Like all other classes of men, preachers can be notorious troublemakers. Sometimes though, like Elijah of old, they are falsely accused of it. Wicked Ahab said to Elijah, "Art thou he that troubleth Israel" (1 Kgs. 18:17)? The very fact that unrest and contention follows the preaching of the gospel does not necessarily prove that the preacher is at fault. J.W. McGarvey recognized this. Said he:
"The fact that angry excitement follows the preaching of a certain man...is no proof...that the preaching is improper, either in matter or manner. When men are willing to receive the truth, and to reject all error, the preaching of the gospel can have none but peaceful and happy effects. But otherwise, it still brings 'not peace but a sword,' and is the 'savor of death unto death.' The apostolic method was to fearlessly preach the truth, and leave the consequences with God and the people" (J.W. McGarvey, Original Commentary On Acts, p. 215).
Paul was widely regarded as "a pestilent fellow," as a member of a "sect that is everywhere spoken against," and as one that troubled entire cities, turning "the world upside down" (Acts 16:20; 17:6; 24:5; 28:22). While it is true that violence, civil strife, and riots often occurred following his preaching, he was not the cause of it. The same is true today. Therefore, let us not conclude that because a certain brother is mired in controversy that the fault is all his own.