Charlatans, Heretics, and One-trick Ponies
Meg Rosoff is credited with saying. “I don’t get nearly enough credit in life for the things I manage not to say.” I can see where Ms. Rosoff’s statement could be taken in several ways. Is she praising herself for having restraint? Is she bragging that she has secrets that she has under control? Or could she be hiding deviant secret materials and be a top-secret confidante? Unfortunately, we never honestly know what someone thinks, their intent, or even if they can be trusted. Child molesters, pedophiles, thieves, and deviants of all nature roam the streets like the lion in First Peter 5:8. We must know people well before allowing them into our lives and business.
As Christians, we are constantly challenged, and our beliefs are in danger. Many dangers are common to our daily activities. We have friends that scoff at our going to church. We have a co-worker that doesn’t appreciate your efforts to be a good person or a charlatan that pretends to be a fantastic Christian and puts you down. Then there are those dangers that hopefully we will not have to endure, such as being imprisoned, physically harmed, or killed for our beliefs. These challenges are like a disease that infects our lives and are very tough to overcome, overwhelming to individuals and churches, and even psychologically deadly.
If these harmful threats to our spiritual lives were not enough, some threats should never be allowed. We have ministers with questionable motives, religious shows preaching nonsense, and teachers proclaiming to be messengers from God. These people try to distract us from the Gospel and pervert the biblical messages. Many of their methods are subtle, easy-selling ideas that are not far from the truth but still cause the unexpecting to move away from the teaching of Jesus. These “false prophets” attempt to lure people away from the actual teachings of the Bible. Matthew 7:15 warns us to beware of these people, who will act like sheep but inwardly be a wolf. First John 4:1 tells us to again beware and to test every spirit and not believe until we are truly satisfied that the message is truly from God.
“These purveyors of spiritual bacteria in three ways: Charlatans, Heretics, and One-trick Ponies. There is often some overlap between these three categories in any single teacher, but it will still be helpful for you to first understand my terms individually. Charlatans are religious frauds. They are not the pastors or teachers commended in the Bible, men who truly love the church and watch over their flock sacrificially and faithfully as Christ would have them. They are not those who are willing to teach time-proven biblical truths no matter the societal opposition or personal cost. They are not those who are motivated by a genuine love for Christ and for his people. No, charlatans are in it for themselves. These men and women crave fame and notoriety. They love glitz and glamour.” (Wingerd, 2017)
Today’s world is bombarded by information that has never been verified, reviewed, or checked for content. Our society craves vast amounts of data but does not care about the quality or if it is true. Misinformation, stretched or exaggerated stories designed to sell advertising or a political idea are the norm. Second Timothy 4:3-4 has warned, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”
“Heretics are theological frauds. These men and women are the innovators, wowing their listeners by claims that after centuries of the misinformation of “orthodox” Bible teaching, they have discovered (or rediscovered, they might say) the real truth. Perhaps it is through some recently discovered writings purportedly from one of the 12 apostles or some other associate of Christ. Perhaps it is through their own personal discovery of centuries-old translation errors, which they alone are willing to address honestly while everyone else overlooks them so as not to upset the system. Their “new and better way” is often nothing more than a recycling and rebranding of some ancient heresy, long ago disproved and rejected, but dredged back up now for yet another go-around” (Wingerd, 2017)
Heretics infiltrate by inventing new ideas and programs, taking on special groups such as the elderly or youth. Fresh ideas and enthusiasm are contagious and can go undetected if leadership is not paying attention. The heretics, like the charlatans, are clever and know how to stay under the radar.
The one trick pony is not as clever or sneaky as the heretic and charlatan. The one trick pony desires to be what they are not and are soon discovered,
“One-trick Ponies (a term commonly used to describe a person with only one special talent or area of expertise) are frauds of another sort. These are “Bible teachers” are fixated on one particular aspect of biblical doctrine. Perhaps it is an inordinate focus on the miraculous spiritual gifts, or end-times theology with endless warnings based on current events in various parts of the world (usually Israel!).. Usually, if you look closely enough at a one-trick pony ministry, you’ll find plenty of careless, irresponsible, or even false Bible teaching, along with the inevitable and repetitive mention of financial support.” (Wingerd, 2017)
Charlatans, Heretics, and One-trick Ponies threaten our families, communities, and church. Trying to find a better way to tell the Biblical story or a different way to understand it can become a false teaching. Revelations 22:18-19 is very plain, telling us not to add or subtract from God’s word. Deliberately trying to change the Bible because there has been a change in our society will not work. Being critical of church teaching because society has taken a wrong path is no excuse to change our Christian beliefs. A sin will remain a sin regardless of what the news and social media tell us. False information and false teachings are not just something we have to watch for in the church. Lies, falsehoods, misinformation, and the preservation of ignorance are everywhere. Children and the elderly are gifts from God and are to be enjoyed and protected. Children and the elderly are the primary targets of the evil that tries to infiltrate our families and churches. First Timothy 5:8 directs us to take care of our family. Part of that is to keep the children and elderly away from charlatans, heretics, and one-trick ponies. Philippians 3:2 instructs us to be on constant guard against evildoers. This advice certainly is directed toward our families, especially the children. God has a way of allowing the charlatans, heretics, and one-trick ponies to be revealed. We must be on constant watch.
Wingerd, D. (2017). BI BulletinInserts.org. Retrieved from Charlatins, Heretics, and One Trick Ponies: The Danger of Theological Distractions: https://bulletininserts.org/charlatans-heretics-and-one-trick-ponies-the-danger-of-theological-distractions/