Where We Expose Faulty Teaching to Gain Godly Wisdom in This Modern World
Each month, we prayerfully dig into God's Word to discern truth from almost truth and help you learn how to defend your faith in a world where false teaching is enticing more and more people to turn from wisdom and righteous living.
Jeremiah 14:14, ESV
And the LORD said to me: "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds."
Wasn't Jesus Just a Great Teacher?
No. False. He IS so much more.
Who Is Jesus?
Demons submit to him (Matthew 8:28–29). And all who call on his name, believe in him, and surrender to him as Lord of their lives are made whole. The Bible promises that everyone who trusts in Jesus will find eternal salvation with God the Father (1 Timothy 2:5).
Listen to what Bible teacher and author Penny Noyes says about Jesus's place in history, particularly the Old Testament scriptures.
Despite all this, even those who met him in person questioned his power and identity.
If Jesus, the Son of God, is so powerful, so significant to our lives here on earth—and beyond—why is there any question about who he is? Why do so many people doubt his divinity, calling him "just a great rabbi?" or minimize his work on the cross and focus only on his ministry of love, ignoring our need for his grace, truth, and discipline?
Because Satan also believes everything about who Jesus is and what he does for us, and our enemy is hell-bent on ensuring we, as Christians, forget. As always, let's dive into Scripture.
Matthew 21:23–27, NIV.
"Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. 'By what authority are you doing these things?' they asked. 'And who gave you this authority?' Jesus replied, 'I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?' They discussed it among themselves and said, 'If we say, "From heaven," he will ask, "Then why didn’t you believe him?" But if we say, "Of human origin"—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.' So they answered Jesus, 'We don’t know.' Then he said, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.'"
The chief priests and elders did not base their (non)answer on their desire for truth. Just like children who get caught with their hands in the dessert jar, the religious leaders' discussion and ultimate "We don't know" exposed their attempt to find a self-serving solution—an answer that would prevent them from having to be obedient to Jesus's teachings. The religious leaders also assumed that with a non-answer, they could retain their power over the Jewish people. This is important to understand. Why?
People, even some professing Christians, still do this today. Sometimes people look for answers that suit their goals rather than seek the truth (i.e. read the Bible for themselves) and surrender to the truth about Jesus and his teachings found in Scripture.
Have you ever heard people say things like these? (I am sure I've said one or two along the way.)
“I disagree with Paul on that issue.”
“That part of the Bible just doesn’t resonate with me.”
“The church’s position on [XYZ] needs to be updated so it's relevant today.”
“God wouldn’t punish us—He is love.”
“It’s not our job to talk to anyone about their sin; it’s our job to love them.”
God is an absolute; He's unchanging despite our fluctuating circumstances, opinions, and emotions. And His truth, found in His Word, is absolute as well. [Read Is the Bible Really God's Word.] Unfortunately, some professing "Christians" disagree about the Truth.
Progressive "Christianity"
There is a growing contingent of "Christians," whose predecessors date back to just a few hundred years after Jesus's resurrection. They are called progressives.
An Iranian man named Mani founded a new religious group called the Manichaeans in the third century. (Some say it was a cult.) He believed the teachings of both Buddha and Jesus were incomplete and that his "revelations" could fill in the gaps of these two religious worldviews to form a new model of "Christianity"—a better religion. This blending of two faiths into a fused tradition that, in the end, represents neither is called syncretism. In a nutshell, the Manichaeans believed their new religion could go further than (i.e., progress beyond) what was revealed in the Christian scriptures.
In reality, Manichaeism was a type of Gnosticism—a dualistic religion. One of the more devout and charismatic followers, a man named Faustus, questioned the Christian scriptures' reliability when it didn't align with Manichaeism beliefs. Then he did more than question; he changed or omitted those parts of Scripture that didn’t fit Mani's "revelations."
After nearly being swayed to join the cult, St. Augustine recognized the revelations for the lies they were and reversed course, fighting against this new and "progressive" religion, which seemed to him to cherry-pick from Scripture to fit a false doctrine of Christianity. (Childers)
You ought to say plainly that you do not believe the gospel of Christ. For to believe what you please, and not to believe what you please, is to believe yourselves and not the gospel. (St. Augustine)
Augustine pointed people to biblical Truth, and his argument above is still relevant today. True Christianity cannot be progressive—God is unchanging and His Word stands—and those who try to twist it to satisfy alternative ideas about who God should be, who Jesus is, the authenticity of the Bible, and what the Gospel truly means shouldn’t call themselves “Christians.” But that is precisely what was happening in Augustine’s day, what has happened throughout the centuries, and what continues to happen today. (Childers)
I will not violate the teaching of the text to somehow sound more appropriate for the culture. (Voddie Baucham)
One red flag is that progressive "Christianity" evolves constantly. In my research, I found dozens of books and articles, written over several decades, that point to different "truths." Few are consistent. It seems to me if you were to ask a hundred progressive "Christians" what progressive "Christianity" means and what it teaches, you could get dozens of different answers. That doesn't point to truth; that's the basis of a false gospel.
Theology matters because beliefs are connected to behavior.
One of the few common false teachings of progressive "Christianity" is how it views Jesus. Let's look at four of the "progressive twists"—which seem to build on one another—related to Jesus's identity and his death on the cross.
#1. It often strips Jesus Christ of his divinity and reduces him to only a good teacher: In many progressive circles, Jesus isn’t so much the divine Son of God but more of a moral prophet or teacher who people can choose to emulate. Many outright deny his divinity. "[Progressive Christianity] represents yet another vain attempt to preserve Jesus’s morality while jettisoning his divine identity." (Kruger) Christians who embrace the label “progressive” place equal or greater emphasis on Jesus's humanity and teachings on love while ignoring his correction, rebukes, and the reason for his death on the cross and his resurrection from the grave (that reason is our sin, see #2 below). His death and miraculous resurrection makes Jesus more than just a great teacher.
Matthew 3:17, ESV.
"And behold, a voice from heaven said, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.'"
1 John 4:15, NASB1995.
"Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God."
Jesus's words in John 10:30, NIV:
"I and the Father are one."
There are more, from both the Old and New Testaments. Psalm 2:7, John 3:16, John 5:18, and Acts 13:33 are just a few. There are over 100 scriptural texts that back up the truth that Jesus is the Son of God, was born of the virgin Mary, died on the cross, and rose again. Look them up. Seek the truth for yourself. In all things, don't take anyone's word as truth—unless it's His Word.
#2. It often downplays our sinful condition: Progressive "Christianity" says we're not as bad as people say; some followers of this false doctrine would go so far as to say we are "perfect the way we are." Perhaps you've heard that. The tricky part is they use bits of biblical Truth to justify this anti-biblical claim. They quote, "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well" (Psalm 139:14). Taking this Scripture to say "fearfully and wonderfully made" means "perfect the way we are" opens the door to the Liar's schemes, using just enough truth to instill doubt and convince people to believe in destructive lies: Did Jesus really need to die for you? After all, you are wonderfully made. Do you really need to be transformed? Be obedient to His Word? After all, you're perfect the way you are. This twist encourages the faithful to believe there is no reason for the cross, no reason for repentance, and no reason to be made new or be "born again."
These are the truths we must read for ourselves:
Romans 3:12, ESV:
"All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one."
Isaiah 64:6, ESV:
"We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away."
Many progressive "Christians" have also deconstructed the doctrine of original sin, trading it for concepts called “original blessing” or “original goodness.” Bible teacher Paige Brown, in her live teaching of the Book of Daniel in 2023, said, "The origin of the deconstruction stories is that 'I don't like what God is saying, so I will cancel him.'" Progressives seem to have canceled their sin too.
If we aren’t inherently sinful and separated from God by our sins, Jesus’s death becomes just another example of his love for us rather than an atoning sacrifice needed to reconcile us to our Father.
When progressive "Christians" look at the cross, they see the noble death of a good person. It’s not the full story of the Good News. That’s what's ultimately so erroneous (and dangerous) about progressive "Christianity"; it’s not good news at all because these false teachers spread the lie that it's all up to their followers to be morally righteous—by loving others. It's actually a works-based faith.
The absolute truth is found in Ephesians 2:8–9, NIV.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Again, there are nearly 100 additional verses in the Bible about us not being good enough to save ourselves, how grace trumps good works, and why Jesus had to die on that wooden cross over 2,000 years ago. Please look them up for yourselves.
#3. It often elevates love to be the only thing that matters: When we diminish Jesus's divinity and convince ourselves we don't need a savior because we've canceled our sin, we begin to view him as simply a great and loving teacher. Then we trade the truth-in-love balance God established for humanity for only love. And while love is the most important act of a Christ-follower, if it ignores God's truth, it's not real love at all.
Read what one progressive "Christian," Lindsey Paris-Lopez, says about her progressive views:
God is Love. Love redeems and reconciles all. When Jesus says, 'No one comes to the Father except for me,' I take that to mean that no one can come to Love without embodying love. We commune with Love by loving others, no matter how we label ourselves. And we learn how to love one another better by listening to and honoring each other’s faiths, perspectives, and worldviews.
Did you catch the twist?
There is enough truth here to seem (and sound) completely true. God is love (1 John 4:8). But there's an immediate jump to something else, something anti-biblical, by the middle of the statement: "No one can come to Love—meaning God—without embodying love . . . and honoring other faiths, perspectives, and worldviews as equal to that of Christianity." In this example, this woman's definition of love and honor is acceptance and affirmation. Suddenly, love has become something different than what is described in Scripture. And the "way to the Father" has been twisted from the biblical declaration that Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6) to there being no need for Jesus's death since, according to her, multiple ways to God and Heaven exist. In essence, she says you must love others and accept their faith and opinions to earn your salvation and be with the Father.
Yes, God is Love. But the part, "No one can come to Love without embodying love" is not biblical truth.
Next, let's explore the biblical account of the man hanging next to Jesus on the three crosses on that first Good Friday. We come to the Father not because we love others (the man next to Jesus on the cross was a criminal), but because we believe Jesus is the Son of God who came to die for us, to transfer our sin to him, and reconcile us to our Father. Once that "criminal" believed in Jesus's lordship and requested he remember him when he arrives in Heaven, then Jesus replied, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). That's saving grace. Not works.
I am reminded of this clip from Penn Jillette (of Penn and Teller), who is an atheist. He posted it 14 years ago.e
Truth (sharing God's Word), in conjunction with love, is what we must aim for. Jesus is our perfect model for living out truth in love and loving others with the truth.
#4. It often cancels absolute truth and replaces it with individual opinions or feelings: False teaching found in progressive "Christianity" empowers followers to commit to a path of lifelong learning, convincing them there is more value in questioning everything and individualizing truth rather than understanding and obeying absolutes. It also encourages followers to put aside thinking and focus on how things make them feel.
False teachers will tell you our lives comprise individual and unique journeys, and it's okay if we approach things from different angles, different paths, and different perspectives. [Read the introductory post on False Teaching.] Progressives claim that as we dig deeper into our individual understandings, we will sometimes find it necessary to pause or step back to experience new revelations. According to them, love ignites our desire to keep questioning and searching so we may better understand, serve, and love each other. (Paris-Lopez)
Sounds great on the surface, right? Again, not so fast . . .
This type of teaching is more aligned with humanism than with Christianity. Humanism is a philosophy of life that says human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives. While our Christian faith encourages learning, questioning, and seeking truth, it does not give us permission to make up a new version of truth as we go. When we do, we dismantle the scaffolding of God's absolute Truth, creating a shaky foundation for our faith. One that not only dishonors God but will also crumble at the first sign of hardship.
Progressive theological beliefs are not just secondary issues we can "agree to disagree" about. The divinity of Christ and the truth about our sin are essential matters. The Bible as God's Word is an essential matter. Sadly, the progressive "Christian" movement promotes a Bible that is not authoritative, a Jesus who didn’t need to die for us, and a God who cannot save us unless we work for it by accepting (i.e., their version of loving) others' false gods and sin.
Jesus was more than just a great teacher. He died and rose again (a miracle that cannot be ignored). He fulfilled Old Testament prophesies. He is (notice my use of the present tense) our Lord and Savior. To minimize his work on the cross is to eliminate or discredit His saving grace. And that's blasphemy.
Deo Gloria,
Next Month: But God Is Love, Right?
Guidelines
As you read, learn, and possibly comment on posts, there are a few guidelines I ask you to follow. First, we are all loved by God. We must receive that love and pour it back out for others. So all comments, whether in agreement or disagreement, must be respectful. This blog will neither be for calling out false teachers by name nor to allow for ongoing debate (at least on this platform). Instead, I seek to inform readers by pointing them to biblical truth while encouraging them to think critically. Most of all, I hope readers open God's Word, perhaps more than they do now. I will use the Bible as the foundation for any statement or claim I make. However, I am open to correction and alternative thoughts and conclusions if based on a biblical worldview. There are essentials and nonessentials in the Christian faith. My goal is to stick like glue with the essentials, but there are so many non-essentials that lead to what's critical. So I ask everyone to be respectful in their responses. We're all learning. Thank you.
Legal Stuff
COPYRIGHT (c) 2024, Cortney Donelson. If you'd like to share or quote any of this content, please credit Cortney Donelson | "True or False?" Blog | vocem LLC and the post title and date.
Not a legal requirement, but I want to give a shout-out to two co-laborers (co-strugglers?) in the battle to point people to the Bible and away from false teaching: Matt Dawson, lead pastor at Journey Church in Huntersville, NC and Janey Pitts, Bible scholar, speaker, and author in Panama City, Florida. They are kind enough to spar ideas, check my biblical accuracy, and review my conclusions.
Scriptures marked ESV are taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV): Scriptures taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission.
Scriptures marked NLT are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION (NLT): Scriptures taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION, Copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Scriptures marked NIV are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV): Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™. Used by permission of Zondervan.
Alisa Childers, "How We Got Here: A History of Progressive Christianity," Impact 360 Institute, n.d., accessed August 15, 2024, https://www.impact360institute.org/articles/progressive-christianity-history/.
Lindsey Paris-Lopez, "The 8 Points of Progressive Christianity Have Changed. Here’s What They Are Now." Patheos, Oct. 26, 2002, https://www.patheos.com/blogs/faithfulpeacemaking/2022/10/the-8-points-of-progressive-christianity-have-changed-heres-what-they-are-now/.
Michael J. Kruger, "The Ten Commandments of Progressive Christianity," (sample from Cruciform Press, 2019), 12.
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