Should Christians only read, watch, or listen to pastors, teachers, theologians, and/or media personalities with whom they fully agree?
Depending on how one understands the warnings of Paul, Peter, and Jude in the New Testament, one might be inclined — indeed, many are inclined — to answer the above question with a resounding “yes.”
The New Testament is, after all, replete with warnings about false teachers and injunctions to Christian churches to avoid such heretics and apostates. And yet…. is it really helpful or healthy for Christians to completely withdraw from and cut themselves off from other professing Christians they deem to be incorrect on certain doctrinal issues?
“Love Your Neighbor”
Jesus cites the command to love one’s neighbor as being the second most important commandment in all of Scripture. And when one considers the biblical meaning of neighbor, there is no wiggle room available for hate or contempt.
In the context of Jesus’ command, a “neighbor” is anyone with whom you interact in this life. Your neighbor is anyone in your life — not just the person living next door to your place of residence.
Today is the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the greatest civil rights leaders in all of history and someone who reminded America to not let racism justify transgressing this most important command. We must love our neighbor regardless of the color of their skin.
Indeed, we must love our neighbor regardless of his or her race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, political beliefs, religion, sports team preference, income level, or any other consideration.
We are to love everyone. Period.
Love of course does not necessitate or require agreement, approval, or trust. Sometimes, our society needs reminding of this fact as many seem to equate love with feelings of approval and emotional solidarity. The reality is that the true measure of love is best taken in the midst of disagreements and times of conflict.
How do we Handle Disagreements?
Each person is made in the image of God. Therefore, each person should be treated with a basic level of decency, courtesy, and respect.
What’s more, I believe each person should be seen primarily as an individual. To dismiss someone’s point of view or perspective simply because of that person’s gender, race, color, income, political preference, or any other consideration is frankly wrong.
We must accord everyone kindness and respect, and we must let people speak for themselves.
And when disagreements occur, it’s wise to heed the adage: “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” This quote, made famous by Stephen Covey in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, goes back to St. Francis of Assisi.
I think of the prophet Isaiah quoting Jehovah God: “Come, let us reason together…” We seem to have lost the ability to do that.
And for all the warnings in the New Testament about false teachings, none of the New Testament writers would have even bothered to write their letters if they didn’t believe in the importance of making their case and reasoning with others.
The importance of listening and engaging in reasonable, constructive dialog is something I learned while studying debate at George Mason University.
You should know your opponent’s arguments better than he does!
Discernment in Reading
Unlike some of my Christian friends, I don’t believe we should only read people with whom we agree. My bookshelf (and Kindle app on my iPad) includes many authors with whom I disagree.
I’m no Muslim, but I took a class on Islam while at George Mason University – one that was taught by a Muslim. I still have and occasionally refer back to those texts.
I’m obviously not an atheist, but I’ve read Farewell to God by Charles Templeton, Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris, and (most of) The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins. I’ve also read portions of The End of Faith by Sam Harris, God’s Problem by Bart Ehrmann, and God is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens. And I’ve watched speeches by well-known atheists, including the authors previously mentioned as well as others such as Dan Barker.
When The Da Vinci Code was all the rage, I went to see the movie. Why? For the same reason I read other religions and other viewpoints that disagree with my Christian beliefs. So, I can be well-informed.
But it isn’t just about reading outside the Christian faith. I apply the same standard within Christian circles. And, in fact, within Christian circles, it isn’t just opposition research.
Sometimes, I spiritually and/or emotionally profit from the writings, sermons, and messages of fellow Christians…even if I disagree with them on other matters.
For example, I’ve listened to countless sermons by John MacArthur (and visited his church a few years ago while visiting California), even though I don’t fully line up with his Reformed beliefs.
I’ve listened to several sermons by Rick Warren (and visited his church as well), even though I don’t agree with some of his ministry’s approaches and priorities.
And I’ve listened to quite a few Joel Osteen sermons, even though I disagree with some of the things he’s said from the pulpit and recognize that pretty much all his sermons are more in the category of self-help than biblical exposition.
“Why did you Quote (or Retweet) That Person?”
One of the peculiar things I often see on social media is people getting extremely agitated and upset when something is retweeted or shared — if the original source of that tweet or post is (in any way) objectionable.
Indeed, it seems that many people in society believe that we should only quote sources with whom we agree with 100% of the time.
I like quotes. I like incorporating them into my sermons, putting them on my Facebook page, sharing them with friends, and weaving them into my own writings. And yet…
Invariably, I will encounter a fellow Christian who reprimands me for using a quote from a person who does not meet with his or her approval. If I quote Rick Warren, I’ll hear criticism of the man’s ministry, teachings, associations, etc. If I quote Joel Osteen, it’s even worse.
If I quote a Democrat, my Republican friends wonder what I’m thinking, and if I quote a Republican, my liberal friends might get offended.
If I step back in time and quote someone like Martin Luther or John Calvin, it potentially opens the door to a debate over Calvinism or a host of other doctrines the Christian church has been debating for centuries!
It’s as if we’ve lost the ability to focus simply on a quote or a thought….and appreciate it for what it offers.
When I quote Joel Osteen, for instance, I’m not endorsing everything Osteen has ever said. I’m only endorsing that particular quote. If I quote Rick Warren, I’m not suggesting that I agree with everything Warren has done. I’m only saying I like this particular quote.
The more I think about this, Jesus is the only person I can quote and with whom I can enthusiastically agree on everything.
Some of you may protest by saying: “Wait a minute! You wouldn’t quote Hitler, would you?” No, I wouldn’t. Not in an approving way anyway.
But this is a red herring. Some people are so thoroughly evil and/or have been so thoroughly discredited by their actions that it would be obviously counter-productive to quote them.
In most cases, we’re not dealing with such people. Most individuals are a mixed bag. They do and say some good things, and they do and say some bad things.
Discernment is the key to differentiating between the former and the latter.
Bottom Line: Be Discerning
When I read a book, watch a sermon, listen to a radio broadcast, or peruse a website, I am mindful of what Paul says: “Test all things; hold fast [to] what is good” (I Thessalonians 5:21).
Some of my readers will point to the next verse which says we are to “abstain from every form of evil.” This is true, and testing what we read, hear, and consume is essential to determining what is “evil” (and thus what we should abstain from) and what is “good” (and thus what we should hold to). It’s essential that we be able to test that which we read, hear, and see.
Of course, proper discernment requires wisdom, which begins with the fear of God (see Proverbs). One must be committed to the Lord, thoroughly grounded in the Word of God, and in constant prayer. Without these ingredients in place, a person should exercise tremendous caution when it comes to who they listen to or read.
God bless you!
