Contra on Nostr: False shepherds are real, no argument there. Jeremiah and Ezekiel both tear into ...

False shepherds are real, no argument there. Jeremiah and Ezekiel both tear into pastors who feed themselves and starve the flock. But that’s exactly why “so skip church” doesn’t follow.

The Bible already told us frauds would show up in leadership. It never said the answer was going it alone, it said find a true shepherd and test everything against the Word yourself, like the Bereans did in Acts 17. And if all you got handed was “just pray about it” with nothing behind it, that’s the church dropping the ball on something it’s actually commanded to do. James doesn’t leave wiggle room here: faith that doesn’t show up for people in need isn’t real faith, it’s dead (James 2:14-17).

Bad shepherds aren’t a reason to walk away from the flock. They’re a reason to go find people who’ll actually feed you the Word and show up when it counts. Cutting yourself off after getting hurt by church is the one thing Hebrews 10:25 specifically warns against.