Volume 2 Issue 2 April 1996
by Keith Malone
Bible is silent” have acquired another label from our liberal brethren. A famous
liberal preacher and author labeled some church of Christ members (which is
assumed would be non-institutional) as being pedantic. The American Heritage
Dictionary defines pedantic as, “Characterized by a narrow, often ostentatious
concern for book learning and formula rules”. Webster defines the word as,
“overly concerned with minute details or formalisms”. While the preacher who
made the statement meant it as a term of derision, some of it applies. The definition
from the American Heritage dictionary (highlighted) will be used to determine if
sound brethren are truly “pedantic”.
"CHARACTERIZED BY A NARROW..."
Any Christians who stick to the values and doctrines demanded in scripture will
at some point in their life be called “narrow minded”. Therefore, in the test of
pedantry, this would apply to conscientious Christians. Jesus said, “Because strait
is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find
it” (Matt.7:14). Consider the alternative, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is
the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which
go in thereat” (Matt.7:13). From the teachings of Jesus he encourages a narrow
walk, a restricted walk, not the loosening of doctrinal and moral practices that is
seen among digressive brethren. So, I would rather be “characterized by a narrow”
mindset when approaching doctrine as opposed to the broad way that many are
following today.
"OFTEN OSTENTACIOUS CONCERN"
The word ostentatious is defined by Webster as, “pretentious display meant to
impress others; boastful showiness”. Brethren concerned about the truth have
received labels such as “watchdog”, “troublemaker”, “brotherhood guardian”, etc.
Possibly this is why some have labeled these well-meaning men as pedantic. They
confuse these men’s true convictions with ostentation. Brethren have stood against
false doctrine and sin since the beginning of the church and have suffered for it. It
should be no surprise that the motives of honest men are impugned when
proclaiming doctrinal error. Jesus addressed this problem in the beatitudes,
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all
manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake” (Matt.5:11). Men who are God’s
watchmen will not be popular, they will not be the majority, they will not have the
accolades of famous preachers and authors laid at their feet, but they can have the
reward of God. The prophet Ezekiel faced the same problem in his day. God warned
Ezekiel if he didn’t proclaim the warning, the blood of the children of Israel would
be on his head. If Ezekiel did warn them and they chose not to listen, their blood
would be on their own head (see Ezek.33).
"BOOK LEARNING"
Christians are often criticized for their desire to know “the Book”. Christians
cite, “give me book, chapter and verse” for Bible authority. Or, “give me command,
example and necessary inferenence” from the scripture. From this desire to have all
authority from the Bible comes the label “pedantic”. Christians should be studying
and re-studying to make sure the things they are practicing are correct. It was this
type of approach that caused Luke to call the Bereans “noble” (Acts 17:11). Luke’s
inspired record says that the Bereans “were more noble than those in
Thessalonica…and searched the scriptures daily”. From Paul’s letter to the
Thessalonians, it is understood that they had doctrinal problems. More than likely,
from not searching the scriptures daily! In that day, the Bereans might have earned
the label of “pedantic” because of their habit of searching the scriptures to find out
“whether those things were so”. Jesus told John, “Saying, I am Alpha and Omega,
the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book” (Rev.1:11). By the
Lord’s instructions this book was then to be sent to the seven churches of Asia.
Would they also have been called “pedantic” for sticking to the words written in the
Book?
“FORMULA RULES"
As society becomes more sinful, brethren have moved away from “pattern
theology”. God has given us patterns in the New Testament that His people are to
follow. The plan of salvation is exactly that - a plan! A plan is a pattern. But liberal
brethren today are making statements such as, “Pattern theology has been the
undoing of those who had committed themselves to following after Bible authority
and trying to restore New Testament Christianity in our times” (Rubel Shelly).
There is a clear concise pattern in the New Testament for salvation and also for the
church. One passage that needs highlighted for a pattern of the New Testament
church is Hebrews 8:1-5. The Hebrews writer had this to say about the tabernacle
being a shadow of the church - “A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true
tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man…. Who serve unto the example
and shadow of heavenly things…..make all things according to the pattern showed
to thee in the mount”. Therefore, Christians must follow these “formula rules” that
are delineated throughout the New Testament. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my
commandments” - which will we do?
So, am I pedantic? I guess if taking the narrow road instead of the broad road,
and if crying “repent” when people stray off the path, and if asking folks to “open
your Bible and show me” when something new comes along, and if expecting the
church and the Lord’s people to follow the formula’s laid out in scripture is
pedantic, then yes, I must be pedantic.
