When leaders fall; how can we trust anyone
Q: I have been watching a guy online for a few years, a messianic Jew, who has a ministry many books published, has a podcast and a good sized following.
There was a detailed report that just came out that 20 years ago he had an inappropriate relationship, detailed in the info. It was shocking, and it really bothers me. Thst stuff destroys many peoples lives & faith, including their lives. I had so much respect for this man and now feel like there's no one we can trust.
A: This is going to be a help and an admonishment in love and to protect you....
You dont know the truth of anything about these Randoms online, as you just found out. After scandal, many go away a few years, rebrand and come back. Which is in opposition to Scripture. He was disqualified from teaching/preaching 20 years ago. Thus he has no one holding him accountable. Messianic Jews even as pastors or teachers need to be under a church leadership. Just as the rest of the church. If they fly solo without that covering, people watching or following them are not protected from him, as no one knows anything about them - they have no leadership over them to hold them accountable to sin (Matt18) to endure they live in holiness, and to ensure they're never given platform again if disqualified. Too bad, he may need to go flippant burgers. He destroyed his own life. He knew what Scripture says, and is accountable to God for it; Scripture warns not many to be teachers/preachers because of it.
My charge to you: Hold fast to YOUR local pastor and his teachings at your bible focused church of membership. Dont be led astray.
Ensure you are in a biblical church, if not go find one today.
Pass all these youtubers and other folks of interest through them [your local church's pastors] for ensuring who you listen to are teaching things orthodoxy "inside biblical Christianity." Ask for a couple solid reputable Christian pastors whose sermons can guide you as suppliment to your pastor. Likely ones he has as mentors. And stick only to them.
Do not go watching Randoms online. The local church leaders are to be your shepherds in the Faith. Period.
And yes, that random guy disqualified himself from pastoral, teaching etc positions. He never should've been able to grow a following, but there was no one speaking out on this to help folk flee from him, until now. That's a big danger, as noted earlier. Also, we as Christians do not need to be watching Messianic Jews, we are not Jewish, we focus on Christianity via Scripture as gentiles. It seems some odd fad for people running after those guys lately, but we just need to let our Pastor teach us.
Fuether, many pastors and teachers are not saved, and they teach false teachings. It's became rampant since TBN was a thing and got way worse since 2005 and also youtube giving platforms to more charlatans and decievers. These wolves eventually out themselves or leave the pastoralship career.
It shows us we need to know Scripture well so they can't decieve us. We'll see red flags.
It may surprise you to learn, today only 37% of pastors hold to the authority of Scripture. And they preach based on that, which means those in pews hold their views eventually, and the churches crumble.
Our faith doesn't need to crumble if we hold firm to and grow in the Faith.
Go talk with your pastor. Today.
* If you don't have one, that's 99% the problem. Find and become an active member at a local church, it isn't an optional thing for a believer!
God bless
