Q2. Hospitality and Heresy

[Antwan]

Q2. (2 John 10-11) Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers? What would refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)? What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers? Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse? Why or why not?

The Apostle John tells his followers to refuse hospitality, in a corporate sense, to false teachers to prevent the false prophets from spreading their heresy and perverting the truth. He doesn't tell them not to be kind to them on an individual basis, but not to allow them to come into their church meetings and spread their heretic teachings (but they shouldn't let them spread false teaching in their individual homes, either). The main point made hear is to not become contaminated with a heresy and refuse the spead of false teaching. If the heresy is spoken in the congregation, as opposed to an individual, it would be more likely to be believed, since it is in a church setting, where everyone believes in it is the Spirit of Truth that inspired the message. Also, if spoken in the congregation, as oppposed to an individual, the heresy has more momentum to spread from each individual in the congregation. It is okay to be polite, but not gullible; don't let anything go on in the church, at the expense of the church's well-being, physical or spiritual. I don't think the divisions of denominationalism finds justification here, because these verses are talking about opposing those that are not really Christians, those that deny the Divinity of Jesus Christ, not those who believe in Him, but whose beliefs may differ a little for your own; as long as a person believes in Jesus as the Christ, born Son of God, and somehow, being God Himself incarnate, there is no reason to reject them.

[Craig]

Q2. (2 John 10-11) Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers? What would refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)? What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers? Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse? Why or why not?

In order not to give them an opportunity to spread false teaching. It is an act of kindness to welcome someone into our home and show them love and hospitality. It is another thing to welcome false teachers into our church to present false teachings.

As Christians we should show kindness, compassion, and mercy to all those around us as we model and live out the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ-like love is a powerful force that gets attention and opens doors whereas hatred and disrespect distort Christ and close doors to the gospel.

All Christians should find common ground in Jesus Christ. In my opinion, the saints should feel comfortable in each others churches. The sad fact is that demoninationalism has distorted the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Most demoninations won't get along because of franchise marketing -- "my faith in Christ" is the only faith in Christ, etc.

Demoninations are too busy building moments to themselves rather than winning the lost to Jesus Christ. Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life ..." not the Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, or any other demonination. Jesus is savior. Jesus is the only way to the Father.

[MAMA]

Q2. (2 John 10-11) Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers? What would refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)? What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers? Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse? Why or why not?

John tells his people to refuse hospitality to the false teachers because any involvement with them would mean they are in agreement with the hersey that was being spread.

I think that sometimes people live in their own world; what I want; its about me; I am the man; I am better;the false prophets position in church went to their heads and they thought they could do it better. They were a puff up group of people who showed no love for their brothers. They will never see tolerance and stupidity in their ways because they have no love in their hearts.

Refusing hospitality for a congregation as opposed to an indiviual; a congregation is a bigger group of people meeting in church to recieve spiritual guidance. The false prophets would have a bigger group of people in the congregation, to spread their hersey than an indiviual. John dose not want any of his people to here what the false prophets were stating about Jesus deity.

I think that the divisons of denominationaism has found justification in this verse; because the false teachers had all ready separated themselves from the believers of Christ; also they didnot waste anytime spreading false doctrine to build thier own congregation or sect.

Patricia

[maddog]

Q2. (2 John 10-11) Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers? What would refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)? What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers? Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse? Why or why not?

Giving hospitality to false teachers in the congregation can disrupt true teachings as the people try to discern the truth. It could light a fire of heresy in the assembly. The border is the H.S. that gives us discernment to seek out the truth. We tolerate other denominations as long as they teach the Gospel in truth. False teachers seek to do the devils work by leading people away from Christ and toward the death of sin.

[charchar]

Q2. (2 John 10-11) Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers? What would refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)? What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers? Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse? Why or why not?

We should refuse false teachers hospitality because it's not the true words of Christ. When we began to listen to the false words of God it is what we start to believe. This is not of God but of the devil. another trick to deceive the words of God that is written. We should not tolerant any teaching that is not in accordance to the words of God and one that may say is studpid is also free to make the choice and read, study and ask God to open the meaning of his words to them. As for all the different denominations it's not about the name about about the true words that is given. This is so important for us to understand because our denomination is not what's going to decide our life forever with Christ but our life that we live. I wish sometime that it was not such thing as a denomination because so many are being caught up in title not understanding that false teachers are everywere and we must study for ourself also.

[sahala p.s.]

Q2. (2 John 10-11) Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers? What would refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)? What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers? Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse? Why or why not?

Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers?

It is because the false teachers are very dangerous. They are antichrists and deceivers. If we show hospitality to them, we will give them chances to spread their teachings to us.

What would refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)?

It would means not inviting the false teachers to the assembly and letting them to speak in it

What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers?

In relation to false teacher, tolerance and stupidity is the same. We should not be tolerant at all to them. We will be in stupidity if we give him cordial greetings, encouragement, chances to say their faith or teaching to us.

Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse? Why or why not?

No, because they are usually not caused by the difference of the faith in Christ, of how to consider Christ Jesus as the Son of, our Lord, and our Savior, but by the differences of ways to worship him, what is allowed to eaten or not according to the Bible, etc, which by those all we will be closer to God. God see our heart and our faith, not the method and tool we use. Sometimes, the new denomination is introduced by a leader because of the pride of the leader

[Foofee's Nana]

Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers?

John is saying this because we leave ourselves open to false teachings and really to satan.

What would refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)?

To refuse hospitality as a congregation protects the body of believers from teachings that are not scriptual. We are in a battle for our souls. It is also important that as an individual we keep ourself protected, we may be more inclined to let our manners take over and forget the truth.

What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers?

We need to be tolerant of believers from a different church or background....not to be open to false doctrine that can damage us. We need to be fiercely protective of our eternal life.

Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse? Why or why not?

This is not about denomination....this is about dealing with the Antichrist......this is for the deceivers and false teachers.

[Debra M.]

Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers?

Because they are a danger to the church. It is inviting in evil.

What would refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)?

Not allowing the false ones to speak or teach before the congregation. Possibly pointing out the doctrine as being false and misleading.

What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers?

Allowing false teachers to teach and preach and become influential is stupidity. Tolerance may allow the false teachers to listen, but they will have no say.

Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse?

To a degree.

Why or why not?

They do because they can differ in doctrine. However, most denominations have a foundational truth. Jesus Christ is the Messiah and Savior and the only way to eternal life with God.

[royk]

Q2. (2 John 10-11) Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers? What would refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)? What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers? Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse? Why or why not?

When are we Christians in the world but not acting of the world? When we have hold of the Spirit of God in us, we will not act of the world. But many brothers are confused and twisted by life experiences and may have false beliefs, even partial false beliefs. Someone who denies the deity of Jesus Christ might be your average Joe on the street who is just LOST. Is this the enemy or is it someone God has placed before us to witness our faith and hope in Jesus? Jesus said to love our enemies, so must we love those who deny the deity of Christ? What is the difference between offering hospitality and being a brother to the lost? How do we examine the heart of another one in front of us to say/feel what that person needs from us as his or her servant? If some one says the bible is full of lies, yet he believes Jesus came to us as the son of God, is this person our enemy? How much fellowship do we offer such person? If this person is sick on the street, do we walk past him? What do we do? Being awake, aware, prayerful and loving can we allow God to show us the right thing to do in each moment? If Jesus did not come to judge, but to save, how can we judge another? Still as a young Christian I have found that is asking elders to examine "someone" who seems partly lost, is a way to get guidance in dealing some one who might say "Jesus didn't come from the Father, he is not God..."

I'd agree that in some cases it can become obvious not to offer hospitality to another, after examining their heart and words and seeking the advice of an elder.

[anne1151]

Q2. (2 John 10-11) Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers? What would refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)? What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers? Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse? Why or why not?

1. So they can't spread their false teachings thru the church possibly swaying new Christians.

2. It would lessen worldly imput into the church, keeping the faith strong, and avoiding dissension.

3. Allowing ourselves to be swayed from the word of God as written in the Bible, and as Jesus taught us, would be stupid. Tolerating a false teacher in our midst, isn't just tolerating an antichrist, it is supporting them and their wrong beliefs. It is wiser to avoid them altogeather.

4. I just can't see it. You either worship the one true God, or not. You might be Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, etc., but there is only one God.

[Ramon]

Q2. (2 John 10-11) Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers? What would refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)? What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers? Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse? Why or why not?

Answer:

1. Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers? What would refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)?

To refuse hospitality is to reject,..not to agree to any thing that exalts themselves above the knowledge of Jesus including the proponents of such false doctrines.(2 Cor 10:5- and every arrogant obstacle16 that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey17 Christ.)…James has said it clearly in James 4:7- So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you.

If you cant affect them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ,them don’t let them INFECT YOU WITH THEIR FALSE DOCTRINES.

2. What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers?

Try to win them first to make them change their minds(repent)..but if they still insist to stick to their doctrines,then don’t associate with them,and remove yourself from their presence.

3.Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse? Why or why not?

YES…no matter what is your denomination,how you call your denomination,if the teaching and doctrines is not the GOSPEL of JeSUS CHRIST…then they are anti-Christ…plain and simple…Apostle calls them to be accursed to be cursed to hell…even if that person comes from heaven as an angel…

Gal 1:6-9- I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one4 who called you by the grace of Christ5 and are followinga different7 gospel – 1:7 not that there really is another gospel, but there are some who are disturbing you and wanting to distort the gospel of Christ. 1:8 But even if we (or an angel from heaven) should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be condemned to hell!

[servant for Christ]

John tells his readers to refuse hospitality because of bringing false doctrine into the church. Deniers of faith are destroyers of souls. Refusing for a congregation would be good. It would keep false doctrine out. There is no tolerance when false teachers are involved. No, I don't think it does. Because God says all believers are not to accept false teachers.

[jacquie7]

John tells his readers to refuse hospitality to false teachers because their message would affect others and lead them astray. For the church, it means protection from allowing them to spread vicious heresy’s among the congregation. There are many members in the congregation and not all are on the same spiritual level or maturity. Those who are not as mature as others may be easily influenced the same as those who are more mature may be swayed by false teachings. Believers must reject false teachings and not endorse them. The borderline between tolerance and stupidity is we tolerate the beliefs of others regardless of what we may think of what they believe. Stupidity is lacking common sense about biblical truth (for example, God created the heavens and the earth or denial of Jesus’ existence as human and God).

Divisions of denominationalism (many churches teaching different doctrines) look for justification to support their theology anywhere they can find it, twisting biblical truth, causing confusion and divisions in the body of Christ. Jesus is one Person in the Father; and He taught and built “one body”, not several different ones. Anyone not teaching what Jesus’ or His chosen disciples and apostles (Paul)) taught and spoke of; cannot use this verse or any other verse in the bible to justify false doctrine.

[Craig]

Q2. (2 John 10-11) Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers? What would refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)? What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers? Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse? Why or why not?

These verses are the heart of this epistle. It gives us valued advice on how to deal with false teachers who come to our church doors as well as, I believe, the door to our homes. The home is part of the church. John does not refer to casual visitors but to anti-Christian propagandists. Should we invite them in? Give them a cup of coffee? Help them financially? Buy their literature? The answer is that we should not receive them or greet them. These people are enemies of Christ. To show them hospitiality is to take sides with those who are against our Savior.

It is possible that sometime we might let such a person into our church or house without knowing that person denies the Lord. These verses would not apply in such a case. But when we do know a person to be a false teacher, it would be disloyal to Christ to befriend him. These verses do no apply to visitors in general. But focus on religious teachers who deny the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ.

This doesn't apply to different denominations within main stream Christianity -- those churches who hold to the Apostles' Creed.

[Guitar Jim]

Q2. (2 John 10-11) Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers?

 

John is very blunt in what he says here. He knows that if you let false teaching gain a foothold you could very easily succumb to it. The best way to prevent that is to not welcome false teachers into the Church that meets in your home and to not welcome any false teacher seeking hospitality into your home. That's pretty harsh but necessary. At that time the Church was in real danger of being corrupted by the various erroneous teachings that had sprung up. Satan was going all out to prevent God's Church from becoming established on sound Scriptural and Apostolic teaching.

 

 

 

What would refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)?

 

Don't let 'em in the door! When you meet to worship don't allow the false teachers to participitate. And certainly don't let them speak or prophesy!

 

 

 

What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers?

 

We should tolerate the presence of false teachers when we encounter them and maybe not be rude to them, but at the same time we should early in the encounter establish that we aren't interested in their teaching or philosophy. To slam the door in a Jehovah's Wittness's or a Mormon's face is just plain rude.

 

 

 

Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse? Why or why not?

 

No. There are different denominations . . . . and there are different religions that on the surface appear Christian but aren't. The mainstream Protestant denominations don't differ all that much in their fundamental doctrines. They all believe in Jesus as the Son of God who died for their sins and rose from death to give them eternal life. They also all believe that a personal relationship with Jesus and the indwelling Holy Spirit are necessary to be a true Christian. Their differences lie in some of the things they permit and prohibit in terms of living the Christian life. I personally don't see any harm in those differences because they're minor at best. Even the differing views on predestination and election, gifts of the Spirit etc, don't affect the facts about Jesus' godhood.

There are, however, religions that have re-translated the Bible to make it agree with what they believe. They don't believe in Jesus as God. They say God created Jesus first and then, with Jesus' help, created the Heavens and the Earth.

Then there is a religion that has added other books to the canon of Scripture and places equal importance on them as they do to the Bible. They also recognize people as Divinely appointed prophets whose writings are elevated to Scriptural importance.

Then there are some religions that don't fully recognize the completeness and totality of Jesus's sacrifical death and insist on obeying the Jewish laws as well as kinda sorta accepting Christ as well.

Then there is the grand-daddy of all false religions . . . the one that encourages their members to pray to pious people who have died and then been elevated to a position of importance and are worthy of worship. They point to Jesus's earthly mother as the mother of God Himself. They impose man-made rules that supercede the Bible itself in their importance to a member's life in the church. They have in their secret vaults enough evidence to prove a hundred times over that they are a false religion and guard that evidence with unbelievably tight security, while all the time proclaiming themselves to be the protectors and keepers of the faith. Good luck in trying to not show them hospitality! In the eyes of the world THEY are the true Christian church while the ones that teach Biblical truths are pretenders to that position.

 

[Old Jerry]

The reason that the Apostle John tells his readers to refuse hospitality to false teachers is so that they won’t be able to spread the false gospel to the people. By refusing hospitality to a congregation means that they would not be given a platform in which to spread their false gospel.

The border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers is that they might be able to convince you of their false teachings. So if you don’t listen to them they cannot spread false teaching.

I don’t know the reason that denominations split. Sometime is just the personality of the pastor or somebody in the body has convinced them that they are being taught a wrong doctrine.

[wifee]

2a)He says refuse hospitality to false teachers as a strategy of selfprotection.

,not encouraging them by including them in worship,not giving them space to speak &spread false messages, as this would mean could be as interpretated as being in agreement with false messages.

c)No,

d)christians amongst denominations do recognise JCas Lord&saviour in the main.Called to focus on what unites us, not division..

[tgandy]

False teachers are not Christians of a different denomination that we should be charitable to or tolerant. They have lost their allegiance to Jesus and are now spreading false information.  A congregation does not need to hear this.  We should not be hospitable to these false teachers.  We should shut them out, turn our backs to them.  I feel the divisions of denominationalism should feel justified in this verse. We belong to God the false teachers belong to the devil.

[cezhead]

  To refuse hospitality to the false teachers is to not welcome into our church family and to resist them. This is to protect the flock from the wolves satan likes to send in to try to lead us away from the truth. To tolerate something is to know that it is not good but doing nothing. We can tolerate poor manners or strange dress in our congregation because these things do not distract us from the truth of the Gospel. However, it becomes stupid when something or someone teaches something that is clearly not the truth and we allow them to infect our family and lead us away from the truth.

   Someone could use this verse to support denominationalism, but they would be wrong because John calls it evil.

[hanks]

Q2. (2 John 10-11) 
Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers? 
What would be refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)? 
What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers? 
Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse? 
Why or why not?
We have to be most careful not to be contaminated with false doctrines. We as Christians are well aware of our duty to provide hospitality and support to God’s messengers. Here John reminds us that this sort of practical encouragement depends upon the message they are spreading. When it comes to a church, however, by accepting the teacher into the church is tantamount to accepting and agreeing with their teaching. We are not to allow them to get a foot-hold in our homes or churches - all they will do is spread lies and side with the antichrist. Their aim is to lead us away from our Lord and Saviour. If other denominations teach us the truth about Jesus - that they believe in the absolute deity and humanity of the Lord Jesus - then there is no problem, they are to be welcomed as believers.
 

[haar]

Q2. (2 John 10-11)

Q. Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers?

A. To guard against allowing the false teachers to lead good followers of Christ astray with their false deceitful teaching.

Q. What would refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)? What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers? Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse? Why or why not?

A. In offering hospitality wisdom must be applied to avoid provision of hospitality that will be injurious. This whether hospitality is by/ to an individual or a body

[Reuben]

Q2. (2 John 10-11) Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers? What would refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)? What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers? Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse? Why or why not?

The false teachers are to be refused because they are going to stain the white table cloth of the church. They will cause division and confusion within the church. Refusing hospitality would spare the congregation the task of having to discern and deal with someone that should never have been allowed to even get close to the congregation and influence them.

It is stupidity to tolerate a false teacher. 

In some cases it does and some it does not. There are so many denominations it is scary. Most of them having the same beliefs as Christians, but just differing in church structures and how services are held. There are also those that are not anti Christ false teachers , and believe in Jesus in the flesh, God the Father and the Holy Ghost, BUT they are just as dangerous, because they teach a false salvation message.

[Krissi]

Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers? What would refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)? What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers? Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse? Why or why not?

Back in the 1980s, perhaps it was the 1970s, a book was published that explained in statistical detail why some churches grow ... and others die. It has two authors, Finke and Starke --  I'm blanking out on the title -- sorry. The gist of the book is that churches that thrive/ grow had certain characteristics, one of which is high borders or boundaries between the growing church and apostate churches and the world; a second of which is a high or difficult set of criteria that must be met for membership in the growing church. In other words, church membership had to be personally costly. It had to involve personal sacrifice.  Similarly, ideas and people that did not toe the line of the growing church's theology and ethic had to be rejected. Churches that were thriving required personal sacrifice to belong.

At the time the book was written oldline denominations were unable to accept their cultural and spiritual irrelevance, so Finke and Starke's book hit hard. They were angry about the book's thesis because their modus had been to compromise with the culture whenever possible. As time passed, these oldline denominations were laughingly called 'the Democratic party at prayer.' They had abandoned faith for politics, God for mammon.

They didn't see -- their plummeting membership roles eventually proved this -- that compromising with the secular culture does not preserve the church, but inevitably destroys it.  Right now, many evangelical churches are following the pattern of failure of the oldline denominationals. They, too, with either die or reform. Reform movement always come from the right, or the more orthodox/conservative direction. Even if particular churches die,  a new 'evangelical church movement' will eventually form to re-form the old and plant new churches. 

Thus, to get to your question: not showing hospitality and not accepting false teaching makes perfect sense. John is telling the early church to not step on the slippery slope to apostacy ... to guard their orthodox or true teachings from politicizers and false teachers. The church not only has to refuse them entrance to their houses, taken literally, but also refuse them entrance to their membership.

Tolerance is apostacy. 

--

I've always thought that the divisions or denominations in Christianity should be regarded positively, not as divisive horrors that needed to be ecumenized. His body has many parts.  His body is always in flux, actively pushing out the apostate/bad and building up the orthodox/good. Congregations tend to follow the cues of their leaders, and as leaders become spiritual flaccid or sloppy, a  particular church starts to slip, as the body carries on.

I was just in an Anglican church where this happened. Now, that church is dying.

It's best to see dying churches are a sign of spiritual vitality, not weaknesses. It's the way the body sloughs off dead tissue and builds up better tissue elsewhere. We should rejoice when churches die just as we rejoice when they thrive -- God's body does not die, though particular churches will fold. The recent COVID fiasco caused many weak and marginal churches to 'go out of business.' The net effect was to strengthen remaining churches. It's been good, overall, for His larger body, though painful for individuals -- like me -- who had to go church shopping during COVID to find a church that was committed to acting like His church all the time and not just when life was easy.

--

When I was in New England a couple years ago, I was struck by the number of churches -- often Congregational -- that had folded and were 'repurposed' as homes, local theaters and restaurants. It was saddening to see this. I couldn't help thinking about believers who had sacrificed to build those churches, long ago. When churches become B-grade country clubs without spiritual vitality, they should fail. Slowly. Many churches in New England have fat endowments and lean membership. This, too, is failure. If the body of Christ keeps these necrotic members, it too will become spiritual gangrenous. We must shun those who have shunned the gospel.

When churches compromise with the culture and begin to fail, we should drop to our knees in prayer. We should pray for revival. It's no secret that the First Great Revival started in New England, which even then had turned from God.  Today, I live in the western part of the United States, a place known for atheism and agnosticism. Many churches here should die -- they're useless compromisers. Others are struggling valiantly against the odds. God can send revival if He so chooses. Even the Rocky Mountains can experience revival.

I am praying for a Great Awakening.

I also pray for the people in these dead churches. I pray they find new ones, that the process of rejecting the bad and affirming the good continues.

[Rob Mc.]

(2 John 10-11) Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers? What would refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)?

John is telling congregations to keep false teachers out of their church and don’t let them influence the true Christian message. John saw these false teachers as workers of Satan, i.e., Antichrists. If they are allowed to speak in your church, they will spread their heretical subject matter among the people, hoping to pull many away from the true teachings of Christ.

What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers?

Care must be taken when giving hospitality to individuals or groups that profess to be true followers of Christ.  Especially today, it is smart to listen with care for cues or topics that strike a dissonant chord.  If something being taught doesn’t sound right or feel right, it bears closer scrutiny.

Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse? Why or why not?

The different denominations within the current church are not the focus of John’s letter.  If the people are known to us, and known by their own church, we can be hospitable to them. John’s focus is on those that have forsaken allegiance to Jesus Christ.  They live to undermine the message of Jesus in the gospels and want to spread ”false doctrine.”  Stay Away!!