What is the difference between being a false teacher and being mistaken.
The word for false teacher in Greek is ψευδοδιδάσκαλος
Pseudodidaskalos
You know pseudo means fake.
Didaskalos means teacher.
The only time this word is used in the New Testament in 2 Peter 2:1.
“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.”
What does this word mean?
According to BDAG (one of the best lexicons around) it means, “false/bogus teacher, quack teacher, of someone in the Christian community who pretends to be a qualified instructor, but whose teaching is contrary to the generally accepted tradition.”
I wish translators had gone with “quack teacher” but here we are!
I have long believed the difference between a false teacher and being mistaken is that a false teacher has bad intent and/or is dishonest (which takes knowing you are lying) and someone who is mistaken genuinely believes what they are teachings but they are wrong.
There is some truth to all of that but I think there is more to than INTENT. I also believe it has to do with IMPACT.
If I wrongly teach that you have to say “in Jesus’ name amen” and the end of every prayer (because Jesus said “Whatever you ask in my name”) for the prayer to be “valid” I would be mistaken. But if I teach Jesus didn’t really rise from the grave, even if I believe that with all my heart…I believe that is a false teaching and a false teacher no matter how strongly they believe that to be the case. Even though the intent is not to deceive, they are deceiving on something core to the Christian faith.
IMPACT says, this bad teaching can actually result in some real spiritual damage, leading people down the wrong path, etc.
I believe the INTENT can be good (they really believe this and think for whatever reason this is true and helpful to know this “truth”) but they are still a false teacher.
Here is where things get tricky…
We all have opinions on things. Our differences of opinion don’t make one of us a false teacher vs just mistaken on any given instance unless the IMPACT is there. However, we also all have differences of opinion on what we believe is central to the faith and what erroneous teachings have serious impact.
For example, years ago I would have said singing on Sunday with an instrument was a sin and you aren’t even a Christian. I would have branded anyone who said it was okay as a false teacher.
I now believe I was mistaken…was I also a false teacher for believing and telling people that? And is it only false teaching if you are actually teaching or is it false teaching if you are sharing your erroneous view with a friend? I believe the first is being a false teacher and the second is sharing false teaching (imo).
What I am seeing more and more is what used to be “I disagree with you” has become “you are a false teacher!” and 9 times out of 10 that just isn’t the case that someone is actually a false teacher.
Some people believe you shouldn’t drink alcohol. They will even say Jesus never did. Ok…well that’s biblically and historically wrong. Are they false teachers? They may well tell you that you are a false teacher for believing it is okay to drink but not get drunk. Clearly that is an overstep on that accusation.
Three things as I wrap up:
1 – We need to properly define false teacher so we don’t mislabel people (although I typically don’t make it my job to go around and find false teachers).
2 – We also need to wrestle with what level of teaching is elevated to have severe consequences (IMPACT) if you get it wrong and teach others wrongly on that point.
3 – We need to be careful in our judgements. Your hurt feelings or challenged beliefs don’t need to turn into a personal attack on someone else.
What are your thoughts? Thoughts on the last three items?
Have a great weekend!
