The False Doctrine Of Geocentricism

The False Doctrine Of Geocentrism

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, July 20, 2026 (Donate)

If you’ve been around long enough, you're likely to have run into someone who hold to geocentrism. A few have crossed my path over the years. At first, it surprised me, but once I understood the history, I don’t blink an eye at it anymore. 

But sadly, this secular tenet infiltrated the church in ancient times, and still does today. What is geocentrism (sometimes geocentricism) and why is this model not the best?

What Is Geocentrism?

Geocentrism is the belief that the earth is the fixed center of the universe and that the sun, moon, planets, and stars all revolve around the earth. The most famous version was the Ptolemaic system, named after Claudius Ptolemy (AD 100-170), whose complex model of circles and epicycles attempted to explain the movements of the heavenly bodies.

Geocentric Model by Ptolemy; Image requested by Bodie Hodge* 

Interestingly the mathematics behind it works, but the physical laws of it don’t. But in math you can have imaginary numbers (i) but the reality is that they have no part in the physical universe.

This idea dominated much of the ancient world because, from everyday observation, the earth appears stationary to us because we are walking around on it. We don't feel the earth spinning or moving through space, while the sun, moon, stars, and planets all seem to rise in the east and set in the west.

Today, modern astronomy recognizes that the earth rotates on its axis every 24 hours and revolves around the sun each year. Furthermore, our solar system is only one tiny part of the Milky Way galaxy, which itself is only one galaxy among billions in the observable universe.

For Christians, however, the important question isn't simply, "Which model is scientifically correct?" but rather, "What does God reveal in Scripture?"

Does The Bible Teach Geocentrism?

The short answer is no. Some geocentrists claim the Bible explicitly teaches that the earth is fixed and can't move. Verses such as Psalm 93:1, Psalm 96:10, Psalm 104:5, Ecclesiastes 1:5, and Joshua 10 are often cited in support of geocentrism. But these passages don't teach an astronomical or solar system model.

Instead, Scripture frequently uses phenomenological language, that is, language that describes things as they appear from the viewpoint of an observer on earth.

Even today, meteorologists speak of "sunrise" and "sunset." We all know what those words mean. No one assumes the speaker is claiming the sun literally revolves around the earth. They are simply describing appearances from our perspective.

The Bible does the same thing. For example:

• Ecclesiastes 1:5 says the sun "rises" and "goes down." That is exactly what every person sees each day.
• Joshua 10 records that God caused the sun to "stand still." The miracle is described from Joshua's perspective as an observer on earth.
• Psalm 19 poetically describes the sun as running its course across the heavens.

These are ordinary descriptions of what people observe, not technical lessons in astronomy.

Likewise, passages that say the earth is "established" or "shall not be moved" are speaking of its stability and permanence within God's created order, not that it has no motion through space. Similar language is used elsewhere for kingdoms and people who are firmly established (e.g., David in Psalm 62:6).

Scripture was never intended to be an astronomy textbook. Rather, it teaches theological truth using ordinary human language that everyone understands.

Why Did Some Christians Of The Past Mistakenly Think Geocentric Models Were Correct?

Many Christians throughout church history accepted geocentrism, but it is important to understand why.

First, geocentrism had been the dominant scientific model for over a thousand years before Christ. Greek philosophers such as Aristotle and astronomers such as Ptolemy developed sophisticated systems that became widely accepted throughout the Roman Empire.

As Christianity spread, many educated people simply assumed these scientific models were correct.

As a result, many theologians interpreted certain biblical passages through the lens of the accepted scientific thought of their day. Rather than allowing Scripture to interpret itself, they unknowingly mixed biblical interpretation with secular Greek astronomy.

Next, no one had the observational technology available today. Without telescopes or precise instruments, geocentrism appeared to fit ordinary human experience.

This serves as an important lesson for Christians today. We should be careful not to force either modern scientific ideas or ancient scientific traditions onto Scripture. Our authority must always remain God's Word, interpreted according to its context and intended meaning. Models, come and go, some modified and some discarded. But God’s Word stands forever—it shall not be moved!

How Did Early Scientists Like Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, And Newton Challenge Geocentrism?

The change from geocentrism to heliocentrism didn't happen overnight. Consider the trend.

·       Nicolaus Copernicus proposed that the earth and planets orbit the sun. His model was simpler than Ptolemy's in many respects, although it still required improvements.

·       Johannes Kepler greatly strengthened the heliocentric model by discovering that planets move in elliptical rather than perfectly circular orbits. His three laws of planetary motion accurately described planetary movements.

·       Galileo Galilei used one of the earliest telescopes to observe mountains on the moon, the phases of Venus, and four large moons orbiting Jupiter. These discoveries demonstrated that not everything revolves around the earth.

·       Sir Isaac Newton later explained planetary motion through his laws of motion and the universal law of gravitation. His work provided a physical explanation for why planets orbit the sun.

Ironically, these scientists weren't enemies of Christianity but held to the truth of the Bible!

Heliocentric Model developed by Christians; Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

Kepler openly sought to understand God's orderly creation and famously viewed scientific investigation as "thinking God's thoughts after Him." Newton wrote extensively on biblical subjects and believed the Creator established the orderly laws governing the universe. Galileo himself remained a professing Christian, though his conflict with church authorities became far more complicated than it is often portrayed in popular history.

Their work—while standing on the Bible—illustrates an important biblical principle: because God created an orderly universe, careful observation and mathematical investigation can reveal the consistency of His creation.

Additional Thoughts And Final Remarks

Geocentrism has experienced renewed interest in some Christian circles. While many who hold this position sincerely desire to defend the authority of Scripture, good intentions alone don't guarantee a correct interpretation.

Geocentrism is neither taught nor required by Scripture. Instead, biblical passages should be interpreted according to their literary context while also recognizing the observational language that God had His human authors to use for the inspired text.

Christians should also remember that geocentrism isn't a primary doctrine of the faith. The gospel of Jesus Christ doesn't depend upon whether the earth revolves around the sun or vice versa. So, this isn’t a matter of salvation but a matter of observation and consistency with Scripture.

The larger lesson is one of biblical interpretation (hermeneutics). We should avoid reading secular scientific ideas into Scripture. God's Word is always true, and when interpreted correctly, the heliocentric model doesn't conflict with genuine observations of God's creation—and was develop by godly men over and against the secular Greek model.

As Psalm 19 reminds us, "The heavens declare the glory of God." Whether we study the stars through a telescope or simply admire them on a clear night, they proclaim the wisdom, power, and majesty of their Creator. The proper response isn't to elevate any particular astronomical model, but to praise, worship, and give glory to our God who made the heavens and the earth.

□

Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.  

Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and universities. He is married with four children.

Mr. Hodge earned a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar, Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.

His love of science was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and scientific dictionary/encyclopedia for AI use and training. Mr. Hodge has over 25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields.

Images generated by ChatGPT

 

False Authority: Appealing To An Authority Beyond Scripture

False Authority: Appealing To An Authority Beyond Scripture

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, July 16, 2026 (Donate)

As we continue learning about false doctrines, it is important to understand where they come from. Every false doctrine has a false authority (lesser authority) behind it (which is a faulty appeal to authority fallacy right from the start!). 

The Bible teaches that God is the highest authority over all creation and all matters. Since God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), His Word is completely true and trustworthy (John 17:17). Therefore, every teaching, belief, and practice must ultimately be tested by Scripture.

Image requested by Bodie Hodge* 

Whenever someone looks to another authority that contradicts or that they use to attempt to supersede God's Word, error will inevitably follow. It may happen gradually, and the false authority may even agree with much of what the Bible says. That is what often makes false teaching so dangerous. It usually contains enough truth to appear convincing before it eventually departs from God's revealed truth.

Throughout history, false religions, cults, false teachers, and even many divisions within professing Christianity have all begun by placing some authority above or alongside Scripture—adding to Scripture, subtracting Scripture, adding strange interpretations due to outside beliefs, etc.

Whether that authority is a spiritual being, human reason, tradition, emotions, or personal experience, the result is the same—it leads people away from the truth God has revealed and puts them into the realm of false doctrine.

False Authorities Often “Appear” Respectable

False authorities rarely announce themselves as false. They usually present themselves as trustworthy, wise, compassionate, or enlightened. Jesus warned:

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." (Matthew 7:15, NKJV)

A counterfeit $100 bill resembles the real thing. Likewise, false doctrine often sounds biblical on the surface. A teacher may quote many Bible verses, affirm many orthodox doctrines, and speak respectfully about God. But when that teacher eventually contradicts Scripture or adds another source of authority, the deception becomes more clear.

This is why Christians are repeatedly commanded to "test all things" (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and to imitate the Bereans, who examined the Scriptures daily to determine whether what they heard was true (Acts 17:11).

Satan: The Original False Authority

Satan is the master deceiver. Jesus called him "a liar and the father of it" (John 8:44). Rather than openly denying God every time, Satan often twists God's words, mixes truth with error, and encourages people to trust another authority instead of God.

His first recorded deception occurred in the Garden of Eden. God had clearly told Adam not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16–17) otherwise he would die-die, or “surely die” as our English translations put it. Satan approached Eve by questioning God's authority:

"Has God indeed said...?" (Genesis 3:1, NKJV)

Rather than beginning with an outright denial, Satan first planted doubt. Then he cleverly deceived Eve by repeating back to her God’s statement of “die-die” when she merely said “die” once (which changed the meaning) in Genesis 3:3. In our English translations we translate die-die as “surely die” in Genesis 2:17—which means begin to die—an ingressive sense.

Eve stated that we would “die” which essentially means die immediately. Satan then quoted back to Eve ‘you will not “die-die”/"surely die”’ over against her statement that man would die immediately (Genesis 3:4). It was actually very clever.

Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

It was enough for her to step back and elevate her own thoughts and desires to “judge for herself” if she should eat instead of trusting God (James 1:13-15). Notice that Satan did not force Eve to sin (i.e., “the devil made me do it”). Instead, he persuaded her to trust his words (through a serpentine vessel) above God's words by thinking he was an authority and even using God’s words against her.

Adam likewise chose to follow his wife rather than obey the Lord (Genesis 3:6, 17). The first false doctrine entered human history because mankind accepted a false authority.

Satan Can Quote Scripture

One of Satan's most remarkable tactics—if you noticed—is that he sometimes quotes Scripture.

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4; Luke 4), Satan quoted Psalm 91 in an attempt to persuade Jesus to throw Himself from the pinnacle of the Temple. Satan used God's own Word—but he misapplied it. Jesus answered each temptation by correctly interpreting and applying Scripture.

This teaches an important lesson: simply quoting Bible verses does not make a teacher trustworthy. Cults and false prophets are masters at this. Scripture must be understood in its proper context and interpreted consistently with the rest of God's Word.

Many false teachers today quote isolated verses while ignoring the larger teaching of Scripture. This is why careful study and sound doctrine are so important.

Satan's Influence Throughout Scripture

The Bible records many examples of Satan attempting to influence people. Satan stood behind the prideful rebellion associated with the king of Tyre (Ezekiel 28), revealing something of Satan's own fall. Jesus warned Peter:

"Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat." (Luke 22:31, NKJV)

Although Satan desired Peter's downfall, he could only act within the limits God allowed. Christ prayed that Peter's faith would not ultimately fail.

Judas Iscariot provides another sobering example. John records that Satan entered Judas before his betrayal of Jesus (John 13:27). Judas willingly yielded to greed and unbelief, allowing Satan to use him in carrying out his betrayal.

Throughout Scripture, Satan continually seeks to oppose God's purposes by deceiving people into trusting something other than God's Word.

Demons And False Doctrine

The Bible also warns about demonic influence behind false teaching. Paul wrote:

"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons." (1 Timothy 4:1, NKJV)

These doctrines appear attractive because they often contain elements of morality or spirituality. In the context of 1 Timothy 4, some falsely forbade marriage and certain foods, presenting themselves as especially holy when they were actually rejecting God's good gifts. Paul also warned believers against participating in pagan worship:

"You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.” (1 Corinthians 10:21, NKJV)

Behind false religions and idolatrous systems stand spiritual forces that oppose God. While not every false belief comes through direct demonic activity, Scripture teaches that demons actively promote deception and false worship.

Man As A False Authority

Not every false doctrine originates from obvious satanic activity. Much error comes from the sinful human heart. James explains:

"But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death." (James 1:14-15, NKJV)

Satan did not make Adam or Eve sin. They made real choices for which they were fully responsible. Likewise today, people often elevate their own fallible opinions above God's Word. Instead of asking, "What does Scripture teach?" they ask, "What do I think?" or "What feels right to me?"

This is one reason humanism has become so influential. Humanism places man at the center and makes autonomous human reasoning (reasoning apart from God) the ultimate standard of truth. Rather than submitting to God, man becomes the measure of all things—which is a false doctrine that the foundation of many other false doctrines.

Whenever we allow our own thoughts, feelings, traditions, philosophies, or experiences to overrule Scripture, we have accepted a false authority.

Other Human Authorities

False authority can also come through other people or groups of people. This just pushes the same problem elsewhere.

Throughout history, some have treated church leaders, scholars, philosophers, celebrities, political leaders, or even family traditions as though they were infallible. While God gives teachers and leaders to help His people, none of them possess authority equal to Scripture.

Every preacher, pastor, author, and teacher must be evaluated by God's Word. Paul praised the Bereans because they searched the Scriptures daily to verify whether even an apostle's teaching agreed with God's revelation (Acts 17:10-11). Christians should respect faithful teachers while remembering that Scripture alone is the final authority.

Conclusion

Every false doctrine can ultimately be traced back to a false authority. Whether that authority is Satan, demons, human reasoning, personal desires, religious tradition, or another person, the pattern is always the same: something is elevated above God's Word. Interestingly, one way or another, it still comes through the mind of man!

The safest place for every believer is to stand firmly upon Scripture as the supreme authority for all matters. God has spoken clearly through His Word, and His truth never changes. When we continually test every teaching against Scripture, we are better protected from deception and remain anchored to the truth revealed by our faithful and unchanging God.

□

Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.  

Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and universities. He is married with four children.

Mr. Hodge earned a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar, Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.

His love of science was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and scientific dictionary/encyclopedia for AI use and training. Mr. Hodge has over 25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields.

*Images generated by ChatGPT

Ostriches…Made On Day 5 or Day 6?

Ostriches…Made On Day 5 or Day 6?

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, July 15, 2026 (Donate)

When we look at ostriches, emus, cassowaries, rheas, kiwis, and other flightless birds today, a natural question arises: When were they created?

The Bible clearly teaches that all living things were created during Creation Week. More specifically, God created the winged creatures on Day 5 and the land animals on Day 6 (Genesis 1:20–25).

At first glance, however, ostriches seem to “blur” the distinction. It’s true that they have feathers, wings, beaks, and lay eggs like other birds, yet…they spend virtually their entire lives on the ground. They cannot soar through the sky like eagles or storks. Instead, they run across the plains at incredible speeds, using their powerful legs rather than powerful wings.

So where do ostriches fit? Were they really Day 5 creations?

Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

The Puzzle Of Flightless Birds

Ostriches are unmistakably birds. They possess all the major characteristics we associate with birds: feathers, wings, beaks, egg-laying reproduction, and lightweight skeletons. Yet their wings are far too small to lift their massive bodies into the air.

The same is true of emus, cassowaries, rheas, kiwis, and penguins. Each belongs to the bird group, but none flies in the “traditional” sense. This raises an interesting question. If God created birds to "fly above the earth" (Genesis 1:20), why do some birds not fly today?

Flightless Birds; Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

Did Ostriches' Ancestors Fly?

One possible explanation is that ostriches descended from ancestors that possessed the ability to fly. The Bible never directly says whether the original ostrich kind flew, so we should not be dogmatic. Nevertheless, degeneration since the Fall provides a perfectly reasonable explanation.

After Adam sinned in Genesis 3, creation came under God's curse (Romans 8:20–22). Animals have experienced degenerative and genetic changes since then. We observe loss of function, disease, mutations, extinction, and many examples of degeneration throughout the created world.

Let’s consider modern breeding as an illustration. Large commercial white turkeys were selectively bred from wild flightful turkeys during the twentieth century. Today's domestic birds have such enormous breast muscles that they can barely leave the ground. Their ancestors flew quite well, but artificial selection was used to breed them for meat production rather than flight.

Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

Likewise, it is possible that ostriches experienced natural degeneration over thousands of years after the Fall, gradually losing the ability to fly while becoming exceptional runners. The Bible certainly allows for such possibilities.

Losses Are Common In Nature

Biologists have documented many examples of creatures losing abilities. Some beetles have lost functional wings altogether and now spend their lives on the ground. Certain island insects no longer produce wings because flying became unnecessary or disadvantageous in their environment. They fly up and wind ejects them from the island and they become fish food.

These examples involve the loss of information or loss of function—not the evolution of entirely new complex structures. Note that these changes are going in the opposite direction for alleged evolutionary changes.

Creationists have long noted that variation within created kinds often involves degeneration rather than innovation. Losing the ability to fly is far easier biologically than developing the sophisticated anatomy required for powered flight.

So even if the original ostrich kind possessed greater flying ability, losing that ability after the Fall would be reasonable within the biblical worldview.

Job Gives An Interesting Observation

By the days of Job, which was long after the Fall and probably not too many centuries after the Flood, ostriches were already known for their inability to fly.

Job records:

"The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, but are her wings and pinions like the kindly stork's?" (Job 39:13, NKJV)

The comparison is striking. God contrasts the ostrich with the stork, a bird famous for graceful flight. The ostrich has wings, but they do not function like those of a stork. This means that the ostrich's flightlessness was already well established in Job's day.

Stork vs. Ostrich in Job; Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

Wings Still Serve A Purpose

Although ostriches do not fly, their wings are far from useless. They use them for:

·       Balance while making sharp turns at high speed.

·       Courtship displays.

·       Threat displays toward predators.

·       Providing shade for chicks.

·       Assisting with braking and maneuvering while running.

Likewise, penguins use their wings as remarkably efficient flippers for swimming.

God's design remains functional even when the original purpose of a structure may have changed or diminished.

Land Animals That "Fly"

The opposite situation also exists. Some creatures classified as land animals are capable of remarkable aerial movement despite having no wings.

Flying squirrels glide between trees using folds of skin stretched between their limbs. They do not truly fly, but they can travel impressive distances through the air.

The Paradise Tree Snake does something equally remarkable. It flattens its body into an airfoil and glides from tree to tree without possessing wings at all.

Gliding land animals; Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

Neither animal is classified as a bird simply because it spends time in the air. Movement alone does not determine biblical classification.

What Does Genesis Actually Say?

Genesis records:

Then God said, "Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds (owph) fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens." So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged (kanaph) bird (owph) according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:20–21, NKJV)

The Hebrew word commonly translated "bird" is owph. The word broadly refers to a winged creature. Genesis 1:21 further clarifies this by adding the word kanaph, meaning "wing." Together, they describe creatures possessing wings.

Interestingly, Scripture uses owph more broadly than our modern English word "bird." It includes bats (Deuteronomy 14:11–18), even though bats are mammals. Since birds are the most common flying creature to our everyday experience, it makes sense why translators selected “bird” in many English translations.

Nevertheless, many creationists have also suggested that extinct flying reptiles, such as pterosaurs, would naturally fit within this broader biblical category because they were winged creatures. Likewise, winged insects also fit the broader concept of winged creatures, even though Genesis primarily focuses on the larger created kinds.

For this reason, "winged creatures" often captures the Hebrew meaning better than simply "birds."

God's Own Classification

Perhaps the strongest evidence comes from God's own classification in the Mosaic Law.  Leviticus 11 lists animals classified as owph. Among them are:

·       Eagles

·       Vultures

·       Falcons

·       Ravens

·       Owls

·       Hawks

·       Bats

·       Ostriches

Note the bat, but also note the ostrich. Leviticus 11:16 specifically includes "the ostrich" among the owph. Deuteronomy 14 repeats exactly the same classification:

"The ostrich, the short-eared owl, the seagull, and the hawk after their kinds." (Deuteronomy 14:15, NKJV)

The significance is difficult to miss. God Himself places the ostrich within the Day 5 category of owph. That settles the question.

Conclusion

Ostriches may spend their lives running across the ground, but Scripture consistently classifies them as owph—winged creatures created on Day 5. And of course, they have wings.

Whether the original ostrich kind possessed true flight or whether it was designed from the beginning primarily as a runner remains an open question. The Bible does not explicitly answer it, and faithful Christians may hold different opinions because the Bible didn’t clarify on that question.

What Scripture does make clear is that ostriches belong among God's winged creatures. They possess wings, feathers, and all the characteristics of birds, even if they no longer fly.

Their existence reminds us that our present world is not exactly as God originally created it. Since the Fall, creation has experienced degeneration, loss, and the effects of the curse. Yet even in that fallen condition, ostriches display remarkable design, incredible speed, and fascinating features that testify to the wisdom, glory, and creativity of God.

□

Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.  

Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and universities. He is married with four children.

Mr. Hodge earned a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar, Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.

His love of science was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and scientific dictionary/encyclopedia for AI use and training. Mr. Hodge has over 25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields.

*Images generated by ChatGPT

 

False Doctrines, An Introduction

False Doctrines, An Introduction

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, July 10, 2026 (Donate)

False doctrine is any teaching that contradicts or distorts what God has revealed in His Word. It may deny a major biblical truth, add ideas that Scripture never teaches, or twist passages to support beliefs that are foreign to the Bible.

Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, God repeatedly warned His people to be on guard against false teaching because it leads people away from the truth and often results in sinful living. Jesus warned about false prophets (Matthew 7:15), Paul warned about false teachers entering the church (Acts 20:29-30), Peter wrote about destructive heresies (2 Peter 2:1), and Jude urged believers to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3).

Beware of false doctrines that pull you away from Christ and His Word; Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

False Doctrines Occur Because People Fail To Know And Apply Correct Doctrine

One of the greatest reasons false doctrine spreads is that people don’t know the Scriptures well enough to recognize error. God rebuked His people through the prophet Hosea, saying, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6, NKJV[1]). Likewise, Jesus corrected the Sadducees by saying, "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God" (Matthew 22:29).

Knowing the Bible isn’t enough by itself. Believers must also apply the Scriptures faithfully. James reminds Christians to be doers of the Word and not hearers only (James 1:22). Churches that consistently teach the whole counsel of God are far less likely to be carried away by every new trend or teaching (Acts 20:27).

Taking Outside Ideas To The Bible (Eisegesis)

False doctrine often begins with eisegesis rather than exegesis. Exegesis seeks to understand what the biblical author intended to communicate in its historical and grammatical context. Eisegesis, on the other hand, reads one's own opinions, cultural ideas, or philosophical assumptions into the text.

People sometimes approach Scripture already committed to secular philosophies, political ideologies, or traditions and then force the Bible to support those beliefs. Instead of allowing God's Word to shape their thinking, they reshape God's Word to fit their preferred worldview. Christians should always submit every human idea to the authority of Scripture rather than making Scripture submit to human ideas (Colossians 2:8).

Reinterpretations Of Scripture (Syncretism)

Another cause of false doctrine is syncretism—the blending or mixing of biblical teaching with beliefs from other religions or philosophies. Throughout Israel's history, the people repeatedly mixed the worship of the true God with pagan practices (Baal, Molech, etc.).

Rather than remaining faithful to God's commands in His Word, they adopted the customs and practices of the surrounding pagan nations—hence, they were mixing their religion with false religions. Naturally, this leads to errors and God’s Word being compromised.

The same danger exists today. Some attempt to combine Christianity with secular humanism (e.g., big bang, millions of years, evolution, denial of the global Flood), Eastern mysticism, New Age spirituality, prosperity theology, traditions, cultic beliefs (e.g., unitarianism, polytheism, Jesus is a created being) or other belief systems.

Once outside ideas are treated as equal to or greater than Scripture, biblical truth becomes diluted and makes it of no effect (consider Matthew 15:1-9). The Bible consistently calls believers to remain faithful to God's revealed Word rather than blending it with competing, illogical worldviews.

Neglect Of The Scriptures

False teaching thrives wherever the Bible is neglected. Churches may become focused on entertainment, motivational speaking, personal opinions, or emotional experiences while giving little attention to careful biblical teaching.

As an example, I once spoke in a church where they had focused so much on creation (which is good) for about 2 years in every level of Sunday school, church, small groups, and youth programs. The pastor informed me of what they had been doing and thought I would be ecstatic. However, my response surprised him.

I encourage him regarding the aspects of creation—because that has been missing in today’s culture, but I explained that for two years, his flock wasn’t getting teachings from other areas (e.g. the whole of Scripture). I pointed out that it is a great to lay the foundation but don’t forget to build the house on that foundation. He realized what he needed to do and that was great.

Getting back to biblical examples, Paul instructed Timothy to "Preach the word!" (2 Timothy 4:2) because he knew a time would come when people wouldn’t endure sound doctrine but would gather teachers who tell them what they want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3-4). A church that neglects systematic Bible study from Genesis to Revelation can leave them unprepared when deception comes. I would suggest:

(1) regular reading

(2) faithful preaching of the 66 books of the Bible

(3) careful study and application (historically, daily living, apologetically, scientifically, etc.)

(4) biblical discipleship provide protection against false doctrine.

Alleged New Teachings By Leaders

Throughout history, false teachers have often appeared from within God's own people. Jesus warned that false teachers come in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves (Matthew 7:15). Paul warned that even leaders from within the church would arise, speaking perverse things to draw disciples after themselves (Acts 20:30).

Many false teachers begin by questioning basic or core biblical doctrine. They may claim that Christians have misunderstood Scripture or have been deceived for nearly two thousand years and that they alone have discovered its "true meaning." Such claims should immediately be a “red flag” and tested against Scripture. Sound doctrine doesn’t depend upon a charismatic personality but upon the written Word of God.

I don’t know how may times a person had been deceived by a false teaching and the first thing they say in their defense of said false teacher is that they are such a godly person. False teachers—like Satan—disguise themselves as angels of light.  

False Prophets And Alleged New Revelations

Scripture repeatedly warns about false prophets (consider Deuteronomy 13) who claim to speak for God. In both the Old and New Testaments, many claimed “divine authority” while actually speaking from their own imagination.

Today, some continue to claim fresh revelations that supposedly carry the same authority as Scripture. Yet God has already provided everything necessary for faith and godliness through His revealed Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3). The Bible claims that the canon is closed and that we shouldn’t expect new prophetic revelations after the New Testament was complete (e.g., Daniel 9:24-27; Jude 1:3). Every alleged prophecy, vision, or revelation must be tested against Scripture, and anything contradicting God's Word must be rejected.

Gnostic Or Hidden Knowledge 

Another recurring source of false doctrine is the promise of secret or hidden knowledge. This idea appeared prominently in ancient Gnosticism (and also modern or neo Gnosticism), which claimed that only an “enlightened few” have a special spiritual insight that regular believers don’t.

The Bible teaches the opposite. God's truth has been openly revealed through Christ, his prophets and Apostles and preserved in the Scriptures. While believers continue growing in understanding, no “secret class” possesses higher revelation beyond God's Word. The gospel is proclaimed publicly to all people, not hidden for an elite group. This should be a red flag if you hear things like this.

Other Reasons People Deviate

There are many additional reasons why people abandon sound doctrine. Pride can make individuals believe they know better than Scripture. Peer pressure and the desire for cultural acceptance often tempt churches to compromise biblical teaching.

Some simply prefer teachings that justify sinful lifestyles (self indulgence). Others become captivated by popular people rather than carefully examining what those leaders actually teach.

Still others are spiritually lazy and fail to test teachings against the Bible as the Bereans did (Acts 17:11). Ultimately, false doctrine flourishes wherever God's authority is replaced by man’s authority.

Conclusion

False doctrine has existed since Satan questioned God's Word in the Garden of Eden by asking, "Has God indeed said?"

Every generation of Christians must therefore remain vigilant—keep your eyes and ears open to God and His Word, not false teachings. The solution isn’t to chase every new idea but to remain firmly grounded in the Scriptures.

We need to be carefully studying God's Word—in context—and testing teachings that come up against it. We need to stand firm and be faithful to the Bible’s truths asking the Holy Spirit for wisdom and discernment.

In doing so, we can recognize error, stand firmly in the truth, and "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3).

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Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.  

Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and universities. He is married with four children.

Mr. Hodge earned a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar, Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.

His love of science was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and scientific dictionary/encyclopedia for AI use and training. Mr. Hodge has over 25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields.

 

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[1] My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.