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We have become convinced that the the idea of criticizing false teachers as practiced by "discernment ministries" is not found in the Bible.
Every example of naming and disciplining false teachers in the NT is in the local congregation. That is, those who cause division, who are immoral, or who teach false doctrines in the midst of the church are subject to scrutiny, correction, and/or avoidance.
This does not mean we cannot critique the teachings of those outside our church. We do this often here in this blog. It simply means that because those who would exercise discipline are not actually gathered with those people they criticize. Therefore, they cannot engage biblical practices (like Matthew 18 or Galatians 6:1, for example). Church discipline can only be expressed in the local body.
It is up to the church where the false teacher is located, or denomination of which his church is a part, to engage the process of correction. It is not the job of someone not in that denomination or congregation.
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“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.” – Romans 16:17
The call to be a pastor is a tough call indeed. There are many responsibilities. Everyone needs you. Everyone thinks you have the answers. Everyone has no problem swallowing whatever scrap of time you have scavenged for yourself. At the same time, no one has a problem criticizing you for your shortcomings. (The pastor position in the contemporary church is unbiblical. It has been promulgated for centuries. And these pastors have willing set themselves up to be the Bible answer man, the credentialed CEO at the top of the pyramid, the "buck stops here" guy. So, it is no surprise that parishioners have fed into that role with unjustified expectations.)
Aside from the pressure from needy church members, a pastor must meet certain biblical qualifications:
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,” (2 Tim 2:24) (We do not accept that this is a specifically pastoral qualification. Since there is no biblical description of the pastor to be the teacher:
1Co. 12:28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
Ep. 4:11-12 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers...)God commands pastors to kindness and patience. (God commands Christians to kindness and patience.)
I can not describe how much a blessing it has been to have pastors who are kind and patient with me. I have been blessed to sit with elders who have poured into my life leading me in godliness with a softness has refreshed my soul. I have also had pastors that were the opposite and let me tell you, it is anything but a blessing.
This command of kindness can make a pastor feel awkward when dealing with heretics. (Is it the biblical role of the pastor to deal with heretics?)
After all, it does seem to violate God’s command to kindness toward everyone to openly combat false teachers. How can a pastor be both a soft-hearted shepherd to the church and yet oppose so forwardly the false teachings of heretics?
It is important to recognize that Paul was an excellent pastor. He planted many churches, taught countless Christians, evangelized thousands of lost souls, and was one of God’s apostles. He was a writer of the Sacred Writ and the same Holy Spirit that used him to write all those commands to be gentle also used him to constantly call out heretics by name.
“…holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.” (1 Timothy 1:19-20)
As you can see in the verse quoted above, Paul names Hymenaeus and Alexander. Paul knows that while he must maintain his kindness to all, he must also carry the responsibility of sounding the alarm when men who once appeared to be brothers now preach contrary to the faith. (Notice that these men were within this congregation, known to everyone. They were not false teachers in some other town. Paul is administering discipline to wayward members of this specific congregation. He knew them, and knew their falseness, and had authority in this church. He named their correction to Timothy, who Paul had sent to this church to set it in order.
Paul's action was not prescriptive for how we are to deal with false teachers outside the local congregation.)
The key to understanding the importance of naming false teachers is that it is not a call to be proud and puffed up but loving toward the sheep and even the wolf. Paul displays his love for both when he warns the church of who is straying that the church may avoid them in accordance with Romans 16:17. Likewise notice what he says at the end of the verse,“…whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.” Paul is openly stating the apostasy of Hymenaeus and Alexander partly for their own sake. That through their deliverance to the devil they might cry out in sorrow and repentance. (The author tacitly concedes that these men in the congregation were being disciplined with a view towards restoring them, as opposed to lobbing rhetorical bombs at a false teacher 1000 miles away.)
Sometimes the best way to love is tough love. 1 Corinthians 13 accounts for this. One of quality of love is “it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.” Paul faithfully obeys Gods command to love as he openly rebukes the wrongdoing of these two men. Paul shows no fear calling heresy for what it is and naming heretics for what they are while being influenced by the Holy Spirit to write Scripture. Calling out heretics by name in no way violates kindness but in many ways fulfills kindness.
Dear pastor, you must remember that your sheep are not only listening to you. They have access to all kinds of ideas, teachings, and thoughts. There are so many podcast and youtube channels where one can find both many great resources and terrible teachings. If you are not willing to publically (sic) say, “[fill in the blank] is a false teacher,” who is going to warn your sheep from listening to heretics? (The author presumes that the "sheep" are incapable and ignorant. If so, he has failed his mission to edify and to train up to maturity his parishioners.
We heartily agree it is the specific job of the pastor of the church to protect the flock. But we do not concede that the pastor must stand in the pulpit and preach against distant false teachers.)
Also if a heretic is never publically (sic) rebuked for his false teaching how will he know he must repent? (Indeed. But the obvious question is, if person in a YouTube video is teaching false doctrine, how does a local pastor engage in the personal ministry required in order to bring about repentance in this person?
The author has stumbled into the problem unawares. He wants to apply local disciplinary measures to somehow effect repentance with someone who doesn't attend his church and probably doesn't even live in the same city.
Further, we would note that the correction is restorative. However, we more often see that guns are a-blazing against false teachers from afar with no sign of gentleness or a desire to restore.)
This is your duty pastor. (No, it's not.)
Follow the example of Paul and be kind as he was kind and as fierce as he was fierce when needed.
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