Could someone please tell me why it is that when presenting or defending the gospel of Christ we are labeled as: condemning, unloving, negative, blind with a judgmental attitude, and on and on...? Are we ever to judge, and is there a difference between judging and condemning according to the Bible?

-- Anonymous, October 01, 1999

Answers

Response to This Judgemental Attitude We Have...

Because people don't want to hear anything that makes them uncomfortable. The average *Christian* is Biblically unlearned and he is usually satisfied to let the preacher or the elders learn for him, and then tell him what to believe. We are not judging when we let the scriptures do the judging.

-- Anonymous, October 01, 1999

It could be the harsh rhetoric we use and our quickness to call anyone who does not believe like us "non Christians," "Heretics," "False Teachers"

-- Anonymous, October 02, 1999

I agree with what you say here.

-- Anonymous, October 02, 1999

does not the Bible say that judgment begins in the house of the Lord? as well as the many warnings against false teaching and being decieved by doctrines of man. the word does the judging we simply point out the truth. the truth will always create a division with lies. we need to be careful not ot be right to a fault. Our objective should be to teach and restore, not to be divisive.

-- Anonymous, October 06, 1999

I must agree with Bob Best, when he reminds us that judgement begins in the house of the Lord! Isn't it wonderful to know that we do not have the duty of judging people? The judging of men is reserved solely for God Himself, and that should be seen as a positive thing for us. We cannot look at someone and say yes, he or she is going to heaven, then look at someone else and say, yes, he or she is going to hell. Only God can see the heart. All we can do is study the Bible and do what we learn it says to do, and encourage others to do the same.

-- Anonymous, October 12, 1999

Is it possible that in our efforts to encourage people to be biblically correct (in our interpretation), that our words do not show love or even respect to a person, and that they tune us out before we get to the good news that God loved them enough to die and to forgive? Could it be possible that some even get the idea that we are not willing to forgive what God is willing to forgive? More frightening, could they be right?

Of course, it is loving (in the long run) to point out faults. It is the way to "win your brother." But do we take time to forge a brotherly relationship, thus earning the privilege to be heard? And do we expect or invite our brothers (and sisters) to exercise the same critiquing toward us? Are we really listening when they do, or are we busy preparing our response? Are we approaching people about splinters, sporting beams in our own eyes?

You know, if I'm honest I have to admit acting with impure motives (pride, self-righteousness, etc.) rather than really loving someone else, at times. But maybe you are all more mature than I am and have gotten past these questions.

-- Anonymous, October 17, 1999

I remember a professor who said that if we evaluate something on the basis of scripture (i.e. - You shall not steal, so you pronounce a thief guilty of sin, etc.) it's not judging, it's spiritual arithmetic!

-- Anonymous, October 24, 1999

Mr. Wingate,

I agree with you. Why is it do you think, that when one sees from the word of God...You shall not steal, and then pronounces a thief guilty of sin...the person doing the pronouncing is still called judgmental, unloving, harsh and such?

-- Anonymous, October 25, 1999

Does this fall in the category of "hate the sin and not the sinner"? I suppose one pronouncing the sin may appear to be judgemental, unloving and harsh toward the sinner when actually it is the sin itself being judged?

-- Anonymous, November 15, 1999