In this 2014 article by Tylor Standley in Relevant Magazine points out the errant beliefs of some well know pastors & theologians.
It seems we have very few that measure up.
I can't think of one theologian who has not been criticized for something.
There is a delusion among Christians today that they can read the bible and interpret it. God gave us pastors for a reason.
There are indeed many heretics and false prophets and teachers at work today and we must be discerning and sober minded through the Person of the Holy Spirit and Christ Jesus, we cannot do it on our own.
Just as we criticize pastors and others we also have a log in our eye. We need to remember this and be humble! - Andy
6 Heretics Who Should Be Banned From Evangelicalism
hat does it mean to be “evangelical”?
What must you believe?
What must you reject?
Can you be an evangelical Christian and believe…
…in evolution?
…that Hell is only temporary?
…that people from other religions can be saved without even knowing it?
…that the atonement is not about God’s wrath being poured out on Jesus in our place?
…that Scripture is errant?
Many evangelicals would say “no” to most—maybe even all—of these. That’s why, in an attempt to protect the name of evangelicalism, some prominent leaders within evangelicalism have made it their responsibility to publicly denounce those with whom they disagree on issues like these.
To be clear, there is no problem with publicly denouncing ideologies (that is, after all, what this article is doing right now). It is, at times, necessary to publicly call out false teachers. However, one must fully consider whether they promote a different gospel before coming forward with such a bold claim.
But we’re not talking about denouncing ideas or exposing real false teachers. We’re talking about needless schisms and inconsistent, prideful exclusivism.
Self-appointed gatekeepers of evangelicalism tear apart what could be a noble, diverse movement of the Spirit. These gatekeepers take it upon themselves to pronounce who is “in” and who is “out” of orthodox Christianity.
By the standards of these gatekeepers, the definition of “evangelical” is becoming increasingly narrow, so much so that very few fit inside the definition.
So, if we are going to be consistent, it’s time to weed out all of the heretics—especially those who have the most influence—not just Rob Bell, Rachel Held Evans or other Christian thinkers who have said something controversial recently.
Let’s start with these six:
1. C.S. LEWIS: GUILTY OF INCLUSIVISM AND REJECTING THE PENAL SUBSTITUTIONARY ATONEMENT THEORY
Perhaps the most celebrated Christian writer of the last century, C.S. Lewis is respected by most Christians, no matter what theological corner they occupy. And that’s what confuses me. Lewis was no evangelical by the standards of modern evangelical spokespersons. Lewis’ seven-volume, fictional masterpiece, The Chronicles of Narnia, reveals his belief that it is possible for people in other religions to inherit the Kingdom of God without knowing it.
Lewis also rejects the Penal Substitutionary theory of the atonement, which states that Christ “diverted” God’s wrath toward us and took it upon Himself. Instead, in part three of Chronicles, Lewis describes what is called the “Christus Victor” view of the atonement, which holds that the Cross is not an image of God’s wrath against us, diverted to His son, but it was the defeat of evil through an act of selfless love. (Here is a video of Greg Boyd giving a good description of that view using Lewis’ imagery.)
2. MARTIN LUTHER: GUILTY OF REJECTING BIBLICAL INERRANCY
Where would evangelicalism be without Martin Luther? He is the father of the Reformation and the champion of Sola Scripture.
But to the dismay of every evangelical Calvinist, I fear I must be the bearer of bad news that Martin Luther apparently didn’t believe the Bible is fully inspired, true or trustworthy.
Speaking of inaccuracies in the books of Chronicles, he states, “When one often reads that great numbers of people were slain—for example, eighty thousand—I believe that hardly one thousand were actually killed.”..from the article: 6 Heretics Who Should Be Banned From Evangelicalism BY TYLOR STANDLEY
The Perfect Pastor
"..The book Dangerous Calling by Paul Tripp has been an incredibly helpful resource in navigating the humanity of pastors. Tripp asks the following questions:
Why would we be surprised that pastors struggle with sin?
Why would we think that pastors do not need to be lovingly confronted and rebuked?
Why would it surprise us to know that pastors too fall into identity amnesia and begin to seek horizontally what they have already been given in Christ?
Why would we conclude that pastors are protected from self-righteousness and defensiveness just because they are in full-time ministry?.." from the article: Only One Perfect Pastor