On Calling Names
Today I learned of another kind of Gospel preacher. I have heard them called hobby-riders, mealy-mouth, factionists and many other unremembered names but today I have added to my vocabulary some new ones by one who condemns the name calling habit. Brother Tillit S. Teddlie of Sulphur Springs in his article, "They Beat Me To It" attributes his failure to convert the Sects to the fact that some untrained, uncultured, know-it-all preacher had skinned, ridiculed, brow beat and driven away from the truth those of the Sects that are brave enough to come to the Lord's service.
Seems to me there should be scriptural denunciation of this "name calling" if it is uncouth and undignified. I do not care to enter into a controversial matter that is not governed by the scriptures. The Bible either condemns the practice or else it does not. It may be a matter of wisdom but none can determine that fact save the preacher who is doing the preaching.
I wonder if my brother would call John the baptizer, UNTRAINED, UNCULTURED AND A KNOW-IT-ALL PREACHER? If not, why not? In the third chapter of Matthew he addressed that group of people as "GENERATIONS OF VIPERS!" This class of people merited this name. I want to know if Brother Teddlie would call John the names he calls other preachers for this? Do you doubt that God was pleased with his actions and the manner he addressed the people? Please note carefully that this name calling took place in a public assembly.
One of the greatest discourses in the entire Bible is found in Matthew 23 where Jesus is addressing a group of people who have rejected the truth. He called them hypocrites, blind leaders of the people, fools and promised them the damnation of hell for their actions. Was Jesus untrained, uncultured, and a know-it-all preacher? This is the type of preaching that laid the foundation for the New Testament church on the day of Pentecost.
On the day of Pentecost Peter stood and said to those people, "YOU HAVE TAKEN AND CRUCIFIED AND SLAIN HIM," speaking of the Lord. Was he uncouth or untrained and a know-it-all for pointing their error?
I hope you have noticed that in each instance mentioned that the name calling was truthful. John called the people generations of vipers because they merited that name. Jesus called the people hypocrites, blind leaders, fools and invited the damnation of hell against them because they deserved it and Peter simply related the facts to those at Pentecost.
One of the great difficulties in the church today is that the preachers will not follow the New Testament standard in regards to this one thing. I do not only think it is right to call names, I believe it is sinful not to call them. Our preachers are interested in numbers in place of conversions when they refuse to expose their error.
I fail to see why one who is a Baptist is offended if called by the name he wears. I fail to see the wisdom in not pointing out the error in his doctrine and associating it with the group to which he belongs. My name is Kelley. You can never make me angry by calling me that name. I am a member of the Lord's church. It will never offend me if you call me a Christian.
Paul said "AND HAVE NOT FELLOWSHIP WITH THE UNFRUITFUL WORKS OF DARKNESS BUT RATHER REPROVE THEM." (Eph. 5:11.) I fail to see how I can reprove them without calling their names.
I think the church needs to come to the place that it appreciates the denominational churches as it should. The Lord said that the word which is the seed, when sown in the honest heart will bring forth a yield. I firmly believe the denominational churches are composed of two classes of people: (1) the honest who are seeking the truth and who will appreciate the association of their error with their manner of worship, and (2) the dishonest who are opposed to pointing out error.
I have the greatest regard for the preacher who will point out the error of the Sects in love but with enough firmness in it to make it stick.
I may not be as successful as the other preachers in meeting work but I will never blame it on those who chase the dishonest away from the Lord's house.