“On Controversy”
As your friend who knows that you hold correct doctrines with a warm spirit, I am concerned. Certainly truth shall prevail, but its champions may wound themselves unnecessarily in the battle for it. I would show you the armor you need from the Word of God. Allow me to give you good counsel about three things: your opponent, the public, and yourself.
1. Pray sincerely and benevolently for your opponent before writing to correct his errors, pleading for the Lord’s blessing. This exercise will put you in the right frame of mind, filling your words with compassion and love. If you think he is a believer, you should deal gently with him for the Lord’s sake (2 Sam 18.5). The Lord deals gently with him and with you, and this one now in error will become extremely dear to you in heaven. Look forward to that time of closest friendship. If you cannot reasonably hope that he is a believer, then feel and show him tender pity. Grace alone makes the difference between you. This greatly obliges you to treat him with all gentleness. We could more easily justify impatience with his stubbornness if we thought he had power to change himself, but we know he does not. Everything hangs upon God’s sovereign pleasure. “Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim 2.25). If you are really trying to persuade, you will strive toward that end, without setting up any hindrances to his embracing the truth.
2. Three types of people will be reading your public writings. First, some oppose you in principle, just as your single opponent does. Sound reasoning is as good with multitudes as with one. Second, some are not very religious and approve whatever tends to flatter them. These lack doctrinal discernment but they easily detect a writer’s attitude. They expect serious Christians to exemplify meekness, humility, and love. When we fail in this, they magnify our personal faults in order to reject our truth. That is why we must not display the slightest unrighteous anger, because it “does not produce the righteousness of God” (Jas 1.20). God forbid that we should wrap the truth in our ugliness, and so repel those who need to believe it! Even if we fall short of convincing them, at least let them know that we mean them well and only argue for the truth’s sake. Later they may be more willing to reconsider our doctrine.
3. Third, some readers will already agree with you, and you can help advance their understanding and confirm them in the truth, if you write clearly and lovingly. Otherwise you may do them harm. We face a temptation to hold in contempt those we consider wrong, whatever our doctrinal point of view, and the truly kind may unwittingly promote error. Let me give you an example. I consider Arminianism to be the fruit of sinful human pride. I wish I could say that holding to Calvinism was infallible evidence of humility. I have known Arminians to behave as humble brethren, and I must testify, likewise, of Calvinists whose humility is only doctrinal, and not the prevailing disposition of their souls. Anything that inflates our ego so that we sneer at our opponents is the fruit of a horrid self-righteous spirit. Self-righteousness may glory in good doctrines as well as good works. A pharisaical heart with an orthodox head is a monstrosity! Even the best men are not completely innocent of this unevangelical pride. We often argue to indulge our pride rather than to do the greatest good to the most people. We stir up the same sins in others when we should, by our good example, induce their humility.
4. Lastly, take heed to your own soul. It is good to defend the true and biblical faith; in fact, it is commanded (Jude 3; Tit 1.9). Especially these days, we need gospel champions, but very few who take a public role in this ministry are not hurt by it. They seem either to become self-important and angry or distracted by trivial concerns. This spiritual service, though honorable, is dangerous. What good is it to win the debate while losing the Lord’s presence promised only to the humble? I assume your good intentions, but you must beware of Satan’s traps, and mistaking your personal cause for God’s, and losing your comfortable communion with Him. Do not let any debate become personal. If you are wronged, it is an opportunity to display Christ’s meekness (1 Pet 2.23; 3.9). Remember that the wisdom which is from above is not only pure, but also peaceable and gentle (Jas 3.17). The dead flies of pride spoil the ointment of our labors (Eccl 10.1). A wrong spirit can bring little glory to God, little help to our neighbors, and no honor or comfort to ourselves. If your calling were only to display your wit or gain a laugh, then your task would be easy. Your aim is far nobler. You should prefer to remove one person’s prejudice against the truth than to win the applause of thousands. Go forth, then, in the power of the Lord of hosts, speaking the truth in love, and may He convince many that you are taught by God and influenced by the Holy Spirit with His blessing. Signed, JN.
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“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov 15.1). “With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone” (Prov 25.15). Let our demeanor commend our doctrine so that, for the good of our hearers, our doctrine will command assent. Ω