Every day we encounter diverse people, whose backgrounds contribute to their understanding.. There are falsehoods in everyone’s understanding that cannot be consistent with the Word. The realization of this fact causes many people to back up and declare understanding immaterial or of little significance. However, this is not how the Bible conveys understanding.
Classifications and Elements of False Doctrine
False doctrine may fall into several categories:
Converse Assertions
Reveleatory truths are contradicted, generally using scripture.
Examples: Genesis 3:4 – Satan declares, contrary to Genesis 2:17, “Ye shalt not surely die”.
Extrapolation from type
Symbols or parables are interpreted with eclectic method to produce “interesting”, enthralling, esoteric, or convenient conclusions. For example, it has been said that the broken planks of the ship, on which Paul and the prisoners and soldiers made it to shore represent the denominations of the last 500 years. This is purely arbitrary gainsaying having no other scriptural support but the speculation of the teacher. Conversely, the tabernacle in the wilderness clearly does have symbolic meaning – however, interpretation of the meaning of the tabernacle and it’s components can be motivated by a pre-existing theological system.
Misuse of wording, or conclusions drawn from context illogically:
For example, some might suggest that a failure of intellectual faith will result in trials because of displeasing God, by pointing to Job’s hardships and declaring that what Job feared had come upon him (See Job 3:25). Of course Job’s trials did not come as a consequence of unbelief or fear, but rather as a combination of God’s purpose in Job, and Satan’s desire to prove him to be without love for God.
Sibling and Generative False Doctrine:
Simply put, false doctrine begets additional false doctrine. Those whose foundations are not in truth are also unstable, and inclined to additional invention.
Literal Import of Symbol and Type:
A very common form of false doctrine results from efforts to impose the imprints of Old Testament type and shadow upon the New Testament experience. Examples include the priesthood evident in the Catholic variants, which recognizes the royal priesthood of the believer, but imposes it as a limited class of people, or as New Testament “Levites”. In essence, this is a form of “Judaizing “
Isolation and Amplification:
When Biblical concepts are separated from the whole counsel of God, and the concepts are given attention, false doctrine is codified. For example, when the idea of faith is removed from the measure of obedient action, “easy believism” results. In this and other forms of false doctrine, very often, the proponents are making an effort to defend what they believe is Biblical, but themselves are not “furnished unto all good works”, lacking a comprehensive knowledge of the scripture.
Neglect of Scripture:
It seems almost needless to say, but the neglect of scriptural doctrines (though perhaps individually thought of as peripheral or secondary) results in aberrations and imbalances in other doctrines. IN part, the curse against those who will remove from the Book, (Rev 22:19), is effectuated in the loss of the blessings that result from whole hearted and ful-orbed belief in the word of the Lord.
Doctrinal Conflation:
The opposite of neglect, where excess emphasis is placed on a certain Biblical concept, and subsequently, many elements of philosophy or other teachings are brought beneath the cover of this single over amplified idea.
False Localization:
While it is important to view the scripture as being originally understood by orientals with certain cultural idioms, it is NOT correct to dismiss the word of God as applicable only within certain culture. Scripture is dismissed, at times, with the justification that it addressed only problems or persons in that local setting.
These are just a few of the ways in which false doctrine steals the benefits of the Word of God from the human heart.
-mwb