Heresy hunting

[evangelist6589]

Exposing false teachers and movements is very important. However what I see on FB, You Tube, and the like are that a number of new evangelical and Charismatic types are spending 100% of their time doing this, which I believe undermines the sovereignty of God and the sufficiency of the scriptures. Notice I never said that exposing false movements is wrong, its very very necessary, its just I do not agree with heresy hunters whom spend all their time doing that.

I believe in the power of God and the power of the Bible and so my main goal is to proclaim the word of God and live by the Bible. Addressing the false teachers and error on occasion, but not making them my entire ministry. What do you say? There are plenty on FB whom disagree with me and think I am wrong, because I say one should not spend all his time exposing false teachers. Plenty on FB and YouTube are all about one thing, and that is finding error and exposing false teachers.

John MacArthur has got some good books on this topic, but he does not write about this topic with every book he publishes.

 

[Greektim]

Post some examples maybe

 

[mont974x4]

How much time did Jesus and Paul spend exposing and otherwise addressing false teaching and false teachers?

Just because what is most seen publicly is these men and women addressing these things does not mean that is all they are doing.

Not everyone is an evangelist. A large part of the shepherds job is to identify threats and deal with them boldly and effectively.

 

[Reformed]

Not everyone is an evangelist. A large part of the shepherds job is to identify threats and deal with them boldly and effectively.

True dat.

Also social media tends to be a repository for those who have a dead horse to beat on.

 

[mont974x4]

True dat.

Also social media tends to be a repository for those who have a dead horse to beat on.

I don't know if I'd go so far as say its a dead horse. The errors have been around since the time of Jesus and they are still dangerous. I would imagine that social media is being used as an effective way to reach people who living in this technological era. It's a brave new culture.

That is not to say that some people don't know when to knock the dust from their sandals and move on.

 

[Reformed]

I don't know if I'd go so far as say its a dead horse. The errors have been around since the time of Jesus and they are still dangerous. I would imagine that social media is being used as an effective way to reach people who living in this technological era. It's a brave new culture.

That is not to say that some people don't know when to knock the dust from their sandals and move on.

I should have wrote "hobby horse." Better term.

 

[mont974x4]

You do have a point.

Where then, do we draw the line?

 

[Reformed]

You do have a point.

Where then, do we draw the line?

We don't. You let them do what they do and maintain spiritual balance in your own life and ministry (if it applies).

 

[mont974x4]

We don't. You let them do what they do and maintain spiritual balance in your own life and ministry (if it applies).

I agree.:thumbs:

 

[Bronconagurski]

How much time did Jesus and Paul spend exposing and otherwise addressing false teaching and false teachers?

Just because what is most seen publicly is these men and women addressing these things does not mean that is all they are doing.

Not everyone is an evangelist. A large part of the shepherds job is to identify threats and deal with them boldly and effectively.

When Jesus was confronted by the false teaching of the Pharisees, he exposed their traditions and leaven. And we know that leaven had a negative meaning of something evil. Paul wrote the book of Galatians to confron false teaching. In fact, it is the only epistle he wrote that contained no commendation, I believe. The problem today is that we can get in anybody's business we want to even though it might not be affecting us personally. I think we should confront it when it affects our church, our families, our friends, but not go out just looking for a fight. You make a good point, but alas, the internet means that those who look for heresy can surely find it readily.

 

[mont974x4]

The internet means those false teachings impact our church, family, and friends much more readily....and we may not know it. By that I mean we don't know where the people are getting all their information and picking up their doctrinal stances. I think these "hunters" are being proactive and identifying threats and don't need to know for sure if its impacted their church yet.

If I am a shepherd watching a flock, especially if I know it is not my flock but the Owner of the sheep, I must be actively seeking out and dealing with threats. The costs are too high if I wait for a direct proven impact.

 

[Bronconagurski]

The internet means those false teachings impact our church, family, and friends much more readily....and we may not know it. By that I mean we don't know where the people are getting all their information and picking up their doctrinal stances. I think these "hunters" are being proactive and identifying threats and don't need to know for sure if its impacted their church yet.

If I am a shepherd watching a flock, especially if I know it is not my flock but the Owner of the sheep, I must be actively seeking out and dealing with threats. The costs are too high if I wait for a direct proven impact.

Truth overcomes error. You don't effectively teach or disciple people by always telling them what not to believe. It doesn't work that way. You teach them the truth, and the Holy Spirit will reveal the error. If you can't trust that, then it's all moot anyway.

 

[mont974x4]

Oh I wouldn't think of ever NOT teaching and preaching the pure truth. This is especially true in an era when so many are being tossed about by every odd wind of doctrine to come around. That is not, however, my only responsibility to the flock or to the One who called me.

I am also not willing to say that God has not called people with the intentional ministry of identifying and confronting the wolves.

The Holy Spirit does guide people into truth. How does He do that? The primary way is through people.

Rom 10:14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?
Rom 10:15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!" (NASB)

 

[Herald]

While teaching the truth it is sometimes necessary to point out error. Paul did this often. The example that comes to mind is the book of Jude, written to refute dangerous error in the church.

 

[mont974x4]

Yep and 2 John was written to warn against welcoming false teachers. Galatians was also focused on addressing and correcting error.

 

[Bronconagurski]

Yep and 2 John was written to warn against welcoming false teachers. Galatians was also focused on addressing and correcting error.

I have already stated that we should confront error when possible, I just don't see why we should make it our greatest concern on a 24/7 basis. The great commission seems to be more important in that regard. You want to find error, you can find it all day long. You want to find people that need Christ, you can find them as well, and you can find people that are saved that need discipleship. Is refuting error part of discipleship? Yes, but you seem to make discipleship part of refuting error, if you get my drift. Whatever, to each his own.

 

[Van]

A shepherd carries a rod and a staff. The rod was not used on the sheep, it was a weapon used to defend the sheep from predators. On the other hand the staff was used to guide and pull out of trouble sheep who were or had strayed from the path.

God does not always take us out of harm's way, but builds our character such that we have the strength to stand firm in spite of it.
Clearly rather than spending much time disparaging others, we should be presenting scriptural truth. Thus when we hear another spirit, we can check and see if it is consistent with what the Bible actually says.

 

[Mexdeaf]

A shepherd carries a rod and a staff. The rod was not used on the sheep, it was a weapon used to defend the sheep from predators. On the other hand the staff was used to guide and pull out of trouble sheep who were or had strayed from the path.

God does not always take us out of harm's way, but builds our character such that we have the strength to stand firm in spite of it.
Clearly rather than spending much time disparaging others, we should be presenting scriptural truth. Thus when we hear another spirit, we can check and see if it is consistent with what the Bible actually says.

FYI, the rod WAS used on the sheep-

http://www.antipas.org/commentaries/articles/shepherd_psa23/shepherd_07.html

 

[Mexdeaf]

I have already stated that we should confront error when possible, I just don't see why we should make it our greatest concern on a 24/7 basis. The great commission seems to be more important in that regard. You want to find error, you can find it all day long. You want to find people that need Christ, you can find them as well, and you can find people that are saved that need discipleship. Is refuting error part of discipleship? Yes, but you seem to make discipleship part of refuting error, if you get my drift. Whatever, to each his own.

I agree. Some para-church ministries make a good living criticizing EVERYONE they have even a slight disagreement with. When you do that you end up with "us four and no more".

 

[Yeshua1]

We don't. You let them do what they do and maintain spiritual balance in your own life and ministry (if it applies).

did paul just let the Judaizers and other false teachers just keep preaching on though?

Didn't he exhort us to expose their darkness by bringing the light of true gospel into their teachings?