He therefore must continually redis- cover some neglected controversy or invent a new angle on an old one. Our own age has simply given him a The internet — and especially plat- forms built on constant engagement — reward precisely the temperament Paul warns about. Old racial specu- lations dressed up as biblical exege- sis, revived appeals to the so-called “Curse of Ham,” genealogical myths presented as theological recovery — endless new life because controversy now generates audience. In a very real sense the Reformed church today is in danger of becoming precisely like Luke described the Aeropagus 17:21:
“For all the Athenians and the for- eigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing.” And there lies the danger for the faithful pastor. A minister knows he must defend the truth. Scripture com- mands him to rebuke, exhort, and re- fute error. Paul himself wrote whole epistles of controversy. Yet here the apostle warns that there is a category of engagement that does not protect Calvin again presses the point with uncomfortable clarity: “Avoid an heretical man. This is
properly added; because there will be no end of quarrels and disputes, if we wish to conquer obstinate men by argument; for they will never want words, and they will derive fresh courage from impudence, so that - ing. Thus, after having given orders to Titus as to the form of doctrine which he should lay down, he now forbids him to waste much time in debating with heretics, because battle would lead to battle and dispute to dispute. Such is the cunning of Satan, that, by the impudent talkativeness of such men, he entangles good and faith- ful pastors, so as to draw them away from diligence in teaching. We must therefore beware lest we become en- gaged in quarrelsome disputes; for we shall never have leisure to devote our
May/June 2026
And he continues:
“This is a highly necessary admonition; for even they who would willingly take no part in strifes of words are sometimes drawn by shame into controversy, - sides, there is no temper, however mild, that is not liable to be provoked by the should attack the truth, (as they are accustomed to do,) and that none should reply. Nor are there wanting men who are either of a combative disposition, or excessively hot-tempered, who are eager for battle. On the contrary, Paul does not wish that the servant of Christ should be much and long employed in debat- ing with heretics.”
[Both Quotations: Calvin, John. Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. Translated by William Pringle, Calvin Translation Society, 1856, p. 339-340]
Calvin’s warning is remarkably modern. Many ministers today (myself in- cluded) feel a continual pressure to respond publicly to every error circulating online, particularly when the proponents have already been warned or even disciplined by the church yet persist in broadcasting their views. The result is predictable: hours spent drafting responses, reading replies, clarifying misun- derstandings, and correcting misrepresentations — all while sermons, counsel- ing, study, visitation, and prayer quietly lose time they never recover. The shep- herd has not abandoned his calling; he has allowed it to be gradually replaced. Paul anticipated this pastoral trap long before social media existed. His solution is not endless rebuttal but ordered discipline: admonish once, ad- monish twice, then reject. The reason is theological. The divisive man is “self- condemned.” The church does not create his condemnation; it recognizes it. quarrel alive.
This also sheds light on Paul’s farewell warning to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20 and verses 28-30 in particular: Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage - selves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.” Wolves arise from outside the church, but also from within, drawing disciples after themselves. Notice the language: to draw away disciples after themselves. The threat is not simply wrong doctrine but redirected allegiance. A minister - None of this means the church ignores error. The church must speak, warn, and if necessary, discipline. But once a man proves he will not be corrected, the pastor’s duty shifts. He must return to feeding sheep rather than wrestling wolves for the entertainment of spectators. The modern minister therefore faces two temptations. One is cowardice —
refusing to confront genuine error. The other is perpetual combat — turning ministry into a running public dispute. Paul rejects both. The church patiently warns, carefully admonishes, and decisively separates when required. What it does not do is allow the most quarrelsome voices to dictate the use of the shep- herd’s time. Christ purchased a people, not an argument factory. The ordinary means of grace, faithfully administered week after week, build a church. Endless engage- ment with a factious man slowly corrodes it. For that reason, Paul’s command remains surprisingly pastoral: reject the divisive man — not in anger, but in
Reverend Andy Webb is the pastor of Providence ARP Church in Fayetteville, NC. 29
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32
