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What is Difference Between a false teacher and One Who Misinterpretes the Bible?

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by JesusFan, Dec 28, 2011.

  1. JesusFan

    JesusFan Well-Known Member

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    is there any discernable difference, biblical speaking?
     
  2. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    What is Difference Between a false teacher and One Who Misinterpretes the Bible?


    Nothing to those who are listening as they receive false information from both.
     
  3. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    "Biblically speaking", a false teacher deliberately, for his own gain, deceives the sheep.


    2 Peter 2

    The Judgment of False Teachers

    1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves.
     
  4. glfredrick

    glfredrick New Member

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    I tend to agree that both are harmful to the flock, but one does it on purpose and the other by accident. That being said, there should be no regular accidents when one is a teacher, and if there are accidents, they should be handled in the biblical manner -- repentance and fix the problem.
     
  5. MB

    MB Well-Known Member

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    None at all
    MB
     
  6. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    well the sheep need to step up & start Edumigicatin dem selves... No Mo Sheeple. Be Rams!
     
  7. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
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    A false teacher,false prophet...teach....but God did not send them.

    Someone who mis-interprets scripture offers shared ignorance.

    There is a difference...yet both can be harmful.
     
  8. OldRegular

    OldRegular Well-Known Member

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    :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
     
  9. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    I am with you Amy G. I think there is "much to be said" for "intent". God is always able to make himself clear despite any "issues" we mortals have teaching the truths of the Word.
     
  10. glfredrick

    glfredrick New Member

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    In a sense, the Bible never says that. It calls out pastors and teachers to edify the flock for the purpose of ministry. It also lays out special qualifications for said teachers and pastors -- and offers that they are worthy of double honor and of discipline and rebuke if they teach incorrectly.

    While I do advocate that the "sheep" do some of their own study (by all means!) I also understand that left to their own devices they will probably come up with all sorts of heretical and heterodox positions. History has proven this to be the case, and some of these self-taught individuals went on to form cults and "isms" that have caused great harm to many over the years.

    Not that every pastor or teacher has to be seminary educated, nor even that every seminary or Bible school has a right and orthodox view of Scripture and doctrine -- they do not -- but more so that there is a solid grounding for the teaching and preaching of Scripture in order to accurately divide the Word of Truth and to rightly pass down the faith given to the saints in that Word.
     
  11. Batt4Christ

    Batt4Christ Member
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    This is actually a more difficult question than some might take it - on the surface, the answer seems simple:

    Mininterprets the Bible - This can be done by real Christians who are sincere, and even seminary-trained preachers/teachers. But the intent is not to deceive - but the result is the same as the false teacher.

    False Teacher - the intent is TO DECEIVE. The "Jezebel" of Revelation 2 was a willful false teacher who was intentionally leading people astray.

    Now - the real issue is- what is the difference, if the outcome (deception, misleading, and real spiritual damage, especially to immature believers)?

    A Christians preacher/teacher who sincerely errs in understanding (for whatever reason) will not lose his salvation, but there is a price to pay - the Lord likely will bring chastisement, and can even bring death to stop the practice. That person will answer for the erroneous teaching -but still goes to Heaven.

    The blatant false teacher, who's intent is to damage God's Work, and to lead Christians astray (and to place stumbling blocks before the lost to real salvation) - that is a whole different situation - as can a truly born-again, Spirit-filled Christian actually work intentionally against God's Word and will?

    So lets take it a step farther to make this "fun" - I know some sincere Pentecostal people and preachers, who are the most sincere, humble, and "Christ-like" folks around. They sincerely believe that their doctrine is correct (including the loss of salvation, the need to continually repent to maintain salvation, not to mention the other charismatic teachings and activities that are unscriptural). Where do these well-intentioned people fall? Misinterpreting the Bible? Maybe... But they are also "false teachers" in that they are preaching and teaching false doctrine (though well-intentioned and sincere).
     
  12. asterisktom

    asterisktom Well-Known Member
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    I would say that the majority of false teachers are not willfully teaching false doctrine, but assume that they are teaching truth. Scripture speaks of many who are, at the same time, deceived and deceivers.

    For them the Proverb is true which says that there is a way that seems right (and this is both to the the teacher and to their students) but the ends thereof are the ways of death. Also we have the verse which speaks of those persecuting Jews who thought they were doing God's will.
     
  13. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    False teachers may not necessarily teach incorrect doctrine but they live a life that is false. False teachers are known by their fruit.
     
  14. convicted1

    convicted1 Guest

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    A false teacher is one who knows they are wrong, and yet deceive some anyways. One who misinterpretates the bible erronusly, do so without any evil intent. They just misinterpretate it wrong.
     
  15. convicted1

    convicted1 Guest

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    :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
     
  16. Martin Marprelate

    Martin Marprelate Well-Known Member
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    James 3:1. 'My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgement [KJV. 'greater condemnation'].'

    Maybe we all ought to think and pray hard if ever we are tempted to peddle previously unknown doctrines. 'Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will have rest for your souls." But they said, "We will not walk in it"' (Jer 6:16).

    Steve
     
  17. asterisktom

    asterisktom Well-Known Member
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    This is my prayer too. Of course that "previously" can be applied to earlier times as well. Error has a way of, over the centuries, seeming to be orthodoxy. Ultimately the only proof of a true doctrine is not the seeming antiquity of a path but whether it is according to Scripture.
     
  18. JesusFan

    JesusFan Well-Known Member

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    Think the difference here is clearly spelled out in Pentacostal/Charasmatic circles!

    Many sincere Christians there teach as being biblical one MUST speak in Tongues to show been "Baptised in the HG", so they would be wrong, but just misinterpreting the Bible...

    Now takr the "jesus Only/Word of faith" teachers/pastors/prophets

    they take the Bible, but based their teaching upon extra biblical sources, alal the HS told them, jesus showed up, had visions and dream etc...

    false teachers, seduced by/heeding demonic forces!
     
  19. JesusFan

    JesusFan Well-Known Member

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    Think BIG sign that one is a false teacher and not just misundrstanding the scriptures would be that they tend to use NOT the Bible itself as their authority to teach, but extra biblical sources, ala visions/dreams/HS spoke to them. Jesus appeared, prophetic/Apostolic annoitings etc!
     
  20. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    Dealing With False Teachers

    False Teachers

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

    Mt. 7:21-23, "Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. "Many will say to Me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'

    Mt. 24:11, 24, "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.

    2 Cor. 11:12-15 But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.


    Fruit

    Mt. 12:33-35, "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. "You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. "The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.


    Pastoring

    Acts 20:28-30, "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

    Romans 16:17-20 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

    Titus 3:9-11 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.
    1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

    Titus 1:13-16 This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

    Ephesians 5:6-12, Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.

    2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us.

    2 Timothy 3:1-5 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.

    2 John 1:7-11 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.

    Titus 3:9-11
    But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.
     
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