“Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God;(1) whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.” 2 John 1:9-11
Should we trust an extremely popular Christian author who claimed to write words of Jesus not found in Scripture explaining, “I knew that God communicated with me through the Bible, but I yearned for more”? (source/source)
Should we trust the author of a popular Bible “translation” who adds new content to Scripture and claims God is going to someday give him John 22? (source/source)
Should we trust a mini-series creator who says “Jesus doesn’t actually make for a good main character,” and gives Jesus a new “I Am” statement because he thinks it's “cool”? (You Tube or article)
What about the hugely popular “Christian” author who claims the crucifixion was never part of God's plan? (source/source)
And what about the movie depicting Mary as suicidal about her call to carry our Savior? (source)
Millions of Christians are passionately following and justifying those who “run ahead” of what's taught in Scripture. They've forgotten that Satan's most effective tool is presenting attractive half-truths.
Loyalty to God's Word will keep us safe as the world around us grows darker. Justifying biblical errors in popular books and movies prepares us to accept darker lies that damage our faith.
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How can any Christian want more than the word of God which “is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12)?
Before defending human additions to God's Word and stories depicting our Lord, we should read 2 Corinthians 11:4,13-14: “For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough...For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”
(1) Commentary on “run ahead”
“The essential idea is, that the truth must be held respecting the precepts, the character, and the work of the Saviour.” Barnes Notes on the Bible
The Cambridge Bible explains this refers to those who go beyond the gospel, such as the Gnostics who believed they had advanced knowledge about God.
“The heresy of this age is that religious teachers may 'go beyond' Christ's teachings in any direction they please.” Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible
“The apostle lets his readers, and all readers to come, know that it is dangerous to tamper with God’s word...[going] beyond the limits of Christian doctrine.” Contending for the Faith
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