The Blog in Our Eyes (Part 3)
April 27th, 2007
(By Nathan Busenitz)
We had intended to conclude our series today, but it all got a bit too lengthy. So we’ll wait until Monday to finish it up. Today we will look at points 7 and 8, as we continue looking at how to blog in a way that honors the Lord.
The question we are seeking to answer is: What principles should guide Christians as they interact online?
7. Speak the Truth in Love
In Ephesians 4:15, Paul tells his readers to speak the truth in love. There are two important applications of this passage as it relates to Christian communication (both online and off). These are basic points from the verse, but they are equally important: First, we are to speak the truth. Second, we are to do so in a way that is characterized by love.
The context of Paul’s instruction centers around doctrinal issues (in v. 14), and is directly applicable to the edification of fellow believers (in v. 16). We are to speak the truth, then, in contrast to the falsehood of erroneous doctrine; and we are to do so in love, for the purpose of building up the body of Christ.
Speaking the truth addresses the content of what we say. We are to be those who guard, echo, and uphold the truth. That means there will also be times when we need to confront error, as we contend earnestly for the faith. As those who speak the truth, we will necessarily expose falsehood.
Speaking the truth in love addresses the way in which we speak. We must not be obnoxious with the truth, or personally offensive in how we approach others. Rather, we are called to communicate truth in such a way that the body of Christ is edified. Our words, especially when aimed at fellow believers, must be characterized by biblical love.
When we speak of love, we are not suggesting that we should ignore error or blindly tolerate “every wind of doctrine.” Not at all. Biblical love “does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Cor. 13:6). In fact, the writers of the NT reserved their harshest criticisms for those who would promote false doctrine (Matt. 23:13–26; Gal. 1:6–9; 2 Peter 2; 1 John 2:18–24; Jude). Biblical love demands that we protect fellow believers from what we know to be potential threats and dangerous trends (cf. Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 6:20; 2 Tim. 1:14; Titus 1:9–11; 2 Peter 3:17; 1 John 5:21).
Yet, at the same time, biblical love is also patient, kind, humble, selfless, and not-easily provoked (1 Cor. 13:4-5). It is a sincere love (1 Pet. 1:22; Rom. 12:9) that is characterized by the phrase: “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men” (Rom. 12:18). It exhibits the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23) and, when exemplified in the lives of godly people is not quick-tempered, self-willed, pugnacious, or needlessly quarrelsome (Titus 1:7; 2 Tim. 2:24–25). It is not soft on false doctrine or on false teachers; but it is soft with compassion and seasoned with grace in its dealings with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
We might add here that love is not easily angered (1 Cor. 13:5), recognizing that, as a general rule, the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God (James 1:20; cf. Eph. 4:26). As Solomon wrote, “He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly” (Prov. 14:29); and, “An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot tempered man abounds in transgression” (Prov. 29:22); and again, “Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools” (Eccl. 7:9; see also Prov. 14:17; 15:1; 16:32; 19:11, 19; 22:24; 29:11).
Biblical love is courageous and forthright when it needs to be. But it is also characterized by gentleness, patience, and kindness. It is this type of steadfast yet gracious love that we should pursue in our blogging efforts.
8. If in Doubt, Wait It Out
No matter your connection speed, the blogosphere moves at a lightning pace. The breakneck speed at which online interaction takes place means that blog discussions usually only last for one or maybe two days, and that last week’s conversation is today’s ancient history. If someone hopes to get a word in, he or she better do it now. Otherwise the discussion will be over.
This (in my opinion) is one of the biggest disadvantages of blogging. (In fact, it is part of the reason we frequently do extended series here on Pulpit, to at least try to give people a few days in which to think about the same topic.) For the most part, blogs (by their very nature) provide very little time for readers to stop and think, soak in what is happening, sleep on it, and then respond intelligently.
Yet, that is exactly what the better part of wisdom tells us we should do (cf. Prov. 25:8; 29:20). We need time to process if we are going to give a thoughtful response. In light of this, it is often wise to wait (at least a couple hours) before reacting with a critical word. It is better to be a little tardy to the conversation (or even not participate at all), than to say something that will later be regretted. If there is any question about the appropriateness of a given post or comment, then let it rest for awhile.
Another practical step in this regard is to ask someone else about it first (someone with some spiritual sense, of course). To quote from Proverbs again: “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel” (Prov. 12:15). If a trusted friend (perhaps a spouse, parent, or church leader) thinks your comment crosses the line, it probably does — meaning it’s better left unsaid.
To quote again from Solomon, “He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent” (Prov. 17:27-28). Or as Abraham Lincoln paraphrased: Better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.
If you’re not sure if something is appropriate, wait until you are sure before you post.
(To Be Concluded [for Real] on Monday)
“It is better to be a little tardy to the conversation (or even not participate at all), than to say something that will later be regretted. If there is any question about the appropriateness of a given post or comment, then let it rest for awhile.”
Amen to that. If we’d all do this, there’d be a lot less confusion, misunderstandings and posts/responses that began with “Let me clarify…”
Excellent and timely series on this and I appreciate it very much.
Thanks for doing this series, it’s been very convicting and edifying. Excellent work.
One of the links provided a few days ago regarding VT was to Al Mohler’s article on CNN. It was interesting to read through the comments (over 300 of them!).
Most of the people were unbelievers showing their disagreement with Mohler’s message (to put it lightly), while among them were a few people offering words of thanks. It didn’t take very long at all before some believers engaged some of the unbelievers through both presuppositional and evidentialist arguments trying to share the Truth with them.
It was very clear that the unbelievers didn’t care a hoot what anyone said and were sticking to their atheistic/pantheistic/whateveristic ways of thinking. Yet it was obvious that hours upon hours were spent by those involved in the discussion.
I came away from that thinking that blogging (or commenting on blogs) probably isn’t a good way to engage unbelievers in arguments over the truth–particularly because of the point Nate makes that the pace of blogging is too fast for thoughtful discussions. Any other thoughts on this?
Nate, great comments in number 7! Don’t you think there are more than a few hints of “pride” here?
There does seem to be an air about TMS that those “false teachers,” you named, are really all those that don’t exist in our immediate circle. Would you agree that a little dose of Number 8, taking a second to wait, read, think, and consider, might be a great way to deal with the dangers of Number 7.
Sometimes it seems that we shoot ourselves in the foot when correcting what we think are “false teachers,” when they are really sound-Brothers.
tmser
Your advice is very sound.
I feel sure that many who write in forum posts feel that as soon as they smell a ‘wolf’, they should give no quarter - for isn’t that how you deal with a wolf?
The tone of comment in some posts can be decidedly unchristian. Those who feel they must act to protect the ‘flock’ by engaging in personal slurs and inuendo are really behaving like wolves themselves.
When it comes to doctrine, let us realize that this is not the age of the apostles. People have come to different interpretations about what they wrote. So let us keep the debates friendly, respectful and loving shall we?
Norman McIlwain