, like MANY 19th Century ministers, did indeed believe that Christians (including the Salvation Army) would grow to be such a force in the world that the world would gradually become The Kingdom of God. (That's A-Millenialist for you Eschatologists). Through the years, though, The Salvation Army has come to believe in a Rapture ... officially a Pre-Tribulation Rapture ... but with the understanding that Scriptures are unclear enough on this issue to allow differences of opinion about when the Rapture occurs.
Things change ... scholarship clarifies things through time ...
Do you believe Romans 10:9? "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Do you believe I Pet. 2:5? "You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
I think those two verses say it all.

Egh

I happen to know, quite well, a lot of people in he SA. Here is what bugs me about them. (aside from the obvious doctrinal flaws)

  • Officers get free housing and get paid on top of the free housing. (paid very little, but still paid)
  • When the officers get into their new house they have a remodel fund.
  • So, they not only live in these houses free, they can have their ADULT children and grandchildren live there too. (The houses I have been too have been large enough to accommodate this comfortably)
  • They get free cars with their free houses
  • They get their pick of the donations. (first pick of course)
  • No Baptism
  • No "once saved, always saved"
  • No Communioni
  • Soldiers can only marry soldiers. Absolutely no marrying outside the Army. 
  • I'm sure there is more......

Actually, very many of the

Actually, very many of the officer's "quarters" are left or donated to the SA and if that's the wishes of the deceased, it leaves absolutely no room for criticism.

wrong ideas

I am a "Salvationist" (also known as a soldier in The Salvation Army). You are SOOOOOO wrong about so much.

First, Soldiers are not 'REQUIRED' to marry soldiers. Members of The Salvation Army may marry anyone they please ... however, like all Christians it is expected that they will marry another Christian.
TSA officers are expected to OWN next to nothing. They go where they are told, when they are told. They are expected to start their new assignment within two weeks of being told where they are going. They move nothing but their clothing and other personal items. They are NOT ALLOWED to own a home or a car or their own furniture or even their own dishes ... all that is furnished (from Thrift Store Donations) in every house they live in. The idea that they have some sort of "remodel fund" is way false and they are required to get permission not only from their local Board of Advisors but also from their Divisional Headquarters (like a District in most churches.) They do not teach "no baptism" ... the teaching is "baptism is a symbol and a sign of salvation, not salvation itself. If you wish to be baptized you are welcome to do so and we will even do it for you when you agree to the idea that baptism doesn't save you." If you think that Baptism is necessary for salvation then yes ... we disagree about that ... but then, we teach Jesus Christ and Him crucified ... and isn't that exactly what Paul determined to "know"?
As for communioni, Booth's main ministry was to alcoholics. He was hesitant to use wine (in England at the time, "grape juice" was basically unavailable because of the long distance it had to travel from the countries where grapes grew) so he researched Communion and found that it was something that was done "in remembrance" ... again, not required for salvation ... so he decided to "remember" Christ's sacrifice by creating a uniform to be worn by those who wished ... if you don't think that uniform brings Jesus' death and resurrection to your mind, try putting one on and walking down the sidewalk! It fairly shouts, "I AM A CHRISTIAN AND I WILL DIE FOR MY BELIEFS!"
And, for the originator's idea that we are a charitable organization and not a church ... that's just sad. WE have thousands of converts every year around the world because our uniform, our church and our standards are known and trusted everywhere Christ is welcomed ... and in those countries where Christ is not welcomed, we endure persecution and even death for the sake of the Gospel. If that isn't a Church ... I've never been in one.

The Lord's Supper

John 6:53: "Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you."

I'd say that the Lord's Supperi is most certainly necessary for salvation.

your views

I really do think you need to be a little more discerning and informed in your views that youare prepared to share across the web. This is NOT an accurate reflection of the Army and perhaps a little more research is needed. For example, anyone who has researched the Army recently will know that soldiers are not expected to marry other soldiers anymore - this has long since not been the case, although in fairness Scipture does quite clearly tell us we need to be yoked with other believers, that is guidance to All Christians not simply salvationists..
Are you aware of our much offciers get paid or is it merely specualtion as i suspect. Although i am very happy with my pay as an officer, it certainly is not the rosy picture you paint in economic terms. Please explain your comments on 'fee pick of donation' because I am flummuxed on this one - this is definitely not the case at all and quite a slanderous comment.
Perhaps you would kindly review your comments and think before you post hurtful, condemning comments in the future.

Wishing you God's blessing

A Allen
Many ministers get car these days - after all this is the 21st century.

Hi,This is really a

Hi,
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great post. Thanks for the valuable information and insights you have
so provided to us. Keep up the good work.

Salvation Army Comments

Thanks to everyone that has commented on this article so far and especially for the inside information.

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The Salvation Army is a

The Salvation Army is a church, a church that I grew up in. I leanred the Bible, and have more understanding of it than other people my age who grew up in other denominations. The Salvation Army considers themselves to be "Non-Denominational." They (they becomes we do not live near a corps and attend elsewhere) are a Christian organization who are not ashamed of the Bible, they do not hide that from any of their clients who need assitance. The Army has Love suppers and believes in baptizm by the Holy Sprit, if you ask for a baptizm you won't be denied, you just have to get creative in the way it takes place. The officers are ordanied like other denominations, so they can observe a baptizm and Love(Lord's) supper. Those eleven doctrines you wrote are all based on Scripture. Number six is looked at by denominations who truely worship the trinityi, not just the Army, my baptist church believes that. Number nine is up for debate depending on which denomination you are. Utopian outlook, no, they believe in each person is created equal. I've sat next to the homeless and dirty in a church service and have joined hands with the same. Everyone who enters the sanctuary are equal at a Salvation Army Corps. That is not, sad to say, the case at most other denominations. Casting Crowns bring to light a glorious way of looking at it, if we are the body, the Army is the body and their hands are reaching as much as they can with the power of God and the dedicated workers they have. Other denominations do a wonderful job of reaching as well. The Army is a church that anyone can be proud to be a part of. You will find acceptance, forgiveness and no judgment when you walk through those doors, for there is a story within that is worse than yours a situations that have been worse than yours and all the while there is unconditional love for everyone.

I always thought that the

I always thought that the Salvation Army is like a church-organized charity especially for old and forsaken soldiers. I even wrote essays about the Salvation Army in our area and they concentrate their efforts for soldiers.

I admire what they do not like some religions who ask so much of their congregation.

Thoughts and Comments

Several years ago I was invited to attend an insider Salvation Army men's breakfast. I am not in the Army but the speaker was a Canadian and I got to attend.

The speaker loved God and in my observation was a strong faithful Christian. He said that as an organisation the Salvation Army 'sold its soul for a mess of pottage' referring to Esau. He said that years ago the Army took government funding and aid all over the world under the condition that is limit its preaching. This caused the organisation to grow in numbers but become spiritually lean.

On another point the Red Shield had its origins from the Rothschilds (the name actually means Red Shield)

Red Sheild

I do not think the Salvation army is tied to the Rothschilds because of the red shield symbol, the red shield makes since to represent the shield of faith covered with the blood of Christ, its a great symbol to remind us about salvation, I am thinking of joining the Army but I am investigating it. I don't like calling non military members sir or sargeant because I had to work hard in the Marines to earn rank and they still are civilians it just feels weird.

Besides there isn't supposed to be a chain of command since Christ is the head.

Non Military members

I am a soldier in the Salvation Army, My husband has passed but he was a marine, He had no problems calling our Captains..Captain
He basically said he traded in a gun for a bible,
and the fight was now for souls.

The army is a wonderful place to be, no judgment, support when you need it, love which we all need. and a sense that we are all here together, great family system as well as an incredible charity.

So if you are looking for a home church that will give you something in return please go to a Sunday meeting and see for yourself, I did and I have never regretted it.

D.

Salvation Army Officers and Soldiers

I recently worked with the Salvation Army Team Emergency Response Network in Joplin MO during the Tornado Disaster in May. I never had a Major or Captain or LT. ever ask me to address them by thier rankings or title.They were Simply Bill or Debbie or Renee or Mike. I never have had the pleasure of working with anyone who Loved the Father in Heaven more than these good people did. In their Church services I found thier teachings correct and unbiased in any way. They were the first on scene with help in the way of Food and Water and Prayers for those who wanted it. I can tell you that the response from the victims there was overwhelming and appreciated by them for the service the SA had done for them. They (SA) Officers and Soldiers I worked with never looked for credit for thier work or anything they had done. And never recieved much TV or News Media Coverage either. They were Humble and Caring in all aspects of thier duties to the victims of this disaster. I would strongly suggest anyone who doubts their creditability spend some time as a volunteer with them for a week or so as I and others have done. I am positive your position and thoughts will be changed in the first few days of contact with them. I am so impressed with the SA and plan to work with them in the future in Emergency Radio Communications that assists with imformtion transfer,Logistics and message delivery. I felt honored to work with such fine examples of Christian Faith and true concern for their fellow man.