Gary, I would say that we must start with the very essence of the Gospel itself: > Galatians 1:8 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any > other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be > accursed. If someone teaches/preaches that there is any other way to the Father other than Jesus Christ - it is a false Gospel and false teaching. (John 14:6) If someone teaches/preaches that salvation is by any other means (e.g. works or works plus grace) other than by grace through faith - it is a false gospel and teaching (Eph. 2:8-9). If someone teaches/preaches a denial of the divinity of Jesus Christ and denies that He came in the flesh, was born of a virgin, was crucified, died, buried and raised again on the third day - it is a false gospel and teaching. (1 Cor. 15; 1 John). That's a few to start with. I think this is the most critical false teaching because it denies the very gospel. I would say there are other "false teachings" that do great damage and lead people astray (like the money milking health and wealth gospel proponents) but the Gospel is more essential. Pax, Steve Gary Webb wrote: > According to the New Testament, we can expect a proliferation of false > teachers and false teaching during the last days. Many of us would > agree that we live in such times. > > I have a question to propose for discussion. For the purpose of this > discussion, let us not refer to specific individuals or ministries. > I'm not suggesting that we need some extra-biblical insight or opinion > of any kind. Instead, the question is: "What do you believe are the > criteria by which we should reliably be able to discern a false > teaching?" Secondly, what should be the response(s) of godly leaders > when such teaching is encountered and it seems to have a growing > influence within the Christian community? In particular, how should > we respond to those in prominent positions outside our local churches, > ones who nevertheless have a negative impact within our churches? In > as much as is possible, I would prefer to hear biblical references and > clear interpretations of these positions rather than just opinions > based on personal experiences with such movements or individuals. > > How do we discern between honest differences of interpretation and > false teaching? If we don't have a clear, objective process for > resolving this, we will not even be able to protect ourselves from > becoming false teachers. If we can't authoritatively teach our people > about how to detect, correct, and reject false teachers, they will > soon become the prey of yet another seducing spirit. > > Does anyone else feel that this would be a profitable discussion? As > proposed, do you feel that it fits within the parameters of this > list? Granted, it does offer the opportunity for those who love to > use ad hominem arguments, but that would be neither necessary nor > relevant to what I propose. > > > > GARY WEBB > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. > It has removed 226 spam emails to date. > Paying users do not have this message in their emails. > Try SPAMfighter <http://www.spamfighter.com/> for free now! > > To subscribe, send a message to: pastorsforum-join@... > > To unsubs > cribe, send a message to: pastorsforum-unsubscribe@... > > > > -- ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Pastor Steven G. Rockhill Lisbon Reformed Presbyterian Church PO Box 88 Lisbon, NY 13658 315-393-9041 revrock@... http://lisbonrpc.port5.com +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++