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