"SUCH A GOOD PREACHER"
I first remember hearing the above
statement when I was quite young as I tried to point out the error in so many
denominational preachers. As you started
to show their teachings regarding "baptism," for instance, they would
come back at you with, "but, he's such a good preacher." I guess that was to mean that since he was
such a good preacher, he was immune from being in error? Through the years
since then, I heard the same statement many times in relation to gospel
preachers. And, sometimes, it was the
end of the discussion.
The very disturbing thing about
that statement, since we now have so many "good preachers," is the
fact that I finally realized the truth of the matter. People equate a good orator
with "truthfulness." If he has
a good voice and can persuade the audience, he is considered to be a
"good preacher," whether or not he can speak the truth. This was well demonstrated when the Jews
brought along TertulIus, their best
"orator," when Paul was brought before Felix to defend himself (Acts 24). He had a way with words and was very
"smooth," yet, the whole truth was not presented.
We have some "good
sounding" preachers in the world around us. Billy Graham was a good preacher in their
sight. Oral Roberts was a good preacher.
Jerry Falwell was a good preacher. Pat Robertson, J. Frank Norris, Charles
Spurgeon, T.L. Wilkinson and many others have been good orators. The point which I would like to make clear at
this time is how wrong I have been in stopping short on my arguments when that
statement was made. Instead of taking
and running with it, the matter was discontinued. Shame on me!
Every one of the above listed
"good preachers" were not. And, how can I say that about such well known
men? Listen to me carefully; when a man
professing to speak for Almighty God refuses to preach the "whole counsel" of God, he is NOT a
good preacher. Each of those men which I
listed have been well documented as to refusing to
teach on certain subjects, or they have twisted the scriptures to mean
something different from what the text actually means. Any time that happens to
any man, he is not a good preacher, nor does he speak for God.
Jesus Christ gave us the best
example. He spoke the very words which
God have him to speak. During his
ministry he often declared, "I come
to do thy will, o God." This should be the attitude of every
"good preacher". But, we see
in the Lord's kingdom today, men who profess to be ministers of God, who are
actually serving themselves and keeping their jobs. Some of these men openly refuse to teach on
certain subjects for fear of their jobs. Others refuse to preach on them because it is
a "controversial subject," as Graham has said so many times,
But, in the present apostasy of the
Lord's body, it is especially heart-breaking to see so many of our members
defend a preacher who refrains his tongue form certain subjects by saying,
"but he is such a good preacher". When our preachers fail to teach the truth
about "fellowship," as 2 John 9-11 and Ephesians
Our continued "fellowship” with them, is contrary to
the command which God gave us, mentioned above. It makes us guilty right along with the sins
of others when we "go along to get along," rather than to rebuke,
reprove and exhort them. Some may become
our enemies, but, we have obeyed God in our efforts. Alton W. Fonville, [The Saluter,