Consider This...
Theological Thoughts to Encourage the Heart & Stir the Mind ___________________________________________________
Volume I March 2011 Issue 12
Genesis Chapter 3 describes the first time that false teaching was proclaimed on this earth. From that day on, false teaching has plagued mankind each and every moment. The Old Testament chronicles the false teaching that the Patriarchs and the Children of Israel faced, often times succumbing to its allure. The New Testament addresses false teaching that entered the infant Church in many cities throughout the Mediterranean. Church History follows the flow of false teaching that began in Rome and spread throughout Europe up through the Middle Ages. From the time of the Renaissance to modern day, false teaching continues to expand and destroy the Church. Christianity has never been immune to this devastating disease.
False teaching comes to humanity by the sinful actions of sinful men (false teachers). False teachers use any means possible to propagate their teaching. Everywhere one looks false teaching can be found; preaching, writings, music, film, art, and philosophy to name a few.
However different these media sources are, there is a common aspect to their success. It is by their use of terminology that men fall victim to the falsity of these teachers. These teachers tend not to make up new words to describe their teaching, but use that which people already know. As Dr. R.C. Sproul states, “Most heretics...try to mask their heresy by using orthodox language to convey it.” It is by this language that false teachers draw and trap people into their teaching.
To design a list that introduces the terms that are often used to spread false teaching would takes hundreds of pages. Often times a single word is used by many different teachers, each defining it differently. It is the task of the believer to understand the correct definition and to determine if it is being used correctly or not. What can be compiled into a list are the areas of theology in which false terms are often found. True Biblical theology has its essentials. If these are tainted, the rest of ones theology will be tainted. It is in these essentials that false terminology is found.
The first area is the Nature of God. The essence of every religion is “God.” The definition of “God” is what dictates what that religion or teaching will proclaim. Christendom has a variety of views on God’s nature. It is God’s nature and attributes that affect the relationship between God and man. Sovereignty, love, grace, omnipotence, and foreknowledge are some examples of terms related to the Nature of God that are often mis-defined. Many follow the teaching of those who speak of God in these terms, but lack the Biblical understanding of these words.
The second area of theology that contains many of the false definitions is that of Salvation. As with the Nature of God, a core desire of every religion is the salvation of humanity. Christianity has many differences concerning this doctrine. It is important to understand the Biblical definition of salvation. History has proven this doctrine to be of great debate. Words like justification, righteousness, predestination, and evidences of salvation are used in every denomination, yet are full of differing definitions. The way one understands this doctrine is not only dangerous to their own soul, but to the souls of others. For false teaching of salvation can result in eternal damnation, even when one believes they are headed to eternity with God.
The third area that produces false teaching is that of sanctification. The growth and maturity of the believer is vitally important. It is not only beneficial but is commanded. False teaching in this area can cause people to flee from the purpose of sanctification, which is to Glorify God. Sanctification is modeled after the “God” and His nature. When the deity is distorted, the actions of the believer will be distorted. If God is a God of legalism, holiness is found externally not in the heart. If “God” is only concerned for the comfort of those in the moment, humanitarianism will be the focus of service and spiritual growth. If God is for the appeasement of man, Health, Wealth, and Prosperity will be the content of teaching. When sanctification experiences false teaching, the glory of God is replaced by the glory of man. Sanctification becomes the means of idol worship, the idol being man.
When faced with teaching of any kind, the believer is responsible to watch out for false teaching. With the use of terminology, it is important for the believer to have a deep understanding of Scripture. To battle the potential of falling into false teaching, there are a number of ways to protect oneself.
The first is to be in the Word of God. It is by this study that one will have the proper definition of key theological terms. The teaching of God is Truth and contains no error. When one has immersed themselves in the Scriptures, false teaching, even when it is using “Biblical” terminology, will be easily spotted.
The second way to protect oneself is by studying trusted, reliable teachings. Many men of God have produced great works that help to bring passages together for a particular topic of theology. It is by this study, that the Christian is prepared to give an answer when questions arise.
False teaching will be with humanity until the return of Christ. It is important that believers ground themselves in the Truth. For it is the Truth that sets man free and it is by false teaching that man is bound in hopelessness.
Soli Deo Gloria
John A. Frey III
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