Is David Jeremiah a False Teacher?

Like clockwork, not a week goes by without someone writing to either ask whether David Jeremiah is a false teacher, or to recommend him as a reliable teacher of Scripture. This article will not satisfy either group, but it’s the best I can do at this moment.

Our goal should be to simply be truthful, not to attack or defend anyone. I’ve heard David Jeremiah teach, on the radio, many times in the past. I’ve never personally heard him say anything that concerned me. However: as someone who has not followed him closely, I’m uncomfortable recommending him based solely on past impressions. I’m also entirely unwilling to call anyone a false teacher without seeing, objectively, that they’re teaching falsely.

For more information on that, please read What is a False Teacher?

The trouble with other people’s websites

When I’m unfamiliar with a teacher, I begin my research by looking for the things that other people have found. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel, so if someone has already done solid research, I can begin there. Unfortunately, after reviewing around a hundred different websites that call David Jeremiah a false teacher, I’m no closer to having any answers. Why? Because different people have different ideas of what makes someone a false teacher. Here’s a short list of the reasons that some call Jeremiah a false teacher:

• He’s on TBN.
• He’s appeared onstage with false teachers.
• He’s quoted some people whose beliefs contradict the Bible.
• He’s an agent of Rome and a secret supporter of the Jesuits.
• He doesn’t teach a pre-tribulation rapture.

… and so on. That’s what I find when I look for hard answers about David Jeremiah.

To be clear: Associating with non-believers, unbelievers, and false teachers is also not evidence that someone is a false teacher. There are plenty of examples of solid, Bible-believing Christians spending time with non-Christians and heretics without compromising their own faith, or teaching falsely.

To be clear: simply quoting non-believers is not evidence that someone is a false teacher. There are many quotes in the Bible that originated with non-believers.

To be clear: while some believe that the Roman Catholic church is the Babylon of Revelation, most do not. This is an interpretive question that can’t be answered at this point in history, so the charge amounts to little more than a conspiracy theory… and I see no direct connection between Jeremiah and the Vatican to begin with. This is overly dramatic at best, and certainly a kind of immature mud-slinging.

To be clear: doctrinal disagreements between Christians are not evidence that someone is a false teacher. If you believe in the rapture but your brother does not, that isn’t evidence. That’s an “in-house debate” between Christians, not evidence that your brother is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

What does make someone a false teacher? Teaching falsely. I’ve seen virtually no actual quotes from David Jeremiah on the dozens of website that proclaim that he’s a false teacher. This simply should not be.

Cause for concern

However: these things are not to simply be dismissed. When someone aligns themselves with heretics, it’s wise to consider whether they’ve joined them… or, at the very least, whether they lack the discernment needed to be a wise teacher. There’s no question that David Jeremiah spends a lot of time with people who are demonstrably false teachers. 2 John 1:10-11 points to the fact that we are not to welcome a false teacher: If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.

I’ve not seen any quotes from David Jeremiah that contradict clear Scriptures, or the basic doctrines of the Christian faith. I’ve not heard him say anything directly that I can compare with a particular Bible verse to show that he’s a false teacher. That’s why he’s not on the List of False Teachers.

That’s also why he’s not on the list of Bible Teachers I Can Recommend. I need to continue my research, which takes time. I can’t rely on any of the dozens and dozens of websites I’ve found that are essentially immature attempts at making a case against him. I have to take the time to listen to a bunch of his sermons.

I’ve seen evidence that he’s joined the TBN false teaching of the prosperity gospel… but I haven’t seen the video. I’ve seen evidence that he lacks the discernment needed to be considered trustworthy… but I haven’t heard his unwise recommendations myself. For that reason, I write this warning.

Until I know more, I’m unable to recommend David Jeremiah. Until I know more, it would be foolish and unwise and almost certainly sinful for me to suggest that he’s a false teacher. I refuse to bear false witness against my neighbor, let alone my brother in Christ.

Please pray for David Jeremiah, that he will be faithful to the Scriptures. While you’re at it, please pray for me as I work to help those who trust me learn whether they can trust others. I don’t take this lightly, and I don’t do it for myself. I simply get too many requests for this kind of information, and can’t ignore them.

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