A question has come, "Should we discuss ‘issues’ or exalt Christ?" The question portrays a wholesome and also an uninformed view of the New Testament. It is praise worthy to exalt Christ. To omit his honors is to ignore much of the New Testament. He is seated at the Father’s right hand

An emphasis on brotherhood "issues" has caused some preachers to degenerate into unfeeling detectives, who have little to say about the glory that belongs to our Lord. New Testament writers foresaw such a development, and they warn all Christians not to strive "about words, to no profit" (2 Timothy 2:14). A wise, Christ-exalting Christian shuns "foolish questions" (Titus 3:9): how many angels can stand on the point of a pin? what happens if an irresistible force strikes an immovable object? Happy is the Christian who keeps

He exalts Christ who abhors "debates" (2 Corinthians 12:20, KJV). Yet, as unpleasant as are confrontations, Christ himself was the greatest debater of all time, though his preference was peace (Matthew 22:25-46). If that was the Lord’s disposition, those who exalt him will not retreat from a debate, though they would prefer to "live in peace with all people" (Romans 12:18). Accordingly, they "contend earnestly for the faith", and would consider themselves compromisers and traitors to their dear Lord if they refused (Jude 3).

It follows then that a gospel preacher is self-deceived when he compliments himself for abstaining from "brotherhood issues" and "in-house fighting." A better informed gospel preacher, though he does not like fighting, will fight if necessary. All Christians "fight the good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12). Both male and female Christians are in combat roles. In this spiritual "warfare" they "continue" with never a cease-fire (2 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Timothy 4:16). There are no peace-time Christian soldiers. A young Christian was told to "suffer hardship" as "a good soldier of Christ Jesus," his "captain" (2 Timothy 2:3; Hebrews 2:10).

A preacher is not exalting Christ if he teaches that any divorcee may remarry (cf. Matthew 19:9). He who fails to makes Jesus’ teaching clear not only slaps Jesus in the face, but also endangers innocent and eager listeners. A preacher who does not preach on divorce and remarriage shrinks back "from declaring the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27).

On the otherhand, some openly flaunt Jesus’ teaching. One says, as he extends his invitation to an audience of a thousand people, "Come one, come all! We ask no questions about marriage and divorce."

If ever a gospel preacher exalted his Lord it was Paul. He would be angry if he were alive today to hear preachers misinterpret his words in1 Corinthians 7:15 as allowing two reasons (fornication and desertion) for divorce and remarriage, thus displaying Paul as contradicting his Lord and Savior who had given only one reason (Matthew 19:9). Instead of Paul’s opposing Jesus, he exhorted all people to "be imitators of me, even as I am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Gospel (?) preachers are not exalting Christ when they say that "the honest unimmersed who are seeking to serve the Lord … will be eternally saved." They do not accept Jesus’ words, "He who believes and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). Other preachers, though they accept Jesus’ words, fail to alert innocent listeners that Billy Graham and other denominational preachers, though preaching some beautiful things about Jesus, reject what he said about the necessity of baptism. It is not enough to eulogize the blessed Lord, for he said that the words he spoke "shall judge" people "in the last day" (John 12:48).

Another "brotherhood issue" is the reality of hell. I wish it were not in the Lord’s teaching, it is , over and over (Matthew 5:22; 18:9; 25:46; Mark 9:43-47). If I deny the reality of endless torment I am saying I know more than Jesus. Two learned gospel preachers are teaching hell-fire is not real. If their two illustrious fathers (whom I knew) were alive, we would see some "in-house fighting."

We know exactly what was on Paul’s mind when he first entered Corinth (probably in September, 51 A.D.), for he has told us: "I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). But Paul, were you knowing nothing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified, when you later condemned the three denominations that had been formed (1 Corinthians 1:10-17)? Will negative preaching exalt your Lord?

Sadly, some today claim to know Jesus and his crucifixion, but, instead of condemning the hundreds of denominations, they have started fellowshiping them! What would Paul say? An eldership writes,

we will continue to seek increased cooperation with the wider evangelical community of believers.

Those elders led their congregation in supporting Billy Graham’s city-wide campaign. Further, a popular gospel preacher says that "in the 1900’s diversity is the only name in town." Did Jesus approve diversity and pray for unity (John 17:30-31)? Another gospel preacher spoke at a Roman Catholic Church and addressed the priest as "Father." One wonders how Matthew 23:9, "call no man your father on the earth," would have sounded on that preacher’s lips?

Some say "preach Christ, not the church." Can one exalt Christ and ignore his bride? The bridge whom he "loved" and for whom he died (Ephesians 5:25)?

Should Christians stay quiet when an influential gospel preacher asserts that "obeying laws doesn’t put a person into the Christ who said that a new birth of water and Spirit is required to enter the kingdom (John 3:5)? Though "grace" came "through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17), grace saves no one unless he denies "worldly lusts, and lives sensibly, uprightly, and reverently in this present world" (Titus 2:11-12, FHV).

Paul, did you say that nothing was in your preaching but Christ and him crucified? If so, explain what a condemnation of female leadership has to do with Christ and his crucifixion (1 Timothy 2:11-12). Since no gender distinction is humane, how can you say that it is a shame for a woman to take the lad in the assembly (1 Corinthians 14:34-35)? Paul, have you not strayed from Christ and him crucified? Are you not a male chauvinist?

Also, Paul, what does Christ, and him crucified, have to do with your commanding Christians "not to go beyond the things that are written" (1 Corinthians 4:6)? Millions of people exalt Christ and him crucified with their lips, and then "go beyond the things that are written" as they introduce holy water, images, incense, mechanical music, vestments, candles, and sprinkling for baptism. Are gospel preachers, who never get around to condemning those innovations, preaching all that is included in proclaiming Jesus and his crucifixion?

In addition, Paul, you commanded Christians to "mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling contrary to the doctrine" and to "turn away from them" (Romans 16:17). And you not only marked them, but you even called the malefactors (Hymenaeus, Alexander, 1 Timothy 1:20) by name, and displayed their names in public, exposing them over hundreds of miles from Rome to Ephesus. Do you recommend that preachers today who, like you who know nothing but Jesus and him crucified, follow the same pattern against church troublers? Or should preachers today stop imitating Paul in favor of being more tactful?

On the other hand, would it not be better, and closer to the heart of God and to the exalted Christ, for all men in the pulpit to preach a sermon detailing what Paul thought should be included in proclaiming nothing but Jesus and him crucified?