the interesting thing about that point, i think, is that if we think about what the Bible calls false teaching, it usually is spread by people that are greedy, lustful, powerhungry, or just afraid and abused, as said before…so for me that takes the relative approach that most people love to us, that you outline above so well, and turns it on its head.
false teaching, i think, is more objectively defined in the Bible as something perpetuated by powerhungry, greedy, lustful, abused or abusive people in such a way as to continue their unhealthy cycles. i don’t know if i’m saying that clearly enough…but i mean that a powerhungry preacher would preach that which maintains their power, and the same down the list. so the teaching itself may not be false (though it likely is), but the way it is presented, edited, emphasised, perpetuates the cycle of power, lust, greed, abuse, to which the preacher is enslaved. if i’ve made sense so far, i think the Bible’s contention would be that we ought to shun such things as they will be chains around us.
an example of false teaching would be legalism and Gnosticism, two types of enslaving dogma that Paul wrote extensively against. those that preached it were in chains themselves and keen to wrap chains around others. they edited the Gospel til it fit with their own desires…and God was not pleased.
interestingly, i think i could state this whole idea even more simply. false teaching is that which enslaves us. God’s true teaching sets us free…from fear, guilt, shame and harmful cycles. as a contrast, Jesus promises LIFE and that more abundantly!
could it be that the way to judge a teaching or a teacher is by their fruit? ie, do they cause the fruits of the Spirit to flourish, or do they cause fear and death, and hold up God to ridicule?
anyone else seeing ECT in this? i know i am.