But now, the trouble there too is that sometimes a minister or pastor actually does have some decent scholarship behind them, so you can't always necessarily go by what appears to be the case on the surface.
I may not agree with everything you teach, but you are certainly a teacher. Have you ever invested any time in studying the original languages? I'm not asking for any other reason than that it might help you understand and teach the word better.
Im seminary trained and have training in manuscript evidence.
Here is the thing with Teachers.
All have a point of view, and unless the person is.
A.) not deceived
B.) More concerned with shedding Light then anything else
Then that is proof that this person is all about heresy and self righteousness.
It would be nice if most people who are all over christian forums were not generally spiritually toxic to others.
But that is, sadly, not the case.
And so, what is the main thing you look for in a (pro-claimed) Pastor, Evangelist, Teacher...
Well, one of the hard things for a lay person to do is to understand who is real and who is pretending to be real.
As the real are real, and Satan's ministers, can sound real......so, that is a problem.
The deceived do not sound like they are deceived, as that is the nature of deception.
After all, if a deceived person KNEW they were deceived, they would stop being deceived.
And many, once shown they are, just hate and rave and bite, as they can't stand the idea of not being "right".
Many would rather stay wrong, then just realize they are in a mess, when they know they are in a cult, or similar.
Listen, when you have been in a water cult, since you were born, and one day you realize you are in a cult that pretends to be all about Christ, but is really completely man made and bible rejecting....... well, its not easy to stop being what you've been all your life.
It takes some backbone and some courage to admit "i was deceived", and get out of it.
Its difficult, as this is a stronghold , that for many, is 20, 30, 40+ yrs, and they LOVE their denomination..... So, to have to get away from it, is hard.
So.... you have to know, how to know the difference, between a dark light and a real Light... or you will end up in a cult, or worse, you'll end up faith destroyed
So, when looking for the "real" then 1.) you must be familiar with Paul's theology, and Paul's Gospel, and be yourself grounded in Grace, vs, ruined by theology.
If a person can't name Paul's epistles, then that is pretty strong evidence that they are living in the wrong parts of the NT, (Theologically and Spiritually)
The pursuit of Theology as discipleship, is an error.
Paul does not tell you to be a deep theologian, Paul tells you to be sure of your DOCTRINE, as that is where the heretics are found in the spiritual ditch of darkness.
Their doctrine is a cat box.
There are so many people who are drowning in theology, as that is what it does, unless its supported by a strong and deep underpinning of God's Grace.
I always tell my students and my readers to live in Hebrews 13:9.
As that verse teaches you where you are supposed to live, spiritually, and it exposes all those who didnt do that, and don't, and what they have become.
So, what do you look for in a teacher or in a pulpit?
You listen to how they present what saves you, and most especially what KEEPS you saved.
A heretic can't teach that Jesus keeps you saved, because they don't believe this...
So, all their theology is going to talk about how "self can lose salvation, and how self keeps self saved".
See that "self"?
Thats Satan ministers and teachers. They are the ministers of SELF-righteousness. = 100%
Whereas God's ministers give God all the Credit for saving them, and keeping them saved., and never do they give this credit to water or works or self..
Philippians 1:6