Herbert J. Taylor was a Christian Business man, who influenced his generation with the gospel. He
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"
For more on Herbert Taylor get God's Man in the Marketplace: The Story of Herbert J. Taylor by Paul H. Heidebrecht. He was instrumental in the early years Young Life; InterVarsity and Child Evangelism
This is my adaptation of
1. Is it the truth? Does what you write accurately reflect the position of the person you are writing about? Do you provide evidence for your assertions using links or quotes that can be easily verified? Are you open to correction should you make mistakes? Scripture says,
Truthful lips endure for ever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. -- Proverbs 12:19
He who speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. -- Proverbs 12:17
Scripture obligates us to provide "honest evidence" of our assertions about other Christians when we dispute with them.
Therefore, putting away falsehood, let every one speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. -- Ephesians 4:25
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? Are you shaping the facts to fit your argument? Are you exaggerating your opponents faults? Do you employ a "straw man" approach by misrepresenting your opponents statements so you can defeat the weaker argument? Do you employ other logical fallacies such as guilt by association? That is do you imply that your opponent believes something because they happen to have an association with someone who believes that?
The ruthless will vanish, the mockers will disappear, and all who have an eye for evil will be cut down-- those who with a word make a man out to be guilty, who ensnare the defender in court and with false testimony deprive the innocent of justice.. -- Isaiah 29:20-21
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?Are you believing the best about the person your are debating with or the worst? Is your tone dismissive or disparaging? How can you rephrase your statements so that you promote goodwill rather than discord?
God hates it when believers so discord among others.
There are six things which the LORD hates, seven which are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and a man who sows discord among brothers. -- Proverbs 6:16-19
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? How is your comment really benefiting others? What contribution does it make to Christian witness for the gospel? What is the good that can come from blogging negatively about other Christian bloggers?
In summary. speaking falsely about another Christian blogger, being unfair in your representation of who they are and what they stand for, and employing negative characterizations does not benefit Christian witness, instead it is an offence to the gospel. It will sow discord among Christian brethren. This is something God hates! All I can say is that if we are truly committed to Scripture and live with a healthy respect for our Maker, we had better watch out how we handle the truth when it comes to blogging about one another online.
Instead, let me leave you with this comment about John Stott made in the preface of Stott's book Christian Mission in the Modern World by J. P. Hickinbotham, who was the Principal of Wycliffe Hall in Oxford..
He speaks and writes with the courtesy and warm friendship which Christians owe to one another when they are discussing their differences. He is not concerned to defend his own position, nor to defeat someone else's. Rather, he is inviting us to learn together more of God's truth and together we open ourselves fully to the biblical revelation of
Courtesy, warm friendship and inviting others to learn together more for God's truth ought to characterize Christian blogging.
Does your blogging pass the four way test? Christian witness in the Blogosphere demands a passing grade!
