“MORE”
(The Second Degree of Modifiers)
by Bill Reeves and Tim Haile
In reference to modifiers, there are three degrees
of comparison, illustrated by these three adjectives: good, better and best.
·
First
degree: declarative or positive;
e.g., This book is good.
·
Second
degree: comparative; e.g., This is a better book.
·
Third
degree: superlative; e.g., This is the best book of all.
·
Other
degrees of modifiers are seen in these words: much or many, more,
most; great, greater, greatest.
Companies frequently use the second-degree modifier
in advertising their “New and Improved” product. The new product
is alleged to be “better” than its predecessor.
False teachers commonly employ the second degree of modifiers in promoting
their false doctrines. This is true in politics and religion, as well as in
other fields of discussion. It is a
subtle tactic and therefore very deceptive.
Rather than reveal the true objective that the
false teacher has, the impression is left that really the only thing being
promoted is something a little better
than something else.
Should the false teacher boldly declare his
ultimate intention or goal, the listener would be shocked and thus turned
off. But by incrementalism, the false
teacher proceeds in a slow manner to manipulate minds toward the ultimate goal,
not shocking the listener but rather suggesting to him that something is just a little bit better. The
ultimate and real goal results in complete apostasy!
Let’s consider some illustrations of this deceptive
tactic of the false advocate:
1.
Some
brethren in Christ are affirming that they believe in a “more expanded role” for women in the church. What they really advocate is that women be allowed to be elders and preachers
just like men are! God says that a woman is not permitted to teach, or
exercise authority over man (1 Tim. 2:12).
2.
Dr. Stephen J. Corey, president of the
United Christian Missionary Society of the Disciples of Christ, Indianapolis,
IN., wrote in the 1936 Religious Census of the Department of Commerce: “Mr. Stone
favored ‘Christians,’ as the name given in the beginning by divine authority.
Mr. Campbell and his friends preferred the name ‘Disciples’ as less offensive
to good people and quite as scriptural.” What he
means is that we should not be “offensive” at
all toward the denominational world!
3.
He
also wrote: “During the first few years of the movement, Alexander Campbell
and other leaders were often engaged in more or less heated controversies with
representatives of other denominations. Gradually, however, these discussions
became less frequent and at the same time more conciliatory in tone.” What he means is that debates are heated
controversies and that they shouldn’t exist at all, and that all dealings with
other denominations should be entirely
conciliatory. But, he used the
second degree of modifiers (“less,” and “more”) to take his readers at a slower
pace toward the ultimate goal. The Bible tells us to “earnestly contend for
the faith” (Jud. 3).
4.
A
recent TV segment on dealt with men cheating on their wives (Jan. 23, 2006). It
reported that women want more room in this area. The interpretation and real meaning: wives
want to want to engage in extra-marital sex with the exact same freedom that their husbands use to so do! If men are
going to engage in illicit, promiscuous and ungodly sexual relations, women
want to do likewise! However, both commit sin in so doing (Heb. 13:4; 1 Cor.
6:9-11; 7:2).
5.
Some
people speak of things that “help you feel closer to God.” Why
closer? How much closer? Why not be
imitating God all the way (Eph. 5:1;
Matt.5:48 )? Some believe that certain
things, or certain ways of doing those things make them feel “more
spiritual.” There is no such thing; we are either “led by the Spirit”
(spiritual), or we are not (spiritual) (Rom. 8:6, 14)!
6.
Some
people speak of being “more” or “less” edified by certain
preaching/teaching methods. People are “edified” (built up) by the
straightforward teaching of the “whole council” of the word of God (see Acts
20:26, 27, 32). Translation: These people really mean that they are offended by
the teaching of the whole council of Truth, and they want something that
makes them feel better.
7.
Some
want a preaching style and content that is “less offensive.” Why would a
person push for “less” offensive when the Bible tells us to give NO offense! We
are to be non-offensive (Matt. 18:6). Paul said, “giving none
offense…” (1 Cor. 10:32)! Translation: These people have
confused the offense of the gospel (Matt. 15:12; 11:6; 1 Pet.
2:8) with a personal offense against a brother (1 Cor. 10:32). They
attempt to weaken the effect of the gospel in order to salve their consciences
in the areas where they and their friends are wrong.
8.
Some
politicians claim that their party can do “a better job” than their opponent’s
administration. They adopt campaign slogans like, “We can do it better!”
This sounds good but it does not reveal what they really have in mind. They use
the comparative degree but where they are headed is the superlative!
The question to put to all false advocates is this:
“Just how much more (or less) of the thing or matter do you have in
mind?” They will dodge the question,
because they are not really interested in the second degree, but only in the
third. They are using the second degree
to lead their listeners to the third.
This is to where their advocacy is leading! This is their true goal, but to so state it would not help their
cause at all, and they know it!
Incrementalism is like the proverbial dripping of
water on a stone: in time it wears away the stone! By moving the listener “more and more” toward the desired end,
finally the listener accepts the full-blown apostasy! The “good” (declarative or positive degree) pattern of sound
words (2 Tim. 1:13) is finally supplanted by the “best” (superlative degree) of
human wisdom (false doctrine), and this is accomplished by subtly employing
“more” (comparative degree) compromise of truth.
Be on the
lookout for the comparative degree! It is
everywhere; it is common. It may tell
you that you’re listening to a false teacher.
Don’t be deceived! The strength of the false teacher is in his words; in
sound and not in substance.
“Smooth and fair speech” (Rom. 16:17,18) is his principle tool.