Jethro criticized Moses. Samuel confronted Saul’s disobedience. Paul challenged Peter when he separated from Gentile believers. Jesus chastised the Pharisees.
Many of the Bible’s most faithful figures were critics. However, it’s not easy to find a good example of a Christian critic today. Most of our criticism is online, and even among believers, it’s often ugly.
We should be critics, but we should be distinctly Christian critics. Here are three principles for criticizing like a Christian.
1. Criticize to build up, not to tear down.
Paul tells the Corinthians, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Cor. 13:1). We should aim to have every part of our lives characterized by love. This includes how we criticize.
Before you speak, ask yourself, Do I truly want this person to be better, sharper, more informed, and more Christlike after hearing what I have to say? If love means wanting the best for others, am I loving him or her with my critique?
If love means wanting the best for others, am I loving this person with my critique?
A loving critique need not be a flimsy one. Back in seminary, I led an accountability group for guys struggling with porn. Frequently, one of the more mature members of the group would directly confront another about the foolish habits that led him into sin. Those critiques were sharp, but they came from a genuine, loving desire to see a brother walk in integrity.
Christians can be bold, clear, and forceful in their critiques. Yet our ultimate aim must always be to build one another up in love.
2. Build steel men, not straw men.
The straw man is an old debate tactic where you intentionally misrepresent someone’s argument so that it can be easily knocked down.
Christians shouldn’t build straw men.
Instead, steel-man others’ arguments. Understand what they’re really aiming for. Don’t attack a tangential idea. Don’t nitpick their grammar. Don’t attack their character. Don’t go for the easy shot. Listen charitably to the strongest version of what they have to say, then critique.
My coexecutive director, John-Michael, is excellent at building steel men. One time, we were arguing about a new podcast idea we hoped to produce, and we each had a radically different vision for the project. After an hour of getting nowhere, he stopped and said, “OK, let me take a few minutes, and I’ll try to articulate your perspective. Tell me if I understand you properly.”
John-Michael then steel-manned my argument. He laid out my vision accurately and fairly. He still disagreed with me, but he made the effort to represent my perspective well, and I felt valued because of it.
Ultimately, building a straw man is sinful because it bears false witness against others (Ex. 20:16). By building a steel man, you’re both acting in love and developing a more substantive critique.
3. Criticize what you understand.
Several years ago, I made a series of YouTube videos criticizing the political left. I talked about free speech, advertising laws, and cancel culture.
I look back on those videos with embarrassment because I had no idea what I was talking about. Sure, my critiques were vaguely in the right direction, but I made dozens of cringeworthy generalizations because I was speaking outside my lane. I was a fool who took no pleasure in understanding but only in expressing my opinion (Prov. 18:2).
Building a straw man is sinful because it bears false witness against others.
Over the next few years, I developed a personal rule: Don’t speak up on a topic unless I’ve read at least one well-regarded book on it.
My little rule isn’t in the Bible. I don’t want to bind anyone’s conscience. But I know that social media entices me to offer my thoughts and opinions on nearly every subject, and reminding myself that it’s foolish to speak on issues I don’t understand has saved me (some) embarrassment over the years.
If you feel tempted to critique others on the great issues in politics, economics, education, science, and theology, it’s wise to ask yourself this: Do I actually know what I’m talking about? Have I studied this issue thoughtfully? You may have something valuable to contribute. But you may want to let the controversy pass. Aim for understanding before critique.
It’s good for Christians to critique, but it’s dangerous to criticize without love. Proverbs 12:18 offers a helpful word worth committing to memory: “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
The Gospel Coalition