The Word of God says in Proverbs 11:5, “The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.” This verse is a sobering reminder for us who are called to shepherd God’s flock. Our calling is not only to proclaim sound doctrine, but also to walk blamelessly before God and man. It is not only about being right in our theology, but also about being right in our spirit and conduct.
Suan Yew, it has come to our attention that your zeal for the King James Version, the Textus Receptus, and Verbal Plenary Preservation has led to actions that have caused great division within the body of Christ. Your insistence on these positions has sadly resulted in the removal of a Mandarin-speaking pastor who simply held a different, yet orthodox, view. These actions, rather than building up the Church, have torn it down.
We are not questioning your convictions. You have the right to hold firmly to the KJV and the Greek texts you believe are most faithful. But let us remember: true righteousness is not found merely in strong opinions about texts, but in the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These are the marks of a blameless path.
Those who read the NIV or the Chinese Union Version (CUV) are not enemies of the truth. Many of them love the Lord deeply, live holy lives, and labor faithfully in the gospel. The Spirit of God is working through them. Should we not treat them with gentleness, humility, and grace?
The path of division, pride, and exclusion is not the path of Christ. The righteousness of the blameless makes their path straight—but wickedness, when left unchecked, will eventually bring one low. For the sake of your soul, the church, and the testimony of the gospel, I urge you to examine your heart. Is your pursuit driven by a love for Christ, or by a need to be right? Are your actions uniting the body of Christ, or are they causing unnecessary stumbling and scattering the sheep?
I plead with you, Suan Yew: repent of the spirit of harshness and division. Turn back to the way of humility and gentleness. Restore what has been broken. Reconcile with those you have wronged. Let your zeal be tempered with love, and your doctrine adorned with grace.
We are all under shepherds. There is only one Chief Shepherd. May we lead His flock not by compulsion, not with arrogance, but by example, in love and holiness.
Yours in Christ’s service,
A fellow pastor and servant of the gospel
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