preacherman

Monday, December 10, 2007

Who Are We To Judge?

I love the Church of Christ. I was born and raised in the Church of Christ. I remember being at church every time we had something whether it was a gospel meeting that lasted 2 weeks or ACU Lectureship. Historically, the Church of Christ has been known for being judgemental. I do believe that we are working to get rid of being judgemental, which I think is a great thing.

I find it very interesting how people are quick to judge. In society it may be based on race, gender, age and how in shape a person is. Judgementalism finds itself in our churches as well. In the church, we go to church as christians who should be the least judgemental people of all, but we seem to be the most judgemental of all. In Matthew 7:1-2, Jesus says, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

I would like to say that not all churches of Christ are like this. Many are are doing the will of God and are encouraging one another, "spuring one another on towards love and good works". They are building up the body of Chrirst by doing whatever needs to be done-period. Each one praises each other for what they are doing and build one another up. They love each other. They take care of each other physically and spiritually. So, again, not every church is like the ones mentioned. If you aren't praising God for what he is doing in your church, you are not functioning the way God is wanting; doing His good, pleasing and perfect will.

I think it is something that we look at our brothers and sisters sitting across from each other and judge them for not being there on Wed. night. We sit and spend the entire service judging others, making ourselves more righteous, more holy than the other people whom we judge.

Lately, we are seeing some christians judging other congregations. They Point fingers, writing nasty bulletin articles and even books about those churches with whom they don't agree. I take the Bible to be the total authority upon which I base my faith. I don't see the Roman church writing letters, nasty bulletin articles (if they had a bulletin :-) back then), or books to address the problems that the Corinthians were having and we know they were having lots of problems way beyond what some churches have today.

Many preachers are now preaching messages of love, grace, and how we need to manifest the life of Jesus Christ within our hearts-making our church's "grace oriented." When people come inside many of our churches, they feel welcomed, loved, they sense God's presence. I am excited about those who are preaching applicable sermons on how to live the disciplined life outside the church. Yet there are some within the church who judge the way the minister is preaching and the church is changing. The judgementalism and criticism eats away and discourages our ministers to the point we are seeing them leaving the Church of Christ to other Christian Churches or other denominations that hold similar beliefs.

I do understand that the Church of Christ is not the only church that has problems. Every church has problems of judgementalism. We look at our lives and try to be self-righteous. Look at the Pharasees and teachers of the law that wanted to be seen by men for their good deeds and were always looking at others and comparing themselves to others. So, I do understand this just doesn't impact the Church of Christ. It impacts every church because "We are all sin and have ALL FALLEN SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD."
I understand that in every denomination you are going to find those who criticize. I know if I was to call Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, or Joel Osteen, and ask them if everyone likes their sermons on Sunday morning, I bet you that they will tell me that they can't please everyone.

As for the Church of Christ, I believe that we need to to strive for love.
We need to strive to be Christ like in all we do.
I believe this one thing that the Church of Christ needs to address.
We need to address the way our churches and Christians are acting and functioning. Is it positive? Is it negative? Is itt really authorized in scripture? Are we going to let the negative people in our congregation run off the young preachers to Christian Churches or denominational churches with similar beliefs?
Again, I say, lets strive for love, grace, and unity.

Not all Churches of Christ are this way. Praise God for those congregations who are doing the will of God and striving to be open and grace oriented and to have the heart of Christ.

Another thing that amazes me is that each congregation is non-denominational and autonomous of each other, having its own elders and leadership, yet some congregations think it is their right and okay for them to tell those other congregations what to do and how to worship God. Isn't that taking scripture out of context? I don't see the Roman church telling the Corinthian church how to worship and vice versa. So, where is the authority in scripture?

I hope and pray that as years go on that the churches that do accuse becomes less judgemental , having a spirit of grace and love. I hope that the world when they hear the words Church of Christ will say we are gracious and loving.

The questions for discussion: How have you see judgementalism in our society? In the Church of Christ? Do you think this will change? Is there hope? Or do you see more minister's leaving and going to Christian churches because of the judgementalism and not excepting the grace of God? How can the church of Christ stop judging other Christians within their local congregations? How can churches of Christ stop judging other Churches for what they do and understand they are under elderships, autonomous from their own? Why do people judge? Do they not know the severity of it?

Oh, by the way, my wife, the grammar nazi, had finals this week and couldn't correct my English. I have always had learning problems and find it difficult to write, so I hope you'll forgive me for not being the best writer.

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

46 Comments:

Blogger David Kirk said...

Great post preacherman! I think it is possible to teach without improperly judging others, and I see many teachers taking that route! I think the curches of Christ have a bright future as long as we stick to teaching the word of God. He promises in Isaiah 55:11 that His word will accomplish what it is meant to do!

5:40 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

good post, good questions!

what helped me in this was to see the definition of "church"
as: the body of Christ,
being a spiritual connection of people, through the Holy Spirit,
with Christ as the head.

also, a help was the words of the head of the body, Jesus, to love God and to love one another.

we are all in a different place in the de-centering process of our selves. de-centering, as paul del signore very well put it in his last post: center stage, http://www.sacredvapor.com/?p=353

5:54 PM  
Blogger Kathleen said...

One complication of a post like this is you will notice that you have judged the churches and individuals that are doing the judging that you think is wrong. You don't belong to some of those churches and they are autonomous. So evidently you do think some kinds of judging are OK. And some kinds are OK according to the Bible. But you have not mentioned such things as "righteous judgment" or the idea that "you will know them by their fruit". We are warned about wolves in sheep's clothing. Since Satan masquerades as an angel of light, discernment is constantly necessary. We are told to remember this: "Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins." Sometimes what appears to be judging is really loving, trying to save someone from the errors of his way. Some judging is wrong, some is right and we need to keep in mind the difference.

5:58 PM  
Blogger Darin L. Hamm said...

Preacherman,

Kathleen makes a very good point. We are instructed to make judgments within the body and we are told not to judge those outside of Christ.

So judging needs to take place it just needs to be guided by the Spirit anchored in the nature of God and actual truth. Jesus rebuked those who judged by their created rules that they claimed came from God or that protected God’s truth.

If we follow His lead we will have to make judgments about teaching that is not from God. That is probably why a minister leaves the Church of Christ for a Christian Church, he has made a judgment that certain positions held by CoC’s are not from God.

7:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

preacherman-
You ASSUME a great deal in your post so ......well you know.

9:27 PM  
Blogger preacherman said...

A.W.,
Why is it that if we are seperate from each other that we have other congregations telling other congregations how to worship?

9:32 PM  
Blogger preacherman said...

Do we see the authority in Scripture?

9:33 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Much of the meaness and ugly slander of supposed brothers by others who claim to be brothers will soon die by attrition.

The zealot faction of the churches of Christ that Alexander Campbell would not approve or hardly recognize, will largely be only a historical topic in 2 or 3 decades. A movement whose banner is rigid sectarianism, leagalistic self righteousness, and marked little loyalty to the diciplines of humble pioty and sacrifice modeled by Jesus is doomed to failure.

History will not be kind to those who hate in Jesus name.

His peace,
Royce

12:36 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

preacherman,
i was wondering what you think about what i said. :-) do you think that we have too small or human of a view of what the church really is? and might it be that we do not really have the whole understanding of what God sees as the body of Christ?
might it be that we do not have all the ansewers, and that is why we are given the commands to love God and love one another?

12:49 AM  
Blogger Charles said...

preacherman,

No, we don't see the example in Scripture of "the Roman church telling the Corinthian church how to worship and vice versa." But that's not really a valid argument against it. If the question is more than worship styles, but addresses teaching and theology, we're instructed to "contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints."

Nancy,

It seems (to me) that you are applying a meaning to the idea of loving one another that is other than what we find in Scripture. I think that Kathleen is right when she says, "Sometimes what appears to be judging is really loving, trying to save someone from the errors of his way."

If we're talking about judging the way someone raises their hands or whether they wear jeans or slacks to Sunday worship, that's a problem. But if we're judging a preacher who preaches love and grace while ignoring sin and repentance, that's a whole different story. It's not okay to judge a church for it's choice between hymns and contemporary songs, but it's right and necessary to confront theological error.

Charles

3:02 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

It's not true that preachers who preach love and grace do not preach against sin. They preach against all the works of the flesh, including self-righteousness, sectarianism, unbelief and other falsehoods against the Gospel and Spirit that arise from the distortions of a legal and secular approach to the Bible. Perhaps their are many who thus accuse preachers who have hardened their hearts in the sectarian dogma that is the foundation of their boast against others. Why not rather choose to glory in the cross of Christ? Paul sets forth the basis for fellowship in Galatians and John sets forth the tests of fellowship in 1 John. Name one sectarian test in those epistles. Finally, Jesus himself taught the most strongly against judging by mere appearances; judging without first judging self; and taking His place of judgment and judging before the time. The Word that judges when unbelievers reject it is the Word that proclaims the grace and love of God in Jesus who is the Messiah. The law that judges is the law of liberty, not the body of sectarian dogma; and under the law of liberty, mercy triumphs over judgment.

8:37 AM  
Blogger Laymond said...

Kinney, every time you or I walk through the front door of the place where we worship we make a judgement, yes even a judgement on other worship places. Unless we worship with the closest house of worship to our home, and have no qualms about it. Kinney I pass by a Baptist, Methodist, and a Catholic church that is next door to the hugh Church building where I worship with members of the CoC. Yes I made judgements on all these churchs when I drove by. But to me it was a "righteous judgement" if we give equal credence to all churches, why not give equal time sitting in the pews? I don't believe we should condemn others for their belief, but we have to use our abilities to judge, if not we would be led anywhere and everywhere. just like many other things we misinterpret "you shall not judge" I believe it means "you shall not convict, and condemn"

10:04 AM  
Blogger Laymond said...

BTW, Kinney I agree there are a lot of judgements within the CoC that needs a lot of attention. Things are-a-changing, :why"?
I believ my latest post might shed some light.

10:10 AM  
Blogger preacherman said...

Believe as the church of Christ we should strive to have a loving enviornment toward one another as Christians. Jesus, tells us, "all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another."
"A new command I give you love one another."
I would hope and pray we would work on ourselves before we point the finger at other congregations on what they are doing. I hope that when they hear church of Christ they may see our love towards one another.

10:23 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Your posts are so relevant. I love them!

I actually have been at the opposite end of this judgment. I grew up in the Assemblies of God denomination, went to an Assemblies of God college and even was a youth minister at an Assemblies of God church. It wasn't until I met my wife that I started attending a CofC church (So don't worry, I'm a Christian now... Lol!).

When I got married, I started taking distance ed classes, which allowed me to only be on campus twice a year. And what was the number one question I was asked while on campus those two times a year? "So, what church are you going to?" I would respond with "________ Church of Christ." I left the blank there, because it wouldn't have mattered what CofC it was, I still got blank stares, because "hey, they don't speak in tongues, do they?" What arrogance. And I used to be one of them.

It's always interested me that the Church people were the ones who crucified Jesus. I doubt he'd be welcome in many of our churches today. He was a revolutionary... not quite the word I'd use to describe many churches.

The CofC my family currently attends has just added a Saturday night instrumental worship service. I love the service, but they've caught a lot of heat from another local CofC church for doing it.

If God ever calls me to pastor, I want my congregation full of people with problems, people the World and unfortunately many churches, no longer accept.

Why?

Because I myself have big problems, which constantly remind me that I'm in need of a God WAY bigger than I am. And to this day He still, by His Grace is willing to use me.

Again, good post, brother!

1:08 PM  
Blogger Kevin Beck said...

Hi PM,
Nice post. I preached in the CofC for several years, and I was one of the chief judges. A lot has changed since then. Judgmentalism is not unique to the CofC. Love is the only answer, the only cure. Love builds up and thinks no evil.

Blessings to you

1:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

preacherman-
I'll e-mail you a reply.
The discussion is at times going south (as usual) with my more "non sectarian" sectarian brethren and I've been there done that with most of them so.....

The church is in and heading deeper into a time when "every one does what is right in their own eyes" and just like one other time that we can read about that kind of attitude God will step in and set things straight OR bring it all to a crashing halt.

Either way His way will be OK with me.

4:09 PM  
Blogger Matthew said...

This is a powerful post, and something I wrote about today.

6:32 PM  
Blogger Charles said...

dbb,

While it's not true that all "preachers who preach love and grace do not preach against sin," there are some who fit the description. You're painting anyone who would dare to acknowledge error as a self-rightous sectarian who would rather throw stones than "glory in the cross of Christ." That perception is wrong. It kind of seems like you didn't really read my comment, but chose to judge me as a sectarian zealot who is our to judge harshly and hammer on anyone with whom I hold the slightest disagreement.

I'm not sure what you mean by "sectarian test" in the epistles. There obviously wouldn't be one, since the sects came after the epistle, therefore their tests couldn't be included. That's a poorly framed question.

I agree with you that "mercy triumphs over judgment," but what we're talking about, as others have said, is discernment. We have to discern whether a teaching is from Christ or not. We are not to act as though we determine the person's justification or condemnation.

preacherman,
You aren't addressing the points that any of us have made. Kathleen, Darin, and I have raised specific issues that you haven't mentioned on in your two subsequent comments. What about discernment or correction? What if a preacher is ignoring or overemphasizing or altering some part of the Gospel? Should we just let it go because it's the "loving" thing to do?

7:46 PM  
Blogger David Dallas said...

I believe that preacherman was trying to say what Paul says in Romans 14:1-4,10-13,22; 15:1-7.

We can teach the "whole gospel" without wrongly being judgemental. It should give us pause to know that we will be judged according to how we judge others.

WE easily forget that God lists "sowing discord among brothers" as an abomination to him. It is too easy to sow discord in the name of correcting error. Many of the "errors" we correct may be Romans 14 errors.
David D.

11:36 PM  
Blogger Charles said...

David D.,

That may be what he meant, he'll have to make that clear, though. He seemed pretty clear that he feels congregations should butt out of other congregations worship. And, as I said, if it is those simple worship practices, there's nothing to be corrected. But if we're talking about teaching and theology, there may be that need for correction.

We can teach the whole gospel without wrongly being judgmental. But the fact that you say "wrongly" implies that the category of "rightly judgmental" exists.

I agree with you that "It is too easy to sow discord in the name of correcting error." But that doesn't mean we shouldn't correct error when it's there. It simply means we need to be more discerning in what we consider error. Not everything is a Romans 14 thing.

Charles

2:36 AM  
Blogger cwinwc said...

Great post Brother and you are right, other group have the same problems. I have a friend that attends a large Baptist church in our area. When I heard their preacher had been fired I asked him "Why?"

He said "questionable websites" had been found on his work computer. Was it porn, no. The questionable websites included the "Willow Creek Website!"

Yes, there are other sick puppies out there besides us.

6:29 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Charles, I apologize. I should have started by saying that I was just wanting to show the other side to the coin; because I know the reality is that some disruptive church members have used the characterization "he preaches love not doctrine or against sin" in order to justify undermining ministries. My words came from that context of personal experience and knowledge, and were not against you or intended to be a characterization of you. I do agree with your original statement, but not with your critique of me. I also agree with your important distinction between discernment and condemnation. I've reexamined my statement and think it is sufficient for anyone to discern whether or not it raises a valid point for this discussion.

With brotherly love,
Bryan (aka dbb)
bryanbuttram.wordpress.com

8:55 AM  
Blogger Neva said...

We live in a judgemental world. Sitcoms are made up of gags at the expense of others. Being judgemental is just one of the areas in which the Church must not be like the world.
I do think some "judgement" is necessary. Reminders that we will be known by our fruits and that we should be aware of the wolves mixed into the flock, those who are not "of us", those statements seem to be saying that some judgement is required.
IMO, the standard of judgement is the issue.

Peace
Neva

10:55 AM  
Blogger J. A.S.H. said...

Grammer Nazi, huh? :) Did the grammer Nazi see that comment? That is ok, she admits to it so you should be off the hook!

1:53 PM  
Blogger Charles said...

Bryan,

Very classy of you. I've looked back at my comment and I was pretty defensive, and made some assumptions. My comment came from my experience as well. I was youth minister at a church where there was no standard for behavior and no teaching about sin at all. I guess it's true that none of us can approach anything objectively, eh?

Charles

9:00 PM  
Blogger Charles said...

I meant to say that at my church there was no standard for behavior and I was discouraged from implementing one, and was looked at oddly when I taught about sin.

9:02 PM  
Blogger David Dallas said...

Charles,

What things were the recepients of Jude being plagued with? Those who turned the grace of God into licentiousness and denied Christ. Grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts, speaking arrogantly, those who cause divisions, worldly mined, devoid of the Spirit

In the context of these problems which denied "the faith" they were to contend for the faith. Not to be contentious. Can you show that Jude was a member of one congregation and was telling another congregation their doctrinal error? I think not!
Preach what you believe to be the gospel to your congregation and to the lost and denying world but don't think your obligation is to straighten out all the imperfect doctrine in other churches. I am sure that There is plenty of teaching needed in your own congregation without trying to straighten out others.
How can one believe that each congregation is autonomous and then try to straighten out another or label their preacher as teaching false doctrine without going to him privately.
Perhaps that is not what you are saying but it sounds like that.
People are going to hell while we arrogantly battle each other instead of Satan. We shoot our wounded instead of healing them.
By the way how many salvation issues are there? My list is exceedingly short. [1. Christ born of a virgin, He is the son of God, He paid the price for our sins, He rose from the dead and sits at the right side of the father, He will come again to take the saved home with Him; 2. We must respond in obedient faith to this Gift and baptism by immersion is a part of this response; 3. We must present our body a living sacrifice which involves making disciples as well as being transformed

If we are transformed all the rest will follow! Transformation is a continuing process for us Sinners.

David D.

10:19 PM  
Blogger Keith Brenton said...

There are times and places and teachings to correct, and I don't presume to be an expert on all the correct combinations.

But I'm pretty well convinced that there's a way to correct that is effective and scriptural and often neglected:

Gently. As in Galatians 6:1. And 2 Timothy 2:25. And Hebrews 5:2.

I think this post is a stellar example of correcting gently, and it has taught me a deep truth by implication:

You love the grammar nazi. And she loves you.

You do not resent her correction. You prefer it; you ask for it; you want your work to be right before God and man - and she is able, willing and usually available to share that gift with you.

What you have taught me is humility.

And I am blessed.

10:28 PM  
Blogger preacherman said...

I agree with Keith.
It is with those scriptures in context it is done with love. Everything we do as Christians is done with the attitude of God and according to the letter of 1st John God is Love.

I agree with David Dallas as I mentioned I believe clearly in my post that we do not have authority in scripture to get into the affairs of what the leadership of other congregations are doing because we are autonomous of eachother. It doesn't matter if that leadership had made the wrong choice for the church or not.
We are to stay out.
The churches of Christ are non-denominational with their own leadership and are autonomous (Each Church of Christ is seperate and apart from each other). I thought you might like that last bit. :-)

11:14 PM  
Blogger preacherman said...

God is the ultimate judge!

11:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hope the finals went well, and i think your grammer is better than mine...but, that is not saying much.

1:04 AM  
Blogger Charles said...

I agree with David about the short list of salvation issues. I also agree with the implication of that statement: if it is a salvation issue, correct it (gently, privately if possible); otherwise, butt out. But your other implication is that there are no churches that are crossing the line on those salvation issues. I disagree with that.

I think it's pretty obvious that Jude was writing a congregation that he was not a part of, pointing out the apostates in their midst, and encouraging them to do something about it. Sounds the same to me. Also, Paul was not a member of the churches in Corinth, Ephesus, Thessolonica, or Philippi.

Please hear me when I say I'm not advocating intercongregational nitpicking. I have already said that when it comes to worship issues we have no right to involve ourselves in other congregations practices. But when it comes to real theological issues, perhaps a preacher who believes that all religions are equal, or that Jesus was just a man who became God at the beginning of his ministry, or that God wants all Christians to be rich, there may be some correction needed that won't be coming from the within that congregation.

Charles

3:02 AM  
Blogger Jasix said...

Hey thanks I shall continue posting! And I shall check out the stuff your posting too :)

10:12 AM  
Blogger jel said...

morning PM,

11:17 AM  
Blogger preacherman said...

Charles,
The difference is that Paul was an Apostle, chosen by God. Again, as I mention I am striving for loving the brothers as I believe I have been commanded by Jesus Christ. I just am tired of some Christians trying to having a more "holier than thou" attitude or "I am better than you" "we right and your wrong" without that attitude of love (ie: Dr. David Miller's book, "Richland Hills & Instrumental Music: A Plea To Reconsider.") I recieved the book in the mail yesterday. I read it and will may review it on a future post. I did feel that it was in an attitude elitism, instead of out of the spirit of godly love for Rick and the church.

jasix,
I am glad you came by and you are welcome join in on any discusion we might be having at the time. God bless.

Jel,.
Good afternoon.
I hope you have a great day!
:-)

2:52 PM  
Blogger Charles said...

pm,

Paul was an Apostle, as well as a prophet (not in the future-telling sense, but the truth-telling one), and he said that God chooses others to be prophets, which is what we're talking about.

I definitely agree with you about the "holier than thou" attitude that many adopt in these situations. And that may have been more the issue that you were trying to address. We should always be "teaching the truth in love."

5:05 PM  
Blogger preacherman said...

Charles I am start to think we are on the same page.

12:22 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Well, I don't want to stand in here and make deductions based on what I see and read.

Certainly that would be judgmental on my part.

So, I will say this as gently as I can... I believe that you mean grammar (not grammer) nazi.

Jimbo

12:44 AM  
Blogger preacherman said...

My wife just told me that, "Yes, I'll admit that I am a 'GrammarNazi,' but I am not so focused on grammar and spelling that I forget to take the content to heart. I know how to keep my eye on the ball."

9:46 AM  
Blogger David Heflin said...

Hey preacherman,

I am getting back into the blog world after a long layoff due to finals and term papers. Good blog here with lots of good points. A friend of mine would say that our judgmentalness is a result of our "theology of correctness." We believe that God's approval rests on us getting all the right answers. Obviously, such a theology would drive us to come up with all the right answers. In order, to protect this feeling of having it right you have to judge all the rest who different answers. Of course, as you say not every CofC is like this and many are changing. So, that is something to be thankful for.

5:41 PM  
Blogger TMM said...

Preacher man,

Do ell me what you think about what I wrote on Are we to judge?

Sidharth

11:13 AM  
Blogger TMM said...

The site link:
http://touching-world.blogspot.com/2007/10/are-we-to-judge.html

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