The apostle Paul warned Timothy about the character of the Last Days. In 1 Timothy 4:3-4, Paul said, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” These false teachers come in all shapes and sizes as if they are custom-designed for each itching ear.
One tremendous problem with identifying these false teachers is when they can articulate Bible truth in some areas and take a hard left turn in other areas. For Bible-believing Baptists, this issue arises most when dealing with pastors and churches who claim the title of “Baptist.” Too many people consider the name “Baptist” as a denominational name, meaning each one who claims the name also holds the same doctrine and practice. Honest study reveals many types of “Baptist” churches and pastors. Some of these churches are sound in the faith, while others are far from the truth. One group of Baptists that has caused harm to the cause of Christ is the “New Independent Fundamental Baptist (New IFB)” movement. This movement is led by such men as Roger Jimenez, Bruce Mejia, Adam Fannin, Jason Robinson, and Steven L. Anderson. The negative effect of this group has been felt by many New Testament Baptist churches and pastors. Recently, I met a family that had recently come out of a New IFB church. They seemed to have a real heart for God and the truth, but they had been damaged by their association with this group. It will take much time and care for these precious folks to fully recover from the harm they have endured. Recently, I was asked to watch a film produced by men in the New IFB movement. This film is entitled Dispensation of Heresy. This film is typical of the attitudes, teaching, and preaching found among the New IFB churches. By comparing this film with the Scripture, we find that the New IFB movement leads the believer to believe in fables rather than the clear teaching of Scripture. Consider the following takeaways from this film. The Spirit of the Video The attitude in this video is not one of love or concern for propagating the truth. Instead, the attitude in this video is one of hatred and disdain for those deemed “heretics” by the producer, Bruce Mejia, and presenters: Roger Jimenez, Bruce Mejia, Adam Fannin, Jason Robinson, and Steven L. Anderson. This is not the attitude of the apostle Paul, even though he called men by name and stood against error in all forms. When speaking of enemies of the cross he said, “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ (Php 3:17):” There were no tears in this video. One example of this disdain can be seen during the credits of this video. The presenter began to make disparaging remarks about the physical looks of those he had termed “heretics.” These remarks reveal a childish, immature, and petty attitude at best. These remarks do not reveal a Christ-like attitude in any fashion. The attitude on display is a huge red flag for all discerning Christians. Consider this: Jesus never mocked the chief priests and scribes for their looks. He identified their error and called them to repentance, yet, there was no personal attack attached to His call to repentance. Consider another fact: Jude tells us about a dispute between the archangel Michael and Satan regarding the body of Moses. In verse 9 Jude says, “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.” Jude continues by identifying the character of those who are disrespectful and disdainful toward truth and those they oppose. In verse 10 he says, “But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.” This is a strong warning to which to pay attention. These men display the character traits of the corrupt men described by Jude. The “passion” with which these men preach is a draw to some people because they believe that these men are standing up for Biblical truth. However, these men are displaying a different spirit than that which is required of the man of God (a charge that they were quick to make against nearly every man mentioned in this film). 2 Timothy 2:24-25 tells us, “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;” There was a spirit of “strife” throughout this video, as well as a total absence of meekness, gentleness, or patience (some of these are the fruit of the Spirit - evidence of the presence of God’s Holy Spirit in the heart). These things identify the men in this video as failing to act as a servant of the Lord. Each “preacher” in this film was quick to point out that other men were not qualified to be a pastor (and they may be correct in that charge; that is not the point here), but what of themselves? 1 Timothy 3:3 lists a portion of the qualifications for a bishop (pastor): “Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;” There was no patience on display in this video. Instead, there was the attitude of a brawler on display. Their rambunctious presence in the pulpit causes these men to appeal to the carnal believer, but the spirit on display is not that after which a Bible-believing Christian should seek. Straw-Man Attacks Dispensation of Heresy tells us what they want us to believe is a dispensationalist, then attacks that definition. That is called a “straw-man” attack. What they define is what is commonly called a “hyper-dispensationalist.” They do not make this distinction but claim every dispensationalist believes exactly as they have defined. That is unfair to those who believe that God has dealt differently with men at different times, yet do not go to the extremes of the hyper-dispensationalist. That is also deceptive because they aren’t being honest with the viewer about the varying shades of “dispensationalism.” The producers then hold up Darby, Larkin, Scofield, and Ruckman as the originators and propagators of dispensationalism and direct their attacks toward them. The idea behind this version of the straw-man attack is that the teaching of dispensationalism will fall if the propagators can be shown to be in personal error. I have no intention of defending these men. They had areas of error. The truth that God has worked with mankind differently through the ages isn’t affected by the error of these men because it is God’s truth. The best way for me to explain the silliness of this kind of straw-man attack is to illustrate it. We believe in the Trinity and the virgin birth of Christ because the Scripture teaches both. Anyone who wishes to oppose these doctrines has a tremendous straw man open to them in the Roman Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic Church teaches both the Trinity and the virgin birth of Christ. Anyone who wished to “destroy” the doctrine of the Trinity and the virgin birth of Christ could spend hours talking about all the error that is within the Roman Catholic Church. These attacks could be correct in every charge against the Roman Catholic Church, but that does not change the fact that the doctrine of the Trinity and the virgin birth of Christ are both taught in the Scripture. In the same way, the producers of this film have plenty of ammunition with which to attack these men, but that has nothing to do with the Bible doctrine they seek to disprove and destroy. When you consider this film, nearly half of its 90+ minutes are taken up with personal straw-man attacks tog the “error” of this teaching. It is the Scripture by which we are to convince the gainsayers. Titus 1:9 says, “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” While some Scriptures were read or mentioned, they were the sideline to the personal attacks. Some Scripture was used because of a phrase that fit their narrative, but the context of that Scripture did not agree with the point this film sought to make. Again, this is deceptive to the undiscerning believer. For example, their proof text that God has not dealt differently with mankind at different times is Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” I believe that Jesus (God) NEVER changes. But, to say that since Jesus (God) never changes, He never changes how He works with man is to ignore the whole Bible. The context of the book of Hebrews is all about the New Testament being “better” than the Old Testament. The Old Covenant is not the same as the New Covenant (Testament). That means that God currently deals with man differently than He did under the Old Covenant. This fact does not mean that God has changed, for He is always working to fulfil His purpose. This fact does not mean that God failed in His purpose (as this film charges); for His purpose is to always glorify Himself. These straw-man attacks only serve to divert attention from what the Bible says, and that is deceptive and dangerous for the believer. The Error of “Non-Dispensationalism” The beginning of this film showed several men proclaiming themselves to be “non-dispensational” independent Baptists. I have no problem if they wish to describe themselves with that term, as long as they remain consistent. A problem arises if they are dishonest and deceptive in claiming this label. Were the producers and presenters of this film misleading in claiming this label? Let’s think about what they said. Throughout this film, the producers tell us that God never changes and has always worked the same way. When we arrive at the section that deals with “Zionism,” the producers would have us understand that God has set aside Israel and is now working through the church (this is something with which I agree to a point). This one fact blows up their “non-dispensational” claim. They claim that God deals with mankind differently today than He did under the Mosaic Law, yet they want us to believe that “nothing has changed.” They can use any term they want to describe this, but it is dispensationalism by another name. It is hypocrisy to claim that nothing has changed yet also claim that Israel is not the people of God because something changed. The fact that things DID change gives us the knowledge that God has dealt differently with mankind through the ages. Jesus told the disciples of John that He was doing something different than what they were used to in Matthew 9:14-17. The word “dispensation” may not be used, but the concept of a “dispensation” is being taught by Jesus Himself. I’ll take His word over the producers of this film any day. Final Thoughts To wrap things up regarding this film, let me deal with things which did not fit under the previous headings. First, the producers of this film propose to convince the viewer that anyone who believes in dispensationalism is a heretic. “Heresy” is never defined in this film, yet the word is constantly used to convince the viewer that “heresy” is the worst thing that could be. The men in this film label all who disagree with them as “heretics.” This is extremism. The proponents of the New IFB movement are always quick to call names: heretic, hypocrite, sons of Belial, etc. At one time, someone in this group produced a “blacklist” of all the “heretics” and “sons of Belial” with whom they disagree. They went so far as to imply that the men on their “blacklist” are on their way to eternal damnation. Second, the preachers of the New IFB movement identify themselves as “hard preachers.” They claim that they are “passionate” about the truth. The website that contained their “blacklist” stated: “Only the hardest preaching will be featured on this site.” Truly, it is not “passion” or “hard preaching,” but anger that these men display. The Lord teaches us against living and walking in anger. The book of Proverbs teaches us, “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul (Proverbs 22:24-25).” Another warning about the angry man is “An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression (Proverbs 29:22).” Instead of anger against those who are bound in wickedness and evil, we are commanded to have compassion. “And of some have compassion, making a difference (Jude 22):” The mocking, demeaning, belittling attitude that is on display throughout this film is devoid of Christ-like compassion. Beware of the New IFB movement! This movement does not display the Spirit of Christ. Instead, this movement manifests a carnal, childish spirit that cannot tolerate any deviation from what they have decided is true. If you disagree with them, they will come after you. Beware of the New IFB movement! This movement does not soundly teach and preach the Scripture. They will cherry-pick what they like and scream at you for pointing out the context and proper interpretation of Scripture. Beware of the New IFB movement! This movement denounces “heresy” on the one hand and holds to a version of that same doctrine on the other hand. This practice is manipulative and dangerous for any believer. While these thoughts are based on one film produced by the New IFB movement, there is much more to consider regarding the error of the actions and teachings found in this movement. For more information, please download the free eBook entitled, What about Steven Anderson. This free eBook is written by David Cloud and is available from wayoflife.org.
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About Jerry JacksonJerry has been writing for many years now. He has written tracts for several churches, as well as his ministries in Papua New Guinea and in Canada. He has had the opportunity to have many of his articles published in several Independent Baptist periodicals over the years. His main goals are to teach truth and lift up the Saviour. Archives
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