Question: I recently saw a post [TBC, 03/14 Q&A] regarding a man by the name of Dr. Scott ...

Question: I recently saw a post [TBC, 03/14 Q&A] regarding a man by the name of Dr. Scott McQuate. Having been a pastor myself, and having read all of Dr. McQuate’s books that I can locate, I find it quite disconcerting that someone from your organization would actually call this man a false teacher. I personally would find it hard to believe that it would be Dave Hunt. I have also spoken with Dr. McQuate [many times] and I can tell you [that he] has done some of the finest biblical research I’ve seen. Whether you agree with his exegesis or not does not justify this kind of attack on his or anyone else’s character. That is what the Pharisees did to Jesus. I would hope you would remove the post, or at the very least, please explain your justification for it. The author mentions Dr. McQuate’s reference to books such as Jasher, Enoch etc., but you probably know that these and other books are either referenced in our current Bible or were once actually contained in the Canon, prior to Nicea. I will be waiting for your answers to these questions.

Response: You have stated that you have “read all of Dr. McQuate’s books that [you] can locate....” And, you find it of concern that we have specifically noted “Dr. McQuate’s reference to books such as Jasher, Enoch etc.,” with the point that we “know that these and other books are either referenced in our current Bible [or] were once actually contained in the Canon, prior to Nicea.”

It is true that there are a few references to Jasher, Jubilees, Enoch, and other books,  now lost, and it must be remembered that those citations were given by men who no doubt had access to them. That is demonstrably not true today. There are at present six competing editions of the book of Enoch, and the majority of other extra-biblical books are directly traceable to the Gnostic cache called the “Nag Hammadi library.” As we know very well, the early church had to confront Gnostic teachings, but these heretical teachings have been successfully creeping back into the church in the past few decades.

Dave Hunt, who went home to be with the Lord a year and a half ago, has specifically written concerning the Apocryphal books, “These books were not accepted by the early church.  Christ never quoted from them or referred to them as Scripture.” He also pointed out that “no church council decided what books would be included in the New Testament. The inspired writings were recognized by consensus of the entire body of believers on the basis of the Holy Spirit indwelling them, not by decree of a council. The Council of Nicaea (325) argued from the New Testament books but did not list them. The Council of Laodicea (363) decreed in its 59th Canon that only canonized books of both Old and New Testament were to be read in the churches. Yet it didn’t even list them, showing that the canon had already been so well established by common consent that everyone knew the books it contained” (www.thebereancall.org/content/october-1995-q-and-a-3).

You consider that Dr. McQuate “has done some of the finest biblical research [you’ve] seen in 22 years as a pastor.” We take issue with that conclusion since so much of the “research” is clearly seen to be “extra-biblical.” On his website, Dr. McQuate advertises his research library, which includes, “The Apocrypha, The Dead Sea Scrolls, The Dead Sea Scrolls Uncovered, The Complete Exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls, The Koran, The Egyptian Book of the Dead (from which the 10 Commandments were derived), a 400-page Biblical Law Course and more, including the 159-page Sumerian Lexicon”! [our emphasis]

Are we not rightly concerned when Dr. McQuate has specifically stated, “The Tribulation period is highly misunderstood  because of many doctrinal lies and misconceptions that have been touted as fact, and unbeknownst to present-day Scholars, Pastors and Theologians, the subject of the Tribulation is not unique to the Bible. The shocking facts of this epic, all-important event were also spoken of within cultures long pre-dating the Bible, such as the Mayan, Sumerian, Hindu, Canaanite and others but they have been intentionally concealed for millennia...until now. For a watered-down and tremendously adulterated understanding of the Tribulation, we can look to the Bible”? [our emphasis]

In common with too many, McQuate is claiming extra-biblical insights that have been hidden from nearly everyone else. Should we not in the interest of truth be properly concerned for this man’s spiritual life? Or, for the sheep who may be led away from the truth of Scriptures to these “exciting” and controversial revelations?

Regarding other cultures’ understanding of God’s laws, the Scriptures do speak of the Law written upon the heart, about which in Romans:2:14-15 [14] For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: [15] Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
See All... Paul notes, “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.”

Concerning “the law written” in the hearts of men, this is why cultural prohibitions show an amazing parallelism. Do not lie, do not steal, do not murder, do not commit adultery, etc. (the notable exception being the Sabbath)—these demonstrate what Paul is talking about. That is a provision for man that the Lord made. Consequently, we should not be surprised to see The Egyptian Book of the Dead having some (skewed) parallels to the Ten Commandments. But McQuate’s research runs hard aground by claiming that the commandments given by God directly to Moses upon Sinai are “derived” from the Egyptian source.

“The part of the Book of the Dead in question is the Papyrus of Ani, where a ‘negative confession’ is given. That is, a person who has died and is entering the underworld is listing sinful things that they have refrained from doing, and thus declaring themselves worthy to enter the underworld. These aren’t commandments being given here, simply statements the person is saying about themselves, though they are declaring these things to be sinful, as the ten commandments are doing” (www.kingdavid8.com/_full_article.php?id=aa5da 8cc-6283-11e1-be10-176ee32615f7).

The more we look at Dr. McQuate’s writing, the “finest research” will not bear close scrutiny. The Lord inspired Paul to write, “Prove all things, hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians:5:21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
See All...). The command to “prove” (or “test”) all things is critical in our day when teachings such as the Nephilim theory, the Blood Moon prophecies, Hebrew Roots promotion, and the growing infatuation with mystical Catholic practices have departed from the Word of Truth and turning Christians to extra-biblical sources. All these movements of necessity require material apart from Scripture. The Scriptures, which are “...given by inspiration of God and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” are being minimized.

TBC’s critique has never been an analysis of Dr. McQuate’s character but only of what he has publicly taught and has been documented.