The apostle Paul declared: “To this I am ordained a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie), a teacher of the nations, in faith and truth” (1 Timothy 2:7 MKJV). Then there are teachers like Jonathan Welton, who mix truth and error as they teach you knowledge of spiritual things, not the faith of Christ in truth. The knowledge of spiritual things isn’t the same at all as the knowledge of Jesus Christ through a personal relationship with Him as Lord, the only way to know Him as Savior.
What do you know about self-proclaimed seer Jonathan Welton. He has written a couple books: "Raptureless , "Normal Christianity" etc.
We’ve never heard of Jonathan Welton, Woody, till now. I just looked him up and watched a few minutes of this video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfF8vAY5UXw.
Jonathan is a product of men’s religious systems. He knows nothing at all of the Lord Jesus Christ, never having been taught of or by Him, despite his claim of being taught by the Holy Spirit. If there’s any spirit involved, it’s not God’s.
For credentials as a teacher, Jonathan says he has “two Master’s degrees, one in Biblical studies and one in practical ministry.” Jonathan talks about being raised as a Pentecostal and mixing with Baptist friends, the former giving him “the power” and the latter “a love for the Word.” He is completely deluded, as both of those are works of the flesh. In this following passage, the apostle Paul highlights the differences between the faith of Christ and the religions of men:
Philippians 3:3-10 MKJV
(3) For we are the circumcision who worship God in the spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh;
(4) though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other thinks that he has reason to trust in the flesh, I more.
(5) I was circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews. As regards the Law, I was a Pharisee;
(6) concerning zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness in the Law, blameless.
(7) But whatever things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
(8) But no, rather, I also count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for Whose sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them to be dung, so that I may win Christ
(9) and be found in Him; not having my own righteousness, which is of the Law, but through the faith of Christ, the righteousness of God by faith,
(10) that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death.
This isn’t to say that Jonathan doesn’t teach some true things. As with all false teachers, he does. He is correct, for example, that the rapture teaching is bunkum, as the Lord has shown us more perfectly: Diabolical Doctrine: Rapture before the Great Tribulation. Jonathan does some good legwork on this subject, providing applicable historical facts to illuminate the Lord’s prophecies.
All well and good, but a little leaven leavens the whole lump, and there is more than enough leaven of sin coming from this man to ruin the work of God, if that were allowed.
His teaching about the anti-Christ, for example, misses the essential truth that believers need to be delivered from the anti-Christ within, the man of sin spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2. Since Jonathan hasn’t experienced this deliverance himself, how can he lead others to the full salvation of Christ? And if he can’t do that, what is he doing, except feeding people with knowledge and keeping them in bondage to Satan?
I also went to Jonathan’s blog, where he prominently declares:
“I, Jonathan Welton, care more about truth than about money. My heart is to empower others and release the truth that sets people free.”
Right off to the side of this announcement is a very visible “Donate” button, accompanied by all the credit cards Jonathan accepts.
“Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6 KJV)
Romans 2:17-22 MKJV
(17) Behold, you are called a Jew, and rest in the Law, and boast in God;
(18) and know His will and approve the things excelling, being instructed out of the Law;
(19) and persuading yourselves to be a guide of the blind, a light to those in darkness;
(20) an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, who have the form of knowledge and of the truth in the Law.
(21) Therefore the one teaching another, do you not teach yourself? The one preaching not to steal, do you steal?
(22) The one saying not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? The one detesting idols, do you rob temples?
The one boasting about loving truth more than money, do you beg for money?
Jonathan denies the great miracle of our day – Behold, Israel and the Jew! – and appeals to the likes of Calvin and Spurgeon as “great church leaders.” Plenty of deadly error to poison the well.
Read The True Marks of a Cult and Diabolical Doctrines for more thorough background on “What’s wrong with this picture?” – not only applying to Jonathan, but to so many other false teachers who are spreading like stage 4 cancer throughout the world.
Let us know if you have any specific questions that aren’t covered here. Where are you at with the Lord, Woody?
I am so thankful to you for your response. I have been very concerned of this man’s teachings; as of late, he has become a regular celebrity in my area, drawing away many people into his false teachings. This has affected relationships with many of Christian friends who seemed to be mesmerized by this man’s teachings, saying that there’s a new reformation happening.
I pastor a small non-denominational fellowship.