This I Believe
I believe the greatest responsibility that can rest upon a man is that involved in the preaching of the gospel of Christ. Preachers of the gospel are dealing with the souls of men. We therefore, must preach the whole truth for it is this truth that makes men free. (Jno. 8:32)
I believe a preacher can be condemned for what he DOES NOT PREACH as well as for preaching a false doctrine. Paul said he was free from the blood of all men because he had not shunned to declare THE WHOLE COUNSEL of God. (Acts 20:26,27)
I believe there is a very dangerous attitude on the part of some preachers who profess to be sound and conservative on the issues and problems that have (and are) dividing the church. I have heard this attitude expressed like this, "Of course I am opposed to liberalism, institutionalism, church sponsored recreation, and the social gospel, but I do not preach against these things from the pulpit. Preaching against such things from the pulpit is not the way to build a church. I teach against these things privately."
I believe this is not only a dangerous attitude, but a very inconsistent one. It is dangerous because holding back the truth on any subject will weaken the church. It is dangerous because no church will ever be stronger than it's pulpit. It is dangerous because it smacks of the desire to build in numbers without regard for a converted membership. It is also very inconsistent for a man to claim he teaches certain truths privately but refuses to teach these truths publicly. I believe he is just kidding himself and trying to fool others by saying he teaches "on the issues privately." I believe you could put all the truth he teaches on the issues privately in a chigger's eye and have room left.
I believe the reason so many churches have been swept into digression is because preachers have failed to "declare the whole counsel of God" on every subject that can affect the peace and harmony of the church.
I believe there is something bad wrong with any preacher who has the attitude that the preaching of any truth on any subject will "tear up the church." The church is established by the preaching of truth and is maintained by the preaching of "the whole counsel of God." No, the preaching of all truth on every subject will not "tear up" the church. It may "tear up" your little play-house.
— 6801 N. 60th Ave., Glendale, Arizona