Quote:
Originally Posted by Esaias
A pastor runs off with someone else's wife? Or dumps his own wife to run off with his mistress? And gets "restored" to be pastor again? I just don't see that being an option. It's part of why religion is such a mess these days.
The church can not keep an eye on what's going in people's heads. There is no way to enforce such a thing in the church, any more than there was a way to enforce the 10th commandment back in the old days. Therefore such a situation would have to be handled by God Himself.
There is also a clear difference between someone coveting another's wife as an individual act or moment on the one hand, and someone actually going through with it and wrecking at least one home and probably several, with damage results lasting basically the rest of those people's lives, not to mention the damage done to any kids who may be involved in the train wreck caused by such a person.
So, no. If a guy wrecks homes and runs off with his whore then no, he doesn't get to cry tears and get his job back. Sorry (but not sorry, too bad).
Is that harsh? Well, is it harsher than destroying families?
How does the pastor repent of adultery? Spin the little prayer wheel while having a little talk with Jesus, then the adulterous relationship somehow becomes sanctified? Or by ending the adulterous relationship?
And that of course assumes that divorcing a wife and marrying another is in fact adultery (which is debatable from a whole Scripture standpoint). But does the Scripture allow for divorced and remarried men to serve as bishops and deacons? Is that a "husband of one wife"?
Just from a practical point of view, how does such a character not bring a reproach upon the church and upon the Gospel, if there are no consequences for what they have done?
If a man robs a bunch of people, should he be able to ask forgiveness and then just not do the jail time? OR are there consequences for people's actions, even if they have been covered by the blood?
Modern churches will accept an adulterer or embezzler as a pastor, but God forbid they preach the wrong eschatology. Seems like priorities are a bit askew here, amen?
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If I'm wrong about the way I'm reading your post, please let me know. However, why is it so hard to believe that a man that does commit adultery cannot be, "restored" like you have written? If he doesn't ever become Pastor again, then fine, does that mean God stops using him in ministry? The very nature of God is forgiveness! And if it's not yours or mine, then we are not saved!
Paul said, "ye which are spiritual restore such a one with the spirit of meekness..."
What does restore mean?
If a secretary takes money from the church, is she to be kicked out? Maybe drag her or him to the front and rebuke them in front of the whole church. Tell them to get out of the church, and go be a baptist. What is the church for?
Can an adulterer, whore, embezzler, etc... can any of these be restored?
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