Why aren’t Evangelical churches speaking about False Prophets in the Pulpit?

[aog17]

In my time in the Evangelical circle, I have not heard from a Pastor speaking about false prophets in the pulpit. We are living in an era of misinformation and false teaching and it is disturbingly spreading in the Evangelical community with no accountability. It is one of the topics that is seldom brought up in the pulpit. Many churches have a shaky foundation when it comes to teaching about discernment, it is likely used to promote false teaching.

 

[Sabertooth]

When the FBI is on alert to counterfeiters, they study in detail the characteristics of real currency.

That is the prevailing rationale among charismatic evangelicals toward real vs. "counterfeit" prophets, too. And we have in our midst the gift of discerning of spirits, as well.

Is this about the POTUS, Covid-19, or something else...?

 

[Aussie Pete]

In my time in the Evangelical circle, I have not heard from a Pastor speaking about false prophets in the pulpit. We are living in an era of misinformation and false teaching and it is disturbingly spreading in the Evangelical community with no accountability. It is one of the topics that is seldom brought up in the pulpit. Many churches have a shaky foundation when it comes to teaching about discernment, it is likely used to promote false teaching.

There is a dearth of sound teaching in general ( I speak of the church in the western world). It seems that most pastors are more interested in keeping attendances up than teaching sound doctrine. And many Christians prefer to be entertained than corrected, reproved and trained in righteousness. Shallow preaching produces shallow "conversions" and shallow Christians. They are easy to lead astray. As God said to Hosea, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge". Sincerity won't save someone from deception. Spiritual knowledge will.

 

[Pavel Mosko]

In my time in the Evangelical circle, I have not heard from a Pastor speaking about false prophets in the pulpit. We are living in an era of misinformation and false teaching and it is disturbingly spreading in the Evangelical community with no accountability. It is one of the topics that is seldom brought up in the pulpit. Many churches have a shaky foundation when it comes to teaching about discernment, it is likely used to promote false teaching.

I have thought similar things but more on the general conception of the use of prophesy in these churches which on the surface really differs a lot from what he see in the both the Old and New Testament, and the early Church age of the Apostolic Fathers etc.


But saying that...... I am personally rooting for "the prophets" when it comes to most stuff said about the election. I have not given up, even though it looked like we were pretty much done for (If your a Trump supporter) last Tuesday.... Their seems to these little signs of hope popping up. And I'm convinced the general issue of election integrity is something that is worth fighting for. And I got to say, when it comes eyewitness testimony, statistical anomalies etc. some of the prophets might have been literally right when it comes to how the legitimate votes were actually cast....


IF Biden holds on and is president in Jan 20 some folks are going to have to apologize or make some other kind of statement. I guess I see that as a consolation prize on the issue ;because, if you have been following this stuff since the early 90s or even the late 80s the track record of the prophets on this stuff has been really bad, actually worse than making a prediction by coin flipping in some cases. I think what has been said about Covid 19 by various prophets, Ken Copeland etc. is a case in point. For those of you that remember the 90s and the post Monica Lewinsky, and Impeachment era of Clinton lots and lots of stuff. Besides that I would actually point to lots of prophecies made about prophetic movement made in the 90s that it would reach national prominence, that prophets would confront psychics on national tv etc. that didn't come to pass in the time frame (unless you consider public access television as being national TV).

 

[hislegacy]

In my time in the Evangelical circle, I have not heard from a Pastor speaking about false prophets in the pulpit. We are living in an era of misinformation and false teaching and it is disturbingly spreading in the Evangelical community with no accountability. It is one of the topics that is seldom brought up in the pulpit. Many churches have a shaky foundation when it comes to teaching about discernment, it is likely used to promote false teaching.

How many churches have you experienced that fit your description?

Yes, there is an issue with the "Prophets". Having a grasp and foundation in scripture will sure help in guarding your heart and mind.

I'm not in favor of pastors preaching against this or that. It isn't what we are called to - we are called to preach the truth.

 

[tturt]

Continuing to root for the prophecies concerning the election and not looking at the natural. We're at and have been ar the warfare stage, "This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before concerning thee, that thou by them mightest wage a good warfare," I Tm 1:18

 

[Sabertooth]

Continuing to root for the prophecies concerning the election and not looking at the natural. We're at the warfare stage,...

That is why I am withholding judgment.

 

[tturt]

Dont know of an election where there's more at stake for the US than 2020.

Are we at the point where no explanation but God can fulfill the prophecies?

 

[lismore]

In my time in the Evangelical circle, I have not heard from a Pastor speaking about false prophets in the pulpit. We are living in an era of misinformation and false teaching and it is disturbingly spreading in the Evangelical community with no accountability. It is one of the topics that is seldom brought up in the pulpit. Many churches have a shaky foundation when it comes to teaching about discernment, it is likely used to promote false teaching.

Hello aog17. Were you in the AOG? I was too, for eight years.

False prophets/ false teachers aka wolves in sheep's clothing are warned about in the scriptures many times, especially in these last days. For example in Matthew 7:15.

Today false teaching seems to be quite popular and lucrative for those involved. Preaching the truth can be very unpopular. Perhaps that is why there is some reluctance to stand for the truth. God Bless

 

[mourningdove~]

Dont know of an election where there's more at stake for the US than 2020.

Are we at the point where no explanation but God can fulfill the prophecies?

I believe we may be there ...
... and God can move in a miraculous way, should that be His Will.

 

[Daniel Marsh]

In my time in the Evangelical circle, I have not heard from a Pastor speaking about false prophets in the pulpit. We are living in an era of misinformation and false teaching and it is disturbingly spreading in the Evangelical community with no accountability. It is one of the topics that is seldom brought up in the pulpit. Many churches have a shaky foundation when it comes to teaching about discernment, it is likely used to promote false teaching.

Evangelical Presbyterian Pastors do expose cults, false teachers and false prophets.

 

[Daniel Marsh]

How many churches have you experienced that fit your description?

Yes, there is an issue with the "Prophets". Having a grasp and foundation in scripture will sure help in guarding your heart and mind.

I'm not in favor of pastors preaching against this or that. It isn't what we are called to - we are called to preach the truth.

Romans 16:17-18 ESV / 156 helpful votes
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

2 John 1:10 ESV / 60 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting,

2 Timothy 4:2 ESV / 18 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

Jude 1:3 ESV / 16 helpful votes
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

Galatians 5 Commentary - Exposing the False Teachers - BibleGateway.com

 

[Daniel Marsh]

read to here

 

[hislegacy]

Romans 16:17-18 ESV / 156 helpful votes
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

2 John 1:10 ESV / 60 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting,

2 Timothy 4:2 ESV / 18 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

Jude 1:3 ESV / 16 helpful votes
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

Galatians 5 Commentary - Exposing the False Teachers - BibleGateway.com

What does that have to do with the topic at hand?

 

[Daniel Marsh]

What does that have to do with the topic at hand?

They show that Church Leaders have a responsibility to confront and preach against cults, false teachers and false prophets.

 

[hislegacy]

They show that Church Leaders have a responsibility to confront and preach against cults, false teachers and false prophets.

Thank you for your opinion on the matter.

I have not found examples of such in the NT nor in the early church.

Paul never once preached against Dianna worship, yet it was prevalent in every area he went.

I've always been of the mindset, preach the Gospel plain and true to scripture and the false teachers expose themselves.

 

[Daniel Marsh]

Thank you for your opinion on the matter.

I have not found examples of such in the NT nor in the early church.

Paul never once preached against Dianna worship, yet it was prevalent in every area he went.

I've always been of the mindset, preach the Gospel plain and true to scripture and the false teachers expose themselves.

John in his letters taught against the Gnostics.

Paul corrected Peter in public and Peter was a prophet Matthew 16, Jesus told him that God revealed who Jesus is to him.

"To avoid them, you have to know who they are. You can’t avoid somebody if you don’t know who they are. This idea of identifying and avoiding shows up in 1 Corinthians 5:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14; 2 Timothy 3:5; 2 John 10. In other words, Christians, and shepherds in particular, should be discerning and alert to behavior and teaching that dishonors Christ and destroys people — and not treat it in a casual or harmless way.

...


And then Paul went on and actually named destructive false teachers:

• “Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me” (2 Timothy 4:10).
• “You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes” (2 Timothy 1:15).
• “By rejecting this [faith and a good conscience], some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander” (1 Timothy 1:19–20).
• “Their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus” (2 Timothy 2:17).
• 
  
• ...
• 
  
• And here are five factors perhaps to consider when deciding whether to name a false teacher publicly.
  
  1. The seriousness and deceitfulness of the error.
  2. The size of the audience. Is it growing?
  3. The duration of their ministry. Did they make one blunder or are they constantly doing it?
  4. The vulnerability of the people for whom you are responsible.
  5. The role you have in influencing shepherds who really need to be discerning for who the false teachers are.
  "Should We Call Out False Teachers or Ignore Them?

Ezekiel Condemns the False Prophets
International Bible Teaching Ministries
https://www.tms.edu/m/tmsj4e.pdf

 

[Daniel Marsh]

CHURCH FATHERS: The Prescription Against Heretics (Tertullian)
CHURCH FATHERS: The Prescription Against Heretics (Tertullian)

Featuring the Church Fathers, Catholic Encyclopedia, Summa Theologica and more.

CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Heresy
CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Heresy

St. Thomas defines heresy: 'a species of infidelity in men who, having professed the ... Church legislation on heresy: ancient, medieval, present-day legislation

CHURCH FATHERS: On the Baptism of Heretics (Council of Carthage)
CHURCH FATHERS: On the Baptism of Heretics (Council of Carthage)

Featuring the Church Fathers, Catholic Encyclopedia, Summa Theologica and more.

CHURCH FATHERS: Against Heresies, III.3 (St. Irenaeus)
CHURCH FATHERS: Against Heresies, III.3 (St. Irenaeus)

Featuring the Church Fathers, Catholic Encyclopedia, Summa Theologica and more.

CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Simon Magus
CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Simon Magus

The ecclesiastical writers of the early Church universally represent him as the first heretic, the "Father of Heresies". Simon is not mentioned again in the writings ...

There are over 800 references at newadvent.org on the search heretics early church called out.
CHURCH FATHERS: The Prescription Against Heretics (Tertullian)
CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Montanists

"
For besides that it is strait, there are also many to overthrow us in the way that leads there. Wherefore He also added,

8. Beware of false prophets, for they will come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Behold together with the dogs and swine another kind of ambush and conspiracy, far more grievous than that. For those are acknowledged and open, but these shaded over. For which cause also, while from those He commanded to hold off, these He charged men to watch with exact care, as though it were not possible to see them at the first approach. Wherefore He also said, beware; making us more exact to discern them."
CHURCH FATHERS: Homily 23 on Matthew (Chrysostom)

CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Imposters

 

[Daniel Marsh]

What does that have to do with the topic at hand?

False Teachers and False Prophets cause division, thus IMHO the text applies.

Thanks for asking friend,
Daniel

 

[Daniel Marsh]

Thank you for your opinion on the matter.

I have not found examples of such in the NT nor in the early church.

Paul never once preached against Dianna worship, yet it was prevalent in every area he went.

I've always been of the mindset, preach the Gospel plain and true to scripture and the false teachers expose themselves.

"Artemis (/ˈɑːrtɪmɪs/; Greek: Ἄρτεμις Artemis, Attic Greek: [ár.te.mis]) is the Greek goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, wild animals, the Moon and chastity. The goddess Diana is her Roman equivalent." Artemis - Wikipedia

Acts 19
Trouble in Ephesus
23 But during that time there was some trouble in Ephesus about the Way. This is how it all happened: 24 There was a man named Demetrius. He worked with silver. He made little silver models that looked like the temple of the goddess Artemis. The men who did this work made a lot of money.

25 Demetrius had a meeting with these men and some others who did the same kind of work. He told them, “Men, you know that we make a lot of money from our business. 26 But look at what this man Paul is doing. Listen to what he is saying. He has convinced many people in Ephesus and all over Asia to change their religion. He says the gods that people make by hand are not real. 27 I’m afraid this is going to turn people against our business. But there is also another problem. People will begin to think that the temple of the great goddess Artemis is not important. Her greatness will be destroyed. And Artemis is the goddess that everyone in Asia and the whole world worships.”

28 When the men heard this, they became very angry. They shouted, “Great is Artemis, the goddess of Ephesus!” 29 The whole city was thrown into confusion. The people grabbed Gaius and Aristarchus, men from Macedonia who were traveling with Paul, and rushed all together into the stadium. 30 Paul wanted to go in and talk to the people, but the Lord’s followers did not let him go. 31 Also, some leaders of the country who were friends of Paul sent him a message telling him not to go into the stadium.

32 Some people were shouting one thing and others were shouting something else. The meeting was very confused. Most of the people did not know why they had come there. 33 Some Jews made a man named Alexander stand before the crowd, and they told him what to say. Alexander waved his hand, trying to explain things to the people. 34 But when the people saw that Alexander was a Jew, they all began shouting the same thing. For two hours they continued shouting, “Great is Artemis of Ephesus! Great is Artemis of Ephesus! Great is Artemis …!”

35 Then the city clerk persuaded the people to be quiet. He said, “Men of Ephesus, everyone knows that Ephesus is the city that keeps the temple of the great goddess Artemis. Everyone knows that we also keep her holy rock. 36 No one can deny this, so you should be quiet. You must stop and think before you do anything else.

37 “You brought these men[c] here, but they have not said anything bad against our goddess. They have not stolen anything from her temple. 38 We have courts of law and there are judges. Do Demetrius and those men who work with him have a charge against anyone? They should go to the courts. Let them argue with each other there.

39 “Is there something else you want to talk about? Then come to the regular town meeting of the people. It can be decided there. 40 I say this because someone might see this trouble today and say we are rioting. We could not explain all this trouble, because there is no real reason for this meeting.” 41 After the city clerk said this, he told the people to go home.

"Naturally there were trials to be endured and obstacles to be overcome. Some of these obstacles arose from the jealousy of the Jews, who vainly endeavoured to imitate Paul's exorcisms, others from the superstition of the pagans, which was especially rife at Ephesus. So effectually did he triumph over it, however, that books of superstition were burned to the value of 50,000 pieces of silver (each piece about a day's wage). This time the persecution was due to the Gentiles and inspired by a motive of self-interest. The progress of Christianity having ruined the sale of the little facsimiles of the temple of Diana and statuettes of the goddess, which devout pilgrims had been wont to purchase, a certain Demetrius, at the head of the guild of silversmiths, stirred up the crowd against Paul. The scene which then transpired in the theatre is described by St. Luke with memorable vividness and pathos (Acts 19:23-40). The Apostle had to yield to the storm. After a stay at Ephesus of two years and a half, perhaps more (Acts 20:31: trietian), he departed for Macedonia and thence for Corinth, where he spent the winter." CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Paul