When you use a specific text as a foundation to build from, you cannot remove it to build something on top of it. For example, I cannot remove the house's foundation to add walls. We must build on the foundation rather than cut out pieces for it to be logical.
Torah as a foundation
The Torah is a foundation text of the Abrahamic religions, and yet many of these religions seem to be separated at their foundation. While most Abrahamic religions claim to use the Torah text as a basis for their theology, how are they so fundamentally different? Even the Quran, which doesn't use the Torah directly, states that G-d gave the Torah. So, if we honestly examine the Torah, should we not find some basis of truth or a test for truth? Did G-d give us His word without any guidance and just expect us to know who is truly from Him and who isn't? If we all created our own "test" of who is and isn't a true prophet, we might have something similar to today with multiple teachers all teaching against each other while insisting their way is truth.
The goal here is not to prove the ethics of the Torah or its credibility but to outline what is or is not a false teaching given the premise that the Torah is truth.
A proper teacher
The Torah presents us with 613 laws to follow. Within the 613 laws, we are also given guidance on determining if someone is a false prophet or teaching falsehood. This simple test is broken down into three parts, which you can find in Deuteronomy 13:1-18 & 18:20-22, and further expounded in Jeremiah 14:14, 23:21-33; Zechariah 10:2, Nehemiah 6:12-13, and Isaiah 30:10 among many other places.
These three signs of a false teacher and false prophet are as follows:
If he tells you to go to the left or right of any command (Deut 13:4-5)
If he tells you to follow or worship any gods that your forefathers had not known (Deut 13:6-8)
If he tells you of things to come and they do not come to pass (Deut 18:20-22)
Included in these three signs is also another criterion to watch out for.
If the prophet or person among you prophesies or does wonders and miracles, and they come to pass but tell you to stop following a command or worship a god your forefathers had not known - then this is a false prophet and G-d is testing you (Deut 13:2-4).
The man in the red coat
Imagine a merchant telling his servant, "I must go for a short while, and I am placing you in charge of the shop. However, no men wearing red coats should come into the shop. Even if they show you papers with my signature or tell you I sent them - you must not listen to them. I will even send someone in a red coat to test you." The merchant leaves, and some days pass. A man knocks on the shop door. The servant looks out the door and sees a man in a red coat standing there. The man in the red coat says, "I am from your master! Here are the papers to prove it! I know things that only your master knows. You must let me in the shop." The servant says, "No! I must not let anyone wearing a red coat into the shop!" The man in the red coat says, "Truly, you are a great servant. He wanted to test you, and you passed the test; now let me in!" Should the servant let the man in a red coat in? Of course not!
Often, in theology, people cannot examine the logic, blinded by presuppositions. If G-d Himself gave us criteria to identify a false prophet or teacher, why would we condemn the servant for letting in the man in the red coat while we do the same thing to our master?
Let's examine the largest branches of the Abrahamic faith.
Christianity / Catholicism
Left or right of any command
Christianity teaches that the Torah is no longer relevant because of a new covenant. How do we know there is a new covenant and the Torah is no longer relevant? Because someone came and told us the Torah is no longer binding to us. However, does this hold up with the Torah, or is this a man in a red coat?
The traditional take of Jesus is that he came and abolished the law. We know he is a prophet because... he said so and did miracles. While miracles are impressive and speeches can motivate, this rendition falls under the false prophet category. We are specifically told not to listen to ANYONE who comes and tells us to stop following the commands even if they say they are from G-d and they do miracles and prophecies of great things.
If we believe Jesus told us to stop following any commands of the Torah, then that implies he fits one of the three false-prophet criteria. Whether you like it or not, this is the only logical conclusion.
Paul is no different. Did Paul preach against keeping the commands G-d gave us? If so, then he would be classified as a false prophet. Sometimes, it helps to remove yourself from the emotional attachment of a situation so that you can see it more clearly.
Remember the story of the man in the red coat? Well, now imagine the first man in a red coat has left, but a second man in a red coat appears. He tells you he saw a vision of the first man in a red coat, and he can confirm that the master wants you to invite him inside the shop. Do you believe him? He had a vision; doesn't this prove the first man in a red coat was telling the truth? Doesn't this validate the 2nd man in a red coat? Of course not! Why? Because the rule was "Do not let anyone in wearing a red coat."
The test of the false prophet is the same, "Do not listen to anyone who tells you to go to the left or right of any command". If someone says the law is done away with and you don't need to follow it, then that is quite literally doing the opposite of the command. You not only listened to him, you also did as he requested.
Following a god or gods the forefathers did not know
Scholarship within Christianity asserts that the Trinity was a later revelation after Christ but had always remained true. So, while Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob may not have known the "entire" Trinity, you could argue that it was the same G-d and not a different one. While I disagree with this interpretation, it could have some basis if we stick with the statement alone and not analyze the Trinity itself.
Follow prophets who prophesy falsely
The prophecies of Judaism are generally viewed the same in Christianity, and most Christianity view their prophecies as being accurate. While many pastors have constantly prophesied of end-times or specific events and been proven wrong - these are a minority in the community and can be regarded as a fringe case.
Conclusion
A man claiming to be G-d or prophet cannot meet the definition of a false prophet to prove he is a true prophet. This is an instant disqualifier of theology and makes the teaching, a false teaching.
Latter Day Saints
Left or right of any command
Latter Day Saints will teach that the laws have changed. You no longer need to follow the laws of the Torah because new laws have been revealed to Joseph Smith. Similar to the Christian take of Paul, Latter Day Saint theology embraces the idea that a man can have a vision and then is given permission to teach against keeping the commands of the Torah. This is, once again, a clear violation of law and should be regarded as a false prophet on this alone.
Following a god or gods the forefathers did not know
Latter Day Saints teach you to become a god and own your universe. And while they will insist on the existence of other gods and even potentially G-d having a god above Him (G-d forbid), they do not teach you to follow a different god or gods; they teach that you should only follow the one G-d (The Father). So, while other theological issues are at play, you could skirt around this issue and dismiss it.
Follow prophets who prophesy falsely
Joseph Smith is the primary 'prophet' in this regard, and within the church, they believe all his prophecies came true, some of them being quite marvelous. Some are questionable or must be hyper-spiritualized, but the teaching is that the prophecies are correct, and thus, they do not teach to follow prophets who prophesy falsely. Similar to Christianity, many of their 'prophets' have prophesied falsely and been proven wrong - these are seen as a minority in the community and can be regarded as a fringe sect who follow them.
Conclusion
Similar to Christianity, the concept of a man declaring he is from G-d and a true prophet by meeting the exact definition of a false prophet (changing the laws) can only be one logical thing: a false prophet.
Islam
Left or right of any command
Muhammed proclaims the Torah is from G-d, but yet does not agree with its commands. One of many examples is that a camel is acceptable to sacrifice and eat (in Islam), but the Torah states that camels are not food and they are unclean animals (not fit for eating or sacrifice). This ruling is a clear violation of leading people to violate a command of G-d given at Sinai, and thus, a false prophet.
Now, I will admit that the traditional interpretation is the law was given to Jews and not the Ishmaelites as a punishment, and thus, the permitting of camels and rabbits isn't violating the Torah. However, this command is given to a mixed multitude who left Egypt and not just the tribes of Israel. Furthermore, it states:
"...confirming the truth of what was before me of the Torah and to make lawful to you some of what was prohibited to you..." (Al 'Imran:50)
So it isn't just to Israel, but instead permitting what was prohibited to them. The text itself insists that it was prohibited to the same people it was later being permitted to, which is a clear sign of a false prophet according to Torah.
Following a god or gods the forefathers did not know
They teach that we should follow the singular G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as it is best understood that they knew Him. Muhammed did not meet the false prophet criteria regarding this.
Follow prophets who prophesy falsely
Like Joseph Smith, all of the prophecies of Muhammed are regarded as having come true or will come true by their respective followers.
Conclusion
As stated earlier, the concept of a man declaring he is from G-d and a true prophet by meeting the exact definition of a false prophet (in regards to permitting what is forbidden) can only be one thing logically: a false prophet.
Who is it?
We have a common theme here, but before moving on, I want to show some striking similarities that many people need to be made aware of. Read the story below and try to think of who is being described:
A man is traveling, a divine being comes to him and informs him of what is wrong with the church. He is told he must write down and teach new laws and let people know the old laws are no longer relevant. He prophesies and does miracles to prove he is sent by G-d. His teachings spread fast and far, it's a massive revival under his leadership! Nations come to G-d through his great teachings and he is rejected by his own people, and eventually dies.
Did I describe a traditional view of the Apostle Paul, Muhammed, or Joseph Smith? The stories are almost identical, with only the name and date changing. But if you are to accept one, you must accept all of them. If your criteria for a prophet is not the one defined in Torah, then you've fallen prey to the imagination of men and failed the test that G-d gave you.
The characterization of Paul above is the traditional Christian presentation of Paul. However, we believe this is a complete mischaracterization of Paul, who taught according to the Torah. Peter almost seems to be addressing the modern church in 2 Peter 3:16-17:
"[Paul's] letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction [...] Be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position."
Peter knew people twisted Paul's words to insist that the Torah (law) is done away with (law-less). However, we should be on our guard not to misunderstand Paul and continue following the Torah as he had been teaching us to do.
Orthodox Judaism
Left or right of any command
Judaism teaches its congregation to follow all 613 commands. Even in regards to G-d's command to guard the commands and obey the elders and the judges (rabbinic rulings/fence laws), they also keep those.
Following a god or gods the forefathers did not know
They teach that we should follow the singular G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as it is best understood that they knew Him.
Follow prophets who prophesy falsely
The prophets do not prophesy falsely. Those who did are regarded as false prophets.
Conclusion
Orthodox Judaism is the most foundationally solid theology. Every text and prophet is tested against the Torah and then canonized only after it has found stable resting within the foundation of the Torah.
*Reform and Conservative Judaism are not monolithic regarding observance or foundational teachings. Some rabbis have no issue violating the Torah's dietary laws and teach that it's ok to violate them. Some proclaim Moses and G-d might not be real, and other rabbis are incredibly mindful of the laws and have a fear of G-d. For the majority, they teach of a singular G-d that Abraham knew. They don't believe they are following anyone who has given false prophecies. The only thing to look for is if they teach against following any of the laws given in the Torah. Any rabbi teaching against them is a false teacher.
Messianic
Lastly, Messianic should be mentioned as well. Some follow the teachings of Jesus and Paul but do not believe they are taught against keeping the Torah. While many branches (Natserim, Hebrew Roots, Messianic, Torah Observant, etc.) exist, most Messianics believe the entire Torah should be kept. While they will insist on keeping Torah, the interpretations often break the law itself due to a lack of knowledge of the totality of the law. This is typically unintentional, but it would be a false teaching if they instructed others to do as they do. Unless they follow orthodoxy, they are generally also rejecting the judges' ruling (rabbinic). This teaching of rejecting the judges is a direct violation of Deuteronomy:
Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Deuteronomy 16:18
You must act according to the decisions they give you at the place the Lord will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you to do. Act according to whatever they teach you and the decisions they give you. Do not turn aside from what they tell you, to the right or to the left. Anyone who shows contempt for the judge or for the priest who stands ministering there to the Lord your God is to be put to death. You must purge the evil from Israel. Deuteronomy 17:10-12
Conclusion
It's essential to understand the laws of the Torah fully and to know the signs of a false teacher and prophet. If we don't understand what makes someone a false prophet, then we'll believe everyone and every text that says G-d inspires them. If G-d truly inspired the person or text, don't you think G-d would know what He wrote as a warning? Wouldn't He know that He told us who to not listen to? If G-d's test of a false prophet was only valid until He sent a particular prophet, how would we know which was the 'special prophet'? Despite what we want to believe, G-d gave us the test to show us what we should believe.
"you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams - the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him." Deuteronomy 13:3b-4 (NKJV)
All too common is it said, "Yes, he taught people not to follow the Torah, BUT..." then it goes on to a lengthy explanation about something unrelated to testing a prophet.
Ask yourself, did this prophet or dreamer say you don't need to follow Torah? It's a binary yes or no question. If yes, he is a false prophet. You can’t say "yes, but...". The law doesn't say, "If he teaches you to go against the command, but only after <reason>." Torah says, "do not listen to the words of that prophet". He shouldn't have the audience hear his reasoning if you follow the commands of G-d.
Do you follow the commands? Or do you give ear to the “but” in defiance of G-d?
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