There is a strong consensus of opinion among some
in the brotherhood today that you should never call names when it comes
to identifying one who is a proponent of false doctrine. It is viewed
as an act of hostility if you name a brother who is publicly espousing
a Scripturally untenable position.
It has been a practice of mine, as long as I have
been preaching, to call attention to what some brethren are saying on certain
issues, and to mention their names in connection with it, if necessary.
In those areas wherein some brethren are propagating false and dangerous
notions it is always necessary to mention their names in connection with
it. If a brother has written a divisive book, or made heretical statements
publicly, then we should not hesitate to let people know what is being
said and who is saying it. It would be less than honest to do otherwise.
To simply say that "Some brethren" suggest thus and so is not enough to
warn others of what is being taught and who is teaching it. If there
is an issue troubling the brotherhood of Christ and there is a brother
out there promoting it, then, we need to know who it is that is saying
it so that we can heed the New Testament injunction to "mark them which
cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned;
and avoid them" (Romans 16:17). You cannot mark a phantom and avoid
an unknown. Thus, you cannot obey God by treating the false teacher
with name-less courtesy. The obligation that we have to mark and
avoid the false teacher is greater than his self-perceived "right" to say
and publish anything he wants to no matter how twisted, and expect no one
to raise an eyebrow or say anything by way of criticism.
It is not vindictive pride that prompts me to suggest
to you that calling the names of false teachers, whether in or out of the
church of our Lord, is right and proper. The precedent for such a
straightforward approach has been set by Jesus and his inspired apostles.
Jesus said, "Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy"
(Luke 12:1). In that brief statement he identified both the problem to
be avoided and the ones responsible for promoting it, thus, violating liberal
etiquette on both counts. Again, Paul wrote of a doctrinal concern
of his day, saying, "And their word will eat as doth a canker: of
whom is Hymeneus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying
that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some"
(2 Timothy 2:17-18). Let the brother who thinks that calling names
is wrong tell wherein Paul erred in the above statement. If he cannot
be so bold, then, let him tell wherein we err if we do as Paul did.
It is right and proper to call the names of those
teaching falsely in order that others might know. One day another
will call their name and they will answer. We pray for their repentance
before that time.