The Bible teaches that we are to test all teachings (I John 4:1,6), expose
those teachings that are false (Eph. 5:11), confront and rebuke the false
teachers (Titus 1:9,13), and then separate from those who persist in false
teaching (Rom. 16:17; Titus 3:10), lest in the end, we are disqualified for
service (2 Tim. 2:20,21), or worse yet, we are identified with the false
teachings and the false teachers themselves (2 John 10,11).
Wolves in disguise have entered the flock and are deceiving many. For this
reason, it is important for us to closely examine their teachings. And since it
is impossible to separate the teachings from the teacher, we make no effort to
sidestep certain personalities or soften positions taken by these individuals.
Nevertheless, this examination is not done for the purpose of tearing down or
simply to be negative, but only to help those who wish to be Biblical.
Conservative fundamentalist
thinking has always been accused of negativism and of delving into
personalities in its polemic against unbelief; but now fundamentalists are being
encouraged to not even touch on the negative
aspects of doctrine. Yet the Bible has no such hands-off policy. The Bible
uses terms such as "false prophets" (Mt. 7:15; 24:24);
"heresies" (2 Pet. 2:1); "heretic" (Tit. 3:10); "false
teacher" (2 Pet. 2:1); "false apostles, deceitful workers" (2 Co.
11:13); "doctrines of devils" (1 Tim. 4:1); "tradition of
men" (Col. 2:8); "evil workers" (Ph. 3:2); "another
gospel" (2 Cor. 11:4; Gal. 1:6), "antichrists" (1 Jn. 3:18);
"evil men and seducers" (2 Tim. 3:13); "deceivers" (2 Tim.
3:13); "every wind of doctrine" (Eph. 4:14); "them which cause
divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned"
(Rom. 16:17).
The exercise of discernment is vitally necessary today. The difficulty is that
many teachers on the contemporary scene seem to affirm a Biblically sound
doctrinal statement (i.e., the inspiration, infallibility, and inerrancy of
Scripture; the Trinity; the full deity and humanity of Christ; etc.); seem to
affirm the gospel and speak often about evangelism and bringing the lost to
Christ; and often their teaching is replete with Scripture references and is
sometimes couched in very scholarly terms, giving the appearance of a well
thought through Biblical position. More in depth analysis, however, often
reveals that, in practice, they depart from their orthodox position. What they
say they believe and what they actually teach are often miles apart.
Opposition and heresy from without and within have made defense of the faith
always an imperative. But now we seem to live in a day when believers are
enamored by personalities, thereby consistently ignoring Rom. 16:17, which
teaches that believers are to 'NOTE them, MARK
them, and AVOID them' -- those who bring contrary doctrine.
WHY? Because these false teachers serve only themselves, not Christ, and deceive
the naive with smooth talk (Rom. 16:18). The Bible never tells us to fellowship
with "them," all the while ignoring their destructive heresies -- that
would be compromise. Instead, the Bible teaches that sound doctrine cannot be
perpetuated through compromise (1 Cor. 15:33), and that compromise cannot be
avoided without separation (2 John 10,11).
The teachings of these men are like the proverbial bad penny -- they keep
showing up. The problem is that they are not always recognizable by those in
positions to correct or avoid them. Sometimes an outsider must don the role of
realist in order to startle the insider into reality. Therefore, the information
detailed in these Notebook
reports is written with a spirit of concern, and ought not to be
misinterpreted as mere rock-hurling. The intention is to inform and alert
believers to the false gospels being passed-off as orthodoxy; this is clearly
within our Biblical authority and command. It is done without any personal
animosity or hatred toward those involved.
But some would ask, "What about Christ's command to 'love one another' and
'the mark of a disciple being love'? And doesn't the Bible say that love is the
highest of the spiritual virtues, even above faith and hope?" (1 Cor.
13:13). Yes, but love certainly cannot be higher than truth! In fact,
doctrine and truth are necessary prerequisites for Biblical faith, hope, and
love. Without sound doctrine there can be no faith, hope, or love. (Love
rejoices in the truth [1 Cor. 13:6], because without truth, love cannot even
exist [1 Pe. 1:22].) Moreover, the Bible teaches that love is the result
(i.e., the fruit) of sound doctrine, not vice versa (1 Tim. 1:3-5; 1 Pe. 1:22).
Our priority must always be on truth. Therefore, "love as the mark of a
true disciple" cannot be determined by the gauge of our agreement
with one another. Instead, it must always be remembered that love is a Biblical
doctrine in and of itself -- LOVE in the TRUTH (see 2 & 3
John and Eph. 4:15).
Yet many would still contend that the top priority of the Church is the
conversion of the lost, and thereby, as long as one preaches the bare minimum of
the true gospel, we should uphold that one and not criticize him for other areas
in which he may hold and teach false doctrine. Not only would this position be
one of compromise and accommodation, and thereby in contradiction with the clear
teaching of Scripture, it also blurs the clear two-fold function of the
Church -- the Church's function is not only the propagation
of the faith, but its preservation also. Obviously, if the faith
is not preserved, it cannot be passed-on to others. Thereby, whenever anyone in
the professing Church elevates the propagation of the message to the neglect of
the preservation of it, then they are defeating the very purpose of their
existence, and must be challenged. We would agree with the comments in the
foreword to PsychoHeresy:
"... many church leaders, though well intentioned, are feeding ... deadly poison to the Body of Christ. ... [Religious] leaders should be held accountable for what they say in books, magazines and pulpit or on radio and television. Certainly no one can object if what he has stated publicly is quoted or questioned publicly. If any church leader is granted immunity from challenge or correction, then [the spirit of] the Reformation was in vain and we are back under the unscriptural authoritarianism of a Protestant popery. ...
"If [a particular teaching is] valid and Biblical, then its proponents have nothing to fear from a factual and Scriptural analysis of its tenets; and if its precepts are in fact false and dangerous, then lovers of God and truth will be grateful when error is exposed."
Again, we want to emphasize that our purpose is not to indiscriminately
criticize, but to expose doctrinal error while holding forth the Word of Truth.
This will inevitably be unpopular with the mass of professing Christians as they
and their ministries compromise the truth to gain acceptance. But then, we are
to be looking for the approval of God, not men. To do otherwise would be to
befriend the enemy and cause harm to the body of Christ.
It is, therefore, our desire to not only be 100% factually accurate in all the
information provided in the reports in this Notebook (quotes,
context, etc.), but also to be fair in our interpretation and analysis of the
facts. We, thereby, welcome all comments and
criticism along these lines.
May we all continue to be "good servants of Christ Jesus" (1 Tim.
4:1,2,6), upholding the Church as the "pillar and support of the
truth" (1 Timothy 3:15).
* Much of the content of this paper is paraphrased from two
primary sources -- Neoevangelicalism Today, by Robert Lightner; and
Biblical Perspectives, "The Myths Of The Third Wave," by
Robert Dean.
"A fundamentalist is one who adheres with
strong conviction to the fundamentals ... of the Christian faith, and who
insists on separation from worldliness, apostasy, and disobedient brethren . ...
it is a necessary prerequisite for being called a fundamentalist -- separation
must be seen as a defining element of fundamentalism" (Ken Pulliam). Biblical
Fundamentalism is the movement of men and ministries who, recognizing God's Word
as completely authoritative in every area of which it speaks, are dedicated to
theological orthodoxy and an attitude of disdain for unbelief as well as
theological, ecclesial, or ministerial compromise. Such an attitude manifests
itself by militant defense of the faith once delivered (as recorded in its
completeness in God's Word, the Bible) and subsequent separation from those who
entertain unbelief or compromise. Biblical fundamentalism is always marked by 1)
ecclesial separation from unbelievers or those who seek common ministerial cause
with unbelievers or even professing brethren who propagate false doctrine and,
2) defense of absolute truth as revealed in God's Word. [Return
to Text]
