False doctrine is not the subject of Matthew 18 but something else entirely, and, therefore, does not come under the instructions Christ gives in that passage. False doctrine is never a private matter and is always to be dealt with publicly. In fact, much of the New Testament was written to publicly correct false teaching ... Paul withstood Peter to his face publicly for his false interpretation of the law that caused him not to associate with Gentile believers (Gal. 2:11-14). In a day of mass media, particularly when denied access to so-called Christian television and radio, the only method of public correction of false teaching is to write books and to speak publicly, in order to call the attention of the Body to errors that affect the whole Body.... Furthermore, what teachers say in books and on television, etc., is part of a public domain, subject to review, analysis, and critique of any kind. Anyone who makes public declarations intended to influence large audiences through books, radio, television, etc., ought to know that he is responsible for what he says and will be held accountable. No one need ask anyone for permission to critique anything that has been espoused in a public forum. It is not necessary to first talk with a writer or speaker in order to be accurate and fair in critiquing him....If members of the Body have erred, then if we love them, we will correct them.
--Dave Hunt (Newsletter, February 1986)
Amen!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Glenn. Very encouraging.
ReplyDeleteSomeone I used to minister with has, in recent years, embraced the false teaching that God accepts homosexuality in "committed" relationships. When I wrote a corrective comment on his blog, he accused me of violating Matthew 18. I wish I'd had this quote back when he made that accusation.