John Newton’s Advice During Times of Controversy

by Jon Buck

“Controversies, for the most part, are so managed as to indulge rather than to repress his wrong disposition; and therefore, generally speaking, they are productive of little good. They provoke those whom they should convince, and puff up those whom they should edify.”

There have been times of controversy in the church since the book of Acts (see Acts 15, for example). When controversy comes, how should we handle those who may take a different side of an issue than ourselves? 

The answer can be found in a host of places, of course, but the words of the English pastor John Newton in a letter to a friend ring very true. 

If you have the time, read it. It’s worth a careful read in times like these. 

https://www.ligonier.org/blog/john-newton-on-controversy/