The Highway Forums General Discussion Devotional How Apostasy Happens: 3 - Loss of Discernment Regarding the Necessity of Doctrine

There has been a loss of discernment in Christian academia and the church regarding the imperative of doctrinal consistency. This often goes hand in hand with the loss of discernment regarding the systematic nature of Bible doctrine.

As a result, some false teachers have gained a popular following among Evangelicals based largely on the fact that they take conservative positions on certain issues. But their outward conservatism is a spiritual Trojan horse. Once these false teachers have gained entry among the undiscerning, the way is open for them to spread heresy on much more vital matters.

Present-Day Examples

Anglican bishop N. T. Wright has articulately defended certain doctrines where he is closer to Biblical truth - for example, the historicity of Christ's resurrection. Dr. D. James Kennedy featured Wright in a Coral Ridge Ministries television program, Who Is This Jesus: Is He Risen? that was first broadcast on March 20, 2005 and has been repeated several times since, and also sold on DVD. But at the same time Wright, through his extensive speaking and voluminous writing, teaches heresy regarding justification by faith, the inerrancy of Scripture, and other essential doctrines.

Douglas Wilson has gained a following as a leader in the classical Christian school movement. Wilson is the author of The Case for Classical Christian Education (Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 2002) and a frequent speaker at Christian school conferences. But at the same time he teaches grievous error on a wide spectrum of doctrines, including his teaching that people are saved by being baptized.

Falsehood can be very attractive. A well-produced television series like The Chosen is full of falsehood about Jesus. People on talk radio who do not know Christ as Lord and Savior often use the "evangelical" vocabulary quite well, to appeal to that audience segment for financial gain. Every few days there seems to be an advertisement for another so-called "faith-based" company that is using religious language wrapped around an ungodly philosophy for material gain. Politicians across the entire spectrum do the same thing to get votes.

Exercise Discernment to Avoid Apostasy

Because popular spokesmen take positions that seem to agree with conservatives on certain doctrines or social issues, and they use the Evangelical vocabulary, many who are not discerning about doctrinal consistency make the mistake of assuming that these people embrace authentic Biblical Christianity across the board. Thus the undiscerning have opened the door for such people to exert broad theological influence, and to poison the church.

True Christians must exercise discernment to avoid the apostasy that comes through doctrinal inconsistency. Just because someone broadcasts on religious radio stations; has his latest best-seller on the shelves of religious bookstores; speaks in Evangelical pulpits or at Christian events; is interviewed as an Evangelical spokesman on the cable news channels; or has the endorsement of some undiscerning Christian leaders - those things do not make him the genuine article. Often they are in fact unbelievers and ministers of Satan. They are "false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). They are to be marked and avoided (Romans 16:17-19). Jesus said of such men, "Therefore by their fruits you shall know them. Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:20-21).

The Pharisees were the social conservatives and leaders in religious education of their day. They made much of their heritage as well. But they too had abandoned the authority of Scripture and preached salvation by faith-plus-works, and other grievous errors. Jesus repeatedly condemned their hypocrisy, and He made it clear that their heritage and conservatism meant nothing apart from personal faith in Him alone, and the teaching of sound doctrine (e.g., Matthew 23; John 3:10, 8:36-59).

The Apostle Paul echoes our Lord's words in his instructions to two of the young ministers he mentored, and to the church at large:

"O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge - by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith." (1 Timothy 6:20-21).

"For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed...holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict." (Titus 1:7-9).

- Dr. Paul M. Elliot

Thank you for sharing this—it’s a strong and much-needed word. You’ve put your finger on something that’s been troubling for a while now: the way doctrinal compromise can sneak in under the radar when someone seems solid on a few key issues. It’s easy for people to be drawn in by confident voices or conservative stances, without realizing the deeper theological problems that come with them.
It’s sobering to see how respected figures can hold to serious errors while still being celebrated for the parts they get right. That’s why your emphasis on doctrinal consistency and the systematic nature of biblical truth is so important. We can’t afford to treat theology like a buffet—picking and choosing what feels comfortable.