Or, False Teachers Part 2.
This week I have been thinking about doing a series called; Jesus is not Compatible.
However, we have a VERY busy time coming up at work and I may not get a lunch break so I do not know how much I will be able to write. So, I wanted to throw out a question to you all (you better respond, or else…)
Here is the background story.
On Twitter I asked the question, “why do I enjoy reading and debating heresy?” I really do. One reason is the way I have been personally burned by heretics in the past, and another is my love for apologetics. I don’t get into it like my friends, but I do enjoy thinking about and defending Christianity.
Truth be told, I enjoy talking theology.
Sometimes I may get over-zealous in my theological conversations. I get excited and want the conversations to end only when Jesus comes back (much to the dismay of my wife who ends up listening to our discussions several hours after they probably should have ended). Part of talking about this stuff is debating what is heresy and what is not.
Plus, there are so many good targets.
If you think about, Mormons are not the wackiest heresy out there. There are some cults that have lead to far worse (Heaven’s Gate, anyone?) and some that are so subtle they don’t make a lot of news (Bob Jones from Morning Star convincing women to stand naked before the Lord). And then there is my new favorite, even though it is actually old, called The Word of Faith movement which is lead by people like Joel Osteen and Crefflo Dollar, or was it dolla? Maybe it was Fiddy Cent. Whatever.
Anyway, back to my Twitter question.
A man who tweets under the name “Jeremyobryan” responded; “Does it yield any fruit?”
Dang Jeremy, good question.
So, answer for yourselves while I contemplate this in my head.
Does reading or debating heresy yield any fruit?
-Don-
Don:
I believe we need to defend our faith, and the way to do it is often theological discussions and not just quoting bible verses.
Does it bear fruit? Who knows? You may say something that sticks in someone’s mind for years until someone else makes a comment and the Lord brings the light into their life at that point. The Lord used you for His glory, and you may never know it this side of heaven.
I would approach it another way. Do you feel a peace when you do it? If you are in the Lord’s will you should. If you are just being proud and arrogant in the knowledge God let your sinned stained noggin take in, it should niggle at you.
Don, entire books of the NT are devoted to fighting heresies, like 2 Peter and Jude. In fact, so serious, both authors changed direction to confront heretics. 2 + 3 John deal with truth and our life and walk in it. Contending for the faith is fruitful when you snatch a weaker brother from heresy and halt the advance of a false teacher in your family or church. Then debating heresy naturally sharpens your chops. So yes, it is fruitful. Good question.
@AndyC
I have to agree, if it leads to pride and arrogance, it is not good. So far, no pride, however, a righteous anger does well up…
@Demian Farnworth
Jude and 2 & 3 John are GREAT with this stuff. Of course, 2 Peter is a personal favorite. I agree, contending for some of our weaker brothers and sisters is a good thing. It pains me when another falls into the traps and snares of heresy.
Good stuff guys.
Don, et al. –
I appreciate your taking my question on. As a Mars Hill Church adherent in the membership process, I attended a recent Acts 29 Network boot camp and picked up on your Tweets there.
I know the tension between real and virtual interaction can be problematic, so I’ll just say right now that I consider myself allied with you in the faith. A brother. But I wanted to put a finer point on my question, particularly in light of the rather general treatment that our brothers AndyC and Demian gave it …
I don’t question the need for brothers who can smell a false teacher and who can contend for the faith and for those who may be misled. I’m grateful for them. But there is, I believe, certain fruits that emerge from certain methods — and likewise, a lack of fruit from certain other methods. However, I don’t purport to have the answers.
When you posted the Q on Twitter, “Why do I enjoy reading and debating heresy?,” I assumed you were reflecting on your own inclination to do so, so I aimed the question at your own reflections.
The question you ask above is directed at the practice of reading or debating heresy; whereas my question to you was directed at your own personal experience. Put another way, “What fruit have you seen as the result of specific debates you’ve had with those who possess heretical beliefs?”
I’m challenged in my own fitness to defend the faith. I think that my core desire, though, should be to influence a change of heart in those with heretical beliefs. That’s what Jesus would probably do. But sometimes it just seems easier to brandish the dagger! :-0
Peace and grace-
Jeremy
And I quote you, “Sometimes I may get over-zealous in my theological conversations. I get excited and want the conversations to end only when Jesus comes back.” And this, Mr. Don, was my way into your heart! haha
It is absolutely fruitful in the right context. It has to be done. I know there are many Christians who think it’s not Christ-like and bears no fruit. If this is true, why write the N.T.? Much of the N.T. would not be necessary if giving a reason (apologia = apology = apologetics = debating) for the hope within you wasn’t of any importance. Heretics need to be pointed out and proven wrong through a proper interpretation of Christian Biblical Theology. While we may never know the eternal consequences of our theological and apologetical dialogs, we should in no way cease the engagement. Which, by the way, turns my attention to philosophy.
There are also many Christians who devalue philosophy. WHile I am not a philosopher, I do value – as a Christian – the need for philosophy. Not empty, worldly philosophy, but philosophy that leads to the love of truth. Actually, that’s what the word means: the love of truth.
I think we’ve shied away from this in our churches. We have somehow moved to practical living and have left the philosophical, theological, and apologetical grounds it finds its only hope of survival in.
Every way of life is not “okay” and the “right” way, and we, as Christ followers, need to defend why. Jesus is the Risen Son of God, God the Son. It is in Him our hope is found. This is truth, and We need to be able to give a defense of this. If we are unable to do this, then Christianity is just as relative than any other “religion.” If Christ is not risen, Christianity it would be no more useful than a bag of doggie doo. If Christ is risen, then we have been shown the best thing history has witnessed: the revelation of God.
In light of this, we should expose the false teachers and heretics in The Church. How do we do this? Through apologetics – mostly.
Note: not all are called to be defenders of the faith in a large sense of the word defenders.
Note: Heresy Breeds Dung!
I’m sorry to hear your having a bad day.
*hugs*
Debate of any belief is important be it religious or otherwise. Any good belief should be able to stand up to scrutiny. Arguing your beliefs will strengthen the ones that make sense, and perhaps help you discard ones that may be off base. At the very least it makes you think about why you believe what you do.
On a more personal note, I respect people more who can develop logical, rational arguments than people who simply spout out their belifs without ever analyzing them.