It is with great sadness that I have come to this decision. Last Monday August 14th 2017 I left the WVW broadcast network and I will not be returning.
I have been aware of Brannon Howse’s show for many years and I have enjoyed a number of his programmes over that time. I think Brannon has a good news programme which looks at things from a Christian perspective. I don’t see Brannon in the same hostile and negative light as many who defend James White for his interfaith dialogue with Yasir Qadhi. I believe he is sincere in his motives and has often been unfairly criticised by those who are judging him hypocritically in many aspects.
However, as I have addressed to Brannon himself on previous occasions, I have been concerned over the level of fuel being added to the White/Qadhi controversy on a daily basis, especially on Twitter. I think Brannon is often correct in his points, however the rebukes which have resulted from these points have been far from loving at times. The White/Qadhi controversy has become the White/Howse controversy and it has become personal. To me it has become apparent that the aim now seems to be to destroy James White’s ministry, and not to bring a brother to repentance. This is where the love is lacking, I fear.
The final straw for me, making this decision to leave the WVW broadcast network, was the James White video about his view of 2 Corinthians 4:4. It achieved nothing. This view, one I do not personally agree with, is not unique to James White and it does not present a view which is inconsistent with Reformed theology. God hardened Pharaoh’s heart and sends strong delusion to rebellious sinners (2 Thessalonians 2:11). The doctrine of reprobation, of God’s judicial hardening of sinners, is Reformed, confessional and orthodox (Romans 1:24).
It seems almost daily I receive new reports from listeners of my show who are angry with Brannon’s wars on Twitter with others who are equally culpable and childish in their behaviour. Some of the claims I have received are false and lack any evidence, however too many prove to be true and there is a constant poking of the hornet’s nest that does nothing to heal the divisions in the Church and bring people, where needed, to repentance. I only see, if I look at Brannon’s Twitter and Facebook pages alone, an effort to destroy the ministries of men who disagree with critics, like myself, on interfaith dialogue. Yes, it is really serious, but this does not excuse a type of trial by media which is taking place. This is where it has now crossed a line for me.
For the sake of the future of Megiddo Media I need to not be directly affiliated with such behaviour. However, I am happy to be a friend to Brannon if and when needed, but a line for me has to be drawn here between Megiddo Media and Worldview Weekend. I understand that to be on any broadcast network does not mean you necessarily agree with others on it, however the behaviour and campaign against James White has turned nasty and created such a toxic atmosphere in Christian circles that I feel this move is necessary.
Brannon is my brother in Christ, but so is Justin Peters, James White, Phil Johnson, Chris Arnzen and anyone else who has a credible profession of faith within the visible Church. When we sin, we need others to point us back to the truth in love, leaving the results of which to God. If needed we should bring these charges before elders in the church and allow the courts to do their job. We may not like a result from the church court, but usually we should accept it for the good of the Church of Christ, within reason of course. Appeals can be made, but we must respect the process.
We should call our brethren in Christ to repent when needed, but in love. We should always seek their spiritual well-being. We do our jobs in the media, if needed, to bring relevant stories to people’s attention, then once all the facts are covered we need to let the Church courts perform their Biblical role. We may not like the result of our efforts in the short term, but we cannot crash and burn the rest of the Church as a result. Continue to warn, but also continue to care for the brethren who have blind spots like we all have. We need to be gracious when and where it’s possible. If we have done our job, and covered all the relevant facts, then we need to move on before it becomes a witch hunt.
“Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” -Romans 12:16-21
Very tough, very mature decision made through much prayer (I am sure). Thank you for your example to follow.
This was a key insight from your post: “To me it has become apparent that the aim now seems to be to destroy James White’s ministry, and not to bring a brother to repentance.”
That speaks volumes and indicates what your goal was throughout this whole episode.
Will be interesting, and joyous no doubt, to look back months to years from now to see how God completed a Romans 8:28 on this whole subject.
-Paul
Paul, Lord bless you!!
God bless you, Paul! We’re grateful to the Lord for His work in your life, that you understand these things and are walking in a godly manner!
Sorry to see you leave Worldview Weekend programming. I’ve been looking at the responses to the James White interfaith dialogue with the Muslim leader. I hate to see Christians dividing over Islam, a satanic false religion that threatens our country’s safety and security and threatens Christianity. Islam seems to be succeeding in their goals.
Paul, you wrote:
“If needed we should bring these charges before elders in the church and allow the courts to do their job.”
Isn’t this exactly what ISN’T being done now, when calling this specific type of IFD a sin and calling for repentance? Dr. White must be under the eldership of his own church, right? He also has an accountability strucure in place within his ministry, has he not? It’s so weird to me, that people seem to think, that he is some sort of a lone wolf out there, accountable to nobody and with nobody who has any authority to speak into his life. Why not trust their judgement and let it be? Isn’t the fact that he has not been shut down by his church eldership or ministry board a good indicator that he enjoys their blessing in this matter?