Aberrant Teaching - Aberrant Theology
The Bible states that, with our limited minds and God's limitless power and knowledge, we cannot fully understand God and His plans in this life. Ephesians 3:20, 1 Corinthians 1:25, 1 Corinthians 3:19. (Salvation is from a personal faith in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, which paid the penalty of one's sins (actions against God and others. See God of the Bible page. See the Creeds page. Sects that depart from Historical Biblical Christain teaching are called cults. See What is a Cult page and See Cults page.
So everyone has some aberrant thinking. Aberrant theology is teachings, doctrines, or practices that deviate significantly from established traditional standards of Bible teaching. The deviation is not so great as to be called "heresy" or place the teaching in the cult category. Aberrant teaching usually does not deny the core, foundational doctrines of the Bible, like the Trinity or the deity of Christ. Aberrant theology may be viewed as "inconsistent" with established traditional standards of the Bible. They often take biblical teachings to clear un-biblical teachings. The doctrines of the Trinity, the unique deity of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of Christ, and salvation by faith-grace are among the essentials of Christianity.
This page looks at some common aberrant teachings.
1) "The age of the Earth is a salvation doctrine." This is nowhere in the Bible. Young Earth creationism (YEC) adopted this teaching, originally from George McCready Price (1870–1963), a Seventh-day Adventist. God will ask no one how old the earth is at the gates of heaven. See the Age of the Earth page for details.
2) "There was no animal death before man sinned." This is against the clear teachings of the Bible. Romans 5:12 “Through one man sin entered into the world, and through sin death, and so death passed to all mankind in turn.” This is clear: death came to “all mankind”, not animals. See Sin-Death page for more details.
3) "Evolution is a salvation issue." While we do not think there is any evidence for macroevolution (only evidence for microevolution). The Bible does not teach that evolution is a salvation issue. God will ask no one about Evolution at the gate of heaven. See Evolution page
4) "All scientists are evil and out to deceive people." While everyone has some bias, those with an atheistic materialist worldview will have more bias. Most scientists are just studying nature and doing their best to understand nature. There are also many Christians who are scientists; for sure, they are not evil and out to deceive people. So this blanket claim made by almost all Young Earth creationism top leaders is very sad, as it attacks brothers and sisters in Christ. See the Age of the Earth page for details.
5) "When someone dies, they go to purgatory". Purgatory is a Roman Catholic belief. It is a place after death where souls who die in God’s grace—but are not yet perfectly holy—undergo a purifying process to remove the remaining effects of sin before entering Heaven. It involves temporary suffering or cleansing. People on Earth can pray to help get loved one out of purgatory. (In the past, you could pay to get someone out, called indulgences). Purgatory is found nowhere in the 66 Books of the Bible. The Bible teaches there is no purgatory. Hebrews 9:27 :"Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment". Also, 2 Corinthians 5:8 "We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." And Philippians 1:23 "I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far". To the thief on the cross: Luke 23:43: Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." Purgatory is from 2 Maccabees 12:39-46 (praying for the dead) in the Apocrypha. Apocrypha means writings not forming part of the accepted canon of Scripture (The Bible). See New Creation and Never Heard page Also see Apocrypha page.
6) "Praying to Saints", "Prayers to Mother Mary": Catholics and Orthodox Christians view it as asking for intercession, believing saints in heaven pray for those on earth. But, 1 Timothy 2:5 states: "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus." The Lord's Prayer, Matthew 6:9: “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name". Prayer to the God the Father and prayer to Jesus Christ are found in the Bible, not to saints. The Bible tells us to pray only to these, as Jesus is God in the flesh. Hebrews 4:16: "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
7) "Name it and claim it," also called the "prosperity gospel", is a Word of Faith doctrine asserting that believers can secure health, wealth, and desires by speaking them aloud with absolute faith. Often associated with the prosperity gospel, it teaches that words materialize reality, sometimes treating God like a vending machine. This teaching is not in the Bible at all; it is more for the popular "Power of Positive Thinking" teaching. That "abundant life" means only material wealth. The Bible teaches that our reward is in Heaven, not here on earth. Romans 8:17-18 “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” 1 Peter 5:10 "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. Praying for help in a time of need is in the Bible; "Name it and claim it" is not. A similar teaching is the Prosperity Gospel: Teaches that God rewards faith and tithing with financial blessings, shifting the focus from spiritual salvation to material wealth.
8)"Restoring the Lost Church" A few churches teach this, including: The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is a fast-growing neo-charismatic movement that believes in restoring the offices of modern-day apostles and prophets to the church. Started by C. Peter Wagner, the movement emphasizes spiritual warfare and the "Seven Mountain Mandate" to take dominion over politics, business, and culture. Christians are to vote and run for office if called, but a theocratic monarchy is not in the Bible or the USA foundation. The Church is not lost and does not need restoring. Matthew 16:18 "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."
8)" Christians Must worship on Saturday as this is the only Sabbath day". While Christians and Messianic Jews are free to worship on Saturday. The early Churches worshiped on Sunday, the day Christ rose from the dead. The Bible says we are not to judge others based on the day they worship. Colossians 2:14-16, Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. Romans 14:5-6.
8) Abuse of Gifts (tongues) and linking gifts (tongues) to levels of the Holy Spirit, by some Pentecostal Churches. See Gifts page.
9) There are no spiritual gifts now taught by Dispensationalism. See Dispensationalism page.
10) In Replacement Theory and Dispensationalism, all the promises God has not yet given to Israel are claimed to be given to the Church at this time. God has paused working with Israel and his many last days promises to Israel, which dispensationalists say will resume after the Rapture. This is an abuse of the Bible text. A clear example of God keeping his promise to Israel was the rebirth of Israel in 1948. So this claim is just not true based on the Bible and History. There is only One God, and He does not change. The New Antisemitic teaching, Jew Hating. See You tube video Isaiah 43:5-6 Jeremiah 31:8 Genesis 12:1-3
11) Faith plus something else is legalism. The Bible is clear that adding any type of "works" to Salvation is "boasting" and, in doing so, rejects God's free gift of salvation by faith. It is easy for some to say "Salvation is by God's Grace, but this is one important thing must be done." The thing may be a very good work, cause, or rite. The point is that any good work or cause should never be attached to salvation. Church rites or other traditions can sometimes be an addition to God's Grace. The Roman Catholic Church teaches salvation by faith and Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. But due to the heavy reliance on rites and traditions, some have lost the basics of salvation by faith in the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ alone. From beginning to end the work of salvation is of the Lord and never of ourselves. No one will ever be saved based on personal goodness. Our salvation is in Christ alone, by faith alone, through grace alone. Salvation is a matter of the work Chirst did at the cross. Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."
12) "Inherit blessing from the dead". Visiting the graves of saints to inherit their anointing. This is nowhere to be found in the Bible. This is experience-Based Theology/Excessive Charismatic. Feelings are placed far above the Bible's teaching. Ecclesiastes 9:5 states, "the dead know not any thing, Matthew 8:22
13) "Faith Healing". Teaching that true faith guarantees miraculous healing every time. This is not in the Bible. Paul carried pain with him, "thorn in the flesh" 2 Corinthians 12:7-9. This teaching can lead to neglecting medicine and placing undue burdens on believers. See Pain and Suffering page
14) Modalism (Trinity Denial) - Jesus only: A common heresy in some Pentecostal circles that denies the co-equal existence of the Trinity, teaching that God merely changes "modes" or roles. There are still three persons, but they are modes of God. Also called the Jesus only movement and Oneness Pentecostalism, is a non-Trinitarian, early 20th-century Christian movement that believes God is one singular person—Jesus—rather than three distinct persons. Emerging around 1913, it teaches that God manifests in different modes (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) but is not a Trinity, and insists on baptism in Jesus' name only. See the Trinity page.
15) King James Bible Only Christians. Some fundamentalist Protestant belief that the 1611 King James Bible is the only accurate, divinely inspired, and preserved English Bible. Adherents, often viewing modern translations as corrupt or inferior, believe it is the sole, infallible word of God for English speakers. We do not speak William Shakespeare English anymore, so this translation, while not bad, is not useful now. See the Translation page
16) Many New Age teaching have found their way into some Christian Churches. Sample: "you are little gods"; Eastern meditative techniques; focusing on esoteric spiritual experiences, rather than Christ-centered, scripture-based teaching. Some even teach New Age Reincarnation. See New Age page and New Age 2 page. Also, the Reincarnation page.
17) Woke Churches. Some Church rather teach the Bible, focus mostly on postmodernism. They focused on heightened (real or imaginary) awareness of systemic injustices, particularly regarding race, gender, and sexual orientation. It argues that society is structurally oppressive and seeks to replace traditional norms with equity-focused reforms. Proponents view it as the pursuit of social justice. The goal is to achieve equality of outcome rather than just equality of opportunity (lowering of stanard for equality). Heavy into identity politics (labeling people and calling them negative names) and cancel culture (public shaming (banning) and mass, collective boycotting). Sexualization of children is the gender cause. Some may cross to cult status, as only societal justice is taught, and they no longer teach or believe in the God of the Bible and Lord Jesus Christ found in the Bible. The church must maintain balance; its mission is to worship God and to teach the Good News of Christ. 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,"
18) While online church is very good for those who are not able to travel to a Biblical Church nearby, or those looking for a new church home. But, Hebrews 10:24-25 is clear:
"nd let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
19) Isolationism is the trait of a group that attempts to control its members. Any group that dissuades its members from association with other Christians is very close to a cult. Likewise, Christians should be free to change churches without fear of shunning or other price to be paid. Emotional and psychological manipulation is not how one grows in grace and love. See What is a Cult page.
20) Salvation Baptism - Baptismal Regeneration. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change, becoming a beliver in Jesus Christ. Some error is claiming that it washes away sin and is a requirement for salvation. (baptismal regeneration) Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12, Acts 2:41. 1 Peter 3:21. Another issue, while baby Baptism is not found anywhere in the Bible, most baby baptism services are more like baby dedication services, which are found in the Bible. Luke 2:21-40 records Jesus' dedication. As such, baby Baptism is a very mild aberrant teaching; a baby dedication service is more Biblical. See God of the Bible page
21) Holy Spirit in parts. When someone becomes a beliver, they are given the Holy Spirit, not in part, but in whole. Some read about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in the Bible and teach that this still needs to be done today. But the text is clear; this was for those who had received John the Baptist's teaching about Jesus, but had not received the message of Jesus' death and resurrection. No one today is in this place, so this Baptism of the Holy Spirit, sometimes called the second salvation, is needed. I should never be linked with the gift of tongues, which not all have. Speaking in other languages was never taught by the apostles as a definitive work of salvation or as an exclusive sign that a person had the Holy Spirit. The only church where tongues had to be addressed was the one with controversy and bad doctrine on this topic. Also, the Holy Spirit and see the Gifts page.
22) Annihilationism is the belief that the wicked are not punished in hell but are instead destroyed or annihilated, which is deemed non-Biblical and has not been traditionally accepted. Just as the New Creation can not be fully understood in this lifetime, hell cannot be fully understood in this lifetime. But the Bible is clear that humans are spirit beings and, as such, are eternal. Those who do not want anything to do with Jesus in this life will not want to spend an eternal life with Him. God is good and loving, so Hell will be an expression of His love and Grace. Hell will have the correct restraint for the level of wrongs the person has committed. No one in Hell will be wishin' or askin' to go to Heaven. God's creation (all of nature) declares God's Divine Nature, so all know and are without excuse. Romans 1:19-20 "Since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." Also: Ecclesiastes 3:11 "He has also set eternity in the human heart. See New Creation and Never Heard page
23) Transubstantiation, Does the Eucharist Become the "Real Presence" - the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ? The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the Eucharist, which is the unleavened bread of Communion or the "Lord's Supper," becomes the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ. This doctrine has been called "transubstantiation." Those participating in the ordinance of Communion believe that they are actually eating the body and blood of Christ as "He directed" in John 6. But did Jesus really intend His statements to be taken literally or was this "eating" really a metaphor to be taken as a spiritual symbolism? When Jesus instituted the Church ordinance of the Lord's Supper or Communion at His "Last Supper," He made some statements that the Roman Catholic Church has taken to be a literal saying. And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. (Luke 22:19-20). This saying, or something similar to it, is given in three of the four gospels and in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians.2 In all accounts, Jesus is quoted as saying, "this is My body" referring to the unleavened bread and "this is My blood of the covenant" referring to the cup. However, it is obvious that from the situation that these words were not meant to be taken literally. How could Jesus, still present in His own body, say that bread and wine were His body and blood? Jesus told them to commemorate His sacrifice and New Covenant by using the bread and wine as symbols of His body and blood. Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35). Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6). I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." (John 6:51). Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" (John 6:52). Jesus ends the discourse by telling them that He was talking about spiritual truths: The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. (John 6:63). We do I want to minimize the significance of communion. Communion is a special time in which we celebrate the sacrifice Jesus gave so that we come into the presence of God as a holy people, cleansed by the blood of the New Covenant.
24) Subordinationism: Demotes Jesus to a lower status than God the Father to maintain a form of unitarianism, rather than holding the Trinity. See the Who is Jesus and the Trinity page.
25) False Prophecy/Modern Revelations: Claims of new revelations that override or add to biblical scripture. Frequently prophesy for personal gain or popularity rather than to honor God. Eschatology, or the Doctrine of Last Things, is overemphasized. False Prophecy Mat 24:11 , 2 Peter 2:1 , 1 John 4:1
26) Arianism: Is a doctrine that rejects the traditional notion of the Trinity, teaching that Jesus was created by God and is therefore distinct from God. This is a form of polytheism. See Who is Jesus and the Trinity page.
27) License to Sin: This is found in the early church and up to this day. Since God loves to forgive, why not sin? This was the foundation of "Mardi Gras". It is French for "Fat Tuesday," referring to the practice of consuming rich, fatty foods before the Lenten season of fasting. It has grown to include all kinds of sins before Lent. Romans 6:1-2 tells us:
"What shall we say [to all this]? Should we continue in sin and practice sin as a habit so that [God’s gift of] grace may increase and overflow? Certainly not! How can we, the very ones who died to sin, continue to live in it any longer?"
28) Strong Calvinism teaches that since God is in 100% control, the Church and believers do not need to do any missionary work. See Free will vs Predestination page
29) The Sinlessness of Mary, the doctrine in which Mary, Mother of Jesus, is sinless. This is upheld by the Catholic Church, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Eastern Orthodox Churches, and high church Lutherans. The problem is that Mary said that she needed a Savior. Mary's Song Luke 1:46-55 starts with Mary saying, "And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior." While Mary should be held up as an example of godly character, she was not sinless and thanked God for saving her.
30) Everything is a Demon: an extreme interpretation of spiritual warfare, where all negative behaviors, misfortunes, or challenges are attributed to direct demonic activity. While Christians should believe in demonic influence through temptation or deception. Mainstream theology often cautions against excessive demonology, balancing it with human accountability. Not all mental health issues are due to Demons. Not all fears are due to Demons.... We are to live in the light of God's Love See Cult - Occult page
30) Catholic sacraments (rites); The Catholic Church teaches salvation by grace and faith only in the Lord Jesus Christ; this is what the Bible teaches. But the Catholic Church also teaches that sacraments (rites) are the normative, divinely instituted means of grace and are necessary for salvation for believers. Baptism is essential for regeneration, while others, like the Eucharist, are necessary for sustaining spiritual life, though God can grant salvation outside these sacraments in exceptional circumstances. We have found both Catholics who have only their faith in the grace of Christ and know others who put their faith in works or rites that will get them into Heaven. We also know Catholics who think that with our Catholic rites, there is no Eternal Security. (Catholic rites Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), Healing (Penance, Anointing of the Sick), and Service (Holy Orders, Matrimony) (Last Rites). Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."
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Looking for healing and meaning in life, other than in the Lord Jesus Christ, can take one down a spiritual dark path, with traps, woes, and spiritual dangers.
Sadly, a number of cult and occult practices have entered into Churches (things the Bible tells believers in Christ to avoid):
1) New Age activities, including: Eastern meditation (transcendental), healing crystals, astrology, yoga (more than stretching), energy healing (like Reiki), chakra balancing, and tarot cards. sage burning (new age aromatherapy), astral projection," oneness" with all, Spirit guides, channeling, use of the third "eye", teaching you are a "god", and Reincarnation.
2) Other Cult and Occult activities: Communicating with the dead, Wicca cafts, Manifestation practices involve focusing thoughts, emotions, and beliefs to bring specific desires into reality. autowriting, geomancy, and bibliomancy, invocations (calling deities), evocations (summoning spirits), banishing, Hermeticism, and Alchemy.
Many studies have been done that demonstrate that cult and occult activities are almost always negative for the individual. They can have nightmares, become trapped, lose touch with reality (making it hard for them to function in society)
See the Cult page , New Age page and What a cult is.
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Why this page: As Christians, we are responsible, therefore, to make sure that the precious doctrines that God has given us remain sound (1 Tim. 4:16, 2 Tim. 4:2-5).
What is then a Heresy?
The word “heresy” overturns the basic elements that make up the historic Christian faith, substituting in their place doctrines that distort or contradict the teachings found in the Bible. Departing from core Bible teachings.
Examples of heresies include the Mormon doctrine that there are many gods, and that you may become a god. Also, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, who deny the Trinity, and teach that Jesus is just a created angel. These two also have all the marks of a cult. See What is a Cult and Cult page
Please: Avoid debating the denominational differences within Christendom when non-Christians are present and watching.
Instead, consider finding a more private venue for such important interactions. Or, if you need to debate differences, then intentionally start with sharing the common ground that all theologically conservative Christians affirm, such as that found in the ecumenical creeds of historic Christianity.
Why do I raise this issue? Consider C.S. Lewis’s comment:
“I think we must admit that the discussion of these disputed points has no tendency at all to bring an outsider into the Christian fold. So long as we write and talk about them we are much more likely to deter him from entering any Christian communion than to draw him into our own. Our divisions should never be discussed except in the presence of those who have already come to believe that there is one God and that Jesus Christ is His only Son.”
Ref:
For a detailed discussion of historic Christianity’s agreements and disagreements, see Kenneth Richard Samples, Christianity Cross-Examined (Covina, CA: RTB Press, 2021), chapter 10.
https://reasons.org/explore/blogs/reflections/promoting-unity-while-discussing-doctrinal-differences
The Kingdom of the Cults Paperback – October 1, 2003 by Walter Ralston Martin
https://annointing.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/kingdom-of-the-cults.pdf
https://www.equip.org/perspectives/heresies-and-aberrations-what-is-the-difference/