Friday, December 23, 2016

Sanitizing False Doctrine

Back in November, Bob Hiller wrote a piece at The Jagged Word entitled “Airbrushing Beth Moore” in which he discusses the advertising ploy of creating a sanitized persona in order to sell products.  This is a common way to move product by creating a false notion that by following through with her (or any person’s) materials, the reader will soon resemble the false impression displayed on the product.  The idea of self-improvement strokes egos: I can do it because the author says I can.  Hiller rightfully questions this tactic by noting that everyone involved in the production of the material is a sinner.  The impression floated to entice the buyer—physically, psychologically, and spiritually—is nonexistent.  I agree with Hiller’s assessment, but another aspect to this needs to be mentioned.  False doctrine is being airbrushed.

On the local church level, when someone wishes to make a mark on a social issue or just target a niche market, he or she will investigate the need, formulate a message around that need, and construct a presentation.  In order to be effective, something new needs to be stated and properly packaged.  Novelty attracts.  Crowds form and embolden new, novel doctrine, and the cycle continues.  Publishers do similarly.  To promote and sell materials for authors, they allow (and even encourage) questionable doctrine in their publications.  Poor, bad, and destructive doctrine is disseminated in order to stimulate discussion of the ideas and author notoriety.  Colleges and seminaries are not immune as professors attempt to make a name for themselves.  While all this provocation sells more units to the public and puts people in the pews, it also can have a deleterious effect on Christ’s Church.  Ideas have consequences.  Whatever the initial intent for the novel teaching, the end cannot be measured in the level of appeal but in faithfulness to the Savior and what He taught us.

What are we seeing from current teachers and preachers?  Mysticism is especially popular.  Everybody is suddenly being spoken to directly by the Holy Spirit (or unholy spirit) to say and do spiritual things that are otherwise nonsensical or even unbiblical.  Parishioners are encouraged to seek God (or god) within themselves to better understand the truth.

The Bible is neglected or demeaned.  Paraphrased versions of the Bible are used more than a solid translation.  Music no longer teaches truth, but an experience.  Teachers are asking their listeners to think less in objective truths and more in subjective, relational patterns.  Doctrine is taught in broad, sweeping terms having various meanings depending on the hearer.

What is the effect?  Denominational bodies and local churches see the tide of popularity and begin to wonder if all this hoopla might be the answer to their problems.  Christian conferences assemble speakers that stir the emotions but teach nothing that lasts.  Instead of evaluating the doctrine and practice against the Word of God, these organization take a pragmatic approach hoping for something to stick.  It never does, so the cycle continues for the next thing.

There is an old, familiar saying that if something is new, it is probably wrong.  This is never more true than when applied to the holy things of God.  Let’s sanitize the right things.  Keep doctrine and practice true and pure.

5 comments:

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Excellent!

Brad Krantz said...

Amen! I've noticed the mysticism of Moore and her teachings. She has regularly been featured in our Women's Ministry the past several years! I had a lady mention to me an interpretation of Moore's on a particular verse (which escapes me), and I thought "that's certainly a novel interpretation at best"! She mentioned it without question as if it were clever, eminent wisdom because Moore taught it!

memama said...

My local conservative baptist church has a Library filled with False prophetess/teacher Beth Moore's miss-oracles. The church has ended up with an ecumenical mess of local churches (who do not teach or believe in sound doctrine) Attending a ecumenical "prayer" hour, 1 Sunday a month. They are supposed to be praying for "the world"??? Sadly, this group needs prayer for Salvation and to be taught the difference between False Teaching/ Doctrines. Instead?
These groups just keep expanding. 4 Generations of our family have left this church
because of the ever expanding false teachings/ teachers/ books being "recommended".
As something to buy into. My 80 something family member said it best = don't these pastors, /elders and their wives have A Bible + can GOOGLE all these teachings/teachers/book authors/new Bible translations as FALSE!...I had printed out article after article from the Apologetics web pages.
Comparing the many lies/ heresies now entering The Pulpit! The worst part?
Finding ANOTHER CHURCH! That is not embeded with these ecumenical errors. What a sad day..

Steve Bricker said...

I have noticed that many false teachers are given a pass, because they are so likable or popular. Because they are effective communicators, the message gets lost. A little investigation seems to be too much trouble for some.

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Man, you hit THAT nail right on the head!