A Divisive New World
Years ago, I was meeting with a friend who began talking disparagingly about some well-known, faithful pastors. I was surprised because those pastors had a long history of teaching sound doctrine, the same sound doctrine this friend of mine held to. Though this friend once trusted those pastors, he trusted them no longer.
I asked him why he changed his view and he said it was because of a podcast he’d been listening to. I was intrigued, so I listened to the episode in which these pastors’ theological integrity was called into question. Almost every argument the podcaster made was erroneous. He was speculative and made several over-exaggerated and even false claims.
Our world is becoming extremely polarized, but divisive people undermining faithful teachers isn’t new.
In Romans 16:17-20 Paul warns of divisive teachers.
17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
Paul is warning against divisive people and those who teach false doctrines or create obstacles contrary to sound doctrine. He wants to save the Christians in Rome from being led astray from sound doctrine and from being divided in a way that hurts their fellowship and the faith. I believe, God wants to use this passage to keep us from similar harm from quarrelsome and divisive teachers.
Here’s the problem: how many followers do you think the previously mentioned podcaster would have if he said, “You know, I don’t agree with this particular statement by this pastor, but he is faithful and we should pray for them”? How much of a platform would he have by being charitable and promoting unity? His influence would slightly be far less. But in order to support himself he has to say provocative, controversial things like, “You know those pastors and authors you think are so great? They’re unfaithful.” Divisive teachers serve their own appetites instead of the Lord Christ (Rom. 16:18). They platform themselves by spreading division and doing spiritual harm to the church. They’re self-proclaimed theological watchdogs, but they would do better to watch themselves and Romans 16:17-18 is a great starting place.
What do we do?
So, how do we tell the difference between self-serving, divisive teachers and people who are genuinely pointing out theological error in service to others? Here is a non-exhaustive list of what to look for.
Look for charitability (1 Cor. 13:7) and gentleness (2 Tim. 2:25). Look for humility. Paul’s opponents in 2 Corinthians 5:11-13 constantly commended themselves by way of external metrics (letters of recommendation, ministry accomplishments, great spiritual visions, etc.). Paul humbly said, “What we are is known to God” (2 Cor. 5:11).
Look for specific statements of problematic theology being critiqued rather than hearsay and speculation. Beware of heresy based on hearsay. Be wary of people who take specific statements out of context or overemphasize the theological importance of a second or third level issue.
Look for a genuine desire for reconciliation and to restore a person from their theological error. Do they yearn for the person they’re calling out to repent and be restored to the truth (1 Tim. 1:5; Gal. 6:1)?
Beware of people whose livelihood and influence depends on this controversy.
Look for people who are sober-minded (2 Tim. 4:5), and temperate/self-controlled (1 Tim. 3:2). They aren’t swept up with every controversy. Look for kindness (2 Tim. 2:24-25).
Lastly, let your discipleship flow through your church. Don’t feel like you need to go it alone when it comes to discerning what voices you listen to. Ask one of your pastors for his thoughts on a particular source (and give him a generous amount of time to get to it). Pastors are there to help you apply Scripture to your life and seek to provide wisdom in various issues. Utilize them.
Avoiding divisive teachers is 2,000 years old, but social media hasn’t made it any easier. Thankfully, God hasn’t left us without guidance. His Word is useful for teaching, correcting, rebuking and training in righteousness.
Mike McGregor
Mike McGregor (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) is Director of College Ministry at First Baptist Church in Durham, N.C. You can follow him on Twitter at @m5mcgregor.
Good word Mike!