Is It Wrong To Criticize Other Religions. Text: I Jn Is It Wrong To Criticize Other Religions? Text: I Jn. 4:1 Scripture Reading: Mt. 15:7-14 By Nathan L Morrison All Scripture given is from NASB unless otherwise stated For further study or if questions, Call: 907-252-3708, or Visit: www.frr-churchofchrist-ak.org Based on an article by Craig Thomas

Intro Some people get offended at criticism of other religions It is often an emotional plea of some kind, rather than a careful study of Scripture. When “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15) we should not shy from such criticism but welcome it: “He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding” (Prov. 15:32). “What do the Scriptures say?” Is it wrong to criticize other religions? Let us appeal to Scripture rather than emotion! Is It Wrong To Criticize Other Religions?

O. T. Prophets Criticized Other Religions Christians who think it’s wrong to criticize other religions have not read and studied the Old Testament! Did Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, or any of the prophets think it was improper to rebuke false doctrines and practices? Moses criticized his own brethren for making the “molten calf”! (Exodus 32: Aaron declared it as the god that brought them from Egypt!) The man of God rebuked the altar and religion King Jeroboam set up over Israel! (I Kings 12:25-13:10) Elijah derided and “mocked” the false prophets of Baal and Asherah on Mt. Carmel! (I Kings 18: He even “slew them!” – 18:40) Isaiah very purposely, pointedly and emphatically showed the foolishness of “other religions”! (Is. 44:9-20: False gods made of wood and stone!) John the Baptist was sent by God (Lk. 1:16-17) to criticize and condemn his own generation to prepare hearts for Jesus’s coming! (Mt. 3:2-12) God sent all the O.T. prophets to show the folly of false gods and to condemn the practice of following “other religions”! Is It Wrong To Criticize Other Religions?

Jesus Criticized Other Religions If it’s wrong to criticize other religions then Jesus was the “chief of sinners” for He often criticized the religion of his contemporaries (Mt. 15:3-14; Ch. 23) They had the Law of Moses but Jesus said they “were experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep” their “tradition” (Mk. 7:9) His criticisms even “offended” many who heard Him (Mt. 15:12) He warned of not a few, but “many” false prophets (Mt. 7:15) who would propagate false teachings that would “deceive many” (Mt. 24:11) He even detailed their fate as well as those deceived (Mt. 7:21-23; 25:41) These warnings are necessary because false teachers and religions do not advertise their true nature (Mt. 7:15) Mk. 7:9 9. He was also saying to them, "You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. The Scriptures say to “Mark” (lit. “Take aim at”) false teachers! (KJV: Rom. 16:17) Is It Wrong To Criticize Other Religions?

Apostles Criticized Other Religions Paul Criticized the Galatians for being so “foolish” as to be led away by “a different gospel” (“other religion” – Gal. 1:6-9; 3:1). Warned that some religious teachers would “cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (NKJ: Col. 2:8). Warned Timothy that the time would come that some would no longer “endure sound doctrine” but want teachers to teach what they want to hear (II Tim. 4:3-4). II Tim. 4:3-4 3. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4. and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. Is It Wrong To Criticize Other Religions?

Apostles Criticized Other Religions Peter Warned “there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies” (II Pet. 2:1-3). Reminded and warned us to beware of such false religious teachers “lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked” (II Pet. 3:17). II Pet. 2:1-3 1. But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3. and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. Is It Wrong To Criticize Other Religions?

Apostles Criticized Other Religions John Warned that because “many false prophets have gone out into the world” saints are to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (I Jn. 4:1). I Jn. 4:1 1. Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. “Other religions” ought to be held under the scrutiny of the Scriptures when they claim to be from God, just as we are in our teachings and preaching! Should we point an accusing finger at Paul, Peter, or John for criticizing other religions? Is It Wrong To Criticize Other Religions?

Is It Wrong To Criticize Other Religions? Conclusion Often those protesting it’s wrong to criticize another’s religion are those whose religious teachings cannot withstand scrutiny according to the Scriptures: Since their views and doctrines will not survive careful Scripture analysis, they cry “foul,” saying, “it is a sign of bigotry and dogmatic intolerance to criticize another’s religion.” “It’s wrong to criticize” is the last resort of a person whose faith is founded upon the sands of human creeds, traditions, superstitions, and self-will. Some people cry “foul” for they are afraid of offending (the disciples on the occasion that Christ offended the Pharisees – Mt. 15:12) Is It Wrong To Criticize Other Religions?

Conclusion The Old Testament prophets, the apostles, and the Lord would not have been put to death if not for their criticism of “other religions” How will you react to criticism? Back down so as to not offend or reply as Jesus did…? Mt. 15:12-14 12. Then the disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?" 13. But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. 14. "Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit." Is It Wrong To Criticize Other Religions?

Conclusion When our teaching criticizes “other religions” it is to “search the Scriptures” to determine (I Jn. 1:6; 4:1) if it is truth from God or not! If “or not” then change is needed to be right with God (I Jn. 1:9). Even when criticizing other religions we are to “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15) and use gentleness when correcting error (II Tim. 2:24-25). When our teachings are from the Scriptures & we are speaking as the “utterances of God” (I Pet. 4:11), we should not fear Scriptural scrutiny! Is It Wrong To Criticize Other Religions?

“What Must I Do To Be Saved?” Hear The Gospel (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:17) Believe In Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Jn. 8:24) Repent Of Sins (Lk. 13:35; Acts 2:38) Confess Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10) Be Baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16) Remain Faithful (Jn. 8:31; Rev. 2:10) For The Erring Child: Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9), Pray (Acts 8:22)