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Based on the author's presentation it appears that a false teacher is simply someone the author doesn't like. Or maybe it's a sliding scale. A teacher can get one or two things wrong. Maybe that's a "rounding error" for the 100% standard. So how much is too much? Unknown. The author doesn't tell us.
With such uncertainty, it seems we should not listen to any teaching.
Why? Because no one has perfect doctrine. No one. Therefore, everyone's doctrine has some bones. Every pastor's teaching has some bones. The greatest theologians in the world have some bones. The author's favorite teachers have some bones.
And, the author has some bones. The author rejects the idea of eating the meat and spitting out the bones, yet that is the only choice we're faced with. Christians are supposed to grow and mature in discernment, which by definition means recognizing and separating the good and valuable from the unspiritual and false.
Further, "eat the meat and spit out the bones" is not actually about false teaching - i.e. truth mixed with lies. This is how the author characterizes it, but there is also truth mixed with mistakes, truth mixed with immature teaching, truth mixed with bad teaching, and truth mixed with uniformed teaching.
Not all incorrect teaching is malicious, but the author presumes that there must be a false teacher in the equation, simply because someone's doctrine might vary from the author's doctrine.
The Scriptures have a unambiguous standard regarding what is a false teacher. It's found in 2 Peter chapter 2. A false teacher is an egregious and public sinner. He is actively malevolent. A false teacher is recognized by his lifestyle of excess and total disregard for holiness, teaching gross falsehood.
Which of course means that the author's premise is absurd. But more importantly, there is no biblical call for absolute purity, no fruit that can be born from such a pursuit, and no real endgame for it, since a person can always get just a little more pure in their doctrines. Further, there is no Bible verse that commends a person for their total doctrinal purity.
There is little benefit in such an approach. In fact, it's cultic thinking.
Lastly, while the author tells us things about what the Bible says, there isn't a single Bible quote except a couple of irrelevant verses right at the end. It mystifies us how a supposed Bible teacher can almost completely omit the Bible.
You’ve no doubt heard the sayings, “eat the meat and spit out the bones,” and, “don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.” These are interesting metaphors for how we as Christians should somehow accept truth with just a tiny little lie baked in. As if there is such a thing.
There isn’t. Truth with even a hint of error = Terror.
Sometimes when you bring concerns to your church leaders about a popular teaching or teacher that seems a little “off,” you might be met with defensive scolding or told, “We eat the meat and spit out the bones.” (In other words, we are wise enough to use just the good parts of the teaching and avoid the false stuff), or, “Be careful you don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.” (Don’t dismiss a false teaching completely, or you’ll throw out the good stuff along with it.)
This advice is not only not helpful, it goes against the many warnings God gives us to steer clear of error. We are to avoid error and lies at all costs. Because bones in meat can cause great harm. And if you are honest with yourself, that really isn’t a sweet little baby in that dank sludge of the enemy’s lies.
Instead, we are to be wise with what we read, listen to, and promote. Whether it’s Christian music artists, popular books, a new film that depicts a “sort-of” Jesus, or a livestream from a celebrity pastor.
Because the attractive man-made promises that sound so good pale when you compare them to the pure, bathwater-free milk and the boneless, clean meat of God’s perfect Word.
Yes, sometimes mature believers can consume the man-given meat and be discerning enough to spit out the bones. Sure, if you are cautious you can avoid choking to death, but why eat meat off that plate? If you’re eating around bones and gristle, how can you be an example for newer Christians watching and learning from you?
Christians who are newer in their faith might need their meat cut for them, or perhaps stick to the milk until their church can disciple them in wisdom and truth. Because we know that wolves in sheep’s clothing are looking for such sheep. And – if given the opportunity – will add just a tiny little bit of poison to the plate.
Truth is free of danger. There are no bones in Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (Let's quote it:
There isn’t. Truth with even a hint of error = Terror.
Sometimes when you bring concerns to your church leaders about a popular teaching or teacher that seems a little “off,” you might be met with defensive scolding or told, “We eat the meat and spit out the bones.” (In other words, we are wise enough to use just the good parts of the teaching and avoid the false stuff), or, “Be careful you don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.” (Don’t dismiss a false teaching completely, or you’ll throw out the good stuff along with it.)
This advice is not only not helpful, it goes against the many warnings God gives us to steer clear of error. We are to avoid error and lies at all costs. Because bones in meat can cause great harm. And if you are honest with yourself, that really isn’t a sweet little baby in that dank sludge of the enemy’s lies.
Instead, we are to be wise with what we read, listen to, and promote. Whether it’s Christian music artists, popular books, a new film that depicts a “sort-of” Jesus, or a livestream from a celebrity pastor.
Because the attractive man-made promises that sound so good pale when you compare them to the pure, bathwater-free milk and the boneless, clean meat of God’s perfect Word.
Yes, sometimes mature believers can consume the man-given meat and be discerning enough to spit out the bones. Sure, if you are cautious you can avoid choking to death, but why eat meat off that plate? If you’re eating around bones and gristle, how can you be an example for newer Christians watching and learning from you?
Christians who are newer in their faith might need their meat cut for them, or perhaps stick to the milk until their church can disciple them in wisdom and truth. Because we know that wolves in sheep’s clothing are looking for such sheep. And – if given the opportunity – will add just a tiny little bit of poison to the plate.
Truth is free of danger. There are no bones in Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (Let's quote it:
1Th. 5:21 Test everything. Hold on to the good.
1Th. 5:22 Avoid every kind of evil.
Thoughts?
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