Discernment: Start naming some names!

Todd Friel in a short bit about the heartbreak of false pastors AKA wolves, and how devastating they are to the flock. He spoke of a pastor in Africa who urged his flock to eat grass. They did. When we refuse to name their names it perpetuates their apostasy and does nothing for the faith except allow the chaos to bring death. Here's Todd at Wretched:



Cameron Buettel at Grace To You Blog this past February 2014 says the same thing,

Naming Names
When it comes to false teachers, naming names seems to have become the unpardonable sin for many in the charismatic movement. Certainly, much of the criticism aimed at last fall’s Strange Fire conference focused on that issue. But is “Thou shalt not call out false teachers” really another commandment for the modern church, or is it an unbiblical shield designed to protect heretics from theological scrutiny?
Great question! Buettel continues,
The Arian heresy, the Pelagian heresy, the Sabellian heresy, and the Socinian heresy—to name just a few—were all named after the heretic who taught them. Yes, their names were named, and still live on in modern memory as a reminder of the damnable errors they taught.

When the bubonic plague broke out in London in 1665, the officials who were charged with the health and safety of the populace didn't walk down the street ringing a bell saying, "There is plague here, somewhere, but we won't mention who has it because we don't want to hurt their feelings." No!Their responsibility was the safety and protection of the people, and to contain the spread. So, they marked the door of each house that had plague with a red X. False teaches are like the rats that have plague ridden fleas on them, they bring disease, chaos, and death to the people. We mark them-

 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (Romans 16:17 KJV)

Satan has the false teachers in his pocket. He protects his own, and will not let a thrust go without a parry. A Christian woman friend named DebbieLynne Kespert noticed this week that several of Beth Moore's more controversial (read: critiqued and challenged) videos are disappearing from the web. I linked to several of them on this blog, which unfortunately as of today, if you click on them bring you not to the video anymore, but to this:


As Ms Kespert noted,
"videos give better evidence and are harder to refute. It is harder now to substantiate our objections to her teachings". 
That's true because a person can see the teacher saying it, know the inflection and tone, and witness the context. Ms Kespert wrote about it very well, here, saying
"These videos provided enormous help in evaluating Beth Moore's ministry. ... have no wish to assault Beth Moore's character, nor may we pass ultimate judgment on her salvation. But, like the Bereans in Acts 17:10-11, we examine her teaching, ministry and conduct against Scripture. The missing videos troubled us. Their disappearance troubles us even more."

After prayerful consideration and plenty of evidence, we must name names. Mr Buettel advises,
Of course Romans 16:17 is not talking about witch hunts, but it does highlight the responsibility of Christian leaders to identify, expose, and reject false teachers wherever and whenever they appear. 
When we name names, and we must name them, be prepared for push-back by satan, either directly against you and/or on behalf of his false teachers as we've witnessed with disappearing videos, or in refutation books, or in Facebook or other online ad hominem attacks. We cannot mark those who cause divisions without expecting a response from satan, for we are not unaware of his schemes. (2 Corinthians 2:11)

God's sovereignty is supreme. His truth will continue to unfold where He wills it. (John 3:8). Our duty is to the Head of our Church, Jesus Christ. Do not be afraid to name some names

Postscript:

(The grass eating pastor was Legeso Daniel of Rabboni Centre Ministries in Garankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa, it happened in January 2014). The news report sparked a series of online complaints. One said, "Is this a scene in a movie...this can't be real. God created animals to chew grass and made human beings to dominate over animals. Any person who reduces human beings to animals is definitely not of God." (source)




Comments

  1. I attended the “Strange Fire Conference” ( http://www.gtycanada.org/resources/sermon-series/325/Strange-Fire-Conference ) via Live Streaming last October. I knew of John MacArthur but was introduced to many others whom I didn’t know. I was introduced to the teachings of RC Sproul, Steven Lawson, Phil Johnson, Justin Peters, Todd Friel, etc prior to this life-saving conference. I read the book “Strange Fire”. Upon hearing about the upcoming “Strange Fire Conference” in June 2013 I downloaded the teaching series “Charismatic Chaos” from Grace To You. What an eye-opener.

    All of this literally changed my walk with Jesus. I had my eyes opened to some teachers whom I didn’t know and others whose names I had heard kicking around for a few years prior. Reading the book was more eye opening. I was able to see why some teachers are false teachers, some of whom I had tolerated because I wasn’t aware of what avenues false teaching took. I was also able to see how much of the occult was involved in some of these false teacher’s teachings and how far I had been led astray away from true Bible teaching and instruction. I accept my own responsibility here though because I should have been seeking Christ for Who He is instead of what I could get from him. But I still have moments of anger about what some leaders in the churches allow to knowingly (to be fair, some unknowingly) harm the sheep. I learned about eisegesis (reading into Scripture what is not there), dangers of extra biblical revelations (complete with examples), and histories of certain church movements to name a few things.

    I thank God for His faithfulness and His mercy and His lovingkindness to remove the scales from my eyes, unstop my ears and pierce my heart with the Truth – His Grace and Truth in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit led me to these teachers who love God, love and worship the Lord Jesus, and who defend the ministry of the Holy Spirit. May God continue to bless them for the courage to host such an event that exposed so many false teachers and also to fully explain through the Word WHY these wolves are false teachers. John MacArthur always says, 'don't take my word for it, look it up for yourself and study the Word for the truth' (paraphrased)

    Thanks again Elizabeth for a great post!

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    I think you can listen to the first message free so that you can test for yourself what excellent teaching these men of God teach.

    May God bless you all this weekend!

    Colette

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  2. Clarification on my comment:
    1. Yes, I know that Todd Friel is not a teacher - I just meant I was introduced to his valuable work on Wretched Radio and his commitment to the body of Christ in October 2013
    2. Lots of questionable teachers are scrubbing the internet of their more infamous disturbing videos BUT that also means they are hopefully becoming convicted AND millions of new or less learned believers will be spared from their erroneous teachings.
    3. Now WE who have had our eyes opened need to be courageous by word of mouth - the personal touch like our Lord and Savior did
    3. LOVED the video clip of Elaine "She Named Names" - classic!

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    1. I love your postscripts, especially #3. Todd Friel actually does teach. He goes to a lot of conferences and teaches at them, he was at one this week. "You name name!" was ringing in my hears the whole time I was writing this. I couldn't leave it out.

      I LOVED your testimony above It brought tears to my eyes because it brought so much glory to Jesus. Thank you for writing it, so very much.

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  3. Yes, thank you, Colette! I can relate to your story!
    I recently was talking to a friend about Joel Osteen and she did not consider him to be false. When I said that in Scripture it says in many places to beware of false teachers she said that was meant only for certain people at the time. I asked her who she would consider to be a false teacher, though, if not Joel Osteen? She did not want to name names and said that is not our job but that our job is to make disciples. Conversations like that make me crazy but I will continue to pray for my friend. It's hard, though, when I see fellow Christian friends I've had for a long time continue in the same thinking when I am so grateful for the teaching I've received steering me clear of Beth Moore (just an example--it was being in a Beth Moore study that led me to Elizabeth's blog--I knew something wasn't right).
    Melissa

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    1. Hi Melissa - your quote "it was being in a Beth Moore study that led me to Elizabeth's blog--I knew something wasn't right"

      This is also how I am come across Elizabeth's blog earlier this year by googling "Beth Moore" + "psychology" and I have been blessed by Elizabeth's diligent research, study and prayer.

      I vow to tell others of this blog specifically to the link to Moore's teachings so they can read and study for themselves why Moore is a false teacher.

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  4. Daniel 4:31-33King James Version (KJV)

    31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.

    32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

    33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.

    When there is a rejection of truth this is what is left. Nothing but a curse. One of the greatest gifts is to discern between the will of God and the truth of His Word and the lie.

    The function of the Holy Spirit is invaluable.
    Matthew 16
    15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

    16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

    17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

    18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

    19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

    And then the same man Peter just a short time later.

    Matthew 16

    21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

    22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

    23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

    24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

    25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

    We get the idea from religion that whatever we say is endorsed by God himself.
    This is a great example of how that ANYONE can be mistaken. All men have the capacity for error. Period.

    Oh, by the way donkeys eat grass.

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  5. Dear sisters and brothers; there's a way to download YouTube videos. Just ask the youngsters, they'll gladly show you how. So, if you believe a clip is something controversial, download it before that sad little red face appears on the screen.

    Jane, CA

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  6. Hello Elizabeth (and anyone else who wants to answer this question):

    I have been searching and I haven't found out whether the apostle Paul ever meet Hymenaeus and Philetus in person. Does anyone know this answer and will you please provide the Scriptures with your reply so I can study for myself.

    Thanks

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    1. among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. 1 Tim 1:20

      Philetus was Alexander's replacement in perfidy.

      They are mentioned again in 2 Timothy 2:17
      Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

      Nothing more is known of Philetus and Hymenaeus.

      If you want to know if Paul met them in person, we look at when the book was written, why, and the historical context.

      It seems that Paul did meet Hymenaeus, since it says he put him out of the church personally. The context of the book of 1 Timothy as described by MacArthur is this

      After being released from his first Roman imprisonment (cf. Acts 28:30), Paul revisited several of the cities in which he had ministered, including Ephesus. Leaving Timothy behind there to deal with problems that had arisen in the Ephesian church, such as false doctrine (1:3–7; 4:1–3; 6:3–5), disorder in worship (2:1–15), the need for qualified leaders (3:1–14), and materialism (6:6–19), Paul went on to Macedonia, from where he wrote Timothy this letter to help him carry out his task in the church (cf. 3:14,15).

      Therefore it seems likely that Paul knew these men. It seems from the context that Paul re-visited Ephesus, found these men perhaps even as elders, teaching falsities, Paul put them out, and when Paul left to visit the other churches, Paul left behind a letter to Timothy on how to continue the work. Hymenaeus and Alexander were already out when Paul wrote the letter. Paul didn't write "Therefore, Timothy YOU must put them out." Paul wrote that he had already put them out and "here, Timothy, is how to keep them and men like them out."

      BibleGateway's 'All the Named Men of the Bible" only says this about Philetus

      Philetus Philetus [Phīlē'tus]—beloved, worthy of love or amiable. A heretic condemned, along with Hymenaeus, for denials of the resurrection (2 Tim. 2:17).

      and only this of Hymenaeus

      Hymenaeus

      Hymenaeus [Hy̆me nae'us]—nuptial or from hymen, the god of marriage. A professed Christian who had fallen into heresies, who tried to shipwreck the faith of true b

      https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/all-men-bible/elievers and who was excommunicated by Paul (1 Tim. 1:20; 2 Tim. 2:17).

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    2. Thanks Elizabeth for your reply. Our cat Scotty got sprayed by a skunk [what a stink!] so I have to deal with him before I can fully respond with why I am seeking the answer to my question.


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