Christian Controversy – Is Controversy Within The Church Good Or Bad

Rev. Larry Thomas.

Controversy. It seems we are embroiled in it most of the time. It’s not by choice, but by calling. Taking a firm stand for the truth of God’s Word will bring opposition. When you swim against the flow of doctrinal error you are bound to be buffeted from time to time by the opposition.

The Bible is a book of controversy. It is a book of contrasts. There are always two choices: God’s way and all others. There was Mount Ebal or Mount Gerizim, the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil or the Tree of Life, light or darkness, sin or salvation, life or death, heaven or hell.

IS CONTROVERSY UNCHRISTIAN?

But today, controversy in the church is considered unfashionable, unconscionable –even unscriptural. Those who dare challenge a faddish teaching or teacher arc branded as “troublemakers” “hate mongers” “heresy hunters” or accused of raising a hand against “God’s anointed,” a much misused phrase.

Those who abhor controversy and see it as damaging often quote Romans 16:17 that says, “Now, I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses … and avoid them.”

As is often the case, this incomplete quotation is used by errant teachers who are afraid to have their teaching tested by the Word. As they often do in developing their own doctrines, they use a “cut-and-paste” Bible. In this verse in Romans, they cut out a key phrase that says: “contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned…”

These critics of controversy single out as divisive and disruptive those men who are holding steadfastly to the doctrines of Christ and the apostles. And those in error cry, “Foul!” the loudest.

Maybe the whole problem is one of semantics, or an inability to communicate, but it seems to go deeper than that. There is a prideful, rebellious attitude among much of the would-be leadership in the church today. Authoritarian leaders have an “I can do no wrong” attitude in dealing with their disciples. Some of these leaders have excommunicated members for challenging their teachings.

Such leaders say that to question their teaching — their revelational knowledge of what God is doing in these days –is tantamount to rebellion against God. They preach a “Don’t make waves” message, decrying controversy of -any kind in an effort to reduce the challenges to their teachings. Some have made verbal threats (on national television) against those who question their teaching.

IS PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE POSSIBLE?

Where would the church be now if the current attitude of “peaceful coexistence” with false teachings had been present in ages past? How much weaker would the church be, had the leaven not been purged occasionally?

Someone asked recently why so much time is spent battling false doctrines instead of “spreading the Good News.” Isn’t the gospel message to call men to repentance, to turn away from their sins, to receive forgiveness and to put their faith and trust in God? Of course it is. And part of that plan is to tell them what to turn away from.

Let me quote II Timothy 4:1-2. Note particular the emphasized portion. Paul tells the young preacher :

“Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency (stand by, be at hand and ready, whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable, whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it be welcome or unwelcome, you as a preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong) and convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching ” (The Amplified Bible).

To do this, the preacher must know the Truth and how those he is ministering to have erred. This calls for a judgment to be made. Yet we hear repeatedly that we are not to be judgmental. People who make that charge obviously don’t know what the Word of God says about judging fruits, doctrines, spirits, prophecies and prophets. But back to our thesis.

Throughout Scripture, our Lord, His disciples, and the prophets were specific about what displeased God. Exposing error to the saints is as much a part of the gospel message as pointing out sin to the lost. And there is no point in offering salvation or restoration to someone who doesn’t realize his need for it. Sin, error and false doctrine must be exposed so man will see his need for the Gospel.

The disdain of controversy today is apparent. But the reasons for it are often camouflaged by deceptive euphemisms that hide the unscriptural nature of the teaching itself.

RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE

For example, there’s a lot of talk today about religious tolerance — about being open minded. To the world, religious tolerance means granting another person, faith or persuasion the same rights and privileges we demand for ourselves. But in the church world, tolerance has become compromise. In order to be non-controversial and to demonstrate “Christian love,” many in the church have thrown out all doctrinal standards.

The church has grown soft. It has relaxed its position on social or spiritual issues, opening the door for unscriptural practices and teachings. The easing of standards has enabled the church to broaden its appeal to the world and show forth a spirit of unity within the body. The problem is that many included in this ecumenical hodgepodge are not actually part of the body. They may have a Christian-sounding philosophy, but they are a far cry from being born-again, Bible-based believers.

One of the most visible efforts to increase appeal and put on a display of unity is the total avoidance of debate, disagreement or division — no matter how wrong or heretical the teaching. To avoid these things, we compromise. And to compromise with wrong teaching is to sacrifice our biblical convictions.

THEY FEAST ON FALLACY

As a result, factions in the church have become fat and faltering. They have gorged themselves on the meat of man’s wisdom and the fruits of false doctrines while swilling a new wine of heresy. To point out these wrongs is to be controversial and run the risk of being called “unloving” and “unchristian.” But Scripture clearly demonstrates that pointing out errors that would lead people astray is necessary, and that chastening and rebuking an errant saint is a firm, yet biblical, display of love. We must love our brother’s soul more than we love his flesh.

True love must not be silent when God’s people are being led astray, whether by intent or by ignorance. Paul publicly and sternly rebuked Peter for his wrong teaching (Galatians 2:11). But he did it out of love of God, love for Peter and love for God’s people.

Were not these the same motives that fortified Athanasius when he bullheadedly contended for the doctrine of Christ’s deity? Was not Luther motivated by this same love when he battled for doctrinal purity against the Roman Catholic hierarchy?

These controversies were necessary if the true gospel was to be preserved. They are still as inevitable as they are necessary. A. W. Tozer wrote in The Alliance Witness:

“The Bible is a book of controversy. The Old Testament prophets were men of contention. Our Lord Jesus while on earth was in deadly conflict with the devil. The Apostles, the Church Fathers and the Reformers were men of controversy. They fought the devil to the death and kept the torch of truth burning for all succeeding generations. Is our contribution to history to be the ignoble one of letting the torch go out?”

The controversial figures Tozer wrote about were at odds with “brethren” not with worldly systems.

THE NEGATIVE TEACHING OF JUDE

The book of Jude is an excellent example of the controversial nature of Scripture. That entire book sounds an alarm to believers about false teachers and error in the church. In today’s “positive” church, Jude is probably too negative. But the Holy Spirit, Who cannot err, was the author, not Jude.

Jude calls the church to “earnestly contend for the faith.” The Greek word for “contend” implies “to put forth an effort equal to, or greater than, the opposition.” As any collegiate wrestler can tell you, it takes every ounce of strength to hold your own with an opponent. Every fiber of your physical being is needed to “contend” with your adversary.

So it is in the spiritual realm. Our entire mind, body and spirit must be conditioned and prepared to contend for the faith (faith being that body of doctrine and belief given to the church by Christ and the Apostles). There will be confrontation and controversy in such a situation.

Even the Lord Himself said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” The sword he spoke of is the Word of God, a discerner (Hebrews 4:12) that will bring division among family, friends and even among true Christians and those who profess to be Christians.

Someone has said that we are known by the company we keep. But we may be better understood by knowing our enemies. Even more importantly, our real nature may be best recognized by our attitude toward those we oppose.

APPEASE OR OPPOSE?

But those who prefer to appease rather than oppose are not versed in the rules of controversy. They have been schooled not to create waves, so when something rubs them the wrong way, they often lash out instinctively without observing the rules of controversy.

Honesty and integrity and kindness must be the hallmarks of biblical reproof and correction. Our spirit – must be right. We must truly want to see correction that will bring the errant brother back in line with the Word of God.

Christian controversy must be based on fact — not on presumption, half-truths or rumors. And the facts must come from the Word of God. God’s Word is the plumbline by which all teaching,, teachers, prophecies and fruits are to be judged (Amos 7:7).

This article is a reprint from Larry Thomas’ newsletter, The Inkhorn. Rev. Thomas was the president of Amazing Grace Ministries as well as the founding visionary for A.B.P. Br. Larry went to be with the Lord in 1997.

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