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Does God allow heresy to arise, to bring us back to the truth?

Does he allow people of his, to take a truth to the point that it is no longer true, in order to wake the rest of us up?

IE: We don't like the "name it and claim it", or "blab it and grab it" doctrines of the health, wealth and prosperity movement. They do misuse and abuse scripture in my opinion on this issue, BUT, doesn't the presence of the errors made regarding that issue make the rest of us sit up and think about "How do we really interpret the scriptures that do actually deal with God blessing people who give and give abundantly?"

Same thing with the Holy Spirit and such related issues of speaking in tongues, miracles, etc... I have been around people who are vehemently opposed to speaking in tongues today, and those who practice speaking in tongues.

Some who say "you're not born again unless you do speak in tongues", and others who say, "you're not born again, if you do, you're demon possessed."

WOW, what a conflicting dynamic! Apart from this issue, people in both camps were loving, caring, people, who were well aware of their own sinfulness, and need for Christ as their savior.

As you can see, I have found that there are idiots in both camps. They're still my brothers and sisters, but they're still WAY WAY out there, on their points of view.

Personally, after growing up Catholic, graduating from an Assembly of God Bible College, and spending time in various churches, including an SBC church in Missouri for awhile, and now serving in a Christian and Missionary Alliance church, I have to say that, I have found brothers and sisters in all the camps.

I have also found the same dead "riff raff" in all of the above churches, too.

I have more and more found that the simplicity of the gospel is so profound, that the "best" minds in the world, can't get right down and admit that their pet issues mean nothing. After thousands and thousands of dollars from years of Bible College, and time spent as a youth and associate Pastor. I have only found a few statements in scripture that clearly and definitively describe what being a true Christian is all about. Here are the two most prominent:

1. John 13:35
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

2. Romans 10:9
... if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

You nailed it. Well said.

First Corinthians 14:16: "Else when thou shall bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at the giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayeth? "

First Corinthians 14:19 "Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue."

First Corinthians 14:23 "If therefore the whole church be come together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those than are unlearned, or unbelievers, WILL THEY NOT SAY THAT YE ARE MAD?" (emphasis mine)

You want to defend speaking in tongues fine. You want to do it, fine again. But don't leave out the Scriptures that give caution about it.

I have no problem with spiritual gifts and believe no limits exist on the Holy Spirit, visions, tongues, prophesy, dreams, etc...but I am very dubious of churches that don't practice speaking in tongues Biblically. (with a speaker and an interpreter) Then they tell their brother, "We are right and you are wrong."

The Southern Baptists don't ordain gays. They don't allow their missionaries to teach and practice what the Pentecostals do. This is their right as a denomination. You know their creed when you join them and abide by it or leave. I'm sure the Assembly or the Pentecostals would admit any such missionary in a second. We all change churches pretty regularly. Not a big deal.

I'm not a Southern Baptist either.