This was a comprehensive post addressing Mr. Minton's allowing legally actionable slanders of me at his blog. I had noticed Minton classified as "slander" speech toward him from YECs that was even less abusive and libelous than what Holding posted at his blog about me. I argued that under Minton's understanding of slander, he surely thinks Holding's mouth is even more out of control than the YECs.
Apparently, at the exact same time that I was authoring this post in the last few minutes, Evan Minton was deleting from his blog that post from James Patrick Holding that was so slanderous. That is, Mr. Minton granted my request that he remove Holding's libelous post.
Thank you, Mr. Minton. You did the right thing. At the end of the day, there really isn't any serious arguing about what "reviler" means in 1st Corinthians 5:11-13 means, nor what that passage compels true Christians to do. You've shown a level of spiritual maturity I never see in Holding's own followers. Hopefully you aren't one of his followers.
So while I had completed a full post on this very subject, I've chosen to delete it. Minton did the right thing, so continued criticism of him on that count is unwarranted. I will simply remind the Christian reader of biblical truths that Holding has never had the slightest interest in obeying:
Christians are to disassociate themselves from "Christians" who constantly "revile" others:
11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler-- not even to eat with such a one.
12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?
13 But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES. (1 Cor. 5:11-13 NAU)
Don't know what "reviler" means in v. 11? I already addressed that in a prior blog post here. I said:
"Reviler" in the Greek is λοίδορος---loidoros, and several lexicons make clear it is talking about the person who goes around insulting and slandering others. From TDNT:
Paul was very clear that Christians who manifest ceaseless anger and abusive speech are only showing they aren't truly transformed by Christ:449Danker:
λοιδορέω loidoreÃoÒ [to revile, abuse],
λοιδορία loidoriÃa [abuse],
λοίδορος loiÃdoros [reviler],
ἀντιλοιδορέω antiloidoreÃoÒ [to revile in return]
This common word group has the secular sense of reproach, insult, calumny, and even blasphemy. In the LXX it carries the nuance of wrangling, angry remonstrance, or chiding as well as the more usual calumny. Philo has it for mockery or invective. In the NT the verb occurs four times and the noun and adjective twice each.
1. loiÃdoros occurs in lists of vices in 1 Cor. 5:11 and 6:10. In Acts 23:4 Paul is asked why he reviles the high priest, and in his reply he recognizes a religious duty not to do so. In Mart. Pol. 9.3 the aged Polycarp cannot revile Christ; to do so would be blasphemy.
2. Christians should try to avoid calumny (1 Tim. 5:14), but when exposed to it (cf. Mt. 5:11) they should follow Christ's example (1 Pet. 2:23; cf. Mt. 26:63; Jn. 18:23), repaying railing with blessing (1 Pet. 3:9). This is the apostolic way of 1 Cor. 4:12: “When reviled, we bless” (cf. Diog. 5.15). By this answer to calumny the reality of the new creation is manifested. [H. HANSE, IV, 293-94]---------Source: here.
4004 λοίδοροςDon't know what "insolent" means?
λοίδορος,ου,ὁ [fr. a source shared by Lat. ludus ‘game’] insolent person 1 Cor 5:11; 6:10.
Source: here.
1 : insultingly contemptuous in speech or conduct : overbearing
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;
4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not be partakers with them;
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (Eph. 5:1-8 NAU)4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience,
7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.
8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,
10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him-- (Col. 3:4-10 NAU)
...And he who spreads slander is a fool. (Prov. 10:18 NAU)
Jesus said slanders are something from within a man that defiles him:
21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,
22 deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.
23 "All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man." (Mk. 7:21-23 NAU)
He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip. (Prov. 20:19 NAU)
19. Gossips are treacherous; cf. Instruction of Amen-em-ope: “Spread not thy words to the common people, nor associate to thyself one too outgoing of heart” (ANET 424a).20.
