Chapter 18: Protecting Your Church from Theological Error

Every church faces a constant battle against false teaching. From the earliest days of Christianity, when the apostle Paul warned about “wolves in sheep’s clothing,” to our present day when error spreads through social media at lightning speed, protecting God’s people from theological deception remains one of the most important responsibilities of church leadership. The story of Finis Jennings Dake and his widespread influence serves as a powerful case study in how easily error can infiltrate even Bible-believing churches. This chapter provides practical, biblical strategies for protecting your congregation from theological error while building a strong foundation of biblical truth.

Dake, Finis Jennings. Dake Annotated Reference Bible. Lawrenceville, GA: Dake Bible Sales, 1963.

The danger is real and present. As Dake himself wrote in his Bible notes, “The greatest need of the church today is to get back to the literal interpretation of Scripture” (Note on 2 Timothy 3:16). Yet ironically, Dake’s own “literal” interpretation led him into some of the worst heresies in church history. This shows us that protecting our churches requires more than just good intentions or claims of biblical faithfulness. It requires wisdom, discernment, accountability, and most importantly, a proper understanding of how to interpret and apply God’s Word.

Understanding the Early Warning Signs

When New Teachings Raise Red Flags

Churches often fall into error gradually, not suddenly. Like the proverbial frog in slowly heating water, congregations can accept increasingly problematic teachings without realizing the danger until it’s too late. Recognizing early warning signs can prevent major theological disasters.

The first warning sign is when a teacher claims to have special revelation or unique insights that no one else has discovered in two thousand years of church history. Dake exemplified this problem when he wrote, “No one has ever seen this truth before” about various passages. For example, in his notes on Genesis 1:1, Dake claimed to have discovered a pre-Adamite world that “no scholar has properly understood until now.” This kind of claim should immediately raise suspicions. If something is true, godly scholars throughout history would have seen it. If no one has seen it before, it’s probably not there.

Another warning sign appears when teachers redefine common theological terms without telling their audience. Dake was notorious for this deceptive practice. When he used the word “Trinity,” most readers assumed he meant what Christians have always meant—one God in three persons. But Dake had secretly redefined it to mean three separate Gods who work together. He wrote, “The word ONE is used in Scripture in the sense of UNITY, and not in the sense of numerical digit ONE” (Note on Deuteronomy 6:4). By changing definitions without notice, false teachers can spread error while appearing orthodox.

A third warning sign emerges when teachers discourage questions or claim their interpretation is the only valid one. Dake often wrote things like, “This is the plain meaning that cannot be disputed by honest Bible students.” This kind of language attempts to shut down discussion and intimidate those who might disagree. Healthy churches encourage questions, welcome dialogue, and recognize that even good teachers can be wrong sometimes.

The Danger of Personality Cults

Many theological errors spread not because of their biblical merit but because of the charisma or perceived authority of their teachers. Dake built a following not through sound exegesis but through his claim to supernatural biblical knowledge and his comprehensive note system that seemed to answer every question.

Churches must guard against elevating any teacher to a place where their words carry the same weight as Scripture itself. When people say things like, “Well, Dake says…” or “According to MacArthur…” or “John Piper teaches…” as if these statements settle all debate, the church has a problem. Only Scripture itself carries ultimate authority. Every teacher, no matter how gifted or knowledgeable, must be tested against God’s Word.

Dake fostered this personality cult by constantly referring to his own supernatural experiences and special knowledge. He claimed to have memorized over 20,000 Bible verses and to have read through the Bible more than forty times. While Bible memorization and reading are commendable, using these accomplishments to establish unquestionable authority is manipulative. Knowledge of Bible verses doesn’t equal proper interpretation of those verses.

Recognizing Interpretive Arrogance

False teachers often display an arrogance about their interpretations that should serve as a warning. They act as if the Bible’s meaning is completely clear and anyone who disagrees is either dishonest or spiritually blind. Dake exemplified this when he wrote, “God meant what He said and said what He meant. To spiritualize or symbolize Scripture is to play with the Word of God” (Preface to Revelation Expounded).

This statement sounds pious, but it’s actually quite arrogant. It assumes that Dake’s interpretation is always what God meant, and anyone who sees symbolism or metaphor where Dake sees literalism is “playing with” Scripture. This kind of interpretive arrogance refuses to acknowledge that godly people can disagree about difficult passages, that some parts of Scripture are clearer than others, and that we all need humility when approaching God’s Word.

Creating a Culture of Biblical Literacy

The Foundation: Teaching How to Read the Bible

The best protection against false teaching is a congregation that knows how to read and interpret Scripture properly. Many churches assume their members know how to study the Bible, but this assumption leaves people vulnerable to teachers like Dake who seem to have all the answers but use flawed methods to reach them.

Churches must intentionally teach hermeneutics—the principles of biblical interpretation—in accessible ways. This doesn’t mean turning every church member into a seminary student, but it does mean helping them understand basic principles. For instance, teaching people to ask, “What kind of literature is this?” helps them recognize that Psalms (poetry) should be read differently than Romans (logical argument) or Revelation (apocalyptic symbolism).

Dake’s errors often stemmed from ignoring genre distinctions. He treated poetic descriptions of God in the Psalms as literal, scientific descriptions. When Psalm 91:4 speaks of God’s “feathers” and “wings,” Dake took this literally, arguing that God must have physical features like a bird. A congregation trained in recognizing poetic language would immediately see the problem with this interpretation.

Teaching Context, Context, Context

Real estate agents say the three most important factors are “location, location, location.” For Bible interpretation, it’s “context, context, context.” Many of Dake’s errors came from ripping verses out of context and building elaborate doctrines on isolated phrases.

Churches should regularly demonstrate how context changes meaning. For example, when Satan quotes Psalm 91:11-12 to Jesus during the temptation (Matthew 4:6), he takes it out of context to suggest Jesus should test God. The passage is about trusting God’s protection, not testing it. When church members see how even Satan can misuse Scripture by ignoring context, they become more careful about accepting interpretations that don’t consider the surrounding verses, the book’s purpose, and the historical situation.

Practical exercises help reinforce this principle. Have small groups look at commonly misused verses and discuss how context changes their meaning. Take Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Out of context, it sounds like a promise of unlimited ability. In context, Paul is talking about being content in any circumstance, whether plenty or want. The “all things” refers to handling different life situations, not accomplishing anything we desire.

Building Biblical Framework Knowledge

Christians with a strong framework of biblical theology are much harder to deceive. They understand how the Bible’s major themes fit together and can recognize when a teaching contradicts these fundamental truths. Churches should intentionally build this framework through systematic teaching.

Key doctrines that need regular reinforcement include:

The Nature of God: God is one being in three persons (Trinity), not three separate Gods as Dake taught. God is spirit, not physical. God is omnipresent (everywhere), omniscient (all-knowing), and omnipotent (all-powerful). When Dake claimed God has a physical body that can only be in one place at a time, anyone with a solid understanding of God’s nature should have recognized the error immediately.

The Person and Work of Christ: Jesus is fully God and fully man, not a created being or lesser deity. His death on the cross was sufficient for salvation—we don’t need to add our works or special knowledge. When false teachers diminish Christ’s deity or add requirements to salvation, a solid Christology provides protection.

The Authority of Scripture: The Bible is God’s inspired, infallible Word, but it must be interpreted carefully and in community. No single teacher has the final say on what Scripture means. When Dake claimed his interpretations were the only valid ones, this should have conflicted with a proper understanding of biblical authority.

The Unity of Believers: The church is one body with many members, united across racial, economic, and social lines. When Dake taught his “30 reasons for segregation of races,” claiming biblical support for racial separation, this directly contradicted the Bible’s teaching about the unity of all believers in Christ.

Regular Doctrinal Teaching Series

Churches often focus exclusively on practical, life-application sermons while neglecting doctrinal teaching. While practical application is important, congregations also need solid theological foundations. Consider implementing regular doctrinal teaching series that cover essential Christian beliefs.

These series don’t have to be dry or academic. Good teachers can make doctrine come alive by showing its relevance to daily life. For example, teaching about God’s omnipresence isn’t just theological theory—it means God is with us in our darkest moments, hears our quietest prayers, and sees our hidden struggles. This truth provides comfort and accountability that affects how we live every day.

When teaching doctrine, always connect it to Scripture. Don’t just state what Christians believe; show where these beliefs come from in the Bible. This models good practice and helps people see that orthodox doctrine isn’t human invention but biblical truth. It also prepares them to evaluate new teachings by asking, “Where is this in Scripture?”

The Importance of Theological Education

Investing in Leadership Training

One of the most effective ways to protect a church from theological error is to invest in training its leaders. This includes not just pastors but also elders, deacons, Sunday school teachers, small group leaders, and anyone else who teaches or influences others. When leadership is theologically equipped, they can recognize and address errors before they spread throughout the congregation.

Dake’s influence often spread through untrained or undertrained leaders who were impressed by his comprehensive notes but lacked the theological education to recognize his errors. A Sunday school teacher using the Dake Bible might innocently share his note that “God has hands, feet, nostrils, mouth, eyes, hair, head, face, fingers, etc.” (Note on Ezekiel 1:26-28) without realizing this contradicts the biblical teaching that God is spirit.

Churches should provide multiple levels of training. Basic training might include a new members’ class that covers essential Christian beliefs. Intermediate training could involve a more extensive discipleship program or theological education courses. Advanced training might include support for leaders pursuing formal theological education or bringing in qualified teachers for intensive training sessions.

Partnering with Sound Educational Institutions

Churches don’t have to provide all theological education internally. Partnering with sound Bible colleges, seminaries, and training programs can provide resources and expertise beyond what a single church can offer. However, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate these institutions to ensure they hold to orthodox Christian doctrine.

Be aware that some institutions that appear sound may actually promote problematic teachings. Some Bible colleges, particularly in the Pentecostal and Charismatic traditions, have used Dake materials as textbooks without recognizing their heretical nature. Before recommending or partnering with any institution, investigate what they teach about core doctrines like the Trinity, the nature of God, salvation by grace, and the authority of Scripture.

Questions to ask when evaluating educational partners:

• What is their statement of faith, and do they require faculty to affirm it?
• What textbooks and reference materials do they use?
• How do they handle controversial theological issues?
• What is the theological background and training of their faculty?
• How do their graduates demonstrate theological soundness?
• Are they accredited by recognized theological accreditation bodies?

Creating Internal Education Programs

While partnering with external institutions is valuable, churches should also develop internal education programs tailored to their specific needs and context. These programs can address particular challenges or errors common in your community while reinforcing your church’s doctrinal distinctives.

A church that has been influenced by Dake’s teachings might need special courses addressing his specific errors. For example, a course on “Understanding the Trinity” could directly address Dake’s tritheistic teachings, showing from Scripture why Christians believe in one God in three persons, not three separate Gods. Another course on “Interpreting Biblical Language” could help people understand anthropomorphisms and why saying God has “hands” or “eyes” doesn’t mean He has a physical body.

Make these programs accessible to all members, not just leaders. Use varied teaching methods to accommodate different learning styles—lectures, discussions, videos, reading assignments, and practical exercises. Consider offering courses at different times to accommodate various schedules, and possibly provide online options for those who can’t attend in person.

The Value of Historical Theology

One of the best protections against novel errors is knowledge of what Christians have believed throughout history. When someone like Dake claims to have discovered new truths that no one has seen before, historical theology provides perspective. The major doctrines of Christianity were hammered out through centuries of careful study, debate, and council decisions. New interpretations that contradict these historic positions should be viewed with extreme skepticism.

Churches should teach at least basic church history and the development of Christian doctrine. This doesn’t mean boring people with endless dates and names, but helping them understand how and why certain beliefs became established as orthodox while others were rejected as heretical. For instance, understanding the Council of Nicaea (AD 325) and why it affirmed that Jesus is “of the same substance” as the Father helps modern Christians recognize why Dake’s teaching about three separate Gods is heretical.

Dake showed contempt for historical theology, writing, “Creeds and church tradition have no authority over Scripture.” While Scripture is indeed our ultimate authority, this statement ignores the value of learning from two thousand years of Christian scholarship and wisdom. The creeds don’t replace Scripture; they summarize what Christians have understood Scripture to teach about essential doctrines.

Using Creeds and Confessions Wisely

The Purpose and Value of Creeds

Many evangelical and Pentecostal churches have traditionally been suspicious of creeds, preferring to say, “No creed but the Bible.” This sounds spiritual, but it leaves churches vulnerable to those who misinterpret the Bible. Creeds and confessions serve as guardrails, marking the boundaries of orthodox Christian faith and helping identify when someone has driven off the theological road.

The ancient creeds—particularly the Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed—summarize essential Christian beliefs about God, Christ, and salvation. These weren’t created arbitrarily but developed in response to specific heresies that threatened the church. They represent the collective wisdom of centuries of Christian thought and should be taken seriously.

Had churches using the Dake Bible regularly recited the Nicene Creed’s affirmation that Christ is “of one Being with the Father,” they might have recognized the problem with Dake’s teaching that the Father, Son, and Spirit are three separate beings. The creed’s declaration that we believe in “one God” directly contradicts Dake’s tritheism. Creeds don’t replace Scripture, but they help us read Scripture within the boundaries of orthodox faith.

Teaching and Using Creeds in Worship

Incorporating creeds into regular worship serves multiple purposes. It reinforces orthodox doctrine, provides corporate confession of faith, and connects modern believers with the historic church. When the entire congregation recites together what they believe, it creates unity and makes it harder for false teaching to take root.

However, creeds shouldn’t be recited mindlessly. Churches should regularly teach what the creeds mean and why each statement matters. For example, when the Apostles’ Creed says Jesus “descended into hell,” explain the different interpretations of this phrase and why it was included. When it affirms “the communion of saints,” explore what this means for our connection with believers throughout history and around the world.

Consider creating a teaching series that goes through a creed line by line, showing the biblical support for each statement and explaining why it matters for daily Christian life. This helps people see creeds not as dry theological statements but as vibrant confessions of life-changing truths.

Developing Church-Specific Statements

While ancient creeds cover essential doctrines, churches may also need statements addressing specific contemporary challenges. A church recovering from Dake’s influence might develop a clear statement about the nature of God that specifically rejects the errors his teaching promoted.

Such a statement might include affirmations like:

• We believe in one God who exists eternally in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who are distinct but not separate, three persons but one Being.
• We believe God is spirit and does not have a physical body with measurable parts.
• We believe God is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent, not limited by space, knowledge, or power.
• We believe all humans are created in God’s image and that Christ died to reconcile all peoples to God, rejecting any theological justification for racial discrimination.

These statements should be biblical, clear, and specific enough to exclude error while not being needlessly divisive on secondary issues. They should be taught regularly and required affirmation for anyone in teaching positions.

The Balance Between Creedalism and Christian Freedom

While creeds are valuable, churches must avoid rigid creedalism that stifles legitimate theological discussion or creates division over non-essential matters. The key is distinguishing between core doctrines that define Christian orthodoxy and secondary issues where believers can disagree in good faith.

Core doctrines include the Trinity, the full deity and humanity of Christ, salvation by grace through faith, the authority of Scripture, and the physical resurrection of Jesus. These are non-negotiable. Secondary issues might include specific views about the end times, modes of baptism, or styles of worship. Churches should be clear about which category various beliefs fall into.

Dake often confused this distinction, making his peculiar interpretations seem as important as core doctrines. He would write things like, “Anyone who denies this clear teaching is rejecting the plain Word of God” about relatively minor or debatable points. Churches should model a better approach—standing firm on essentials while allowing freedom on non-essentials, and in all things showing love.

Regular Doctrinal Teaching and Review

The Necessity of Repetition

One of the reasons false teaching takes root is that sound doctrine isn’t reinforced regularly. Churches might teach about the Trinity once and assume everyone understands and remembers. Meanwhile, false teachers like Dake repeat their errors constantly throughout their writings, gradually wearing down resistance through sheer repetition.

Dake’s Bible contains over 35,000 notes, many of which reinforce his core errors. Every time someone reads a passage, they encounter his interpretation. This constant repetition makes his views seem normal and biblical. Churches must counter this with equally consistent teaching of sound doctrine.

This doesn’t mean preaching the same sermons repeatedly, but finding creative ways to reinforce core truths. Every sermon, regardless of its specific topic, should be grounded in orthodox theology. When preaching about prayer, affirm God’s omnipresence and omniscience. When teaching about salvation, emphasize grace alone through faith alone. When discussing Christian unity, reject racial or ethnic division.

Systematic Doctrinal Preaching

While topical preaching has its place, churches also need systematic exposition that works through biblical books or theological topics comprehensively. This prevents cherry-picking verses that support predetermined conclusions—a practice Dake frequently employed.

When Dake wanted to prove God has a physical body, he collected every verse that mentions God’s “hand” or “eyes” while ignoring passages that clearly state “God is spirit” (John 4:24). Systematic teaching that works through entire biblical books forces teachers and congregations to deal with all of Scripture, not just favorite proof texts.

Consider alternating between different types of systematic teaching:

Book Studies: Work through entire books of the Bible, verse by verse. This shows how biblical authors develop arguments and themes, preventing the misuse of isolated verses.

Theological Series: Systematically cover major doctrines—theology proper (study of God), Christology (study of Christ), pneumatology (study of the Holy Spirit), soteriology (study of salvation), etc.

Biblical Themes: Trace major themes throughout Scripture—covenant, kingdom, redemption, etc. This shows the unity and progression of biblical revelation.

Character Studies: Examine biblical characters in depth, learning from their successes and failures while maintaining proper theological perspective.

Age-Appropriate Doctrinal Education

False teaching often targets those who are most vulnerable—new believers, youth, and those without strong biblical foundations. Churches must ensure doctrinal teaching reaches all age groups in appropriate ways.

Children’s Ministry: Even young children can learn basic theological truths. Use simple catechisms, songs, and stories to teach about God’s nature, Jesus’s identity, and salvation by grace. The children’s song “Jesus Loves Me” contains profound theology: “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” This simple song affirms Christ’s love, the authority of Scripture, and personal relationship with God.

When teaching children, be especially careful about materials used. Some children’s Bibles and curriculum have been influenced by problematic theology. A children’s book influenced by Dake might depict God as an old man with a white beard sitting on a physical throne, reinforcing the error that God has a body. Review all materials carefully.

Youth Ministry: Teenagers are capable of deeper theological thinking than often assumed. They’re asking big questions about life, meaning, and truth. This is the perfect time to ground them in solid doctrine before they encounter false teaching in college or online.

Address the specific challenges youth face. They’re bombarded with relativistic thinking that says all religions are equally valid. They encounter new age spirituality mixed with Christianity on social media. They may have friends from different religious backgrounds. Equip them to understand and articulate what Christians believe and why.

Adult Education: Adults need continuing theological education, not just practical life tips. Many adult Sunday school classes focus exclusively on marriage, parenting, or financial management while neglecting doctrine. While these practical topics are important, adults also need deep theological teaching that prepares them to recognize and refute error.

Creating Accountability Structures

Regular doctrinal teaching must be accompanied by accountability structures that ensure teaching remains sound. This protects both teachers and congregations from gradually drifting into error.

Teacher Training and Approval: Not everyone who wants to teach should be allowed to teach. James 3:1 warns, “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” Churches should have clear processes for training, evaluating, and approving teachers.

Require potential teachers to complete doctrinal training that covers essential Christian beliefs and your church’s specific positions. Have them sign a statement affirming these beliefs. Regularly observe their teaching to ensure they’re staying true to sound doctrine. Provide ongoing training and support.

Curriculum Review: Someone knowledgeable in theology should review all curriculum before it’s used. This includes Sunday school materials, small group studies, youth programs, and any other teaching resources. Watch for subtle errors, not just obvious ones.

Dake’s errors often appeared subtle at first glance. His note that the Trinity consists of “three separate persons” might seem acceptable until you realize he means “separate” in the sense of “completely independent beings” rather than “distinct persons in one being.” Careful review catches these subtle but significant errors.

Elder/Leadership Oversight: Church leaders should regularly review what’s being taught in all ministries. This doesn’t mean micromanaging every lesson, but ensuring overall teaching aligns with biblical truth. Elders should occasionally visit different classes and ministries, not to criticize but to support and ensure doctrinal soundness.

When to Be Flexible vs. When to Stand Firm

Distinguishing Primary from Secondary Issues

One of the most important skills in protecting a church from error while maintaining unity is knowing which issues are worth fighting for and which allow for disagreement. False teachers like Dake often make every interpretation a test of faithfulness, creating unnecessary division while simultaneously compromising on actual essentials.

Dake would write statements like, “Any honest Bible student must accept this interpretation” about debatable matters while fundamentally compromising the nature of God Himself. He strained at gnats while swallowing camels, to use Jesus’s metaphor. Churches need better discernment about what matters most.

Primary Doctrines (Stand Firm): These are the essential truths that define Christian faith. Compromise here means abandoning Christianity itself.

The Trinity is primary doctrine. Dake’s teaching that there are three separate Gods strikes at the heart of monotheistic faith. His notes state, “The word ‘one’ in reference to God means unity, not one in number” (Note on Deuteronomy 6:4). This isn’t a minor interpretive difference—it’s a fundamental denial of who God is. Churches must stand absolutely firm against such errors.

The full deity and humanity of Christ is primary. If Jesus isn’t fully God, He cannot save us. If He isn’t fully human, He cannot represent us. When Dake suggests limitations on Christ’s divine nature, treating Him as a separate and lesser being than the Father, this attacks the foundation of salvation.

Salvation by grace through faith alone is primary. When teachers add requirements to salvation—special knowledge, specific experiences, or human works—they pervert the gospel. Paul pronounced a curse on anyone who preaches a different gospel (Galatians 1:8-9). This isn’t harsh; it’s protecting the very means by which people are saved.

The authority and reliability of Scripture is primary. While Christians may disagree on interpretive methods for specific passages, we must agree that the Bible is God’s inspired, trustworthy Word. When Dake claimed his interpretations were the only valid ones, he actually undermined Scripture’s authority by making himself the ultimate arbiter of its meaning.

Secondary Doctrines (Allow Freedom with Boundaries): These are important beliefs where Christians can disagree while remaining within orthodox faith.

The specific timing and nature of Christ’s return is secondary. Christians can disagree about pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, or post-tribulation rapture while all affirming that Christ will return. Dake was extremely dogmatic about his particular end-times scheme, treating disagreement as heresy. This creates unnecessary division.

Modes of baptism are secondary. Churches can practice infant baptism or believer’s baptism, sprinkling or immersion, while all recognizing baptism as important. The meaning and significance of baptism matters more than the specific method.

Styles of worship are secondary. Some churches use traditional hymns with organs; others use contemporary music with full bands. Some are liturgical; others are spontaneous. As long as worship is directed to the true God in spirit and truth, styles can vary.

Certain manifestations of spiritual gifts are secondary. Christians can disagree about whether certain gifts continue today while all affirming the Holy Spirit’s active presence and work. Dake, coming from a Pentecostal background, often confused secondary issues about spiritual gifts with primary doctrine.

Responding to Challenges Appropriately

When theological challenges arise, church leaders must respond appropriately based on the nature and severity of the issue. Not every error requires the same response, and wisdom is needed to address problems without creating unnecessary conflict or division.

For Minor Misunderstandings: When someone makes a minor theological error out of ignorance or confusion, gentle correction in private is usually sufficient. If a Sunday school teacher misunderstands a complex theological point, a pastor might meet with them privately to provide clarification and resources for better understanding.

For example, if a teacher says, “The Trinity is like water—ice, liquid, and steam,” they’re using a common but flawed analogy that actually describes modalism (one God appearing in three modes) rather than the Trinity (one God existing as three persons simultaneously). This probably isn’t heresy, just poor understanding. Gentle education can correct this.

For Persistent Secondary Disagreements: When someone persistently teaches secondary doctrines in ways that create division, stronger action may be needed. They might need to be removed from teaching positions while remaining welcome as church members.

If someone insists on teaching that speaking in tongues is necessary for salvation (adding to the gospel) or that anyone who speaks in tongues is deceived (denying the Spirit’s work), they’re creating division over secondary issues. Such people shouldn’t be in teaching positions but can remain in fellowship if they don’t cause disruption.

For Primary Doctrinal Errors: When someone teaches heresy on primary doctrines, immediate and firm action is required. This protects the congregation from spiritual poison that could destroy faith.

If a teacher starts using the Dake Bible to teach that God has a physical body or that there are three Gods, this must be addressed immediately and publicly if it was taught publicly. The error must be corrected, the teacher must either repent or be removed, and the congregation must be warned about the false teaching.

Paul’s instruction to Titus is relevant: “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them” (Titus 3:10). This seems harsh, but spiritual poison requires strong medicine. The health of the entire body is more important than avoiding conflict.

Maintaining Love While Defending Truth

The challenge in all of this is maintaining love while defending truth. It’s easy to become either so focused on love that we tolerate serious

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