Why Name Names?

Former Democratic Presidential contender Hillary Clinton once says, "We must call it by name and for what it truly is." There are people who are so agitated and irritated whenever they call their respected and revered leaders by calling them by name and for who they really are. They will do all they can to silence the mouths of its critics and to play the "narrative" game so as to turn the tables on their heads. But in actuality those who do not provide the basis of their claim to prove evidence that critics of these self-proclaimed leaders just by merely attacking them are the very ones who are guilty of crimes and treason. 

   In order to address false spiritual leaders in the Church today is to call it by name and for what it truly is.  People in the church today are wondering who are these individuals, what exactly do they are teaching that are so controversial, and am I apart of a church or ministry that are teaching false doctrine (2 Pet. 2:1, 2-3).

   In Paul's letter in Timothy, Titus, and many of his epistles mentioned the "names" of individuals throughout the early church that were so reckless and controversial in what they were teaching so as to lead many of people astray (2 Tim. 2:17, 18).  But also there were times by which the apostle Paul did not mentioned the "names" of false spiritual leaders but, nonetheless made clear their false teachings that were presumptuous, and reckless (Acts 15; 2 Tim. 2:17-18).

   First, there is a necessity to address false doctrine in the church today because of its philosophical worldview (Col. 2:4, 8, 18-19).  Many times whenever false spiritual leaders make statement that are so detrimental to the spiritual lives of God's people is that they are not saying things out of the vacuum but that their is a philosophical basis of their worldview concept. Let's take for example many Faith televangelists that teach the biblical concept of faith taught in God's Word but have been made to believe that, "Faith is a force; words are the container of the force" by which the "Faith" Christian can speak things into existence.  Does the Bible actually teaches that Faith is a force; words are the container of the force by which we can speak our world into existence? The true biblical concept of Faith is that we must trust God; not Man trusting in his own words to make things fall into their own lap. Their is a philosophical basis of what is being taught in the church today when it comes to the unbiblical concept of Faith: that of New Ageism, shamanism, and visualization. That  is the crux of such unbiblical concept of faith taught throughout many "Faith" circles.

  The subtlety of false teachings are clothed in Christian garments deck with a appealing dress, but beneath its theological garments are deadly to its core values and beliefs (2 Pet. 2:1).  It appears to be biblical at the outset so as to appear to be the truth when it does not represent the truth as it appears to be (2 Cor. 11:3).

   Many controversial "Christian" leaders for example like Copeland, Dollar, Jakes, Osteen, Prince and others who put themselves in the "Faith" Hall of Fame are in fact teaching doctrines straight out of the metaphysical cults that believe in Mind over matter: that of changing a person's mind-set from poverty to prosperity to create your "Best Life Now." Such basis of controversial teachings are just the tip of the theological iceberg but denies many of the essential of the Christian faith: the theistic God of the Bible who depends on His "words and faith" to create the universe, the Jesus of scripture as a product of God's spoken word of faith, the Bible is God's Success Book for prosperity, the Holy Spirit as a "power" tool to create miracles, and healing, that Man is a small 'g', and that salvation is a means of works; not grace. 

   The influence of many "Faith" televangelist are wielding their influence throughout the church today, and that it has in fact greatly impacted the lives of God's people (2 Tim. 2:17, 18).  They occupy the television, and Radio airwaves by which many have been duped into believing that Christianity is some "magical" soap box that magically pops up out of thin air by creating their "Best Life Now." It is very important that the Church exemplify the character of the Bereans, "that they searched the scripture daily to see if what these Faith teachers are saying is true." (Acts 17:11).

   The Church today must have discernment in spiritually deceptive times. The OT prophets, Jesus, and the apostles warns against false teachers and false doctrine throughout the present-day church today (e.g. 2 Cor. 11; 2 Pet. 2). 

    It is my prayer that those who read this article will begin to have an open-mind and allow the Holy Spirit to shed light within minds and hearts to see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ (2 Cor. 4:1-4).

Rev. Darryl L. Miller is the Founder and president of Darryl Miller International Ministries of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also Podcast Host of, "Ask Darryl" (www.spreaker.com/user/bishopoflyons) that airs 24/7. Darryl is bestselling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? As a apologist, pastor, Senior researcher/editor, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world.  Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside of Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."