Beth Moore

Editorial

The Ear-Tickling Error…
of Beth Moore

            It is alarming to hear of brethren using the Beth Moore DVD’s as the basis for women’s Bible studies. Moore is one of the leading evangelical teachers among women and the darling of LifeWay—publishing arm of the Southern Baptists. Some are so taken with Moore, that any criticism of her will carry consequences. She has become larger than life and virtually untouchable.

            Why?

            First, Beth Moore is a gifted communicator and comes across as the girlfriend next door. While her written material is more organized (it has to be), her DVD presentations are the exact opposite as she comes across undisciplined and shallow with heavy doses of storytelling, feel-good psychology, and prosperity gospel. Her charisma, however, masks her anemic approach and leaves women actually believing they have been a part of a Bible study. 

            Have we become this shallow? 2 Timothy 4:3-4—

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths.

Second, are elders and preachers asleep at the wheel? The first priority of shepherds and

evangelists is to sound a warning and protect God’s people from sheep-stealing wolves (Acts 20:28-29; 2 Tim.4:1-2). Beth Moore is a false teacher on many fronts and her popularity should prompt serious investigation as to what she actually believes. Does she get a “pass” because she is a woman? What if men’s groups wanted to use Joel Osteen DVD’s as the basis for Bible study? If Moore DVD’s are appropriate for women studies, then upon what basis would you exclude Osteen’s DVD’s for the men? There is no difference. Except one.

            Beth Moore claims God speaks directly to her. 

            It’s one thing for denominational preachers to claim that God led them in a particular direction—usually a reference to God’s providence—but quite another when they claim God spoke directly to them by placing His words in quotations. Moore does that. For instance,

            …He [God] began to say to me, “I’m going to tell you something right now Beth, and boy you write this one down and you say it as often as I give you utterance to say it.”

Believing God, Session 1.

And apparently God likes to address her with endearing words such as “Baby” and “Honey…”

He first started teaching it to me about five years ago—and He said these words to me, “Baby, you have not even begun to believe Me. You haven’t even begun.” You know what he said just a few days ago? “Honey, I just want you to know we’re just beginning…Honey, this is what we do for the rest of your life.”

From Believing God’s Word Is Alive and Active in You.

Beth believes she is the recipient of special and continuing revelation from God. On the subject of teaching over men (1 Tim.2:12), Moore claims that God spoke directly to her with these words, “I tell you Beth, you worry about what I tell you to say, and I’ll worry about who listens” (From Beth Moore’s response on 4/11/05 regarding her teaching mixed classes at First Baptist, Houston). Apparently God’s special revelation to her supercedes His special revelation to the apostle Paul.

                                               

            This is blasphemous! It would be easy to compare quotes from Ellen G. White (founder of Seventh Day Adventism) or Mary Baker Eddy (founder of Christian Science) who said things similar to what Moore advocates—specifically, that God spoke directly to them. The latter are labeled as “cults.” The former gets a pass. Why?

            While it’s one thing to read/reference writers who may be in error on given points, it’s another thing entirely to allow Christians (some of whom may be especially weak and vulnerable) to be taught by the likes of Beth Moore. She will influence and not in a way that will strengthen anyone in the Word.

            I commend the articles in this issue written by Joyce Jamerson and Liz Roberts. Given the sensitivity of this subject, I thought it advantageous to get the perspective of two women. I hope our sisters will weigh carefully what they say. May God give us the courage to stand for truth regardless.

Wilson Adams

Ladies Classes

Woman to Woman

Thoughts on Ladies Classes

by Elizabeth Roberts

In recent years, I have had the privilege to participate in classes for women in several locations and congregations. On four such occasions ladies have asked me to recommend teaching material that could be used to facilitate studies of God’s word in classes designed for and by women. Each of these inquires came from a woman concerned because she had encountered Christian women who wanted to use class materials written by popular author, Beth Moore. Like most material written by popular Evangelicals, Moore’s material often includes encouraging positive suggestions, but it is also laced with unscriptural doctrinal teaching—including Calvinistic assumptions and a total disrespect for the plan of salvation.

I understand the challenge to find class material that is well written and thoughtfully approaches biblical texts. Unfortunately, Christian women have not written a great deal and much that has been written is not widely distributed. Even so, the answer is surely not in using misleading literature that may endanger the weak and mislead those who visit our studies and leave with mistaken views of the teachings of the Scriptures.   

Are We Serious About Scripture?

I am writing not so much to critique the writings of one author; rather I want to encourage women to engage in serious discussions of the Scriptures in their classes and to always be wary of materials that are laden with unsound teaching.  That is nothing less than the warning issued by Paul in his letter to the saints in Galatia (1:8-12):

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Concerns About Who Is Teaching

Of course, most of us read materials written by denominational writers that are often laced with useful information. Christians have read the commentaries of men such as Adam Clarke and Albert Barnes for years. But such study is generally done by those quite familiar with the doctrinal errors likely to be encountered there. 

We should think carefully before inviting those who both overtly and covertly teach error to shape the minds of those we love. Would we invite such a person to teach a class in our congregation? It would probably be less dangerous to ask such a person to teach one class than to encourage our young Christian women and visitors to take the material home to read over without someone to guide them through the dangers. In many cases, the use of such material inevitably leaves the conclusion that we are in agreement with everything taught by the author.  Like it or not, the classroom material we provide is taken by many people as a seal of approval. 

Our ultimate quest is to know God, to “draw near to God” so that he will draw near to us “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded” (James 4:8). That is to be accomplished by an earnest and sincere consideration of His word.

My Greatest Fear

I fear that the purifying of our minds has become tedious and humdrum through the years and that we are no longer thrilled by the words that can transform lives. Our ladies classes can become “soulful insights” into the modern world, or “pep talks” and “counseling sessions” based on the latest “pop culture” ideas. Modern self-help guides and materials give shallow advice that replaces the words the Holy Spirit has so graciously provided us. We must never forget what we have in the “material” that God Himself has provided us. We must never leave the impression on young ladies that it is not enough to hunger and thirst after the words that provide a portion of wisdom and knowledge that those in the world do not understand. These are the words that our lives are hinged on. 

My point is simple. Certainly and surely, we should be willing to stand for hours to know and soak up the knowledge of our Lord, as the remnant of Israel did in Nehemiah 9: 2-3—“And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.” Separating ourselves from those who do not know and teach the “law of the Lord,” those who are not obedient members of the body of Christ, remains an important mark of the children of God.

Christian women must be true and thorough students of the Word. Let us relish the thought that we can be wise; let us know the treasure that we have been given. We must hate every false way and cherish what God has given to guide our lives. It has never been a safe thing for God’s people when they came to be led by “strangers.” 

Hear the words of Psalms 119: 127-131:

“Therefore I love your commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

Therefore I esteem all your precepts concerning all things to be right;

and I hate every false way. Your testimonies are wonderful: therefore my

soul will keep them. The entrance of your words gives light; it gives

understanding unto the simple. I opened my mouth, and panted:

for I longed for your commandments.”

Vienna, VA
elizabeth.Roberts@hq.dodea.edu

The Loss of Shame in Women/Culture Invading the Church (part 5)

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Java-With-Julie.html?soid=1101880150618&aid=a_auCwiTLos

The Loss of Shame in Women/Culture Invading the Church (four)

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Java-With-Julie.html?soid=1101880150618&aid=nh3bE5x_aXk

The Loss of Shame in Women/Culture Invading the Church (three)

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Java-With-Julie.html?soid=1101880150618&aid=fNEgtg_aHTw

The Loss of Shame in Women/Culture Invading the Church (two)

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Java-With-Julie.html?soid=1101880150618&aid=a17hJ14uq1w

The Loss of Shame in Women/Culture Invading the Church (one)

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Java-With-Julie.html?soid=1101880150618&aid=JanYIlbgaHg