false teacher definition

What is the Biblical definition of a false teacher? Would you restrict the definition to theology?

Would you consider someone a false teacher if you've proven that his stories which may pepper his sermons turn out to be untrue? What if one story which he tells is not only untrue, but each of the following times he repeats the story it seems to grow in detail?

Would the person's intentions be taken into consideration....in other words would it be important to ascertain whether this is intentional or just someone repeating unwisely inaccurate information he heard/read somewhere...and it just sounds good enough or dramatic enough to underscore a pivotal point in a sermon.

Looking forward to your opinions!
Thanks,
Beth

 

I agree

I positively cringe when I hear these stories. I fear that if the unsaved hearing these stories and after checking them out, discover them to be false, are they going to believe the doctrine presented in that sermon? I think it can discredit the validity of the sermon content.

This is the one that absolutely bugs me to no end...this is the story which grew in the three times the speaker used this...have you heard of the Body of death"? It went from a form of capital punishment in Rome to a particular practice Paul would have known, because it was especially...yes, especially...used in the town of Tarsus....

http://thepaperthinhymn.com/2011/11...ng-a-dead-man-on-your-back-the-body-of-death/

Sigh, now really, did Paul Read Virgil??? Perhaps he did, being a well educated Jew...but there is NO evidence that he had a habit of dipping into Greek historical fiction to illustrate doctrinal points.

thank you for your opinion, Scarlotte! I appreciate it!

Beth

 

Nice!

Thank you, Thousand Hills...nice article!

One point resonated with me...over the years I have been really convicted of the need to be a Berean. In order to test teachings, we must be able to actually FIND those teachings in the Bible. My point being that I agree with the article's writer that it is dangerous when someone believes they have the gnosis...there is something that only THEY can understand, some revelation that only God gave them.

In the case of the preacher I am thinking of in my OP, while perhaps his teachings are not necessarily blatantly gnostic, he is inching there by expecting his congregation to BELIEVE what he said because, well, he said it. If you can't actually test the teaching, because it isn't actually IN the Bible, you are left with people like me pulling out our gadgets and googling for the story/anecdote during the sermon time because it has happened way too often that stories turn out to be fiction.

Beth

 

concerned

Thank you, I always appreciate your input. I am just a bit reluctant about reading anything by MacArthur, please don't be offended, until his statement about taking the mark of the beast is cleared up. I am very glad that you have benefited from MacArthur's teachings, though! You obviously have a real love for the Lord and His Word!

Beth

ps has he corrected his teachings on the mark of the beast, that you know of?

 

hi

It wasn't a book, he preaches that people could take the mark of the beast and still repent and be in Heaven. Google for this on youtube, and you will see quite alot of controversy on this. I have a link, but decided not to post, because I don't want to upset you or others who love MacArthur.

I believe the Bible is clear that those who take the mark of the Beast will end up in the lake of fire.

Perhaps MacArthur will come to understand and change his teaching.

Beth

 

ooooh

See, this is why I won't, brother...your language indicates you are a bit upset, if not sarcastic, and this is what I wish to avoid. "Monkey bloggers" might be your brothers and sisters in Christ, and perhaps not the most loving way to describe your family that you will be spending eternity with. So, a soft answer turns away wrath, and so I respectfully ask that this thread be closed.

Beth