Lies in Disguise: When People Feel that Small Bible Errors Don't Matter

Many Christians believe Bible errors in books and movies are no big deal, especially if they make the gospel more acceptable and popular. 

But God's Word is God's Word, and we have no right and no reason to change it. 

Small errors mixed with Scripture are the most effective way to mislead Christians. Yet many professing Christians refuse to admit this when it comes to popular books or entertainment. 

People who point out Scriptural errors are typically called hateful, Pharisaical, legalistic, or worse. And they're often told that these biblically flawed forms of entertainment are “bringing millions to the Lord.”

This is nothing new. Jesus predicted His true followers would be hated (John 15:18-23). And Paul addressed a similar problem in Galatia:

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-9

I typically experience rude comments, self-righteous rants, or mockery when I point out errors in something popular. And I consider this another proof that God's commands are disrespected by those who support half-truths. Christians should be able to disagree without becoming rude (Colossians 4:6). 

Jesus Calling, The Shack, and The Chosen have become coveted idols to many. And the lies taught by people like Andy Stanley, Rick Warren, and some IF Gathering speakers have not kept them from being extremely popular. 

Whenever a book, movie, pastor, ministry, or mini-series mixes some truth with the error and makes Jesus look cool, a majority of Christians tend to defend it. Jesus didn't try to make Himself popular because it meant choosing culture over Scripture (John 15:18-23). So why do we attempt to do that? When will we realize that Jesus was hated by the world (not just the Pharisees) because He told them that their works were evil (John 7:2-7).

Those who turn to Jesus do so because we understand our sin, not because he builds our self-esteem or remains silent about our sins.

No wonder millions of former evangelicals have left true Christianity and joined the popular “progressive Christian” Wilderness Wanderers movement which is based on a little bit of Scripture and a whole lot of opinion from NY Times bestselling authors and musicians like Bart Ehrman, Brian Zhand, Jen Hatmaker, Rachel Held Evans, Amy Grant, Dan Haseltine, Marty Sampson, etc.

Those who defend these half-truth resources, apparently think that God would say, “It's okay if someone misrepresents my Word and promotes half-truths as long as it makes Christianity look popular to millions of people.”

Many no longer care if the author of a movie, book, or mini-series correctly handles the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15). They'd rather see Christianity presented attractively than accurately. 

“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.” 2 Timothy 4:3

God says, “Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge” (1 Timothy 6:20-21). He says the road to salvation is narrow and few find it (Matthew 7:13-14). 

My husband and I have experienced rejection because of our biblical beliefs...from family members, long-time friends, and Bible study members. This hurts, but it shouldn't surprise us.

“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:12-13

The church is growing weak but remnant believers are standing to their feet and speaking up, even when it brings them hardship. They understand that only those who have a deep respect for God's Word will be prepared to face the challenges ahead. 

I pray you are preparing yourselves, dear Christians and whenever it gets hard, please remember that great is your reward in heaven (Matthew 5:10-12).

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This is why I've written Lies in Disguise, Half-Truths That Many Christians Believe. 

It unearths some of the most popular and destructive half-truths explaing how they bring error and compromise into the church. And it explains how to use Scripture to address these lies whenever they come up in conversations or teachings.

Find out more about it here: Lies in Disguise. 

💙 Currently available from the publisher with a discount: Lies in Disguise. Also available on Amazon and CBD. And in the UK: CLC-UK or Eden UK.