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Beware The Extremist (Commentary by Dave Lytle Follows) Beware The Extremist An Article from November 1963 by Barney Keith A very versatile word in the English language is “extremist.” Much like “legalist,” “radical,” and “hobbyist,” it can be called into play whenever desired. It would seem that ANY MAN could be called an extremist — it just depends on who is doing the calling and where he stands at the time. A sure way to prejudice unthinking people against a certain viewpoint or matter of doctrine is to charge, “That is an EXTREME view!” An effective tool for poisoning people against a preacher is to claim, “You know, he is an EXTREMIST!” Immediately the dull-witted close their ears to what he says. They make no effort to investigate the Word of God to determine whether it is the truth. All of us need studious minds, desire for truth, willingness to study for ourselves, and fairmindedness in considering any matter. Above all we need respect for God’s Book! STRANGE BUT OFTEN TRUE Some very significant factors enter into this matter of irresponsible use of words, “He is just an extremist.” (1) Somehow it is ALWAYS the other fellow who is extreme – NEVER the speaker. (2) Frequently it is used by very “pious” men as a weapon to destroy another – as a prejudicial epithet. (3) Often the speaker may not be overly-concerned with the basic question of right and wrong. Yet it is better to be extremely right by following the truth than to be extremely wrong by rejecting it. (4) It may sometimes just be a self-protective device used by a person who is mortally afraid that HE may be identified with the extremists. Perish the thought! So, in accusing the other brother of extremism he implies – for his own safety – “I certainly am not like that. I am no extremist.” NOT NECESSARILY SO No one doubts that a man CAN be an extremist, but there are definitely some things that are NOT to be considered as marks of an extremist. If they are, the Bible is full of extremists (including God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the apostles, the prophets, etc.). Let us observe that: (1) One is not an extremist because he insists on divine authority from Christ for teaching and practice. The Holy Spirit requires this. (Col. 3:17; Heb 8:5.) (2) One is not an extremist because he rejects human traditionalism in religion – even though it may be “common practice of the brethren.” Jesus denounced such. (Matt.15:6-9.) (3) One is not an extremist because he refuses to encourage false teaching and teachers in any way. (2 John 9-11.) Fellowship with God is at stake here. (4) One is not an extremist because he publicly challenges men to give authority for their practices. Jesus did. (Matt. 21:24-27.) (5) One is not an extremist because he is willing to meet another in public encounter (that is, before an audience) and challenge a brother for his departure from the truth. Paul did so. (Gal. 2:11-14; Acts 15:1, 2.) (6) One is not an extremist because he calls the names of men who teach the churches error and cause digression. Paul sets the example for this. (2 Tim. 1:15; 2:15-18.) (7) One is not an extremist because he presses the truth with vigorous contention for the faith. The apostles did and we are instructed to do so. (Jude 3; 1 Thess. 2:1,2.) (8) One is not an extremist because he refuses to back away from the thick of a fight for truth. Paul says God has not given us “the spirit of fear” (cowardice). (2 Tim. 1:7, 8.) A gospel preacher should be ashamed to be a coward. (9) One is not an extremist because he teaches faithful Christians to mark and avoid brethren who teach contrary to apostolic doctrine. This is demanded. (Rom. 16:17, 18.) (10) One is not an extremist simply because his teaching causes division. Jesus’ sword – the word of God – does some disturbing and dividing. (Matt 10:34-36.) Certainly not all division is laudable. Some of it is deplorable and sinful. It is always sinful to divide people by the preaching of error. On the other hand, division brought about by the proclamation of TRUTH – division that results when some men take their stand upon a “thus-saith-the-Lord” and others rally to their human traditions – is to be expected. It was so in New Testament days. It is true today. Men are OBLIGATED to teach the truth. And men are OBLIGATED to separate themselves from error. (Rom. 16:17, 18; 2 Cor. 6:14-18.) THE REAL CONCERN The real concern of every Christian should be to determine TRUTH. If one searches the Scriptures (Acts 17:11) and learns that a thing is taught of God, this truth is EXTREMELY right, and he must believe it, regardless of what others may say or do. To refuse to believe it simply because others may consider it to be extreme is to dishonor the Author of truth. When problems arise and when questions are raised about any matter, our interest must lie in the Word of God as an infallible, all-sufficient standard of correct faith and practice. As was stated before: IT IS BETTER TO BE EXTREMELY RIGHT BY FOLLOWING THE TRUTH THAN TO BE EXTREMELY WRONG BY REJECTING IT.
Barney Keith ________________________ Some Additional Comments on the Above Article by Dave Lytle (modified 10/29/02) THE CONTEXT OF THE ARTICLE Brother Keith, at the time of the writing of the above article, was deeply involved in contending for the truth concerning the Scriptural pattern for local church cooperation and the use of human institutions to do the work of the local churches. Men like Barney Keith were searching their Bibles for God’s revealed pattern on how to do the work of the church, and they were finding that past practices were not always done by God’s authority and with God’s approval (Col 3:17). What did this mean? Well, changes needed to be made. Practices needed to be amended in order to be consistent with the Word of God. What ultimately happened? A minority of good hearts studied their Bibles and chose to follow God. The vast majority followed their past traditions over the truth, allowing prejudicial emotional pleas to carry the argument, rather than simply walking by faith (2 Cor 5:17; Rom 10:17). Brother Keith wrote the above article to deal with accusations which proclaimed that those who refused to bow to the machinery of “institutionalism” were simply extremists, radicals and legalists that needed to be ignored at all costs. In fact, most of those who went off into error would not even open up their minds long enough to study the issue (it was easier to throw around derogatory names, prejudice listeners, and avoid discussion of the matter at all costs). No need to study - their minds were made up from the beginning. DO WE SEE THE SAME ATTITUDE TODAY? Sadly, I believe that we do. I have observed a disposition that brethren exhibit that exudes fear whenever someone challenges a current practice or majority interpretation. Please don’t misunderstand, I am not saying that brethren should change every time some wild theory is paraded around as “truth” (Eph 4:14). I am saying that before I can judge someone’s teaching as a “wild theory,” I do need to thoughtfully examine such a teaching with an open mind and an open Bible. If I find such to conflict with the revelation of God, then I reject it and try to gently instruct in the better way (Acts 18:26). Consider the “creation controversy” that went on a couple of years ago at a college that is popular with brethren. I believe that one of the instructors at the college (no longer there today) believed and taught dangerous error on the topic of creation and Genesis 1-2. Do I believe such because some brethren wrote an open letter condemning the teaching? No. I believed this brother was in error because I took the time to research his published material on the matter and study what he himself has said in his own words, and weighed them against God’s truth. If he was right, I would have needed to change my understanding of the creation. As it turns out, from the Bible he can easily be shown to be wrong, and so I must reject his teaching and warn others when I have the opportunity (Rom 16:17-18; Eph 5:11). I ask this question: If you judge this professor’s teaching as error, do you do so because you have personally examined the arguments? Or do you do so because others have told you to do so? There is a major difference. APPLICATION TIME: THE “MENTAL DIVORCE” CONTROVERSY A while back I prepared some study materials that show the fallacy of the “mental divorce” position and also exposed the arguments of those who would try to fellowship those who hold and teach this view. I have not always believed the truth on this issue, but I had to change (repent) when my study of this topic led me to no other conclusion (that the “mental divorce” doctrine, if practiced, will lead to the commission of adultery). After continuing to read much on this topic, I am even more convinced that the proponents of this error are false teaching, and that those running interference for those in error have a hand in the propagation of the error. After my in-depth Bible study on the matter, I had no choice but to change. Because of this, many would consider me and those who believe the same to be EXTREME. I have yet to hear anyone refute the arguments (and I have earnestly sought out instruction from those that disagree with me). Yet, very few that I have discussed this matter with choose to change. Why is this? Is it easier just to levy the charge of extremism, close the mind, and move along to topics that we all can agree upon? I believe many have let the spirit condemned in brother Keith’s article permeate their attitude toward the truth. It is easier to label the one who is seeking to be consistent in all things as an “EXTREMIST,” than to get up off the couch, turn off the TV, and open a Bible. It is easier to brand the one that vigorously contends for what he believes to be the revealed faith an “EXTREMIST,” than to take a few hours away from our comfortable lives and engage in a deep study of the topic. It is easier to go to the book shelf and believe the words of our favorite commentator, than to take the text of the Word of God at face-value. WHAT IS THE ANSWER? I perceive that brethren are growing lazy in their study habits, most likely caused by the slow strangling of the worries and riches and pleasures of this life (Luke 8:14). In order to combat this, all of us need to make sure that we are diligently growing in the knowledge and application of God’s Word, earnestly desiring to separate truth from error (Eph 4:14; 1 Thes 5:21), God’s ways from man’s ways (Is 55:8-9), and divine revelation from man’s traditions (Mk 7:6-9). Pray for wisdom (Jas 1:5). Don’t let anyone prejudice your thinking and make up your mind for you. Zealously avoid partyism and cliques. STUDY all Bible topics yourself; examine the Scriptures daily in order to understand the truth that sets us free (Acts 17:11; John 8:32). Never brand someone as a “Liberal” or an “Extremist” until you have clearly taken the time to study the arguments. If you have not done so yourself, you are simply following after the practices of those exposed in brother Keith’s article, allowing yourself to be led without opening your eyes to see where you are going (Mt 15:14). |
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