Fear of the Truth
Luther in his preface to the Smalcald articles of 1537 responds to those who were concerned they should not write of the faith for fear their words would be twisted:
For what shall I say? How shall I complain? I am still living, writing, preaching, and lecturing daily; [and] yet there are found such spiteful men, not only among the adversaries, but also false brethren that profess to be on our side, as dare to cite my writings and doctrine directly against myself, and let me look on and listen, although they know well that I teach otherwise, and as wish to adorn their venom with my labor, and under my name to [deceive and] mislead the poor people. [Good God!] Alas! what first will happen when I am dead?
5] Indeed, I ought to reply to everything while I am still living. But, again, how can I alone stop all the mouths of the devil? especially of those (as they all are poisoned) who will not hear or notice what we write, but solely exercise themselves with all diligence how they may most shamefully pervert and corrupt our word in every letter. These I let the devil answer, or at last Gods wrath, as they deserve. 6] I often think of the good Gerson who doubts whether anything good should be [written and] published. If it is not done, many souls are neglected who could be delivered: but if it is done, the devil is there with malignant, villainous tongues without number which envenom and pervert everything, so that nevertheless the fruit [the usefulness of the writings] is prevented. 7] Yet what they gain thereby is manifest. For while they have lied so shamefully against us and by means of lies wished to retain the people, God has constantly advanced His work, and been making their following ever smaller and ours greater, and by their lies has caused and still causes them to be brought to shame.
Should pastors speak the truth? Will their words be twisted against them? Luther dealt with this very issue, watching his words twisted to evil gain. Yet, did he stop speaking? No! Did he stop proclaiming the truth? No.
I have witnessed pastors mute, seminary professors silent, and laypeople go into hiding all for the fear of their words being used against them. I continue to consider shutting the doors of this blog for fear the words of truth spoken would be twisted against me, affecting vicarage placement and ultimately eligibility for a call as pastor.
I think if Luther saw the state of timidity our theologians (laity) and Theologians (pastorate), he would shudder and call out lack of conviction. Withholding the truth is no different than denouncing the truth. Speak with conviction! The devil will twist your words for his evil gain but in spite of this, God’s work is done.
November 12th, 2006 at 8:32 pm
Thanks Mr. Piper for your words of encouragement.
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Territorial Bloggings » Fear of speaking the truth
Every so often, even a cynical pessimist like myself is given cause for optimism. There are good men in our seminaries. The remnant will not be left without proper care. For that I am thankful.
The immediate reason for this surge of optimism is this post over at Outer Rim Territories.
In the past while, it seems as there has been a shakedown of sorts at the sems, as the political climate in Synod (which is, sadly, derivative of the larger cultural climate) has had a chilling effect on any discourse amongst blogging-inclined seminarians. This is, IMO, both unfortunate and misguided. Better that seminarians should learn through discussion and be open to the opportunity for loving correction, than they should learn to keep their mouths shut, “go along to get along”, and “cooperate to graduate”.
We, the sheep, need bold confessors & proclaimers of the Truth, not company men!
You see, though, the Truth can — and will — be twisted by the enemy. That does not mean that it should not be loudly proclaimed and taught.
Timidity must not be tolerated, much less encouraged.
I thank God for the sure hope & knowledge that we will be sustained. (even as my sinful self cowers in fear & wallows in despair… that guy gets drowned every day!)
November 13th, 2006 at 12:51 am
Fear of speaking the truth…
Every so often, even a cynical pessimist like myself is given cause for optimism. There are good men in our seminaries. The remnant will not be left without proper care. For that I am thankful.
The immediate reason for this surge of optimism is this po…
November 13th, 2006 at 1:48 am
You are most certainly welcome, Sem. Gillespie.
And I thank you for your faithful service, and the admirable execution of your vocation as a pastor-in-formation.
Plus, your blog rocks out loud! :wink:
-ghp
November 13th, 2006 at 11:00 am
Ah, but there is a third option. True, the words we speak can be (and often are) used against us. It can also harm the conscience to remain silent.
However, writers since the infancy of literature have known the third option, which I intentionally chose when I began blogging: the pseudonym. Is it cowardly? Sometimes. However, if you Google my full name you’ll only find a bith announcement in the local paper, and then about sixty hits down. Those who need to know who I am know who I am, and everyone else can simply read or choose not to read the rantings of a pseudonymous author.
November 13th, 2006 at 11:05 am
Indeed! I had chosen to be anonymous until the winter of 2005/6. I was persuaded otherwise mostly due to my lack of restraint when hiding behind a pseudonym. I dropped the anonymity banner at that time.
This was the post where I came out of hiding: Anonymity. I still hold to my reasons for doing so.
You are right! It does open me up for all sorts of pain, anguish, and suffering. Oh well.