⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 3 min read
Recognizing Theological Error When It Sounds Almost Biblical
Theological error often sounds almost biblical. It uses familiar Christian language while shifting definitions, neglecting essential truths, or placing experience and culture above Scripture. In this episode of Equipping You in Grace, Dave Jenkins explains how Christians can test teaching faithfully, recognize theological drift, and grow in discernment through God’s Word and life in the local church.Listen or Watch
When Christian Words Change Meaning
A teacher can speak about Jesus, grace, love, and faith while giving those words meanings Scripture does not support. Dave examines how error mixes truth with falsehood and why Christians must consider more than whether someone quotes Bible verses.Faithful discernment asks whether passages are handled in context, whether the biblical gospel is preserved, and whether Scripture governs the teaching.Recognizing Theological Drift
Drift can begin with a neglected doctrine, an avoided passage, or an experience that becomes more authoritative than God’s Word. Over time, what a ministry consistently leaves out can distort its teaching as significantly as what it openly denies.This episode considers how feelings, cultural assumptions, political loyalties, and attachment to favorite teachers can influence our theology. Every Christian needs the correction of Scripture.Growing in Biblical Discernment
Christians grow in discernment by reading Scripture in context, learning sound doctrine, and keeping Christ and His saving work central. Helpful questions include:- What does the passage teach in context?
- How are important biblical words being defined?
- What is emphasized, and what is consistently missing?
- What actually functions as the final authority?
- Who is Jesus, and what gospel is being proclaimed?
- Does the teaching fit the whole counsel of God?
- What character and conduct accompany the teaching?
Discernment in the Local Church
God has given Christians pastors, teachers, and fellow believers to help them mature. Online resources can serve that growth, but they cannot replace the worship, fellowship, accountability, and pastoral care of a faithful local church.Biblical discernment also requires proportion. Serious departures from the gospel must be confronted, while secondary disagreements should be handled with appropriate humility and charity.Key Scriptures
- Acts 20:28–32
- 2 Corinthians 11:3–4
- Hebrews 5:11–14
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21–22
- Acts 17:11
- Ephesians 4:11–16
- Jude 3
Holding Fast to Christ
The aim of discernment is faithfulness to Christ. As we receive God’s Word, welcome correction, and speak the truth in love, we grow in stability and help others remain grounded in the gospel.Keep returning to Scripture, remain close to Christ and His church, and hold fast to the truth God has spoken.More Biblical Teaching and Encouragement
Explore more episodes of Equipping You in Grace and subscribe to the Servants of Grace YouTube channel for biblical teaching that helps you grow in Christ and develop a biblical worldview.
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.
Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.
He is the author of The War of Worldviews: Truth, Lies, and the Battle for the Christian Mind (Theology for Life, 2026), Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age and The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021).
You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.
When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.
Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
