1. One poisonous byproduct of the rising outcry against Critical Race Theory/Marxism is the false, malicious, public labeling of individuals and institutions as heterodox enemies of the church. Another word for this is Slander. It is a grave sin, and it must cease.
2. Slander is a violation of the 8th commandment (the theft of one's good name, "a much dearer possession" [Aquinas] than even physical property) and the 9th commandment (bearing false witness against neighbor).
3. According to our Christian forebears, when guilty of slander, we must not only publicly confess our sin. We must also make amends for these public thefts of reputation. Alas, restitution is required for the sin of slander.
4. For example, Richard Baxter asks: “How must satisfaction be made for slanders, lies, and defaming of others?” His response:
5. “By confessing the sin, and unsaying what was said, not only as openly as it was spoken, but as far as it is since carried on by others, and as far as the reparation of your neighbour’s good name requireth, if you are able.”
6. John Tillotson says similarly: “If thou hast defrauded and injured any Man in his good Name, thou art obligated to make him a Compensation, by acknowledgement of thy Fault, by a studious Vindication of him, and by doing him honour and repairing his Credit in all fitting ways.”
7. This is not to say that we should not weigh and examine erroneous teaching in the church; scripture and conscience demands that we we must. But we must do so with such prudence and care that guards us against careless (or wanton) violations of the 8th and 9th commandments.
8. And when we do fall into such sin, we must not only confess it. We must also publicly repair the good name and reputation we have damaged and stolen. We must make restitution for our slander.
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