The Bible makes it clear that false teaching is not just a problem of the past but a present and ongoing danger. Jesus Himself warned, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). Similarly, the apostle Paul admonished the elders in Ephesus, saying, "I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock" (Acts 20:29). These warnings are not just historical; they were given for the benefit of the entire church, including us today.
Scripture instructs believers to "test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). Furthermore, Paul urged the church to "mark those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them" (Romans 16:17). These passages make it clear that identifying and exposing false teaching is a biblical responsibility.
It's not merely about having a "list" but about being faithful to the biblical mandate to protect the flock from dangerous teachings that distort the gospel and lead people astray. The gospel is a precious treasure that we are commanded to guard and proclaim accurately (2 Timothy 1:14). Part of this guarding involves exposing teachings and teachers that compromise its purity.
Many ask whether it is difficult to discern false teachers or if the gospel is so confused today. In many ways, both are true. False teachers are often subtle in how they distort the gospel, mixing truth with error in ways that make their teachings appear attractive or even biblical. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, false teachers "disguise themselves as apostles of Christ," and "even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." This makes it challenging for many believers to distinguish truth from error, especially when false teachings are often presented in a way that sounds loving, empowering, or even biblical.
In today’s culture, there is an overwhelming flood of voices claiming to represent the Christian faith, but many of these voices preach a gospel that is diluted, distorted, or outright heretical. Prosperity theology, legalism, universalism, and New Age spirituality cloaked in Christian terminology are just a few examples of how the gospel is being confused and corrupted in our time. Without careful discernment and guidance, many believers can be easily led astray.
The role of shepherds, teachers, and mature believers is to protect the flock and to "equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12). Part of that equipping involves teaching the truth and exposing error so that believers are not "tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes" (Ephesians 4:14).
Creating a list of false teachers is not about being judgmental or divisive; it’s about caring for the spiritual well-being of others. Just as a shepherd warns the flock of wolves lurking nearby, faithful Christians have a duty to warn others about teachings that undermine the gospel. When believers are aware of these dangers, they are better equipped to stand firm in their faith and to recognize when the truth is being compromised.
Finally, having such a list serves as a tool to encourage discernment and a love for the truth. It’s a call to all believers to be like the Bereans, who "received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so" (Acts 17:11). In an age where false teachings can be easily accessed through books, social media, and even churches, helping others identify unbiblical teachings helps them grow in their understanding of God's Word and keeps them anchored in the true gospel.
Click on the names below to learn more about why they are listed and the specific ways they depart from Christian orthodoxy.
Anderson, Steven [KJV Onlyism, Legalism]
Angley, Ernest [Word of Faith]
Armstrong, Karen [Progressive]
Arnott, John [leader Toronto “Blessing”, Latter Rain]
Baker, Heidi [NAR, Scripture Twisting]
Bakker, Jamie [Emergent Church, neo-liberal]
Bakker, Jim [Prosperity Theology]
Bell, Rob [Progressive Christian, Emergent Church]
Bickle, Mike [IHOP, Latter Rain]
Borg, Marcus J. [Liberal Christian]
Burke, Spencer [Emergent Church]
Boyd, Gregory A. [Open Theist]
Bynum, Juanita [Ultra Prosperity Gospel]
Cahn, Jonathan [false prophet]
Camping, Harold [false prophet]
Campolo, Tony [Progressive Christian]
Chalke, Steve [rejects penal substitution and biblical Inerrancy; supports same sex unions]
Chan, Francis [Endorses NAR, "little gods", mysticism, sacramentalsim]
Cho, Paul or David Yonggi [Word of Faith, pastor of largest church in the world]
Claiborne, Shane [Progressive Christian]
Clement, Kim [New Apostolic Reformation]
Copeland, Kenneth and Gloria [Word of Faith]
Craig, William Lane [Trinitarian Errors, Partialism, Neo-Apollinarianism, Histoical Adam, Molinism]
Cremer, Benjamin R.[Ultra-Progressive Christianity]
John Dominic Crossan [Liberal Theology]
Crouch, Paul [promotes Prosperity heresies via TBN]
Crowder, John [New Mystics, Sons of Thunder]
Deere, Jack [Latter Rain, Wimberite]
Dollar, Creflo [Prosperity Teacher]
Dowd, Michael [Progressive Christian]
Dunn, James D. G. {New Perspective
Duplantis, Jesse [Prosperity Preacher]
Eddy, Mary Baker [“Christian” Science; mind sciences]
Evans, Rachel Held [Progressive "Christian", Political Idolatry]
Flowers, Leighton [Provisionalism, Serious departure from historic Christianity on many issues]
Furtick, Steven [narcissistic "gospel" devoid of much Biblical truth]
Gothard, Bill {legalism]
Hagee, John [False Prophet, Uber-Pentecostal, Ultra-Dispensationalist]
Hagin, Kenneth Jr./Sr. [Prosperity]
Hatmaker, Jen [works righteousness, progressive, affirms same-sex marriage]
Hick, John [Progressive Christian]
Hinn, Benny [Prosperity Teacher, Uber Charismatic]
Hollis, Rachel [self-help, self-care, self-love. prosperity]
Houston, Brian [Prosperity Gospel, Man-Centered]
Hybels, Bill [Seeker Sensitive]
Jacobs, Cindy [Prosperity]
Jakes, TD [Oneness Pentecostalism]
Johnson, Bill [New Apostolic Reformation, Kenosis, Word of Faith] - more..
Joyner, Rick (New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)
Kimball, Dan [Emergent Church]
Krick, Kathryn [elf-proclaimed "Apostle]
Lentz, Carl [Watered Down Gospel]
Lines, Caleb J [liberal theologian/pastor]
Long, Bishop Eddie [Prosperity Uber Charismatic]
McClure, Joel [Emergent Church]
Mclaren, Brian [Emergent Church]
McManus, Erwin [Mystic Contemplative Prayer Movement]
Merritt, Jonathan [Pelagian, Progressive Christian]
Merton, Thomas [Trappist monk and Catholic mystic]
Micah, Jory [denies inerrancy, Feminist, Christological heresy, ambiguous about ascended Jesus having physical body, Jesus is genderless]
Miller, Donald [Progressive Christian]\
Morrell, Jesse [Pelagian, Perfectionism, Works-Based]
Morris, Robert [Prosperity Gospel]
Moore, Beth [Evolving theological postion in the wrong direction]
Murdock, Mike [Prosperity]
Joyce Meyer [Prosperity Preacher]
Nouwen, Henry [Contemplative Mysticism, Emerging Church]
Osteen, Joel [cotton candy theology, bible compromiser, name it & claim it, soft moralism]
Pagels, Elaine {Jesus Seminar, Gnostic]
Pagitt, Doug [Emergent Church]
, John [Progressive activist; withholds gospel from persons identifying as LGBTQ]
Peale, Norman Vincent [positive confession liberal]
Pearson, Carlton [Universalism]
Phelps, Fred [Westboro Baptist]
Price, Fred KC [Prosperity Preacher, Name it & claim it]
Prince, Joseph [Prosperity, Antinomianism, Hyper-Grace]
Roberts, Oral [deceased, false prophet]
Brandan, Robertson [progressive Christian]
Robertson, Pat [divination, false prophet, TBN]
Rohr, Richard [Progressive Christian]
Roth, Sid [mystic, NAR]
Saldivar , Isaiah & Savchuk, Vlad
Sanders E. P. {Covenantal Nomism]
Scandrette, Mark [Emergent Church]
Shirer, Priscilla
Schuler, Robert [Peale clone, liberal theology]
Spong, John Shelby (1931–)
Stanley, Andy [Marcionite, carnal Christianity]
Stone, Perry [Sensationalistic Eschatology, Prosperity]
Swaggart, Jimmy [Prosperity, Moralism]
Sweet, Leonard [Emergent Church]
Tenney, Tommy [Oneness Pentecostalism, Charismatic]
The Office Of The Pope [idolaters, antichrists]
Todd, Michael [Self-help gospel]
Vallotton, Kris [Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM), NAR]
Vines, Matthew [Liberal Theology; LGBTQ+]
Wallis, Jim [Progressive Christian, Left-Wing Political idolatry]
Warren, Rick [Emergent Purpose Driven]
Webber, Nadia Bolz [Progressive Christianity]
Wilson, Douglas [Federal Vision]
White, Ellen G. [founder False Prophet Seventh Day Advents]
White, Paula [prosperity theology, NAR]
White, Todd [Read himself into bible, False prophet, False healing, prosperity Gospel]
White, Tom [Latter Rain; spiritual war network]
Wilkins, Steve [Auburn Avenue, FV]
Wimber, John [deceased, Kansas City Prophets/Latter Rain]
Womack, Andrew [Prosperity]
Wright, Jeremiah [Liberation Theology, Bible denier]
Wright, N. T. {New Perspective on Paul]
Young, Kevin M. {Uber-Progressive Theology]
Young, William Paul [Progressive Christian]
"Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son." (2 John 9)
"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8)
"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies..." (2 Peter 2:1).
Why do so few Christians seem concerned about the existence of false prophets? The way we often discuss the topic might make one wonder if we believe any teacher truly deserves that label. It sometimes feels like the only heresy left in our culture is to call someone a false teacher. But why is that? Perhaps confrontation feels too uncomfortable for some, or calling someone a false teacher seems too judgmental. Many simply follow the crowd rather than Scripture, remaining unwilling and unprepared to challenge the faith traditions they inherited. It might be easier not to think deeply, yet Jesus warned, "the way is easy that leads to destruction," while the "narrow path" that leads to life is difficult (Matthew 7:13-14). Therefore, Christians must equip themselves to recognize false prophets, and this requires knowledge—knowledge that comes through studying God's Word.
Jesus, along with the apostles Paul, Peter, and John, frequently warned that false teachers would arise, even within the visible church, leading many astray. They foretold that not only would there be many false teachers, but that there would also be many followers who would "gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear" (2 Timothy 4:3). Tragically, few take the time to evaluate their own pastors carefully, allowing wolves to take advantage of this neglect and keep many in spiritual blindness. Of course, we should not lightly accuse others of being false teachers. But if someone publicly teaches doctrines long recognized by the church as false, we are right to call it out.