GUEST: MEGAN BASHAM, author, Shepherds for Sale
Jesus warned, “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:15-16).
False teachers don’t wear red suits and carry pitchforks. That would be too obvious. Far more effective for undermining the church, diverting believers, and hiding the gospel from unbelievers is for false teachers to hold respected positions at churches and Christian organizations and to be captivating speakers and writers.
What’s really effective is when they gain popularity while appearing to hold orthodox positions only to shift over time away from orthodoxy, leading their followers away.
False teachers are nothing new. The Old Testament recounts the false prophets who led Israel into compromise and sin. The New Testament describes the constant battles of Christ and the apostles to “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.” (2 Tim. 1:13).
From the very beginning, Satan relentlessly attacks the truth of God’s Word and he uses men and women to do it. Men and women who likely would never consider themselves to be false teachers but are nonetheless. “You will know them by their fruits”, meaning misinterpreting Scripture and practicing sin.
Our guest this weekend is Christian reporter, Megan Basham. She is the author of a well-researched, well-documented, and illuminating new book, Shepherds for Sale—How Evangelical Leaders Traded the Truth for a Leftist Agenda.
She describes how those on the political left are insidiously working to draw Evangelicals, the last remaining bulwark standing in the way of their socialist, Marxist vision, over to the Democrat side by giving large sums of money and reframing issues like climate change, race, immigration, pro-life, and homosexuality in language that appeals to Christians.
None other than John MacArthur has written about Megan’s book, Shepherds for Sale: “This may just be the single most important book on modern evangelicalism in recent years.”
The question is: Will Evangelicals listen and make amends? Because the courage and Biblical model to exercise discernment, contend for sound doctrine, and name the names of those leading Christians astray has been sinfully lacking and shamed out of Christians to avoid being pegged as “divisive” and “unkind”.
We have the book in our online store and we highly encourage you to get informed and give a copy to your own shepherd pastor.