Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: June 3, 2007
“THE GREATEST PROBLEM IN THE CHURCH”
A Review & Response (Part 2)
Ben Justice
As the article reveals, the author doesn’t believe that the greatest problem in
the church is “liberalism.” The author specifically says, “My friends, I believe
the greatest problem in the church today is not liberalism or traditionalism, it is
negativism.” I beg to differ. Liberalism is indeed the greatest problem in the
church. There is an apostasy occurring in the brotherhood today, and it is
because of liberalism. Liberalism ignores the authority of the scriptures and
seeks to offer unauthorized change in areas specifically affecting the church,
salvation, and Christian living. Throughout the land, from sea to shining sea,
congregations are being ripped asunder by liberalism. I can’t imagine anyone
arguing otherwise, because the evidence is overwhelming. Either some are
ignoring reality, or they have their heads buried in the sand and refuse to be
informed.
He further states, “. . . if we spent the same time, energy, and money fighting
Satan that we spend fighting each other, the Lord’s church would be growing and
converting people by the thousands!”
Maybe this brother doesn’t realize it, but fighting liberalism in the church is
fighting Satan! There is nothing that Satan would like better than for the
faithful to stop fighting the digression plaguing the body of Christ. The words of
the author are characteristic of those brethren who seek to promote an
unhealthy and unbiblical view of “balance.” It’s brethren like these who often do
more harm than good.
The author spends a considerable amount of time speaking about “fellowship.”
In fact, he makes some unscriptural and outrageous allegations concerning this
NT doctrine. He states the following:
It seems the only two passages these criticizing brethren know in the entire New Testament are
Ephesians 5:11 and 2 John 9-10. Over and over they repeat these passages to show that anyone
who steps foot inside a “liberal” church is automatically guilty by association of being “liberal” and
a false teacher. How dare a brother attempt to teach truth to those who may be in error!
Apparently these brethren have never read Luke 15, where the Pharisees criticized Jesus for the
exact same thing (Luke 15:2). Apparently they have never read the book of Acts where the Apostle
Paul made a habit of “fellowshipping those in error” by going to the synagogue every Sabbath. If
these brethren are going to criticize for teaching truth to those who may be in error, they are going
to have to start ‘writing up’ the Apostle Paul and the Son of God!
I have never known of any faithful brother criticize another brother for preaching
needed truth at erring congregations. I don’t believe anyone would disagree that
it would be wrong to expose error. But, here is the problem. Many will agree to
speak either in a gospel meeting or in a lectureship at liberal congregations and
will never call attention to their errors. Instead, they bid them Godspeed, which
is indeed contrary to Eph. 5:11 and 2 John 9-10. This brother alleges that these
are the only two passages that some brethren know. May I ask, “What passages
would you go to that teaches we are not to fellowship those in error?” How about
go to those passages that address that subject, namely Eph. 5:11 and 2 John 9-
10! Whenever someone starts speaking about fellowship issues, I will always go
to these passages. God obviously intended for it to be so, or else, these
passages wouldn’t be in the New Testament.
Not unless I have good knowledge of the leadership of a certain congregation,
before I agree to speak at that congregation, I ask them to fill out a Biblical
questionnaire. It is irresponsible in this day and age of rampant liberalism too
not ask the leadership questions about where they stand. I recently declined an
invitation to speak in a gospel meeting at a certain congregation because they
were adamant about fellowshipping those in error.
Did you catch the outrageous statement this brother made? Hear it again:
Apparently they have never read the book of Acts where the Apostle Paul made a habit of
“fellowshipping those in error” by going to the synagogue every Sabbath.
Was Paul guilty of “fellowshipping those in error?” Wasn’t it Paul who penned
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove
them” (Eph. 5:11)? The book of Acts clearly reveals that Paul did this. Paul was
not guilty of “fellowshipping those in error.”
Later on near the end of the article, this brother writes more about fellowship.
He states,
I realize that there is a point at which individuals or congregations have strayed so far from the
truth of God’s Word that we can no longer support or fellowship them as brethren. However, I have
to admit that at times I don’t know exactly where that line is. In some situations, it is obvious that
line has been crossed. In others it is more difficult. We have examples in scripture where
fellowship was broken because one party left the faith. However, we also have several examples in
the scriptures of brethren who disagreed with each other, yet continued in fellowship.
It is sad to have gospel preachers saying that they don’t always know where to
draw the lines of Christian fellowship. Brethren, we have the authoritative, all-
sufficient truth of God’s word. We can take this standard and know where God
draws the line. Listen to Paul in Col. 3:17 – “And whatsoever ye do in word or
deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, . . .” “In the name of” means “by the
authority of.” Thus, all that we do in word (refers to teaching) or deed (refers to
practice) must be authorized by the Christ. If there is no authority for a certain
teaching or a certain practice, then we must not do it! To do so is to sin! Every
action of the church must be authorized – either specifically or generically.
When 2 John 9-11 is tied with Col. 3:17, it becomes even clearer: “Whosoever
transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth
in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. (10) If there come any
unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him
God speed: (11) For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”
“The doctrine of Christ” is none other than that teaching which has come down
from Christ. It is called the New Testament. Today, we can take the NT and
determine whether or not a teaching or a practice is authorized. If it is not
authorized by the Christ, then those brethren and congregations who continue to
engage in a certain teaching or practice must be withdrawn from. This is what
the NT teaches. So, the line is there whether brethren want to accept it or not!