{
  "id": "dict_001890",
  "term": "False Teachers",
  "slug": "false-teachers",
  "letter": "F",
  "entry_type": "theological_term",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "False teachers are people who present teaching contrary to God’s truth and who mislead others in matters of faith and conduct. Scripture warns the church to test such teaching and reject it.",
  "simple_one_line": "",
  "tooltip_text": "",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [],
  "see_also": [],
  "lede_intro": "",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [],
  "description_academic_short": "In Scripture, false teachers are those who claim spiritual authority yet distort God’s word, deny essential truth, or lead people into ungodliness. They may arise from outside the church or from within its own fellowship. Believers are repeatedly warned to discern doctrine carefully and to hold fast to apostolic teaching.",
  "description_academic_full": "False teachers are individuals who teach error in God’s name and draw people away from sound doctrine and faithful obedience. The Bible describes them as deceptive, often persuasive, and sometimes motivated by pride, greed, or immoral desire, though Scripture also emphasizes the damaging effect of their teaching more than every possible motive. They may deny core truths about Christ, twist the gospel, promote speculations, or use religion for selfish gain. Because of this danger, the church is called to test teaching by the truth God has revealed, guard the flock, and refuse messages that contradict apostolic doctrine. While not every disagreement among Christians makes someone a false teacher, Scripture gives serious warnings against those who persistently spread teaching that subverts the faith.",
  "background_biblical_context": "",
  "background_historical_context": "",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "",
  "key_texts_primary": [],
  "key_texts_secondary": [],
  "original_language_note": "",
  "theological_significance": "",
  "philosophical_explanation": "",
  "interpretive_cautions": "",
  "major_views_note": "",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "",
  "practical_significance": "",
  "meta_description": "False teachers are people who present teaching contrary to God’s truth and who mislead others in matters of faith and conduct. Scripture warns the church to test such teaching and reject it.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/false-teachers/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/false-teachers.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}