We ought to know better

George Fox was plain-spoken and direct. He didn’t hesitate to use words like “wicked” and “evil.” In addition, he was a gadfly, pointing out to the magistrates that they told him to place his hand on the Bible and swear, when the Bible says “swear not at all.” (For a complete account of one of these episodes, see Fox Works, Vol. 2, p. 48)

Fox spent most of his life speaking truths that made others acutely uncomfortable. We read and discuss his writings not specifically because he was blunt and a nuisance to some, but because God taught him directly, and he listened. Moreover, he was consistent: When his hearers asked him to stay and become their preacher, he always left. Thus, he held consistently to the experience that his—and our—true teacher is Christ.

But today, too many people, who ought to know better, prefer a gentler tone. If anyone speaks or writes too plainly, others criticize. Even though the former stop far short of using words like “wicked” or “evil,” they are still rebuked for being too harsh.

This amounts to revering Fox. Thus, some are guilty of the equivalent of making him our pastor.