Why are we surprised?

 

Every time news breaks of "pastors” or Christian leaders going rogue (abusing their congregations, spreading false doctrine, stealing money, prioritizing profit over godliness, committing crimes), the standard response is shock and deep surprise. We wonder “how can these atrocities happen in the house of God?”

But - why are we surprised?

This is what the Bible tells us will happen. There are several warnings to the New Testament churches, documented in the Epistles, that this will happen. This post is on direct quotes from the scriptures warning that not all those that call Christ will be of Christ, and that true believers should be on their guard

Below are a few of them:

1 Timothy 4:1-2

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron

The above passage highlights a "departure from the faith". This means these will be people that have professed Christianity at a point, but have now fallen away. I'm pointing this out because some read this passage and assume it is making reference to non-believers.

2 Timothy 4:3-4

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

This passage here points out that false pastors are a consequence of a faulty congregation that loses the desire for truth. The tendency is to blame pastors because they are the "face" of the congregation. But congregations where false doctrines thrive must share the blame as well.

2 Peter 2:1-3

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

The Bible points out that these false teachers will amass huge congregations ("many will follow their destructive ways"). We must be careful to not follow a preacher just because they have a large church. Deception can thrive in crowds. Another sobering consequence of false preaching is the damage to the reputation of Christianity: the will cause "the way of truth" to be blasphemed.

2 Peter 2:18-20

For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning

Again on false doctrine, and the linkage to immorality. Beware of sweet talking ministries ("great swelling words of emptiness"). We must be Berean and constantly checking that the ministries we are sitting under are dedicated to the undiluted truth of the word of God.

2 John:7-11

For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

This passage was addressed to a church, and indicates the position we must take towards false teachers. We must not feel the pressure to accomodate or tolerate their wrong doctrines. Do not hesitate to walk out of a church service or turn off a televised sermon when the message devolves into heresy.

Jude:16-19

These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

The entire book of Jude is a warning about the emergence of these aberrations in the body of Christ. The point being reiterated in this passage is that they will not arise from outside the church, but within the church, so we need to be on guard to not fall for their flatteries and think that they are approved of God because they are from church.