Failure to Excommunicate

The last entry presented the premise of the Church suffering the affliction of Jericho Syndrome. Spiritual victory often fuels ecclesiastical pride when humility is the ideal endgame. Ironically, it often takes failure and defeat to even spark the beginning of humility, a circumstance blatantly apparent throughout the history of both Israel and the Church. Many praise Israel for the victory at Jericho and for successfully initiating the conquest of Canaan. But it is not Israel who is to be praised, for such acclaim is reserved for the Lord God alone.
...Victory at Jericho inflated Israel's pride rather than her faith and humility, resulting in defeat and humiliation in the first attempt to take the city of Ai. This defeat compelled Joshua and the elders to seek counsel from Almighty God, not their own vanity, whereupon they learned that Achan and his family (and thus Israel) had broken God's covenant by taking war spoils, i.e. "the accursed things," from Jericho (Joshua 7). The Lord God Himself said this was the reason for the defeat at Ai and offered assurance that He would no longer protect Israel unless they destroyed the accursed things from among them (7:11-12). Had Joshua and the elders sought God's counsel initially there would not have been a hard lesson to suffer, for the "sin in the camp" would have been revealed and remedied and hearts would have been full of righteous fervor, not haughtiness, prior to the Ai campaign.
...This "hard lesson" concerning "sin in the camp" speaks directly to the Church's present circumstance, and the specific "sin" is of exactly the same stock as that in Joshua's day: Compromise. Many church leaders, both spiritual and administrative, find the Word of God to be an untenable resource in that Almighty God is so clear in what He says and so absolute in His Purpose. The black and white of Scripture is simply too much for some and thus they create a gray area of compromise wherein the challenge of upholding and exemplifying the Christian ethic falls toward an existence of comfortable futility.
...This premise has resulted in the universal degradation of church organizations and congregations, corporations, cultures, and societal morals which directly affect individual mind sets and worldviews. The graying of Scriptural Truth, fueled by those who would insist upon what God may or may not mean rather than trust in His sure Word, has driven many churches toward accepting liberal theologies and "feel-good" gospels that are antithetical to the one true Gospel. And feel-good gospels unintentionally promote the aforementioned comfortable futility wherein the challenge of true Christian discipleship is replaced by those professing themselves to be wise, but becoming fools (Rom. 1:22). Such foolish wisdom is nothing new and is quite familiar (though not considered foolish) to ones seeking a "Christian religion of reason." This phraseology is merely modern agnosticism and entirely rejects the hard truth of Christianity being a relationship with Christ, not a religion. Moreover, the "religion of reason" supposition betrays itself as nothing more than a humanist attempt to comprehend something that cannot be grasped devoid of faith.
...Philosophy and reason devoid of faith prompted Eve to partake of the forbidden fruit and rendered Adam useless concerning his God-given authority/headship (Gen. 3). The apostle Paul issued a severe warning to the intellectually savvy and philosophically inclined populous of Greece when he sent letters to the churches of Colosse and Corinth: "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ... for our faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God" (Colossians 2:8; 1 Cor. 2:5).
...Several years ago I exchanged correspondence with an individual (Mr. X) who was heading up a deviant philosophy within a Bible believing church; his following consisted of nearly a third of the attendees. He insisted upon a belief that Jesus' message to love and act justly is of and from God, but that he and others "do not believe in the virgin birth, physical resurrection of Christ, ancient creeds, or any of the other magic revealed in Christian literature and liturgy." He later expressed a desire to belong to a denomination "open about the mystery, open about the search for truth, and understands that we are called to love all human beings."
...One cannot argue against our being called to love all humans; however, love cannot be truly expressed through ambiguous ideals of truth accompanied by ill-defined parameters of conduct. Discipline (borne of love) plays a vital role in the upbringing of a child, likewise for the child of God. After sharing this thought with Mr. X I explained that he was attempting to deify himself through a "cut and paste" approach to the Holy Writ and that he was thus an exemplar of Lucifer, not Christ. Also, I disclosed that the "mystery" and "truth" he and his coterie are searching for was revealed when Jesus Christ was nailed to the Cross as the ultimate Sacrificial Atonement for humanity's sin (including fallaciousness), and then conquered death through His resurrection, thus proving His Love (even for Mr. X).
...Realizing Mr. X's lack of Scriptural intimacy encouraged me to allow God to speak for Himself, and often. Proverbs 14:12 for instance: "There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is death." Mr. X then inquired as to what "authoritative principle" gave me liberty to dismiss "his own understanding" as deviant, to which I referenced 2 Timothy 3:16 and 1 Cor. 2:14... "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness... But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
...
In answer to a direct query, Mr. X said that his pastor was handling the "division" in the church with compassion, even allowing Mr. X to oversee an entirely separate service for those in agreement with his heresy! This is troubling. Biblical policy demands an immediate end to such circumstances and offers the remedy effecting such an end. Those openly denying Scriptural Truth (especially within a church) should be rebuked before all, so that others may fear/respect God's direction for the Church (1 Tim. 5:20). But in an age of "grace" how can Biblical policy offer definitive protocol within the Church without risking compromise? In an age of "grace" how can the Church "destroy the accursed things from within?" The answer I offered to Mr. X, and thus received no further response, would strike a withering blow to festering situations presently infecting ecclesia and rests in one word: Excommunication.
...Though highly stigmatized due to severe Roman Catholic abuse in earlier centuries, excommunication is a viable Scriptural solution for numerous conflicts and dissension within the Church, said dissension often originating from pastors, teachers, lay people, etc. who appear to be of the Lord's true flock though in reality are ravening wolves advancing a satanic agenda to kill Truth (Matt. 7:15). No commentary is needed for the following Biblical policy:
..."Mark them which cause division and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple"
(Rom. 16:17-18).
..."But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us... And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother"
(2 Thess. 3:6, 14).
..."If anyone teaches otherwise (contrary to God's Word) and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments... From such withdraw yourself" (1 Tim. 6:3-5).
..."Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?" (2 Cor. 6:14).
..."For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh... Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God... If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine (of Christ), do not receive him into your house or greet him" (2 John 7-11).
..."But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother (supposed Christian), who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner- not even to eat with such a person" (1 Cor. 5:11).
..."Moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen..." (Matt. 18:15-17).
...In light of the above references, some may insist on an even stronger Scriptural example of explicit "excommunication" being employed by God Himself. Examine Genesis 3:22-24. The Lord God sent Adam out of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken... Of additional import is the context of the exile: physical and spiritual.
...Scripture speaks of a time when some will not endure sound doctrine and shall replace Truth with fables whilst speaking evil of the Truth they deny (2 Tim. 4:3-4; 2 Peter 2:1-3). Such a time is upon us and the Church must reverse its failure to excommunicate the heretics from within the fold, lest we forget from whence we have fallen and Christ removes our lampstand (Rev. 2:4-5).

2 comments:

J C Girls said...

i liked this piece Jon I am going to have to read it again. Although you bring up excellent points with great scripture reference. I truly appreciate the depth you push you research. It's refreshing to see work written well about true like circumstances. Keep it coming. :)

Brandon said...

Wow. There is so much in the Bible on this topic and you have seen an example of it first-hand. That's awesome!