Ignorance disguised as certainty

Every church has one of these, but not for too long. They leave.

I recently had the unpleasant experience of trying to reason with a person who was behaving in ways similar to another individual, in a different congregation, a few years ago. They share these things in common. Both are self-published authors. Both strongly dislike the 16th Century theologian John Calvin (they believe he is a false teacher), although neither of them have read anything he wrote. Both now avoid attachment to any local church. Both get most of their information from the internet. Both see any disagreement with their beliefs as divisive, no matter how disagreement is expressed or presented. And, as well, they both cite Titus 3:10 for support when they cut off all communication with anyone who disagrees with them.

Their attitudes have nothing to do with formal education. They just prefer to be self-taught but both lack discernment in the content they choose to believe.

They are frustrating to speak to, or to exchange email or letters with, because they are solidly of the “my mind is made up so do not confuse me with facts” cohort.

The problem is that they try to disguise their ignorance as certainty.

They are unable to see the damage they cause to the gospel of Jesus Christ because of their intransigence. Much of what they so fervently believe is open to theological discussion and debate. When they remove themselves from a local church they also isolate their beliefs and behavior from the mutual accountability which must exist in any church, for its corporate wellbeing and for the spiritual health and growth of its individual members.

The tragedy is that they do not stay around long enough to be taught because they have become unteachable. What they call ministry is always on their terms and with their content.

Your church may have one of them. But they will soon leave. Just disagree with them.