Unscrupulous Tactics
{Since I'm in a sentimental mood about the past, on the occasion of my 60th
birthday, here's something I wrote in 1978, shortly after I met Jon Quinn.}
{This was first published in THE SPIRITUAL DEVELOPER, Jan. 1, 1978. That was a
semi-monthly publication of the Mulvane Church of Christ, Mulvane, Kansas. I
worked there in the 1970's. While this article was written almost 30 years
ago, and some of the references may be understood only by considering the
history of that time, the main observations continue to be relevant. I have
polished the grammar, corrected a couple of typos, but otherwise have left the
article in original form. -web}
"Unless the contrast between truth and error is kept up, truth itself will
lose its brightness, its efficacy, and its sanctifying influence over its
devotees. Men will cease to regard it as of value, if error is not kept in
contrast with it."
These words come from the pen of David Lipscomb. Though originally written in
1898, they reflect Biblical principles essential to our survival as a distinct
people. Unceasing vigilance is needed to separate truth from error. And this
vigilance demands that false teachers be exposed. If there be any who doubt
the propriety of the practice, they should read the following: Acts 15:23-29;
17:17; 18:28; Gal. 2:11; Eph. 5:11; Phil. 1:16,17; 1 Tim. 1:3, 18-20; 5:20; 2
Tim. 2:17,18; 4:1-2; Jude 3, etc. The soft, sentimental, com-promising
attitude of some towards error IS ERROR.
But I have one plea to make in this article: LET'S NOT BECOME SO AGGRESSIVE,
HASTY AMD ROUGH THAT WE RESORT TO UNKIND AND UNSCRUPULOUS TACTICS! Whether or
not the job of exposing error ought to be done IS NOT THE QUESTION here; I'm
concerned, in this article, with THE TACTICS EMPLOYED IN DOING THE JOB.
Some Examples
1. MONETARY REWARDS. I receive several
bulletins published by "conservative" churches every week. Ever now and then I
get one with "$100 REWARD" written across the top in huge letters (I nearly
"pitched" one a few years ago, thinking it was just another Publisher's
Clearing House Sweepstake). The aim of such a monetary reward is to challenge
someone to prove some false doctrine, or meet a preacher in debate. I realize
how difficult it is to get denominational preachers to discuss the teachings
of the Bible. I'm fully aware of how hesitant some "liberals" are to talk
about the "issues" that divide us. But I do not believe that this justifies
the practice of offering money to people to study the Bible. And I can't
understand how we can criticize the "liberals" for their carnal rewards in
their bus ministries, then turn right around and offer a false teacher $100 if
he'll try to prove his doctrine. I don't believe you'll find any Biblical
basis for this.
2. NO SOLID EVIDENCE. Before marking
anybody as anything, we ought to double-check our ground of evidence. There
are men who are false teachers and should be marked as such. But, when we put
that "name" on someone, WE SHOULD BE READY TO PROVE THAT HE IS, IN FACT, A
FALSE TEACHER. Conclusions must be justified by sufficient evidence (see 1
Thess. 5:21; Eph. 5:10; Acts 24:13; 25:7). You may think that brother so-in-so
doesn't "bear down" on this point the way he ought to, or you may think he is
weak on some subject, BUT THE REAL QUESTION IS: HAS HE TAUGHT SOMETHING THAT
IS NOT IN HARMONY WITH THE NEW TESTAMENT? If we don't have any real solid
proof, we had better be careful about using the term: "false teacher."
3. DISTRACTING PERSONAL REMARKS. In
exposing false teachers, great care must be exercised to STICK WITH THE REAL
ISSUE AT HAND. If a young preacher, for example, is a false teacher,
castigating him for being a "21 year old boy" does nothing for your case. A
false teacher is a false teacher, whether 21, 81 or 101. Age is not the issue,
THE FALSE DOCTRINE IS. Distracting personal "slams" and insults do nothing
toward resolving differences among brethren and they have no place in
preaching the truth.
4. GUILT BY ASSOCIATION. It is believed by
some that if a brother can somehow be associated with a known false teacher,
that makes him a false teacher. But that's just not so! If I'm closely
associated with a known false teacher, that may be a good reason to be
concerned about me. Further, I need to be warned that that association may be
detrimental to me (l Cor. 15:33; Eph. 5:11). But the mere fact that I'm
"associated" with a false teacher does not make me a false teacher! The
"guilty by association" theory must always account for the nature of that
association. Jesus was associated with "publicans and sinners," but before we
charge Him with guilt, we must consider the nature of that association (see
Matt. 9:19-13).
5. BEING DISRESPECTFUL. I don't care how
false a teacher is, or how grossly wicked someone is, common decency and
respect must never be surrendered! Being bold is necessary, not being ugly and
insulting. On a recent radio program in Wichita (Remember, this was 1978,
-web), Madalyn Murray O'Hare was the guest. Listeners were allowed to call in
by phone their questions or comments. One young man told her where she could
go! Others called in with no valid questions or comments, they just wanted to
give her a good verbal lashing. I stand firmly opposed to the destructive work
being done by this infidel (that is what she is). In fact, I was one who
called in with a question designed to show a flaw in her philosophy. There is
NEVER A TIME when it is permissible to be unkind or vindictive (see Rom.
12:1-21).
Conclusion
Let no one accuse me of discouraging the aggressive and urgent work of
upholding God's truth. I'm committed to that work! But let us never think that
the end justifies the means, or that "anything goes" if we are right. Let us
never think that fairness and respect can be ignored in the interest of
exposing error. "... Let us work that which is good toward all men, and
especially toward them that are of the household of the faith," (Gal. 6:10).
See also 2 Tim. 2:24-26.
By Warren E. Berkley
Special Topic
From Expository Files 14.11; November 2007
https://www.bible.ca/