Richard Rohr is a Franciscan priest, speaker, and author known for his teachings on spirituality, contemplation, and social issues. He was born in Kansas in 1943 and is based in New Mexico, where he founded the Center for Action and Contemplation. Rohr's teachings have gained significant popularity, but his theology diverges in many ways from confessional Christianity, especially Reformed theology.
Key Beliefs and How They Differ from Confessional Christianity
1. Beliefs about Jesus:
- Richard Rohr's View: Rohr emphasizes Jesus primarily as a symbol of the "universal Christ," suggesting that the "Christ" is more of a cosmic, divine principle present in all of creation rather than the unique person of Jesus of Nazareth. He often distinguishes between "Jesus" (the man) and "the Christ," claiming that Christ exists in all things and that Jesus is simply one historical manifestation of this cosmic Christ.
- Confessional Christianity: In contrast, confessional Christianity upholds that Jesus Christ is the unique Son of God, fully God and fully man, who is the only mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). There is no separation between Jesus and the Christ; the titles are understood as referring to one person.
2. The Atonement:
- Richard Rohr's View: Rohr often critiques traditional understandings of atonement, particularly penal substitutionary atonement. He tends to reject the idea that Jesus died to satisfy the wrath of God for human sin, instead emphasizing that Jesus' death was a demonstration of God's love or an example of self-giving.
- Confessional Christianity: The Bible teaches that Jesus' atonement was a substitutionary sacrifice for sin, satisfying God's justice (Romans 3:25-26). Christ's death is viewed as the necessary means of reconciling sinners to a holy God, a concept clearly taught in Scripture (Isaiah 53:4-6; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
3. Salvation:
- Richard Rohr's View: Rohr's approach to salvation tends to be more universalistic, suggesting that all people, regardless of their beliefs, participate in Christ’s saving work simply by being part of creation. He promotes an inclusive vision of salvation that is less concerned with personal faith in Jesus and more focused on recognizing one's inherent connection to the divine.
- Confessional Christianity: Holy Scripture emphasizes that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). This means that personal repentance and faith in Jesus Christ are essential for salvation, and it is only through faith in His atoning work that one is reconciled to God.
4. View of Scripture:
- Richard Rohr's View: Rohr often treats Scripture more as a spiritual or mystical text rather than the authoritative, inerrant Word of God. He tends to prioritize subjective experiences of the divine over the clear teachings of Scripture.
- Confessional Christianity: The Westminster Confession of Faith teaches that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God and is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. The Bible is seen as the definitive revelation of God’s truth, not just one of many paths to understanding spiritual reality.
Summary of Differences
Reasons as to why Richard Rohr should be regarded as a false teacher and why he should be avoided:
1. Distorting the Gospel
The Bible teaches that salvation is found in Christ alone and through His work on the cross (John 14:6, Acts 4:12, Galatians 1:6-9). Richard Rohr's theology often promotes a universalist perspective, suggesting that Christ is merely an archetype and that salvation can be attained through various means. This fundamentally undermines the uniqueness of Christ's redemptive work. As Paul warns in Galatians 1:6-9, any gospel that deviates from the one originally preached is to be rejected, even if it comes from an angel.
2. Denial of the Authority and Sufficiency of Scripture
Richard Rohr tends to downplay the authority of the Bible, advocating for a more mystical, experiential approach to knowing God. This contradicts the clear teaching of the Bible that Scripture is God-breathed and is the authoritative source for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 1). The Bible warns against adding to or taking away from God's Word (Revelation 22:18-19), and Rohr’s approach effectively does both by elevating personal experience above Scripture.
3. Rejecting Core Doctrines of Christian Orthodoxy
Rohr’s teaching often denies the historic understanding of the Trinity, suggesting an alternative view that blurs the distinction between Creator and creation. This directly contradicts biblical passages such as Matthew 28:19, which clearly articulates the triune nature of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Any teaching that distorts the doctrine of the Trinity is fundamentally incompatible with biblical Christianity and therefore qualifies as false teaching.
4. Embracing New Age and Syncretistic Beliefs
Richard Rohr frequently blends Christian terminology with New Age concepts, advocating ideas such as "cosmic Christ" and encouraging practices that resemble Eastern mysticism. The Bible strictly warns against syncretism (Deuteronomy 12:29-32) and calls believers to worship God alone, in spirit and truth (John 4:24). As Paul says in Colossians 2:8, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”
5. Denying the Necessity of Repentance and Personal Transformation
Rohr's teachings often imply that people are inherently divine and do not need to repent and be transformed by the Holy Spirit. However, Scripture teaches that all have sinned (Romans 3:23), and that repentance and faith in Christ are necessary for salvation (Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38). Rohr’s denial of the need for repentance directly contradicts the Gospel’s call for sinners to turn to Christ for forgiveness and new life.
Conclusion from Scripture
The Bible consistently warns against false teachers who distort the gospel and lead others away from the truth (Matthew 7:15, 2 Peter 2:1-3, Galatians 1:6-9). In Romans 16:17-18, Paul urges believers to “watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.”
Richard Rohr's teachings deviate from the central truths of the Christian faith, distort the biblical understanding of Christ, and embrace unbiblical practices and philosophies. For these reasons, his teachings should be avoided, and Christians should remain grounded in the truth of God's Word, which alone is the reliable foundation for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4).
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Related Resources
Resouces on Richard Rohr, by Marcia Montenegro
Is Richard Rohr’s ‘Universal Christ’ Christian? by Ian Paul
Here's Why Christians Should Avoid the Teachings of Richard Rohr by Alisa Childers
Why I Don’t Flow with Richard Rohr by Fred Sanders
A Heretic’s Christ, a False Salvation: A Review of The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope for, and Believe Richard Rohr by Douglas Groothuis
Richard Rohr: Wise Sage or False Teacher? by Alisa Childers