Questionable Christian Leaders
Providing an honest, scripturally-grounded assessment of widely-followed teachers whose doctrines conflict with historic, orthodox Christianity.
Why This Assessment Exists
The Christian Council does not take pleasure in this evaluation. We recognize that God works through imperfect vessels, and no teacher is without fault. However, scripture is unambiguous in its demand for doctrinal accountability: we are called to "test everything; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and warned that "false prophets will arise and lead many astray" (Matthew 24:11).
The following leaders have enormous reach—collectively influencing tens of millions of people. When their teachings deviate from historic, orthodox Christianity, the damage is proportionally vast. Our goal is not to destroy their reputations but to provide an honest, documented, and scripturally-grounded analysis so that ordinary Christians can make informed decisions about whose voice they allow to shape their faith.
Note on Approach: Each assessment below is based on publicly documented teachings, verified statements, and referenced against orthodox Christian theology. We encourage readers to verify every claim independently and to pray for discernment.
Joel Osteen
Senior Pastor, Lakewood Church
~52,000 weekly attendees; global television & book audiences
Documented Teachings of Concern
- Financial blessing is God's guaranteed reward for faith and obedience.
- Speaking positive words 'activates' divine favor and material success.
- Downplays sin, repentance, and the biblical theology of suffering.
- Rarely addresses hell, judgment, or the cost of discipleship.
Why We Find It Important to Let the Public Know
Millions of people—particularly the economically vulnerable—make major life decisions based on his teaching. When financial prosperity doesn't follow 'faith,' it damages real people's relationship with God and creates disillusionment with Christianity. The Gospel Jesus preached explicitly warned against the love of wealth (Matthew 6:24) and promised suffering for his followers (John 16:33).
Scripture Response
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”
— 1 Timothy 6:6-7
Kenneth Copeland
Televangelist & Faith Movement Pioneer
Global television network; decades-long following
Documented Teachings of Concern
- Believers have the power to 'speak things into existence' as God does.
- Sickness and poverty are always the result of a lack of faith.
- Declared himself equal to God in spiritual authority.
- Accumulated hundreds of millions in personal wealth while soliciting donations from followers.
Why We Find It Important to Let the Public Know
This theology directly contradicts the biblical pattern of righteous suffering (Job, Paul, the apostles). It places the burden of illness and financial hardship on the believer's faith, leading to spiritual devastation when promised breakthroughs do not materialize. It has also enabled a culture of financial exploitation dressed in religious language.
Scripture Response
“I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound.”
— Philippians 4:11-12
T.D. Jakes
Bishop, The Potter's House
30,000+ member congregation; global media presence
Documented Teachings of Concern
- Has been associated with Oneness Pentecostal theology which denies the Trinity—teaching that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not three distinct Persons but three 'manifestations' of one Person.
- Has not clearly affirmed Trinitarian orthodoxy despite questions from Christian scholars.
- Preaches a motivational, success-oriented message that frequently overshadows substitutionary atonement.
Why We Find It Important to Let the Public Know
The Trinity is one of the most foundational doctrines of historic Christianity, affirmed by every major church council since Nicaea (AD 325). A teacher with this level of global influence who holds or has held heretical views on the Godhead misleads enormous numbers of people on the central nature of who God is. The Council of Nicaea condemned Modalism as heresy.
Scripture Response
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
— Matthew 28:19
Benny Hinn
Faith Healer & Televangelist
Television, crusades attended by millions globally
Documented Teachings of Concern
- Conducted mass 'healing crusades' where healings have not been verified or have been debunked.
- Has made numerous specific false prophecies, including the deaths of Fidel Castro and the homosexual community in 1994.
- Has been investigated by the US Senate for financial irregularities and personal enrichment.
- Has taught unbiblical doctrines about the Holy Spirit, including that the Spirit would 'kill' those who criticized Hinn.
Why We Find It Important to Let the Public Know
People with terminal illnesses attend his crusades and claim healing, then discontinue medical treatment—with deadly consequences. False prophecy is taken extremely seriously in scripture (Deuteronomy 18:20-22). These practices give secular critics legitimate grounds to dismiss all of Christianity as fraudulent.
Scripture Response
“But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.”
— Deuteronomy 18:20
Beth Moore
Bible Teacher & Author
Tens of millions of readers; major women's ministry influence
Documented Teachings of Concern
- Has increasingly aligned with progressive social positions that conflict with historic evangelical orthodoxy.
- Left the Southern Baptist Convention citing concerns about complementarianism, but has since moved toward egalitarian and progressive positions on gender and sexuality.
- Has endorsed and praised teachers whose theological positions conflict with evangelical orthodoxy.
- Promotes an emotional, experience-driven approach to Bible interpretation.
Why We Find It Important to Let the Public Know
Beth Moore has had extraordinary access to evangelical women for decades. Her progressive theological drift, if followed by her audience, leads communities away from the anchors of historic orthodoxy into subjective, culture-shaped theology. Scripture warns against teachings that follow 'the desires of the times' rather than sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:3).
Scripture Response
“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.”
— 2 Timothy 4:3
Joseph Prince
Senior Pastor, New Creation Church
Global TV audience; bestselling author
Documented Teachings of Concern
- Teaches that Christians never need to confess sin to maintain fellowship with God because all sin—past, present, and future—is already forgiven.
- Dismisses the role of law, commandments, or moral accountability in the Christian life.
- Downplays repentance as a necessary ongoing posture of the believer.
- Creates a one-dimensional view of grace that removes moral seriousness from Christian discipleship.
Why We Find It Important to Let the Public Know
While the grace of God is foundational and glorious, hyper-grace theology creates communities where moral failure goes unaddressed and accountability is seen as 'legalism.' Scripture is explicit that the grace of God teaches us to 'say no to ungodliness' (Titus 2:12), not to ignore it. This theological error enables ongoing sin under the covering of a misunderstood grace.
Scripture Response
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions.”
— Titus 2:11-12
Pursue Sound Doctrine
The antidote to false teaching is not cynicism—it is a deeper grounding in the historic Christian faith. We encourage every reader to study the early church councils, read the creeds, and compare all teaching to the whole counsel of God's word.
