Faultfinders: A Real Problem in the Church

In my daily routine of researching to improve my teaching at the university level and exploring the latest developments in the Church and Christian ministry, I’ve come across a troubling pattern. Because of my research, I spend countless hours online, especially on platforms like YouTube, looking for videos to enrich my sermons and gain insights from others in the Christian community. But over the past few years, one thing has become painfully clear: faultfinders are a growing problem—particularly within the Church itself.

This isn’t about political critics or those who attack religious leaders from the outside. No, the most vicious criticisms I see are coming from within the Body of Christ. It’s shocking and disheartening, especially considering that we are called to love, uplift, and support one another. Yet, the criticism keeps coming.

The Christian Army Shoots Its Own Wounded

I’ll never forget what my mentor during my doctoral studies once said: “The Christian army is the only army that shoots its own wounded.” At the time, I thought it was a bit of an exaggeration, but as I reflect on it now, I see just how accurate his observation was. The truth is, no matter how much good someone does in the name of Christ or how many lives they positively impact, there will always be a segment of people waiting to tear them down.

I was researching the Asbury Revival for my Church History class this week. To my surprise, I found dozens of critical videos accusing the revival of being inauthentic. Some even claimed that it wasn’t a move of God at all. I was baffled. Why would anyone take the time to criticize something that has impacted so many people positively? (Read more about revival here)

A Culture of Criticism: Nothing is Off-Limits

Unfortunately, this culture of criticism is not isolated to a few individuals or topics. It’s pervasive. Whether it’s an interpretation of Scripture, a choice of Bible version, or even the style of worship, faultfinders seem to take issue with anything and everything. They don’t like anything except their own version of the truth. Here are just a few examples of posts I encountered this week:

• The Truth About “Jesus Revolution,” the movie
• Shocking Behind-the-Scenes Secrets of Joel Osteen
• Why You Should Avoid Bethel, Hillsong, and Elevation Songs
• The Problem with Older Churches
• The Dangers of Non-Denominational Churches
• 10 Signs You’re in a False Church
• Modern Christian Music is Deceiving You
• The Fake Asbury Revival

This is just a small sample of the increasingly popular, mean-spirited attacks circulating online. These videos often rack up hundreds of thousands of views. It’s no surprise that many people are becoming disillusioned with the Church, confused, and leaving in record numbers.

Is Faultfinding Necessary for Purity?

Some might defend this kind of faultfinding, claiming that it’s necessary to “purify” the Church. They argue that it’s about preserving the “true Church” or “perfect doctrine.” But let’s be honest: None of us have it completely right. Throughout history, even the greatest theological minds—John Wesley, John Calvin, John Knox, and others—didn’t have all the answers. We all see the world through broken theological lenses. The apostle Paul himself acknowledged that “we see through a glass, dimly” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Even he was willing to admit that sometimes he just had to make his best guess.

Pursuing truth is essential. We should study, learn, and strive to understand Scripture as accurately as possible. But it’s important to remember that no one will ever have a perfect understanding of God’s Word. We can’t demand perfection from others before we have reached it ourselves. It’s not only unkind but also hypocritical to insist on a level of perfection that we ourselves fall short of. This reminds us of Jesus’ words: “Let him without sin cast the first stone.”

The Role of Judgment

The truth is, no one—except God Himself—is truly qualified to judge others. Sure, we are called to hold one another accountable and gently correct those who may be in error. But judgment and condemnation? Those belong to the only One who sees all and knows all.

So, rather than focusing on tearing down others, we should focus on building up the Church. Let’s encourage our fellow believers, embrace the differences that make us unique, and remember that we’re all on a journey toward truth and holiness. If we do this, we might just start to see a Church that is more unified and less obsessed with criticism.

The Danger of Faultfinding

The reason why faultfinders are a real problem in the Church is because, in the end, it only weakens the Body of Christ. It breeds division, confusion, and discouragement. It perpetuates a cycle of negativity that keeps us from fulfilling the mission we’ve been given—to love, serve, and share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world. Instead of focusing on the flaws of others, we should be looking for ways to serve, uplift, and encourage.

If we truly want to make an impact for Christ, we must learn to stop fault-finding and start focusing on what unites us. If we can do that, we might just create a Church that reflects our Savior’s love, grace, and mercy.

Conclusion: A Call to Unity and Grace

If we are to be the Church that Jesus intended, we must embrace grace over judgment, encouragement over criticism, and unity over division. The world is watching us, and what they see will either draw them to Christ or push them further away. Let’s be the kind of people who build up, not tear down. Let’s lead with humility and love, knowing that it is only by God’s grace that we are able to stand.

Join the conversation and leave a comment below: How have you seen faultfinding impact the Church, and how can we overcome it together?