By Charles E Carlson
Sep 18, 2022
Precept Ministries (PC) and Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) are the largest and most successful third-party teachers of Bible study lessons inside churches all over the USA. Their trained personnel deliver Zionist-bent theology in a classroom setting inside the host churches. Unpaid volunteer study leaders, usually church members, are often known as teachers or “Facilitators.” What flavor of Christianity do these two seemingly generous, volunteer organizations teach, and why? PC and BSF teach a stylized but altered Christianity. This is with little or no coaching or comment from the volunteer teachers who believe they are doing a service to their churches.
“Facilitators.” These volunteers, by whatever name, are unpaid. Nevertheless, they are screened for their willingness to be guided by the structured BSF or PC written leadership materials. Organizational personnel urged church volunteers not to correct or add their views on the provided printed material.
One former BSF volunteer confirmed these structured, hands-on practices. She had offered to teach and was interviewed as a “Facilitator.” She was rejected without explanation, and later realized she should not have volunteered her opinions on several scriptural questions that arose during her interview. Never mind her willingness to devote her time gratis. Other former teachers and students have confirmed this firmly structured approach, and one left when she discovered what she was teaching without seeing its negative sides.
BSF and Precepts Ministries’ scriptural interpretations are welcomed in many Dispensational or “Evangelical churches. However, few mainline churches teach what this writer calls “Zionist Christianity soft” Most would say, their denomination does not believe in it. But observers tell us PC and BBF teaching is Zionism but taught so subtly that individuals in the classes, and many church leaders, are not aware of what they are they are fed over months or years. Smaller congregations may accept BSF or PC teaching because it is almost cost-free and unthreatening.
Rather than tolerating this teaching, the pastor must recognize he is up against an organized, international movement to promote “Christian Zionism.” Nothing is more important for Jesus’ followers than to prevent apostate movements from gaining a foothold inside their doors. Bible Study Fellowship and Precept Ministries do exactly that. Clearly, there must be financial sponsors, or neither PC nor BSF could carry out a mind-bending, nearly free religious training program inside thousands of churches.
In part 2 and beyond we will discuss the beliefs of Christian Zionism teachings promoted by these two, and who benefits from their slanted teaching. For a more accurate understanding, we will rename these teachings “Zionist Christianity Soft,” meaning Zionism gently modifies, alters, and misdirects Christians, rather than Christian teaching exposing Zionism and those who teach it as theology.
Sep 18. 2022
Charles E Carlson
