Are You Watching For Wolves or Are You Watching Wolves?

“Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble

Is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.”

Proverbs 25:19

From time to time I receive a call from various denominational groups that want the congregation I serve with to purchase something from them. I have received calls about camp rentals, books, and most recently a call from an organization called RightNow Media. Sadly, this was not my first encounter with this group. I was familiar with this group because I have seen a link to this organization on the websites of several congregations across the nation. So why is this a problem? Please consider the evidence.

What is Right Now Media

RightNow Media, according to their website, is, “A streaming library of more than 20,000 Bible study videos for leaders to share with their people.” Seems innocent enough. In fact, we in the 21st century have seen that streaming videos have been very successful as a means of communicating the truth of the Gospel. However, RightNow Media does not do that. 

With only a cursory search of the website, you will see that there is a stark difference between New Testament teaching and the beliefs of the statement. Under the “what we believe” statement and the subject of sin, the website states, “All humanity, Christ excluded, is sinful by both birth and action.”  This is the heresy of Augustine and Jean Calvin who taught total hereditary depravity. How many elders of congregations would tolerate a preacher that got up and preached this doctrine?

 If you paid attention to the teachers who are advertised on this website, you would see men such as: Tony Evans, Jr., the founder and senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, Francis Chan, the former teaching pastor of Cornerstone Community Church, an Evangelical church in Simi Valley, California which he founded in 1994, and Matt Chandler, pastor of First Baptist Church of Highland Village, now known as The Village Church.  How many elders would align themselves with men who have founded their own churches or who are part of a Baptist church?

What Are Elders of Congregations Doing With This?

One congregational website (Downtown Church of Christ, Searcy, AR) has this message regarding Right Now Media. 

”We have a FREE gift for you, thanks to an anonymous donor at our church! We’ve partnered with RightNow Media, an online "Netflix-style" media library with several thousand Christian Bible study, training and leadership videos from respected teachers and leaders. This resource aligns with our values at Downtown.  We desire to see every member connect, GROW, serve, give and go. RightNow Media allows you to grow in your relationship with Christ, and others, from the comfort of your home, in a small group, or just about anywhere.”  (https://downtownchurch.org/resources/rightnow-media)

The Park Church of Christ, Tulsa, OK has this message, 

“We’re excited to give you free access to Right Now Media, a wonderful library of video resources for all ages. Streaming directly to your computer, tablet, or mobile device, you’ll find the online Bible Study Library includes relevant content for every age group or spiritual season. You can search by category, topic, or speaker. Additionally, many of the series have direct links to workbooks and leader guides. Parents, you’ll find that Right Now Media has a multitude of videos and resources for your kids. Utilize the link to start using this resource today.” (https://theparkchurchtulsa.org/online-resources

What sound eldership would point their flocks, especially children, to the false teachers that are promoted on this service?

The Reality

When you read this, I hope certainly you find these statements troubling. How are men who teach error considered respected teachers and leaders? Paul wrote,  “But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema.  As we have said before, so say I now again, If any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received, let him be anathema” (Gal 1:8-9). 

How can we affirm and promote teaching that is contrary to the Biblical pattern? Paul wrote,  “Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor 1:10). How can we all speak the same thing if we all speak different things on worship, leadership, and, most importantly, salvation?

The Task

The Holy Spirit saw fit to give elders instruction on what their duty is to the congregation they oversee: “(the elders must be committed to) holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers.  For there are many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, especially they whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake” Titus 1:9-11. It is regretful to acknowledge that these shepherds and others in the brotherhood have failed to stop the mouths of the errorist, and have instead amplified their teaching. They have even instructed the souls which they are charged by the Holy Spirit to watch out for to go and be taught of respected teachers and leaders. 

The Need

First, we need elders who will fulfill their sacred duty. Elders must feed the flock (1 Peter 5:2). They must be apt to teach, Elders must teach. Unfortunately, we can find ourselves in situations in which we farm out everything to outside entities. If there is a need to help supplement our Bible study, there is certainly an appropriate way to do so. We have good and sound materials that are available and many that are free. The Gospel Broadcasting Network (www.gbntv.org). World Video Bible School www.wvbs.org. Apologetics Press (www.apologeticspress.org), and this website. There are countless options where you can supplement your Bible study with material that is from sound sources. 

The Implications

There is one church (Matt 16:18) which is His One Bride. Christ is not a polygamist! Why would the shepherds of any congregation want to drive the precious bride of our Lord into the hands of a man who would leave her violated and lead her to spiritual death? Good intentions do not justify the fellowship of errorists, and it is a sin by which good brethren will be judged. 

The Solution 

So what is the appropriate response to RightNow Media? Reject the request for you to fund and support their erroneous teaching. I actually emailed the man who solicited me and shared the video produced by WVBS on the website, www.whysomanychurches.com. He watched it and we discussed the one church on the phone. The salesmen did not convert, but he took the time to watch at least part of the video, and I pray that the seed was planted that one day he might turn to the Lord.

  If you are in a congregation where this is available to you, have a conversation with your elders. It is possible that some well-meaning person said we should get this and the elders did not do the proper research (love believeth all things, hopeth all things cf. 1 Cor 13:7). In a best-case scenario, they will correct this error. Pray for the Lord’s people around this globe. Pray for their elders. Always be vigilant and prove each spirit to see if they are from God (1 John 4:1).

Grace and Peace,

R.D. Beavers