Today, John Newton is known almost exclusively for writing the hymn, "Amazing Grace." During his own time, however, the Anglican priest was well-known for his measured wisdom and was often sought out for his advice regarding faith and life.
In his letter, "On Controversy," Newton gave advice to a person intending to confront someone publicly on a controversial point of doctrine. People who read his prudent counsel today (excerpted below) will be as well-served as the original recipient in the 18th century.
There is no shortage of controversy in our current culture, and people are quick to sound off publicly on nearly every difference of faith, politics, and culture, whether they know what they're talking about or not. Christians who make public remarks on controversial subjects would do well to heed Newton's guidance.
From Letter XIX, "On Controversy" by John Newton...
Respect Your Opponent
As to your opponent, I wish that before you set pen to paper against
him, and during the whole time you are preparing your answer, you may
commend him by earnest prayer to the Lord’s teaching and blessing. This
practice will have a direct tendency to conciliate your heart to love
and pity him; and such a disposition will have a good influence upon
every page you write.
...The Lord loves
him and bears with him; therefore you must not despise him, or treat him
harshly. The Lord bears with you likewise, and expects that you should
show tenderness to others, from a sense of the much forgiveness you need
yourself.
...If you write with a desire of being an
instrument of correcting mistakes, you will of course be cautious of
laying stumbling blocks in the way of the blind or of using any
expressions that may exasperate their passions, confirm them in their
principles, and thereby make their conviction, humanly speaking,
more impracticable.
Consider the Public
If our zeal is embittered by expressions of anger,
invective, or scorn, we may think we are doing service of the cause of
truth, when in reality we shall only bring it into discredit. The
weapons of our warfare, and which alone are powerful to break down the
strongholds of error, are not carnal, but spiritual; arguments fairly
drawn from Scripture and experience, and enforced by such a mild
address, as may persuade our readers, that, whether we can convince them
or not, we wish well to their souls, and contend only for the truth’s
sake; if we can satisfy them that we act upon these motives, our point
is half gained; they will be more disposed to consider calmly what we
offer; and if they should still dissent from our opinions, they will be
constrained to approve our intentions.
...Whatever it be that makes us
trust in ourselves that we are comparatively wise or good, so as to
treat those with contempt who do not subscribe to our doctrines, or
follow our party, is a proof and fruit of a self-righteous spirit.
...The best of men are not wholly free from
this leaven; and therefore are too apt to be pleased with such
representations as hold up our adversaries to ridicule, and by
consequence flatter our own superior judgments.
...I hope your performance will savor of a
spirit of true humility, and be a means of promoting it in others.
Consider Yourself
...We find but very few writers of controversy who have not been
manifestly hurt by it. Either they grow in a sense of their own
importance, or imbibe an angry, contentious spirit, or they insensibly
withdraw their attention from those things which are the food and
immediate support of the life of faith, and spend their time and
strength upon matters which are at most but of a secondary value.
...The wisdom that is from above is not only pure,
but peaceable and gentle; and the want of these qualifications, like
the dead fly in the pot of ointment, will spoil the savor and efficacy
of our labors.
If we act in a wrong spirit, we shall bring little glory to God, do
little good to our fellow creatures, and procure neither honor nor
comfort to ourselves.
...Go forth, therefore, in the name
and strength of the Lord of hosts, speaking the truth in love; and may
he give you a witness in many hearts that you are taught of God, and
favored with the unction of his Holy Spirit.
Excerpt from The Works of John Newton, Letter XIX “On Controversy.”
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