Many interpret Paul’s words in Philippians 4:13 to mean Christians have the power to be successful at anything in life. However, the passage is actually talking about contentment in any circumstance, whether difficult or easy. Paul speaks of having little (poverty) versus having much, and going hungry versus being filled. His point is that Jesus Christ is our life in every circumstance we face. This is a far cry from the idea that Christians can be successful at anything because they have Christ. Believing this lie sets a person up for unrealistic expectations and disappointment with God.

James 2 is talking about living faith (which includes a decision) versus dead faith that even the demons have. James is encouraging his readers to be like Rahab and open the door to God’s message. James is instructing his readers to imitate Abraham by offering themselves to God just as Abraham offered Isaac. Faith without decision is dead faith.

While the term “Trinity” is not found in the Bible, Scripture is clear about the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three coequal persons in one Godhead. As human beings with finite understanding, we can believe in the Trinity without fully comprehending it.

James 5:16 says the prayers of righteous people are powerful and effective. While this is often interpreted as we need to live righteously for our prayers to be heard, the passage actually speaks to the righteousness we received as a free gift from Christ at salvation (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:17).

Whenever disasters occur, 2 Chronicles 7:14 is often used as a proof text to argue God is sending disasters because of the world’s sins. But this is an Old Testament passage aimed at Israel before Jesus died for our sins to bring us total forgiveness and salvation through Him. Today is the day of salvation – not the day of judgment. God’s agenda is to save the world, not to punish it. And the kindness of the Lord brings us to repentance (Romans 2:4). So, God is not hurling disaster at us to get our attention.

Some believe 1 Peter 3:19 teaches that Jesus went to Hell for three days to preach to demons or the unsaved before His resurrection. Some even claim this trip to Hell was necessary to complete Christ’s work on our behalf. However, Peter was simply saying that Jesus (long ago, through Noah) had preached to the people of Noah’s day (in that day!).

The people of Noah’s generation heard Jesus’s message through Noah and rejected it. As a result, they died in the flood and are now in a spiritual prison (Hell). Jesus did not go to Hell for three days nor was it necessary for Him to do so in order to complete His finished work on our behalf. Perhaps the clearest indication of where Jesus was after He died is given to us in His words to the thief on the cross: “Today you will be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

The prosperity gospel teaches that Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection brought every believer the ability to activate earthly blessings such as monetary riches and good health. Scripture, however, teaches that Christ achieved spiritual blessings for us such as forgiveness, righteousness, and a new heart (Ephesians 1; Hebrews 10:16-17). These are the true gifts of God which belong to every believer regardless of what planet Earth might throw our way.

Some claim the King James Version is the most accurate translation of the Bible. However, this is simply not the case. In fact, it’s not even based on the earliest manuscripts we have today.

Is it biblical? Lordship Salvation teaches that individuals are saved when they surrender and submit fully to Christ’s Lordship. This is contrasted with so-called “easy believism” or the concept that salvation is offered freely and needs only to be received (Romans 6:23). Jesus did tell us what He offers is “easy” and “light” and brings “rest” (Matthew 11:28-30). In addition, He told us that whoever believes in Him (even those who believe on His name) has eternal life (John 3:16; John 1:12). Salvation is indeed a gift of God so that no one can brag they surrendered or sacrificed enough to earn it (Ephesians 2:8-9). In short, Lordship Salvation is a crippling doctrine that causes morbid introspection and hinders assurance of salvation.

Some argue that we should adhere to what the “early church fathers” taught during the first few centuries of Christianity. While this might sound like a noble idea, it is problematic in that the early church fathers did not even agree with each other about key issues! Furthermore, many of the so-called “early church fathers” promoted unfounded (even heretical!) ideas. In short, it is not the age of a belief that determines its truth value. What is most important is what the Scriptures actually teach, not what those who came later might have claimed. And the Spirit of God is perfectly capable of teaching us the truth of the Gospel today, so we have no need to blindly submit to the ideas proposed by the “early church fathers.”