"Mean-Spirited" Theology

We may discuss a bad restaurant, a bad relationship, a bad leader, but to discuss bad theology offends those who would rather control God than be taught by Him. The reality is that people refuse God's word because it does not tickle the ears but we embrace our own hearts because they are wicked. Thanks for your work John. Blessings

"A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God's truth is attacked and yet would remain silent."-John Calvin

Discernment is quite the opposite from "mean spirited," but in a postmodern age, discernment is hated quite precisely in the way you have pointed out: it makes distinctions.
In fact, Love and discernment walk hand in hand; Phil.1: 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;"
If we are to approve of what is excellent, we have to discern between what is excellent and what is "bad."
It is quite unloving of a teacher of the Word to NOT discern truth from error and declare "peace peace when there is no peace."

Without setting aside what seems some criticism that the subject title was in poor taste, that's as subjective as beauty in the eyes of the beholder, I thought putting up this theological or philosophical quote from dear old reformer Martin Luther might cool the visitor' anguish?

"FOR IF I DID NOT HAVE THE WELFARE OF MY BROTHER AT HEART

I WOULD CERTAINLY BE QUIET AND LET HIM GO

BUT THE FACT THAT I OPEN MY MOUTH AND REBUKE HIM IS AN INDICATION THAT I LOVE HIM AND SEEK HIS WELFARE

FOR MY FAILURE TO INSTRUCT AND REBUKE MY BROTHER IS ACTUALLY AN EVIDENCE OF ANGER"

An astute response John, and well said. Keep up the good work.

John, please gently correct him, appeal to him, and if necessary admonish him as a brother. In my opinion, you had an edge and came across as a lecturer. It takes time to understand the gospel of grace, and we are so dependent on God giving us eyes to see.

I have found that Reformed web forums tend to be condescending and unable to empathize even with other people even within the Reformed faith. This is a real practical issue and i understand why Reformed people can get jaded of offensive as we are continually pushing back on Pelagianism and all the ramification that stem from the denial of this doctrine. But i havn't seen it on this site as i dont look much at comment but it would not surprise me if there was a germ of truth therein to the comment. Two words could describe my pre converted nature - Mean Spirited, and it carries on even now but instead of getting drunk and fighting people who look at me too long for my liking, i tend t get mean spirited over truth claims about God. I dont know which is worse.

Truth must come before charity but the truth should never be deficient of charity especially when dealing with brothers in Christ.

@Jim,

point taken.
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@jj

Thanks for your comments. This email comment was originally one I received in response to the Monergism theological directory topic "bad theology", not in response to any reformed forum or not even in response to anything "Reformed" at all. It was simply a comment that the very existence of a topic called "bad theology" was itself nasty spirited.
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Understood....Long live the "bad theology" topic ! seems people want to do away with the law of the excluded middle and just have shades of grey. Errors should be labeled as such.

Wow, short and to the point of the emailer's self-contradictory protests about bad theology.

J.M., where does the Luther quotation come from? I googled it and only found this page...