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Disputing

by John C. Robertson

The apostle Paul said, “but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain” (Titus 3:9). Jude tells us “Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). This article shall examine the fact that there is a proper and improper time to contend and dispute with others.

Vain Disputing

The word “vain” means “useless”. Indeed, it is a waste of time to dispute with someone over issues that have nothing to do with our salvation. Such disputing can be sinful and encourage human reasoning. To dispute with a brother over whether or not he eats meats, is circumcised, or sets one day over another is indeed a useless endeavor. To argue with one over such issues in some cases may “destroy one for whom Christ died” (Romans 14:15).

Paul told Timothy to “refuse profane and old wives’ fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness” (I Timothy 4:7). To “refuse” (paraitou) is “to shun and avoid” (Thayer 432). “To avert (turn away), deprecate (disprove of)” (LS 597). “Paul’s advice is sound psychology. People who are fanatical in regard to some silly religious matter desire nothing more than to have you argue with them. To do so is to leave the wrong impression as though the matter is worth discussion and argument. That encourages their folly; they think they really have something. For that very reason they will cling to their infatuation more obstinately than ever when one makes the mistake of treating them seriously. The thing to do is refuse, disdain to be bothered by them” (Lenski 630).

Disputing, therefore, can be sinful when encouraging foolishness or arguing with one over matters that have nothing to do with our salvation.

A proper time for disputing

When “the faith” (doctrine of Jesus Christ) is involved we can in no way compromise nor tolerate one who would argue against it. Truth must be contended for (cf. Jude 3). As W.W. Otey once said, “I shall spare the man but not his teaching.”

When the Judaizing teachers of the NT pressed their false doctrines on Paul and Titus regarding circumcision, Paul said, “we gave place in the way of subjection, no, not for an hour” (Galatians 2:5).

Ever learning and never coming to truth (II Timothy 3:7)

Some brethren are ever learning yet continue to twist scriptures. Some will agree that the doctrine of Christ must be contended for yet insert their ipse dixi into the equation. They tell us that “it is ok to have disputes over doctrinal issues and remain in fellowship with each other because Paul and Barnabas did so” (cf. Acts 15:39). Such an argument may fool our children yet serious Bible students know that Paul and Barnabas were not arguing over a Biblical doctrine. Paul and Barnabas argued over whether or not to take John Mark on the second tour of preaching. Paul didn’t want John Mark to go because he had quit on Paul and Barnabas during the first tour of preaching. What does any of this have to do with contending for the faith? Nothing; however, if one who seeks peace and ecumenism at any price can convince us that Paul and Barnabas argued over doctrinal matters, had differences, even separated their ways yet remained in fellowship then he can effectively justify his doctrinal differences with us. Who can believe it?

There is a time to contend and a time to refrain from contending. The Bible alone instructs us that the time for such contentions occurs when doctrine is at stake.

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