If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? Psalm 11:3
A Clearview Baptist Church Publication
...where the word of God comes into clear view...
by Louis A. Turk, B.A, M.Div., Ph.D.
One characteristic of dishonest advocates of Critical-Text-based Bible translations on foreign mission fields—that is, those who seek their support from pro-King-James Bible churches—is that they slander their opponents. Knowing that they can't win in a public discussion of the corrupt translations they are using, they attempt to distract from the Bible issue, and to silence the advocates of Textus-Receptus-based translations by falsely accusing them of some alleged sin so as to cause them to lose support. Such false accusations are generally made in private so that there are no witnesses to what is said. In this present evil age false accusations and slander have been developed into an extremely effective science and art form by the wicked politicians in both civil government and religion. The Bible warns us to “turn away” from such people.
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be ... false accusers ... having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Tim. 3:1-5)
Since false accusations and slanders can so easily and effectively destroy the testimony of godly Christians, the Bible warns older women to be “not false accusers” (Titus 2:3). Even more seriously, the Bible warns us not to appoint false accusers or slanderers to leadership positions in our churches, where they could do extreme damage to the cause of Christ. One of the qualifications for deacons is that their wives be “not slanderers” (1 Tim. 3:11), so obviously the deacon himself may not be a false accuser or slanderer either. And since the qualifications for pastors are even higher than the qualifications for deacons, a false accusing slanderer disqualifies himself from holding the office of pastor also, and we should “turn away” from such a person. The qualifications for a missionary are exactly the same as for a pastor, so the same conclusion applies to missionaries.
False accusations and slander can destroy a man of God financially, and thus also destroy his ability to effectively win the lost to Christ, thus causing many souls to end up in Hell. Therefore the Bible warns, “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others may fear” (1 Tim. 5:19-20). Note that these verses do not command us not to receive an accusation against an elder under any conditions, but rather we are forbidden to receive such an accusation in private, that is, when there are less than two or three other people present as witnesses to what is said. People who violate this rule—by receiving the accusation in private (thus partisipating in gossip)—are to be publicly rebuked so that others may fear. In other words, if someone accuses a pastor or missionary of committing a sin—especially a sin which if true would disqualify him from continuing to hold his office—, then two or three other brethren are to be called in to hear the accusation, and the proper procedure must be begun to determine if the accusation is true. It is not wrong to accuse an elder of a grave sin (such as sodomy, adultery, murder, thieft, extortion, etc.) which he has truely committed. If the accusation is true, then the elder must be held accountable—and the accuser should be thanked, not punished. But if the accusation is not true, then the Bible clearly tells us what must be done, as this article will show.
Destroying pastors and missionaries and ordinary church members with false accusations and slander is so easy and common today only because Bible guidelines are either not known or are being ignored. This violation of God's rules is preventing independent Baptists from effectively evangelizing the world. It encourages wicked men to enter the ministry and do great damage to the cause of Christ, because it allows their wickedness to remain hidden, and therefore highly profitable. But it discourages good men from surrendering to God's call to minister both at home and abroad by allowing them to be slandered and thereby defunded. Seeing such injustice also discourages people who work hard so that they can tithe and give to missions. It is scandalous, and mars our witness for Christ to this lost and dying world.
The more pastors and churches there are who know and obey the Bible guidelines when someone is accused of a sin, the harder it will be for justice to be trampled under foot. False accusers will then be brought to great shame, and will fear to ever make false accusations again. Most importantly, the good name of those falsely accused will be cleared so that they can continue to effectively minister.
So what are the Bible rules?
Below are God's rules as plainly stated in God's word. We ignore these rules at our peril, as we will someday have to give account at the Judgment Seat of Christ. You yourself may someday be falsely accused, and then you will want God's rules to be followed so that you yourself are not unjustly punished. Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise” (Luke 6:31). Here are the rules:
The accused must be allowed to give his side of what happened or was said
The following rhetorical question was asked of the chief priests and Pharisees by Nicodemus in defense of Jesus:
Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? (John 7:51)
I'm sure you will agree that the answer is no. God's law is just. And it violates God's just law to pass judgment on a man without first hearing his side of the story, and giving him a chance to defend himself. So, it is sin to fire a pastor or drop a missionary based on gossip, and without giving him a just hearing. To pass judgment upon someone based on unproven gossip is something you would certainly not want done to yourself, so don't you do it to a pastor or missionary or anyone.
The accused must be considered innocent until proven guilty
We are to consider a man innocent until proven guilty.
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. (Proverbs 18:13)
To punish a pastor or missionary by cutting financial support before determining the truth of the accusations against him is a transgression of God's law. Don't so sin against a man of God.
One witness is insufficient
We are not to judge a man based on the testimony of only one witness:
Deut. 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
A single witness can easily be a false witness. Therefore it is very important to have more than one witness. No matter who a witness is or what position that witness holds, if that witness is the the only witness, his or her testimony is insufficient to find a person guilty of any sin. Even if the only witness is a pastor or missionary, he is just one man. There must be more witnesses to the alleged sin than just one man. If there are no other witnesses, than no action can be legitimately taken against the accused pastor or missionary.
Be sure you know what a witness is. A person conveying second-hand information is not a witness. A person who was not there when it happened, and didn't personally see, hear, touch, or feel it is not a witness. A person telling you what someone else said happened is not a witness. Ask to talk to actual witnesses, and make sure that there are at least two or three witnesses to the alleged sin.
The possibility that the accusation is false must be considered
No matter who or what the accuser is, the possibility that he is lying (or has misunderstood what he thinks he witnessed) must be considered. Pastors and missionaries are capable of sinning or misunderstanding just like other men. They are able to be hateful and lie just like other men. So there is always the possibility that even the accusations made by such men are false (intentionally or unintentionally).
Deut. 19:16 If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;
The person making the accusations may be a member of your family or one of your trusted friends. He still may have his facts wrong, intentionally or unintentionally. God forbid that he be lying. However, “let God be true but everyman a liar” (Rom 3:4). He or she is not sinless just because you love him or her. You must be just and not naive. It is better to be on the side of truth and God, than on the side of a loved one who is foolishly allowing his or her self to be used as a tool of Satan.
People will often falsely accuse someone of some sin in an effort to cover up or distract from their own sin. People will often falsely accuse someone of the very sin of which they themselves are (or have been) guilty. So, that possibility needs to be checked out.
Even if there are two or more people who claim to be witnessess, it is possible that they have conspired together to bear false witness, or they may have misunderstood or misinterpreted what was said or done. Therefore everything that they say which can be checked for truthfulness must be carefully checked for truthfulness.
Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; but found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, and said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days. (Mat. 26:59-61)
In the case above, the religious leaders of the Jews considered Jesus a threat to their authority and power, so they used religious politics—self-serving friendships—to destroy him. It seems that at first they couldn't find two people whose false witness agreed and was believable. But finally two false witnesses came forward who almost told the truth—the perfect, most effective lie always has the sound of truth! And their lies were both the same! Here is what Jesus actually said,
Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. (John 2:19)
Jesus, of course, “spake of the temple of his body” (John 2:20-22), not the Jerusalem temple in which the Jews assembled. Jesus never threatened to destroy the Jewish temple. He simply stated that although the Jews would crucify Him, He would rise from the dead the third day to be the Savior of the world. But---since no opportunity was allowed to check out the context or accuracy of what Jesus had said---the false witness of these two men was persuasive enough for Jesus to be falsely declared guilty of this terrible threat against the Jewish religion. The lesson to be learned: when someone is accused of saying or doing something that is illogical, and/or blown all out of proportion even if true, it is wise check out the context and accuracy of what was said or done to be certain that you don't help destroy an innocent man.
A fair trial must be given
Even lost people know that it is wrong to judge a man without having a fair trial first. When no trial is allowed, it is generally because someone is afraid that the truth that may be brought to light by a fair trial would prove the accused person innocent, and his accuser guilty.
Deut. 19:17 Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;
The whole congregation, or at least all the leaders in the congregation, in the presence of God, should be judges in the trial, not just one person. Multiple heads are less likely to be deceived, and more likely to come to a just and righteous conclusion. A wise pastor will teach his people the necessity of fair trials, and will instruct his people how to conduct a fair trial. Doing so may just save his own neck some day when he himself is falsely accused. Beloved in Christ, if you are falsely accused, do you want your fellow church members to believe the accusations without hearing your side of the story? Do you want them to get together behind your back, and vote you out without a trial or a just inquiry made to determine the truth? Do you want them to be partial, and side with a family member or friend against you, even though they probably know down in their hearts that that family member or friend is in the wrong and you aren't? Then don't treat the members of your church or other men of God in such an unjust manner yourself.
Diligent inquisition must be made
When a person's reputation and ministry is at stake, judgment must not be rushed. This is no time for rash decisions based on emotion. The time and effort necessary to do the research required to determine the actual truth must be taken.
Deut. 19:18a And the judges shall make diligent inquisition:
Note the words “diligent” and “inquisition.” Diligent means, “constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything; done or pursued with persevering attention; painstaking.” The word “inquisition” as used in the the King James Bible simply means “an investigation, or process of inquiry.”
Unfortunately, the word “inquisition” is often given a negative connotation today due to being associated with the so-called Great Inquisition, which was
a court established by the Roman Catholic Church in the thirteenth century to try cases of heresy and other offenses against the church. Those convicted could be handed over to the civil authorities for punishment, including execution.
Note: The Inquisition was most active in Spain, especially under Tomás de Torquemada; its officials sometimes gained confessions through torture. It did not cease operation in the Spanish Empire until the nineteenth century.
Note: By association, a harsh or unjust trial or interrogation may be called an “inquisition.” (The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition)
Tomás de Torquemada 1420–98, Spanish Dominican monk. As first Inquisitor-General of Spain (1483–98), he was responsible for the burning of some 2000 heretics. (Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition)
Thus the word “inquisition” has wrongly come to mean:
An official investigation, especially one of a political or religious nature, characterized by lack of regard for individual rights, prejudice on the part of the examiners, and recklessly cruel punishments. (Dictionary.Com)
That is, indeed, the type of inquisition that often results from “political correctness,” but is not the kind of inquisition that God demands be made. A godly inquisition as God demands will result in the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth being brought to light, and justice being done.
If a person is too busy or too lazy to “make diligent inquisition” as God commands, he or she should at least keep his or her mouth shut, and make no judgement either for or against the accused.
If the accuser lied he must be punished
This is where people of this humanist generation really rebel against obeying the Scriptures.
Deut. 19:18b and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; 19 Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.
When a man tells a lie with the intent of doing harm to a brother in Christ, then “ye” are to “do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother.” This is not a request, but is a command from God himself. If we don't obey this command we sin, and will eventually pay a bitter price for that sin.
And why is it so important that a false accuser be punished? Because if he is not punished, then he will gain from his wicked deed, and will be encouraged to do it again. But if he be punished by having done to him what “he had thought to have done unto his brother,” then “thou put the evil away from among you.” Note the word “thou.” Here we see the superior accuracy of the King James Bible over other English translations. Thou is a singular pronoun—thou as an individual are responsible to be just, no matter what everyone else does.
Ex. 23: 1 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. 2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment: 3 Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.
This explains why “preacher politics” and “church politics” just absolutely stink. It is sin to do wrong just because many other preachers or church members are doing wrong, and you fear offending them. You can't be a man of God if you are a man of other men. Be just or you'll be damned by God. Truth and justice are more important than a political win achieved by lies and deception—which in the long run will be a loss for everyone.
We must not be partial to family or friends
The Apostle Paul, writing as moved by the Holy Ghost, said:
I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. (1 Tim. 5:21).
Ordinary church members, church leaders, pastors, and missionaries are to all be treated the same—the truth and justice are what must matter, not personality or position or friendship. The word of a friend or pastor is not to be preferred over the word of a regular church member or missionary, but diligent inquisition is to be made to determine the truth.
Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment; thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor. (Lev. 19:15)
[God] will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons. (Job 13:10)
There is an old saying, “Women gossip, but preachers fellowship.” A sin given another name is still sin. Justice is often trampled under the feet of preacher politics and gossip or “fellowship” which results from partiality—valuing earthly friendships more than God and truth.
We must look past personality and eloquence
Accusations must not be believed just because they are stated sweetly or eloquently. Some people are very good at hiding their hatred of the person they slander, as Prov. 10:18 indicates:
He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
The very fact that a slanderer falsely accuses a person is proof that he hates him—no matter how sweetly he may claim to love him.
Appropriate punishment
If after “diligent inquisition” it is determined that a pastor or missionary or other church member is actually guilty of the accusation(s) made against him, then he needs to be punished with a punishment appropriate to the sin—just as any other church member would be punished. He is to be treated no differently than any other member. Sin hurts people, and must be punished to stop the harmful behavior. Sin hurts people, but some sins hurt people more than other sins. So, not all sins should result in the capital punishment of the person's ministry. Has the missionary murdered, raped, robbed, sodomized, committed adultery, become a drug dealer or some other major sin? If yes, then let the wheel of God's justice grind him to powder for the sake of the good name and reputation of God's church. Remove the man from office and church membership, and feel no regrets.
But if all the pastor or missionary has done is hurt the feelings of one of your friends, and now your friend wants to retaliate by pressuring you to fire that pastor or drop that missionary's support, then you had better think twice before taking unjust action that is going to get you in trouble with God—which you should realize will be the case if in order to please your friend you have to break the above Bible rules. Sinning in that manner to please your friend may seem like good politics, but eventually such wicked injustice is going to come back around and fall upon your own head.
A minister's responsibility
When a minister (be he pastor or missionary) or one of his staff members is falsely accused, he must not remain silent as his family, staff members, and all the people he is ministering to are cruelly and unjustly destroyed. When falsely accused, a minister has a responsibility to God to defend his family, the members of his staff, the people to whom he is ministering, and the ministry God has placed in his trust. He also has an obligation to all his tithing church members or supporting churches to carry on for the glory of God, so that all the funds they have invested in his ministry are not flushed down the toilet in an instant of vain pride by a slanderous liar.
A minister who is falsely accused must act as did the Apostle Paul, when he said,
For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. (Acts 25:11)
Paul also said: “Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me” (Acts 24:13).
Wow! What a bad attitude this Paul had! He actually refused to just surrender to the evil desires of the wicked men who wanted him dead and his ministry destroyed, and he actually insinuated that they were slanderous liars!
And what had they charged him with? Here it is:
For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5).
Amazing! That very false charge, reworded a little, is what lost or carnal church leaders use so effectively today against any man of God with whom they disagree doctrinally and therefore want to destroy, saying in so many words or less: This minister is pestilent and seditious; he won't submit to my heresy. So help me destroy him now.
What if you have disobeyed God's rules?
If you have sinned against God and a man of God by violating the above Bible rules, what should you do? Well, what would you want someone to do to you if you were the person you sinned against? You would want that someone to contact you to find out your side of the story. You would want him to then make diligent inquisition to determine the truth. And if he found you innocent, then you would want him to publicly tell the church the truth, so that your good name is cleared, and so that restitution can be made for damage caused by unjust decisions based on the false accusations or slander. Just show the same love to that man of God that you would hope to be shown to yourself were you in his shoes.
If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: but if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. (James 2:8-9)
Application and conclusion
A major characteristic of those who reject verbal plenary inspiration, verbal plenary preservation, and/or verbal plenary translation is that they make personal attacks upon their opponents using false accusations and slander. It is sin to let a person get away with making false accusations. The Bible commands us to “turn away” from such a man, and to punish him by doing “unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother.” And when Bible translations are being discussed, we must not allow slander to distract us from focusing on the purity—or corruption—of the text, or to deceive us into helping destroy innocent men of God.
Copyright 2012 by Louis A. Turk. This article may be freely reproduced without notifying the author provided no changes are made and this copyright notice is included.
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