I am beginning a series of articles that focus on the heresy of modern day popular pastors and false teachers in church history. The series title, TARGET ACQUIRED, represents the focused study being made here on the bad theology, false prophesy, false teaching and the way that some churches and pastors use the bible to extract money from the people that follow them. For a list of bible teachers I recommend, click here
Click on a link below for a full article:
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.
Generally speaking, in order for me to recommend a teacher, speaker, or author, he or she has to meet three criteria:
- A female teacher cannot currently and unrepentantly preach to or teach men in violation of 1 Timothy 2:12. A male teacher or pastor cannot allow women to carry out this violation of Scripture in his ministry. The pastor or teacher cannot currently and unrepentantly be living in any other sin (for example, cohabiting with her boyfriend or living as a homosexual).
- The pastor or teacher cannot currently and unrepentantly be partnering with or frequently appearing with false teachers. This is a violation of Scripture.
- The pastor or teacher cannot currently and unrepentantly be teaching false doctrine.
MASTER LIST OF FALSE TEACHERS
Abke, Aaron – spiritual teacher – https://tinyurl.com/2s4j8rz6
Alexander, Lori – “The Transformed Wife” – https://tinyurl.com/vyx8dvt4
Allen, Jennie – evangelical podcaster
Alpha Course, The
Amador, Olman – charged with two counts of child molesting
Anderson, Steven [KJV Onlyism, Legalism]
Armstrong, Karen [Progressive]
Arthur, Kay
Arnott, John [leader Toronto “Blessing”, Latter Rain]
Baker, Heidi [NAR, Scripture Twisting]
Bakker, Jamie [Emergent Church, neo-liberal]
Barnett, Jacob – VA Youth Pastor Arrested for Posing as Teenage Boy to Solicit Photos of Minors
Beale, Adrian
Beekmann, Rev Sharon – Upside-Down Kingdom Study Bible
Beeson, Jerry – stolen church funds
Bell, Rob [Progressive Christian, Emergent Church]
Bell, George – pastor from Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty to rape.
Begg, Allister
Bethel Church (Redding, CA) / Bethel Music
Bevere, John and Lisa
Bible Project, The
Bible, Recap The
Bickle, Mike [IHOP, Latter Rain]
Bird, Michael F – Upside-Down Kingdom Study Bible, Australian theologian
Borg, Marcus J. [Liberal Christian]
Burke, Spencer [Emergent Church]
Black, Troy
Blackaby, Henry
Bolz, Shawn
Boshoff, At
Boyd, Gregory A. [Open Theist]
Brooks, John – associated with David Platt
Brisco, Jill
Brown, Tom – El Paso Texas
Brown, Dr Michael – sexual abuse
Brown, Rodney Howard Brown
Buice, Josh [G3 Ministries] – attacked using multiple fake accounts
Bynum, Juanita [Ultra Prosperity Gospel]
Byrd, Aimee
Byrd, Andy – Seventh-day Adventist leader who faced a plagiarism scandal in 2025
Cady, Dennis longtime missionary with the Church of Christ, on a charge of soliciting prostitution.
Cahn, Jonathan [false prophet]
Caine, Christine
Camping, Harold [false prophet]
Carson, Billy – not knowledgeable, false teacher – debate with Wesley Huff
Carter, Micahn – allegations of rape
Celebrate Recovery
Chalke, Steve [rejects penal substitution and biblical Inerrancy; supports same sex unions]
Chan, Francis [Endorses NAR, “little gods”, mysticism, sacramentalism]
Chandler, Lauren
Cho, Paul or David Yonggi [Word of Faith, pastor of largest church in the world]
Cho, Rev Eugene – Upside-Down Kingdom Study Bible
Claiborne, Shane [Progressive Christian]
Clement, Kim [New Apostolic Reformation]
Cobble, Tara-Leigh
Cohick, Dr. Lynn H.– American New Testament scholar and professor at Houston Christian University, Upside Down Kingdom Study Bible
Coles, Dr. Gregory – homosexual Christian Pastor, Upside Down Kingdom Study Bible
Copeland, Kenneth and Gloria [Word of Faith]
Craig, William Lane [Trinitarian Errors, Partialism, Neo-Apollinarianism, Historical Adam, Molinism]
Crippen, Joseph G. senior pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
Cremer, Benjamin R.[Ultra-Progressive Christianity]
Creecy, Neal – caught in an FBI sting aimed at capturing child predators
Crossan, John Dominic [Liberal Theology]
Crouch, Paul [promotes Prosperity heresies via TBN]
Crowder, John [New Mystics, Sons of Thunder]
D-Group
Daigle, Lauren
Damron, Benjamin – 10 counts sexual crimes against children
Date, Christopher M.– Fuller Theological Seminary, Upside Down Kingdom Study Bible
Davis, Adrian – AL Pastor Pleads Guilty to Stealing $400K From Church
Daystar TV
Dean, Jennifer Kennedy
De Beer, Johan
Deckinga, Michael – Child Pornography
Deere, Jack [Latter Rain, Wimberite]
Dodson, Dr. Joseph R.- Associate Professor of NT at Denver Seminary, Upside Down Kingdom Study Bible
Dollar, Creflo [Prosperity Teacher]
Dowd, Michael [Progressive Christian]
Dunn, James D. G. {New Perspective
Duplantis, Jesse [Prosperity Preacher]
Driscoll, Mark
Eddy, Mary Baker [“Christian” Science; mind sciences]
Elias, Lovy – Prophet Lovy Ministries, years of sexual exploitation, financial manipulation, and spiritual abuse
Elevation Church / Elevation Music – Steven Furtick
Evans, Rachel Held [Progressive “Christian”, Political Idolatry]
Evans, Tony
Fair, Jeremy – solicitation of prostitution
Falwell, Jerry Jr – wife affair with pool boy, he watched for 8 years
Flores, Elmer Baca – pastor in Oklahoma City has been arrested on charges of human trafficking and sexual battery.
Fouquier, Jude
Fufeyin, Jeremiah Omoto – false prophet, rank heretic, and obscenely carnal founder of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry in Nigeria
Franklin, Jentezen
Gaines, Donna
Gayle, Charity
Ghetts (Real name Justin Clarke-Samuel) – Christian rapper, life in prison for hit and run
Gothard, Bill [legalism]
Graham, Franklin
Greear, J.D.
Groeschel, Craig
Guy, Kevin – sexual abuse
Hagin, Kenneth Jr./Sr. [Prosperity] – 1917-2003
Hall, Terry – Covid 19 fraud
Harper, Lisa
Hatmaker, Jen [works righteousness, progressive, affirms same-sex marriage]
Hawkins, Susie and O.S.
He Gets Us
Hernandez, David Diga
Herrmann, Erik – Sexual Misconduct
Hick, John [Progressive Christian]
Hickey, Marilyn
Hollis, Rachel [self-help, self-care, self-love. prosperity]
Houston, Brian [Prosperity Gospel, Man-Centered], Hillsong
Houston, Bobbie
Howerton, Josh – pay tithes before bills
Hunt, Johnny – adultery
Hurst, Chrystal Evans
Hybels, Bill [Seeker Sensitive]
International Servants – Paul Whisnant, iServants
Ivey, Jamie
Jacobs, Cindy [Prosperity]
Jakes, TD [Oneness Pentecostalism]
Jeremiah, David
Johnson, Bill [New Apostolic Reformation, Kenosis, Word of Faith]
Jones, Kevin Curtis – images of a juvenile on Jones’ cellphone, including one with the alleged victim in her underwear.
Joyner, Rick (New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)
Kelsey, Mike – McLean Bible Church, David Platt co-pastor – https://tinyurl.com/38hbr8ty
Kemper, Joshua – pastor of Foothill Church in Coarsegold, California, has been charged with 14 counts of sex-related acts with a minor.
Keesee, Gary Thomas “Tom” – former youth pastor faith life church
Kimball, Dan [Emergent Church]
King, Jacki C.
Kingsbury, Karen
Krick, Kathryn [elf-proclaimed “Apostle]
Lamb, Joni [Daystar TV]
Lawson, Dr. Steven J
Lentz, Carl [Watered Down Gospel]
Life Surge – multi state tax scheme (Dr. Joseph Johnson)
Lindsey, Heather
Lines, Caleb J [liberal theologian/pastor]
Litton, Ed and Kathy
Locke, Greg – spiritual abuse
Long, Bishop Eddie [Prosperity Uber Charismatic]
Lopez, Tilo David – Elder fraud
Lotz, Anne Graham
Lozano, Jason
Lucado, Max
Lucier, Art – Sexual assault, Canada
Ludy, Leslie
Lyons, Rebekah
Macedo, Edir – Gajillionaire – head of Brazil’s Universal Church of the Kingdom of God
Masiewicz, Matthew Stephen – 13 counts sexual exploitation
Mayfield, Daniel – Youth minister at a Baptist church in upstate South Carolina, possession of child pornography
McClure, Joel [Emergent Church]
McCoy, Katie
McKinzie, John – sexual sin
Mclaren, Brian [Emergent Church]
McLelland, Kristi
McManus, Erwin [Mystic Contemplative Prayer Movement]
McPherson, Aimee Semple (1890-1944)
McPherson, Josh – non-tithers same as gay sex to men
Merritt, Jonathan [Pelagian, Progressive Christian]
Merton, Thomas [Trappist monk and Catholic mystic]
Meyer, Joyce
Micah, Jory [denies inerrancy, Feminist, Christological heresy, Jesus is genderless]
Miller, John-Paul – federal indictment, sexual abuse
Miller, Donald [Progressive Christian]
Miller, Sharon Hodde
Minter, Kelly
Mitchell, Paul – pleaded guilty to tax evasion https://tinyurl.com/2wvy6467
Morrell, Jesse [Pelagian, Perfectionism, Works-Based]
Morris, Robert [Prosperity Gospel]
Moore, Beth [Evolving theological position in the wrong direction]
Moore, Courtney L.
Munroe, Miles
Murdock, Mike [Prosperity]
Newsboys, The – musical group involved in drugs and homosexuality
Niequist, Shauna
Nouwen, Henry [Contemplative Mysticism, Emerging Church]
Oakley, Kendrick – peeping tom
Olthoff, Bianca
Osteen, Joel
Ostrosky, Thomas – plead guilty to stealing $207k from the Lazarus Experience
Pagels, Elaine {Jesus Seminar, Gnostic]
Pagitt, Doug [Emergent Church]
Parker, Jordan and Vanessa – Convicted for $600K Embezzlement
Parsons, Burk – St. Andrews Chapel – “domineering” and “intimidating” leadership style
Parsley, Rod [World Harvest Church]
Patterson, Alli – Crossroads Church Cincinnati (Kicks bible as football)
Pavlovitz, John [Progressive activist; withholds gospel from persons identifying as LGBTQ]
Peale, Norman Vincent [positive confession liberal]
Pearson, Carlton [Universalism]
Pearl, Michael and Debbie
Phelps, Fred [Westboro Baptist]
Platt, David – McLean Bible Church – https://tinyurl.com/yvsfc7v9
Pickett, Damian
Pinkerton, Thomas Assemblies of God Youth Leader – sex abuse
Price, Fred KC [Prosperity Preacher, Name it & claim it]
Prince, Joseph [Prosperity, Antinomianism, Hyper-Grace]
Quimby, Phineas (1802-1866)
Renihan, Samuel – confessed to adultery at Trinity Reformed Baptist Church in La Mirada, California
Reynolds, Bradley – VP Truett McConnell University, indictment on sex charges
Roberts, Oral [deceased, false prophet]
Roberts, Richard– Oral Roberts son
Robertson, Brandon [progressive Christian]
Rivers, Francine
Robertson, Pat [divination, false prophet, TBN]
Rohr, Richard [Progressive Christian]
Roth, Sid [mystic, NAR]
Saldivar, Isaiah & Savchuk, Vlad
Sanders E. P. [Covenantal Nomism]
Savelle, Jerry – Word of faith Preacher, Kenneth Copeland best friend
Scandrette, Mark [Emergent Church]
Schuler, Robert [Peale clone, liberal theology]
Shamoun, Sam
Shroyer, Jackie – hired hitman to kill husband, sentenced to 24 years in prison in Angola
Sider, Ron – Progressive, Upside-Down Kingdom “Woke” Study Bible
Signorelli, Mike
Simons, Ruth Chou
Simmons, Dr. Brian “Apostle” – The Passion Translation
Sosa, Luis – accused of sexually abusing two teenage girls almost 20 years ago.
Smith, Angie
Spong, John Shelby (1931–)
Sprinkle, Preston – Upside-Down Kingdom “Woke” Study Bible
Stanley, Andy [Marcionite, carnal Christianity]
Stone, Perry [Sensationalistic Eschatology, Prosperity]
Swaggart, Jimmy [Prosperity, Moralism]
Sweet, Leonard [Emergent Church]
Tchividjian, Tullian – grandson of Billy Graham, sex scandal
Tenney, Tommy [Oneness Pentecostalism, Charismatic]
TerKeurst, Lysa
The Office Of The Pope [idolaters, antichrists]
Thompson, Adam
Todd, Michael [Self-help gospel]
Vanthournout, Don – sexual abuse of a minor from 2011 to 2018.
Vallotton, Kris [Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM), NAR]
Varughese, Jemima
Veach, Chad
Vines, Matthew [Liberal Theology; LGBTQ+]
Voskamp, Ann
Wallis, Jim [Progressive Christian, Left-Wing Political idolatry]
Walsh, Sheila
Warren, Rick [Emergent Purpose Driven]
Webber, Nadia Bolz [Progressive Christianity]
Whitlow, Josh – Association of Related Churches (ARC) – accusations that he plagiarized dozens of sermons
Wilkin, Jen
Wilson, Douglas [Federal Vision]
Wilkerson, David
Williams, Amanda
White, Ellen G. [founder False Prophet Seventh Day Advents]
White-Cain, Paula [prosperity theology, NAR]
White, Todd [Read himself into bible, False prophet, False healing, prosperity Gospel]
White, Tom [Latter Rain; spiritual war network]
Whiteside, Lindsey – church outreach coordinator and high school coach, battery
Whitefield, George –
Wilkins, Steve [Auburn Avenue, FV]
Wimber, John [deceased, Kansas City Prophets/Latter Rain]
Wolgemuth, Nancy (Leigh) DeMoss
Wood, Steve Archbishop of the ACNA – sexual harassment
Wommack, Andrew [Prosperity]
Wright, Jeremiah [Liberation Theology, Bible denier]
Wright, N. T. [New perspective on Paul]
Young, Kevin M.
Young, Sarah
Young, William Paul [Progressive Christian]
Zacharias, Ravi