Discernment - Bereans

TBC elder's advice

Q:

I want to share the areas where I am struggle with and looking for advices.

How do I deal/discern on teaching from various of sources? For example, I discern that the seeker friendly movement is not biblical. Then, for the pastors like Rick Warren (who is famous for seeker friendly), should I not read/listen at all his teaching. To me that (not listening at all) is biblical for the bible says we have to stay away from false teachings. Then how about John Piper, who endorsed Rick Warren? How about Billy Graham who were OK with universalism? How about teachers who like/respect Billy Graham? Quoting on those teachers? Should I stay away from ALL of those? FYI, I have John Piper & Billy Graham as examples for many, including my self, like (or liked) them.

Some background on why these questions: I am “struggle” that there seems are lots of wrong teachings in today’s churches; prosperity gospel, easy believism, seeker friendly, inclusivism, universalism, liberalism, … To me those teachings are more dangerous than obvious heresies for they are more deceptive. Those teachers seem going after approvals/reputations from men and the world. Based on my understanding, those kind teachings can’t be true because Jesus commands us to leave everything and follow Him. He says we will be hated by world. And all disciples, in the age of Acts, left everything and followed Him; most of them, to death for Gospel. They preached/taught every day, any where they were (Acts 5:42). The book doesn’t even mention about their family life (comparing today churches’ huge focus on family), … But I am sure they (Acts’ day disciples) loved their families. What I am saying is today churches' focuses are too different from what Jesus commands to His disciples. So I have lost confidence on many of today’s so call Christian teachers.

I want to clarify that, I am “struggling” … not that I am claiming my discernments are correct. But I’d like to know how much is from discernment of the Spirit and how much is from my judgmental sinful nature.

Here are some references.

• John MacArthur rebuking Rick Warren: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI9EzMWZoag
• But John Piper endorsed Rick Warren: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlxRKLXk1WE
• Rick Warren’s talk on TED (to me, he is clearly presenting a wrong Gospel): https://www.ted.com/talks/rick_warren_on_a_life_of_purpose?language=en
• John MacArthur’s rebuking on Billy Graham’s inclusvisim, (at 2:20): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NeBD5YGWag

A:

Thank you for your note, and the concern you have for the truth of God’s word.

The short answer is that you do as the Bereans did, you go to God’s word and verify that what is taught is consistent with his word.

10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. (Acts 17:10-12 ESV)

Note that the Bereans were “checking up” even on Paul and Silas, that what they taught was consistent with the revealed word of God. Today we have the same responsibility. That is why at Trinity Bible Church, we teach exegetically, and hold to a literal, grammatical-historical hermeneutic. We want to understand the meaning intended to be communicated by the author, inspired by the Spirit, to the original audience. Application can then be made in our time, but not without the former being prioritized first and foremost. Differing assertions on authorial intent are most often due to differing hermeneutics.

There are some who approach scripture with different hermeneutics, and it should be no surprise different conclusions are reached. Is the Bible unclear? Does it have multiple meanings? No, but men who so teach may be reading into scripture, rather than exegeting out of scripture. To the extent that a teacher does not handle the word of God consistently, and with a literal grammatical-historical exegetical hermeneutic, then we would recommend not availing yourself with at least that aspect of their ministry.

As men, we don’t know our blind spots, which makes our dependence on God’s word for all life and godliness all the more necessary. Even respected teacher John MacArthur has said that if he knew where the holes were in his theology he would correct them. Indeed, he has made correction to a published commentary on Hebrews, demonstrating a submissive heart and mind to God’s truth, and a teachable and humble spirit. We would do well to emulate those characteristics.

Do we “stay away from all” teachers, as you ask, if they are in error and inconsistent with God’s word in some areas? Not necessarily, but if we are to be good Bereans, if a teacher is mostly inconsistent with God’s word then it is not profitable to engage or expose ourselves or our family to that “teaching.” We are not to engage with error to discern truth, rather we are to engage with truth (John 17:17, 2 Cor 10:5, 2 Tim 3:16-17).

For example, I have benefited greatly by Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology over the years, and I respect his ministry and teaching. However, I am convinced by scripture that in the area of spiritual gifts, some have ceased. Since Grudem leaves open that all may continue I simply don’t leverage that aspect of his commentary. I by no means distance myself from the greater bulk of his work though, which is a significant contribution to Christ’s church. Piper I similarly respect, but submit all I prayerfully reflect on to the word of God. Has Billy Graham been used of God for his kingdom? Of course, but his teaching would not on that basis alone be something I would rely on. Warren would not fare well under the Berean test.

That said, the main point is for each of us to develop biblical discernment to address the inevitable errors of tomorrow and next year. Each day, read God’s word with prayer and submission to him. Avail yourself of solid, trustworthy teaching materials and attentively bring all that you read and hear (even at Trinity Bible Church) to “see if these things are so” even as the Bereans did. Trust that he will enlighten your heart and mind so that you, and we all, can become, ever more so, men after God’s own heart.