Answering
Critics
If we strive to
be a Christian, we can expect criticism.
Some criticism is good. I call
this constructive criticism. This is to
be appreciated, especially if it is done in kindness and with the right
motive. Paul wrote: “but speaking the truth in love,
we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ” (Eph. 4:15). Paul defended himself by writing: “So have I become your enemy by telling you
the truth?” (Gal. 4:16). Yes,
sometimes the truth hurts, but it is needful.
“Faithful are the wounds of a
friend” (Pro. 27:6). Sometimes
criticism is bad, having no object to correct or instruct in righteousness, but
rather, is designed to tear down the individual. I call this destructive criticism. But even destructive criticism can be useful
to our growth as a Christian (see James 1:2-3).
One
such very blunt, critical note was E-mailed to me recently in response to my
article entitled, “Is The Bible
Allegorical.” I was chided strongly
for disagreeing with Bill O’Reilly over his calling the Bible allegory. This writer declared that we were both wrong,
because Christians should never criticize other Christians which only causes
division. He declared that I was flat
wrong and hoped that God was easier on me than I am on others, because no one
has the right to judge. Hmmm. That sounds a little bit like he is
contradicting his own definition of judging!
It is always a bit humorous when people contradict their own logic. I might add that most responses to the
article were very positive. But I am
using this particular response to write about how to answer critics.
Anyway,
I tried to get some dialog going with this individual, but he refused. He wrote that I was flat wrong but refused to
get into any details of why he thought I was wrong. Such discussions might prove to be a bit
messy. After all, we don’t want to get
our hands dirty fooling around with these bad, judgmental people. It is much better to just “hit and run.”
The
Tactics of Humanism
That
response reminded me of first time I really started studying the philosophy of
humanism. At that time I learned the
different techniques they used in dealing with those who professed to be Christians. They advised that when Christians start to
criticize you, all you have to do is tell them that it is wrong to judge, and
they will fold up like an accordion.
Yes, indeed! Those Christians are
surely easy pickings for the humanist! Just use their philosophy against them. You can slap them up one side and down the
other, and they just have to take it. They
are not allowed to answer back or they will be guilty of judging. Turn their own religion against them. Yes, and did that philosophy ever invade the
churches that had no spine to stand up to them.
Now the tentacles of humanism are seen everywhere, not only in
universities and government schools, but in the churches. That does not sound anything like New
Testament Christianity to me. It has
always been hard for me to understand how one can pull a passage out of context
and that becomes the answer to everything!
Since the early 80’s and even before that time, I cannot count the times even religious people
have used that same argument against me if I question anything they were
teaching. The real enemy of Christianity is the wide
spread ignorance of the Bible coupled with an “I don’t care” attitude. The real enemy of Christianity is
Christianity itself. However, if anyone
would allow me, I will give a Biblical answer.
Judge
Not That You Be Not Judged
First,
“judge not that you be not judged” is found within a particular context. Here is what Jesus actually said: "Do not judge so that you will not be judged.
For in the way you judge, you will be judged;
and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your
brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me
take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? You
hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see
clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye” (Matthew 7:1-5). Jesus is condemning hypocritical judging, but he
was not condemning all kinds of judging.
For us to judge others when we practice the same things or worse is to
by a hypocrite. See what Paul wrote in
Romans 2:21-26. Even in this context you
can see the truth. Jesus taught that it
was OK to take the speck out of your brother’s eye once you take the “log” out
of your own eye. He also said in the
next verse, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls
before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you
to pieces” (Matt. 7:6). Does it not
require judgment or discernment to realize that someone in a spiritual sense is
a “dog” or a “swine”? Here Jesus is
referring to those who have absolutely no appreciation for the gospel. In fact, disciples are required to “judge
righteous judgment” (see John 7:24). To
be able to discern between good and evil is to judge. Proverbs is packed full of judging, that is,
learning how to distinguish between good and evil (see Pro. 1:2-5, 2:3,5, 9, 11;
3:21; 5:2; 7:7; 8:12; 11:22; 14:7). To
discern is to judge between things that differ.
If we don’t learn to discriminate, then our thinking is going to be very
fuzzy.
Jesus said this to his
disciples concerning any city that would not receive them: 4 “Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that
house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that
city. Behold, I send you out as sheep in
the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matt.
10:14-15). Was He not judging and
teaching his apostles to do the same? When John the Baptist said to the
disbelieving Jewish leaders as “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Matt.
3:7), was he not judging? Yes, we reject hypocritical preachers who
say one thing and then do another and those who are “speck” inspectors and fail
to recognize the “logs” in their own lives.
But if we fail to grow in the ability to discern between things that are
not equal, then we are in bad shape and have set ourselves up to be deceived
over and over.
The
prophet Isaiah speaks of a great time when people will be able to judge
righteously. All who love truth read
these words and rejoice: “Behold, a king will reign righteously and princes will rule
justly. Each will be like a refuge from
the wind and a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry country,
like the shade of a huge rock in a parched land. Then the eyes of those who see will not be
blinded, and the ears of those who hear will listen.
The mind of the hasty will
discern the truth, and the tongue of the stammerers will hasten to speak
clearly. No longer will the fool be
called noble, or the rogue be spoken of as generous. For a fool speaks nonsense, and his heart
inclines toward wickedness: to practice ungodliness and to speak error against
the LORD, to keep the hungry person unsatisfied and to withhold drink from the
thirsty. As for a rogue, his weapons are
evil; he devises wicked schemes to destroy the afflicted with
slander, even though the needy
one speaks what is right. But the noble
man devises noble plans; And by noble plans he stands” (Isa. 32:1-8). I hope you go back
and read this carefully. This scripture
points to the coming of Jesus Christ and His message of truth and
righteousness.
It looks like the apostle Paul was very judgmental when
he wrote this about some who were teaching in the churches : “For
such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as
apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even
Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants
also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be
according to their deeds” (2 Cor. 11:13-15). I do not know that I have ever used such
strong words against a corrupt teacher as did Paul, but I am quite certain that
these words were well deserved.
Yes, the Bible can be used for reproof and
correction. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God
may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Doesn’t that sound rather judgmental? And my, my, read what Paul told preachers to
do: “preach
the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort,
with great patience and instruction” (2 Tim. 4:2).
I assume that most people are sincere and desire to know
and practice the truth until proven otherwise by their fruits or actions. So as a normal approach, I really appreciate
the words of the apostle Paul when he writes: “The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all,
able to teach, patient when wronged, with
gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant
them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and
escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do
his will” (2 Tim. 2:24-26).
Does God Receive All People Unconditionally?
Another teaching that is commonly taught and believed is
that God loves everyone unconditionally.
It is argued that since God loves all people unconditionally, all people
are accepted unconditionally regardless of what choices they may make. If we oppose ungodly behavior, then we are
guilty of being judgmental and do not love people like God does. We can even be accused of using “hate
speech”. According to this teaching, the
love of God nullifies all standards of righteousness. God receives all people everywhere without
regard to religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or any other factor. I do not know of any teaching that is more misguided
than this.
That God loves all men is not disputed by me or others
who believe the Bible. He has demonstrated
His great love by sending His Son to die on the cross. “For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not
perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16)
But the clear choice God gives man is to repent or
perish. “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is
patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to
repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). Men
are lost due to their own sinful conduct, and God throws out a life preserve
for those drowning in sin. This
life-preserve is Jesus Christ. "Therefore I said to you that you will
die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in
your sins." (John 8:24). Jesus
said, "I am the way and the truth
and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). The
idea that God accepts all men unconditionally is nowhere taught in the Bible.
Folks, I stand behind my writings, but if anyone thinks
that I have been unjust or have misrepresented the truth, then you would be my
good friend to point this out. Please do
not use general accusations, but judge righteous judgment. Thanks so much for reading this. – Lindy McDaniel To be posted in June, 2013.
* *
*
If
you know of others who would like to receive advanced copies of Pitching For
The Master attached to E-mail, please write to me at: 1095 Meadow Hill Drive, Lavon, Texas
75166. Or contact me at my E-mail
address: lindymcdaniel77@reagan.com.
In
writing these articles, I am not seeking
for a wide readership but a quality readership. Some people are just not interested in the
Bible and have no or little interest in spiritual matters. I try to appeal to those who are genuine
seekers and want to know more about the Bible.
I am also interested in encouraging those who are fighting the good
fight of faith. From time to time I will
write about my experiences in Major League Baseball, but these stories will be
related in one way or the other to practical Christianity. If there is a spiritual lesson to be learned
from sports, then I will try to make the connection. If my writings connect with people who have
an appreciation for sports as well as the Bible, then this is an added motive. But as you know, Jesus Christ is first, last
and always the focus.
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