The proper way to tell a "Man of God" he's wrong!
praise_yeshua > 08-04-2016, 03:23 PM
I follow a few well known fundamentalist preachers. Needless to say, its often a rather frustrating experience. Sometimes, you just can't help but become exhausted with the silliness you see from them.
Some of them have been "indirectly" arguing for some time over the "Burlington Revival" in NC that just recently ended. I won't go into great detail about why... but they generally disagree on some key things that have happened. Some take the approach that no one can say absolutely anything perceptively "bad" about the meeting. Since.... so many got "saved" during the meeting. I personally, try my best to stay out of deciding who got saved or not. People want to argue over this and argue over that. In my opinion, the only thing that matters when a person calls on Christ is their sincerity. I've thought about writing about this a time or two. I may yet. Sincerity is difficult to determine. In the end, only God really knows. Thus, I generally stay out of the arguments. Lord knows, I've been told I'm going to hell for some of the things I believe for a very long time. Even my mother thought she knew and I sure do miss her. However, I don't have any issue at all with criticism of how this "MOG" acted concerning some things.
This is were some of them are divided on the proper way to deal with a fellow "Baptist" preachers.
Invariably.... Someone is going to throw out the following verses.
Mat 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
Mat 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
Sure....they "think" they have just won any argument to be made for openly discussing the silly doctrine/actions of any "MOG".
They HAVEN'T.
1. Matthew 18 has nothing to do with rebuking or commenting on false doctrine or the sinful actions of some supposed "MOG". It doesn't. It deals with the very real problem of a civil disagreement between brothers in the faith. It has NOTHING to do with dealing with false doctrine or sinful actions.
2. I can tell you from experience, I've done this a few times in my life, its not going to make a difference. It really isn't. Nothing with anything of significance. The "MOG" is going to fall back to his "authority" over you. He will. Sooner later, it always happens. I've had deacons tell me that they didn't care if something was right or wrong. It didn't matter. The "MOG" was right.
I confronted a "MOG" one time over how a charter member of "his" church had molested a friend of mine when they were young. Not just them, but others. He quoted the verses above to me. To which my friend had confronted him and he refused to acknowledge it. Then two or three more had went to see him. Same story. I referenced verse 17 and the "MOG" said he needed a witness. I said we'll be down to see him in just a few minutes.... Needless to say, the "MOG" wouldn't see anyone.
3. Matthew 18 isn't an "island" of knowledge on the subject. There is a very good reason why the apostles LATER said....
1Ti_5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
Tit 1:11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
Tit 1:12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
Tit 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
You know what really matters. There is only one thing that matters. They know it. You know it. It ONLY matters if its.....
TRUE!!!
If its true. Then the rest of it doesn't matter.
I tell you what, COWARDS.... talk of Matthew 18 as if it can somehow save them from the TRUTH!!!
Now, I'm not for purposely trying embarrassing someone by clubbing them the truth when will readily accept their own mistake.
Yet, I think we all know. The "MOG" doesn't make mistakes. If he does. Its something really minor like "breaking wind" by accident because he has a spastic colon problem. Even then.... Its "REALLY" not his fault.
Bottom line.... "MOGS" don't like to look bad...
You know what I think. I think it "LOOKS BAD" when anyone refuses to admit their mistakes/sin/error. It looks REALLY BAD. Immature. Silly. Down right stupid.