Bulletin Articles
“DON’T WASTE TIME STUDYING WHAT’S WRONG”
“DON’T WASTE TIME STUDYING WHAT’S WRONG”
For many years, I have heard some brethren say, “Don’t waste time studying what’s wrong” (i.e., religious error). Those who say this will usually try to present their case as if it were an “either/or” proposition. In other words, we must either study what is right or what is wrong – and they clearly prefer to avoid “studying what’s wrong!” It never occurs to them that you can do BOTH. Nor does it occur to them that by criticizing those who “study what’s wrong,” they are, in fact, “studying what’s wrong” with those who “study what’s wrong” (cf. Mt.7:1-5).
When you actually try to understand what such brethren are saying, it becomes very clear that they have a specific subject in mind. You see, they don’t mind “studying what’s wrong” with immorality. They can wax eloquent about things like “what’s wrong” with drinking, drugs, divorce, fornication, homosexuality, and gay marriage. They can talk all day about what’s wrong with “faith only” or “once saved, always saved” (just as long as you don’t tie it to a specific church). But when you get right down to what they really mean, it is very clear that they mean that we shouldn’t be “studying what’s wrong” with OTHER RELIGIONS – that is what really sticks in their craw!
If we accept their premise that we “don’t waste time studying what’s wrong,” then we will have to eliminate much of the Bible. For instance, Isaiah waxed eloquent “studying what’s wrong” with paganism: “The craftsman stretches out his rule, he marks one out with chalk; he fashions it with a plane, he marks it out with the compass, and makes it like the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man, that it may remain in the house. He cuts down cedars for himself, and takes the cypress and the oak; he secures it for himself among the trees of the forest. He plants a pine, and the rain nourishes it. Then it shall be for a man to burn, for he will take some of it and warm himself; yes, he kindles it and bakes bread; indeed, he makes a god and worships it; he makes it a carved image, and falls down to it. He burns half of it in the fire; with this half he eats meat; he roasts a roast, and is satisfied. He even warms himself and says, ‘Ah! I am warm, I have seen the fire.’ And the rest of it he makes into a god, his carved image. He falls down before it and worships it, prays to it and says, ‘Deliver me, for you are my god!’” (Isa.44:13-17) That is a brutally honest way of “studying what’s wrong” with pagan religions! And such teaching permeates much of the Old Testament.
Even in the New Testament, we see that Jesus was often involved in “studying what’s wrong” with the various Jewish denominations of His day: “Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore, whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, “Rabbi, Rabbi.”’” (Mt.23:1-7) Indeed, if you read the rest of the chapter, you’ll see a blistering sermon “studying what’s wrong” with the scribes and Pharisees! Jesus could also be found “studying what’s wrong” with the Sadducees from time to time (cf. Mt.22:23-33). And Paul “studied what’s wrong” with paganism (Ac.17:22-31). Revealing, isn’t it?
As I conclude this article, I would make an appeal for BALANCE. I do not think brethren are well-served by a constant diet negativity (studying what’s wrong). Nor do I think brethren are well-served by a constant diet of positivity. The truth is, it takes both positive and negative teaching to please God: “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2Tm.4:2). “Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you” (Tit.2:15). “How much” positive and “how much” negative should be determined by the specific needs of the hearers.
--Lanny Smith
