Is It Really Christianity? Five Questions to Test What a Preacher Teaches

Plenty of preachers, teachers, and religious leaders claim to be Christian. They talk about Jesus, quote the Bible, use Christian language, and claim to represent God. But they don’t all teach the same things. In fact, some of their teachings directly contradict one another. So how can we tell which preachers faithfully teach biblical Christianity and which ones lead people astray?

This question matters because the Bible repeatedly warns us about false teachers. Jesus warned his followers about false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing but are actually ravenous wolves (Matthew 7:15–23). The Apostle Paul warned the Galatians about those preaching a different gospel, declaring that anyone preaching a gospel contrary to the one they received should be accursed (Galatians 1:6–9). John instructed Christians to test the spirits because many false prophets had gone out into the world (1 John 4:1–3). Clearly, God expects his people to exercise discernment. False teaching is dangerous because it can lead people away from the true Christ and the salvation found in him.

But how do we determine what’s true? We can’t assume a preacher is faithful because he’s popular, has a large church, earned a theological degree, or knows how to quote Scripture. Our standard must be God’s Word. Second Timothy 3:16–17 teaches that all Scripture is breathed out by God and is sufficient to equip his people for every good work. In Acts 17:11, the Bereans were commended for examining the Scriptures to see whether Paul’s teaching was true. Jesus also rebuked religious leaders who elevated their traditions above God’s commandments (Mark 7:8–13). We must examine what a preacher teaches and compare it with what God has said in his Word.

Of course, not every theological disagreement makes someone a false teacher. Faithful Christians disagree about important secondary matters, such as baptism, church government, and spiritual gifts. But essential doctrines define biblical Christianity. Denying the deity of Christ, rejecting the Trinity, or preaching salvation through something other than Christ strikes at the foundation of the Christian faith. We need to know the difference.

I’ve found that five questions provide a helpful framework for examining a preacher’s teaching. I call them the Four Ws and an H. These questions don’t address every theological issue, but they help us focus on Christianity's essential truths.

Five Questions to Test What a Preacher Teaches

1. Who Is God?

Who is the God being preached? Is he the one true God revealed in Scripture? Does the preacher teach the Trinity, that there is one God who eternally exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? What does he teach about Jesus Christ? Is Jesus fully God and fully man, the eternal Son who became flesh, or is he merely a created being, a prophet, or an exceptional religious teacher? Jesus' identity is central to Christianity. If we get Jesus wrong, we get the gospel wrong. Examine Deuteronomy 6:4; John 1:1–14; Matthew 28:19; and Colossians 1:15–20.

2. Who Is Man?

What does the preacher teach about humanity? Are people basically good and simply in need of improvement, or are we sinners who need to be rescued? The Bible teaches that human beings are created in God’s image and therefore possess inherent dignity and worth. But Scripture also teaches that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. We’re guilty before a holy God, and apart from his saving work, we’re spiritually dead in our sins. If a preacher doesn’t understand the problem of sin, he won’t correctly explain why we need a Savior. Read Genesis 1:26–27; Romans 3:10–23; and Ephesians 2:1–3.

3. Where Do We Come From?

What does the preacher teach about creation and our relationship to God? Christianity teaches that God is the Creator of all things, including humanity. We exist because he created us, and we’re accountable to him. Genesis also explains how sin entered the world through Adam’s rebellion against God. The biblical account of creation and the fall helps us understand why we’re here, why the world is broken, and why redemption is necessary. These truths are foundational to understanding the rest of Scripture. Examine Genesis 1–3; Acts 17:24–26; and Colossians 1:16–17.

4. Where Are We Going?

What does the preacher teach about death and eternity? Is death the end, or will there be a resurrection and final judgment? Does everyone eventually experience the same eternal destiny? The Bible teaches that death is followed by judgment and that Jesus Christ will raise the dead. Those who belong to Christ will enjoy eternal life in the new creation, while those who remain under God’s judgment will face eternal punishment. Christianity offers a glorious hope, but it also gives a serious warning. What we believe about eternity shapes how we understand God’s justice, his promises, and our need for salvation. Read Hebrews 9:27; John 5:28–29; and Revelation 20–22.

5. How Do We Get There?

This question takes us to the heart of the gospel. How can sinners be saved from God’s judgment and receive eternal life? Does the preacher teach salvation through Jesus Christ alone, or does he offer another way to God? Does he teach salvation by God’s grace through faith in Christ, or must we earn our salvation through good works, religious ceremonies, or obedience to certain rules? The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the only Savior. Through his sinless life, sacrificial death, and resurrection, he accomplished everything necessary to save sinners. We receive salvation by grace through faith, not by earning it through our works. Genuine faith produces repentance and good works, but those works don’t earn salvation. Jesus saves us. This is the heart of the gospel, and we must get it right. Examine John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8–10; and Galatians 1:6–9.

Test Everything by Scripture

These five questions provide a starting point for examining what a preacher teaches. They aren’t intended to address every doctrinal issue, but they can help us recognize whether someone is proclaiming the essential truths of biblical Christianity or teaching something contrary to Scripture. Our purpose isn’t to find fault with everyone who disagrees with us or to win theological arguments. We want to know the truth, protect ourselves and others from false teaching, and remain faithful to Jesus Christ.

This requires some work. We need to listen carefully, understand what a preacher actually teaches, and examine his claims against Scripture. We also need the humility to examine our own beliefs by that same standard. None of us stands above God’s Word. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). That’s good instruction for every Christian, whether you’ve followed Jesus for decades or have only recently come to faith.

Many people claim to speak for Christ. Some faithfully proclaim his Word. Others distort his identity, diminish the seriousness of sin, or offer a gospel that cannot save. We must know the difference. And the best way to recognize false teaching is to know the truth of God’s Word.