Question:
Hi Pastor Greg,
I
have an unusual question. How can
one tell if a pastor is teaching according to the Word (Holy Spirit) or his own
flesh?
I’m
horrified by some of the teachings I hear being taught on the TV.
I’m also equally horrified by what I see that is being done in the name
of Jesus.
Some
of my friends believe that because these men are pastors, that makes them
“experts” on EVERYTHING. No
matter if what they are teaching cannot be found in the Bible.
That scares me. Every ounce
of my body cries out for the people falling for these lies and deception.
I’ve asked God to help me understand why these men are allowed to teach
and carry on the way they do. Please
help me to understand the difference between a good teacher from a bad teacher.
I
don’t know you personally, but yet, from the answers to some of the questions
you get, I can tell that you are a man of character and integrity.
You bring Jesus into focus. I
don’t see a trace of who you might be. Does that make sense?
That’s how my pastor teaches. He
brings forth God’s Word and there is no “showmanship” or flashy things and
such. I hear nothing but Jesus in
your answers and in my pastor’s teachings.
I
guess my question is: how can one tell if a pastor is on the “mark” or not?
And how can we not fall into the emotions that these guys spin people
into?
Thank
you again for your time.
In
his service,
Char
Answer: Dear Char,
You
make an excellent point and raise an important question.
Is a minister or pastor “of Jesus Christ” just that because he and/or
their followers say so? Is a church
part of the authentic body of Christ because they put a sign up outside that
includes the word “church” in it?
How
far afield can someone get before they cease to be Christian?
How much circus, and how much entertainment is “too much” before the
message and the messenger is outside the body of Christ?
PTM
is thankful that you are horrified at some of the stuff you see on
“Christian” TV—in the name of Jesus. Sadly
we must realize that many in the world at large understand all Christianity and
all Christians by the images they see on TV.
They think all pastors and ministers have outlandish hairstyles, Rolex
watches and flashy clothing. They
think that all Christians check their brains at the door of the church and
blindly follow whatever the charismatic showman pastor says.
Unfortunately, not only is authentic Christianity given a bad name (not
to mention God!) by such examples, but also the task of sharing the real gospel
with unbelievers who have such a stereotype in mind is made much more difficult.
We
recommend that Matthew 23 be studied and read with such examples in mind.
We recommend that all ministries and pastors be asked for a statement of
faith—and that those who listen, watch, worship and allow a pastor or minister
to serve them do their homework in checking out their pastors, ministers,
churches and ministries.
Most
of us realize that there are car mechanics and then there are car mechanics.
There are doctors we trust—even admire—and then there are others that
we do not.
Christians
must adhere to the basic teachings of authentic Christianity.
In addition, they must keep Christ central in all their teaching.
If physical healing, health and wealth, predictive prophecy, some
political agenda, some social issue, etc. overwhelms the primary focus on Christ
then we must begin to ask questions.
We
have two booklets I have written—“Back to Basic Christianity”—that cover
some of these issues. Let us know if
you want us to send them to you.
In
Christ,