At the recent Shepherds’ Conference, Dr. John MacArthur’s keynote address ignited a small firestorm of controversy. His topic was eschatology, but his position is not the focus of this post. What struck me were the bloggers who disagreed with his position and subsequently attacked and denigrated him.
I recall reading something similar a few months ago when I ran across some blog responses that essentially labeled Dr. Rick Warren of the devil, and that he was leading those who sat under his teaching right into the arms of the devil as well.
While I can understand not agreeing with a theological position or a ministry technique, tearing down a person or questioning their character is completely off base. James 4:11 says, “Brothers, do not slander one another…” and the Expositor’s Bible Commentary clarifies that this is more accurately translated “do not speak against one another.”
In 1 Corinthians 1 Paul puts it this way, “My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided?” So, clearly our focus must be on the centrality of Jesus Christ, not on the petty things that we think differently about.