Handling Accusations of False Conversion on Social Media Biblically
Handling Accusations of False Conversion on Social Media Biblically
Accusations of false conversion can be a challenging issue, especially in the context of social media where interactions are public and often scrutinized. The Bible provides guidance on how to handle such accusations. In Matthew 5:11, Jesus teaches that believers should expect to be reproached and persecuted, and that they are blessed when people say all kinds of evil against them falsely for His sake [3].
The apostle Peter also addresses this issue, advising believers to maintain a good conscience and a good conversation in Christ, so that those who speak evil of them may be ashamed of their false accusations (1 Peter 3:16) [1, 2]. This approach emphasizes the importance of living a virtuous life and being mindful of one's actions and words.
In dealing with accusations of false conversion, it is essential to consider the biblical teaching on the nature of true conversion and the role of human agency in it. According to John Calvin, the conversion of sinners is a work of God, and human efforts, though necessary, are insufficient on their own to bring about true conversion [5]. Charles Hodge also emphasizes that true conversion is a work of God, and that human actions, such as preaching and teaching, are means by which God effects this change [6].
The Bible warns against false professions of faith and provides guidance on how to discern true believers. In Titus 2:6, the apostle Paul exhorts believers to speak in a way that cannot be condemned, and John Gill interprets this as a call to use sound speech that is consistent with the Scriptures [7]. The importance of sound doctrine and virtuous living is also emphasized by John Chrysostom, who notes that the faithfulness of God is not dependent on human faithlessness [8].
In the face of accusations of false conversion, believers can take comfort in the knowledge that God is faithful and that He is able to discern the true state of one's heart. As Maimonides notes, God is aware of the intentions of those who worship Him, and He is not deceived by outward appearances [9]. Ultimately, the handling of accusations of false conversion on social media biblically requires a commitment to living a virtuous life, being mindful of one's words and actions, and trusting in the faithfulness of God.
The early church fathers and theologians provide valuable insights into how to navigate these complex issues. For instance, Aquinas discusses the importance of avoiding communication with those who are obstinate in their unbelief, while also recognizing that some individuals may be deceived or misinformed [4]. By considering the biblical teaching and the insights of theologians and church fathers, believers can develop a nuanced understanding of how to handle accusations of false conversion on social media in a way that is faithful to Scripture.
Sources
- I Peter “I Peter 3:16 (KJV) — Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Peter 3:16 — Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.”
- Matthew ““Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. -- Matthew 5:11”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Unbelief in General, Art. 9: Article: Whether it is lawful to communicate with unbelievers? I answer that, Communication with a particular person is forbidden to the faithful, in two ways: first, as a punishment of the person with whom they are forbidden to communicate; secondly, for the safety of those who are forbidden to communicate with others. Both motives can be gathered from the Apostle's words (1 Cor. 5:6). For after he had pronounced sentence of excommunication, he adds as his reason: "Know you not that a”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 41: the others have been voluntary agents in acting, if the Lord Jesus had not directed their hearts? 9. Some, who would be thought more acute, endeavour to evade all these passages, by the quibble, that there is nothing to hinder us from contributing our part, while God, at the same time, supplies our deficiencies. They, moreover, adduce passages from the Prophets, in which the work of our conversion seems to be shared between God and ourselves; “Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hos”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 137: plant, and Apollos water, but that God only can give the increase. 651 5. It assumes that the only power which God exercises in the conversion of sinners is that inherent in the Word, whereas the Scriptures abound with prayers for the gift of the Spirit to attend the Word and render it effectual; and such prayers are constantly offered, and ever have been offered, by the people of God. They would, however, be not only unnecessary but improper, if God had revealed his purpose not to grant any such influence, but to leave men to the unatte”
- Titus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Titus 2:6: Sound speech that cannot be condemned,.... In the public ministry, the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus should be used, and the doctrines of the Gospel be expressed, as near as can be, in the words which the Holy Ghost teacheth, and not in the enticing words of man's wisdom; such speech or language should be chosen, that is plain, easy, and acceptable, and conveys just ideas of things; and which being agreeable to the Scriptures of truth, and the analogy of faith, cannot be justly found fault with: or this may refer to private conversation, in which no rotten speech, o”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: the Jews to believe in Jesus as the Messiah? If some have not believed, does not that render void God’s promises to his people in the O.T., so that he is no longer bound by them?” ( v. 3 .) The answer is: “No, God is faithful to his promises in all conditions ( v. 4 ). (3) “Then the unbelief of the Jews seems to be the occasion of eliciting God’s faithfulness. The conclusion would be that falseness contributes to God’s glory.” To this Paul gives no specific reply but develops the argument so as to show that it leads to a (5) position: “Let us do evil”
- Mishneh Torah (Maimonides) (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Mishneh Torah (Maimonides), Mishneh Torah%2C Foreign Worship and Customs of the Nations 2:6: Whoever accepts a false god as true, even when he does not actually worship it, disgraces and blasphemes [God's] glorious and awesome name. This applies both to one who worships false gods and to one who curses God's name [as is obvious from Numbers 15:30]: "If a person commits [an act of idolatry] highhandedly, whether he be a native born [Jew] or a convert, he is blaspheming God." Therefore, a person who worships false gods is to be hanged, just as one who blasphemes against God is hanged. Both are e”