Addressing False Docrines Part 2 - By Kingdom Keys

It was not my intention when I wrote the last blog to wait this many months before writing Part 2.  I was addressing the subject of dealing with false doctrine and how to handle the matter of calling out the names of false teachers.  I mentioned Carlton Pearson by name, calling him an example of a false teacher.  He is one who used to preach truth, but has become a promoter of a doctrine that says that a person is saved, even without specifically receiving Christ as Lord and Savior unless he renounces Christ.  That’s my understanding of his teaching.  He also teaches that a literal burning hell is not in the Bible.  He says that hell is “man’s invention, not God’s intention”.  He actually says “it is a human manufactured religious icon, no less idolatrous than deifying a statue or statute considered sacred or holy”.  So, to believe that there is a place of torment with flames of fire, such as Jesus described in Luke 16:19-31, is to be guilty of idolatry, according to Mr. Pearson.  You can see why I call him by name and label him a false teacher.  He calls himself Bishop Pearson.  Therefore, he is a false bishop.

    While naming him and calling him a false teacher, I refrain from calling most other preachers and teachers as a “false teacher”.  Some teach false doctrine in some areas.  When a well-known pastor preaches a message I would call harsh against those of us who teach that God plans for believers today to receive the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues, I don’t call him a false teacher.  On that doctrine, he is off base and teaching false doctrine, but we must be very cautious about calling everybody who gets off on a doctrine or two as “a false prophet or teacher”.

    I said in the previous blog that it is appropriate to address false doctrines without mentioning specific names of the ones teaching them.  Then, I said “but that presents a problem”.  The problem is that in teaching against a false teaching, it makes people wonder if you are talking about Brother So-In-So.  Sometimes, people assume you are talking about a particular minister when you aren’t.  Then, they decide, if they have confidence in you, that a particular brother is a false teacher because of what you said.  And, it’s all a conclusion based on the assumption that you are referring to Brother So-In-So. 

    But, if we get too liberal in the naming of preachers, it conveys the idea that we are on a crusade to criticize every preacher by name with whom we disagree.  One famous preacher does this.  He has named so many preachers and proceeded to blast them, so to speak, that he seems mean-spirited and vindictive.  It is not my ministry, and I don’t believe it should be anybody’s ministry, to start going down the list of preacher after preacher, marking them as false.  However, there are false teachings that need to be exposed for their error, and occasionally a false preacher that needs to be named for what he is.

    There is a balance in all things, and this is certainly an area that calls for a balanced approach.  I hope these comments have been helpful to you.  Your response and input is invited.