UNGODLY BEHAVIOR
Bad behavior has held hands with false teachers from the beginning. This is in fact the prime identifying characteristic for this group. One of the common behaviors seen in false teachers is to meet any honest opposition with accusations of slander and/or personal attack.
Slander is defined as the utterance in the presence of another person of a false statement or statements, damaging to a third person's character or reputation. (Webster's) A personal attack is an aggressive response upon ones person.
As can be easily deduced, talking about, writing about, preaching about a doctrine being taught by person is not slander or a personal attack. Some make accusations of slander when one factually deals with their doctrine and their historical part in it. In making these accusations of slander, these same people do attack the person and slander in the very same breath. This is not consistent or honest.
Jesus says, "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?" Rom 2:1-3
If one is sincerely against slander or personal attacks, and states loudly that they believe commenting about another person's belief is slander; then they will not engage in commenting about others at all. When a person condemns slander or the commenting about others or their works and then engages in slanderous personal attacks; It tells me a couple of things:
First, they are lying about their belief on slander.
Second, they are using a righteous person's desire to do good and be known as good against them.
Third, their complaints can be ignored as insincere.
Forth, they are evil doers having a dishonest and lying heart.
Fifth, If you are the target of their attack, You are a threat to them, you are On Target!
It seems the controversy over Marriage and Divorce has generated individuals which use slander and libel as a tool. Just as honest men and women quote scripture to defend their beliefs; false teachers quote lies and make distorted personal attacks. Do some research and I believe you will find the same pattern has existed in all generations.
It is nearly impossible to fight an unethical person who does not believe in God's rules, but we have God on our side and they can not win. No matter how many churches they take over or converts they make, God will win! "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Matt 16:26 You can't win in hell!
Let me reveal three experiences I have had with this Marriage and Divorce question. While preaching in Missouri in 1976, I attended a gospel meeting. Afterwards we attended a large get-together. While sitting and listening to the gathered elders and preachers, an elder of a large congregation began telling this story of the new preacher in Missouri, Bob Goodman. He stated he was an intimate friend of Bob and told them with confidence what I believed and preached on Divorce. At the end of the story I informed the gathered crowd that I was Bob Goodman, I didn't know the gentleman nor him me, and I had never preached or taught on Marriage and Divorce. There were no apologies or condemnations just a sudden clearing of the room.
The second was in 1989 when one of the churches wanted to provide support for the preaching. Their preacher took it upon himself to add a condition: I had to believe as he did on divorce. I told him I would have to hear what he believed before I could say that. We set up a meeting at his office, instead of studying or telling what he believed, he took me to lunch and I received the support. It was important until I asked for a "reason for his belief."
The third was here in the valley in 1997 when some old friends discovered I taught against their new found doctrine of Gentile law. A local deacon manufactured a phone conversation he supposedly has with me and for six months spreads gossip, libel, and slander far and wide. The deacon's beliefs and the elders' of his congregation were the same, so he was allowed to run unchecked and undisciplined even after they knew the truth. If I was to guess their doctrine from their action; then deception, slander, libel, gossip, and partiality are "good works" in their system of belief.
The only legitimate way to defend your belief is by scripture and honest, ethical, Christian conduct. Bad behavior is evidence of an evil heart. Every Christian and church has the right to expect adherence to Scripture, Christian conduct, and unity from its members and leaders. To abandon the ancient faith is to abandon the church and Christ. You have a right and responsibility to demand better of those within the church.
The only question now is how many of you will save your churches from these wicked people or will you seek peace so that truth and integrity have no place in your hearts or church. "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked." Isaiah 57:20-21 "..who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." Romans 1:32
1. History and Development of this Doctrine
3. What is wrong with this Doctrine
5. Homer Hailey and this Doctrine