This is a huge problem in the church, particularly, but not only, the charismatic branches.

Let’s begin without a long introduction

List of “Hypers”

I have observed various “hyper” interpretations that are Bible teachers’ pet doctrines:

Hyper-faith or Word of Faith, (faith in faith as an impersonal force)

Hyper-charismata (depends too much on gifted strong personalities on the platform and “apostles”)

Hyper-eschatology focus (other doctrines ignored and one theory pushed: pre-trib rapture)

Hyper-Israel honor (God’s church should be the focus)

Hyper-prosperity (everyone should be rich)

Hyper-grace (do as you please, holiness ignored)

Hyper-honor culture (allows bullies in leadership)

Hyper-compassion (toxic empathy)

Hyper-sovereignty (Calvinism)

Hyper-charismatics (they use no discernment but excessively display the gifts of the Spirit, like prophecy and healing, for their own spectacle. They use people as stage props.)

Hyper-platform performances (showing off for ego needs)

Hyper-attention seeking (narcissism)

If you take off the “hyper” prefix, the remaining words are Scriptural, except the last two. In other words, these teachings and practices are out of balance.

One Example

For example, yes, prosperity is good for the business you work at.

¹⁸ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. […] (Deut. 8:18, NIV)

Everyone can get a job or start a business to create wealth. No problem.

However, hyper-prosperity preachers who twist Scriptures to enrich themselves? No. They harangue people to give them money and then buy luxury items like huge houses and jets.

The locus of these out-of-balanced teachings is usually Paul’s epistles. The teachers twist or distort his teachings. More specific example of hyper-prosperity: they twist Galatians 3 and claim that the blessing of Abraham is his wealth; therefore, they too get to be wealthy. No. Paul’s argument is that the blessing of Abraham is Christ himself, Abraham’s highest and Messianic descendant, and his gospel. Then by extension everyone in Christ is included in being a blessing to the world because they are equipped to preach Christ and his good news.

Don’t Twist Scripture

Here is a passage that warns the teachers of “hypers” to stay away from distorting Scripture:

¹⁵ Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. ¹⁶ He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. (2 Peter 3:15-16, NIV, emphasis added)

The ESV says “twist” instead of “distort.” The outcome is the same. They are heading for destruction. Note also that they twist other Scriptures, so the problem is not just limited to Paul’s epistles.

Warning about Judgment

Here is the warning:

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1)

When teachers get up behind the pulpit or turn on their computer and cameras and links to their socials, to teach the church, God leans forward on his throne to listen very carefully. If they are not well studied and moderate, destruction and stricter judgment will ensue, on this earth or at final judgment or both.

Solution and a Prayer

The solution is to teach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) and follow Jesus in his balanced ministry of teaching and helping the needy and healing the sick and expelling demons.

I pray that everyone on their own platforms, wherever they may be found on social media or behind the pulpit, will come back into balance. But if these teachers refuse or cannot see their own hyper, pet doctrines, then let’s raise up a new generation, who will be balanced. And you the reader can be balanced before a new generation is raised up. Be balanced today by avoiding the hyper-teachings.

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