INQUISITIONS
Whenever a
religious movement has tried to rid the world of paganism, it is the true
church that has suffered the most. Foxe’s
Book of Martyrs records that most of those slaughtered for their faith
throughout church history have been put to death by misguided zealots claiming
to represent God. The Inquisition was responsible for the deaths of untold
numbers of Christians, killed because they held God’s Word as a higher authority
than the teachings of church leaders.
John MacArthur
The Gospel According to Jesus, © John MacArthur, 1988, p. 132.
God does not call
His people to a ministry of inquisition. Now is not the time to rip the tares
out. Our mission is not a political or military crusade, and this is not the
time of judgment where we are called to distribute retribution. We are sent out
rather to be ambassadors for Christ, emissaries of His mercy and grace.
John MacArthur
The Gospel According to Jesus, © John MacArthur, 1988, p. 132.