This has become almost laughable on Facebook. Someone tries to make a legitimate point and someone else manages to find an objection to something that was not even addressed. They wrap themselves in an aura of godliness by creating a major out of a minor and end up ruining the address of a real problem that would have benefited many. It isn't godliness, folks; it's arrogance.
Recently I saw a quote from someone many of us would disagree with theologically. However, it was an excellent quote and it answered a real problem that many we do agree with may have. Almost immediately a comment came in about not taking anything by this man seriously because of some of his other beliefs. That turned a profitable discussion into one designed to repudiate anyone who does not fall into place down the line doctrinally. I wonder how many who needed that quote missed its beneficial point, and how many went on their way in an error this quote might have helped, and all because someone out there had to look so righteous.
Rather than just have my think-so about it, let's approach this scripturally and see what we can find.
Paul quoted pagans at least twice to prove his points.
…for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and device of man. (Acts 17:28-29)
One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons. This testimony is true. For which cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, (Titus 1:12-13)
The apostle John quoted one of the instigators of the murder of Jesus, in which he said his statement was not only true, it was prophecy. But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, nor do ye take account that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. Now this he said not of himself: but, being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation; and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God that are scattered abroad. So from that day forth they took counsel that they might put him to death. (John 11:49-53)
The book of Proverbs was Divinely preserved for us all these centuries later for the good advice within it, even though the writer, as we say these days, went off the deep end.
And Jesus himself tells us that the sons of this world…are wiser than the sons of light. (Luke 16:8). In other words, learn from them.
All of that tells me that I am allowed to make judgments about what is and is not profitable, who is and is not worth listening to, as long as I am careful. John also tells us to "Prove the spirits whether they be from God," (I John 4:1), and if I understand the context of that epistle correctly, he had a few baptized believers in mind first.
Even good brethren who loved him gave Paul some lousy advice (Acts 21:11-14). That means that even a "baptized, non-premillenial believer" can be wrong. That includes commentaries and other books by our brethren. I have found so many mistakes in children's Bible class literature that I am appalled. I have seen well-respected gospel preachers write that God made an exception for the Ephraimite Samuel to make sacrifices, when it only takes a few minutes of research to find out that Samuel may have lived in Ephraim, but he was indeed a Levite (I Chron 6:16-28). And I am told that Zerr's commentary on Genesis says that Gen 3:16 means that women should not take pain killers during childbirth. I am glad that man was nowhere near me when I needed an emergency C-section! So much for the brethren's commentaries.
So what does all of this mean? You can find good, common sense advice anywhere. You can find people you may not agree with entirely who have the ability to open your eyes to something you do agree with. How many times have you heard our denominational neighbors used to put us to shame when it comes to zeal and spreading the gospel? Whether friend or foe, whether pagan or believer, be open enough to hear what "the sons of this world" have to say that might help you. And don't be so arrogant as to think you know best what others need to hear, including yourself.
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. (Prov 26:12)
Dene Ward
Recently I saw a quote from someone many of us would disagree with theologically. However, it was an excellent quote and it answered a real problem that many we do agree with may have. Almost immediately a comment came in about not taking anything by this man seriously because of some of his other beliefs. That turned a profitable discussion into one designed to repudiate anyone who does not fall into place down the line doctrinally. I wonder how many who needed that quote missed its beneficial point, and how many went on their way in an error this quote might have helped, and all because someone out there had to look so righteous.
Rather than just have my think-so about it, let's approach this scripturally and see what we can find.
Paul quoted pagans at least twice to prove his points.
…for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and device of man. (Acts 17:28-29)
One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons. This testimony is true. For which cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, (Titus 1:12-13)
The apostle John quoted one of the instigators of the murder of Jesus, in which he said his statement was not only true, it was prophecy. But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, nor do ye take account that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. Now this he said not of himself: but, being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation; and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God that are scattered abroad. So from that day forth they took counsel that they might put him to death. (John 11:49-53)
The book of Proverbs was Divinely preserved for us all these centuries later for the good advice within it, even though the writer, as we say these days, went off the deep end.
And Jesus himself tells us that the sons of this world…are wiser than the sons of light. (Luke 16:8). In other words, learn from them.
All of that tells me that I am allowed to make judgments about what is and is not profitable, who is and is not worth listening to, as long as I am careful. John also tells us to "Prove the spirits whether they be from God," (I John 4:1), and if I understand the context of that epistle correctly, he had a few baptized believers in mind first.
Even good brethren who loved him gave Paul some lousy advice (Acts 21:11-14). That means that even a "baptized, non-premillenial believer" can be wrong. That includes commentaries and other books by our brethren. I have found so many mistakes in children's Bible class literature that I am appalled. I have seen well-respected gospel preachers write that God made an exception for the Ephraimite Samuel to make sacrifices, when it only takes a few minutes of research to find out that Samuel may have lived in Ephraim, but he was indeed a Levite (I Chron 6:16-28). And I am told that Zerr's commentary on Genesis says that Gen 3:16 means that women should not take pain killers during childbirth. I am glad that man was nowhere near me when I needed an emergency C-section! So much for the brethren's commentaries.
So what does all of this mean? You can find good, common sense advice anywhere. You can find people you may not agree with entirely who have the ability to open your eyes to something you do agree with. How many times have you heard our denominational neighbors used to put us to shame when it comes to zeal and spreading the gospel? Whether friend or foe, whether pagan or believer, be open enough to hear what "the sons of this world" have to say that might help you. And don't be so arrogant as to think you know best what others need to hear, including yourself.
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. (Prov 26:12)
Dene Ward
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