Blog/Apologetics: Where Should the Ethical Lines be Drawn in the Online Christian Space?

Last week, there was somewhat of a stir in the Christian space on YouTube. The reason for this is because Bryce Crawford (who I’ve spoken extensively about here on the blog) had the highly controversial and greatly deceptive Kenneth Copeland on his show. There was a lot of buzz about this since not only was it Copeland’s first interview in 15 years, but it was one of the biggest Christian voices online giving him a platform. This news was so big that Good Fight Ministries did an hour-and-a-half-long livestream talking about why this was a bad thing.

Then, on Monday, the interview came out. Bryce made it very clear that he does not agree with the prosperity gospel and acknowledged that Copeland teaches a “different gospel” (“false gospel” is more accurate.) From there, the interview was 70% Copeland telling stories about his life, 29% him defending the prosperity gospel by taking Scripture out of context, and 1% Bryce asking softball questions.

However, while I could dedicate this entire blog post to talking about everything wrong with that interview, or how people like Good Fight Ministries are starting to notice that Bryce is a false teacher, the thing I want to focus on today are the ethics. Should Christians online be platforming certain people who teach a false gospel? Where do we draw the line in the sand?

Though I have seen some people do a good job of bringing on people with differing religious backgrounds in the name of a common goal without promoting one view or another (for example: David Wood and Apostate Prophet (Ridvan Aydemir) often collab though Wood is Protestant and Aydemir is Eastern Orthodox) I do think it can be a bad idea. This isn’t anything against these people, but as a Christian influencer, you have a responsibility to vet who you’re platforming and, likewise, allowing to influence your followers. And in the case of known heretics who try to pass themselves off as believing the same or similar things as other believers while teaching something that’s incredibly deceptive, you shouldn’t give them the light of day, especially if you yourself are ill-equipped or unwilling to push back on their beliefs.

In the case of Bryce bringing on Kenneth Copeland, this is absolutely something where he shouldn’t be given the light of day. His main power is manipulation. He has the ability to cover deception with misquoted Scripture that he knows most people won’t catch and a charismatic personality. He tries to play himself off as a normal Christian like anyone else who has just figured out how to get God’s blessings. He makes it sound like the Prosperity Gospel that he preaches is an accurate reading of the Bible – just turn your brain off, listen to him, and you’ll be fine.

Further, when bringing on someone of differing beliefs, ask yourself if the collab will actually be good for the audience. Remember, most of your audience probably doesn’t have good discernment, so if you’re platforming someone that teaches a gospel that doesn’t line up with the Bible, it’s possible that many of them won’t catch the issues. While you might get plenty of clicks and views, if they can’t distinguish a wolf from a sheep, then you end up hurting them more than you’re helping them.

On that note, if you’re bringing on someone controversial who you know is a false teacher just for views and attention, then you shouldn’t have them on period. In Bryce’s case, while I don’t claim to know his heart, it seems very much like his interview with Copeland was done to generate views. After all, it was Copeland’s first interview in 15 years, and he rightly has drawn the ire of many in the church. Add on that this isn’t Bryce’s first time having a controversial figure on, collaborating with Carl Lentz back in December of 2024 and January of 2025, and this seems like a trend.

Thus, I think it needs to be a rule of thumb for Christian influencers that if they want to bring someone on their podcast who’s controversial or believes in questionable doctrines, they need to first ask themselves if the discussion will truly benefit the audience or if it will simply give the guest access to a broader range of people who they may end up deceiving. If the latter, then it’s best not to have them on.

On that note, the second thing the influencer needs to ask themselves is if they’re actually prepared and willing to give a respectful, but firm and clear rebuttal against anything that the guest may say that goes against Scripture (basically, they need to be prepared to do the discernment part that the audience may not be willing or equipped to do.) They need to understand the arguments and be willing to protect the flock if the guest tries preying on the audience with a nice sounding, but false message. Just saying that you don’t agree with the person or that they teach a different gospel is not enough. You need to demonstrate for the audience how they’re teaching a false gospel via a sound rebuttal.

And third, they need to ask themselves the reason for bringing on the person. Is it to have a discussion and respectful debate about the points of contention? Or is it simply to garner attention online, even if it means potentially harming your audience’s spiritual walk because they don’t know how to tell a wolf from a sheep?

If you’re not willing to ask these questions, or you’re just doing it for the clicks, then you shouldn’t be bringing the person on.

Until next time,

M.J.

Standing Firm at the Edge of Eternity

Thru the Bible in a Year

As we come to 2 Peter, we are reading words written at the edge of a faithful life. This second letter is not theoretical theology offered from a distance; it is pastoral urgency shaped by the knowledge that Peter’s own martyrdom is near. There is a gravity here, but not despair. Peter writes as one who knows he will soon lay down his life, and precisely for that reason, he focuses on what truly endures. The church does not need novelty, he insists; it needs remembrance, rootedness, and resolve. As I walk through this letter with you, I sense Peter’s deep concern that believers finish well, grounded in truth and alert to danger, while living with hope fixed firmly on what God has promised.

In the opening chapter, Peter turns our attention to what he calls the character of the faith. Faith, for Peter, is not merely an inner conviction but a lived allegiance shaped by God’s initiative. He begins by reminding us that this faith is made possible by “the power of God” and sustained by “the promises of God.” Faith is not self-generated optimism; it is a response to divine action. Peter then offers a carefully ordered portrait of spiritual growth, urging believers to add virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. These are not random virtues but interconnected graces that mature together. The Greek word aretē (ἀρετή), often translated “virtue,” carries the sense of moral excellence or courage, suggesting that Christian growth requires intentional participation, not passive belief. Peter’s pastoral heart shows in what follows: he sees his role as one of care, reminding believers again and again of truths they already know. Repetition, he implies, is not redundancy but protection. As commentator Michael Green observed, “The Christian life is not learning something new but remembering something vital.”

Peter then grounds this faith in confirmation. He does not ask believers to trust vague spiritual impressions. He anchors faith in two witnesses: his own testimony of the Transfiguration and the prophetic witness of Scripture. When Peter recalls seeing Christ’s glory on the holy mountain, he is saying, in effect, “I have seen where this story ends.” And when he points to Scripture, he affirms that the Christian faith rests on solid ground, not private revelation. The Word, inspired by the Holy Spirit, stands as a reliable lamp in a dark world. For readers today, this is a gentle but firm reminder that faith matures when Scripture shapes our imagination more than culture or circumstance.

Chapter two shifts the tone as Peter addresses the contentions of the faith. Here the pastoral voice becomes sharply protective. False teachers, Peter warns, are not merely mistaken; they are destructive. Their doctrine denies core truths about Christ, and their influence leads others toward ruin. What stands out to me is Peter’s insistence that judgment, though sometimes delayed, is certain. He draws on familiar biblical examples—the flood, fallen angels, and Sodom and Gomorrah—to remind readers that God’s justice is neither absent nor arbitrary. Delay does not mean indifference. Peter also exposes the deeds of false teachers: they exploit others financially, reject authority, promise freedom while enslaving their hearers, and return repeatedly to moral corruption. The imagery is intentionally unsettling. Peter wants believers to see that teaching divorced from holiness eventually reveals itself in conduct. As John Stott once wrote, “Error and immorality are frequent companions.” For us, this chapter calls for discernment rooted not in suspicion but in fidelity to God’s Word.

The final chapter lifts our gaze to the consummation of the faith. Peter acknowledges that scoffers will mock the promise of Christ’s return, labeling it outdated or implausible. Their scoffing, Peter says, is marked by insolence and ignorance—insolence toward God’s authority and ignorance of God’s past interventions in history. Peter reminds us that the same word that once brought judgment through water will one day bring renewal through fire. The language is sobering, yet it is not meant to frighten believers into paralysis. Instead, Peter asks a searching question: if this is where history is headed, how then should we live? His answer is clear—holiness and godliness, marked by hope rather than fear. Believers are not called to speculate endlessly about timelines, but to live faithfully in anticipation of God’s promised future. We are to “look forward” to the coming day, not shrink back from it.

As I reflect on 2 Peter as a whole, I am struck by its balance. It calls us to moral seriousness without despair, doctrinal clarity without arrogance, and future hope without escapism. Peter does not urge withdrawal from the world but engagement shaped by truth. He writes not to alarm faithful believers, but to steady them. In a culture still skeptical of divine judgment and impatient with moral formation, Peter’s words feel remarkably current. They invite us to ask whether our faith is growing in depth, whether we are alert to subtle distortions of truth, and whether our hope is anchored beyond the present age.

Thank you for your commitment to walking through Scripture day by day. This kind of steady engagement with God’s Word forms roots that hold when storms come. As Isaiah reminds us, God’s Word does not return void but accomplishes the purpose for which He sends it. May this reading of 2 Peter strengthen your resolve, clarify your hope, and deepen your trust in the God who finishes what He begins.

For further study on the themes of perseverance and false teaching in 2 Peter, you may find this article from Crossway helpful:
https://www.crossway.org/articles/what-2-peter-teaches-us-about-false-teachers/

FEEL FREE TO COMMENT, SUBSCRIBE, AND REPOST, SO OTHERS MAY KNOW

Finishing Well

Paul’s Heart for a Growing Church

Thru the Bible in a Year

As we step into today’s reading—2 Corinthians 9–13—we complete Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. What strikes me each time I read these chapters is how personal they are. Paul is not writing abstract theology here; he is writing as a spiritual father who loves deeply, hurts deeply, and hopes deeply. He is guiding a church that is still learning how to mature in Christ. And he invites us, centuries later, to listen in and grow with them.

These chapters reveal Paul’s pastoral heart. They show us his longing for the Corinthian believers to live generously, discern truth wisely, and examine their own hearts faithfully. They also remind us that ministry—real ministry—involves both joy and strain, encouragement and correction. As we finish this epistle, we find ourselves invited into the same posture Paul desired for Corinth: a posture of spiritual integrity, humble dependence on God, and sincere love for the people of God.

Let us walk through these chapters together and see what the Lord may speak to us today.

2 Corinthians 9 — A Call to Cheerful and Christlike Giving

Paul begins with the subject of the Jerusalem collection, an offering for the impoverished believers in Judea. He highlights that the Corinthians had been eager a year earlier to give, and that their readiness had actually inspired other churches. But eagerness alone was not enough—commitment needed to become action. Their intent now needed confirmation.

Paul also teaches them the character of true giving: it must be liberal and cheerful. This is where he offers one of the most-quoted lines in the New Testament: “God loves a cheerful giver.” For Paul, giving is never coerced. It flows from joy, gratitude, and an awareness that we are stewards, not owners.

He then moves to the cause of giving: to supply the needs of the saints. The early church understood that generosity was not charity—it was fellowship. They cared for one another because they belonged to one another in Christ.

And finally, Paul speaks of the compensation of giving—not in the transactional sense but in the spiritual one. God blesses those who give willingly. The blessing is not always material; often it is the blessing of a heart aligned with God’s heart.

Then Paul ends with contemplation: gratitude for the greatest gift of all, God’s “unspeakable gift”—Christ Himself. When Christ is our reference point, all giving becomes a joyful echo of His generosity.

As I read this chapter, I’m reminded that giving is one of the clearest ways we reflect the character of Christ. Our generosity reveals what holds our hearts.

2 Corinthians 10 — A Gentle Shepherd and a Bold Apostle

In chapter 10, Paul turns to the matter of his upcoming visit. His attitude will be one of humility, not harshness. But humility is not weakness. Paul wants to be meek as Christ was meek, but he will not allow error or rebellion to ruin the church he has labored to build. He reassures them that while he walks “in the flesh,” he does not fight with worldly weapons; instead, he fights with the spiritual power that destroys strongholds and brings every thought captive to Christ.

The Corinthians had accused him of being bold in letters but unimpressive in person. Paul does not deny that his appearance or speech may not match cultural expectations. But his authority does not come from charisma—it comes from Christ. His purpose is not to impress but to edify.

And his aim in coming is to extend the reach of the gospel into regions beyond Corinth. Paul sees their growth as a launching point for larger mission.

When I read this chapter, I see Paul wrestling with the tensions every spiritual leader feels: the desire to be gentle, the need to be firm, the humility of Christ, and the weight of responsibility. His confidence is not in his personality but in the authority God entrusted to him.

2 Corinthians 11 — The Pain of False Teachers and the Path of True Servanthood

Chapter 11 unfolds like a contrast between true and false ministry.

Paul begins by defending his deportment, his conduct. Unlike the false apostles, Paul had served the Corinthians with sincerity and sacrifice. He had not used them, manipulated them, or demanded financial reward.

He then highlights the deceit of false teachers. They masqueraded as apostles of Christ, but their message was hollow and harmful. Paul warns that Satan himself “masquerades as an angel of light,” and his servants often come disguised as something admirable. Discernment, then, is essential in the Christian life.

Then Paul gives an extraordinary list of his difficulties—the hardships he endured for the sake of Christ. Shipwrecks, beatings, stonings, sleepless nights, hunger, thirst, danger from every direction. False teachers would never willingly endure such cost. Their ministries were built on comfort and applause. Paul’s ministry was built on suffering and faithfulness.

This chapter invites us to examine the voices we allow to shape our faith. True servants of Christ bear the marks of sacrifice, humility, and sincerity.

2 Corinthians 12 — True Apostolic Credentials

Some in Corinth questioned Paul’s apostleship, so in chapter 12 he explains his credentials. He speaks of a vision God gave him—an experience so overwhelming he says he does not even know whether he was in the body or out of it. But the vision came with a cost: a physical thorn that kept him dependent on God.

Paul begs for relief, but Christ answers with one of the most comforting statements in Scripture: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” This revelation shapes Paul’s understanding of ministry: weakness is not a liability but a doorway to the power of God.

Paul also reminds them of the recognition due him as an apostle, evidenced by signs, wonders, and mighty deeds done in their midst.

He then offers remonstration—gentle rebuke—for their lack of love toward him. Paul feels the sting of their criticism, yet continues to love them with pastoral patience.

Finally, he offers a reminder of how he conducted himself among them with integrity. He took no advantage of them, even when other apostles received support.

What stands out here is how Paul views weakness: not as something to hide, but as the very arena where God’s glory becomes most visible.

2 Corinthians 13 — Final Words and Final Exhortations

Paul ends this letter with a rich cluster of closing thoughts.

He issues a promise: when he comes again, he will act decisively if rebellion persists. Paul is patient, but he is not passive.

He calls for proving: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith.” This is not a call to anxiety, but to spiritual honesty. Genuine faith always welcomes self-examination.

He then offers a pastoral prayer—for their restoration, comfort, unity, and peace.

And finally, he gives a warm parting: a benediction that has become one of the most cherished blessings in Scripture—“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

It is as if Paul ends by saying, “Everything I have taught you, everything I have urged you toward, everything you need as a church—rest in the grace of Christ, the love of the Father, and the fellowship of the Spirit.”

Walking Forward in Faith

As we close this portion of our year-long journey, today’s reading invites us to reflect on generosity, discernment, endurance, humility, spiritual authority, and personal examination. Paul does not merely teach doctrine—he models discipleship. His life pushes us to consider what our own faith looks like in daily practice: our giving, our relationships, our endurance under pressure, our openness to correction, and our willingness to examine our hearts.

Thank you for your commitment to studying the Word of God. Scripture assures us that God’s Word will not return void. He will complete the work He is cultivating in you.

For deeper study on this passage, you may appreciate this article from Crosswalk:
https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/

FEEL FREE TO COMMENT and SUBSCRIBE but IF BLESSED, SHARE WITH FRIENDS

#2Corinthians913 #cheerfulGiving #falseTeachers #PaulSApostleship #spiritualSelfExamination

🚨 Beware the Deceptive Wolves! 🐺 Discover the Truth! 🔍

Beware false teachings! Scripture warns of deception. 'Even if an angel preaches another gospel…' Test everything. Know the true Christ—eternal life is knowing Him. Don't resist His call; join the mission! #FalseTeachers #TrueGospel #EternalLife #KnowChrist #ChristianLiving from Christic Academy

https://christicacademy.wordpress.com/2025/08/09/%f0%9f%9a%a8-beware-the-deceptive-wolves-%f0%9f%90%ba-discover-the-truth-%f0%9f%94%8d-2/

How do you tell a false prophet?

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1.1-5

#falsechrists #falsepreachers #FalseProphets #falseteachers #jesus #Messiah #salvation #SignsOfTheTimes

https://lightforthelastdays.co.uk/articles/deception-in-the-church/how-do-you-tell-a-false-prophet/

There are many whose teaching may sound appealing but who are proclaiming a different gospel—a perversion of the truth. Run from them. #FalseTeachers #Gospel

https://aclayjar.net/?p=27175

Be on your guard against unprincipled men who are proclaiming a different gospel. Don’t let them lead you astray from the truth. #FalseTeachers #WisdomofGod

https://aclayjar.net/?p=26963

Henry Moncreiff-Wellwood, Church of Scotland leader, considers the effect of Christianity. Its impact on the world felt since its start in offerings for orphans, those forsaken of disease, those in prison, and strangers from a distance.

Do we really want strangers from a distance to expect things from churches today? Should the diseased be seeking out churches as well?

How can you support your local church and all these groups?

#christian #falseteachers #feedthehomeless #gospels #datpostmill