Lesson #7 – Zeal & Courage No Excuse For Harshness
The seventh and last post in a series that Kevin DeYoung posted regarding a Dutch Reformed minister Jacobus Frelinghuysen (1691-1747)
7. Passion and courage are no excuses for a harsh spirit. Like all heroes (save one), Frelinghuysen had his weaknesses. In fact, he probably had more than most. He was a hothead and seldom irenic. He was harsh toward his opponents and judgmental at times toward his congregation. His demand for a heart-experience kept from the Table some Christians who made a solid profession and were not living in immorality, but could not live up to Frelinghuysen’s subjective standards. Later in life, he became more aware of his character flaws and realized that some of the “persecution” was owing to his own prophetic bullheadedness. Likewise, he was sorry he had labeled so many of his colleagues “unconverted.”
I agree with DeYoung’s observation, but one wonders how Frelinghysen would have dealt with today’s atmosphere of undisciplined, easily offended church goers and the wholesale disregard for the truth of the Scriptures. We certainly must use caution in dealing with individuals and seek to balance grace and truth, and we must speak the truth but in love. At the same time we must be careful not to become so concerned about becoming offensive that we never confront real issues and become afraid to speak boldly about them from the Scriptures.
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