When Jesus was in this situation, like one we'll hear about this Sunday, he didn't waver - he spoke harshly to the religious elites, he argued, debated, at one point he even turned over their tables in the temple.

But he did not ban his critics, he did not limit their ability to minister: he wisely debated and questioned them in civil discussion - letting the best idea win the day.

There are biblical principles at stake that tell us how to treat those who think differently.

Tightening the rules at the Pentagon, that leave only those with a strong bias, to inform the rest of us about the world's largest military - is not a biblical way to handle the critics.

Jesus stood for truth, even referring to himself as such, and the truth usually emerges from respectful, though sometimes difficult, conversations between people of different viewpoints.

Jesus showed us how to disagree, argue, and debate by taking on his critics, listening and responding,: let's do it that way