Wednesday, 07 June 2006

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  Eric's Handy Guide to Refuting Dangerous False Teachings

  © 2006 Eric M. Pazdziora

  What would you say if someone came up to you and said, “I just converted to a new form of Islam.  We believe that Mohammed was a false prophet and there are really six gods”? 

  It would be only fair to say, “You may have the right to believe whatever you like, but if someone tells you that’s Islam, they’re deceiving you.”

  We’ll leave the question of what the Qu'ran really teaches to Muslim scholars. But I use the example to point out that, contrary to what most unthinking quasi-postmodernists will tell you, saying that someone’s beliefs are in error may not necessarily be intolerant and divisive.  It could be compassionate and loving.

  After all, who wants to follow a person who’s demonstrably a liar and a swindler?  Who wants to get involved in a group that uses cultic mind control techniques?  Who wants to believe anything that’s clearly a delusion?  Do you?  If not, then in gently pointing out where other people’s beliefs are in error, you’re “doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.” 

  As a Christian, I get very concerned when I hear people advancing “Christian” doctrines that are clearly at odds with the Bible.  If someone’s teaching contradicts the Christian doctrinal standard, then whatever else it is, it’s not Christianity, and to say otherwise is to be deceiving.  Jesus Himself warned us:

  “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:15-16 ESV)

  Here is a list of some of the teachings, in my experience, that lead to the most dangerous “fruits,” along with relevant quotations from the Bible that show their errors.  They may be taught by words or by actions.  (Note that the errors may not be presented “in the field” as obviously as I present them here; for instance, a teacher may deny that he thinks his teaching is just as important as the Bible yet conveniently ignore any parts of the Bible that don’t agree with what he says.)

  1. Dangerous False Teachings about Spiritual Leadership

  “We’re your leaders, so you have to submit to us whatever we say.”

  • It is written: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. (1 Peter 5:2-4 NKJV)
    
    
  • It is written: But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”  (Matthew 20:25-28 NKJV)

  “You may not question our teaching.”

  • It is written: Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.  (1 John 4:1 NKJV)

  “Everybody outside our little group is a heretic; we’re the only ones who have it right.”

  • It is written: Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.”  (Luke 9:49-50 NKJV)

  “We are justified in being harsh and strict, because we are trying to deal with sin in our followers’ lives.”

  • It is written: Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.  (1 Thessalonians 2:6-7 NKJV)

  
  

  2. Dangerous False Teachings about the Christian Life

  “You will be saved if you do enough good things to please God.”

  • It is written: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.  (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV)

  “Of course you’re saved by faith, but you have to work to succeed in the Christian life.”

  • It is written: Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?  (Galatians 3:3 ESV)

  “You need to keep rules and physically discipline yourself in order to overcome your sinful flesh.”

  • It is written: If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations––“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)––according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self–made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.  (Colossians 2:20-23 ESV—note, read Colossians 3 to see what is of value in stopping the flesh!)

  “You need to constantly maintain an attitude of spiritual brokenness.”

  • It is written: A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. (Proverbs 17:22 ESV)

  • It is written: “…this is My body which is broken for you.” (1 Corinthians 11:24 NKJV)
    

  “The Christian life consists of following God’s principles.”

  • It is written: Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (John 6:28-29 ESV)

  
  

  3. Dangerous False Teachings about Jesus

  “Jesus never claimed to be God and never demanded to be worshiped.”

  • It is written: “[Jesus speaking]…all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” (John 5:23 NKJV)

  “Jesus is ‘a god’ or ‘the Son of God,’ but He is not necessarily God Himself.”

  • It is written: “You are My witnesses,” says the LORD, “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me.” (Isaiah 43:10 NKJV)

  “Jesus and the Bible are not so very important.” [Note that this one is usually taught by actions rather than in direct words, for obvious reasons!]

  • It is written: “[Jesus speaking] For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”  (Mark 8:38 NKJV)

  
  

  4. Dangerous False Teachings about the Bible and Doctrine

  “You can’t understand the Bible apart from our teaching.”

  • It is written: Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.  (Acts 17:11 ESV)

  “Our teaching includes secret knowledge that can only be known by the initiates / the spiritually mature / the leaders / etc.”

  • It is written: Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret.” (John 18:20 ESV)

   “Our teaching is just as authoritative as the Bible.”

  • It is written: To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. (Isaiah 8:20 NKJV)

  “Paul never taught that his epistles were ‘the Word of God.’”

  • It is written: “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV)

  “‘All truth is God’s truth,’ so we should look to other popular philosophies for guidance.”

  • It is written: See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8 ESV)

  
  (Further candidates may be nominated....)

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