Page 429 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

NEW EVANGELICAL

That Christ is not condemning all judging is also disciple” (quoted from Iain Murray, Evangelicalism
evident by comparing Scripture with Scripture. We have Divided, p. 33).
seen that other passages require judging. In an article calling for ecumenical evangelism,
Third, we are not to judge in matters of liberty Pastor Ted Haggard (pastor of New Life Church,
(Romans 14). Romans 14 is talking about judging things Colorado Springs, and head of the National Association
on which the Bible is silent, such as diet (Ro. 14:2-3) of Evangelicals) likened doctrinal convictions to
and holy days (Ro. 14:5-6). There are no laws in the different flavors of ice cream.
New Testament about diet and holy days. In all such “I love all kinds of ice cream. Sometimes I want vanilla
things there is personal liberty and the believer is not to with caramel topping, whipped cream, lots of nuts and
judge others. a cherry. Other times I want Rocky Road, banana or
Romans 14 is not saying that some things in the Bible chocolate chip. That’s why I love Baskin-Robbins ice
are of “secondary” importance and therefore should not cream stores. … In Colorado Springs, Colorado, where
be matters of judgment. Paul is not speaking of things I am a pastor, we enjoy 90 flavors of churches. ... I am
saying that we need to appreciate the respected
clearly taught in the Bible, but of things not taught in interpretations of Scripture that exist in the many
the Bible. If something is taught in the Bible, the Christian denominations. ... Have you erected any
believer is obligated to follow it and to judge on that fences between your church and the congregation
basis. down the street? have you judged other Christian
Fourth, we are not to judge in an evil way (James groups in your heart, or openly criticized them? I
4:11-12). This is defined in the context. It means to believe the Holy Spirit is calling us to move our fences
speak evil (Ja. 4:11). Proper judging, on the other hand, and demonstrate to a watching world that we are
is to speak the truth in love. The truth is not evil and united” (Ted Haggard, “We Can Win Our Cities ...
Together,” Charisma, July 1995).
speaking the truth in love is not evil. The type of
judging condemned by James is judging in the sense of Jack Van Impe said: “The Holy Spirit declares in
tearing down, tale bearing, and slander. It is judging Ephesians 4:3 we are to ‘endeavor to keep the unity of
with an evil intent. When one judges sin and error the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ I wasn’t doing that. I
scripturally, it is never with a desire to hurt people. The was dividing the Christians. God comes into the heart of
Pharisees judged Jesus in this evil manner (Jn. 7:52). Catholics, and Lutherans, and Baptists, and Pentecostals,
The false teachers at Galatia and Corinth judged Paul in and with God in us, we can fellowship with one
this manner, trying to tear him down in the eyes of the another” (Van Impe’s television program, July 23,
churches (2 Co. 10:10). 1995).
To judge in an evil way is also to judge in a way that Joseph Stowell (president of Moody Bible Institute),
is contrary to the law of God (Ja. 4:12). This refers to speaking at the National Association of Evangelicals
judging others by human standards rather than divine, conference in March 1996, said: “God never intended
thus setting oneself up as the lawgiver. The Pharisees that our differences would divide us. If you belong to
did this when they judged Jesus by their traditions (Mt. Christ you are lifted above the differences, and all else
15:1-3). On the other hand, when a believer judges becomes secondary. Promise Keepers Clergy Conference
things by God’s Word in a godly and compassionate in Atlanta showed the unity that is possible. We must
manner, he is not exercising his own judgment; he is repent of our attitudes as I did in Atlanta. I went to a
judging God’s judgment. When, for example, I say that man who held different doctrines than I held and
it is wrong for a woman to be a pastor, this is not my apologized. ... Revival happens when God’s people
judgment; it is God’s (1 Ti. 2:12). This is not evil network together.”
judgment. What the Bible Says about Doctrine
New Evangelicalism’s judge-not, focus-on-the- It is impossible to treat doctrine like the Bible
positive philosophy has permeated evangelical requires and while also following the ecumenical
Christianity today, but it is not Scriptural. doctrine described in the previous examples.
4. New Evangelicalism is characterized by exalting love We are saved by believing from the heart the right
and unity above doctrine. doctrine of the gospel (Ro. 6:17). This shows why we
Billy Graham said, “The one badge of Christian cannot accept someone as a genuine Christian if they
discipleship is not orthodoxy, but love” (quoted from are committed to a false gospel, such as Rome’s
Iain Murray, Evangelicalism Divided, p. 33). sacramentalism. We must ask hard questions about the
doctrine of salvation to make sure that it is Scriptural,
Edward Carnell, second president of Fuller and such a practice is anathema to the ecumenical
Theological Seminary, said: “Jesus names love, not philosophy.
defense of doctrine, as the sign of a true

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