Not long ago I saw something on social media that had a particularly troubling effect on me as a fellow follower of Jesus. Of course, we see deeply disturbing things on social media everyday. Things that trouble us not only as Christians but, for crying out loud, as fellow humans. Things much more troubling than what I’m about to share with you today. I may comment on those things and cry out to God about those things but I’d less likely write a blog post about them. Other voices are more qualified. My concerns and the kinds of things I write about are more inclined toward matters involving the community of believers in Christ. I love the community of faith so much. Called to discipleship, it is the focus of my life passion and has been for thirty years. I only have one small desk from which to watch our world so I miss a lot but, among the things in my eyeshot, I see so much cause for praise. So much good. I see stirrings of revival. Outbreaks of evangelism. Demands for justice. I don’t know how anybody truly awake in the believing world could claim that nothing good is happening in Christianity.
But the reason I’m writing today is that I’m seeing a burgeoning trend out there that is toxic, dangerous, and slanderous. Nothing about it carries the scent of Christ.
It’s a witch hunt. Only, instead of witches, it’s heretics and false teachers.
I’ve been watching the witch hunt for several years and seen the usual targets and been one of the usual targets. The lists are growing by leaps and bounds and list-makers are proudly joining ranks. This is part of our brave, new world. And everybody’s game, especially anybody vaguely outspoken. An addition was made to the list here recently that was so absurd that it would have been laughable had it not said so much about where this whole trend is heading.
I’ll leave out the names of other targets and speak firsthand from my own experience. After all, the thing that troubled me on social media recently was personal. It was an attack not made behind my back. It was said where I would see it.
The tweet referred to me on my feed as “false teacher @BethMooreLPM.”
Nothing was new about seeing that. I also regularly get called a heretic.
As unpleasant and bewildering as it is, that’s not the part that particularly disturbed me. The part that got me is that it came from 22 year-old young woman.
Twenty-two.
Maybe she started young and really had done enough of the Bibles studies or read enough of the books to support a doctrinal evaluation like that.
What is more likely is that she believes it because it’s what she’s heard from someone she respects.
Or maybe she’s seen evidence with her own eyes through segments of video-teaching taken out of their original context and strung together in such a way to suggest a representation of an entire thrust of ministry.
I don’t know exactly how she came up so confidently with that label so early in her adult Christian life but somehow she did.
The tweet didn’t make me mad. It made me sad. I wanted to ground her and give her a homework assignment. Lest you go looking for her, I deleted the comment from my feed when I knew I was going to write this post. We’re not going to respond to unkindness with more unkindness. That’s not God’s way. Anyway, the odd thing of it is, I loved her immediately. My calling is discipleship and my focus is women. I want women plugged into churches. I want them continually sitting under pastors, shepherds, and teachers. I love to hear that women are studying in group environments but I also want them to study for themselves. Not just get spoon-fed what to think and not only about the Scriptures and the local church but also about the larger community of faith and those who serve within it. About the responsible use of voice. About what qualifies as a heretic. About mutual respect for their own brothers and sisters in Christ. About fair evaluations. Due diligence.
I’m still very much on my journey, too. Such a long shot from arriving. I’ve woefully regretted things I’ve said and some things I’ve taught. All of us are on a learning curve in this culture entrusted to our care. But, as we learn and as we operate in these public forums where everybody has a voice, come, let us reason together.
There is a mighty wide pond between “I line up with him/her” and “He/she is a false teacher.” Let’s think about wading through it. That’s all I’m saying.
In a massive cross section of Christian voices on social media, the bottom has dropped out of an entire line of reasoning and way of relating to one another.
We’ve jumped straight to terms like “false teachers” and “heretics” instead of expressions that very likely represent the differences more accurately. Such as…
I strongly disagree with _________________________ about _______________________________.
Or even,
I believe __________________________________ is unsound about ____________________________.
Disagreement is not a qualification for declaring someone a heretic. Even vehement disagreement.
As well, getting something wrong doesn’t automatically make a person a false teacher. If that were so, we’d all qualify at one time or another. There are vital elements that need to be considered, taught, and discussed among us in our Christian environments like what constitutes proper criteria for making claims of heresy and false teaching and what is orthodoxy? How do we wisely oppose and confront? How does Jesus say to handle it? What really are the deal-breakers?
Of course there are false teachers! Of course there are heretics! Of course they must be questioned! Of course, people should be warned! Of course teachers of the Scriptures must be held accountable for what they’re teaching!
My concern today is the disturbing trend of throwing dangerous labels around because of what we’ve heard and not what we’ve investigated fairly and properly. I realized several years ago that one of my most outspoken critics has never even cracked open one of the Bible studies. Not one. Doesn’t want to either. All there is to the entire ministry from his perspective is this: “she claims special revelation from God.” And, based on his summation, I equate these “special revelations” with the Word of God.
Are you kidding me? He can say that from a distance but I do not believe he can make that claim close up. If he can, I’m the one that needs grounding.
We are the Body of Christ. We are brothers and sisters. Even when we are utterly convinced the other person is wrong and we have doctrinal ducks in a row to prove it, we are never to treat one another “as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.” (2 Thessalonians 3:15) Yes, we must hold one another accountable and hold ourselves accountable. We question one another. We by all means keep discussing and debating and entering into healthy disagreements.
But we stop short of labeling one another things like false teacher and heretic until we’ve done our homework.
This isn’t a polished post. No time this particular day to make it so. But I offer it to you with one simple hope: that we’d be among those who take pause. Among those who consider ethics of speech to have an important place on our Christian platforms. Among those who think before we speak.
It’s hunting season out there. Let’s be careful how we hunt.
Addendum:
Brothers and Sisters, I wrote this in a comment as I closed that portion of the post but it could easily get lost in well over 300 entries. I thought I would add it here as well:
Hey, Everybody. I so appreciate you stopping by. You guys have really kept me busy this weekend moderating all these comments and entering into discussions both here and elsewhere. I have a taping this coming weekend and need to prepare four different teaching sessions toward it. It will keep my hands full every single day. We also have our big Scripture memory post coming up later this week here on the blog so we will be very occupied with those things. For that reason, I am going to need to close the comments at this point on this post. I’m the only one moderating this post and I am out of time. My attentions must now turn to preparation for the taping.
I do want to tell you something though. This comment line has had value in my life and ministry. I want you to know that and I want to thank you. I am a thinker and you have caused me to think and to pray and to worship and to read and to reflect and to remember and to reconsider. Those are always good things. I love to learn and I promise you that as long as I live and breathe, I will seek to keep learning.
It is doubtful that I will ever satisfy my harshest critics but I want to be a loving fellow-follower of Christ. Just as they do not line up with me, there are distances that I cannot go with them. I believe God can be more willing to reveal Himself in our day than some of my brothers and sisters do. I believe the New Testament well supports such a stand. It is easier and more controllable and comfortable just to say that He does not and it cuts out so much of the risk but I don’t believe we can control the Holy Spirit like that without ultimately quenching Him.
We must test everything and hold fast to what is good. We all must stay in God’s Word, study it hard, pray, fast, memorize. The God-breathed Word recorded on the pages of Scripture is our Truth, our authority, our standard by which all else is measured. Nothing equates with the Scriptures: no word of knowledge, no prophetic message, no insight, no revelation, no dream, no vision. Nothing. That doesn’t mean they can’t be valid. The New Testament says they can. But they must never supplant or be placed on the same level with the Scriptures. The Word of God is how we test everything else. We also must keep subjecting ourselves to accountability and stay attached and approachable to a sound body of believers in a local church.
And as we do, may God pour His Holy Spirit upon us. Profusely. Extraordinarily. Miraculously. We need Him and want Him desperately. May He renew wonders in our day. May He anoint us powerfully and shield us protectively.
In John 5:39-42 Jesus confronted a group of leaders with words that have long since made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. He told them that they “diligently study the Scriptures” but went on to say, “you do not have the love of God in you.” It is possible to be a diligent, devoted student of the Word of God without having an ounce of His love in our hearts. Brothers and Sisters, let that be far from us. How we treat one another matters. Let’s not grow cold to one another even in our disagreements. Faith, hope, and love. These are the things that remain.
I am honored to serve you and it has been my honor to host you this weekend here at the blog. Stay the course, everybody. Don’t grow weary. Jesus is so worthy. And it won’t be long until we see that glorious face.
In the bonds of His love,
Beth
Good morning, just finished reading your blog and Amen sister in Christ. People can be so mean spirited and unkind! We have all said and done things we regret, but grace. You have inspired me to become better and judge less. Thank you from Iowa….Love you
All we have is this one little comment from her. We don’t know how she is hurting. We don’t know how she feels about this God, this Jesus, we talk about. What has happened in her life to discourage her from seeking; her disappointments. She’s 22 years old. We can plant a seed, we can pray, we can love. Just by this comment, she has gained the prayers and love of many people to help her find what she is seeking.
This is a much needed post. Thank you.
May my current memory verse encourage you as much as it has me. ” God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as have helped his people and continue to do so.” Heb. 6:10.
This is precisely the reason to memorize Scripture! It changes how I see situations. May God continue to bless you.
What a beautiful Godly response. I have been troubled by your being called a “false teacher”. I received an email some time back from a well know ministry stating this and why. My daughters and I were overwhelmed that someone large ministry was doing this. I am so glad that you have responded to this young woman. Maybe word will get to this ministry of your reply. God bless the wonderful work you do for the Kingdom!
Totally agree Ms Beth….how I long for our family in Christ to just love one another…to uphold one another….to go to each other in love when we get things wrong….
I do feel that you and other prominent teachers and pastors are on the fron lines so to speak… I remember you all in prayer. Our Father will do the rest.
Know you are loved and appreciated as a beloved sister(siesta) in our JESUS.
Now to a great year in Him!
I’m teaching on John 17 in the morning. This has added strength to my teaching. The world will hate us but God through Christ has made a way. This is not our home. If it were we would be welcomed and loved.
Beth, Thank you once again for sharing your heart…which so obviously beats for your Savior. My heart was saddened too when you shared it was a 22 yr old and just trying to imagine what this young one had experienced in those short years. I am praying for her freedom (salvation) and that one day she will ‘catch up’ with you again with the good news that she is a ‘siesta’ 😉 It took a long time for me to learn the lesson that it’s not what others think that really matters (though hurtful and sometimes does carry truth that I need to pay attention to) but what God knows (which is scary enough) 😉 I love you sister…’count it all joy’ xo
Thank you! I needed this!
Beth, thank you for the honest and newsworthy post. The Body of Christ needs to be aware of this trend. Thank you for loving this 22 year old. Perhaps in heaven we will meet her and find our prayers and love were a part of God’s plan to bring her into the kingdom. Thank you for living a life of love even for those that speak falsely of you! Thank you for living true to the Word in not repaying evil with evil: 1 Peter 3:9 NIV: Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.(YOU WILL INHERIT A BLESSING! IT IS HIS WORD OF PROMISE!) and Romans 12:17 NLT: Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. YOU ARE HONORABLE! Thank you JESUS! 1 Peter 2:23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.2 Samuel 16:12 It may be that the Lord will look on the wrong done to me, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing today.” and 1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. YOUR LIFE IS LIVING PROOF OF THESE VERSES! The LORD has repaid you with good as seen in 2 Samuel and in your life!
John 15 is how I see your life: abiding in the Vine as His branch, in HIS LOVE, bearing MUCH fruit of His and proving YOU R HIS DISCIPLE!
.JESUS IS I Am the True Vine
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.
(John 15:1-14 ESV) You have lived these verses out and have laid down your life for Jesus and for His friends…your friends, the Body. Thank you! My life is part of your fruit! My husband’s too! We recognize you by your fruit: YOUR FRUIT is much (inventory just this month alone)…look at 10,000+ Siesta Sister’s hiding God’s Word in their hearts so they might not sin against Him!….Remember the Great Escape DVD…satan is the great accuser…these false accusations are just that….Please remember all you know! It is hard when we are attacked unmercifully because our feelings and the wounds try to reign but what GOD says about you is most important as you know! AND HE IS MOST PLEASED WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE HAS HIS LIFE IN YOU AND IT IS EVIDENT!
This morning my husband started our day out reading Matthew 7:A Tree and Its Fruit
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
I Never Knew You
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:15-23 ESV)
I thought it interesting that that was the reading as I had just opened your blog before he started reading. IF you reread these verses, I pray we all will see the danger FOR those calling you false and make it a matter of prayer for these false accusers and for you their innocent of their charges target! It is just like satan in the garden calling God the liar full knowing that he is the Liar! Yet so many are deceived and he uses them for his bidding. So many think they are saved and they are of the false. Just as in Jesus day….the cursed fig tree…O LORD resurrect the dead….only YOU CAN! Acts 2-4.
This past week we visited a church and the main thrust of the message was “BE GOOD”. Many Scriptures given to support this but NOT ONCE was JESUS’s DEATH /CROSS /RESURRECTION MENTIONED! That is false teaching! It was not GOSPEL. The Gospel is we cannot be good (righteous in ourselves) but GOD IS GOOD AND SENT HIS SON TO SAVE US FROM OUR SINS!….YOUR TEACHINGS ALWAYS CENTER ON THE LORD JESUS AND HIS FATHER AND THE CROSS AND RESURRECTION AND HIS SAVING FINISHED MERCY AND GRACE OFFERED TO SINFUL MANKIND. YOUR MESSAGES FOCUS ON THE WORK OF GOD AND NOT MAN! The devil hates this because it is true and is his nemesis. Religious people hate it too. They hated Jesus too:” If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. JESUS SAYS THIS TO YOU! John 15:18 You are in company with JESUS! Best company to be in! Paul and John were in that company too. You know all this. I pray it is a good encouragement to you because the feelings in being attacked can waylay us momentarily. MAY THE LORD STABlLIZE your feet on His solid rock! May you inherit His blessings continually and receive good for the bad the enemy means. No curse without a cause can stand.
I so want to encourage you! I so appreciate your living proof life! You live the TRUTH out for us to see. Thank you. HIS PRESENCE IN YOUR LIFE IS REMARKABLY TRUE and POWERFULLY SHOWN for all to see that have eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. His favor rests on you.
Thanking God for you and LPM!
LOVE IN CHRIST BY GRACE,
Deb Mott
John 15:18, Jesus said, “If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you. ” But you responded in LOVE! That is how the world will see that we are different. That is exactly how they will know that we are His disciples. Keep on doing what you are doing, passionately teaching the correct Word of God and encouraging women.
Amen and amen!!!
I just want to say, Thank you . Had you on my mind as Gods obedient servant. Praying for you ! A small smile . Ephesians 2:19
Thank you so much for this discussion and for your heart of faith that God’s truth will win out!!
…I have been deep in bible studies now (yours and others) for about 8 years.(I accepted God’s grace fully at a retreat 8 years ago and have never turned back)
God does provide revelation to those in His word, He promises that. Your ministry is vital and I thank God for you.
I do see a trend of women relying on just your studies and saying they get fed by you. (Even though you tell them they are being fed by the Lord through His word) I know God will work through that with them, I just want them to know that you would be thrilled if they studied God’s word and accepted His divine revelations all on their own as well as in studies and church. They can think for themselves through Holy Spirit too. If someone would’ve told me 9 years ago I’d be leading a bible study and receiving revelation from the Holy Spirit regarding scripture, I really would’ve laughed. But God uses those who give their lives in obedient service to Him.
As long as all believers remember that this all comes from God and that all revelation is given specifically for the growth of the Kingdom….and therein lies the challenge. To encourage people to submit themselves…fully…and from that submission experience the amazing revelation of the Lord through His word for the Kingdom. Revelation is not for the receiver, it is solely for the Kingdom. If our focus was on that alone, we’d wouldn’t be throwing around such titles as heretic to teachers of God’s word.
I’m praying for your continued Kingdom Success and for the desire of people to LIVE on God’s word…truly…and Hear Him through the power of the Holy Spirit through His word.
Jesus said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.” Matthew 11:25 (NKJV)
Beth, claiming Isaiah 30:17 for you. My prayer is to claim one thousand brought to Jesus for every one who slanders a Christian. Spiritual warfare; may your ministry be multiplied and Jesus be lifted higher 1,000 times for this one. 🙂 And, may they all be young. Let’s pass the torch to the next generation. Remember, Passion 2014. I’m too old to go; but love watching the video clips of youth catching fire 🙂
This made me think of the following verse:
Acts 5:38-39 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
I’m pretty sure the proof is in the pudding. 🙂 God Bless you and your family for what you have to endure in the public spotlight. But for those of us who have cut our spiritual teeth on the studies God has given you, we know that He has chosen you as a mouthpiece for His word. I have no doubt my relationship with the Lord would not be the same without what I have learned through your ministry. Keep moving forward Beth! Truth always comes out on top.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I have been wanting to write you and express those very words but didn’t know just how to say it in writing, no word smith here. So many times I wish we could have been face to face over a Starbucks. Last August, I was preparing to teach a young ladies SS class for the first time. I was venturing out of the norm by not using “traditional” SS material but Bible Studies by Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore or the like. My pastor thought it was a great idea and would get these ladies and their children in SS. Well, someone disapproved because of some information on the Internet and their concern of using false teachers’ material. I was told that I could still teach the class but only use the Bible or SS approved material. I was devastated. My pastor agreed with this. I was so confused, that the pastor and deacons would take hearsay to such a length on one man’s assumption. Needless to say I didn’t teach the class or any class. It caused me to reevaluate what my church was all about. I was doubting myself all over again, after all I had come out of the pit and would not go back. I have be a BM student for years. All I have learned was not because she said it but because HE said it. I’ve never been misled or misguided by His Word. As Christians we have to be so careful as Romans 14:13 says, “therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” Thank you Beth for your ministry, for your passion and love of sharing God’s truths. God has worked miracles in my life through your ministry. I wish I could meet you face to face at LPL Tampa. Thank you again for this post. Love in Christ., Betty
This was a timely and beautiful reminder Beth. You can’t fully have the mind of Christ unless you also have His heart. The lack of one will prevent the other. I’ve seen the rotten fruit/lack of heart from many a ‘doctrinally sound’ person and the lack of doctrine by many a professing Christian. Both are sad and many volumes could be written on both extremes to be sure!
I love you sister and truly would not label you in any way other than genuine Christian, but, as a woman who is subject to being surrounded by many who seem to boast in their doctrine (yes, sad, I know…), are you aware that some of the people you have publicly yoked yourself to are what fuels their fire?? For instance, the photo or you embracing false teachers and even speaking at their churches is going to encourage the ‘hunt’ you speak of. I understand the desire to have everyone like you, but even Jesus drew His lines in the sand so to speak. I have the utmost respect for you as a sister in Christ, but when I heard of one of the ministries you have embraced, like the Osteens (who are obvious false prosperity teachers), I could see how it would
sound the alarms for the ‘hunters’ in my neck of the woods. One of the qualifications of being an elder (or anyone who would teach in the name of Jesus for that matter) is to hold onto sound doctrine and rebuke those who contradict it. I realize the bible study production is a business and speaking out against obvious false teachers will likely hurt sales and hurt popularity, but what is a ‘hunter’ to think? Truly, what would you call compromise?
Please let me know how I can reply to them from you.
Again, I love you sister. Nothing but genuine love and sincerity is meant to be conveyed by this post. Please know this.
Have studied quite a bit and have been under the teaching of many, and have never seen anyone handle the Scriptures the way you do, Beth. It is a beautiful thing to watch you teach us with such reverence for the Lord and with such obvious awareness of the responsibility your position has. I am continually inspired by the excellence you and your staff pursue in everything you do. You are such a example to us of what is possible with a heart and a passion for our Savior. He has uniquely and magnificently gifted you in your calling and I have been so incredibly blessed by it. Thank you for walking out your faith with boldness and courage and love. The Lord has used you so mightily in my life to show me a different way to live and the endless possibilities of a life surrendered to Christ Jesus. I’m sure the blood, sweat, and tears have been many as you’ve worked so diligently to bring us what God has taught you. We are so blessed by it, dear sister. So incredibly blessed. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Beth,
I cannot thank you enough for the work of God in my wife because of the teaching she has received through your books and videos. The Jesus exalting God glorifying teaching that is based and grounded in the word of God is a blessing.
I had two thoughts while reading your post and they are as follows:
1. Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in the spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourselves less you to be tempted. Gal 6:1 – I as a teacher want people to tell me if they see a different view in the scriptures and welcome and encourage constructive correction especially that which is rooted in the word of God.
2. I think the ultimate factor then of a false teacher is one who is confronted with the Scriptures and will not humbly receive it and repent if the Scriptures require it.
It s critical that we adhere to sound doctrine and the essentials of faith in Jesus and that we who adhere to those tenants work together as the body of Christ with Him as the head.
Keep teaching and know that the work that you are doing is exaltimg Jesus, glorifying God and producing fruit in at least this home.
Peace Grace and Love
Geoff
My heart aches! I just witnessed a “witch hunt” in my own church. No one won, especially the Bride of Christ. Loved your quote from Isaiah, “Come, now let us reason together …”
you did a message on Fanning the flame and it resonated with me because you and Joni Erickson Tada are the main ladies who I have exposed myself to who are using their extraordinary gifts. I haven’t met you face to face but there’s “nothing like a good lesson from you to make me go teach one”! …sound familiar sweet one? I’m in my 60’s and am still learning and discerning. Thank you for speaking the Truth of God’s Word…..blessings
Amen, sister!
Beth, I love yojr heart for the church. Thank you for this loving response to those who are critical of you. I appreciate you and your team so much. I continue to pray for you, your ministry and the church as a whole.
amen sister!
I have blog ranted about this ugly pastime/trend too and it still drives me insane. Warn people about the actual false teachers, sure, but not the teachers that just have different opinions than you! Man.
Thanks For your ministry Beth! 🙂
LOVE you Beth for being the real deal and sharing your heart here in Siestaville. Keep being a light for Jesus. The way you responded to your “young critic” in love shows you have A Heart Like His. Linda
Beth, I am so glad to hear you follow Jesus in this. He was physically wounded by his captors when they beat him, spit on him and mocked him. But I believe his heart was broken by his own when they deserted him and said they never knew him. Peter. But in his deep compassion and love, he sought to restore. You have been a blessing to me through all the spiritual warfare I have been through as a sold-out woman-of-faith. I’ve learned from you to stay in the Word and hide it in my heart. I’ve learned I am secure in Christ. I’ve held on to the things that matter for eternity and experienced loss here with my faith intact. May we all have the compassion of Jesus Christ overflow in our lives. And may we all KNOW Him as our personal Lover of our souls. May God bless you and your staff as you continue His ministry at Living Proof. Your studies have been like an oasis in this dark world. Only God works to minister to us. The enemy seeks to bind us and destroy us. Much love and respect to you from me.
Deborah Canady
Thank you sweet Beth for your loving response and for sharing it with us. I have grown so much in my faith walk through your teaching and Bible studies. Your example of love and concern for her is encouraging to me and others. May our God continue to use you to lead and teach us as He leads you. I pray your ministry reaches more in 2015 than ever before. To God be the glory.
I’ve been a blogger and book reviewer for 8 years. I too have seen the trend for some people in the Christian community to look for problems. Their zealous aim is to hunt for people they believe are in the wrong, but what they are really doing is helping to tarnish the name of Christ—which deeply affects all believers. They don’t believe they are in the wrong, and that is always the first mistake, when we believe we are above it all. It maybe too early for me to respond in comment on this chilly Texas morning, but I’m glad you have written a comment on this situation. You have expressed yourself very well. Thank you Beth.
Beth, thank you for taking a stand and speaking up! All those nay sayers and unfortunately, hate to say it, ignorant believers, I pray read what you have shared and possibly be softened to take time to listen, reflect and continue to seek God wholeheartedly! Your ministry to the body of Christ is amazing! Thank you for being faithful to Him with the call on your life! May He continue to bless and use you…all to His glory and honor!
This post is so sad because it’s so true. Beth, Satan isn’t going to leave a ministry as powerful as yours alone. He is going to attack every way he can. Please don’t be discouraged. You are an amazing teacher who earnestly seeks the will of God. I am so thankful for you!
Beth, I know you aren’t hunting for compliments, and I do agree with you, it has gotten pretty bad. However I do want you to know that you remain my favorite Bible teacher of all time, and I’m sorry some of these people have missed that. We aren’t fighting against flesh and blood after all. My bible study studies under a host of authors but always looks forward to yours the most! I appreciate so much you and your ministry!! God bless!!
I have to second this….I love the ladies bible studies at my church and when it is one of yours, Beth, I am super excited! I love how you can explain the Bible in such a real way for me to understand and I think I have learned the most from you because of your obvious passion for the Word AND for other women!!!! Thank you so very much for commitment to share with others.
I am so sorry that you have been hurt by another believer. You are NOT a heretic. I believe you are anointed by God to do what you do. You have reached hundreds of thousands of women with the gospel and spurred believers to walk a deeper walk with Christ. I have learned so much from your teaching and have a new love for God’s Word because of witnessing your walk with Him. I am sure that there are many, many women who have been embolden to step up and teach God’s Word because of your example. In my 64 years I have not seen or heard such a gifted woman Bible teacher as youself. I thank God for you and pray that you will continue to do what He has called you to do.
Beth, while I don’t know the agony of being called a heretic, I know well the pain of fellow believers – leaders and trusted dear friends – falsely accusing me. It hurts. And I’m sorry for that. You don’t deserve it. You, your ministry, and your life have inspired me to run after Jesus with every ounce of energy I have and watch the chains fall to the ground as I do. Early on in my codependency recovery I learned these valuable words that I have to repeat more than I would like: “Just because they say it, doesn’t mean it’s true.”
Amen and amen. I am so thankful to see you address this and in such a non-defensive (is that a word?!), loving manner!
Thank you for your ministry & especially thank you for continuing to teach & share through the power & truth The Lord gives you
AMEN!!!! I have noticed our church has gone through so much division in the past couple of years over careless attacks and “labels” like you have described. It truly saddens me as I’ve seen it hit close to home recently by some of my own friends jumping on the hypervigilant bandwagon, and becoming loudly critical and judgmental over teachers who simply have varying (non-fundamental) beliefs as them. The Enemy is at work in the church and it’s not pretty. My heart grieves with yours, Beth.
Thank you Beth for the sweet loving remarks, thank you for your dedication and example that you present. No one is held accountable any more for their words or actions, but we know there will come a day that all will be judged. I for one have learned so much from your studies and I have done a lot of them. Through this I have a hunger and thirst for the word of
God that isn’t satisfied nor quenched,the more I get the more I want. I thank God for teachers of the word,may God continue to bless you and all you do. Love you Beth
Beth-
You’re absolutely right, a simple difference of opinion between two people doesn’t make someone a false teacher. And making a mistake or getting something wrong doesn’t make someone a false teacher either, if, when she is shown from Scripture that she is wrong, she repents and stops doing/teaching whatever she was wrong about.
That’s not what’s going on here.
You have been shown numerous times by numerous people that you mishandle and disobey God’s word (you preach to men in direct violation of 1 Timothy 2:12ff, you have unequally yoked yourself with false teachers in the prosperity gospel movement such as Christine Caine, Joyce Meyer, and others, also in violation of Scripture, you twist and misapply God’s word, etc.) and yet you persist in doing so and continue to justify yourself and cast aspersions on brothers and sisters in Christ who call you to repent and conform to God’s word. THAT is what makes you a false teacher, not a simple mistake or disagreement.
You are not being called a false teacher because of man’s opinion, but because you rebel against God’s word and lead others to do the same. Please repent, obey God’s word, and teach sound doctrine. That is what the women who listen to you need.
Bravo! Bravo!!!
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.”
Isaiah 26:3-4
Matthew 7:1 admonishes us not to judge so that we won’t be judge in return. Why, we sometimes wonder? I would be remiss in thinking that I could begin to understand what may be going on in this young woman’s life. So the only thing I can confidently do for her is to pray for her and to love her as Christ would. God bless you, my sister, Beth for your continued obedience, love and trust in the Lord. You can be certain that I will continue to pray for you and to thank my God for you. To God be the glory!
My first thought was “hurt people, hurt people.” Beth, you are a beautiful example of grace and forgiveness.
I always “test and see” but for what it’s worth I think you are the real deal and I pray often for you to stay strong in your faith and Keep doing the thing! 😉
This is going to be my verse for the 15th but I wanted to share it with you now, Beth, for all of our hearts. “He who goes out weeping, carrying seeds to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him!” Psalms 126:6.
Even though I have loved God from young childhood, it was more fear and my life reflected that. He has made Himself so real to me through your teachings and excitement and open heart, and all I want is to share Him with others so they can be free from their heavy burdened hearts, sin and shame especially, and know they are so loved by their maker! I studied a lot once I knew God loved me, and when I first did one of your studies, I realized “how great Thou art” for He truly IS all He says He is and will do! I “caught it” from you allowing Christ to work through you to plant and nourish seeds for His glory! The sheaves are what made it worthwhile to Jesus, and what helps us stand when the attacks come, and He said they would. He is worth it all, and has placed others around us to show us His love and to support us through the storms. Blessings and peace sweet sister! Hugs, Sandy
Dear Beth,
I so appreciate the love and compassion you have shown to this and other women who have been too quick to judge. I have noticed in recent months that many Christians have forgotten we are all saved by Grace.
Let’s not be short-sighted aND decide that one moment in anyone’s life sums up the entire person. God has forgiven us MUCH and wants us to show we are His by the love we show others.
I know many who read your blog breathed a prayer of compassion for the young woman who slandered you. She made a mistake. There is much more to her than this one mistake. I pray God will use this situation to open her eyes and make her an instrument of His grace – a mighty woman of God, committed to truth and grace in every area of her life.
Jesus taught, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” In other words, let all of our eyes be opened to the truth: we received grace so we could give grace to others. Pass it on!!
Beth Moore expresses here what I have been concerned about for many years. Christians often talk about one another and not to one another… There are many who do not listen to understand… Everyone’s comments on social media are mistaken for truth… So many are “second-handers” not reading primary sources. Whatever happened to Jesus clear instructions in Matthew 18 to seek reconciliation in a loving peaceful way.
Beth, this grieves my heart. Jesus has a lot of work to do in those who profess to be His children, to change hearts and open minds. All I can do is me, and challenge others if they’re quick to judge with little or no evidence of truth. Thank you for continuing to stand strong in His strength. What is true will be brought to light. I pray it will happen sooner than later.
I happen to know the young lady you’re talking about and just let me say that is she very wise beyond her years. For you to put someone down and assume she doesn’t know what she’s talking about and that shes not entitled to her own OPINIONS because she is young is absolutely ridiculous!
I meant in no way to put her down and, yes, of course, she is entitled to her own opinions. My point was that many are quick to label in our present culture on public platforms and sometimes with only limited exposure to the teachings of the person in question. That may not have been the case with her. I said that perhaps she’d had a chance to do enough of the studies to come to that conclusion. Brittnee, labels like “heretic” and “false teacher” are very serious. We all need to give pause and think these terms through. I would so love to contact her directly. Would you be willing to post another comment with her phone number? I would delete it as soon as I wrote down the information. Thank you for letting me know that you know her personally. I appreciate you writing in today.
I read something like that when i was doing a seach for one of your studies. It broke my heart! I did my first one of your studies when I was 25. I will never forget sitting in front of that screen hearing ” It is TO YOUR FATHER’S GLORY that YOUR life bear much fruit”. I could go on and on with examples. Thank you for getting us in the Word. I have said many times, I can count on one hand the number of Christians I can say are the real thing and I wish I were more like them. You are at the TOP of that list! You rock!
This post spoke in very strong agreement with what has been troubling my heart all week. I watched a video on Church Leaders by a Pastor/Bible Scholar that I had so much respect for that has troubled me all week. He translated my Study Bible. I see his name every time I read the word. He sounded like a pharisee in his video. I keep reading posts that are pointing out what the church is doing wrong. Wrong….look at what the Holy Spirit is doing in the church universal. If all you can point out is what is wrong…you are in the wrong place! If we are for Christ who can be against us? If we are truly doing what Christ called us to do…we don’t have time to point out what everyone else is doing wrong. The Harvest is too great for us to focus on ourselves. I have a Pastor (dear friend) that is caught in a trap of drawing inward because of religious disappointment. I was so shocked to see that you quoted the same chapter of 2 Thessalonians I just quoted him yesterday! May we all stay connected to the vine, not forsake the assembly, and always put Christ first. It is not about us, it is all about HIM! You bless me and have encouraged me to study the word more than any other teacher Beth. Thank you!
I have done many of your Bible studies and listen to you on Life Today. We are not from the same denomination. I have learned so much from the Bible studies—they go so deep into the word. I pray you continue to publish these studies. You help to bring light into a dark world. Praying for you!