| Author | Message | ||
| Lindylou Registered user Username: Lindylou Post Number: 234 Registered: 1-2005  |
Hi....I would appreciate your take on this text: "Anyone who sins should be rebuked in front of the whole church so that others will have a proper fear of God." ITimothy 5:20 Thanks, Linda | ||
| Raven Registered user Username: Raven Post Number: 1015 Registered: 7-2004  |
What translation was that from? It probably helps to read it in context:
It seems to be talking about people in public positions (elders), and only when they continue in sin. The point being public issues should be dealt with publically and not swept under the rug. That's just my take on it - I haven't looked it up in any commentaries. | ||
| Bskillet Registered user Username: Bskillet Post Number: 341 Registered: 8-2008 |
Raven, the NASB and the context also demonstrate that "the rest" in v 20 refer to the rest of the elders, not the rest of the congregation. That's my take on it anyway. Elders and others in positions of leadership are instructed in various places in the NT that they are not to exercise authority over the church as masters, but to serve humbly. Most notable is the exhortation in 1 Pet 5:1-4: What I find fascinating about this is that the Greek word for "those entrusted to you" is kleros, the word from which we get clergy. I think this demonstrates that the concepts of authority and leadership in some churches today have turned the Biblical mandate on its head. (Message edited by bskillet on May 31, 2009) | ||
| Benevento Registered user Username: Benevento Post Number: 283 Registered: 4-2005 |
When I first joined the Evangelical Covenant church or shortly after. the youth pastor was in some trouble, he was relieved of his credentials, the church paid for counseling for he and his wife if they wanted it. There was a church business meeting and the whole thing was aired so that people would know what happened, and we were urged to be friendly and encouraging to them--there was practically no gossip, as far as I could tell and everyone I talked to liked the way it was handled. It certainly beat what I had been used to in my former church!! | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 9917 Registered: 12-2003  |
Yes--I don't believe that text, Lindylou, is intended to give permission to make a spectacle of anyone. It's about disciplining those who are in persistent sin and not allowing them to "take down" others who are under their influence. And, according to other places in the NT as well (like 1 and 2 Corinthians), the discipline is for the purpose of redemption, not for the purpose of destruction and out-casting. Colleen |
