God’s Word warns that wolves will enter the Church (Acts 20:28-31). Further, it declares that “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).[i] There will be false gospels that will enter the Church and deceive many (2 Peter 2:1). If those warnings, indeed promises, are not clear enough, Christ Himself cautioned, “Many false prophets will arise and lead many astray” (Matthew 24:11). Unfortunately, many Christians have stuck their heads in the sand and failed to account for this reality. Because of this, even within the Church, those opposed to the gospel and preaching false gospels are overlooked and consequently mislead many.
One need look no further than the rise of “prosperity gospel” doctrines, the proliferation of devotionals like Jesus Calling, the rise of the Enneagram among evangelicals,[ii] or the spread of the Mormon Jesus in the ranks of the evangelical circles, demonstrated in the recent popularity of The Chosen.[iii] Given these problems, pastors and teachers must be ready to defend the Church against the wolves making their way into the flock, covered with sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15). To deal with these continued assaults on the Church and the gospel, let us briefly consider four ways pastors and church leaders can work to confront the false gospels prevalent within the evangelical culture.
Expositional Preaching
The primary role of a pastor is not to be a corporate executive of a church.[iv] Acts 6:4 confirms that pastors are primarily called to preach God’s Word, study, and pray.[v] Pastors working through the text of Scripture, in a verse-by-verse expository manner, will deal with numerous doctrinal truths each Sunday.[vi] With expositional preaching, there can be no hobby-horsing and failing to deal with a particular doctrinal matter. When one preaches expositionally through a book of the Bible, one is preaching the whole counsel of God’s Word.[vii]
While expositional preaching has undoubtedly found a resurgence in recent years, many in the Church might struggle to understand the importance of this approach.[viii] However, when those in the congregation face a rigorous application of biblical and systematic theology, as will be encountered in expositional preaching, they are not only equipped to deal with problems of the day, but they can look into the Church and culture to identify how Scripture directly applies to specific situations. Rather than wonder how Scripture might speak to a particular topic, those in the Church can hear from the pulpit what Scripture declares about all matters. As Van Til noted, “The Bible is […] authoritative on everything of which it speaks. Moreover, it speaks of everything.”[ix]
In light of the proliferation of “prosperity doctrine”, the Enneagram, the New Age synchronism found in numerous “Christian” devotional books (many times produced and sold at local Christian bookstores), and in the recent rise of popularity TV programs like The Chosen, the correcting power of God’s Word, delivered through the proclamation of the local pastor is not only corrective but restorative. When pastors preach expositionally, congregants get to know the true Jesus and the authority of God’s Word, because they encounter it regularly out of the mouth of the local pastor. The local pastor cannot undervalue the incredible weight of both his task and the impact of said task. The truth will always separate itself from error. Further, expositional preaching allows God’s Word, more than human effort, to train a congregation in righteousness.
Apologetics Classes in the Local Church
Some will dismiss the idea that Christians need to learn how to defend the faith.[x] This has not only been noted in numerous apologetics books, but also in the experience of many apologists. In this author’s experience, even the word apologetics turns people off. Individuals in the Church have repeatedly failed to understand the significant value that learning to defend the faith has in regards to dealing with false teaching. Part of the problem is that many in the Church are more impacted by the prosperity-light gospel encountered on Christian radio or in the Christian bookstore, than by pastors serving in the local church.
Apologetics training and gospel proclamation go hand-in-hand, however.[xi] Christians have incredible opportunities to invite trained apologists into their local churches regularly.[xii] Further, by teaching apologetics in the local church, pastors can demonstrate how one should correct arguments against the Christian faith, or any other contention brought against Christian truth claims. Every local church should provide specific training to church members on defending the faith. They should set aside time each year to offer apologetics and evangelism training. When churches fail to train those in the congregation to defend their faith, it should be no surprise that people in their church don’t know how to do it.
Many in the congregation will find the historical veracity of the Bible, classic arguments for the existence of God, and training on how to engage those in cults incredibly fascinating.[xiii] Rob Phillips writes, “Churches lose the opportunity to equip those in the congregation to dedicate their minds and study to the Christian faith when they fail to train the congregation in apologetics. As a result, when a grandchild, child, or neighbor brings an argument repeatedly demolished by apologists for years, the congregant has no idea how to respond and loses an opportunity to declare the gospel.”
Directly Calling Out Doctrinally Deceptive Teachers
In the epistles, Paul makes no reservation when calling out those in sin or promoting false gospels (1 Timothy 1:19-20; 2 Timothy 1:15, 2:16-18, 4:10, 4:14-15). Jesus likewise calls those opposed to the gospel, “You brood of Vipers” (Matthew 12:34-35). He calls Herod a “fox” (Luke 13:32). He tells Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!” (Matthew 16:23). Therefore, pastors have the responsibility to name names and to call out those who are promoting false gospels which are an affront to the true gospel.
Because souls are at stake, it is only appropriate that Christians directly confront false gospels that have made their way into the Church. James White notes, “[T]hose who disturb the peace of the church and draw disciples away after themselves are not just men with “a different view” as we are told today; they are “savage wolves.””[xiv] Things like the Enneagram, The Chosen, Jesus Calling, and anything by Joyce Meyers, Joel Osteen, or TD Jakes must be declared as false, heretical, and destructive teachings. Pastors must be assertive but, at the same time, loving in naming names. Many in the Church don’t know that some of the material they believe to be spiritually beneficial is destructive. It might hurt feelings for some to hear that one of their favorite devotions (e.g., Jesus Calling) is nothing but heretical and nonbiblical synchronistic writing. However, hurting feelings are much better than allowing souls to be deceived unto destruction.
It is challenging to navigate the tension in trying to declare the truth lovingly (Ephesians 4:15), but this is a problem that one will have to navigate no matter what. The gospel always hurts the feelings of those in sin. Those suppressing the truth hate to be called out. In the same way, those who claim the name of Christ are being deceived and need to be made aware of the destructive end that false teachers are leading them to. The most loving thing that pastors can do is directly name those vending heretical teachings, who have made their way into the Church. Anything less than the true gospel infiltrating the Church is nothing but destructive.
Pastors and church leaders cannot hesitate to name the names of false teachers and call out the titles of works that deceive people. This must be done regularly. If people at a local church don’t know that Jesus Calling, The Chosen, the Enneagram, or the works of prosperity gospel advocates are wrong, then the pastor has failed. These wolves in sheep’s clothing are devouring, deceiving, and ultimately confusing and misleading many who genuinely desire to follow Christ.
Specific Training in Christian Worldview Integration
Christian worldview integration is often thought of as an academic concept.[xv] However, “[t]he Christian life-and-worldview…presents itself as an absolute comprehensive interpretation of human experience. The Christian life-and-worldview presents itself as the only true interpretation of human experience.”[xvi] Christian worldview integration is treated in some college and academic literature, but it is far from only applying to seminary students and in Bible colleges. Pastors must think critically and intentionally about teaching their churches how to develop a Christian worldview.[xvii] Pastors and leaders in the Church must demonstrate how one engages modern cultural issues from the framework of a Christian Worldview so they can train congregations to think from within that mindset.
When Christians are called to “take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5), they are commanded to evaluate secular culture, think through current social issues, and demonstrate a regenerate mind. When Christ regenerates the soul, He does not stop with that. He regenerates the mind and guides the Christian to think with the mind of Christ. In a society where Christians must navigate numerous moral and sociological issues counter to the Christian faith, those in the Church must be trained to integrate the Christian Worldview into every realm of influence.[xviii]
This type of training is not easy. Oftentimes, Christians do not truly consider what it means to be a stranger and alien in the world (1 Peter 2:11). Whether it is a retiree who grew up in an America, where the Christian moral system was standard among most people or whether one is working with a member of “Gen Z”, who has no idea what American culture looked like when Judeo-Christian morals were commonly accommodated by most Americans, pastors must continually frame culture and how a Christian should interpret it. Pastors must lead their congregations to interact and engage culture through the framework of a Christian Worldview.
Similar to the concept of having apologetics classes in the local church, Christian Worldview classes should be a section at least in a small group. Men’s and women’s groups should consider book studies about the Christian Worldview and how it is distinctly different. Christians should be trained in how different worldviews answer critical questions, and the implications of the answers for which each worldview advocates.[xix] At the same time, Christians should learn how to confront false worldviews with the truth only found in the Christian Worldview.
Conclusion
Christians can count on the fact that there will always be individuals trying to synchronize the Christian faith. This is much of the reason that God warned the Jews as they entered into the promised land to destroy all of the outside cultures.[xx] Those who are unholy will always have a destructive influence on those who are holy. Pastors are called to protect the flock (1 Peter 5:2-3). James tells teachers in the Church that they will be held to a higher standard because of what they teach (James 3:1).
Dealing with the numerous challenges that the current culture brings against the Church is imperative for the health of churches worldwide. Expositional preaching, apologetics training, directly calling out false teachings and teachers, and instructing those in the Church on integrating the Christian Worldview are just a few concepts that local pastors and church leaders can apply right away. While these techniques are not the only ones that can be used, they can be quickly enacted in any context to help the Church deal with false teachings. If pastors and church leaders are unwilling to adopt some strategy to confront this problem, then the wolves will feast and destroy many.
[i]All Scripture is taken from the English Standard Bible unless otherwise noted, (Crossway, Copyright © 2016).
[ii]Don & Joy Veinot and Marcia Montenegro, Richard Rohr and the Enneagram Secret, (Wonder Lake, IL: MCOI Publishing, 2020).
[iii]Jonathan Miles, “The Chosen: Concerned but Keep Watching,” Midwest Christian Outreach, June 17, 2021, accessed March 24, 2024, https://midwestoutreach.org/2021/06/17/the-chosen-concerned-but-keep-watching/.
[iv] Jeramie Rinne, Church Elders: How to Shepard God’s People Like Jesus, (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2014), p. 31.
[v]John MacArthur, John: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Set of 33 volumes MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1985), Kindle Location 116167.
[vi]David R. Helm, Expositional Preaching: How We Speak God’s Word Today, (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2014).
[vii]Ibid.
[viii]Ibid.
[ix] Cornelius Van Til, Christian Apologetics, ed. William Edgar (Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R, 2003), p. 19.
[x]Rob Phillips, The Apologist’s Toolkit: Resources to Help you Defend the Christian Faith, 3rd ed. (Jefferson City, MO: Missouri Baptist Convention Press, 2016), pp. 12-22.
[xi]Adam Cochrun, “Evangelism. Therefore, Apologetics” in Show Me Why: Thoughts from Missouri Baptists on Defending the Christian Faith, ed. Jeanie Crain (Jefferson City, MO: Missouri Baptist Convention, 2018), p.44.
[xii]Rob Phillips, The Apologist’s Toolkit: Resources to Help you Defend the Christian Faith, 3rd ed. (Jefferson City, MO: Missouri Baptist Convention Press, 2016), pp. 481-83.
[xiii]Trent Blake, Consider Christianity: Using Evidence to Examine the Religion of Jesus, (Kansas City, MO: Baseline Christianity, 2023).
[xiv]James White, Pulpit Crimes: The Criminal Mishandling of God’s Word, (Homewood, AL: Solid Ground, 2006), p. 47.
[xv]Tim Muehlhoff, and Todd Lewis, Authentic Communication: Christian Worldview Integration Series, (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2014). Kindle Edition.
[xvi]Cornelius Van Til, Christian Apologetics, ed. William Edgar (Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R, 2003), p. 135.
[xvii]Rob Phillips, The Apologist’s Toolkit: Resources to Help you Defend the Christian Faith, 3rd ed. (Jefferson City, MO: Missouri Baptist Convention Press, 2016), pp. 12-22.
[xviii]Gary DeMar, War of the Worldviews: A Christian Defense Manual (Atlanta, GA: American Vision, 1994), pp. 8-10.
[xix]James W. Sire, The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog, 5th ed. (Downer Grove, IL: 2009), Kindle Edition.
[xx]Edwards J. Woods, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries: Deuteronomy vol. 5, ed. David G. Firth, (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2011), p.143.
False Teachers: Exposing the Wolves Among the Sheep
David Guy Van Bebber Jr. is the son of a Southern Baptist Pastor from Kansas. He is his committed husband to Valerie and father of four children (Jonathan, Evie, Violet, and Elisha Guy). He is pastor at Linn Valley Community Church in Linn Valley, KS. He currently serves as an Adjunct Instructor at Spurgeon College in Kansas City, MO, where he teaches in the Communications Department. David has authored and contributed to four books and continues contributing to the Christian Apologetics ministry TAG You’re It! He is also a D.Min. Student at Columbia Evangelical Seminary.