Scriptural Discipline

[George89]

Originally posted in 2017. Should JW's punish, disfellowship, or shun members who disagree with certain teachings?

 

Can a devout follower of Christ truly view biblical discipline as punishment? If so, who is responsible for penalizing an unrepentant sinner - the congregation or God through his word and by obedience? It seems that there has been some misunderstanding in the past regarding the proper motivation behind spiritual discipline, which God requires in order to prevent negative influences from infiltrating the congregation.

 

If Scripture was not intended to guide us, why would God, Jesus, and Apostle Paul refer to it as the inspired Word of God? It would be illogical to believe that our human flaws should overshadow the divine message. This would imply that we only accept from Scripture what aligns with our personal preferences.

 

Does that mindset meet such criteria? No, it does not. We cannot overlook a fundamental flaw found in our personal opinion that would justify disciplinary action once it becomes public knowledge. If a person, particularly someone who has been baptized, fails to fulfill their obligation to God by not living a righteous Christian life, it is their personal responsibility. The congregation's obligation is to accept scriptural discipline while the Elders are obligated to administer scriptural judgment, and they should not bear the blame for administering that authority from God and scriptural judgement on that individual's shortcomings.

 

"When receiving correction: No prideful deflections. If correction is needed, humbly receive it. Listen for God’s direction. God likes to lead us in ways that cultivate our humility. Correction is a gift, and not only for you. Your correction may also be someone else’s provision. Correction is a form of the Lord’s discipline."

 

The Watchtower has made minor adjustments regarding how a disfellowshipped individual should be welcomed in the congregation, if personal conscience permits. However, it is important to note that the fundamental principle of scriptural discipline remains unchanged, as it is written by the inspired word of God. The administration of this discipline, or any changes to it, can only be determined by God, not by the congregation or the elders and certainly not by critics.

 

If things were any different, then those individuals would not be following God's judgment, but rather their own personal opinions. This would undermine the essence of being a genuine Christian, which is to faithfully adhere to God's word and apply it to one's own life.

    

Chapter 48 - Sundry Passages in the Great Chapter of the Resurrection of the Dead Explained in Defense of Our Doctrine However, they must contrive to recall to their mind even now our preceding arguments, in order that the occasion which originally suggested this passage may assist our judgment in arriving at its meaning. The apostle, as I take it, having set forth for the Corinthians the details of their church discipline, had summed up the substance of his own gospel, and of their belief in an exposition of the Lord's death and resurrection, for the purpose of deducing therefrom the rule of our hope, and the groundwork thereof. 

 

(from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3)

 

Before the church fathers, the question of how to follow the word of God arose. For example, should one follow the Corinth church leaders or the words of Apostle Paul, inspired by God's Holy Spirit? This same condition exists today, with some inclined to follow the words and recommendations of imperfect beings rather than follow the words of God. Those who choose to distort the gospel for their personal justifications have no business criticizing God's discipline.

        

CHAPTER ONE

1 Corinthians 1

BE WISE ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN'S CALLING

"Jesus yes! The church, no!"

Remember when that slogan was popular among young people in the '60s? They certainly could have used it with sincerity in Corinth back in  A.D. 56, because the local church there was in serious trouble. Sad to say, the problems did not stay within the church family; they were known by the unbelievers outside the church.

To begin with, the church at Corinth was a defiled church. Some of its members were guilty of sexual immorality, others got drunk; still others were using the grace of God to excuse worldly living. It was also a divided church, with at least four different groups competing for leadership (1 Cor 1:12). This meant it was a disgraced church. Instead of glorifying God, it was hindering the progress of the Gospel.

 

(from The Bible Exposition Commentary)

 

True Christians should, by now, comprehend the teachings conveyed in the Gospel of Matthew. However, I wonder if they have truly grasped the significance of Paul's message in Titus 3:9, as well as his writings concerning Corinth, Rome, and Timothy. It is essential for us as believers to fully explore these passages and apply their wisdom and guidance to our lives.

 

Is there a loving way to administer discipline? Absolutely, for someone who shows "genuine" repentance through their actions and behavior. Can a council of Elders force the family of a person who has been disfellowshipped, for example, due to homosexuality, to accept such behavior in their family dynamics if they strongly dissent from it and choose to personally "shun" that individual instead for the reason of disfellowshipping them? No! No Elder has the authority to dictate personal emotions. They can only suggest the steps a family might take if they desire to reintegrate that family member into their lives after "rejecting" the condition of homosexuality and eradicating it from their hearts by having that member demonstrate genuine repentance. In the meantime, the concept of "shunning" takes on a different significance for some but not for all.

 

These are the kinds of factors that true Christians should consider before entering judgment or critiquing the church authority to administer Bible correction by elders.

Let's take a look at another trait like pedophilia? Even if a pedophile has reformed and mended their behavior, and the church has accepted that person back into its fold, a stigma will inevitably remain attached to that individual. Caution will naturally come into play for some, while others may not feel comfortable engaging with them despite their own conscience. Human behavior is complex and there is no universal solution that fits all cases.

 

Can the unconditional love spoken of in the Bible be the same for those who have yet to know God, those who are coming to know God, and those who came to know God and then rejected God's love and God himself through personal sin? What about those who have shown remorse and those who claim to be repentant but in their hearts continue to demonstrate unrepentance through their actions? Scripture provides each true Christian with God's standards and teaches them how to keep the "body of Christ" pure from those who do not fear God.

 

The question, therefore, is: should we shed tears of joy for a lost brother who has now been found, or should we shed tears of sadness for that long-lost brother who has yet to realize the error of their ways, and that God is bringing judgment upon them?