Quote:
Originally Posted by jfrog
Who said making something public was dragging someone out into the street? Are you saying you can't meekly restore someone with public statements?
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First of all, I would say that the only people in the position to "restore" someone would be those who have a relationship with him/her. A stranger wouldn't qualify, unless God spoke to them and sent them directly in some miraculous way.
Secondly, I have never seen a public statement in regard to immorality that was:
1. Directed TO the person instead of stated ABOUT the person, and
2. Stated in a spirit of meekness.
I have seen such statements in regard to doctrinal differences. Things along the lines of, "With respect, brother, I ask you to reconsider your views regarding _____________."
Finally, I have rarely seen the humility that Paul asks for where the person doing the "calling out" (meekness? yeah, right.) is doing so in the spirit of considering themselves, lest they also be tempted. (e.g., with the acknowledgement that we ALL have the ability to give in to a temptation)
So with that said, I find very little profit in public *floggings* of people who have fallen into sin. Whether they are a preacher or a saint is irrelevant on that point. If something is already public, it can probably be discussed, BUT it should still be done respectfully, and in the sense of fairness, the person in question ought to be included in the conversation.
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