Polemics’ Threefold Display Of Love - by Publisher

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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We find many of these self-styled "discernment ministers," whom we have deemed the Doctrinal Police, to be consumed with the latest thing about this false teacher or that false teacher. They consider it their duty to point out their flaws and errors, usually expressed in hyperbolic terms with breathless urgency. We have posted numerous critiques of them in these pages. Not only do we examine their fallacious arguments, but we also address their insulting language and egregious name calling.

One of their most pointed claims is that false teachers are, well, false. That is, through and through they are false. Not saved, not entitled to grace, respectful correction (Tit. 3:10), or the restoration prescribed in the Bible (Ga. 6:1). Not even entitled to our prayers! That is, false teachers are despicable wolves, liars and deceivers, even beyond redemption.

Thus we note that the ire of the Doctrinal Police exceeds the level of mere doctrinal disagreement. Merely setting the biblical record straight is not sufficient, though ironically they rarely even do that. No, those who come into their sights deserve only mocking, derision, and attack.

Our complaint is not that the "Doctrinal Police" are defending the truth, it's that they tend to view even the smallest doctrinal difference as false teaching. Perfect doctrine is the highest goal for them, and any deviation is false teaching, and by inference, is a matter of salvation.

The doctrinal hairsplitting gets to ridiculous levels, which means for them that the category of false teachers is extremely large. This has the effect of branding every sort of doctrinal deviation as "them," which means they are not "us."

This is cultic thinking.

Here is an example of a discernment ministry critiquing an unfortunate woman:

• hideously ugly
• post-menopausal woman 
• bizarre wardrobe choices
• a penchant for cackling
• no personal charisma
• a face that scares children
• a voice that sounds like nails down a chalkboard
• pugnacious
• unladylike
• uglier on the inside than she is on the outside
• the personality of a Roomba 
•  the personal charisma of fetid corpse
• unpleasant and evil woman

This is simply unchristian behavior.

They are more than happy to rate the worst Christian of the year.

Here's a self-described "discernment minister" who wants all charismatics to die: 

Might God use coronavirus to wipe the plague of charismaticism off the map and sweep these charlatans into the dustbin of history. Might God place the entire world into a quarantine against the Satanic false claims of charismaticism and innoculate (sic) us against their devilish assertions. Might God rid the world of every last one of them.

Here is someone who actually condemns someone as having committed the unforgiveable sin.

Now, these are not fringe people, they are recognized and celebrated discernment ministers.

In addition, we have noted in the past that "discernment ministers" do not like being criticized. They bristle at any suggestion that maybe they should reexamine their motives. One particularly egregious "minister" goes off on her critic for the critic's simple suggestion that she examine her attitude. 

This lack of self-awareness is pretty common. Which in itself is interesting, because one on hand they continually trumpet the nobility of their activities, but on the other hand are completely oblivious to how they come across, and hostile to the possibility that they may be making mistakes.

So, the author of today's article makes a fundamental error by isolating behavior from motivation. The writer appeals solely to his self-avowed noble motives, and simply presumes that his actions are definitionally an expression of love. 

Thus the discernment behavior (no matter how hurtful or clumsy) means love.  

So we would ask the author the obvious: Can a person point out biblical error and yet be unloving? Can a person deal poorly with their discernment? Can a person forget that the one he is criticizing is a soul for whom Christ died? The answers are obviously yes. 

Indeed, the author concedes that some "discernment ministers" are indeed unloving: Admittedly there are some who for love of controversy and isolation partake in the field of polemics to satisfy their blood lust for argumentation. The author attempts to disarm this by stating, However, it is an unbiblical character to assume all men who pursue this field of ministry are unloving, ungracious bloodthirsty beasts. 

This is dishonest. It should be obvious to even a casual observer that those who criticize discernment ministers are criticizing the former and not the latter. There are a lot of bad actors in the discernment arena, and they should be subject to scrutiny. No one thinks it is "all men." 

He then states, It is love for God that drives a man to speak when his master is attacked. This is the matter to be demonstrated. It is not self-evident. 

Last quote: The author cites Titus 1:13 and concludes, Those who commit the sin of false teaching need sharp rebuke. Perhaps so, but this instruction to Titus is not prescriptive for any ol' person. Paul was writing to Titus to tell him how to handle issues in this particular church. 

Titus was not sitting at his computer 1000 miles away critiquing a video snippet of an errant Bible teacher. Titus was in this church. He was in authority in this church. He was directly dealing with certain rebellious people who needed correction. 

In this church.

The author writes,

Whoever engages in polemics must be rooted in sound doctrine. 

Actually, all Christians should be rooted in sound doctrine. We would think that a polemicist ought to have several other qualifications:

• Spiritual fruit
• Spiritual gifts
• A position in the Body that gives authority to speak into the situation
• Humility
• Wisdom

Lastly, the author tells us that polemics' three "displays" of love are 

• Love for God
• Love for the Church
• Love for your Enemy

Polemics is not a person, and cannot display love. A polemicist ought to have these characteristics. "I do polemics" does not mean "I am loving."

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For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.1 John 3:11

Christians are commanded to love one another. This command permeates through all of life and every facet of ministry. Paul commands the Corinthians church “Let all that you do be done in love.” Therefore all the ministries that are given by God to the Church fit into the framework of love. The ministry of polemics is no different.

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines polemics as:

a : an aggressive attack on or refutation of the opinions or principles of another

b : the art or practice of disputation or controversy —usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction.”

A polemicist contends for the faith. He disputes arguments leveled at the faith and refutes false teachers. He is like Shepherd’s watchdog; he barks at wolves and warns the sheepfold to flee — when necessary he will bite.

This ministry is often criticized as unloving. Polemicists are often fancied as “unloving” or simply “disruptive”. Admittedly there are some who for love of controversy and isolation partake in the field of polemics to satisfy their blood lust for argumentation. However, it is an unbiblical character to assume all men who pursue this field of ministry are unloving, ungracious bloodthirsty beasts. In this article, I want to show how polemics fulfills love to a threefold audience.

Before I begin let me state that there is a presumption to be made: Whoever engages in polemics must be rooted in sound doctrine. The polemicist should be trained and well equipped for the work. If a man is not devoted to study then the polemicist is an arrogant lunatic trying to fight the battle for the Lord naked of all the necessary. If you want to do polemics you must be well-studied. Under the assumption that the polemicist is intellectually equipped for the work, he is performing a most loving task.

Love for God

John Calvin once said,

A dog barks when it sees that its master is being attacked. I would be a real coward if I saw God’s truth being attacked and remained quiet without making a sound.

It is love for God that drives a man to speak when his master is attacked. Perfect love casts out all fear. It was God who saved the polemicist and so his devotion to God produces a righteous hatred for that which opposes his Lord. The man whose heart is set on God will be bold in refuting liars who dishonor God. The man who has spent hours studying God will hate anything that defames the Lord. David displays this when he says, “Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.”

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,1 Peter 3:15

Before one is even to engage in a polemical battle he is commanded to set his heart on Christ. Only a heart set on the glory of Christ is ready for the work. It might be said that the one who engages in the field of battle for the Lord is not less loving than other saints but perhaps he has been blessed with a greater love for the Lord!

My last proof is that the word of God commands polemics (Titus 1:9, Jude 3) Jesus said, “If you love me you will keep my commandments.” Polemical ministry fulfills love for God in that it is a ministry born out of obedience to Christ’s commands. In and of itself, it is proof of love.

Love for the Church

Engaging in polemical battles is a sign of love for the brethren. A polemicist is a gift to the Church from God, a token of His love. God gave the church Pastors and endows them with a two-fold ministry:

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.Titus 1:9

The Pastor must be equipped with sound doctrine, committed mind and heart to the Word for a two-fold purpose: to teach the people of God the glories of God, and to spot the lies of heretics that he might refute them.

Do we not see this love fulfilled in Paul as he battled the heretics infiltrating the Galatian churches? How Paul relentlessly rebuked the Circumcision party even calling them an anathema displays true love. It is love in action. True love warns.

Love for your Enemy

Those who commit the sin of false teaching need sharp rebuke. While Paul is on the topic of false teachers he affirms the unholy lifestyle of Cretans and he gives this recommendation to Pastors:

Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, Titus 1:13

Rebuking an errant teacher will result in one of two things. The teacher may repent. Perhaps the man spreading false doctrine is indeed a brother in Christ. Through sharp rebuke, he may come to his senses. This was the case with Paul and Peter (Gal 2:11). When Paul rebuked Peter for living out of step in the gospel Peter repented and Paul had gained back his brother. All the Saints have the Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth. Therefore rebuke a brother and he will flee from sin.

The second possible outcome is the teacher will not repent. This will expose him as truly a false teacher and perhaps even a reprobate. The polemicist lovingly gave the heretic a moment to repent, yet he hardened his hard and exposed his sinful condition. Paul commands that a divisive man be warned twice, out of courtesy, and if he does repent then have nothing to do with him (Titus 3:10).

Conclusion

Contending for the faith is thoroughly a loving activity. As long as we equip our hearts and our minds for this work love will drive us to battle. Many of the brightest lights for the Lord have engaged in the fight. Spurgeon, Calvin, Knox, Tyndale, Luther, and Edwards all engaged in polemical theology. If you have no desire to partake in this battle at least do not despise those whom God has gifted to the church for this work.