by Emmett Smith

Among this past week's news stories were a couple that illustrate the concept of wolves in sheep's clothing.

One dealt with a Danish Lutheran minister who was quoted as having said, "there is no heavenly God, there is no eternal life, there is no resurrection." The article dealt with the various responses to such a shocking statement from a purported man of God. Interestingly, there was a supportive statement from the leader of Denmark's Theological College of Education, who was quoted as saying the minister's remarks were "refreshing."

The other story was about the election of an openly homosexual Episcopal Bishop in New Hampshire.

Of course, such incidents as these are nothing new. The evil one has always sought to clothe himself in religious legitimacy. And Jesus himself warned us to beware of false prophets who would appear in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are hungry wolves (Matthew 7:15). Paul used similar language in Acts 20, where he told the elders of the church at Ephesus that grievous wolves would enter in among them. It's interesting that Paul predicted the apostasy would be spread from among the elders. And as we look at the many religious denominations in today's world that are obviously infiltrated by false teachers, many of whom are "theologians" in the institutions of higher learning, we would be well advised to take a look among ourselves.

As Peter said in 2 Peter 2:1, "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."

Who would have ever thought that a self professed Christian would deny the very existence of God? And yet Peter plainly stated that these false teachers would even deny the Lord that bought them! However, most false teachers won't go so far as to take such a public stance ... at least not until they think they've garnered adequate support.

No, the false doctrines will be subtle at first. Precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little, there a little, to paraphrase Isaiah.

That's why we always need to study. We need to emulate the Bereans, who readily listened to Paul's teaching, but then searched the scriptures daily to make sure he was telling it like it is. As Paul said to the Corinthians, "let him who thinks he is standing securely beware of falling" (1 Corinthians 10:12).

God's word is alive and powerful. A studying, literate body of Christians is unlikely to be misled.