Discernment and Aberrant Teachings Archive

Are Jehovah’s Witnesses Christian?

This article first appeared in the Ask Hank column of the Christian Research Journal, volume 33, number 04 (2010). For further information or to subscribe to the Christian Research Journal go to: http://www.equip.org  “If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord [...]

The Teaching of Joel Osteen Pt. 2: Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, and the Bible

Hank continues his conversation with Debbie on Joel Osteen’s acceptance of Mitt Romney. The discussion focuses on the

The Teaching of Joel Osteen Pt. 1

Hank addresses some of the doctrinal errors of Joel Osteen’s teaching as well as his comments regarding Mitt Romney’s belief

Forerunner Eschatology

Synopsis As we enter the turbulent years of the twenty-first century, there seems to be a growing fixation throughout the church with numerous end-time preachers. Mike Bickle, the founder of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, is positioning himself to become an end-time specialist to thousands of Christian young adults worldwide. He preaches [...]

Is the “binding and loosing” of demons biblical?

One of the most common expressions in contemporary Christianity is “I bind you, Satan, in the name of Jesus.” Biblically however, the phrase “binding and loosing” has nothing whatsoever to do with demons. One of the most common expressions in contemporary Christianity is “I bind you, Satan, in the name of Jesus.” Biblically however, the [...]

Can Christians be demonized?

Over the years, I have read a wide variety of stories that claim to support the notion that Christians can be demonized. In the end, they all have one thing in common: they greatly overestimate the power and province of Satan. Some deliverance ministers make a more valiant attempt than others to provide a biblical [...]

Are there apostles and prophets today?

While it has become increasingly popular to believe in the restoration of “end-time” apostles and prophets, the Bible clearly does not support this notion. First, to address this question we must first learn to scale the language barrier. In other words, the issue is not so much the words “prophet” or “apostle” but the meaning [...]

Is being “slain in the spirit” consistent with a biblical worldview?

Today thousands of people are routinely being “slain in the spirit” in the name of a fashionable and palpable demonstration of Holy Ghost power. Practitioners claim ample validation for this phenomenon in Scripture, church history, and experience. However, the phenomenon not only is conspicuous by its absence in the ministry of Jesus and the apostles [...]

Is the gospel of peace a promise of ease and prosperity?

The priceless material with which God has fitted our feet for readiness in spiritual warfare is nothing less than the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15). However, the promise of peace is not grounds for an expectation of easy existence. First, when the Bible speaks of the gospel of peace, the emphasis is not prosperity but [...]

Should Christians judge the teachings of their leaders?

Not only is judging permissible, it is our responsibility. Nobody’s teachings are above sound judgment—especially those of influential leaders! Biblically, authority and accountability go hand in hand (cf. Luke 12:48). The greater the responsibility one holds, the greater the accountability (cf. James 3:1). First, the precedent for making right judgments comes from Scripture itself. In [...]