A recent discussion over the Federal Vision issue has prompted me to write this article about internet accountability. I will deal with the various words, statments and the like that have flooded the internet. Certainly there are other things that could be applied here such as what web sites we visit, the content of these web sites, etc. but the goal of this article is to pinpoint a particular problem among internet users and web site/blog owners.

Neutral Zone?

It seems to me that the internet has become somewhat of a "neutral zone" of sorts as it pertains to our use of words and tone in the articles, posts, and comments that are made about other people or issues in the Church. Certainly I am not outside the accused in this area as I have had times where I said some stupid things and did so in a way that is less than honoring to God. However, it seems to me that the admonition of the apostle Paul in Ephesians 4.29 still applies to internet conversations. The text reads:

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (ESV)

Sometimes the things that are writen on blogs, web sites and comments are things that, in retrospect, ought not be written or could be re-written to offer a level of grace and charity to those it is directed towards. Sure, I am aware that the apostle Paul often used strong language in his dealings with various people in the Church but let's remember that he used that language under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit and he was, after all, an apostle who spoke authoritatively in these matters. We are not apostles and we are not under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We are prone to all sorts of bias and opinion and we need to be careful when we write articles and make comments about various issues in the Church. Take for instance the FV discussions that are currently storming the internet. I have witnessed, far too often, men who profess faith in Christ misrepresent other men who also profess faith in Christ. I have seen people say some of the nastiest things they can in order to make their opponent look bad. I have witnessed a total lack of self-control in various forms in comment sections of web sites and blogs as well as in articles and discussion boards. There seems to be a cannabilistic tendency among God's people that lends itself to this kind of behavior.

Fighting Fairly

Without question there are issues worth fighting for. However, that is not the point of this article nor does that fact change how we are to respond to others (whether we think they are Christians or not). The fact of the matter is that many of whom we say these nasty things about we have never met and really do not know at all. If we want to deal with the writings of other men on the internet we need to deal with the substance of the issue and not the men themselves. I have witnessed far too often professing Christians calling other professing Christians "false teachers" and "heretics" and all sorts of things that simply do not encourage honest discussion. There is not one single person out there, regardless of their degree or education, that has the Bible all figured out. Not one! Part of our lot in life is to walk this road together and reason together over matters of theology and practice. God has given us the Church to help and guide us in determining what is true and right and consistent with the Scriptures. The leaders of the Church are under the greatest kind of accountability since they are the shepherds appointed by God to guide His people in these matters. It is the responsibility of the Church to determine what is heretical and what is not. This is not a matter that is given to every member of Christ's bride. When I read, over and over, the number of accusations from members in the Church that "so and so" is a "heretic" and "false teacher" I wince inside because I fear that this simply does not promote any kind of honest discussion and debate. All it does is draw battle lines around various camps.

We all need to guard our words and we all need to be careful what we say and how we say it. We are accountable for every word that comes from our mouths and is hammered out on the keyboards of our computers. It really does not matter if we are talking about the latest controversy on the Federal Vision or whatever the subject. What matters is that God's Word has told us how we are to behave towards one another and, as far as I can tell, there are no qualifiers to this directive. One moderator of an email list I am on often offers the following counsel to people engaged in email debates: read, think and pray before you respond. I wonder, if we all followed that counsel how much junk would be eliminated from the internet and how many comments would be revised to reflect a more charitable attitude? I think it would truly change many of the things we write and say. Now don't get me wrong, I love spirited debates and I am all for a passionate reply to various issues (frankly, there is not enough passion in the Church about the truths of the Bible) however this does not mean we are allowed to fly off the handle and make wild accusations of others or label them with various titles and such in the name of truth. Our speech and our writings need to be seasoned and tempered in such a way that we make the point without smearing those in the body of Christ. Honestly, this is what is occuring on many blogs, web sites and in the comment sections of these sites. Just this week I fell into that same trap and allowed my own emotions to shipwreck my heart and actions. Friends, these things ought not be marked within the family of God.

Think About It

So, think about it the next time you sit down to pen a response to someone you do not agree with. Consider that God is watching and that you are accountable for your words. Since I am a presbyterian I believe the responsibility falls to the elders of the Church to guard its members from this sort of error. The elders are responsible for the spiritual oversight of its membership and this means that they are also accountable when they witness and are made aware of one of its members acting in a manner that is inconsistent with their profession.