An Urgent Exposé of the False Gospel in America

I want to begin by saying this is not my usual way of writing. I’d much rather spend my efforts diving deep into the limitless beauty of God's Grace — teaching, preaching, and proclaiming the stunning goodness of our Father in Heaven and the immeasurable riches of life IN CHRIST.

That’s my lane. That’s my joy.

But sometimes, love demands that we speak the truth plainly. Sometimes, a shepherd must sound the alarm. Sometimes, a father must shout, “Fire!” to wake the family from their slumber. This is one of those times.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3–4

What follows is a bold exposé of a system so subtle, so polished, and so psychologically sophisticated that millions of well-meaning Christians are being seduced into a form of godliness that denies its power. It looks like a church. It sounds like love. But it is another gospel entirely.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.’” Matthew 16:24–25

Someone has to say it. It might as well be me.

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies… Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned.” 2 Peter 2:1–2

With a broken heart and a fierce resolve, I write this for the Church in America — not to condemn her, but to call her out of Babylon and back into the arms of the Bridegroom.

“And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.’” Luke 9:23

Let the reader understand: what you are about to read may shake you. It may offend you. It may even set you free.

With love,

A fellow servant, a son of Grace, and a watchman on the wall

“For certain persons have crept in unnoticed… ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Jude 4

THE SMILING COUNTERFEIT

He is kind. He is clever. He is polished, funny, and relatable. He knows how to speak to your heart without offending your ego. He is loved by his congregation. He is charming with his wife, trendy in his presentation, and endlessly affirming in his tone. His Sunday messages are streamed by thousands. His church is thriving, expanding into multiple services at multiple sites. There is only one problem:

He is preaching a different gospel.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven… Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name…?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’” Matthew 7:21–23

The American Pastor has become the Babylonian Pastor. The modern American church has become Babylon.

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!” Galatians 1:6–9

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20

This exposé is not about the man himself—for his name is legion. He could be any of the smiling, TED-Talk-turned-Sunday-preachers dotting the landscape of suburbia. For this writing, we’ll call him Pastor Ethan. But understand this: the name is irrelevant. What matters is the message.

“Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:24

And the message is damning.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs… Outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Matthew 23:27–28

THE SUNDAY FORMULA

Pastor Ethan has mastered the modern sermon formula:

Warm humor and self-deprecating stories.
Cultural relevance and emotional hooks.
A quote from a psychologist or leadership guru.
Sprinkled Scripture to reinforce the pre-decided conclusion.
A call to action that makes you feel like the hero of your own story.

This is not preaching. This is life coaching with a Jesus sticker on top.

“Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.” Romans 6:6–7

Week after week, he offers coping strategies for the old man instead of calling sinners to crucify the flesh. He comforts the lukewarm and assures the unrepentant.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:43–44

He offers parenting tips instead of repentance and boundary-setting mantras instead of brokenness before a holy God.

“Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.” Revelation 3:17

He never mentions hell. Rarely speaks of sin. The cross is a background image. Grace is confused with tolerance. And Jesus is treated more like a divine therapist than the resurrected King of glory.

And the people love him for it.

“The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule on their own authority; and My people love it so! But what will you do at the end of it?” Jeremiah 5:31

THE ROOT SYSTEM

To understand the fruit, you must examine the root. Pastor Ethan is a disciple of a popular Christian psychologist and motivational author like Dr. Townsend. Anyone can tell.

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:27–28

His teachings emphasize emotional intelligence, internal boundaries, self-awareness, and human flourishing. In many ways, these teachings echo secular therapeutic principles baptized in the Christian language.

“Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? … They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every beast of the field…” Ezekiel 34:2–5

But here’s the tragedy: this psychological framework has replaced the power of the Gospel.

“But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:20–21

In Pastor Ethan’s pulpit, you WILL NOT hear:

The indwelling Holy Spirit as the source of righteousness. 
The Blood of Christ.
The Wrath of God. Hell in general
The Book of Revelation
The crucified life and our identity IN CHRIST.
The eternal reign of Grace and the finished work of Jesus.
The call to die to self and walk in resurrection power.

“Our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with…” Romans 6:6

There are certain words Pastor Ethan will not say — not because they aren’t in the Bible, but because they aren’t in the business plan.

“To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—” Revelation 1:5

You won’t hear sermons on the blood of Jesus Christ, or what it means to be crucified with Him.

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…” Galatians 2:20

He avoids sin, confession, denying yourself, taking up your cross, dying daily, or loving your enemies—because these topics don’t make people feel good; they make people feel convicted.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7

He will never mention the wrath of God, the Book of Revelation, or Jesus' terrifying warnings about judgment. Why? Because the church consultants told him not to. The data says these topics don’t grow churches. But the Gospel was never meant to grow crowds. It was meant to crucify the old man and raise up the new.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Instead, the congregation is offered tools, strategies, next steps, emotional language, and “journeys” to become better versions of themselves.

“For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:17

This is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a gospel of self-improvement.

“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?” 2 Corinthians 13:5

And Paul’s words to the Galatians echo like thunder across the sanctuary:

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” Galatians 1:6–7

Let it be known: psychological coaching is not sanctification. Emotional health is not new birth. Coping mechanisms are not the Gospel.

THE PEOPLE LOVE IT THIS WAY

This is not just about Ethan.

This is about you.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ…” Ephesians 2:4–5

The modern American church is not a victim. It is a consumer. And consumers demand a product.

Pastor Ethan is a product of the people’s desires. He is exactly what they asked for:

A nice pastor who won’t make them uncomfortable.
A clean building with great music and easy parking.
A message that doesn’t confront sin but celebrates potential.
A weekly experience that fits within a 70-minute time slot.

Paul prophesied this moment:

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires.” 2 Timothy 4:3

We are living in those days.

The American church has become Laodicea—rich, impressive, blind, and lukewarm.

“Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” Revelation 3:17

COME OUT OF HER

The false gospel is not just a lie. It is a trap. A drug. A seductive siren song.

“And not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” Hebrews 9:12

And it is leading millions to hell with their eyes wide open, sitting in padded pews, sipping lattes, and nodding along to spiritual death.

This is why Jesus speaks so fiercely through Revelation:

“Come out of her, My people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive any of her plagues.” Revelation 18:4

Come out of Babylon. Come out of the false church. Come out of self-help Christianity. Come out of the religious theater.

DO YOU RECOGNIZE THIS PASTOR?

Come out before it’s too late.

THE CONSEQUENCE

Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and Jude all warned about one thing above all: false teachers.

“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!” Galatians 1:8

Accursed.

“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’” Matthew 7:22–23

Depart from Me.

“These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved.” 2 Peter 2:17

Black darkness.

This is not a theological disagreement. This is a matter of eternal consequence.

OUR WAY BACK

But the Gospel still speaks:

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” Ephesians 2:4–5

There is still a way back. And His name is Jesus.

Not the therapeutic Jesus. Not the moral example Jesus. Not the self-help coach Jesus.

“For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.” John 1:16–17

The crucified and risen King.

Come to Him. Confess the counterfeit. Renounce the false gospel. Repent of playing church. Receive the full Grace of God, which is the indwelling life of Jesus Himself.

“Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace…” Hebrews 13:9

Grace is not a topic. He is a Person. His name is Jesus.

Jesus didn’t come to improve your life. He came to be your life.

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” Galatians 2:20

THE LINE IN THE SAND

To every Christian reading this exposé:

You now know. You know what the false gospel sounds like. You know how it operates. You know what it produces.

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18–20

And you know what Jesus demands.

So, here is the question:

What side are you on?

There is no in-between.

“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:31–33

To stay silent is to side with the counterfeit. To do nothing is to support the lie. To remain in Babylon is to share in her destruction.

“Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve.” Joshua 24:15

Will you bow the knee to comfort? Or will you follow Jesus into the wilderness?

Will you seek the applause of men? Or will you become the fragrance of Christ?

The line has been drawn.

Now choose.

Come out of her, My people.

What Should You Do If You Recognize This is Your Church?

If you’re reading this and your heart is pounding… if you’ve been quietly wondering for months why something feels off, why the sermons sound like pop psychology, why your spirit is dry and disconnected, and for the first time, you realize you’ve been sitting in the very church we just described — I want to say something simple:

Don’t panic. Don’t run. Don’t go church shopping. Don’t start judging.

PRAY!

Run straight to Jesus and ask Him what He wants you to do.

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14–16

Don’t trust me — I’m just a man. I’ve walked through this exact same wilderness. I was deceived too. I’ve cried the same tears, asked the same questions, and begged God for clarity in the confusion. I know what it’s like to sit in a sanctuary that feels more like a studio and wonder why I leave feeling entertained but never transformed.

I have no answer for you. But I know the One who does.

Don’t trust any man — especially not a paid hireling. Put your full trust in the Good Shepherd. Build a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and go to Him with everything. Open your Bible. Get quiet. Let the Holy Spirit lead you into all truth.

He might say: stay and speak.
He might say: leave and grieve.
He might say: gather the broken and rebuild My Church.
He might give you a brand new assignment.

But I know this without question:

He will lead us to be ONE. One Body. One Spirit. One Church. One King.

So seek Him until you hear. And be ready to obey. This isn’t about anger. This is about BEHOLDING KING JESUS.

The time for pretending is over.