Confessions of a Recovering Polemicist

But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God (revealing His plan of salvation), and righteousness (making us acceptable to God), and sanctification (making us holy and setting us apart for God), and redemption (providing our ransom from the penalty of sin).  --1 Corinthians 1:30 AMPLIFIED BIBLE

True confession:  I am a recovering polemicist.

 If you don't know what that means, I will tell you.  It means that if you don't believe like I believe, you are going to hell.  We even have our own Facebook pages: polemicsreport.com and pulpitandpen.org.

We start with sound doctrine: sola fide, sola gratia, sola scriptura, sola Christo.  Faith alone, by grace alone, in Christ alone, as revealed in Scripture alone.  "For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

But then we kind of veer away from grace a little bit.  Baptists are okay, and Presbyterians, because they share our doctrine.  But Church of Christ is not preaching true salvation, because they believe you have to be baptized before you can go to heaven (in the sense that baptism is some work they require you to do).  Charismatics do not preach true salvation, because they emphasize a "second blessing" to realize true redemption (kind of a "cult of the Holy Spirit").  And God help Catholics, Coptics, and Eastern Orthodox, because they rely not only on the sacraments (more works done by men) but also emphasize Church tradition to the same level as the Bible (something the Bible explicitly warns against--do not add to or take away from Scripture, "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!" Galatians 1:8).

Never mind that some might think if we are not willing to follow the simplest of commands to follow Him in baptism, then maybe we are not His.  Forget that the disciples in the early church were "continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 13:52, suggesting that it was a recurrent act, not a one-time event).  And don't tell me that the Christian church in Rome and in Egypt and in Greece over the centuries has not promoted practices that promote community and proclaim Christ crucified.

Yes, there are differences in worship styles and spiritual emphasis.  There may even be small heresies, but nothing that would allow me to judge them unworthy of Heaven.  So while I still keep an eye on the polemicists, I do not join them very often any more.  By the way, synonyms for the word "Polemic" include diatribe, invective, rant, tirade, broadside, attack, harangue, condemnation, criticism, stricture, admonition and rebuke.  Are there time when individual Christians might need admonition or rebuke?  Yes, by all means.  That is biblical.  But the condemnation, diatribe, and invective? Not so much.

I thought of this as I was reading in 1 Timothy this week.  Look at this: "But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." (1 Timothy 1:5).  A pure heart (holiness) without love is criticism and condemnation.  A good conscience (righteousness) without love is a broadside attack.  Sincere faith (wisdom from God) without love is an invective or tirade.

Often we are known by our criticism of others.  We may not criticize other Christians so much, but what about lawyers, or legislators, or politicians--are they fair game.  Let's look at what Paul told his young protege Timothy about how the church ought to behave.  This is from 1 Timothy 2

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.  This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God, and one Mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time...Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.  --1 Timothy 2:1-6, 8

Does Jesus warn that not all who say to Him, "Lord, Lord" will automatically enter into the kingdom?  Yes, and there is time for prayerful individual discussion with those few who are in danger of going there.  On the other hand, I don't believe it is our right or our responsibility to condemn huge groups of faithful Christians to hell en masse.  Before you accuse me of being a Universalist, I don't believe Jehovah's Witnesses are true Christians.  Did you know that they re-wrote the Bible, editing out any evidence that the Holy Spirit is divine?  Speaking of sacred writings, the Mormons are in no way Christian, as they have written a different Testament that they believe should be added to (or replace) the Bible.  Yet their most cherished doctrines (that Jesus and Satan are brothers; that we can become gods over our own planets) are not even in the Book of Mormon.  So we should try to gently, prayerfully convince them of the truth of Scripture.

Yes, we should try to convert Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and even Jews to a saving faith in Jesus, who is the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life.  Many of us (and I am guilty here) do not know or come into contact with people of other faiths, so we waste our time condemning other Christians.

Look at the photo at the top of this page.   The phrase, "You are holy, righteous, and redeemed" is not because of any works that we have done.  It is only possible by the grace given to us through faith in Christ alone, as is revealed to us through scripture.