Tom Wells: The Ethics of Controversy

It would be hard to ignore the providential connection apparent in the timing: theResurgence releases a 1996 article by Tom Wells asserting the inevitability of controversy just as PastorForums.com launches.

The end of the first paragraph of Wells’ article could be a motto for discussion sites:

In a fallen world, truth and controversy are bedfellows.

There are times that the love of Christ is nearly absent from the comments being exchanged in Christian forums. There are also times that touchy subjects can be talked over and looked at from different angles calmly, lovingly, and respectfully, even in a way honoring to Christ.

How? Well, such a miracle as the latter is only possible by the grace of God.

Humanly speaking, however, there are steps we can take, in the power of Christ, that will help us keep the focus on Him. Wells lists several for our benefit, with more explanation in his article:

Show Respect for the Persons with Whom You Differ

“We are commanded to love those who belong to Christ. Can we then treat them with less than fullest consideration?”

Give Your Opponent Accurate Definitions of Your Key Ideas

“Our finitude makes it difficult for us to clearly grasp our own ideas, so as to define them accurately. Our sinfulness adds to the difficulty by making us impatient with those who “pretend” not to understand us.”

When in Doubt, Put an Orthodox Construction on Your Opponent’s Words

“To put it another way, our first impressions of others’ language, like our first impression of others’ persons, is often inaccurate.”

Never Attribute to Your Opponent More Than He Asserts

“It is so easy, because we think we see where his statement is bound to take him, to decide that he has already come to these apparently logical conclusions.”

Suspect a Man’s Judgment Before You Suspect His Sincerity

“Yet nothing is more common in controversy than for opponents to disparage each other’s integrity. This is a sin against charity at the very least, unless the grounds upon which it is done are beyond question.”

Be Ready to Believe That the Truth Is Larger Than You Have Understood It to Be

“The determination not to learn from others often accompanies the certainty that we are right. That is unfortunate; one might almost say insidious.”

As PastorForums grows, and as we participate in other discussions across the web and across the desk or conference table, let’s try to keep these guides in our mind; let us, by His grace, have His glory our highest goal.

Read the entire article here.

Download a PDF version here.

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