Blogging in Anger

Blogs have elevated the art of character assasination and angry tirade to a whole new level. In the past people had to settle with sending an angry letter to an editor. If the letter was interesting and mildly coherent, then the editor might even publish it. Now the least little offense can spawn blistering commentaries that circle around the globe. What is worse is that people not only pay attention to these withering assaults, they often attribute credibility to the authors. All the sides of the issue or conflict are rarely heard. It is simply not fair, but then who ever said that life was fair?



The problem, though, takes on a different character when it involves Christians and churches. There are two many church members who will take their greivances to the net. They gripe about their pastor or some policy that the church agreed to. There have been instances where a church staff member in anger posted confidential material on blogs. Blogs have been used to rally other angry people and get media attention about internal church matters. Christian leaders are assaulted by other Christians over a variety of matters.



MY BROTHERS, THIS SHOULD NOT BE!! Paul never imagined the technology involving blogs, but he would certainly understand the vitriolic spirit that drives many of them. If you have a grievance with another member or leader of a church it is a sin to post it on a blog. It is a clear violation of Paul's instructions on conflict resolution. Galatians 6:1 "Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted." Jesus instructed in Matthew 18:15-17 that conflicts should be dealt with privately. If a private resolution is not possible, then two or three witnesses should be brought in to confirm the facts.



If you are so angry that you must blog about your pastor or church, then prayerfully consider that you should find a new church. If you haven't first talked with the pastor or leadership about your gripe and instead post a blog about your complaint, consider yourself backsliden and pray for forgiveness.



The church has enough problems without fighting over the net. We can discuss important doctrinal issues and debate, but it should always be in a spirit of Christian love. The internal disputes and disagreements of the local church should not be fodder for blogs. Those who do so should spend more time reading the Bible than writing self-serving blogs.