SHOULD WE OPPOSE FALSE TEACHING?

Dear Bro. Waddey:
The brethren who want to condemn and attack the change agents are just as dangerous to the cause of Christ, especially to those outside Christ, or babes who do not understand the aggressive way you and others choose to "teach." Such negative approaches have been damaging, and I will have no part in it.  WD.

Dear Bro. WD:
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.  When a nation is under attack by an aggressor nation, several options present themselves. They can be neutral and refuse to fight and be overrun and brought under subjection, or they can fight to save their homeland. So it is in the Lord's kingdom.  If all thought as you suggest then eventually there would be no Church of Christ, only denominations.

Was Paul wrong when he declared that he was set for the defense of the gospel (Phil. 1:16)?  Was he mistaken to instruct Timothy to "fight the good fight of the faith?" (I Tim. 6:12)? Why are we told to contend earnestly for the faith (Jude 3)?

I readily grant that we must not have a mean, hateful spirit.  Those who love to fight for the fun of fighting are wrong.  Those who are quarrelsome by nature are surely wrong.  Those who get so consumed with fighting that they cease to practice the other aspects of the faith are misguided.

I make a studious effort manifest a proper Christian spirit in all I say and write. I endeavor to avoid all  rancor and hateful expressions. But to conclude that we must sit in silence while false teachers corrupt, and destroy the Cause of our Lord is a tragic mistake.  May God help us in this hour of crisis.