ACCURSED BY SW? A BIBLICAL EXAMINATION OF GALATIANS 1:8 (revised September 11, 1996) by Carl McCaskey On various discussion groups and computer networks there is a certain individual many Christians are very familiar with who has some very unorthodox teachings. Rather than name him in this article, I will use his initials "SW." The reason I do not feel it necessary to use his name is because I will address what he teaches and not him personally. SW calls himself a Christian, but many of his words and actions are definitely of an unChristian nature. SW also calls himself a "Reverend", but he never clarifies who ordained him nor answers any questions about the validity of this title and upon close investigation it turns out that the title is one he bestowed upon himself. Recently, SW posted one of his canned text files in defense of his routine practice of cursing others, especially Christians who do not follow his false teachings nor agree with his personal doctrines that do not follow orthodoxy. I felt a fairly detailed, point-by-point response was in order. SW's post is reproduced in parts for my response, but it is complete and in order so the context cannot be disputed. His words are reproduced as they were originally posted and have not been edited in any way with the exception of adding a "SW>" in order to differentiate his words from mine. Hopefully this will avoid confusion. To begin, SW wrote: SW> A false christian scum was whining about the fact that I obeyed SW> the Bible and cursed him. Nowhere in the Bible are there instructions for Christians to curse others or pray to God to curse others. In fact the opposite is taught: "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, BLESS THEM THAT CURSE YOU..." (Matthew 5:44) (Emphasis mine - CM) "BLESS THEM THAT CURSE YOU, and pray for them which despitefully use you." (Luke 6:28) (Emphasis mine - CM) "Bless them which persecute you: BLESS, AND CURSE NOT" (Romans 12:14) (Emphasis mine - CM) "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." (James 3:8-18) It is taught that "no fountain both yield salt water and fresh" that is, no person who curses others can bless God. The cursing of people truly indicates what lies within a person. SW finds it very easy to curse others therefore by Biblical standards, Christians can see what lies within him and that it is evil. To illustrate, here are some excerpts from SW's past posts to me in which he attempts to invoke curses: SW> I ask any real Christians reading here to join me in prayer that SW> God will curse Carl Mccaskey for his efforts to deceive souls SW> into hell and to disrupt this echo, but let us also pray that the SW> Lord would also mightly curse those filthy false preachers that SW> turned Carl Mccaskey into such putrid false christian filth. and SW> I curse you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. and SW> I curse Carl Mccaskey in the name of Jesus because he is a SW> filthy, deceiving false christian scum, Mccaskey. and SW> You are filthy, Holy Ghost blaspheming, false christian scum SW> and I curse you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and ask SW> that any real Christians here join me in prayer that the SW> Lord would reward you according to your works without delay SW> for the sake of any fool that you might ensnare. and SW> On the authority and instruction of the Word of God, I curse SW> you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. and SW> I curse you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and I also SW> curse your pastor. and SW> May the curse of God be manifest against you and your space SW> to repent be cut off. Sadly, SW sincerely believes that the scriptures justify his curses and his prayers to God for curses. [*Resuming the missive SW wrote that I am currently addressing*] SW> Let's examine the scriptural precident. Let's do so, but let's do so thoroughly and properly as one who is "rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15), that is, one who correctly interprets the Holy Scriptures in both analyses and presentation in contrast to the interpretations of false teachers. SW> I believe, though, that we need not lose track of the bottom line, SW> regardless of any formality, and that is, the accursedness of any SW> preacher that is preaching other than the Acts 2:38 message. Before one preaches the Acts 2:38 message, one must properly _understand_ the Acts 2:38 message. SW has proved that he does not preach the true Acts 2:38 message, but a woefully erroneous translation of Acts 2:38. However that is clearly addressed in other posts. In this post I will show how SW preaches unsound doctrine by twisting Galatians 1:8. SW> Technically the word translated as accursed means nailed up on the SW> church wall. I find it interesting that SW would give this as a definition, but not cite the source. This brings doubt on the validity of this definition. SW> "If any man comes preaching any other doctrine, nail him up on the SW> wall of the church" or "let him be nailed up on the wall of the SW> church." This is SW's unsound interpretation of Galatians 1:8. Let's look at what several respected sources say about Galatians 1:8: According to my Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible (Greek Dictionary Of The New Testament portion[1]) _anathema_ is defined thusly: "a (religious) ban or (concr.) excommunicated (thing or person) :--accused, anathema, curse, X great" Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D.,Ph.D. properly translates _anathema_ in Galatians 1:8 as "eternally condemned"[2] NOT "nail him up on the wall of the church" as SW mistranslates it. The King James Study Bible properly teaches that if anyone, "even a heavenly angel...preaches error, is to be accursed, that is, eternally condemned." [3] The NIV Study Bible also properly renders _anathema_ as used in Galatians 1:8 as "eternally condemned" [4]. Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words specifically addresses the use of _anathema_ in Galatians 1:8,9 by saying "In Gal. 1:8-9, the apostle declares in the strongest manner that the gospel he preached was the one and only way of salvation, and that to preach another was to nullify the death of Christ."[5] And what happens if one does not believe in Christ according to scripture? The person is eternally condemned. Therefore Vine's agrees with the other sources cited. Interestingly enough, even my Webster's Collegiate Dictionary[6] secularly defines _anathema_ thusly: "1 a: one that is cursed by ecclesiastical authority; b: one that is intensely disliked: something or someone odious; 2 a: a ban or curse solemnly pronounced by ecclesiastical authority and accompanied by excommunication; b: the denunciation of something as accursed; c: a vigorous denunciation" So even the secular definition does not support SW's assertion that _anathema_ "means nailed up on the church wall." Would you trust Koine Greek translation to someone who has been extensively trained in Koine Greek or someone like SW who never received any training in Koine Greek and has to fraudulently call himself "Reverend" in order to dishonestly attempt to garner false credibility? Furthermore, the KJV Parallel Bible Commentary[7] has, in part, the following commentary on Galatians 1:8. "God does not want His Word twisted by unlearned and unstable men unto the destruction of souls. God said what He meant, and He meant what He said. God can do nothing less than put an awful curse on all who reject, pervert and falsify the gospel of His Son. It was the Holy Spirit who moved Paul to pen these serious words. We must never forget the awful day of doom and destruction is coming when the divine "anathema" pronounced here will be executed." [NOTE: The commentary brings up a couple of questions to ponder about SW. First, is SW a learned man, that is, one who has received education and training on subjects that would aid a person in understanding and rightly dividing scripture? The answer is unclear. Secondly, is SW a stable man? Perhaps, perhaps not. If one is familiar with SW's actions {i.e. - harassing those who disagree with him as well as people associated with them via not only computer nets, but also by telephone calls; trying to get those who disagree with him fired from their job with false accusations to their superiors; phony threats of legal action; and numerous other example} then one could easily question SW's mental stability. However, in terms of scripture stability as raised in the KJV Parallel Bible Commentary, SW has clearly proven himself to be quite unstable and therefore should he should be personally avoided in accordance to Romans 16:17.] SW> I am only pointing this out for academic purposes as I feel that SW> a verbal curse with much prayer is a much more appropriate SW> obediance to the verses. Only in SW's hardened and deceived heart may it be proper, but it is clearly NOT appropriate according to scripture. Furthermore, SW claims his reasoning is for "academic purposes." So why does he fail to present his interpretation of "anathema" is an academic manner (i.e. - cite source materials, include footnotes, etc.)? SW> I believe that our consideration should be more the realization of SW> the accursedness of the false preacher rather than getting hung up SW> over who prays the prayer. Those who curse others or pray for curses are not obedient to the Holy Scriptures. Please note now that SW attempts to use an unnamed source to try to justify his mistranslation of "accursed" (Gr. _anathema_). SW is counting on the average Christian not having acknowledged resource material of their own to make sure he is being truthful and thorough with his "scholarship." Anyone who does have access to good Biblical resource material realizes that SW does not present the correct definition of _anathema_ nor does he present thorough and accurate research on the proper interpretation/definition of _anathema_ as used in Galatians 1:8. SW> Gal 1: 8 But though <1437> we, or <2228> an angel <32> from SW> heaven <3772>, preach <2097> any other gospel <2097> unto SW> you than <3844> that which <3739> we have preached <2097> unto SW> you, let him be accursed <331>. SW> 331 anathema {an-ath'-em-ah} from 394; TDNT - 1:353,57; n n SW> AV - accursed (4) SW> - anathema (1) SW> - bind under a great curse + 332 (1) [6] SW> 1) a thing set up or laid by in order to be kept; specifically an SW> offering resulting from a vow, which after being consecrated SW> to a god was hung upon the walls or columns of the temple, or SW> put in some other conspicuous place. SW> 2) a thing devoted to God without hope of being redeemed, and if SW> an animal, to be slain; therefore a person or thing doomed to SW> destruction. SW> 2a) a curse SW> 2b) a man accursed, devoted to the direst of woes. Where did this SW get these definitions? What is his source? SW> I believe that my perception of Gal 1:8 is quite accurate and SW> preferable to other possible considerations, like for instance: SW> If any man preach another gospel: SW> 1. Hang him up on the church wall or some other conspicuous place. SW> 2. Slay him. SW> 3. Destroy him. What's sad is that SW comes up with this "perception" that is not even supported by the definitions he chose to supply. If you will note, in SW's given definition, what "was hung upon the walls or columns of the temple, or put in some other conspicuous place" was a THING not a person as SW asserts. If SW cannot even properly interpret something that simple, why should anyone trust him with Biblical interpretation? SW> I believe that praying a curse against such a person is the SW> only acceptable and proper approach to take. SW believes wrongly for even when improperly translated as SW has done, Galatians 1:8 still does NOT teach nor justify any Christian cursing another or praying for curses against another. Furthermore, as evidenced by several Biblical passages quoted earlier in this article, the Bible clearly teaches believers to not curse others nor pray for such curses [Matt. 5:4; Luke 6:28; Rom. 12:14; James 3:8-18]. It is obvious that SW is no expert in Koine Greek nor is trained (formally or otherwise) in textual criticism. Even though many of acceptable translations (KJV, NKJV, NASB, etc.) render _anathema_ literally as "accursed" in Galatians 1:8, absolutely none of them render the verse the way SW does nor do any of those translations justify a Christian cursing others. Furthermore the NIV renders Galatians thusly: "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!" (Galatians 1:8, NIV) SW, on the other hand has given his private interpretation of Galatians 1:8 as "If any man comes preaching any other doctrine, nail him up on the wall of the church" which is _not_ supported by any recognized translation. It appears that SW could possibly be confusing Galatians 1:8 with Galatians 3:13 which reads "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, `Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree':" In Galatians 3:13 Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 21:23 which described the old testament law of public hanging and display of executed criminals. In Deuteronomy 21:23, it is clearly instructed to bury the body the same day for the reason was that the corpse of an executed man was an object accursed of God and would defile the land (Leviticus 18:24-27, Numbers 35:33,34). However in Galatians 3:13 it is properly taught that Christ was the executed man who delivered us from the curse of the law by being crucified on the cross, hence "made a curse for us" (i.e. - he died for our sins). SW> Of course some groups that measure themselves among themselves SW> and as a natural result of that begin to "bear with" those who SW> preach "another Jesus" (for example the "false Jesus" of the SW> trinitarians), soon As has been proven time and time again, SW is the one guilty of preaching "another Jesus" rather than the orthodox teaching of Christ and the apostles that is taught today in orthodox churches, including "trinitarian churches." Let SW deceive you not, my Christian brethren, "trinitarians" and "trinitarian preachers" are very orthodox for the most part (there always being some exceptions, sad to say) in their teachings of Jesus and of scripture. SW> begin to regard the trinitarians and such like as "wayward brethern" SW> rather than "accursed children".(not saying that they are beyond SW> repentance, but we are talking about preachers here). SW would do well to heed his own words here, but until his heart is no longer hardened to Biblical truths, he will continue to teach unsound doctrine. SW> II Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, SW> or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they SW> measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among SW> themselves, are not wise. Please note that in this verse that SW cites, Paul is showing that the false teachers in Corinth behave as though there is no standard of comparison higher than themselves. Ironically, SW behaves the same way by considering his teachings as the final authority regardless of how much scripture contradicts his teachings. SW> II Corinthians 10:13 But we will not boast of things without [our] SW> measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath SW> distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. Please note, my Christian brethren, that SW constantly boasts of his earthly measure. SW> II Corinthians 10:14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond [our SW> measure], as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far SW> as to you also in [preaching] the gospel of Christ: SW> II Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: SW> for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present [you as] SW> a chaste virgin to Christ. SW> II Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent SW> beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted SW> from the simplicity that is in Christ. SW> II Corinthians 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, SW> whom we have not preached, or [if] ye receive another spirit, which ye SW> have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye SW> might well bear with [him]. Please note, my Christian brethren, that SW continually preaches "another Jesus" as well as "another gospel" and his unChristian words and actions clearly show that he has received "another spirit." His unrepentant mistranslation of Galatians 1:8 is a clearcut example of SW's teaching "another gospel." SW> God DOES NOT want his people to even "bear with" trinitarian SW> preachers. Actually God DOES NOT want his people to "bear with" false teachers like SW. But even then the Bible does not teach Christians to be abusive and hateful towards even the SW's of this world, but to avoid them (Romans 16:17) and to be able to refute their false teachings using words with grace seasoned with salt (Col. 4:6), but with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). SW> Your Bible says "let them be accursed", so don't get sidetracked into SW> the mechanics so much that you lose track of the accursedness of these SW> false preachers. But the simple truth of the matter is that SW's attempt to justify his curses and prayers for curses via his mistranslation of Galatians 1:8 falls absolutely flat and is devoid of sound doctrine. SW seems to think that the phrase "let him be accursed" gives him license to curse whomever he pleases. However that is NOT what the verse is teaching. The Greek word translated to "accursed" is _anathema_ which when rightly divided (as I have shown you earlier) means "eternally condemned." What these verses are actually teaching is that if anyone, even an angel, teaches unsound doctrine, then their *false teachings* eternally condemns them. These verses do not teach that someone else is supposed to curse the false teacher, but that the false teacher is condemning himself to eternal condemnation by their unsound doctrine. The message, NOT the messenger is of utmost importance. Therefore, it is important to the Christian to closely examine what SW or any other self-professed preacher teaches and compare it to scripture in order to determine the soundness of it. Since we have already seen that SW's attempts at justifying his cursing is obviously unscriptural (see: James 3:8-18), what does this say of him? The Biblical answer is sad indeed. SW> What if I was totally wrong? SW IS wrong, very wrong. SW> Would a trinitarian be more or less accused? No, for they believe scriptural truth. SW> If God was saying "I will curse them", But God did not say this in Galatians 1:8. SW made this up. SW> would my saying "I curse you" lessen the curse upon that person? SW's saying "I curse you" is in direct opposition to sound Biblical doctrine (Matt. 5:44, Luke 6:28, Rom. 12:14, James 3:8-18) and should be avoided (Rom. 16:17,18, 1 Tim. 6:1-5, Titus 1:10-16, 2 Pet. 2:1-22). SW> Would God hold me accountable for agreeing in prayer and publically SW> concering the accursedness of one that He had declared "accursed"? God will hold SW accountable for cursing others in His name because He clearly teaches that no person is to curse another or even pray for curses. SW ignores many verses that clearly instructs Christians to "curse not." SW> Will God hold me accountable for praying that His Word be manifest SW> in a direct mannor? God will hold SW accountable to disobeying His instructions and continue sinning and teaching other gospels in an unrepentant manner. SW> Rev. SW Remember folks, SW is no "Reverend" of any consequence or credibility. He has never been trained nor been tested as required by the scriptures (1 Timothy 3:10) therefore he lacks the scriptural qualifications to be a properly ordained "Reverend." Plus the fact that SW does not meet most of the qualifications given for leaders in the church as set out in the third chapter of 1 Timothy nor does he meet most of the qualifications for a servant of the Lord as given in 2 Timothy 2:15-16; 2:19-26. Pay no heed to SW's unsound doctrine for he is a false teacher that we Christians are warned to avoid (Romans 16:17, 2 Peter 2:1). SW not only calls himself "Reverend" (a proven phony title with no merit and credibility), but he considers himself a Biblical scholar although he has no credentials and no training of any manner. Some argue that one does not necessarily need formal training to learn how to rightly divide scripture and to some extent I agree, but the scriptures do indicate that one who wishes to be a preacher is to be tested (1 Timothy 3:10) not only on knowledge but also on character. SW fails both of these tests. It is important according to scripture that one who wishes to be a minister of God's words one must prepare via instruction, study, practice and subsequent testing in order to not only teach sound doctrine, but to also present it in a Christian manner. "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15; NASB) In fact, Paul included that clear exhortation in an epistle sent to a young pastor named Timothy. It still applies today for those who wish to be pastors. In the footnotes, I have cited several books used to show what true, legitimate scholars have written in regards to Galatians 1:8 and how they clearly disagree with SW's private interpretation of that verse and the meaning of the Greek word _anathema_ (i.e. - accursed). In most of the books cited, the writings and editorial duties were shared by groups of people, all of whom are well qualified to do so in accordance to 2 Timothy 2:15. For whatever it is worth, here are just some of those involved and their credentials as credited in those books: Wayne A. Brindle, Th.M., Th.D. Benjamin C. Chapman, Ph.D. Edward G. Dobson, D.D., Ed.D. Edward E. Hindson, Th.M., Th.D. Richard D. Patterson, Th.M., Ph.D. Edward R. Roustio, Th.D. Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D.,Ph.D. Admittedly a degree does not guarantee sound doctrine, but the people listed (and it is only a partial list) have been trained and tested as Paul instructed in the epistles Timothy (I do not personally know any of these gentlemen nor am I familiar with them enough to say whether their character have been tested, but I assume they have). This testing drastically improves the odds that they _will_ impart sound doctrine and will rightly divide scripture. And if the Holy Spirit is with them, then the guarantee of sound doctrine is assured. Has SW undergone any training and testing to lend credence to the title "Reverend" which he now attaches to his name? I have yet to see any evidence that he has. Now since SW is a self-proclaimed Bible scholar as well as a self-proclaimed "Reverend" I openly challenge him to publicly disclose completely all of his credentials (if any) and training (if any) so we may then see how he compares to those listed above as well as others in the future. However the more important question is if the Holy Spirit is with SW. I cannot see what is within SW's heart so I readily and honestly admit that I cannot say for certain, but God supplied scriptural guidelines to see whether a person's words and actions exhibit characteristics consistent with a Spirit-filled life. One of the most detailed verses on this point is Galatians 5:22,23 which reads "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patient, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Gal. 5:22,23; NIV) Since the scriptures also teach that we all still sin and fall far short of the glory of God [Rom. 3:23], it is only natural to expect every believer to fail to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit from time to time, but SW's behavior is so constantly devoid of the fruit of the Spirit that it becomes strongly suspect that the Holy Spirit is within him. Ironically the very verse that is the focus of this article (Galatians 1:8) is part of a warning to all Christians to be wary of false preachers teaching false doctrine. It is such an important warning that it was included in many of the epistles: "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them." (Romans 16:17; NKJV) "But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who brought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction." (2 Peter 2:1; NKJV) "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron," (1 Timothy 4:1,2; NKJV) [A sidenote: I personally believe that SW sadly fits the description in these verses.] However, no Christian should ever make the mistake of studying scripture in such minute detail to the exclusion of Christ. I am heeded of Jesus's warning to the Jewish leaders in John 5:39,40. "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life." (John 5:39,40; NKJV) Basically, the bottom line is this: whenever SW's private doctrines and scriptural interpretations come under question, I will not only read and study the Bible to find the true meaning of the verse or verses brought up, but I will also research what recognized, credible Christian scholars and teachers have written on the matter and I will pray for God's grace in guidance and understanding. And if the Biblical truth is opposed with SW's private interpretation, then I must side with God's words instead of SW's words. In regards to his interpretation of Galatians 1:8 as justification of his actions, SW is once again guilty of teaching "another gospel" rather than the Gospel taught by Jesus Christ and His disciples. Ironically this makes him a victim of the very verse he perverts to his own purposes, namely Galatians 1:8 and according to the proper and rightly divided interpretation of this Bible verse, he is setting himself up to be eternally condemned. I hope and pray that he will someday see the seriousness of his error and allow God to come into his life to cast off the demonic forces that are blinding SW to Biblical truths. Only then will SW find true joy, happiness and contentment rather than the bitterness, anger and abject hatred that he currently suffers. My Christian brethren, I beseech you all to reject SW's false teachings and avoid his provocations in accordance to scripture, but I also exhort you to not respond to him in any manner unbecoming a Christian. Furthermore, I beseech all my learned Christian brethren to ask God for His help in refuting SW's errors in gentleness and respect. I ask all my Christian brethren to please include SW in your personal prayers, forgiving him for whatever transgressions he may have committed against you and ask God to bless him. This is what we, as believers, should do for SW in the hopes that one day God will allow the seeds we plant to grow into something wondrous. Amen! ----------- FOOTNOTES: [1] This definition is found in the dictionary entitled "A Concise Dictionary Of The Words In The Greek New Testament; With Their Renderings In The Authorized English Version" by James Strong, S.T.D., LL.D. which is included in my copy of "Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible" [Hendrickson Publishers] [2] "Ryrie Study Bible: Expanded Edition", Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D,Ph.D. [Moody Press, 1994] [3] "King James Study Bible" [Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1988] [4] "The NIV Study Bible: 10th Anniversary Edition" [Zondervan Publishers, 1995] [5] "Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words" [Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1985] [6] "Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary" [Merriam-Webster Inc., 1983] [7] "The KJV Parallel Bible Commentary" [Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1994]