“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.” – 2 Peter 2:1
Long before modern churches were built, Jesus had already warned us about false prophets and teachers. Regardless of intention, preaching anything that adds, takes away from, goes against, or nullifies the doctrine given in God’s word is a grave offense to the church and to God Himself.
The Danger of False Doctrines
False doctrines are similar to fake news being spread online. They lead us away from the truth and damage the reputation of those involved. False doctrines are dangerous as they prevent us from knowing the truth behind God’s words. They are baseless and are not rooted in the Bible. Hearing and believing these false doctrines can lead to spiritual destruction. And once you get accustomed to them, it becomes harder to break away.
You may have or will likely encounter these false teachings at some point in your spiritual journey. Here are 14 false doctrines being preached in modern churches.
Modalism
This false doctrine is based on the idea that God revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit successively rather than simultaneously. It views the Trinity as God’s different modes or manifestations in different periods of time. In a modalist’s view, God is one person who manifested as the Father during the Old Testament, became the Son (Jesus) during the incarnation, and when He was resurrected and ascended, God came in as the Holy Spirit. It contradicts the distinctiveness of the three persons in the Trinity.
Pelagianism
This false doctrine denies that Adam’s sin was passed down to his descendants. According to it, every human soul was created by God separately and free from the original sin. Humans are basically good, based on a Pelagianist’s view, and people only sin because of a conscious choice of evil over good. Romans 5 and a few other Bible teachings refute this false doctrine.
Annihilationism
Annihilationism is the belief that those who are not saved will not endure eternal conscious torment in hell. Instead, after death or a period of judgment, they will be completely destroyed or cease to exist. This view challenges the traditional doctrine of eternal punishment and suggests that hell is not a place of endless suffering but rather a final and complete end for those who are not redeemed.
Soul Sleeping
Another false teaching about death is the concept of “soul sleeping.” This doctrine claims that when a person dies, they just fall into a deep state of unconsciousness. It contradicts the Bible verse 2 Corinthians 5:8, which highlights “to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
Universalism
Also known as “Universal Reconciliation,” Universalism is the belief that all people will eventually be saved, regardless of their faith in Christ or their response to the Gospel. This doctrine contradicts the biblical teaching that salvation is through Christ alone. For instance, 1 Timothy 2:5-6 emphasizes, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed at the proper time.”
Universalism overlooks the necessity of a personal relationship with Christ as the basis for salvation.
Prosperity Doctrine
This doctrine is one of the most prominent false teachings in modern churches. It states that God rewards faith with physical, material, and financial prosperity. It contradicts the Biblical call to self-denial and suffering for the sake of Christ.
Antinomianism
This is a belief system that comes from two Greek words meaning “against the law.” This idea suggests that because Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament laws through His death on the cross, Christians are no longer obligated to follow these laws or adhere to any specific moral code. Essentially, it argues that grace covers all sins, so moral behavior isn’t a requirement for believers.
However, this concept is considered a false doctrine by most Christian teachings, which stress that while we are saved by grace and not by works, this doesn’t mean we can disregard holy and righteous living. The Bible emphasizes that following Christ involves both accepting His grace and striving to live according to His teachings. For example, in the New Testament, Paul teaches that while we are not “under the law” in a legalistic sense, we are still called to follow the “law of Christ” through love, compassion, and righteousness.
Hyper-Calvinism
This doctrine is an extreme interpretation of Calvinism, suggesting that evangelism, missionary work, and other Christian responsibilities are unnecessary for salvation. A Hyper-Calvinist believes that salvation depends on God’s sovereignty alone, downplaying God’s love and the necessity of evangelism.
Legalism
Legalism teaches that one can earn salvation or favor with God by strictly following laws, rules, or religious rituals. This viewpoint puts more emphasis on human effort and adherence to religious guidelines rather than on the grace of God and faith in Jesus Christ. Legalism can lead people to focus more on external behavior and rituals rather than on a genuine, heartfelt relationship with God, which undermines the core biblical teaching that salvation is a gift of grace through faith.
Arianism
Arianism is a heresy that originated in the early fourth century AD, named after Arius, a priest who promoted it. According to Arianism, Jesus Christ is not truly divine but rather a created being who is subordinate to God. Arius taught that Jesus was a finite creature made by God and possessed some divine qualities but was not fully divine Himself. This view contradicts the traditional Christian belief in the full divinity of Christ, which is foundational to mainstream Christian doctrine.
Open Theism
Also known as openness theology, Open Theism is a controversial belief that challenges traditional views of God’s knowledge and control. It suggests that God does not have complete knowledge of the future because He allows humans to exercise free will. According to this view, God’s love for us means He does not predetermine our choices, and our future is shaped by the decisions we make rather than by God’s sovereign plan. This doctrine is criticized for denying God’s omniscience and sovereignty, which are central attributes in traditional Christian theology.
Many Paths to God
This false doctrine has become popular recently, taking advantage of the concept of tolerance. It claims that God will accept any religious effort if it is done with sincerity. This doctrine contradicts John 14:6, which says, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
There is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus Christ – not your good deeds, not your merits, or your vast knowledge can lead you to God.
Easy Believism
From the word “easy” alone, this doctrine suggests that earning salvation is easy – simply believe in Jesus Christ. You don’t need any real transformation or commitment to discipleship to gain salvation. This undermines the role of repentance and obedience and the seriousness of following Christ.
Satan is Just a Myth
In traditional Christian theology, Satan is understood as a real, personal being who represents evil and opposes God. The belief that Satan is just a myth is a false doctrine that directly contradicts the biblical portrayal of Satan as a real and active being in the world.
If there is light, there is definitely darkness and if you believe there is a God, you can be sure there is a devil.
Stay Grounded in Scripture
As Christians, we must be knowledgeable about these false doctrines, stay grounded in Scripture, and test everything against the Word of God. Our duty is to protect our faith and help others stay on the right path. In a world full of deception, being rooted in God’s truth is more important than ever.
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15
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Vidivir is a dedicated high school teacher and a loving mother of three. With over a decade of experience as a blogger and article writer, she has honed her craft in storytelling. As a devoted church lector and servant of God, she combines her passion for writing with her faith, aiming to inspire others through her words.
Amen