Is It Wise To Call A Brother A Change Agent?

Is It Wise To Call A Brother A Change Agent?

Dear Brother Waddey:
I certainly agree that we cannot change the church beyond the limits of scripture. But I wonder if calling someone a legalist is a "religious slur" and slanderous, what is calling someone a "change agent?" The truth is always better presented without any name calling. Brotherly,
-- Raymond

Dear Bro. Raymond:
Thank you for your note. Are you aware that the people of whom I write call themselves "change agents?" This can be verified by looking at Lynn Anderson's book, Navigating the Winds of Change. Others do the same. They are very proud of what they are doing to our churches. While we must reflect the spirit of Christ in all we say or do, remember that Christ did not hesitate to call the religious leaders of his day "Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrits" (Matt. 23:25). John called certain men of the church "false prophets" (I John 4:1). Paul called some of his brotherly opponents "false apostles and deceitful workers" (II Cor. 11:13-14).

I understand that my style may not please all in our postmodern age. Pluralism and multiculturalism insist that we not use terminology that paints things black or white. To speak vaguely of some unknown and unidentified danger leaves people ignorant of the problem and vulnerable to being overtaken by the promoters of error. Knowing this, I do what I must to communicate a word of warning to a brotherhood that is under seige. Tragically a great many of our people do not even realize that there is a problem.

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