Following the pattern in the inspired text, most preachers who are worth spit have spent countless teaching opportunities warning about false doctrine and false teachers (Matthew 7:15-20, Acts 20:28-31, I Timothy 1:19-20, II Timothy 2:14-18, II Peter 2:1-3, Jude 3-4, etc.). We have warned about not having fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). We have warned endlessly about how little of an amount of sin or error can spread endlessly to consume the whole lump (I Corinthians 5:6 and Galatians 5:7-9). Why are those warnings by good men of today and those of inspiration so carelessly ignored when it comes to the tract rack, the bulletin, publications offered to the whole congregation, etc.? Was Jesus just full of Himself when He warned of wolves in sheep clothing? Was Paul just a reactionary when he warned over and over again of those false? Do brethren think that teaching by way of written word is any different than teaching by way of spoken word? If so, they need to read more of the written teachings of inspired men to see they err in their estimation of what is true on that account (Acts 15:20-31, I Corinthians 14:37, and II Thessalonians 3:14). So, what really are the problems here? Brethren, too often we become accustomed to things that we simply have not thought thoroughly about. Most brethren understand the need to certify that what is taught is sound and even that the person teaching is sound (III John 11). We are to examine those whom we extend the opportunity of teaching ourselves and others (I John 4:1). Most understand this principle to some degree. In fact, I cannot think of a single congregation I am aware of among so-called “conservative thinking brethren” that would allow someone like Max Lucado to hold a Gospel Meeting with them. While brethren may exercise caution in verifying that those who preach or teach publicly are sound in the faith, many of those same brethren seem more careless in whom they allow to teach the congregation by way of print. Sure, brethren have their excuses. There are many reasons that it’s okay to endorse false teachers by human reasoning. Let’s see a few of those “reasons”. If you’ve ever had this discussion you’ve likely heard someone explain that they distribute materials by false teachers, but the materials they distribute are the truth. Without doubt, most false teachers do teach some truth. Satan himself will teach some truth and the demons will even confess Christ (Matthew 4:6 and Matthew 8:28-29). Known false teachers such as Billy Graham teach some truth. Would brethren allow the tracts he has written that contain the truth to be distributed from their tract racks? I am sure that some would. Would they have Billy Graham to hold a Gospel Meeting? Some might! However, the brethren with whom this article applies most would neither have Graham’s material or him to speak publicly among them. However, if we switch Billy Graham’s name to Mike Willis of the Truth Foundation who teaches error on church collectivities, fellowship, etc. the rules change. If we were to have a good tract by Weldon Warnock who is associated with the Truth Magazine apostasy and teaches the Mental Divorce doctrine, he too is viewed differently than Max Lucado or Billy Graham in the tract rack. Why? Are they all not false teachers who will lead MANY away (II Peter 2:1-3)? Are they not all enemies of the cross of Christ (Philippians 3:18-19)? If Willis and Warnock can be used to teach in print, consistency demands that Lucado and Graham have their places too. All are equally scholarly on some subject matter, are they not? Wait, I know, preachers are why? No doubt, this discussion continues by someone saying “you have materials written by false teachers in your library, so we can have it in the tract rack”. Well, I also have a 9mm pistol in my library, do you want one for the tract rack? Come on folks, since when did a preacher studying error to be able to identify it and teach against it become a reason to distribute error to brethren and those outside of Christ? Jesus, Paul, Peter, etc. knew about false teachers and their doctrines, they warned against them, but they did not print them and distribute them to the masses! Besides that, if a preacher or anyone does something you think is contradictive that does not constitute authority for anyone else to do so. Our authority must be divine. Where in the pages of the New Testament do we get authority to distribute materials, even that contain the whole truth, that are written by false teachers? I know we have authority to name false teachers, their doctrines, and to expose them (Romans 16:17), but where can we find commands, examples, or implications of the usage of materials by false teachers in the New Testament to teach others? In fact, don’t we find that those teaching in any form must be faithful (II Timothy 2:2)? In fact, we find that we are to hate those who are wicked (Psalms 26:5, Psalms 97:10, and Romans 12:9). How can we say we hate wickedness and those who spread it when we endorse them in the bulletin, tract rack, etc.? Notice: “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me” (Psalms 101:3). Case closed, right? Brethren, we are supposed to STOP THE MOUTHS of those who teach error (Titus 1:10-14). Putting their names out to saints and sinners alike is doing just the opposite. When someone comes into the assembly and you have material by false teachers, they see an endorsement of the doctrine and the man. Such is true, if you walk into a building and Billy Graham is preaching, you know those who invited him are not of the truth! False teachers need driven out of God’s house (Hosea 9:15; cf. I Timothy 3:15). Instead, I have witnessed many occasions of brethren having materials by false teachers readily available to all who will take it. We need to know the materials we distribute and those who wrote them are of God (I Corinthians 10: 21 and II John 9-11). This may mean that bookstores aren’t the best source for tracts. Don’t be lazy, print your own. Maybe the internet has a lot of material, but who authored that material? Brethren, let’s know those who teach us! |
| Volume VII ~ Issue XL ~ July 1st, 2007 |
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
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What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)? Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17), repent of their
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6). Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16). One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10).
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6). Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16). One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10).
| Edited by: Brian A. Yeager |
| What About the Teacher in the Tract Rack? By: Brian A. Yeager |
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| “He’s a False Teacher, BUT This Tract is the Truth” |
| Where’s the Authority to Distribute Materials Written by False Teachers? |
| “Preacher, You Do It So We Can Too” |
| Conclusion |