Question [Compilation of questions received]

October 28, 2016

Question [Compilation of questions received]: When I confronted someone who was teaching unbiblical things and presented what the Bible says, they told me that it seemed obvious that we would disagree profoundly on many, many issues. So they said, “I don’t really think further dialogue would be profitable for either of us.” Is their response commonly seen and how can it be a biblical response?

Response: It isn’t a biblical response. Sadly, this is something too many have reported, and we should not be surprised. Speaking of the apostasy of the endtimes, Paul exhorted Timothy, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy:4:2-4).

What you have heard seems to be the stock reply anymore. And, it is key that they speak of a “dialogue,” which, indeed, “people of faith” may have, but which in practice doesn’t generally reach beyond neutral questions such as, “Hi, how are you?” “Well, you’re looking good,” and if it moves into the spiritual at all, not much more than “Is God blessing you?” Mind you, the God of the Bible and His Word are not allowed a place at these discussions. We need wisdom in ministering to people who are bound up in cultic or unbiblical teaching. They stand on a faulty foundation, and if they are forced to grant any admission of error, their whole theological structure crashes.

It was A. W. Tozer who wrote of the error of “dialogue” as man defines it and what it has become: “It is a truism that people agree to disagree only about matters they consider unimportant. No man is tolerant when it concerns his life or the life of his child, and no one will agree to negotiate over any religious matter he considers vital to his eternal welfare. Imagine Moses agreeing to take part in a panel discussion with Israel over the golden calf; or Elijah engaging in a gentlemanly dialogue with the prophets of Baal. Or try to picture our Lord Jesus Christ seeking a meeting of minds with the Pharisees to iron out differences” (Tozer, “Some things are not negotiable”).

Consequently, those who have been seduced by things that tickle their ears are in desperate need of having the blinders removed from their eyes. Only the Lord, in answer to our intercessory prayers, can accomplish this.

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