Beth Moore

[PrincetonGuy]

You are not correct in this. First Baptist of Houston which is just down the street from mine...Second Baptist is no different than most Southern Baptist Churches.

I admit that it is possible that First Baptist of Houston does not believe their own statement of faith as it appears on their own webpage. However, I quoted it word for word and posted the link to it. If Beth Moore, a member and Sunday school teacher of that church, believes in that statement of faith, she believes very differently than the large majority of Baptists on several issues. I suggest that you study the statement of faith of First Baptist of Houston and the statement of faith of 20 or 30 other Baptist churches of various Baptist denomination (or affiliations) and you will see for yourself the differences.

I teach the Epistle to the Romans and therefore I have read hundreds upon hundreds of studies of it written by Baptists and others of widely differing opinions. The interpretation of Romans 5:12-21 given to us by the First Baptist of Houston has very serious ramification for the interpretation of key passages in Romans regarding victory of sin (“deliverance from sin” as Beth Moore calls it), especially Rom. 6:1 – 8:4, ramifications that seriously weaken Paul’s argument that a Christian can and should live a victorious Christian life.

Should Beth Moore’s book be used in Baptist churches which believe and teach very different doctrines? I believe that would cause serious problems. Should Beth Moore’s book be used in non-Baptist churches? I believe that would cause VERY serious problems.

 

[KarrieTex]

I admit that it is possible that First Baptist of Houston does not believe their own statement of faith as it appears on their own webpage. However, I quoted it word for word and posted the link to it. If Beth Moore, a member and Sunday school teacher of that church, believes in that statement of faith, she believes very differently than the large majority of Baptists on several issues. I suggest that you study the statement of faith of First Baptist of Houston and the statement of faith of 20 or 30 other Baptist churches of various Baptist denomination (or affiliations) and you will see for yourself the differences.

I teach the Epistle to the Romans and therefore I have read hundreds upon hundreds of studies of it written by Baptists and others of widely differing opinions. The interpretation of Romans 5:12-21 given to us by the First Baptist of Houston has very serious ramification for the interpretation of key passages in Romans regarding victory of sin (“deliverance from sin” as Beth Moore calls it), especially Rom. 6:1 – 8:4, ramifications that seriously weaken Paul’s argument that a Christian can and should live a victorious Christian life.

Should Beth Moore’s book be used in Baptist churches which believe and teach very different doctrines? I believe that would cause serious problems. Should Beth Moore’s book be used in non-Baptist churches? I believe that would cause VERY serious problems.

I believe you are mistaken about Beth Moore. She is a Godly woman and is after His own heart.

However, if YOU are the correct one on everything then we all will have issues. Alas, what do I know beyond personally knowing the said church and the said woman.

In other words I find you wrong in your assumptions.

 

[PrincetonGuy]

I believe you are mistaken about Beth Moore. She is a Godly woman and is after His own heart.

However, if YOU are the correct one on everything then we all will have issues. Alas, what do I know beyond personally knowing the said church and the said woman.

In other words I find you wrong in your assumptions.

I believe that Beth Moore is a fine Christian woman who has helped many women with their problems. Does that mean that her theology is perfect or that her books should not be read very cautiously and prayerfully? No, it does not.

Throughout the history of the Church, hundreds of Christians have written books that have helped many, but when the theology of the authors is compared, we find vast differences in even the most basic of doctrines. Some of the authors were Calvinists to the core; others believed that Calvin’s theology denied fundamental Biblical truths. Some of the authors believed in instantaneous sanctification upon faith in the atonement of Christ; others believed that sanctification is a life-long process that is not fully completed in this present life. All of these authors were deeply loved and widely read, and many of them are still read today, but most certainly some of them were very wrong about what the Bible teaches.

 

[FreeinChrist]

Beth Moore is a member of Houston’s First Baptist Church and she teaches a Sunday school class there. Therefore we can fairly safely assume that her beliefs are consistent with the beliefs of Houston’s First Baptist Church.

These beliefs are stated in some detail here:

http://www.houstonsfirst.org/pdf/our_beliefs.pdf

The header should immediately raise some very bright red flags! It reads, “The Baptist Faith and Message.” Since the very large majority of Baptist churches believe very differently on many of the points in this statement of faith, it is NOT the Baptist faith and message but the faith and message of this particular Baptist church.

A very large part of Beth Moore’s teaching is based upon the branch of theology known as soteriology, and from her church’s statement of faith we learn that they believe in lordship salvation rather than free-grace salvation. I share this view myself, very strongly, but many Baptist churches just as strongly disagree with it.

Very disturbing to me is the following paragraph from their statement of faith:

“Man is the special creation of God, made in His own image. He created them male and female as the crowning work of His creation. The gift of gender is thus part of the goodness of God's creation. In the beginning man was innocent of sin and was endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice. By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. Through the temptation of Satan man transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original innocence whereby his posterity inherit a nature and an environment inclined toward sin. Therefore, as soon as they are capable of moral action, they become transgressors and are under condemnation. Only the grace of God can bring man into His holy fellowship and enable man to fulfill the creative purpose of God. The sacredness of human personality is evident in that God created man in His own image, and in that Christ died for man; therefore, every person of every race possesses full dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love.”

The words, “Therefore, as soon as they are capable of moral action, they become transgressors and are under condemnation” directly contradict what the New Testament says in Romans 5:12-21 and the historical teaching of the doctrine of original sin. This is a VERY serious error and I have never seen it before in a Baptist statement of faith although I have encountered some Baptist lay people who believe this.

The words, “Through the temptation of Satan man transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original innocence whereby his posterity inherit a nature and an environment inclined toward sin” represent a theological viewpoint that is not taught in the Bible as a doctrine but that many people have deduced from the observation of human behavior and an inadequate understanding of what our English Bibles call the “flesh.” This is especially relevant to Beth Moore’s teaching because it is an explanation, but not necessarily a correct explanation, of why sin is so prevalent among people. Another explanation, and I believe the correct explanation, is that although we sinned in Adam and are therefore culpable of his sin, our flesh is not sinful, but weak without the strength that the Holy Spirit gives to us to overcome temptation, which is external. Teaching that we have a sinful nature to overcome serves only to make us more susceptible to temptation. Therefore, Beth Moore’s teaching, while helping some, could very easily hurt others. And notice the words “and an environment,” an interesting phrase to find in a Baptist statement of faith.

There are several other points in this statement of faith with which very many if not most Baptists would strongly disagree with and I would not recommend this church to any one, and I would be VERY careful about recommending the reading of any of Beth Moore’s books. I have no doubt that her books have helped many, but they need to be read with much caution lest the reader be influenced to believe teachings that contradict the Bible.

Actually, it is NOT the Baptist Faith and Message of that particualr church alone but is the Southern Baptist convention's Baptist Faith and Message, 2000 edition.

Compare:
http://www.houstonsfirst.org/pdf/our_beliefs.pdf

http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp

Since it is the same as the SBC's - that should be reassuring to the many SBC members of this Baptist forum.

I am quite reassured about Beth Moore as a result!

As with any author, one should read in light of scripture.


I'd dicuss more of your post but do not want the thread to go off topic.

 

[TwistTim]

From her Living Proof Ministries website:

"Beth remains very dedicated to her home fellowship, Houston’s First Baptist Church, where she teaches a 700-member Sunday School class. There she hosts an interdenominational Tuesday-night Bible study for women in her city. Because of her burden for unity in the body of Christ, Beth counts serving women of all denominations as one of her greatest privileges in life."

your post contained the one thing that's got me leary about Beth Moore, a woman who I don't know to well, but seems to be ok... Unity amongst different denom's.... I mean, there is room for some groups to get together, but then again, there are distinctions in doctrine that need to be dealt with, and some groups are wrong, others are right... am I perfect? no, but I know that some teachings are wrong, and I have problems with some things that fellow Baptists teach... see in this group the Predestination thread for example.... if we can't get along, how can we get along with other denoms? but there are things that we can agree on, like the Nicaean Creed or we wouldn't be here... also the Apostles Creed and the things those two teach.... basic fundamentals of truth..... again, that is the only comment about Beth Moore that disturbs me.... other than that, I haven't read anything I a SBC Male disagree with, because she's a womans leader, teaching woman, for woman, like Anne Graham Lotz

 

[KarrieTex]

your post contained the one thing that's got me leary about Beth Moore, a woman who I don't know to well, but seems to be ok... Unity amongst different denom's.... I mean, there is room for some groups to get together, but then again, there are distinctions in doctrine that need to be dealt with, and some groups are wrong, others are right... am I perfect? no, but I know that some teachings are wrong, and I have problems with some things that fellow Baptists teach... see in this group the Predestination thread for example.... if we can't get along, how can we get along with other denoms? but there are things that we can agree on, like the Nicaean Creed or we wouldn't be here... also the Apostles Creed and the things those two teach.... basic fundamentals of truth..... again, that is the only comment about Beth Moore that disturbs me.... other than that, I haven't read anything I a SBC Male disagree with, because she's a womans leader, teaching woman, for woman, like Anne Graham Lotz

SIGH....I am yet again defending this woman who has a heart from God.

She is a Godly woman and after reading her, going to the Tuesday Study, and being in her own classes there is NOTHING that has not been a contradiction to the Word of God.

What is starting to amaze me on here is that the MEN are the ones (majority) who have an issue about her.

 

[TwistTim]

Sigh back at ya...

I said I didn't have a problem with her teachings, just with uniting with all different denoms.... that's my own problem.... and you don't have to defend her, let her words speak for herself..... as I said that is the only problem I have, with her and with male speakers/preachers also who seem to think all denoms need to unite.....

again, that was my one and only problem, as I said, EVERYTHING ELSE I'VE SEEN ABOUT HER I LIKE..... so, if that's my only problem, then it's a problem I have to deal with... opionions were asked for, and given....

 

[GraceLikeRainFallsDown]

I have done a few of her studies. My opinion is that they are fine for a person who already has a strong Biblical background.

She writes in a way that makes one think of the people in the Bible in a personal way. I remember before reading her study on John I never really thought about how John must have felt that his brother was killed for following Jesus. How scary it would have been for His other followers. She made me ponder the Apostles as men and not just people on paper I have read about for years. I felt I knew them better after that study.

But, there were a few issues I had with her commentary. Sometimes it can come across as if her opinion is fact when it is only opinion. This is why I think it important for someone studying along with her to have a solid foundation of their own or at least be studying with others that do and can bring up questions about her opinion.


Overall, I like her work.

 

[LittleladyinChrist]

My First Clue that she may be off in her doctrine, is because:

1. For teaching she uses the NIV
2. She is a woman preacher
3. She is eccumenical

 

[JPPT1974]

Also she is speaking with the Women
Of Faith tour group this year as I found
Out attending last year she will be doing it
She will be close to me about in Atlanta
In August this year. She is awesome
Also she is in my Journey Devotions!

 

[KarrieTex]

My First Clue that she may be off in her doctrine, is because:

1. For teaching she uses the NIV
2. She is a woman preacher
3. She is eccumenical

and what is wrong with the NIV?? Alot of people read the NIV.

So a woman preacher/leader who teaches SPECIFCIALLY to WOMEN is wrong?

Heaven forbid that a Christian, believes that we ALL are a part of the Body of Christ? Goodness, I would never had thought that we Christians aren't to be unified as the Church.

 

[LittleladyinChrist]

of course you wouldnt, you believe one you believe em all.

 

[KarrieTex]

of course you wouldnt, you believe one you believe em all.

Those who are immature in their walk also believe in everything another tells them.

Let me clarify some things for you.

1) There is nothing wrong with KJV, NIV, ABS, Life Application and so forth. Each one says exactly the same thing in different semantics.

2) Bibically speaking a woman can be a preacher and/or teacher to other women. Beth Moore is not a preacher. She is a teacher who speaks directly to women.

3) Bibically we are all part of the Body of Christ and thus unified. Point to where in the Bible that Christians are not apart of the Body of Christ due to their denomination.

I believe your legalism is getting in the way.

 

[FreeinChrist]

Let's keep this discussion on Beth Moore. Any dicussion of the NIV vs. KJV needs to be in a different thread.

 

[FreeinChrist]

I'm missing her simulcast on "Get out of the Pit" which is at our church now.

 

[LittleladyinChrist]

and what is wrong with the NIV?? Alot of people read the NIV.

So a woman preacher/leader who teaches SPECIFCIALLY to WOMEN is wrong?

Heaven forbid that a Christian, believes that we ALL are a part of the Body of Christ? Goodness, I would never had thought that we Christians aren't to be unified as the Church.

1. Ive answered this to you in a PM so that no body gets any ruffled feathers.
2. Sorry, I was unaware that she only preached to women, this is honourable. Although she does preach on TV where men can watch.
3. The verse on why we are not to join hands with EVERY denomination is this:

Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Many of the Gospels preached by denominations that are a part of this eccumenical website, preach a works based gospel, not by grace through faith that not of ourselfs lest any man should boast. So this is what is the matter with the eccumenical movement, truth is done away with and unity is more important than doctrine. This is why I believe Beth Moore is not a suitable role model, on top of the Bible version of choice.

Beth Moore is one of the most popular female Christian speakers and authors. Her Bible-study books have sold more than 4.5 million copies. Her Living Proof Live conferences, hosted by LifeWay (Southern Baptist), draw thousands of attendees. Christian Reader magazine recently called her "America's Bible Teacher." In disobedience to 1 Timothy 2:12, she teaches a co-ed Sunday School class at First Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. The Scripture says, "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." According to this verse, women in the churches are forbidden to do two things. They are forbidden to teach men and they are forbidden to usurp authority over men. Many of the popular speakers today, such as Beth Moore and Billy Graham's daughter Anne Lotz, though they are not pastors, disobey the Scriptures by teaching mixed groups of men and women. Moore's meetings are attended by people from "every denomination," because she "doesn't get caught up in divisive doctrinal issues" and "steers clear of topics that could widen existing rifts between different streams in the body of Christ" (Charisma magazine, June 2003). This is the popular but unscriptural "positive-only" ecumenical philosophy that is so helpful to the furthering of end time apostasy. Jude 3

Jud 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

is a commandment that is commonly ignored by popular ecumenical speakers, but it will not be ignored at the judgment seat of Christ. -- www.WayofLife.org

 

[Lenora56]

I'm missing her simulcast on "Get out of the Pit" which is at our church now.

I saw it, and it was great. We were having very bad weather, tornado warnings even, and only lost about 8 or so minutes of it when a heavy cloud got in the way.

They said that about 150,000 women were watching. There were 4000 in the local church in Tyler where they were.

 

[1MagnificentObsession]

Beth Moore has some amazing gifts! She has been a challenge to many people including myself. Her Bible studies are great and you can learn many things that you may not have considered about God's Word.

 

[Chapters]

How is Beth Moore doing today?

 

[Flynmonkie]

How is Beth Moore doing today?

Welcome to the boards!

Looks like she is getting ready to release another book -
http://www.lproof.org/