For a brief introduction to this post, see Half-Truth Deception and a Book.
The most effective false teachings in the church are a mixture of truth and error. It’s so important that we understand how to correctly handle God’s word so we can recognize when Scripture passages are misused, misapplied, and taken out of context.
It’s nothing new. Mixing truth with error has been one of Satan’s favorite tactics, beginning in the Garden of Eden.
My book will look at specific half-truth teachings that have infiltrated the church, and I will use multiple Scripture passages to correct these beliefs.
Each chapter concludes with a “Digging deeper” section that serves as a short Bible study with questions and suggestions for better understanding the things discussed in the chapter. It can be used for group or individual study.
These are the tentative chapter titles and summaries:
Chapter 1: Why Half-Truths Are More Deceptive than Outright Lies
This chapter will explain how half-truths led to the fall of mankind and have continued to plague us ever since.
Section One: Chapters 2-5—The “Judge-Not” Half-Truth
These chapters will focus on perhaps the most popular half-truth in modern history, explaining the various claims behind this belief, the problems it causes, and what Scripture teaches.
Chapter 2: Understanding Matthew 7:1-5
Chapter 3: What Scripture Commands Us to Judge
Chapter 4. How Scripture Commands Us to Judge
Chapter 5. Additional Insights
Section Two: Chapters 6-10—Half-Truths that Exalt Man
This section contains half-truths that are related to mankind’s misunderstanding about our fallen human nature and our finite knowledge as compared to God’s perfection and infinite knowledge. These truths help us better understand God's incredible grace toward us.
Chapter 6: Half-truth—“Our well-being depends on having high self-esteem.”
Chapter 7: Half-Truth—“God only expects me to honor parents who are worthy of honor.”
Chapter 8: Half-Truth—“God’s love is unconditional, so He’s never disappointed in me.”
Chapter 9: Half-Truth—“Talking about Hell turns people from the gospel.”
Chapter 10: The Half-Truth Heresy of Universal Salvation
Section Three: Chapters 11-15—Half-Truths that Lead to Approval of Sexual Sins
Our modern world has approved every type of sexual union, and Christians must understand how to address the many half-truths produced by this "new morality."
Chapter 11: Half-Truth: “All sins are the same”
Chapter 12: Half-Truth: “Tolerance equals approval.”
Chapter 13: Half-Truth: “God designed sex for our enjoyment. It’s unreasonable to say premarital sex is wrong.”
Chapter 14: “Christians are hateful to condemn LGBTQ lifestyles.”
Chapter 15: Addressing Gay Revisionist Half-Truth Teachings
Section Four, Chapter 16: Half-Truths that Promise Health, Wealth, and Comfort
Half-truth promises about health and wealth have been plaguing the church for many years. We need to address the misunderstandings involved in these half-truth teachings.
Conclusion: Chapter 17
This final chapter will summarize ways to identify half-truths and share a few additional examples.
If you would like to join me in praying for this book, please email me at half.truths@yahoo.com and receive a weekly prayer request plus sneak peeks of the book content.
I can’t wait to read this book! I definitely need to understand the confusion that this subject brings and will be sharing with my church! I will be praying for you and God’s guidance!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the encouragement, Rebecca!
DeleteThis is an answer to prayer. I have questioned these verses myself. I think I have the "Judge Not" figured out. There is a difference between Judging and Discerning Actions. But I try to avoid many of these half truths because I am just not certain of the real truth.
ReplyDeleteI try not to read books other than the Bible because I want to be led in the right direction. I will pray for you and wait patiently to read your book. Thank you so much for your effort.
Thanks for your encouragement, Diane. It is definitely my desire to lead Christians first and foremost to what the Bible teaches.
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