The aging apostle Paul, in an effort to assist his young companion in the faith, wrote Timothy two letters that we have with us and constantly use today. While instructing his young comrade Paul wrote, in 2 Timothy 4:3, "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions."
To be sound is to be healthy. In the Greek New Testament, two words are translated "sound;" one is a verb and the other an adjective. Both refer primarily to a healthy body, though the Greeks would also apply them to a healthy mind. Figuratively, the word "sound" is used to refer to a person's moral or religious character. If we are able to understand its literal use, that ability takes us a long way toward also understanding its figurative use. In its literal sense, the verb is used in three passages (of which I'm aware), and they greatly help us to understand the word's meaning. The three verses are Luke 5:31, Luke 7:10, and 3 John 2. Take the time to read them, and you will immediately gain a better understanding. Several verses use the word "sound" as an adjective.
When exactly is a person's body sound? One does not have to be a doctor, or have any medical experience whatsoever, to give at least a basic answer. A physical body is sound when all of the organs within that body are functioning correctly, and there are no abnormalities. Many people would probably claim that they are physically sound, when a simple X-ray or an MRI would quickly prove otherwise. You see, simply claiming to be sound does not make it so. God gave certain natural laws that govern the body's well-being, and when we break those laws, our bodies are no longer sound.
No one should have a problem comprehending the significance of the word "sound" as it applies to our spiritual lives. Just as our physical nature must adhere to certain laws that God instituted to govern the functioning of the fleshly body, we must adhere to spiritual laws that the Lord instituted to govern spiritual soundness. We find these laws only in the pages of Scripture. I think that brethren sometimes forget that abnormal growth is never a sign of soundness. Suppose one of my hands grew in length and power until it became powerful enough to crush any rock placed in it, while the other hand shrunk and altogether wasted away. Obviously, there must be a lack of soundness somewhere. There are brethren who, because they have developed tremendous strength in certain areas, have acquired a reputation for being sound, while much of their character remains undeveloped. Brethren, that is not soundness; it is abnormal growth!
This brings to mind a phone conversation I had with an elder who called to inquire about a future meeting for the congregation where he worked and worshiped. We agreed on dates and times, and I was preparing to say goodbye. But the conversation was not quite finished. The elder who was calling wanted to verify my "soundness." He asked about my views on marriage, divorce, and remarriage. I simply quoted Jesus' words in Matthew 19:9. Apparently that was the correct answer (how could it not be?), and we breathed a collective sigh of relief because my "soundness" was confirmed. The meeting was on!
Brethren, what is happening to us? The last time I checked, being "sound" involved a lot more than a person's views on one particular topic, or even on several. Actually, I know a Baptist or two who would whole heartedly agree with the Lord on the marriage-and-divorce question; does that prove their soundness? I suppose it shouldn't really surprise anyone, though, for the soundest church about which we can read, at least in two verses, proved to be not so sound after all.
In Revelation 2:2-3, we read the Lord's words to the church at Ephesus. You don't often see a better commendation than the one in those two verses. "I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary." Wow! Imagine the Lord saying this to us! Imagine how good we'd be feeling about ourselves. Unfortunately, He was not quite finished. The next verse: "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first." Huh. I'll bet they were correct on the marriage and divorce question, though.
During the Restoration Period, a church's soundness was determined on the basis of its response to certain controversies of the day. For instance, the congregation that used an instrument was considered unsound, or sound, depending on the side of the fence where you stood. We can also throw into the mix the missionary-society controversy, the open-communion controversy, the pious-unimmersed controversy, the church-supported college controversy, the Sunday school controversy, and any other controversies we wish to include. A single issue cannot determine a person's soundness.
Why do so many just take it for granted that opposition to innovations constitutes soundness. It is true that, in order to be sound, you must oppose many things, but you can oppose all the innovations in the world and still not be sound. Brother R.L Whiteside once wrote, "You do not have to run a high fever to be unsound physically--you may have a chill." Brother Whiteside, in all his pithiness, is right on.
I cannot stress enough that the requirements for soundness in spirit and faith are not fulfilled by simply opposing things. Why some Christians tend to think that a man's soundness depends on how loud he yells from the pulpit or the harshness of what he writes with the pen is beyond me. A man can oppose every departure from the truth, and he must do so, yet still be unsound because he fails to live up to the demands of a Christian life.
Again, Paul said to Timothy, this time in 1 Timothy 1:8-11, "Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and the sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the glorious gospel of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted."
These verses list several specific sins, but what is said at the end of the list is very important: "And whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine." Thus, every form of sin is contrary to sound teaching. Do you make it a practice to sin? Do you have an irregularity or an abnormality in your life? If so, you are unsound.
So let's get a bit more practical and specific. One can have all the courage and boldness in the world, but neglect meekness and kindness. That person is no sounder than those at the denomination with the organ and choir.
Another is extremely earnest about "contending for the faith," but lacking in any form of patience and forbearance.
As those characteristics are also commanded, perhaps I had better ask, "What do I still lack?" We tend to forget that Christians must develop these "opposing" characteristics. Yes, he must be brave and firm, but also meek and forbearing. Yes, he must be uncompromising with regard to the truth, but willing to yield his opinions for the sake of peace. Yielding is not weakness; nor is bullying courage. One who is sound must possess both attributes.
One more thing before we conclude. The adjective "sound" is descriptive; it was not, is not now, nor will ever be a part of some party name. Think on this.
Brother Litmer gives some good food for thought. In the past few years many "hobby riders" have sprung up within the "brotherhood." A hobby rider is one who expends great amounts of time and energy on one subject, which often is not a subject at all.
A gospel preacher who becomes a "one-issue" preacher puts himself in a very dangerous position. Having preached in Las Vegas for 13 years, naturally I have much material on the subjects of gambling and worldliness and have done in-depth studies on these subjects. But I do not want to be known as a preacher who speaks on nothing but gambling and worldliness? Preachers should have balance in their preaching and preach the "whole counsel of God." (Acts 20:27)
This is not to say that some preachers may not be right about a particular doctrinal subject. But if they go about "warning the brotherhood" by misrepresenting those who disagree with them, they also sin. Can one be right in doctrine but wrong in attitude and character and still be right with God? We all need to reread Ephesians 4:15 and Colossians 3:9. Sin is sin no matter how the sinner seeks to justify his actions. Let us be sure we have our facts straight and not seek to judge the hearts of others-that is God's job! (KMG)