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The Scandal of False Teaching
176 pages, Paperback
Published November 10, 2023
3 people want to read
About the author
James Durham
78 books8 followersJames Durham (1622 - 1658) was the eldest son of John Durham of Grange Durham Angus, and proprietor of ‘a good estate,’ then called Easter Powrie, in the county of Forfar. He studied at St. Andrews University, and afterwards lived at his country place. Subsequently he took arms in the civil war and became captain of a troop. Naturally serious and thoughtful, he had come under profound religious impressions on a visit to the relations of his wife (Anna, daughter of Francis Durham of Duntarvie) at Abercorn, near Edinburgh, and it was his being overheard praying with his soldiers by David Dickson, an eminent Presbyterian divine, that led to his devoting himself to the ministry.
After studying at Glasgow he was licensed as a preacher in 1647. That a man of his position should make such a change excited some comment among his old friends and neighbours, but his whole soul was in his new occupation, and he vindicated himself with great fervour.
Durham was a man of intense strength of conviction and great gravity of character. It is said of him, as of Robert Leighton, to whom in certain respects he bore a resemblance, that he was seldom known to smile. His studies, both in Scripture and in the theological and ecclesiastical questions of the day, were carried on with extraordinary diligence. Of his devotion to the Christian ministry he gave decided proof, both by his laboriousness in the work and by his retiring from the position and enjoyments of a country gentleman’s life.
Of his power and faithfulness as a preacher a remarkable illustration is said to have occurred at the time of Cromwell’s invasion of Scotland. It is said that Cromwell entered his church incognito, and got a seat as it happened in the pew of the provost’s daughter, who, as he wore the dress of an English officer, was by no means very courteous to him. At the close of the service Cromwell asked her the preacher’s name. She gave a curt reply and asked why he wished to know. Cromwell replied ‘because he perceived him to be a very great man, and in his opinion might be chaplain to any prince in Europe, though he had never seen him nor heard of him before.’ It is certain that Durham preached before Cromwell against the English invasion. One version of the story has it that Cromwell asked him whether it was his habit to preach on politics, and that he replied that it was not, but seeing him present he thought it right to let him know his mind.
For a time he exercised his ministry in Glasgow, and in 1650 he was appointed Professor of Divinity in the university there. But before he could be settled in that office the General Assembly decided that he should attend as chaplain on the king. The duties of this office he discharged ‘with such majesty and awe’ as to inspire the court with much reverence for him. When free from this situation he was again called to the ministry in Glasgow, and inducted into the ‘Inner Kirk.’
His health had never been strong, and he was prematurely old, partly the effect of the singularly laborious life of study which he led. He died on 25 June 1658, in the thirty-sixth year of his age. He was held by his contemporaries in the very highest esteem as one of the most able and godly men of the time.
After studying at Glasgow he was licensed as a preacher in 1647. That a man of his position should make such a change excited some comment among his old friends and neighbours, but his whole soul was in his new occupation, and he vindicated himself with great fervour.
Durham was a man of intense strength of conviction and great gravity of character. It is said of him, as of Robert Leighton, to whom in certain respects he bore a resemblance, that he was seldom known to smile. His studies, both in Scripture and in the theological and ecclesiastical questions of the day, were carried on with extraordinary diligence. Of his devotion to the Christian ministry he gave decided proof, both by his laboriousness in the work and by his retiring from the position and enjoyments of a country gentleman’s life.
Of his power and faithfulness as a preacher a remarkable illustration is said to have occurred at the time of Cromwell’s invasion of Scotland. It is said that Cromwell entered his church incognito, and got a seat as it happened in the pew of the provost’s daughter, who, as he wore the dress of an English officer, was by no means very courteous to him. At the close of the service Cromwell asked her the preacher’s name. She gave a curt reply and asked why he wished to know. Cromwell replied ‘because he perceived him to be a very great man, and in his opinion might be chaplain to any prince in Europe, though he had never seen him nor heard of him before.’ It is certain that Durham preached before Cromwell against the English invasion. One version of the story has it that Cromwell asked him whether it was his habit to preach on politics, and that he replied that it was not, but seeing him present he thought it right to let him know his mind.
For a time he exercised his ministry in Glasgow, and in 1650 he was appointed Professor of Divinity in the university there. But before he could be settled in that office the General Assembly decided that he should attend as chaplain on the king. The duties of this office he discharged ‘with such majesty and awe’ as to inspire the court with much reverence for him. When free from this situation he was again called to the ministry in Glasgow, and inducted into the ‘Inner Kirk.’
His health had never been strong, and he was prematurely old, partly the effect of the singularly laborious life of study which he led. He died on 25 June 1658, in the thirty-sixth year of his age. He was held by his contemporaries in the very highest esteem as one of the most able and godly men of the time.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 20, 2025
I once again thoroughly enjoyed this edited work of James Durham's "Concerning Scandals." Durham is a real treasure, especially looking at modern debates around church authority, division in the church, and abusive pastors. Durham is intensely practical and as he outlines the methods that wolves use to gain influence over God's people, one will be struck how similar he words are to modern discussions on this topic. Here's one particularly insightful quote:
"Satan proceeds then to ensure that those who are tainted with error are greatly loved and highly esteemed by others. This means that they feel all the more comfortable about conversing with them and have a readier disposition to receive their leaven from them. Satan sometimes does this by making false teachers win commendations for their gifts in their quickness and nimbleness. Other times he does this by impressing people with the seeming gravity, austerity, and holiness of their lives. This is why they are said to be wolves in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15) and why Satan is said to transform himself into an angel of light and to transform his ministers into the ministers of Christ (2 Cor. 11:14). Sometimes Satan wins people's affections for false teachers by flattery and seeming sympathy and affection, a despicable strategy for which the lying prophet is called the tail (Isa. 9:15). And if he can do it by no other means, he does it by false teachers reproaching honest and faithful ministers and even, maybe, hitting on some real flaws and failings among them, which is often only too pleasing to the carnal spirit of the generality of people." (46)
Something that will challenge people is Durham's arguments that false teachers come to God's people as part of a chastisement for their sins. When we consider wolves, we often make the sheep out to be entirely victims. But Durham challenges some of that thinking. Our sinful tendencies for power and might, even for great gifts in our spiritual leaders, can make us welcome wolves with enthusiasm. Of course, he is not saying every situation where a wolf comes in, is tied to some sin on the part of sheep. But it is something that God's people need to be on guard against.
I also greatly appreciated Durham's discussion of spiritual giftedness in wolves. This is a theme I'm running into again and again with the Puritans. They are very insightful in handling spiritual gifts in those who are wolves.
"Satan proceeds then to ensure that those who are tainted with error are greatly loved and highly esteemed by others. This means that they feel all the more comfortable about conversing with them and have a readier disposition to receive their leaven from them. Satan sometimes does this by making false teachers win commendations for their gifts in their quickness and nimbleness. Other times he does this by impressing people with the seeming gravity, austerity, and holiness of their lives. This is why they are said to be wolves in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15) and why Satan is said to transform himself into an angel of light and to transform his ministers into the ministers of Christ (2 Cor. 11:14). Sometimes Satan wins people's affections for false teachers by flattery and seeming sympathy and affection, a despicable strategy for which the lying prophet is called the tail (Isa. 9:15). And if he can do it by no other means, he does it by false teachers reproaching honest and faithful ministers and even, maybe, hitting on some real flaws and failings among them, which is often only too pleasing to the carnal spirit of the generality of people." (46)
Something that will challenge people is Durham's arguments that false teachers come to God's people as part of a chastisement for their sins. When we consider wolves, we often make the sheep out to be entirely victims. But Durham challenges some of that thinking. Our sinful tendencies for power and might, even for great gifts in our spiritual leaders, can make us welcome wolves with enthusiasm. Of course, he is not saying every situation where a wolf comes in, is tied to some sin on the part of sheep. But it is something that God's people need to be on guard against.
I also greatly appreciated Durham's discussion of spiritual giftedness in wolves. This is a theme I'm running into again and again with the Puritans. They are very insightful in handling spiritual gifts in those who are wolves.
Displaying 1 of 1 review