Teaching Truth and Confronting Error

Teaching Truth and Confronting Error

(Steve Matson)

This weekend, the movie The Shack is being released and a controversy that was debated 10 years ago is once again a hot topic of discussion.  There are Christians that love The Shack and there are those who have accused it of teaching heresy. I plan to wade into this debate in the sermon on March 12^th.  For now, I simply want to raise the importance of engaging in such a debate by noting the importance of truth and a pastor’s role in defending and advancing truth within a local church.

The church has always needed to guard against false teaching and false teachers, and one of the roles that I have as a pastor is to confront theological error.  This is a significant calling and responsibility as our faith is built on and advances on a correct understanding of the truth. When a pastor refuses to correct error he minimizes the importance of truth, may confuse the members of the church, and puts at jeopardy the testimony of the church. But sometimes when a pastor confronts error he is accused of being divisive or focusing on things that are not that important.  But, I believe that those who make such accusations fail to understand why pastors must confront error regardless of public opinion. John Calvin once said, “A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God’s truth is attacked and yet would remain silent.” Defending truth and confronting error has long been understood to be a primary responsibility of a pastor. Here are three reasons why pastors must confront error.

1- Confronting error is biblical.

Pastors are to instruct in sound doctrine and to confront error.

hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:9 ESV)

The Bible is clear that it is the job of the pastor to protect his congregation from error by confronting error when it appears.

2- Confronting error offers protection to church members.

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. (Acts 20:28-30 ESV)

3- Confronting error provides an opportunity to teach true doctrine.

When error is confronted, the pastor then also has the opportunity to teach truth. The reason so many people are led astray is because of a lack of doctrinal teaching. Refusing to confront error promotes doctrinal ignorance.  Addressing error is also a pursuit of a better and clearer understanding of the truth.

Closing Thoughts

Doctrinal error is dangerous. In fact, more than just dangerous, it can be contagious. It must be dealt with. When a pastor is truly committed to the truth of God’s Word, he will be willing to confront error.