Evaluating Preachers and Teachers for Biblical Accuracy

The task of evaluating preachers and teachers for biblical accuracy is rooted in biblical injunctions to discern true from false teachers. The Bible warns against false prophets and teachers who can lead people astray ^[4]. In Malachi 2:7, priests are described as "messengers of the Lord," emphasizing their role in interpreting God's will accurately ^[8].

Biblical Foundations

The biblical basis for evaluating preachers and teachers lies in passages that describe the characteristics of true and false teachers. According to 2 Peter 2, false teachers introduce "damnable heresies" and deny the Lord who bought them, leading many astray ^[11]. In contrast, true teachers are expected to adhere to the doctrine of Christ and promote sound teaching. The apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy 2:7, describes himself as "a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity," highlighting the importance of accurate teaching ^{[2, 3]}.

The Preacher in Ecclesiastes sought "to find out acceptable words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth" (Ecclesiastes 12:10) ^[1]. This pursuit of truthful and blameless speech is a guiding principle for evaluating the accuracy of preachers and teachers.

Characteristics of True Teachers

True teachers are characterized by their adherence to the word of God and their commitment to sound doctrine. According to Titus (Nonconformist/Puritan) commentary, ministers must "keep close to the word of God" in their preaching ^[7]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on Malachi 2:7 notes that priests, as messengers of the Lord, should have knowledge of the law and its true sense ^[8].

The biblical qualifications for ministers and teachers include being examples to their flocks (1 Peter 5:3; Philippians 3:17) and promoting the truth without being led astray by false teachings ^[6]. Diligence is also a key characteristic, as ministers are expected to strive after perfection and cultivate Christian graces (2 Peter 1:5; Hebrews 6:10-12) ^[5].

Evaluating Preachers and Teachers

To evaluate preachers and teachers for biblical accuracy, one must examine their teachings against the standard of Scripture. The Bible warns against false teachers who "speak perverse things" and "deceive many" ^[4]. According to Matthew 7:20, true teachers can be identified "by their fruits," emphasizing the importance of observing the outcomes of their teachings.

one commentary tradition on Matthew 7:20 notes that the point is not just the end result of false teachings but also the means of detecting them, which is through their fruits ^[10]. This suggests that evaluating preachers and teachers involves assessing both their doctrine and the practical outcomes of their ministry.

Tradition and Interpretation

Different Christian traditions have emphasized various aspects of evaluating preachers and teachers. The Reformed tradition, for example, stresses the importance of adhering to the doctrine of Scripture and the role of the Holy Spirit in illuminating the truth ^[11]. The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition highlights the need for spiritual improvement and the qualifications of ministers, such as being able to teach and having a good reputation (1 Timothy 3:1-7) ^[9].

Sources

Ecclesiastes “The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth. -- Ecclesiastes 12:10”
I Timothy “I Timothy 2:7 (Webster) — For which I am ordained a preacher and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, [and] lie not) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”
King James Version “[KJV] 1 Timothy 2:7 — Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Doctrines, False — Destructive to faith -- 2Ti 2:18. Hateful to God -- Re 2:14,15. Unprofitable and vain -- Tit 3:9; Heb 13:9. Should be avoided by Ministers. -- 1Ti 1:4; 6:20. Saints. -- Eph 4:14; Col 2:8. All men. -- Jer 23:16; 29:8. The wicked love -- 2Ti 4:3,4. The wicked given up to believe -- 2Th 2:11. Teachers of Not to be countenanced. -- 2Jo 1:10. Should be avoided. -- Ro 16:17,18. Bring reproach on religion. -- 2Pe 2:2. Speak perverse things. -- Ac 20:30. Attract many. -- 2Pe 2:2. Deceive many. -- Mt 24:5. Shall abound in the latter days. -- 1Ti 4:1. Perver”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Example — Of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15); of pastors to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); of the Jews as a warning (Heb. 4:11); of the prophets as suffering affliction (James 5:10).”
Titus (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Titus 2:15: The apostle closes the chapter (as he began it) with a summary direction to Titus upon the whole, in which we have the matter and manner of ministers' teaching, and a special instruction to Titus in reference to himself. I. The matter of ministers' teaching: These thing, namely, those before mentioned: not Jewish fables and traditions, but the truths and duties of the gospel, of avoiding sin, and living soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Observe, Ministers in their preaching must keep close to the word of God. If any man speak, let him speak as”
Malachi (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Malachi 2:7: In doing so (Mal 2:6) he did his duty as a priest, "for," &c. knowledge--of the law, its doctrines, and positive and negative precepts (Lev 10:10-11; Deu 24:8; Jer 18:18; Hag 2:11). the law--that is, its true sense. messenger of . . . Lord--the interpreter of His will; compare as to the prophets, Hag 1:13. So ministers are called "ambassadors of Christ" (Co2 5:20); and the bishops of the seven churches in Revelation, "angels" or messengers (Rev 2:1, Rev 2:8, Rev 2:12, Rev 2:18; Rev 3:1, Rev 3:7, Rev 3:14; compare Gal 4:14).”
Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 5 (introduction): The nature of the high priesthood of Christ; his pre-eminence, qualifications, and order, Heb 5:1-10. Imperfect state of the believing Hebrews, and the necessity of spiritual improvement, Heb 5:11-14.”
Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 7:20: Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them--that is, But the point I now press is not so much the end of such, as the means of detecting them; and this, as already said, is their fruits. The hypocrisy of teachers now leads to a solemn warning against religious hypocrisy in general.”
2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 2 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO 2 PETER 2 This chapter contains a description of false teachers, that were then in Christian churches, as there had been false prophets among the Jews; and they are described by the doctrines, which they privily introduced; in general, damnable heresies; in particular, denying the Lord that bought them; and by their success, having many followers of them in their pernicious ways; and by the sad effects following hereupon; with respect to the way of truth, that was blasphemed; with respect to their hearers, they, through the covetousness ”

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