Who Let the Dogs Out?

Who Let the Dogs Out? 

It’s an important question, though not as we pondered it in the 90s. The scripture reading from this week’s sermon begins with Paul’s warning to the church at Philippi, “Watch out for those dogs…”, (Phil. 3:2).

Our love of domesticated dogs probably colors our ability to appreciate what a negative connotation the term “dog” once carried, but dogs in the Philippi were probably wild pack animals, thieving scavengers in survival mode; bent only on their self-preservation. Looking to carry off whatever they could under whatever opportunistic circumstance on which they could capitalize. What an appropriate characterization of false teachers, to which the term “dogs” is likened. False teachers preach “another gospel” for a host of reasons from financial gain to adulation but can also be a simple function of supply and demand. 

In another of Paul’s letters, this one to the church at Galatia, he chastised “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel, which is really no gospel at all. Evidently, some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ” (Gal. 1:6-7). 

This is not an issue unique to 1st-century Believers. The Bible refers to a future time “when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions. They will turn their ears away from truth and turn aside to myths” (2 Tim. 4:3-4). 

Does this sound like the time in which we live? Is there a higher demand for preaching that is tolerant and inclusive of the current cultural norms? Is there a higher demand for preaching that softens the penalty for sin, denies the existence of Hell and lessens the Biblical doctrine of justice? Is there a higher demand for preaching that recognizes many paths to salvation, considers man basically good and holds a low view of Scriptural inerrancy? Is there a higher demand for “cafeteria-style” Christianity, where we get to choose our own adventure by selecting the doctrines and Scriptures that support “our truth”, thus making God in our image? To these questions and many others, the answer is a resounding YES. 

There is a huge market for false teaching and a pack of wild dogs on the hunt for such an opportunity. A 2020 study conducted by Lifeway Research found that about 20% of Americans classified themselves as evangelical Christians. This same group, however, held many beliefs that contradict sound doctrine. Nearly two-thirds (65%) believed Jesus to be a created being. Nearly half (46%) consider the Holy Spirit to be a force rather than a person while 30% believe Jesus to be a great teacher but not divine. Nearly half (46%) believe people are mostly good by nature, 40% believe God rewards faith with material blessings, and 22% say gender is a matter of choice. 

These are the things that “itching ears” want to hear and as long as there is a demand, there will be supply. The dogs will take full advantage. Do we need to ask “who let the dogs out”? Who would have a vested interest in causing people to “turn their ears away from truth and turn aside to myths”? It can only be the work of the Enemy and we are wise to recognize the dogs not only as false teachers but as ambassadors of the one who sent them.

~ Melissa Gibbs has been a member of LIFE Fellowship for over 10 years, is the mother to four boys and widow of the late JD Gibbs.