It probably looks like we enjoy putting out posts like these, but we truly do not. Instead, Lowell and I both have a deep burden for the “Great Falling Away” that is happening to the Christian church today. And our biggest concern is that followers of Christ will remain pure and free from deception.
Before we begin, please remember this is not an assassination of Beth Moore’s character or a personal attack against her, but a warning of her unbiblical theology and application of it. Again – as in all of our author/leader reviews we do, we ask that if you take issue with this post, please show us our error from Scripture.
Now before you throw the argument of “how can you not recommend somebody without reading their entire book selection” at us, listen carefully.
If we see a person or ministry that is in direct violation to God’s Word, how can we expect God to have put His blessing on it?
And likewise, how can we recommend someone to you who we believe is in direct violation to Scripture?
Just posting those questions makes us tremble a little when we turn the questions back on our own lives. Are we in direct violation of Scripture or are we striving to follow the commands God has laid out there for us? Serious questions we all need to ask ourselves from time to time.
There are more reasons we could add to this post, including her endorsement of contemplative practices; but these are our two main reasons for withholding recommendation of Beth Moore and her ministry:
Reason #1
Beth Moore does not follow the New Testament command for women to be silent in the church
In 2012, Beth Moore took the stage with John Piper, Louie Giglio, and Francis Chan at the Passion 2012 Conference. Then again in 2012, she preached at Louie Giglio’s church before a mixed audience of over 700 people. It is not uncommon for her to speak to mixed audiences at various seminars.
This is not following the commands in these verses:
“Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.” I Corinthians 14:34-35
“Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” I Timothy 2:11-12
We feel the commands in those verses can stand on their own. We either follow them or we don’t. And Beth Moore does not.
Reason #2
Beth Moore claims to have extra-Biblical revelations from God
We believe it is entirely possible that this reason can come as a consequence to reason #1. When a woman is out of her rightful place of submission, she opens up herself to deception and attacks from Satan. This may be a strong statement, but we’d urge you to read I Corinthians 11 about the order of headship, and also read “Demons in the Church” by Ellis Skolfield. This is a free online ebook you can read here. (Ellis Skolfield also authored “Sunset of the Western Church”.)
We have here an audio clip, from Pirate Christian Radio, that is Beth Moore telling us this vision she claims God gave her, and in it she includes the Roman Catholic Church as being part of the Christian church. Now we know there are several Catholics who read this blog, and we do not mean offense in any way, but would urge you to read the link at the bottom of this post.
Here is another short video where she warns of “scoffers” in the Christian church, who will come in response to a “downpour”:
Yes, she is talking about us. Yet we would rather be a “scoffer” of a false doctrine or vision, than the teacher of such a one. See Matthew 5:19.
In Conclusion . . .
I know this is not what many women want to hear, but this verse rang true from the Garden of Eden, and it rings true today:
“For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.” I Timothy 2:13-14
This is why I believe we were placed in subjection under men. We are more easily deceived. And therefore, need to take extra precautions to be discerning and to also stay under our rightful head of leadership.
Even in posting articles such as this, I get my husband’s stamp of approval before posting these. He is able to see error where I cannot, and provides an extra protection for my own soul.
Am I bitter because of this chain of authority and the command to submit? Absolutely not.
When I consider the alternative . . . I can only say that God,
in His boundless wisdom, knew what He was doing.
The Final Word on Beth Moore (added 12/9/14)
We are grateful for the examples shared of women in the New Testament who held positions of responsibility. However, we find no specific instances where these women went against New Testament teaching and usurped authority over men or preached in the church.
It is interesting and illustrative to see the mental gymnastics people go through in their minds followed by the verbal gymnastics that are posted to justify their positions. I’m sure Beth Moore has many good teachings, we do not condemn this. However, as a whole she (and many other so called christian leaders of today) live daily, un-biblical examples and wield much influence. Warning people of this was the purpose of our post. The lives of New Testament saints and church structure are inspired examples for us that are timeless. Our question remains…………Why would one drink from a contaminated well when the true Water of Life is freely available for study by all? Let’s be Bereans!!
– Lowell Graber
There were some folks who mentioned how they have been helped by the studies Beth Moore puts out. This is not something we are denying, but would like to point out that maybe it was the Word itself which helped . . . more than the study guide?
Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
God’s Word is able to speak in any situation, and as Lowell said, we do not condemn the good teachings from some of these studies. But as a public blog, we believe we must be careful in the teachings and teachers we endorse.
One more thought . . .
I would like to invite you all, men included, to our church services on Sunday morning here in Kootenai Valley. I am going to be preaching at 11:00 on “How Men are to Love Their Wives”. Following that, I will be sharing on how God gave me a vision last night that it’s okay for us to pray to Mary, so will you all please bow the knee.
Now of course you all know that is not true – I was simply trying to make a point that might hit a little closer home. But I will leave you with this question: do we recommend people who live unbiblical lives . . . if they are distantly removed from us? Does distance from our personal sphere somehow affect who we endorse?
And, no, we will not be serving donuts after the sermon . . . 🙂
~ Kendra
Additional Resources:
Beth Moore Preaches Sunday Morning Services at Louie Giglio’s Passion City Church
Is Beth Moore’s “Spiritual Awakening” Taking the Evangelical Church Toward Rome?
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Renee says
What more can I say than, “Amen?” Thank you for sharing this article! May the Lord bless you!
Kendra says
Thank you, Renee! You are such an encouragement.
Renee says
You are very welcome, and I’m grateful to have been able to encourage you!
Mary Beth Plank says
Thanx so much for sharing!!! I think that’s why we are here on earth to help make each other aware of what is out there!!!
Kendra says
Thank you, Mary Beth!
Kerrie says
The only issue I have with this is the repetition of women being under the authority of “men”. Hear me out, we are only ever under the authority of two men- our fathers and husbands. I am under no one else’s authority (aside from G-d himself). Not all men. Not even preachers, just my husband.
Kerrie says
I am not promoting Beth Moore or saying she should preach in mixed congregations- only that women are not subjects to all men – thank you
Kendra says
First off, we must remember that these verses are pertaining to church services and the order of them. Second, I was using the term “men” in general terms here. The order of headship goes like this: God-Christ-men-women. Were I not to believe that women, in general, are under men’s authority, again in general, then I would have no hesitation in “usurping authority” over some other woman’s husband or “teaching” him. Yet this would be disobedient to I Timothy 2:11-12.
Does this make sense?
I will agree that I consider myself under the authority of my husband (i.e. I do not follow some other woman’s husband’s advice over my own). However, were my husband to grossly sin or demand that I sin . . . I would then place myself directly under the leadership of the church. I believe this is an extra protection God has provided when a man leaves his biblical role of authority – or misuses it badly.
gmc3mom says
Beth Moore does have her husband’s stamp of approval over what she says and writes, and has revealed that numerous times in her speaking career. She considers her husband very wise, seeks his counsel and direction, and approval.
Additionally, there have been times where God has called a woman to be in authority over men, Deborah… for example. She was a judge over Israel. But as the previous poster pointed out, the only 2 earthly men we are to be subject to is our fathers and our husband.
Kendra says
Please see my reply above.
gmc3mom says
Well, first we have to go back to the Word, particularly to Hebrew. Eve is described in the original Hebrew as an “ay’-zer” which is actually an equivalent. She was not below him in the hierarchy of God’s creation. She was however different from man. Humans are equal in the sight of God in regards to their importance, yet the genders are different in regards to the roles as humans. More like a triangle. God at the point. Man to the left, woman to the right. Equally important, valuable, and usable by God. However given different responsibilities and roles within the marriage covenant. (Galatians 3:26-29)
In the occasions where man cannot, woman can. For example, spiritual teaching doesn’t stop in our homes when our husbands are out of the house. No. While they are are the spiritual leader of our home, we are left in charge in their absence. Same as fiscally, disciplinary, etc. When they are not available, we are to fill that void, make those decisions. This doesn’t negate that men have the final say, and ultimately the accountability to God for their family.
Second, when we head into the scripture to look at women as leaders in the scriptures we know that:
Miriam was a prophet and leader in Israel (Exodus)
Deborah was a prophet/judge and headed the army of Israel (Judges)
Huldah was not only a prophet, but was actually the prophet who verified the Book of Law, and was a huge trigger in their renewal of their covenant. (2Kings, 2Chronicles)
Esther was not just a Queen, but a queen who defied the rule of the King by coming before him in the court w/o being requested (Esther)
Philips 4 daughters were prophets (Acts)
Euodia and Syntyche were evangelicals, spreading the gospel (Philippians)
Pheobe was a minster/deacon (Romans)
Paul refers to Priscilla as his coworker (Romans)
Junia was referred to as an outstanding apostle. (Romans)
Anna was the prophet who pronounced Jesus to be the redemption of Israel (Luke)
Lydia was a business woman who became a central leader in the Philippian Church, also noted as the first conversion in Philippi (Acts)
And these are just the folks listed by name with specifics. There are many women who were counted as teachers within their families, prayer leaders, etc not mentioned by specific name. We also know that there were women, like the Samaritan woman, who after her encounter with Jesus at the well, went back to the town and told the men & women what she had learned. In this encounter (and many like it) these women were in fact teaching the men.
Finally, it is imperative that as we read scripture we understand what we are reading, and the context of that scripture. This is why they not only teach scripture in seminary but also about the cultures of the time. We also have to really look back that the original Hebrew meanings of words before applying modern definitions to English (or other language) translations.
Kendra says
I simply don’t have time to respond to all of the examples here, but I want to point out three things quickly. There is a difference between the Old and New Testaments. For example, God commanded the children of Israel to annihilate certain nations – yet in the New Testament, Jesus said told us to love our enemies. This would also account for the allowances of women in leadership roles in the Old Testament. Yet we are living under the New Testament now, thus the commands given in the verses above.
Secondly, I do not think it is wrong for a woman to bear testimony of the working of God in her life. This is not teaching or preaching or usurping authority over men. And this is exactly what I see the woman at the well did – she bore testimony of her wonderful meeting with the Messiah! I also do not see any women in the New Testament who were listed as being in authoritative teaching positions over men.
Thirdly, I did not mean to give the impression that women are “unequal in value” to men. This is simply not Scriptural for God created both in His image! I was only describing the role of submission we all play – to our God-given authority. Do we consider Christ as being “unequal in value” to God? No, yet in I Corinthians 11, it states how the head of Christ is God. He is under submission also, to His Father.
(this has been edited a few times because I kept thinking of something to add) 🙂
Sandra Miller says
Being subject to our husbands and all other men invites serious discussion. Yes, I have seen where some males think women need to be subject to them because they are a male and she is a female – but scripture does not teach that – only that a woman should be subject to her own husband. I have seen men who think they have the right to usurp that authority. Weird.
I am of the understanding a person – male and female – is first and foremost subject to God, always. A wife lives out her faith in serving others, including her husband. The goal is serving God by serving others and that means one will relate to others differently depending on their position or role in society.
To the husband she is to love and submit to his authority but he never displaces God as authority. If the husband wills his wife to do something differently then what the WORD says she is not to obey him. He can never supplant God in her life. His wife is a child of God and he must always remember that. If he works to distract her from that relationship he undermines his own authority. A wife cannot fully serve her husband if she rebels against God’s authority. Mouthful, I know and I will be the first one to admit I have failed. But God is gracious, gives me second chances…Life is a learning process.
Yes, I do wonder about women ministering without wearing the symbol …
Another subject that might be worth while exploring is what all does obedience in wearing the veiling do for a child of the King.
Kendra says
That would be a good subject!
Mariann Miller says
There is so much of this being accepted today. Thanks for sharing!
Crystal Levin says
We as women are given so much responsibility I never understand when women also want to take on men’s responsibility as well
Living In The Shoe says
I’m with you there, Crystal. 🙂 I think our men need so much encouragement in today’s culture!
Autumn Root says
While I lovingly and respectfully disagree, I always appreciate your willingness to write what is on your heart and mind…popular or unpopular. I have done many studies put together by Beth…inspired by God’s Word. I have been encouraged to dig into my Bible and search scripture each and every time like never before. I praise God for her ministry and know that it has helped me tremendously over the years. I do not follow her..I simply appreciate the way her studies challenge me in God’s Word. I may be the odd one out here and I am not commenting to start any argument or anything. I simply wanted to share my thoughts and hope that is ok. Blessings to you and yours.
Living In The Shoe says
Thank you for your honesty, Autumn! God’s Word is powerful in each and every situation, whether it’s through someone’s “study guide” or by itself. It is timeless and not bound by man! Yet, I wanted to share how we do not feel right in endorsing her. Thanks again! *you have never been argumentative yet* 🙂
Deann Wagner says
By following some of the links, I came to quite a few references to “contemplative prayer”. She seems to admire some who are advocates of this mysticism. These practices are identical to those of false eastern religions. I haven’t heard of these teachings in her Bible studies.
Thank you for the eye opening! 🙂
Annalee Taylor says
What is “contemplative prayer”?
Living In The Shoe says
This is the definition on our “dictionary page”: Contemplative prayer – A mystical prayer practice that leads one into the “silence” but in actuality leads away from God. The purpose of contemplative prayer is to enter an Altered State Of Consciousness in order to find one’s True Self, thus finding God. This true self relates to the belief that man is basically good. Proponents of contemplative prayer teach that all human beings have a divine center and that all, not just born again believers, should practice contemplative prayer.
Living In The Shoe says
Hope that helps a bit! If you wish to know more, I’d suggest this website: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?cat=78
Living In The Shoe says
Yes, she does. This is something not well understood in our circles, but it is infiltrating quickly. Sometimes it gets tiring to be on guard, but the Bible never tells us to give up the fight!
Lisa Lavy says
I too have been blessed my many of Beth’s studies through the years. Every one has been bible based and caused me to dig deeper than I ever had. But Beth Moore or any teacher aside, I find the Man on pirate Christian radio highly offensive. I don’t hear any true concern from him, only sarcastic ridicule of another of God’s servants. James 4:11- speak not evil against a brother ( or sister). If he is really concerned with her teaching, it seems like it would be more effective to speak to the people who are in authority over her rather than making a joke of it.