Beware of False Teachers.

[Starise]

The bible specifically talks about false teachers and gives us some pointers to discover who they are. Many have been indicated as false teachers in other threads on Worthy with the bible to back the views up.

2 Peter 2:1-3 is one such passage.

1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Indicators:

- They introduce destructive heresies. What would you consider to be destructive heresy? Who has SECRETLY introduced such heresy? Some bible translations commonly accepted with misleading footnotes come to mind. 

- They deny the Master who brought them. IOW they water down the validity of the scriptures, even attempting to erode the God who is behind them.

-They follow sensuality. Money, sexual gratification. Some of these men have been caught and Satan probably throws a little party each time because of the overall damage it does.The way of truth is then maligned. Basically unsaved worldly people in spiritual positions, who acting on their  flesh destroy and malign the true word.

-They are greedy

-They lie

Also called wolves in sheeps clothing, white washed sepluchars and clouds without rain. A man up front posing as a pastor isn't always a pastor. We should TEST the spirits.

 

[AdHoc]

10 hours ago, Dennis1209 said:

I have never heard or read two godly men preachers, scholars, or expositors agreeing in their entire exegesis-hermeneutics. Picking two out of thin air not any longer in the mainstream (G.H. Pember & Scofield), does that mean we discount everything they taught because we have a different theology on a couple of topics? Is how old the earth a tenet core of the faith? They can be wrong, as AdHoc suggests, but they are not false teachers with deceitful hearts (c.f. Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, et al.).

I believe John MacArthur to be one of our generation's most gifted and knowledgeable theologians, yet I only agree with roughly 95% of his views. Many factors go into shaping our theology. Sorry to put him on the spot, but I would like to know how @AdHoc theology was shaped, his background, denomination affiliations, if any, formal theology education, etc. I think we can agree that he is well-versed in the Bible.

As an assistant Sundays School leader in my Baptist church, I have concerns when presenting the lessons. The denomination and our preacher(s) have firm convictions in some areas that I have doubts about or consider differently.

When a lesson comes up that I have a different view on, I present it according to the doctrine and lesson plan. I will sometimes insert my opinion to compare and contrast for consideration. It is never, thus saith Dennis.

The thing I want never to do is be a false teacher spouting misinformation on God's Word.

I agree with your assessments. And I don't mind recounting my history. But it does have disadvantages. Paul was not accepted because of his background of killing Christians - yet he was a chosen vessel. Peter went to Cornelius and got into big trouble with the Church at Jerusalem (Act.11), yet it was from God. And of course our Lord Jesus, with or without His credentials, was called an emissary of Beelzebub. It would have taken half a day for the Pharisees to go down to Bethlehem and check the tax records and verify that Jesus was indeed of the house of David. But then they already knew He was the Heir of the Vineyard of Israel (Matt.21:45).

What I really appreciate about this, and other Forums, is that you are judged on what you say NOW.

This has the advantage that the wrong roads you took during your education are invisible and one's reputation is made on the present - not the past.

[Dennis1209]

11 hours ago, Starise said:

They introduce destructive heresies. What would you consider to be destructive heresy?

So glad you asked that question Starise. 😊

So that I might not misconstrue my thoughts, the meaning of a couple of words as it pertains to religious leaders would be helpful. Is preaching and teaching “prosperity gospel” Biblical or false teaching, for example? To enrich themselves and openly live luxurious lifestyles set apart from the laity.

HER´ESY, n. [Gr. αιρεσις, from αιρεω, to take, to hold; L. hœresis; Fr. heresie.]

1. A fundamental error in religion, or an error of opinion respecting some fundamental doctrine of religion. But in countries where there is an established church, an opinion is deemed heresy, when it differs from that of the church. The Scriptures being the standard of faith, any opinion that is repugnant to its doctrines, is heresy; but as men differ in the interpretation of Scripture, an opinion deemed heretical by one body of christians, may be deemed orthodox by another. In Scripture and primitive usage, heresy meant merely sect, party, or the doctrines of a sect, as we now use denomination or persuasion, implying no reproach.

2. Heresy, in law, is an offense against christianity, consisting in a denial of some of its essential doctrines, publicly avowed and obstinately maintained.        Blackstone.^[1]

Verb: bilk - 1. Cheat somebody out of what is due, especially money.

Is it destructive to the body, soul, and spirit to bilk people out of their living by employing religion? Zealots, hucksters, and charlatans duping desperate and poor people out of their food and rent money as if it was a sure lottery winner.

Persons such as Kenneth Copeland, Jim Baker, Joyce Meyer, Joel Osteen, et al. employ these methods. The more you give (me), the more you will be blessed and become rich. The more money you donate (to me), the more you will receive. Selling and hawking survival food at exorbitant prices, a purpose-driven life aside from Jesus, stating God wants them to have their rewards now on earth.

In my opinion, that is perverting the Gospel, greed, and meets the definition of heresy. What denominational affiliation do these hucksters have, or where are they?

 

^[1] Webster, Noah. Noah Webster’s first edition of An American dictionary of the English language. 2006: n. pag. Print.

[Starise]

1 hour ago, Dennis1209 said:

So glad you asked that question Starise. 😊

So that I might not misconstrue my thoughts, the meaning of a couple of words as it pertains to religious leaders would be helpful. Is preaching and teaching “prosperity gospel” Biblical or false teaching, for example? To enrich themselves and openly live luxurious lifestyles set apart from the laity.

HER´ESY, n. [Gr. αιρεσις, from αιρεω, to take, to hold; L. hœresis; Fr. heresie.]

1. A fundamental error in religion, or an error of opinion respecting some fundamental doctrine of religion. But in countries where there is an established church, an opinion is deemed heresy, when it differs from that of the church. The Scriptures being the standard of faith, any opinion that is repugnant to its doctrines, is heresy; but as men differ in the interpretation of Scripture, an opinion deemed heretical by one body of christians, may be deemed orthodox by another. In Scripture and primitive usage, heresy meant merely sect, party, or the doctrines of a sect, as we now use denomination or persuasion, implying no reproach.

2. Heresy, in law, is an offense against christianity, consisting in a denial of some of its essential doctrines, publicly avowed and obstinately maintained.        Blackstone.^[1]

Verb: bilk - 1. Cheat somebody out of what is due, especially money.

Is it destructive to the body, soul, and spirit to bilk people out of their living by employing religion? Zealots, hucksters, and charlatans duping desperate and poor people out of their food and rent money as if it was a sure lottery winner.

Persons such as Kenneth Copeland, Jim Baker, Joyce Meyer, Joel Osteen, et al. employ these methods. The more you give (me), the more you will be blessed and become rich. The more money you donate (to me), the more you will receive. Selling and hawking survival food at exorbitant prices, a purpose-driven life aside from Jesus, stating God wants them to have their rewards now on earth.

In my opinion, that is perverting the Gospel, greed, and meets the definition of heresy. What denominational affiliation do these hucksters have, or where are they?

 

^[1] Webster, Noah. Noah Webster’s first edition of An American dictionary of the English language. 2006: n. pag. Print.

I see you're getting around logos pretty good there 

Thanks for unpacking a of these thoughts Dennis.

The prosperity gospel is a designated target around here and for good reason. While this seems to be a common denominator among those mentioned  in your descriptions, I see some less apparent teachings. Incidentally, the only ones generally prospering financially are those teaching this usually.

We have heard and seen ehough of it to be well aware, and it's been covered here, so my impression is that most here are aware of it. What is truly sad are the thousands who turn on the TV, are looking for something, and stumble across one of these characters. Joel Olsteen is pretty much Santa without the contume. " Come sit in my lap little kiddies, give me your want list. I'm all about fun and good times, feeling good about yourself and most of all prosperity. Have you ever noticed how truly odd some of these characters look or is it just me? Kenneth Copeland looks like he should be one of the bad guys on Batman, and Joyce. I don't know what she paid for that face job but....I'll let that one go. What I'm trying to say is, do THESE look like the kind of people I would run to for advice and spiritual guidance? I smell a rat like 1000 miles away. Not attempting to insult anyone's intelligence in any way. They seem to exist as old worn out caricatures of something that never should have been in the first place. Who is sending these folks all that money???? Maybe the Illuminati is supporting them? Sorry- Rant off.

Probably worse than people giving up hard earned money to these people would be the things they are counting on for salvation. What is the MESSAGE they are teaching ? Aside from give and recieve (into my own full pockets)?

 

 

[Vine Abider]

To me a false teachers is someone who is twisting the essentials of the faith.  Most Christians (aka regenerated & born again) are in agreement of the core tenets of our faith I think, with some color variations here and there.  To me, that's what is needed, to major on the majors.  The rest of the things, that aren't considered essential and core to the faith, we should not get too wrapped around the proverbial axel about and just have some fun with those other things - not harshly judging one another (as we've been instructed not to do).

Of course, we might not even always agree on what the basic are!  But I would think, without too much endeavor, we could list what the real core items are in a handful of things, right?

(although in thinking about those promoting a prosperity gospel, maybe another core belief would be that in this world we will have trials/tribulations/weakness to help us grow . . . although not sure if that should be a core item . . .)

[Mr. M]

The inevitable

1 Cor 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you,

that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

The advice

Philippians 3:

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded:

and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this unto you.

16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained,

let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Focus on the agreed upon tenets

[Vine Abider]

Okay, I took about 10 minutes to come up with these 7 points that I think are core Christian beliefs.  Does this look complete and correct . . . or perhaps too much? 

Core items of our common Faith:

In His great love for mankind, God did, or will do, the following:

1. God was manifested in the flesh in Jesus.

2.  Jesus lived a righteous life, died as the perfect atonement for our sins, was raised again bodily on the 3^rd day, and was later taken up into heaven

3.  God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ and given all authority in heaven and earth to Him

4.  By accepting Jesus Christ and His atonement personally, Christ comes to live in us through the Holy Spirit and we are thereby being transformed into His image

5.  All believers are made into one body – one Lord, one faith, one baptism

6.  Christ will return in glory and bring His people into the place He has prepared

7. There will be righteous judgement of all beings, including humans, angels and principalities

Edited November 21, 2022 by Vine Abider
Decided to do numbers instead of bullets

[Mr. M]

12 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

Core items of our common Faith:

Number One Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ,

the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

1 John 5:

5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. 10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

1 John 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 

https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/search.cfm?Criteria=Son+of+God&t=KJV#s=s_primary_0_1

2 Peter 1:17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

[Not of the World]

3 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

The rest of the things, that aren't considered essential and core to the faith, we should not get too wrapped around the proverbial axel about and just have some fun with those other things...

Bingo!

[Not of the World]

3 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

Of course, we might not even always agree on what the basic are! 

Jesus laid it out very succinctly in his Great Commandment.  Love him and love one another.  That's it.