If you are considering commenting or sending me an e-mail objecting to the fact that I warn against certain teachers, please click here and read this article first. Your objection is most likely answered here. I won’t be publishing comments or answering emails that are answered by this article.
This article is kept continuously updated as needed.
This article is what I call a “clearinghouse article”. It is a collection of articles written by others on the teacher, ministry, or unbiblical trend named below. Either I have not had the time to write a full blown article on it myself, or I felt that the articles listed did a fine job of explaining the biblical issues and there was no need to reinvent the wheel.
Disclaimer: I did not write the articles below, and I am not thoroughly familiar with all of the websites used in my clearinghouse articles. I do not endorse anything on these sites that deviates from Scripture or conflicts with my beliefs as outlined in the “Welcome” or “Statement of Faith” tabs in the blue menu bar at the top of this page.
Here are the biblical criteria I use when deciding whether or not to recommend a teacher, ministry, etc.:
Generally speaking, in order for me to recommend a teacher, speaker, author, or ministry, he/she/it has to meet three criteria:
a) A female teacher cannot currently and unrepentantly preach to or teach men in violation of 1 Timothy 2:12. A male teacher or pastor cannot allow women to carry out this violation of Scripture in his ministry. The pastor or teacher cannot currently and unrepentantly be living in any other sin (for example, cohabiting with her boyfriend or living as a homosexual).
b) The pastor or teacher cannot currently and unrepentantly be partnering with or frequently appearing with false teachers. This is a violation of Scripture.
c) The pastor, teacher, or ministry cannot currently and unrepentantly be teaching false doctrine.
I recommend against any teacher or ministry who violates one or more of these biblical tenets.
If you’d like to check out some pastors and teachers I heartily recommend, click the Recommended Bible Teachers tab at the top of this page.
The Alpha Course
Not Recommended
Primary issues with The Alpha Course: False doctrine, undermines the sufficiency of Scripture
A Look at Alpha by Amy Spreeman
What is the ALPHA Course? by Amy Spreeman
Ecumenicism and the Alpha Course by Amy Spreeman
The Alpha Course by Chris Hand
Discover more from Michelle Lesley
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Thanks for this article. I had never heard of this but glad I now have the information I need to make discerning decisions about it, if need be. You have made me so aware how we need to be vigilant when coming upon these types of programs and people who claim to know doctrine but are false in their teaching. I’m so glad you work hard to warn us. God bless your efforts.
LikeLike
Thank you Becky. It is my pleasure to serve you in Christ. :0)
LikeLike
hmmm I would also fact check this article with context in mind, especially with regard to women preachers. The letter to the Ephesians was due to an undertow of false teachers and people who were on the wrong path, specifically women at the time in that space. So, I believe Paul’s thought was to ban only those (Ephesian) women from preaching and to have them respect the church, by settling down and demonstrating true focus on the teachings of the time, before they took on ministry. Great conversation though.
LikeLike
Hi Mark- Fact checking is always a great idea, and God gives us the facts in His infallible Word. I’m afraid you’re incorrect on this one. I would suggest reading these two articles:
Rock Your Role: Jill in the Pulpit (1 Timothy 2:11-12)
The Mailbag: Counter Arguments to Egalitarianism
LikeLike