Portrait of a False Teacher

But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. -- 2 Peter 2:12-13 (ESV) 'Your words are so foolishly and ignorantly composed that I cannot believe you understand them.' 'You are a bungling magpie, croaking loudly.' Martin Luther When I first encountered Martin Luther's insults I was conflicted. I didn't know whether to laugh or be offended. Many think of theologians as passionless people devoid of humor. Those people have never read Luther. His wit was unleashed during the struggles and theological wrestlings of the Reformation. In fact, through the 'magic' of the inter-webs, if you would like to be insulted by Luther you can hit up the Luther Insulter. Luther was not just doing this for comedic value, but instead his passion for truth was directly employed in his insults to injure and shock those that opposed him. Our passage this week within 2 Peter 2 reminds me of Luther's words. Using the same method, Peter highlights the danger, foolishness, and emptiness of the false teachers through various pointed descriptions of their personalities and doctrine. He pleads with us to know the truth.