I've noticed in Internet discourse, it is not too uncommon for people to use terms such as "false teacher" for those who promote doctrines they disagree with. Obviously, there are many instances where this term is perfectly applicable (as we see throughout the New Testament, for instance)... but I tend to think it's used in cases where it is perfectly acceptable for Christians to agree to disagree (i.e. people using this sort of invective in the Arminian-Calvinist debate). Has anybody else had this impression?
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Is the term "false teacher" thrown around too often?
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Is the term "false teacher" thrown around too often?
"I am not angered that the Moral Majority boys campaign against abortion. I am angry when the same men who say, "Save OUR children" bellow "Build more and bigger bombers." That's right! Blast the children in other nations into eternity, or limbless misery as they lay crippled from "OUR" bombers! This does not jell." - Leonard RavenhillTags: None
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Yes, I agree, KingsGambit. We should not be arrogant in thinking that only our understanding is correct and those who disagree are therefore false teachers.Who died and made us Messiah? Jesus is our teacher, and we have enough trouble living up to his teachings as we understand them and to the best of our ability with all our hearts and soul and strength. To focus on what we perceive to be the errors of others is to turn our focus away from from God. We would do better to lead by example, especially when we do not even realize that we are leading. When did we see you hungry or naked or sick?אָכֵ֕ן אַתָּ֖ה אֵ֣ל מִסְתַּתֵּ֑ר אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מוֹשִֽׁיעַ׃
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Originally posted by KingsGambit View PostI've noticed in Internet discourse, it is not too uncommon for people to use terms such as "false teacher" for those who promote doctrines they disagree with.
(Please no responses like "not all Baptists or Calvinists are like that". I quite understand.)
http://www.amazon.com/Life-Son-Rober...ife+in+the+sonLast edited by The Remonstrant; 03-30-2014, 07:22 AM.For Neo-Remonstration (Arminian/Remonstrant ruminations): <https://theremonstrant.blogspot.com>
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Not only "false teacher" but it's cognates. One of my biggest pet peeves of late is certain YECers claiming theistic evolutionists compromise their faith without even entertaining the thought that they believe in one because of the other on the basis of their honest reasoning.
We should be much more charitable to each other but without swinging so far in the other direction that we don't judge at all. It takes discernment.
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Any teaching, which for what ever reason is false, that is being promoted. Is a false teaching, and so technically, the ones promoting them can be individually be regarded as a "false teacher." But not all "false" teachings are matters which would exclude one from salvation. Most of which are only secondary issues. And I would agree it is not "polite" to call such teachers "false teachers." When in fact those very teachers are believers winning others to Christ.. . . the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; . . . -- Romans 1:16 KJV
. . . that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: . . . -- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: . . . -- 1 John 5:1 KJV
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Not only "false teacher" but it's cognates. One of my biggest pet peeves of late is certain YECers claiming theistic evolutionists compromise their faith without even entertaining the thought that they believe in one because of the other on the basis of their honest reasoning.
The label "false teacher" is shorthand for, "This person is wrong enough on something important enough that in general, his opinions should not be sought on anything."
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Originally posted by KingsGambit View PostI've noticed in Internet discourse, it is not too uncommon for people to use terms such as "false teacher" for those who promote doctrines they disagree with. Obviously, there are many instances where this term is perfectly applicable (as we see throughout the New Testament, for instance)... but I tend to think it's used in cases where it is perfectly acceptable for Christians to agree to disagree (i.e. people using this sort of invective in the Arminian-Calvinist debate). Has anybody else had this impression?
I have also found that often times for people that in general (and for well known figures)
1. When you hate someone, they can do nothing right
2. When you love someone, they can do nothing wrong
But the thing that I have often thought about is how I would want someone to judge me. Would I want them to play 'gotcha' apologetics with me, or give me grace to mess up every once in a while (after all - I am just human).
After all, Jesus didn't say people would know us by our keen theological ability, doctrinal perfection, or Biblical knowledge, but by our love for one another. That to me has been a huge guiding light.
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Originally posted by RBerman View PostThe two are not mutually exclusive. One can honestly believe something while not appreciating how the assumptions underlying that belief are incompatible with other beliefs one holds. In fact, it's incredibly commonplace.
The label "false teacher" is shorthand for, "This person is wrong enough on something important enough that in general, his opinions should not be sought on anything."
In related thought, I think there are too many ministries out there that spend too much time attacking other ministries."For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6
"Theology can be an intellectual entertainment." Metropolitan Anthony Bloom
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Originally posted by 37818 View PostAny teaching, which for what ever reason is false, that is being promoted. Is a false teaching, and so technically, the ones promoting them can be individually be regarded as a "false teacher." But not all "false" teachings are matters which would exclude one from salvation. Most of which are only secondary issues. And I would agree it is not "polite" to call such teachers "false teachers." When in fact those very teachers are believers winning others to Christ."I am not angered that the Moral Majority boys campaign against abortion. I am angry when the same men who say, "Save OUR children" bellow "Build more and bigger bombers." That's right! Blast the children in other nations into eternity, or limbless misery as they lay crippled from "OUR" bombers! This does not jell." - Leonard Ravenhill
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Originally posted by KingsGambit View PostThe term has generally come to mean people who are actively overthrowing the faith of others (probably mostly because that's how it's biblically used) so I think it's most helpful to restrict the term to those cases.
Read John Owen's A Display of Arminianism for a sampling of the kind of polemics I believe we would be wise to avoid.
Last edited by The Remonstrant; 03-28-2014, 11:24 AM.For Neo-Remonstration (Arminian/Remonstrant ruminations): <https://theremonstrant.blogspot.com>
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Originally posted by The Remonstrant View Post[SIZE=3][FONT=Palatino Linotype]I'm inclined to agree. It would be a bad idea for Calvinists and Arminians to refer to each other as false teachers (for example). I personally do not believe one's personal salvation is necessarily in peril because he or she is a Calvinist (as strongly as I disagree with numerous points of this system of theology)."I am not angered that the Moral Majority boys campaign against abortion. I am angry when the same men who say, "Save OUR children" bellow "Build more and bigger bombers." That's right! Blast the children in other nations into eternity, or limbless misery as they lay crippled from "OUR" bombers! This does not jell." - Leonard Ravenhill
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Originally posted by The Remonstrant View PostStaunch Baptists and overzealous strict Calvinists seem most inclined to employ this kind of rhetoric in my experience.
So yes, "false teacher" is a term used too often on the internet, though there are definitely instances I've seen when it is called for.
"Fire is catching. If we burn, you burn with us!"
"I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to stay here and cause all kinds of trouble."
Katniss Everdeen
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast.
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Originally posted by KingsGambit View PostAlso, I think we can all admit none of us have our theology 100% correct, and using the definition above, everybody would be a false teacher... but the Bible doesn't use the term in that manner.Last edited by The Remonstrant; 03-30-2014, 07:34 AM.For Neo-Remonstration (Arminian/Remonstrant ruminations): <https://theremonstrant.blogspot.com>
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So, should we call prosperity preachers false teachers or not?That's what
- She
Without a clear-cut definition of sin, morality becomes a mere argument over the best way to train animals
- Manya the Holy Szin (The Quintara Marathon)
I may not be as old as dirt, but me and dirt are starting to have an awful lot in common
- Stephen R. Donaldson
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