I was about to post a video that used satire to highlight some flaws in contemporary preaching, but something stopped me. While the video made some great points, I began to think about the hubris it takes for me to scoff at God’s ministers. Who am I to pass judgment on another congregation’s shepherd?
At the same time, some types of modern preaching clearly exchange the Gospel for something else. My default response is to mock and scoff, while giving little though to the real spiritual peril they in which they stand. I have not prayed for these guys or their people, but I am too glad to make fun of their sins.
What do you think?
How should we respond to errors in other pulpits? What principles should guide our criticism of other pastors?
{ 10 comments }
When the Word of God is being distorted badly (major issues, not minor interpretive matters) or hindered (like the video I saw the other day of a preacher who said the Holy Spirit told him to kick a woman in her face – and did it!) then I don’t have any problem using them as examples.
We should always give people the benefit of the doubt when there is a question about what they are saying (unless repeated offenses show its not mis-speaking) and make sure we hear them in context. Give them a fair hearing in other words.
Mocking them? The video you linked to may go a little too far. Humor is our society’s way of making a point and I think they may have been better off to choose a different method.
Public errors and false teaching needs to be responded to publicly. When a preacher puts forth their teaching publically in books, audio, or mp3s they must be dealt with publically because of the effect false teaching.
Glen Leathermans last blog post..The Church vs. the World
A person should never, ever mock a preacher of God’s word… The question is: What makes a man (or woman) a preacher? First of all, a woman is not a preacher because she doesn’t fit the qualifications… Though I am not saying we should go mock all the women who feel they are preachers…
We should never mock a man who is a faithful preacher… Just because someone has theological disagreements doesn’t mean they can mock a preacher and say he isn’t ‘faithful’ because of his theological error. All to often I here good, faithful preachers like Rick Warren mocked and it is sin.
Who should we mock? We should ‘mock’ ear ticklers, peddler’s of God’s word, and everyone who preaches a false gospel. I do not like the word mock, I like the words ‘expose humorously.’ Men like Tony Jones, Brian McLaren, and Doug Pagitt deserve strong ridicule, maybe even mockery
…
We must always remember to respond to error with grace. Yet, we must distinguish when we are responding to a brother who we believe is in error and a wolf. Case and point: Rick Warren=brother- Doug Pagitt= Wolf…
The two should be responded to differently!
Matt Svobodas last blog post..Business leadership in the church – part 2
Mocking? No! But mourning? . . . . The You Tube seemed staged, but if not . . .
I don’t think they are mocking a preacher but a message. The preacher in the clip is clearly an actor. What we are viewing isn’t a real service. (as far as I can tell)
@Bill: Yes, I agree..
It was definitely a skit, but what made it funny was all the real pastors being characterized.
Tony,
Your humility and hesitation in this post is exemplary. Thanks for being an example for us.
Bradley
Bradley Cochrans last blog post..:::Love Beyond Diversity__:::__Audio
Mocking is not ok. Correction and discussion about what we believe is wrong with their viewpoint is fine and good but mocking of anyone is never a good thing, and something I consider sinful. I always think of all those who mocked Jesus and cringe.
Merry Christmas!
Sallie
Sallies last blog post..I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day
Does everyone agree on what ‘mockery’ is? I’m not quite sure. The video is a spoof of the real behavior of some preachers, but is it mockery?
And is this proverb relevant: “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes” (Pro 26:4-5).
The mockery of Jesus stemmed from hate, and turned valid truth (he was King) into ridiculous taunts (crown of thorns, purple robe, the sign on the cross). Mockery of Jesus took truth and made it the subject of ridicule; the video attempts to take distortions of truth and hold them them up in comparison to truth.
Scripture also records people using sarcasm (Elijah on Mount Carmel: ‘maybe your god is asleep, or using the bathroom!”; Jesus to Nicodemus: ‘are you are teacher of the law and don’t understand these things?’), but if our ‘mockery’ is more along the lines of schoolyard bullies taunting the geeks and nerds, it is probably improper.
As someone has said, the task of the preacher is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Preachers, themselves, can get way too comfortable, and sometimes the only thing sharp enough to cut through the comfort is a bit of mockery.
Rob Faircloths last blog post..Poor Exposition Kills Christmas
You will never win a false preacher to Christ, if you mock him,
”Fools make a mockery of sin.”
Dr. Paul W. Foltz
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