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Is It Wrong to Call Out False Teachers by Name?


In a word, No! However, this question deserves a more thoughtful answer based on prescription, precedent, and proper conduct according to Scripture.


Many Christians are annoyed, or even outraged, when other believers call out false teachers by naming them publicly. Some think only false doctrines/teaching should be addressed, without naming the individuals who teach them. Others believe Christians should just preach the gospel, and ignore false doctrine altogether. As Christians, our first question should be, "What does the Bible teach about this?"


It's interesting, and worth noting, that all but one of the New Testament books warns against false teaching and/or false teachers. (Philemon is the only book that doesn't.) Something that is mentioned so often should get our attention and be viewed as an important theme for the New Testament church. Justification for calling out false teachers by name can be found in the New Testament as both prescription and precedent in Paul's letters.


Prescription

Prescriptive passages are those which do not just describe events, but are meant to instruct (prescribe) how we should live. In his letter to the Romans, Paul makes it clear false teachers are to be named and avoided:


Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them (Rom. 16:17 NKJV).


The reason given for avoiding these people is they cause division and offenses by bringing in teaching that is contrary to the teaching of the apostles. If ignored, the false teaching will continue to spread "like gangrene" (see 2 Tim. 2:16-18 below). It's important to note the distinction here that it is not those who are teaching or defending orthodoxy who are causing division, but those who contradict it.


Instructions to note and avoid those who claim to be Christians but don't follow the teachings and traditions of the apostles is found repeatedly in the New Testament:


Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. (2 Th 3:6 ESV)


If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. (2 Th 3:14-15 ESV)


But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler--not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? (1 Cor 5:11-12 ESV)


Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. (1Tim 5:19-20 ESV)


According to Scripture, elders (this includes pastors) "must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:9 ESV). It's not an 'either/or' proposition, but a 'both/and' requirement.


A pastor/elder should be able and willing to recognize and rebuke unsound doctrine in the local church he is shepherding. Today, because we have easy access to an abundance of teachings outside the local church through various media (television, podcasts, books, radio, etc.), it is important for the shepherd to protect his flock from known false teachers with influential public ministries as well. (Many churchgoers listen to or watch pastors/teachers other than their local shepherd and could be exposed to and deceived by false teaching.)


Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. (Acts 20:28-30)


I recently heard a good analogy that demonstrates the importance and necessity of naming false teachers for the purpose of protecting the flock. It also exposes the inconsistency of many who object to the practice: A pastor who had received complaints after naming false teachers from the pulpit, told his congregation to imagine he announced he had just learned that someone on the church staff was exposing their children to drugs and pornography. He knew their first question would be, "Who?!" He then drove his point home by saying, "Sorry, I'm not going to name names. I'm just going to preach the gospel." A shepherd guards his flock and protects them from wolves.


The language used in passages addressing false teachers and false doctrine implies we are to be active, and not passive, in dealing with them: Beware! Watch out! Do not be deceived! False prophets often bring good news. False teachers often make people feel good about themselves. We are to use discernment, testing all things against Scripture as the Bereans did (1 Th 5:21, Acts 17:11), so as not to be deceived, as many are, by smooth talkers who are skilled at couching false doctrine in appealing, enticing "feel-good" messages.


Precedent

Paul not only instructs us to name and avoid false teachers, he puts it into practice himself. In Paul's day, there was no Internet or other technology for creating a global public ministry or broadcasting news. Handwritten letters were circulated and read aloud to churches in various locations. There are several occasions where Paul specifically named false teachers in his letters to warn the church:


You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes (2 Tim. 1:15).


By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. (1 Tim. 1:19-20)


But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. (2 Tim 2:16-18)


For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica (2 Tim 4:10)


Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm...Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. (2 Tim 4:14-15)


To some, it may seem harsh and unloving to call out those who are spreading destructive doctrines but we should not ignore what Scripture teaches. We should remember that Jesus warned us to watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees (Matt 16:6). He spoke very harshly to the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees, even calling them names (see Matthew Chapter 23)! I'm not advocating name-calling, but I do think the warnings and instructions of Paul and Jesus (as well as Peter and Jude) speak to the importance of holding to sound doctrine (the apostles' teachings) and being able to discern false teachings.


Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1Ti 4:16 ESV)


Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1Ti 4:16 NIV)


But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. (2Pe 2:1 NIV)


Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (Jude 1:3-4 ESV)


Proper Conduct

The practice of calling out false teachers can be (and has been at times) taken too far. People with selfish motives will often rush to label pastors and teachers as heretics in an effort to become or remain popular with their social media followers. Those who constantly focus on looking for any minor point of disagreement to publicly nitpick and label as heresy cause unnecessary division. Some who expose legitimate heresies and false teachers do so boastfully with no appeal for repentance and restoration. These types do not serve the body well or glorify Christ.


However, Scripture is clear that teachers are judged more strictly, and we are to beware of and avoid false teachers. Those who choose to ignore or dismiss them do so at their own peril and possibly the peril of others. Avoiding false teachers does not mean we hate them or wish evil upon them. We should grieve for those who have been deceived and are deceiving others, and pray for their repentance and restoration.


Naming and avoiding does not apply to a private individual who has strayed from biblical doctrine in their personal faith journey. In such a case, those who are more mature in their faith should lovingly rebuke, correct, and instruct them. Calling out someone publicly applies to pastors and teachers who have public ministries with great influence who persist in teaching false doctrine with no evidence of repentance. It should be reserved for those who should be protecting the flock from wolves, but who are themselves bringing in destructive teachings, or allowing others to do so from their platforms.


Final Thoughts

We should never be too quick to label someone a false teacher. When a local church leader says something that doesn't line up with Scripture, we should not jump to the conclusion that he or she is a heretic. We should not be 'building the gallows before the trial." We need to wait to see if a pattern emerges before we get concerned. No pastor (or church member!) is perfect in teaching or interpreting Scripture. A friendly conversation may be all it takes to expose and correct any error on the part of either the shepherd or the sheep. If it's just a difference in interpreting a non-essential issue, we should be charitable and agree to disagree.


Not every doctrine is worth dividing over. Secondary issues and personal preferences regarding things like dress, diet, modes of baptism, alcohol consumption, etc., should be regarded with grace as matters of liberty. It's only when a teacher is persistently presenting destructive doctrines (a different Jesus, another gospel, or a distortion of any core doctrine contrary to the teaching of the apostles), that we must be divided from them.

 

'In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty; in all things charity.'












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