Harold Bussell
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Harold L. Busséll is a pastor, author, and contributor to the Cultic Studies Journal. He has a B.A. in Psychology from Santa Clara University and a Doctorate of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological Seminary.[1] Between 1968 and 1970 he founded a rehab center for drug addicts in Paris, France.[1] His book Unholy Devotion - Why Cults Lure Christians, (later renamed, By Hook or by Crook : How Cults Lure Christians) talks about his experiences while in Europe. Bussell has written, "my wife and I were involved with an Evangelical youth mission based in Switzerland. We were with the group only six weeks, but it was almost seven years before I had overcome the psychological damage caused by their cult-like control and spiritualization....Questioning a leader was considered an act of rebellion against God and His chain of command." Bussell confirmed in an interview that this group was Youth With A Mission.[2] Bussell went on to become a pastor in Saratoga, California.[1] He also served as Dean of students at Gordon College.[1][3] Serving as Senior Pastor from 1984 to 1996 at the First Congregational Church in Hamilton, Massachusetts, a mainline church affiliated with the United Church of Christ.[1][3] Since that time he has held the Senior Pastor position at El Montecito Presbyterian Church in Santa Barbara, California.[1] The New York Times recognizes Bussell as an author who has written books about mind control and religious groups.[4] Christianity Today noted Bussell as a pastor who has "experienced spiritual warfare."[5] Paul R. Martin has noted Bussell's opinion on recovery from what they refer to as cults, that "a clear understanding of the gospel is the single most important issue in a cultist's recovery and future immunity from further cultic involvement."[6]
[edit] Books
- (1983) Unholy Devotion - Why Cults Lure Christians. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. ISBN 0310372518.
- Later published as:
- (1993) By Hook or by Crook : How Cults Lure Christians. New York: McCracken. ISBN 1569775850.
- (1985) Lord, I Can Resist Anything But Temptation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. ISBN 0310372712.
[edit] Articles
- "Why Evangelicals are Vulnerable to Cults" Cultic Studies Journal Vol. 2, Num. 2 [2]
- "Checks on Power and Authority in the New Testament" Cultic Studies Journal Vol. 3, No. 2, September 2004 [3]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f Bussell, Harold, Rev. Dr.. Cultic Studies Journal.
- ^ Youth With A Mission (YWAM).
- ^ a b James L. Franklin. "Quietly, America's faith in religion is born again", Boston Globe, April 3, 1994. Retrieved on 2008-03-14.
- ^ Robert Lindsey. "Isolated, strongly led sects growing in U.S.", New York Times, June 22, 1986. Retrieved on 2008-03-14.
- ^ "Facing the wreckage", Christianity Today, October 1, 1986.
- ^ Paul R. Martin, "Dispelling the Myths" Christian Research Journal, 1989 Winter/Spring [1]
