Name Calling

Is it right to call out someone by name when we disagree with their theology?

I believe, many times, it isn’t and here’s why.  

Much of the name calling being carried out today is available to the wrong audience – those outside the body of Christ. YouTube videos, Internet blog posts and web sites are all accessible by people who can be turned off by the finger pointing and name calling. This stains the body of Christ. It acts as a point of criticism that others use to bolster their belief that what we practice is wrong.

Jesus, when discussing kingdom business, did it in a way that kept it from outsiders. His preferred method was to use parables in public and, then, explain it to his disciples in private.  

When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables

Mark 4:10-11

He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

Mark 4:34

The secrets of the kingdom belong to the members of the kingdom. This includes any problems that might be present. Paul, the apostle, reinforces this idea:

But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!

1 Corinthians 6:6

When Paul addressed lawsuits among the Corinthian believers, he mentioned that these disagreements played out in front of people who did not share their faith. This can become a stumbling block. In short, we are not to conduct kingdom business in front of unbelievers. It’s none of their business.

Does this mean that we can’t confront wrong? Not at all. We can, with the proper attitude, address things we see as inaccurate or incorrect, without mentioning names. (As I’m doing now.)  If we do need to address a problem, when possible, we should do it privately.

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.

Matthew 18:15

I will admit, the above verse references a situation between two people, but the idea applies broadly – we should strive to keep things confidential. Of course, when something has become an issue in the body of Christ there is a time and a way to step in. Here’s an example from John’s third letter:

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.

3 John 1:9-10

Here, John mentions the problem in a letter to another elder. This is not meant for a larger audience, such as First John or Galatians. Instead, it’s a private letter between leaders in the church. John then says he will deal with the problem when he comes. He doesn’t broadcast his plan on a street corner or in the temple, he limits who knows by being discreet and explaining how he will handle it to another leader. In fact, most of the time in the New Testament, when people are called out by name, it’s done in letters between leaders in the body of Christ. Here are some examples:

You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

2 Timothy 1:15

Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

1 Timothy 1:20

Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

2 Timothy 2:17

Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.

2 Timothy 4:9-10

We need to practice greater grace. Let’s not be too quick or too loud when we believe someone has errant theology. Our first response should be prayer, soaked with mercy. Yes, wrong theology can poison others, but handling wrong theology in a wrong way can be a deadlier poison.

Copyright © 2021 Curtis A. Guyer All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

*All scripture quotes, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Biblica®, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.