Biblical Separation Defended - Far Eastern Bible College

willingness to join in the campaign where the gospel is to be preached,is “deserving” of having converts.The Writer’s CritiqueThe quotation of Dr. Ferm which is given above indicates that he isunder the impression that Christ has forbidden Christians from formingopinions concerning the doctrinal orthodoxy or heterodoxy of any whocall themselves “Christians.” His words reveal that he believes that it isagainst the will of Christ for Christians to judge as to whether or not acertain church or pastor will feed or starve the lambs sent to them, orwhether or not the church or pastor will protect or lead astray the littleones who might be placed in their care. Since he has not stated thebiblical grounds for his conclusion, it will here be conjectured that hisview is most probably based upon his interpretation of Matthew 7:1, theverse which forbids judging. In any event this verse will lead us into theterritory which needs exploration.Matthew 7:1 commands, “Judge not, that ye be not judged,” and thetextual basis for this verse is unassailable. Arndt and Gingrich list thefollowing meanings among the many for the verb “to judge” (krino)which is used twice in the verse: separate, distinguish, judge, think,consider, decide, hale before a court, condemn, administer justice, see toit that justice is done, pass judgment upon, criticize, and find fault with. 6Despite its many shades of meaning, its parallel in Luke 6:37 which is ina context of being merciful versus being condemnatory, and the fullerimmediate context of Matthew 7:1-4 indicate clearly that the command“Judge not” prohibits censoriousness with its harsh self-righteouscondemnation and unmerciful spirit. The fact that the ones whom Christdeems guilty of this sin are referred to by Him as “Hypocrites” who seespecks in the eyes of others while having beams in their own eyes (Matt.7:5), shows that “faultfinding” and unmerciful despising andcondemning of others is the sin at issue.If forming opinions about others is forbidden per se, how could theChristian obey Matthew 7:6, the verse which immediately follows thissubject, which commands, “Beware of false prophets,” which to obeyrequires an opinion to be formed on the soundness of one who calls54