Let me set this up…
Back in 1996 I kept hearing about this pastor who “watered down” the Gospel and was leading people to “hell in a hand basket” named Bill Hybels. Every time his name was mentioned around me pastors seemed to get really mad. I was clueless as to who this guy was—but I figured if all the “godly” people I was hanging out with hated him then so should I.
THEN I found out that he and some other guy named John Maxwell were doing a conference together in Charlotte…so I went. (I had a friend on staff at another church who was forbidden to go by his pastor because Hybels was speaking!) I was armed with my pen and notebook on the front row, ready to catch Hybels in heresy, thus being able to participate in the tearing down of a fellow brother in the name of Jesus.
I was blown away! I watched this man weep—WEEP over people far from God (something I had never seen my “buddies” that blasted him do!) I listened to him as he taught on the spiritual gift of leadership. And I was blown away at how much he kept mentioning the name of Jesus…something I was told he did not do!
God taught me a lesson through that experience…a HARD ONE…and now, before I say anything critical of anyone I go over these three questions…
#1 - Do I really know this person?
I can honestly say that personally, around 99% of the criticism I receive personally is from people who have never met me…most have never been to NewSpring. It is really easy to take one sentence from a blog or a sermon and then come to hundreds of conclusions as to where someone “probably” stand theologically and morally…it is much tougher to get to know someone before you make a decision.
I remember when Joel Osteen was on Larry King Live and didn’t do so well when he was asked the question about hell. The next day blogs and websites were blasting him, calling him a heretic…and some even questioned his faith!
I remember being asked about it and saying, “First of all…I don’t know Joel. Secondly…I would HATE for someone to form an opinion of me based on a 30 second clip from a live television show!”
By the way…I had a chance to meet Joel last September and the dude is one of the most real and humble men I have ever met. He talked openly about the Larry King interview and admitting that wasn’t his finest hour…he also said that the next day his church issued a statement affirming their belief in hell—but that didn’t get too much press…the blood was in the water and the sharks came out!!!
#2 - Would I say this face to face?
The answer, the majority of the time, is no! I have discovered the internet, mostly, is a place for cowards who do not have the guts to do the Matthew 18:15-17 thing—but for some reason they think it is OK to send an anonymous e-mail or place a comment on a blog with a fake e-mail address.
I have heard of people who have been critical of me openly…and so when I see them I make it a point to speak with them. Not once has someone said, “Hey man, I think we differ on opinions here—let’s try to come to an understanding.”
I have some really great friends that I differ with theologically and in certain areas of methodology…but I have disagreed with them one on one…and in doing so have been stretched and challenged as to what I believe and why I believe it.
It takes guts to go one on one…anyone can blog!
#3 - Will I cause dissension among the brothers by doing this?
According to Proverbs 6:16-19 God HATES it when someone does this!
One night I heard of a church that was growing in popularity…but had some very different biblical views. I went to their website and listened to a message and, by the end of it, I was SO ANGRY. The speaker had basically butchered Scripture to affirm a very unbiblical behavior! I started to blog about this guy until…I thought, “I don’t even know this dude…and by doing this I am going to release a firestorm against him…is that right?”
Don’t get me wrong—I was still mad…but I did not want to participate in something that I knew God was going to hate—that would pretty much be considered sin!!!
The world is watching…and when Christians cause Christians to get mad at other Christians…somehow I just don’t believe God is pleased.
Those are just three questions I ask—they’ve helped me…maybe they will help someone else.
UPDATE: God has a funny sense of humor! This past week I have had two of the most direct, critical attacks that I have EVER received. (I’ve also been more encouraged that I ever have as well!!!) When I was attacked I wanted so bad to respond…to lash out…to vent…whatever the heck you want to call it.
I was considering blogging about the experiences and so I asked the opinion of my wife last night at supper. I, of course, built a strong case as to why I SHOULD blog and, to be honest, was just seeking her affirmation.
She looked at me and said, “That post you have coming out Thursday…I can’t remember how you said it exactly…but what was point number three?”
BAM! God used her to remind me that I was being hypocritical. That, yes, I was free to blog about the attacks…but in doing so more controversy would come into the kingdom and the cause of Christ would suffer.
I want so badly for God’s people to act like God’s people—but at times I am just as guilty for the things I become angry at others for! I am a work in progress…I know stuff like this is going to begin to happen more frequently and so my prayer is that I can ignore it and continually follow Jesus in whatever He asks me to do!