During the time when “Raccoon” John Smith (1784-1868) was preaching, the erroneous tenets of Calvinism were widely believed by those around him in the religious world. Smith himself had believed Calvinism early in his life before learning the truth. After learning the truth, he ardently opposed it in his preaching.
His wife Nancy, however, thought that he was “too hard” against Calvinism. In the following excerpt, Smith explained to her why he preached the way he did.
“There were times when Nancy thought that John was too hard in his preaching, especially against Calvinism. Once he held up a glass of water to Nancy and said, ‘Can I fill this tumbler with wine till I have emptied it of water? Neither can I get the truth into the minds of people till I have first dissolved them of error‘” (Restoration Principles and Personalities, p. 115-116).
Smith was simply pointing out the fact that in order to get people to believe and accept the truth, they first needed to be convinced to give up the error they held onto in their minds. This same principle is found in the Lord’s commission to Jeremiah:
“See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:10).
We are to plant the seed of God’s word in the minds of men (Luke 8:4-15; 1 Corinthians 3:6). But in order for the word to take root, the soil of one’s heart must be cleared of the weeds of religious error. Preaching the gospel is about more than just teaching the truth. It also must include the exposing and condemning of religious error.
Some may think our preaching is “too hard.” This charge was also made against “Raccoon” John Smith. But our goal must be to please God instead of men (Galatians 1:10). This will include “destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and…taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
We must show others why error is error and make a clear contrast between it and the truth, just as “Raccoon” John Smith did.
