If you become a member of that organization, you are expected to abide by and support the rules/standards of that organization. But somehow, our society contends, it is evil for a church to do so. Even in the days of the New Testament, there were people who wouldn’t abide by the teachings of Jesus and the apostles even though they called themselves Christians. Paul mentions two in 2 Timothy: “Avoid godless chatter,” he writes, “because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some (2 Tim 2.6-18).” Paul also instructs the church at Corinth to “deliver to Satan” a brother in Christ who is living in a “relationship” with his father’s wife (1 Cor 5.1-8). Notice in verse 6 his concern that this behavior, if unchecked, has the potential to corrupt the whole church. A similar thing happened to the church in Thyatira, and it was not checked (Rev 2.18-29). This brought judgment from Jesus.
The New Testament instructs the church to discipline members who teach and/or practice certain anti-Christian/Christ teachings. How can you call yourself a Christian, but teach people to pray to Buddha? If Jesus is not who he said he is, then it doesn’t matter what we as Christians say or do. But if Jesus IS who he said he is, we have to conform to what he and his apostles say. (More)
Now let me say this. Every church has teachings and practices not found in Scripture that do not have the same weight as what Jesus and his apostles taught. This is where being an American comes in. You can search the Scriptures and see where churches add on or subtract things. Then you either decide to accept those additions and remain in your congregation, or you reject those additions and find another congregation with whom to work and worship. But you really don’t have the right to scuttle the congregation. I have talked to many Jehovah’s Witnesses over the years. Believe me. I sympathize with the couple who were shunned for questioning that church’s beliefs. Many more need to do so. But when they realized that the people they were talking to didn’t want to change, this couple needed to move on .
This, to me, is what separates truth searchers from trouble makers. I question what we do sometimes—most of you have heard me. Questioning is all right. Hopefully our congregation and its leadership are mature enough to help questioners find answers or learn acceptance. Hopefully we are mature enough to bid someone “Godspeed” if they cannot accept us. But there is a difference when it comes to anti-Christian teaching and behavior. That has to be stopped, or we cease being what we say we are.
Northside church of Christ
Shawn's Corner
Shunning
Once again, the hypocrisy of our culture has raised its head. Monday’s paper pointed out the “religious abuse” heaped upon a Davenport couple by their Jehovah’s Witness church. The paper’s slant was entirely sympathetic to the couple. The article was written to make you dislike or fight against any church that would try to impose any kind of disciplinary action on one of its members. The reason this is hypocritical is because disciplinary action in one form or another occurs in many different ways in our society.The county cops playing “chase the car” in the city last week were disciplined after the county sheriff publicly apologized. Try eating steak if you’re a member of P.E.T.A.! Try teaching intelligent design as a member of a major university’s science department. You will find that almost every organization expects certain things from its membership.
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Shawn