tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post7341741261366715118..comments2023-12-22T08:29:29.230-08:00Comments on WHAT IS TRUTH: Open Letter on the Integrity of the New Testament ChurchKent Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13419354741455959191noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-47902522392668442302011-03-29T13:19:58.995-07:002011-03-29T13:19:58.995-07:00d4,
I am glad you referenced that passage because...d4,<br /><br />I am glad you referenced that passage because it is one often used in opposition to church discipline. I am not saying that you are opposed to church discipline, but many understand that passage that way. For example, someone gave me a series of CDs by R. C. Sproul teaching the universal church doctrine, and Sproul referenced this passage in application to church discipline.<br /><br />However, the specific interpretation given by the Lord prevents us from applying Matthew 13:24-30 this way. Notice verses 36-43. In verse 38 Jesus says, "The field is the world". Not the church, but the world. The parable is about unsaved & saved people in the world. The proper application here would be to prevent executing the death penalty for doctrinal heresy or unbelief in a nation [Baptists have historically held to this type of "separation of church and state".] It makes no statement about church discipline but about why God allows the unsaved to remain in the world until the Day of Judgment.<br /><br />I agree with the principle of caution. We want to restore people. However, often too much caution is given. By that I mean it is easy to not take the action commanded by God. For example, Matthew 18:15-20 gives a particular process [4 steps] when dealing with personal disagreements between fellow church members, and Titus 3:9-11 gives a divisive person 2 opportunities to repent of their behavior. However, there are other cases like I Corinthians 5 where the only step commanded is to remove someone involved in a sin like fornication & then to not even eat with the person. Not many churches are willing to go that far.Gary Webbnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-87406447129933357502011-03-29T10:21:06.401-07:002011-03-29T10:21:06.401-07:00Hi Brother Webb,
Just some perspective for my qu...Hi Brother Webb, <br /><br />Just some perspective for my question: I don't have a problem with Pastor Brandenburg's/BBC's actions, and I don't think the line of confrontation they pursued with the the other church was innappropriate. <br /><br />But wouldn't Matthew 13:24-30 give reason for extreme care in practicing ultimate discipline? I'm not talking about forbearing initiation of three stage discipline as outlined in the Bible, but pursuing the first step for a period (rather than one meeting), the second for a period, etc. <br /><br />Even Christians can be stubborn about sin.d4v34xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07346680257860879900noreply@blogger.com