Sentinel Echo Newspaper Article
Friday, October 7, 2011
The Progression from Sound Doctrine to False Teaching
Part 2
Remember, at this first stage, the message is still basically the same. The only difference is the way in which it is presented. This new way appeals to many people. For many in the audience, this style of preaching will hold their attention better. For the preacher, he may have an easier time writing lessons since he doesn’t have to spend as much time in careful study of the word of God. But when this style of preaching is adopted, there are several things that begin to happen:
People begin to trust in what they’ve heard before and what they already think, rather than God’s word. If the appeal is no longer made to Scripture, then another standard must adopted in order to determine the truth. Naturally, that standard becomes that which is familiar and agreeable.
They believe something because it makes sense. Human wisdom prevails when it comes to subjects with which they are unfamiliar or if they lack maturity in them. Failing to approach new and/or difficult topics with careful and targeted Bible study leaves us to follow whatever seems reasonable to us.
They also begin to put their trust in man, particularly the preacher. God’s word is a “lamp to [our] feet” (Psalm 119:105). But if we no longer rely upon the light of His word to show us the way, we have to find direction from some other source. For many, this source becomes the preacher. If he is teaching myths and fables, instead of the word of God, the dependency of the brethren upon him grows.
When Christians become accustomed to this kind of preaching, error can take hold and do severe damage to the brethren, both individually and to a congregation as a whole. Eventually, false teaching will be introduced. If we have not been trained sufficiently with “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17), or are out of practice with it, we will not be able to fight off the error that is creeping in. We’ll notice why in a moment.
But first, think of how a false teacher must introduce his error. We know he cannot do so through a reasonable explanation of the Scriptures as Paul did (Acts 17:2-3). So what style of preaching will the false teacher use to advance his doctrine?
He will use stories to back up his points. People enjoy stories. A good story-teller can keep an audience captivated. But further, you can teach anything, make any point, through a story. This is perfectly suited to a false teacher (and is also why it is dangerous to rely too heavily on non-Biblical stories and analogies).
He will use human wisdom to validate his claims. False teaching is based upon human wisdom. Society, in general, is conditioned to follow after human wisdom. If one uses human wisdom to promote a message, rather than contrasting the wisdom from above (the word of God) from earthly wisdom (James 3:15-17), he can teach almost anything because he is using the standard that society generally accepts.
He will misuse Scripture to state his case. This is a common tactic -- ignore the context, change definitions, explain away certain passages. This is how there are so many different denominations teaching differing doctrines, yet all claiming to follow the Bible. They twist the Scriptures and convince many people that their message is actually from God.
Notice that this style of preaching is the same as it was under the first step towards apostasy -- stories, human wisdom, misused Scriptures. As a result, it is often hard for people to see the difference between truth and error. Why? They have become accustomed to this style of preaching. It makes sense. It sounds familiar. And they have forgotten how to accurately handle the word of God to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1), and, upon finding one who is teaching error, to destroy “speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10:5). As a result, they eventually go along with the error, oblivious to the fact that they have departed from “the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3).
How Is This Stopped?
How can we stop this progression from occurring? The solution is simple: We must use the style of preaching commended to us in the Bible. We must “speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11), just as Paul who “reasoned... from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence” (Acts 17:2-3). We must not be afraid to talk about all that God has revealed to us, lest we “shrink from declaring the whole purpose of God” (Acts 20:27).
Preachers must use this style of preaching. Elders, along with the rest of the brethren, must not only tolerate this type of preaching, but demand it. This may not be popular, but it is God’s way. We ought to trust Him, knowing that His way is best.
Andy Sochor