RULES OF ENGAGEMENT IN APOLOGETICS-101

Among brothers — not actual predators & wolves

  • All must be done for the protection of the entire Body of Christ. A watchman looks out for the community – especially the new believers. If one is motivated by hatred for their target, they’re in the flesh.
  • No anathematizing those who interpret Scripture differently but maintain the primary doctrines of the Christian Faith. We do not separate the wheat and the tares. Not our job. To consign someone to hell is straying from the authority given to the reapers only at the end. In the meantime, you can’t tell them apart.
  • Name-Calling – absolutely hitting under the belt. It is unbecoming of one in ministry to resort to calling people names like liar, moron, clown, Jezebel, idiot, apostate, lunatic, harlot . . . you get the idea.
  • Documentation – Have your ducks in a row. Keep a paper trail and provide footnotes in any exposé you write to refute false teaching.
  • Intruding on family – there are various ways this invasion happens. Contacting family members who are not official spokespersons for said teacher or ministry to get the goods on the target is unethical.
  • Doxing – Definition: “The Internet-based practice of researching and publicly broadcasting private or identifying information (especially personal info such as home address or phone number) about an individual.”
  • Threat of lawsuits — The argument that “well, they’re not acting like a Christian so it’s OK to sue them” notwithstanding. Seek third party mediation if all else fails.
  • Demanding all to choose up sides – aka: your enemy is my enemy – or else you’re the enemy too. This is childish and divisive.
  • Unforgiveness and grudge-holding. A wise man once said, “Lets agree to disagree agreeably.” If you give each other black eyes and leave them bloodied and battered, this is the result – and it’s deadly to the one keeping it in.
  • Guilt by association – Birds of a feather do flock together – that can reveal some facts. But sharing a platform with someone who was in a conference with another person whose associations are suspect is going a bit too far.
  • Where associations do count – when otherwise sound teachers compromise with heretics and Roman Catholics and look the other way at their deceptions as those who follow them go along into the pit. By participating in their networks, one gives silent assent to their abuse of the flock of God. They should be called out for that – but we cannot read their hearts to pinpoint their motivation.

Deception in these last days is on the rise. False brethren have indeed snuck in unnoticed. We need to sound the alarm – but at the same time not to fall for the devil’s snare in casting aside all ethics and common decency. The Bible gives us so many reminders:

“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” – Gal 5:14-15

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” – Gal 6:1

“And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.” – Matt. 24:10

“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood… A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” – Proverbs 6:16-17,19