A Prophet for an Un-discerning Church [Beth Moore]

Mortification of Spin ^ | January 12, 2015 | Todd Pruitt

[Gamecock]

If you want to get people mad at you (I mean really mad) just criticize Beth Moore’s teaching. Trust me on this. Many a young pastor has found himself being roasted over the rhetorical bonfire of women’s ministry meetings for daring to raise concerns about Beth Moore’s rather exotic approach to biblical interpretation. 

But those who don’t much care about popularity or physical safety have in recent years been willing to challenge some of the outrageous claims and troubling teachings coming from Beth Moore. It would be one thing if Beth’s claims of direct revelation, sloppy exegesis, and squishy ecumenism were confined to a small corner of the church. The trouble is that Beth Moore is hugely popular which means she has a lot of influence. 

If you are wondering why I am writing something critical of a popular Bible teacher then you must be new here. Remember the name of the website – “Mortification of Spin.” Keep in mind also that Beth Moore is a public and highly influential teacher. That means that her errors must be confronted publicly. If you study the Bible you will see the prophets, Jesus and apostles doing the very same thing in their own day. 

Beth Moore has been pushing for a kind of ecumenism between Baptists and Charismatics and Roman Catholics and Prosperity heretics that ignores essential Christian doctrines. In Beth’s ecumenism, the doctrines of God, Scripture, salvation, and the church do not seem to matter nearly as much as her vision of “unity”. Hers is an unbearably light unity for it cannot bear the weight of biblical distinctions. And to make matters worse, if you disagree with her ecumenism you are standing in the way of Jesus’ vision for the church. How do we know that Beth’s vision is Jesus’ vision for the church? Because she told us so HERE.

It is, I suppose this shallow ecumenism which explains Beth’s willingness to praise and partner with false teachers such as Joyce Meyer. If you are wondering why this is a problem then I assume it is because you do not know what Joyce Meyer preaches. 

Beth also claims direct revelation from God. Her claims that God speaks to her are ubiquitous throughout her books and preaching. It is these divine revelations that supply the gravitas for Beth’s extravagant claims. If you watched the video clip above you have already seen her claim to have received a prophetic vision directly from Jesus concerning the future of the church. 

The following is an excerpt from Beth’s book The Beloved Disciple which captures once again her ease in receiving revelation from God. In this case Beth and God come up with a whole new term to add to the church’s lexicon (You may want to contrast Beth’s casual reception of revelation with that of the apostles and prophets). 

Beloved, I am convinced one of our severest needs is pure rest. Not only sleep, but refreshment and recreation. Recently God spoke to me about capturing what He and I are calling "Sabbath moments." Like many of yours, my schedule right now is particularly tough, and I see no time in the near future for a number of days off. God spoke to my heart one Saturday morning while I was preparing for Sunday school: "My child, in between more intense rests, I want to teach you to take Sabbath moments." I wasn't certain what He meant. Just that morning God confirmed His desire for me to drive all the way to the other side of Houston to the medical center to visit a patient with brain cancer. I was very thankful for the privilege of visiting this patient, but I knew in advance it would be tough emotionally and far from restful.

I fought the traffic across Houston, then visited with my new friend and her husband while choking back the tears. They have two young sons, and unless God performs a miracle, their mother will go home to be with the Lord before they are grown. I got in my car and prayed. I pulled out of the parking garage, fighting the tears. A few blocks later as if on autopilot, I turned my steering wheel straight into the parking lot of the Houston Zoo!

Christ seemed to say, "Let's go play." And that we did. I hadn't been to the zoo in years. I heard about all the improvements, but I never expected the ultimate: Starbucks coffee! (OK, so I don't have all my health issues down pat.) Can you imagine watching a baby koala take a nap in a tree on a rare cold day in Houston with a Starbucks grande cappuccino in your hand? Now that's a Sabbath moment! God and I had a blast. 

 - Beth Moore, The Beloved Disciple, (B&H Publishing: 2003), 220.

Just as Sarah Young’s Jesus in Jesus Calling sounds much like an American woman steeped in contemporary therapeutic language, so the Jesus of Beth Moore’s vision seems to suit an affluent American demographic. As you consider the condition of the church in the prosperous west alongside the persecution and suffering of so many Christians in the majority world do you think that “one of our severest needs is pure rest” along the lines of playdates with God to Starbucks and the zoo? 

I’m in favor of rest. More importantly God is in favor of rest. He created a cycle of days with the wonderful gift of rest in mind. God gave man the Sabbath day as a gift precisely for the purposes of ministering rest to our bodies and minds. I’m not sure when God decided to add “Sabbath Moments” to the mix. Is it God’s way of recognizing that most American Christians do not take their rest on the day God has set apart and made holy for that very purpose? Beth does not tell us. She simply claims that God chose to speak to her directly and together they coined a new term. 

I’m not saying that we cannot enjoy good gifts from God. I am as grateful for good coffee and cute koalas as the next guy. But the words quoted above illustrate well the utter weightlessness of contemporary evangelicalism, particularly that which is peddled to Christian women. If I were a woman I believe I would be insulted by such nauseating triviality. 

What Beth Moore is describing in her experiences is what we call “direct revelation.” Revelation means to unveil or make known. The doctrine of direct revelation means that God speaks directly to someone apart from any mediation. We understand that direct revelation was given by God to the prophets and apostles and was ultimately inscripturated as God's written word. Protestants have historically denied continuing revelation. We believe that God's Word is His chosen and sufficient means to speak to his people. Indeed the Southern Baptist Convention has clearly denied continuing revelation and affirmed the sufficiency of Scripture.

And yet Beth Moore’s books and studies are published by Broadman & Hollman (B&H) and sold in Lifeway stores. Both Lifeway and B&H are Southern Baptist entities and Beth Moore a member of a Southern Baptist Church. So why does the Southern Baptist Convention publish, promote, and sell teaching that clearly departs from historic Protestantism and is against its own doctrinal positions? Follow the money my friends. Follow the money. 

[gov_bean_ counter]

Bump

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

They are all theological pussies?

[don-o]

What do the below all have in common?

Hair and teeth?

[Roman_War_Criminal]

There’s a youtube video out there of one of these women visionist “prophets” (I forget which one) getting called out in front of a large crowd by JD Farag as he literally to her face calls her a deceiver and false prophet. The reaction of that woman was exactly what you’d expect from a Hillary Clinton. Totally classy!

[.45 Long Colt]

This is a most valuable article (read it earlier this week) and I’m glad you posted it here. Husbands who don’t already know need to understand there are real issues with Beth Moore. It’s not popular to say, but we still have the God-given responsibility to lead our wives spiritually. I’m thankful my wife listens and values my opinion on these matters. I know that’s not the case in every marriage.

Here’s another warning about Beth Moore:

“Why Beth Moore and Not Me? The Danger of Claiming to Receive Direct Revelation”

http://www.donotbesurprised.com/2014/01/why-beth-moore-and-not-me-danger-of.html

While searching for the linked article above, I discovered this tweet from Phil Johnson, Executive Director of John MacArthur’s Grace to You:

“The main trouble in the church today is not the wolfishness of the wolves; it’s the sheepishness of the sheep.”

Later he followed that tweet up with:

“Some survivor-bloggers misconstrued my “sheepishness” Tweet. My point: Wolfish doctrines would get nowhere if not for ovine apathy.”

[ravenwolf]

I have never heard of her because I do not listen to preachers who write books to sell and make millions.

But I have no doubt there are many of this type out there, there must be, other wise there would not be so many books that I won`t buy.

[Gamecock]

“The main trouble in the church today is not the wolfishness of the wolves; it’s the sheepishness of the sheep.”

How profound.

[PeteePie]

"Wolfish doctrines would get nowhere if not for ovine apathy.”

2 Tim 4:3; For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

We're certainly living in interesting times, eh?

[~Vor~]

Wow, I had no idea about Beth Moore. Haven't read anything of hers. However, the Ladies's Thursday Morning Bible Study class at my church is getting ready to start a new series titled, "Faithful/Abundant/True". A workbook study written by Kay Authur, Priscilla Shirer and Beth Moore. After reading this post, I think I made the right choice in opting for the "Gospel in Action" class, a study on the Book of Acts.

I do have a 365 Day Devotional by Sarah Young which I have enjoyed. I like the fact that it does give Scripture reference for each devotional that I can then turn to and read for myself.

[kjam22]

There is general and special revelation. Either of those can happen through direct revelation. Are we saying that as Christians the Holy Spirit does not direct us, teach us, speak to us? Agreed, this revelation we receive as Christians from the Spirit must always align with God’s general revelation given to us through scripture. It can never be in opposition to scripture... but I’m not ready to deny that the Holy Spirit was given to us to teach, direct, and grow us as Christians. In guidance that applies often to just us.

[Gamecock]

You are correct.

But if you look at the quotes they are presented like a new revelation for all of God’s people. If that is the case we need to open the canon of Scripture and add the Beth’s Epistle to the American Church.

[Lee N. Field]

Ah, yes. Mortification of Spin.

Good listening.

I found their very early program, "Happiness Questing", helpful.

[Lee N. Field]

What do the below all have in common?

Rich white people with good teeth.

[kjam22]

When I read it... I don't believe she is saying that it is a new revelation that we should all go to the zoo and drink coffee. I read it that she is saying we should all have what she calls "sabbath moments". Where we take time out of our lives and spend it with God, even through out the week. That often we need to get away from our daily things that drag us down and spend those times with God. I personally think that can be supported in Scripture. What I have read from her both here and other places, that I disagree with, is she often gives her little names "sabbath moments" that may be catchy or sell books to things that most christians have been doing a long time already.

I can't believe I'm arguing for Beth Moore. She very well may say things that I theologically disagree with. I just didn't see a real problem with what I read. But maybe I'm missing it?

Like I say... I'm not an ardent Beth Moore fan. I'm probably neutral.

[.45 Long Colt]

“But if you look at the quotes they are presented like a new revelation for all of God’s people. If that is the case we need to open the canon of Scripture and add the Beth’s Epistle to the American Church.”

BINGO!!!

The canon of Scripture is closed! If people would spend more time on the old revelation they would see through the new.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

[kjam22]

What precisely does she say that is being portrayed as “scripture” that needs to be added to the canon? What does she say that is new revelation?

[Gamecock]

“Sabbath moments.”

Start with that. She is practically saying “Thus sayeth the Lord.”

[kjam22]

Maybe I just don't see it. There is a difference between "practically saying"... and "saying". She does not say "thus saith the Lord". She does not claim it is scripture.

My issues with her are probably toward the simplicity of her teaching, and the fact that she gets rich selling it. But that's a different issue. I don't believe she believes or anyone really believes she is writing scripture that needs to be added to the canon. Again.... just my opinion.

Who know... you guys have a great "sabbath moment". Just kiddin... have a great day!

[reviled downesdad]

This reborn evangelical has listened to some of her videos and has been to a live event once. As with any teaching - all must do their own discernment with their own prayerful study of God's word, and put it to the test. To the extent of her use of historical facts and other references like any teacher does, her presentations are informational. There must be skepticism of any who claim direct revelation, but that does not mean it doesn't happen. Devout Muslims have been saved thru dream revelation of Jesus Christ.

I find her presentation of the gospel sound; all are sinful and fall short, all are in need of a savior, God gave his son Jesus Christ, that he predestined to live a perfect live and be a perfect sacrifice for all sin. Any who accept Christ by faith (shattered and amazed in your heart by God's grace) are new creations in Christ Jesus are saved. To the extent she uses claims of direct revelation for small things is troubling but it shouldn't be used to discredit the work she is doing in bringing people to Christ. A Mr. Osteen she is not.

On the critical stuff we must have conformity; Jesus Christ is the son of the living God, the Trinity and Grace for example Other things should be discerned for the sake of the unity of believers.

[.45 Long Colt]

As I recall she has based her unbiblical ecumenical ideas either on dreams or direct revelation from God (hardly a novel approach in our day), but I’m not spending the time to dig out any specifics.

Ten or eleven years ago I was concerned over what she was teaching my wife and the women in our former church, so I spent many hours listening to her, reading her, and generally studying her ministry. Her pervasive influence played a part in us finding a new church home soon thereafter. Other than the occasional article I read, I’m unwilling to dedicate any more time to her. I know what I need to know for my family, my teenage daughters, and the group of men with whom I have some spiritual influence.

Bottom line for me: she isn’t all bad, but I strongly disagree with some of her theology, disagree with some of her methods, and believe she is careless with the Word of God. As is so often the case, all I can do is sound the alarm. If you disagree with me and don’t mind her teaching your wife, proceed accordingly.

Fighting for the Faith - Chris Rosebrough - Beth Moore Non-Exegetical Eisegesis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVdT02UpYCA