The Art of Misdirection and Projection

The central tactic of Jet-Fry-Cool's message is projection, a psychological defense mechanism where a person attributes their own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or actions to another person. The author is doing exactly what he accuses others of:

1. He accuses others of using "Text as Pretext" to promote falsehoods, yet his entire article uses biblical texts as a pretext to defend his own divisive behavior.
2. He condemns those who "stir up suspicion, anger, and hatred" and cause "schism or division," but this is precisely the outcome of a KJV-Only and Verbal Plenary Preservationist teaching that attacks other churches and translations.
3. He claims others "air personal grievances, settle private vendettas," and "puff themselves up by putting others down," but his message is a public platform for settling his grievances with those who disagree with his doctrine. He uses a broad condemnation to make his specific critics look bad.

By describing the sins he is most guilty of, the author forces his critics into a no-win situation. If they continue to speak out against him, he can simply point to this article and say, "See? They're just gossipy, divisive people, just as I said."

A Facade of Humility

The author's "personal testimony" and his concluding prayer for grace are presented as evidence of his humility, but they ring hollow.

1. The anecdote about his lecturer is designed to appear as a moment of self-reflection. However, he immediately distances himself from the lecturer's destructive behavior and suggests he was only "chagrined to admit" his own similar guilt when "spiritually insensitive." It's not a genuine confession of sin, but a vague admission that allows him to appear vulnerable without taking concrete responsibility for his actions.
2. The final plea for prayer is a classic rhetorical device. He puts on a show of humility by saying he "still fall[s] far short of His perfect standard." This makes him seem godly and approachable, but it conveniently sidesteps any specific confession or repentance for the very real harm he is said to have caused. True humility would be confessing to the people he has hurt, not writing a public article to defend himself.

Weaponizing Scripture for Self-Defense

While the verses he quotes are correct, he applies them with a spirit that is the exact opposite of what the Bible intends.

1. He quotes Matthew 18:15-17 to condemn others for bypassing "biblical due process." But the writer's claims suggest he is the one who is failing to follow this process, instead using his pulpit to condemn others publicly.
2. He cites Ephesians 4:15 to say we should be "speaking the truth in love," but a love that genuinely seeks unity (Ephesians 4:3) does not cause schisms over issues that are not essential to the gospel.
3. He mentions that "the tongue is a fire" and can be "set on fire of hell" (James 3:6), yet he uses his tongue (and pen) to burn bridges, destroy reputations, and create division. He uses a warning against a fiery tongue to defend a fiery ministry.

He is essentially twisting the word of God to condemn others for revealing the truth about his own unbiblical behavior.

The True Source of Division

The final two sections of the article—"A Call to Faithful Speech" and "Remembering Our Founding Pastor"—are the key to understanding the author's real agenda.

1. He correctly quotes 2 Timothy 4:2-4, but he applies it incorrectly. He believes his KJV-Only and Verbal Plenary Preservation doctrine is the "sound doctrine" that people no longer endure, and that anyone who listens to a different teacher has "itching ears." In reality, the passage warns against teachers who turn from truth to fables. He is the one introducing a fable—that only one specific translation is valid for the Body of Christ today—which sows discord among the brethren.
2. By praising TTow and his ministry, the author reinforces a specific lineage and tradition that is inextricably linked to his divisive doctrines. He subtly implies that to "remember" and "follow the faith" of this founder, one must also adhere to his specific beliefs about the Bible. This creates an exclusive "in-group" and alienates anyone who belongs to a different biblical tradition or uses a different translation. This act of creating an us-versus-them mentality is the very definition of a schism.

Ultimately, the author's message is a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black. His critique of a "gossipy pulpit and pen" is, in itself, an example of one. The message fails to demonstrate a spirit of true charity, humility, or unity, which are the hallmarks of a faithful minister of the gospel. He claims to be healing and helping, but the user's description of his actions shows a person who is harming and hurting the very Body of Christ he claims to be building up.

What do you think are the marks of a genuinely humble and faithful pastor, versus one who is simply using a façade of humility for self-defense?

PS: This blog's posts are intentionally created to act as a mirror, revealing the faces of these dishonest teachers.