We need to be gracious and respectful towards our theological opponents by tempering our language. It is not necessary to say that our opponents’ views are “lies” unless their position is to intentionally deceive. Willful deceit is what makes a lie, not a false belief among those diligently attempting to understand doctrinal issues argued by Christians throughout the church age.
The chief priests bribed the Roman soldiers guarding Jesus’ tomb to say that his disciples came at night and stole the body. This was a deliberate attempt of deception for the purpose of denying the key doctrine of Christianity. This was an out and out lie and a grievous sin on the part of the religious leaders.
The two main schools of theology among Protestants are Calvinism and Arminianism; there is a third position called Moral Government. Advocates of one school sometimes label those of the other school with pejorative terms like liars, heretics or false prophets. These derogatory labels tend to hinder or even halt thoughtful and respectful dialogue and debate and can hamper us in promoting understanding or arriving at the truth.
