Fundamentals counters False Teaching
It is good to note that False Teaching is recognized as such and counter measures are being taken by younger leaders and newer churches. This itself is a healthy sign. However, it is essential to understand that there are fundamental principles that when ignored or violated, allows False Teaching to flourish and multiply. I have put some fundamentals in an easy to way to understand, to build the immune system that withstands False Teaching onslaught.
Anchor or Astray?
First of all each and every disciple of Lord Jesus Christ should have a daily discipline and daily habit of devotionally studying the Word of God. Habit and discipline like brushing the teeth. Missing one day is also detrimental to health, so is the spiritual health. It is devotional study and not academic study. The fundamental belief that the Bible is THE word of God. (Not that Bible contains the Word of God or Bible includes the Word of God). Second, Bible is God’s Word. One who does not read it states to God: "ÿou shut your mouth, we know.” Third, the ultimate author of the Bible is the Holy Spirit. One who does not read the bible insults, ignores, and grieves the Holy Spirit every day and consistently. Any believer, who is not thus anchored in the daily intake of the Holy Scripture would be lead astray.
Biblical literacy
The disciples in the city of Berea were noble as they could evaluate the preaching of Paul based on Scripture. (Acts 17:11) Without even reading one time from Genesis to Revelation, it is impossible to discern and detect False Teaching. Superficial reading of the Bible is not enough. Paul’s hearers had the guts to test the teaching of great preacher like Paul. It is not how popular the preacher is that matters but how consistent with the scripture the preacher is that matters more. I say with a painful grieving heart that many pastors, worship leaders, Sunday school teachers, youth leaders and even song writers have not read the Bible even once. Please remember, Moses had to sit in the presence of God forty days and nights fasting to receive, understand and grasp the Ten Commandments. Biblical literacy is a tough hard spiritual task.
Conviction
Our belief should be based on convictions and not according to convenience. Many arguments are done for the sake of convenience, based on partial information. For example, the argument of adult baptism. Lord Jesus was baptized as an adult when he was 30 years old. If somebody questions back: “Why at the age of 30. Should all adult baptism done at the age of 30? Jesus was circumcised on eighth day should all Christians be also circumcised?” This counter question is conveniently ignored but argument for adult baptism persists. There is no conviction or consistency in understanding what we believe. Take time to understand our own convictions from the depth of the Scripture.
Doctrine
For many doctrine is allergic stuff. Understanding the history of the church is the next important aspect after understanding the Bible. History of the church provides numerous insights that puts to rest many of our doubts. When I read the questions asked by youngsters, they are just repetition of what had been asked 2000 years ago and answered several times in history. The fundamental or basic or essential doctrines of the bible has developed over centuries after debates, discussion, dissention, disagreements. Acts chapter 15 is a classic example of how the church develops the principles and doctrines. Hence, it is essential to study and teach our people the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith with historical perspective.
Error
Though all Christian leaders try to be true and honest, they could not be 100 per cent perfect. The best teachers could have a minor erroneous teaching. Errors do not basically violate the essentials of the Christian faith. For example, one great man of God believed that the only posture for prayer is kneeling down. He refused to consider other postures of prayer and rejected all those who prayed in different posture. This is not False teaching but erroneous understanding of scripture.
False Teaching
False teaching is essentially, deception. Satan has cunningly, twisted or deviated or misinterpreted or over emphasized some aspect of the teaching. That particular aspect of teaching is so magnified that all other truth are connected with that one aspect. In essence, that is hyped to be the capstone of the whole structure.
Challenge
If we are clear in ABCDE, we are less prone to fall in F – False teaching trap.
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Rev. J. N. Manokaran is a Senior Missions Leader, Bible Teacher and Trainer, having authored several books. He serves as the South Asia Regional Director of Community Bible Study International
https://jnmanokaran.wordpress.com/
Anchor or Astray?
First of all each and every disciple of Lord Jesus Christ should have a daily discipline and daily habit of devotionally studying the Word of God. Habit and discipline like brushing the teeth. Missing one day is also detrimental to health, so is the spiritual health. It is devotional study and not academic study. The fundamental belief that the Bible is THE word of God. (Not that Bible contains the Word of God or Bible includes the Word of God). Second, Bible is God’s Word. One who does not read it states to God: "ÿou shut your mouth, we know.” Third, the ultimate author of the Bible is the Holy Spirit. One who does not read the bible insults, ignores, and grieves the Holy Spirit every day and consistently. Any believer, who is not thus anchored in the daily intake of the Holy Scripture would be lead astray.
Biblical literacy
The disciples in the city of Berea were noble as they could evaluate the preaching of Paul based on Scripture. (Acts 17:11) Without even reading one time from Genesis to Revelation, it is impossible to discern and detect False Teaching. Superficial reading of the Bible is not enough. Paul’s hearers had the guts to test the teaching of great preacher like Paul. It is not how popular the preacher is that matters but how consistent with the scripture the preacher is that matters more. I say with a painful grieving heart that many pastors, worship leaders, Sunday school teachers, youth leaders and even song writers have not read the Bible even once. Please remember, Moses had to sit in the presence of God forty days and nights fasting to receive, understand and grasp the Ten Commandments. Biblical literacy is a tough hard spiritual task.
Conviction
Our belief should be based on convictions and not according to convenience. Many arguments are done for the sake of convenience, based on partial information. For example, the argument of adult baptism. Lord Jesus was baptized as an adult when he was 30 years old. If somebody questions back: “Why at the age of 30. Should all adult baptism done at the age of 30? Jesus was circumcised on eighth day should all Christians be also circumcised?” This counter question is conveniently ignored but argument for adult baptism persists. There is no conviction or consistency in understanding what we believe. Take time to understand our own convictions from the depth of the Scripture.
Doctrine
For many doctrine is allergic stuff. Understanding the history of the church is the next important aspect after understanding the Bible. History of the church provides numerous insights that puts to rest many of our doubts. When I read the questions asked by youngsters, they are just repetition of what had been asked 2000 years ago and answered several times in history. The fundamental or basic or essential doctrines of the bible has developed over centuries after debates, discussion, dissention, disagreements. Acts chapter 15 is a classic example of how the church develops the principles and doctrines. Hence, it is essential to study and teach our people the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith with historical perspective.
Error
Though all Christian leaders try to be true and honest, they could not be 100 per cent perfect. The best teachers could have a minor erroneous teaching. Errors do not basically violate the essentials of the Christian faith. For example, one great man of God believed that the only posture for prayer is kneeling down. He refused to consider other postures of prayer and rejected all those who prayed in different posture. This is not False teaching but erroneous understanding of scripture.
False Teaching
False teaching is essentially, deception. Satan has cunningly, twisted or deviated or misinterpreted or over emphasized some aspect of the teaching. That particular aspect of teaching is so magnified that all other truth are connected with that one aspect. In essence, that is hyped to be the capstone of the whole structure.
Challenge
If we are clear in ABCDE, we are less prone to fall in F – False teaching trap.
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https://jnmanokaran.wordpress.com/
Good one, Rev.Manokaran. May we use this in one of the upcoming issues of The Christian Messenger? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGood article. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteRev. Manokaran has very Crisply highlighted what the essentials are when it comes to guarding against False Teachings. I like the Acrostic pattern he's followed as well.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that many of our worship leaders and Sunday school teachers are very shallow in the knowledge of the word.. The need to be discipled well and taught the fundamental Biblical doctrines... Same with the rest of the members as well.
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