Do we have the right to make these judgments?

by Matt Slick

To pronounce another religious group to be false can seem a pompous undertaking, especially in a culture that preaches tolerance for everything from homosexuality to a mother's "right" to kill her unborn child. Tolerance is the banner that unites much of our culture and anyone who points a judging finger at someone or something is often ridiculed.

But Christians are told in the Bible to separate themselves from the sinful practices of man and to expose error. "Examine all things and to hold fast to that which is true," says God's word (1 Thess. 5:21). So we do.

What does it mean to examine if we do not judge what is right and wrong? Jesus judged the Pharisees as hypocrites. Peter judged Ananias and Saphira as liars (Acts 5:3-4). Paul judged the Galatians as fools (Gal. 3:1).

The reason something can be said to be right or wrong is because the Bible has laid out before us a moral and doctrinal standard that is clear. It is wrong to lie. So, we are able to say to someone who lies, "What you are doing is wrong." That is making a judgment.

Likewise, with the cults, as Christians we are commanded to be able to give answers to everyone (1 Pet. 3:15) and to contend for the faith that was delivered by the apostles (Jude 4). If we do not fight for the faith, the faith will be lost. If we do not expose the errors of the cults, homosexuality, secular humanism, evolution, Islam, Roman Catholicism, then the false teachings will move unchecked in the world and lead even more into eternal destruction.

To make a judgment means that we must recognize that there are absolutes. In a world that worships relativism, absolutes are not welcome and the cults and false religions that promote their false doctrines beg tolerance; they don't want to be examined.

CARM stands for the truth of God's word, not a compromising collection of beliefs that changes as people's whims vary. False religions and secular idiologies that deny who Jesus really is are worthy topics of examination.  But in examining, judgments are made.  Of course, we don't advocate violence nor oppression against anyone.  But we do promote honest, biblical, logical examination of different belief systems and if they don't measure up to scripture, we say so.