Jesus Was Not Schizoid or Stupid
If your interpretation of scripture makes him sound like he was, you are wrong
Consider the following two statements of Jesus, one from the seventh chapter of Matthew and the other from the seventh chapter of John:
1. “Do not judge, so that you will not be judged.” Matthew 7:1
2. “Judge with righteous judgment.” John 7:24b
What gives? Are we supposed to judge or not? The answer to this question is obvious, both as a matter of common sense and as a matter of scriptural interpretation.
As a matter of common sense, it is absurd to suggest that Jesus commanded his followers to suspend all moral judgments. If I say “Stalin killed millions; he was abominably evil,’ only an idiot would respond, “Now now, Jesus said not to judge.”
As a matter of scriptural interpretation, in context, the passage from Matthew means that one should not judge hypocritically. It does not mean one should always suspend moral judgment. Indeed, it says exactly the opposite:
For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and look, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye!
Matthew 7:2-5
Notice that last part. If you are not being a hypocrite, you are perfectly free to “take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
With that background, let’s look at the original question again. What do the following passages mean?
1. “Do not judge, so that you will not be judged.” Matthew 7:1
2. “Judge with righteous judgment.” John 7:24b
In context, the first passage means do judge hypocritically. The second passage means “judge with righteous judgment.”
None of this is controversial. That is why Chip Gaines blew it so badly when he responded to criticism of his scandalous sin by condemning those who judged his scandalous sin.
Chip, here is a hint about hermeneutics. When your interpretation of scripture makes Jesus look like he was schizoid or stupid (or both), your interpretation is grievously wrong.
Before I close, I have a question for Jimmy Seibert, senior pastor of Antioch Community Church, where Chip and Joanna have attended:
Pastor, two members of your flock have sinned and caused an international scandal. I Cor. 5 is clearly applicable. Do you have the courage to do what is necessary? Not holding my breath here.