The way which Christ pursued was always peculiarly open to the criticism and condemnation of objectors. The objections and carpings of the scribes and Pharisees which are recorded in the gospels, show how easily they found fault: and it would be easy to imagine what things could and would be said against His words and deeds by some men today. Did He leave the carpenter shop at Nazareth to address himself to the God-appointed task of teaching? The objector says, "He should have stayed at home [6] and made a living instead of roaming around." Did certain women and others minister to Him of their substance? "There goes a special-providence man who subsists on the charity of others." Did He spend forty days in the wilderness? "He ought to be out doing something--the world is dying, etc." Did He madden the whole audience at Nazareth? "Its his own fault--man ought to have more tact." Did He gather twelve men around Him? "Now look at that! Not content with quitting his own work, he is taking these men away from their occupation and livelihood and even from their families to walk around after him." In hearing Matt. 6:10 to 34--"This man is a dreamer, a fanatic, an extremist. I doubt that he is well balanced. Such teaching takes all ambition out of people and makes them careless and slipshod--'trusting in the Lord' when they ought to be at work!" Others would condemn Him for inactivity in public reforms and in "social service." And what men would say about His answer to the rich young ruler; the parable of the Unjust Steward; the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus; and then His fierce indictment of the Scribes and Pharisees, sticklers for minutiae, representatives of the straight party of their day, high in respectability, models of outward righteousness--Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!

      What would men say about such a prophet today? And was He crucified? I can see the objector, not wholly displeased, delivering his wise saws on that also: "Yes, well it is regrettable of course--but in such cases there is usually some fault on both sides. That man from Nazareth simply drove the authorities to it. He enraged them and outraged them. He trampled on their feelings in the presence of the people. To my opinion they bore with him quite patiently--really longer than one would have expected them. There are always two sides to a question."

      The thought has come often just what men would my and do if Jesus were to come among us in the same respective relation and attitude he sustained toward the Jews 1800 years ago and how they would line up in reference to him now. It is a matter for grave and anxious thought and heart-searching. If He came incognito as He did then, poor, humble, simple, with no prestige; with the same loyalty to His Father, teaching and living the same truth--what would men say and do? What would we say and do? But the special point here is this, that, objection and criticism in plenty could and would be lodged against most of Christ's words and works. For the way of God and His wisdom clashes sharply against the ways and wisdom of men. Nothing else need be expected. Nor need we, any of us who have subscribed heart and soul to Jesus Christ the Lord, expect anything better for ourselves if we follow faithfully his ways and principles. Let us not be put off because of criticism and condemnation from without or within. The servant is not greater than His Lord. But let us be exercised about this rather, that we seek to know and follow his will with faithfulness; that whatever men may say, God shall own us and our work in the end. [7]

["How Christ Would Be Criticised." Word and Work 9 (January 1916): 6-7.]

      The electronic version of R. H. Boll's "How Christ Would Be Criticised" has been produced from microfilm of Word and Work for 1916.

      Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained.

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 11 January 2002.
Updated 22 June 2003.