Tag: false teacher

Posted in theology

Cut to the chase: Discerning Ann Voskamp

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

‘Cut To the Chase’ essays are shorter form bulleted articles highlighting the issues of a particular author or false doctrine.

Ann Voskamp is a popular writer and conference speaker. Her most famous book is “One Thousand Gifts”, which is an exploration of her spirituality in a poetic narrative form.

Issue #1: Inappropriate sexual metaphors and innuendos about God

In his original review of Voskamp’s book, blogger and book reviewer Tim Challies wrote this:

“By the book’s final chapter Voskamp has realized that she still hasn’t put it all together, that something is still missing, and so, in her words, “I fly to Paris and discover how to make love to God.” This closing chapter, “The Joy of Intimacy,” is her discovery of God through something akin to sexual intimacy. In a chapter laden with intimate imagery she falls in love with God again, but this time hears him urging to respond. She wants more of him. And then at last she experiences some kind of spiritual climax, some understanding of what it means to fully live, of what it means to be one with Christ, to experience the deepest kind of union. “God makes love with grace upon grace, every moment a making of His love for us. Couldn’t I make love to God, making every moment love for Him? To know Him the way Adam knew Eve. Spirit skin to spirit skin?” –Challies

“It is true, of course, that the Bible uses imagery of bride and groom to describe the relationship of Christ to his church, but it does not go as far as integrating the sexual component of marriage. Sometimes it is best to allow God to define the parameters of our metaphors rather than taking them to a much greater extent. Voskamp would have done well to limit herself here.” –Challies

source https://annvoskamp.com/books/

“The sexuality of this chapter is not all that concerns me. I am also concerned with the kind of spiritual climax she experiences. Why should she have to travel to a Roman Catholic cathedral in a foreign land in order to truly experience the Lord?” –end Challies quoting Voskamp.

Issue #2: Voskamp’s romantic panentheism.

Bob Dewaay is solid, He is at Critical Issues Commentary. His articles are long but good. He reviews Voskamp, her book, and her romantic panentheism here: Romantic Panentheism: A Review of One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

Dewaay shows that “Voskamp sees God in everything, and that concept has a name—panentheism. We must distinguish panentheism from pantheism, the belief that God is everything. If we accept that God is in everything, then we accept that God can be discovered and understood through encounters with nature.”

Marcia Montenegro at Christian Answers for the New Age wrote about Voskamp and had similar concerns with the unbiblical stance of her panentheism-

Ann Voskamp: Panentheism and Hollow Words, By Marcia Montenegro
“Panentheism is contrary to Scripture, yet can sound very biblically correct and even uplifting. Panentheism mingles God with creation, demeans His majesty and omnipotence, and ends up altering God’s attributes and character as presented in the scriptures.”: (with additional links to other commentaries about Voskamp)”

Issue #3: Ann Voskamp partners with false teachers.

Recent examples are her speaking at the HopeStory Conference with keynote speaker and false teacher Lisa Bevere. (Source). Also has appeared at the same event as with Mark Batterson (who is false). Voskamp invited false teacher Beth Moore to guest post on her website.

Please avoid Ann Voskamp. She promotes unbiblical doctrines, lacks discernment, and makes other problematic choices that indicate consuming her material is not healthy for the Christian woman. Be discerning.

Posted in theology

Discernment: How do I go about looking for fruit?

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

EPrata photo

Did you know that every New Testament Book (except Philemon) deal with, advises, warns, or commands us about false teachers/doctrine? It is a huge subject in the Bible. In the Old Testament, dealing with false prophets was also a huge topic. Deuteronomy 18:20-22 says a false prophet must be put to death! THAT is how serious God takes it for men or women to speak in His name when they are actually speaking for satan. All of Jeremiah 23 deals with the topic, as well as many others.

We can’t be all “oh, just let them be”, or “don’t judge”, or “you don’t know their heart”, or “they mean well, just eat the meat and spit out the bones’. No. There is nothing more important that the Truth. Jesus died so we may learn it. Do not squander the truth with platitudes that allow doctrinal pollution to seep into your souls.

To that end, Jesus gave us some instructions in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 7, He spoke a section of verses that discuss how to reveal a false teacher. It is by looking at his or her fruit. Here are the verses:

A Tree and Its Fruit

15″Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? 17So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20So then, you will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:15-20).

Easier said than done, right? Easy to read it on the page but hard to apply it in life. One reason is that we want to take care in distinguishing between the true teacher, the teacher who is temporarily teaching error or an incomplete doctrine (think of Apollos), or the truly false teacher who is evil through and through and marked for condemnation. (2 Peter 2:3; Jude 1:4).

Teacher Sinclair Ferguson illustrated a few key points on HOW to detect a false teacher in his sermon “Ultimate Choices” (Youtube), the final lesson from Ligonier in Ferguson’s sermon on the mount series,

Jesus said, ‘You will recognize them by their fruits’. What does this mean? In these excerpts, Ferguson explained,

Look at the person’s teaching and their character

1. Does this person remind me of the character and speech of the Lord Jesus Christ? Spiritual fruit in scripture, especially in the NT, is first and foremost likeness to Jesus in character and in speech. Alas, so often that spiritual test will enable you to see through a spiritual charlatan.

Look at the impact he makes on others.

2. And then you need to ask the question what is the fruit of this ministry and those who are influenced by it? What is the fruit of this teaching as you see the impact of it? Jesus is saying not only look at the person’s teaching and their character, but look at the impact he makes on others. See if this person’s teaching enables them to grow in fruit of the spirit. See if what he teaches sets them free from himself, to live for the glory of God.

3. Lord Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name etc

…depart from me I never knew you. Here, Jesus is teaching us to distinguish to judge to discern between the possession of abilities that impress us and the presence of grace that draws us to Jesus Christ. It’s possible to preach wonderfully eloquently, to prophesy, but apparently not really be a genuine Christian believer.

Jesus sent out Judas Iscariot with the others to heal the sick and to cast out demons he came back with the others and said that the very demons of Hell are subject to us.

4. The test is this- does the teaching draw my eyes to the Lord Jesus?

Or does it draw my eyes to him or her, the gifts they have, the impression they make? It is this that helps us make the judgment of whether we follow this teacher. —End Sinclair Ferguson

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Fruit takes time to ripen. For us who want to assess a professing Christian’s teaching of lifestyle, we wait a bit and watch. Compare what they say or how they live to the Bible. The Bible is the standard. Someone once told me before I was saved, I was too trusting, taking everything people said at face value as true. I had no clue people lied, had personal agendas, or were manipulative. She said, “What they say and what they do must match up.” I have found this good advice post-salvation to assess a good teacher from a false one.

Don’t allow today’s politically correct stances, today’s cultural ideals, or today’s lifestyles to influence you. The BIBLE is the barometer. It is important to note that we don’t only test their teaching but also their lifestyle.

The qualifications for male teachers from 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1:5–9; 1 Peter 5:1–4 relate more to lifestyle than ability. The same goes for females from Titus 2 for the older “teaching what is good” to the younger. Lifestyle is a big part of qualifications for teaching God’s word.

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A teacher’s doctrine can be checked against the Bible for what they say and what they DON’T say. Some teachers or pastors who profess Christianity have publicly stated they don’t talk about certain doctrines. I can think of some names right now who have said they deliberately don’t preach or teach on sin, hell, wrath, judgment, homosexuality, age of the earth, or eschatology. That is one of the reasons we wait a bit to assess a teacher’s solidity- you’ve noticed he or she hasn’t talked about certain doctrines ever. Do they teach the WHOLE counsel of God? Unashamed and bold?

I hope these few items from Sinclair have been helpful to you. Humility and a servant heart will show good character, and not just lip service to those, but a true, over time, humble service. A renewing mind and a servant heart will yield good fruit.

Posted in discernment, doctrine, false teachers, jesus, teaching

When to Follow or Reject a Teacher: Biblical Guidance

Posted on by elizabethprata

SYNOPSIS: People wonder when it is reasonable to leave off following a teacher. What are the standards for giving loving benefit of the doubt, or assessing them as false and banning them completely from your purview? Both are called for in the Bible.

Continue reading “When to Follow or Reject a Teacher: Biblical Guidance” →
Posted in theology

Navigating False Teachers: Jen Wilkin Exposed by translating her essay into what she’s *really* saying

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I critique an older essay of Jen Wilkin’s, labeling her a false teacher whose trajectory since 2014 has been downward. I translate her false teacher-speech into what she is really saying, in order to demonstrate that even seemingly soft words and faux-kindness have hidden barbs that destroy. I warn that false teachers use persuasive language, urging discernment when evaluating their messages.

Continue reading “Navigating False Teachers: Jen Wilkin Exposed by translating her essay into what she’s *really* saying” →
Posted in theology

Discernment in Christianity: Learning from Jen Hatmaker’s Fall

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

SYNOPSIS

I discuss the decline of Jen Hatmaker’s faith, comparing it to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Hatmaker’s shift towards affirming same-sex relationships and her promotion of faith deconstruction have led to her obvious departure from Christianity. I urge discernment and warns against false teachers who undermine true faith.

Continue reading “Discernment in Christianity: Learning from Jen Hatmaker’s Fall” →
Posted in theology

Is It Sinful For Single Women to Be in the Workforce?

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

SYNOPSIS

Today I critique Lori Alexander The Transformed Wife, highlighting her legalistic teachings and their harmful effects on women in faith. I assert that Alexander propagates self-created, unilateral standards about women working outside the home that contradict biblical examples, lack grace, and puts burdens on women. I urge readers to reject Alexander’s burdensome doctrines and instead seek supportive ministries that align with true biblical teachings. Recommendations at the end.

Continue reading “Is It Sinful For Single Women to Be in the Workforce?” →
Posted in theology

Prayers for Leadership: Christians Respond to Trump’s Faith Advisors

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Televangelist Paula White and President Donald Trump on Feb. 6. Photo by Schwartz/Sipa/Bloomberg via Getty Images

You’ve heard by now, probably, that President Trump is creating the White House Faith Office led by Paula White. He began the initiative in 2018. One of the people included in the inside of that initiative was Justin Dean, former communications officer for Driscoll’s Mars Hill church, which is also not a good sign-

Dean said on X,

“Trump started the White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative. He would invite faith leaders to speak into policies and decisions, and sought out their opinions. This led to major prison reform, disaster aid for churches, adoption and foster care reform, and further protections for religious liberty, among others… most notably the appointment of common sense pro- life judges, and the decision on Roe v Wade.”

Good stuff. That is something to praise the Lord for.

The bad part is this: Dean continued, “This initiative included Paula White, Greg Laurie, Jentezen Franklin, Franklin Graham, and many others from all walks of faith and beliefs.”

All those people mentioned are false teachers. Dean continued,

“We have participated in almost monthly calls with political leaders, many times with President Trump joining the calls. He would ask for and listen to our advice, and let us pray over him. We met for many in-person gatherings”…

Good to know that they are so heavily involved, so we can be aware and pray against bad religious advice. We can also pray that the President is searching for truth and will eventually come to the true faith. The alternative is that the bad religious advice he’s receiving will be along the lines of the verse in Matthew 23:15,

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.”

Sadly, Dean then said this:

“Trump may not be the best example of a Christian leader, but he does respect and understand the importance of surrounding himself with Christian leaders, and he has proven over the years that he listens and has made many great actions based on their advice. This group has been more influential over his policies and decisions than you’ll ever realize.”

President Trump is not a Christian, nor are the others. It’s good to know, though, that he seems to understand and respect Christianity, such as he understands it. I am old enough to have seen many political leaders simply USING Christianity for their own gain. I don’t sense that here. Of course I am sad that the President’s soul-searching is leading him down this broad path. Perhaps the Lord has a course correction in mind later to the narrow road. I don’t know. The Lord knows.

It’s really no different than Obama being advised by false teacher Rick Warren, or most the the previous generation of Presidents being advised by Billy Graham, who was also false.

What true Christians can do, now that you know how deeply these wolves are involved in governing activities, is to pray for true shepherds to be allowed near the President.

My advice is this: I’ve seen a lot of shock and outrage and distress over Donald Trump’s choice of Paula White. Don’t be shocked. Don’t be distressed. Don’t be outraged. What else can we expect from a non-believer? Why are Christians surprised when non-saved people act like non-saved people? We know Trump is not a believer, so we shouldn’t expect him to act like one. He doesn’t know how to choose a righteous man to help him along the path of righteousness. He can do no less.

What we can pray for is that these wolves will at least even accidentally give the gospel to the President and for him to be saved. And, for him to continue works that align with God’s values, if not the faith, as in opposing abortion, major prison reform, disaster aid for churches, adoption and foster care reform, further protections for religious liberty and so on.

The Lord raised President Trump at this time to lead. He has His reasons. We should do like we always do, pray, watch, and pray some more.

Posted in false teachers, theology

The irreversible destruction of false teachers

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

A man who hardens his neck after much reproof will suddenly be broken beyond remedy. (Proverbs 29:1).

Gill’s Exposition explains the intriguing part about broken beyond remedy:

shall suddenly be destroyed; or “broken” (e); as a potter’s vessel is broken to pieces with an iron rod, and can never he put together again; so such persons shall be punished with everlasting destruction, which shall come upon them suddenly, when they are crying Peace to themselves notwithstanding the reproofs of God and men;

I understand that when Christians are developing and practicing discernment, it’s sometimes difficult to detect a false teacher, especially in the early days of the false teacher’s ministry or the early days of the Christian. Other people, though they suspect, find it hard to admit that their favorite teacher is false. “But they teach about Jesus!” they say. I know, it’s interesting to listen to some of the more crafty (Genesis 3:1) teachers who have such eloquence of tongue and then believe they are insincere. But remember that the antichrist is prophesied to gain the world by a smooth tongue and flattery. (Daniel 11:21). These present mini-antichrists (1 John 2:22) are almost as smooth as the prophesied Antichrist will be in the future, so it is no wonder that they are so slick in their speeches.

The main way to detect a false teacher of course is to compare what they say to the Bible (Acts 17:11).

But even then, some are so disguised as an angel of light that they never put a word wrong. Think of Demas who traveled with Paul, Simon Magus who was baptized by Philip, and of course Judas who lived WITH the disciples.

So here is another way to detect a false teacher: how they react when they are corrected or challenged. Doctrine is utmost, but behavior is important. How does the true or the false teacher respond when posed a question, challenged in their interpretation, or rebuked for their teaching?

It’s the behavior when corrected that also indicates the true vs false teacher. If the teacher is God-honoring s/he cares about the word as primary importance. How crushing it is when we say or teach something in error or contrary to proper exposition! We hasten to correct, humbling ourselves to Him and the truth of His word.

The false teacher who rebels when teaching the word will continue to rebel when corrected in the word. As the Proverb says, he will harden his neck. Stiff necked is a synonym for stubborn. Instead of being teachable and gentle, the false teacher will entrench him or herself into stubbornness and double down on their position. This is because they are full of pride, and care not for the truth of God’s word. They SAY they care, but their behavior SHOWS they do not.

The second half of the Proverb is encouraging. I know it’s all the rage to claim love and kindness to and for false teachers, but I do not. If a teacher has abused the name of Christ, twisted His words, and persistently shown that they care only for themselves, money or fame, harming His sheep in the process, the second half of the Proverb is rallying to my soul. It motivates me to leave the judgment of this scourge of fiery ants to the Lord, and to take comfort in His timing. They WILL be broken beyond remedy. Good.

When challenged over these issues the false teachers stiffen themselves, they entrench into their stubbornness. This is a God-ordained exposure. Let us not ignore these exposures seen through their behavior, but heed the wisdom in Proverbs.

It’s OK to take comfort in the knowledge of the coming permanent and irreversible destruction of these wolves. It means that the name of Jesus will eternally remain spotless with no dung thrown on Him or on His people, ever again. What a day that will be!