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Dealing with moral failure among Christian leaders

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Reformed, Aug 28, 2020.

  1. Reformed

    Reformed Well-Known Member
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    There is an active thread right now that brought up leadership training in the wake of the Jerry Falwell, Jr. scandal. I was going to post this in that thread but thought this issue deserves its own treatment.

    The first thing we need to do before commenting on any moral failure by Christian leaders is to look in the mirror. There is biblical warrant for this.

    Romans 2:17-24 17 But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely upon the Law and boast in God, 18 and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth, 21 you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? 24 For “THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU,” just as it is written.

    We know that Christian message boards are full of amateur theologians and moral crusaders. They are also full of hypocrites who are quick to condemn others while having a closet full of their own skeletons. Indeed, or Lord said in Matthew 7:1-5, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye."

    Jerry Falwell, Jr. used the excuse that he was not called to be a preacher, as though that somehow relieves him of responsibility for his actions. The fact is that it doesn't matter whether we are called to be a preacher or not. Are we to think that the moral requirements of a pastor do not apply to us? Are we exempt from not being addicted to much wine or to manage our households well? Does the Bible teach the bifurcation of Christians? Actually, it teaches quite the opposite. Galatians 3:28 states, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." The ground is level at the cross. There is no such thing as Christian nobility. There is also no such thing as just a run-of-the-mill Christian. This is the Christian who hides in his anonymity and behind the veil of false humility. The fact is that we are all under the same command to "be holy as I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16).

    Christians are not be silent. We are to repent of our sins, to forsake them. We have a responsibility to hold each other accountable, but not before we have examined ourselves and taken the log out of our own eye. A dear brother in the Lord who is now in glory used to say to me, "Keep short accounts with God." I have been thinking more about that as of late. I think we all should.
     
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  2. Reformed1689

    Reformed1689 Well-Known Member

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  3. AustinC

    AustinC Well-Known Member

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    Galatians 6:1-10 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load. Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
     
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  4. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    While this is an important issue, a related issue is dealing with exactly how a brother gets to the point where his fall is so great. Too many times Christians elevate men too high. I think of Paul's comments in 1 Corinthians 3:4. Christians feed into the egos of men. I am not saying this to excuse the behavior of these leaders at all (please understand). They did fall. And I believe it is biblical to expect leaders to be held to a high standard. At the same time I wonder if Christians share some of the blame. With Jerry Falwell, Jr I think he was riding his father's coattails. He was in a position that was above his morality (he is a leader who did not meet that higher standard). But I wonder how many times men are unintentionally set up to fail because well meaning Christians place them on such a high pedestal.

    Regarding the OP, @AustinC has the passage. He probably looked at my answers...that cheater. :Tongue
     
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  5. Wesley Briggman

    Wesley Briggman Well-Known Member
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    I am having trouble keeping that statement in context.

    [Jas 5:16 KJV] 16 Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

    All scripture dealing with confession, as exampled above, is a private matter between believers and God. I find no example of Christians broadcasting their personal failures on national media.

    The Falwell's handling of their sins causes me to question their relationship with God.

    [Heb 12:7-8 KJV] 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

    [Mat 7:21 KJV] 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

    2Th 3:6 KJV Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
     
  6. Reformed

    Reformed Well-Known Member
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    Wesley, I do not have gossip in mind, or as I stated earlier "false humility". There are times when events occur within Christendom that warrant a response. The majority of the time that response should be within the confines of the body of Christ (i.e. the local church). But there are issues that are both public in nature as well as local church related. The national sin of abortion and the profaning of the covenant of marriage are two such issues. To the degree that that these sins threaten a local assembly, the need to be addressed. But it is also right for the church to speak out on these issues publicly. God's kingdom is not relegated to just the church. All of creation is His and the church has the right to proclaim the truth in all places. Of course, how that is done is just as important as the message itself.
     
  7. Wesley Briggman

    Wesley Briggman Well-Known Member
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    The Falwell's sins should not be a national issue. For whatever reason, one or both decided to broadcast their sins on national television thereby making them a national issue. Money?
     
  8. Reformed

    Reformed Well-Known Member
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    Who know? Money, prestige, fame, reputation...it could be a lot of things. Remember that Jerry Falwell, Jr. was in then candidate Donald Trump's inner circle during the 2016 campaign. He figured to play a key role in this year's campaign. Not so much anymore. I think the only reason why the Falwell's went public with this is because the horse was out of the barn. But my OP has a larger scope than just Jerry Falwell, Jr.
     
  9. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    I'm sure it was big news in Lynchburg - and once the secular media got ahold of it - you can be sue they passed it on to their national networks.
     
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  10. Wesley Briggman

    Wesley Briggman Well-Known Member
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    Why would the Falwell's go no national tv and share the details of there shameful acts? In my opinion, if they were under conviction of the Holy Spirit, they would cower in the shame of their disgrace.
     
  11. AustinC

    AustinC Well-Known Member

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    Ephesians 5:11-17 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

    God is orchestrating the revealing of sin in the lives of his chilren for judgment starts with the house of God.

    1 Peter 4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
     
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  12. Wesley Briggman

    Wesley Briggman Well-Known Member
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    Are you condoning the actions of the Falwell's making their sin public knowledge?

    They defied Ephesians 5:11-17. They took part in the unfruitful works of darkness! The obedient child of God is to expose the unfruitful works being done by professing brothers in Christ within the house of God, not on public television!!
     
  13. AustinC

    AustinC Well-Known Member

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    I am saying that God is publicly judging his house first.
    For too long sinners in the house of God have been trying to sweep their sins under the rug. That is an abominable practice.
    I had a missionary friend whose child was sexually touched by a person in the mission agency who used his power to cover up his evil. The family came back from the field and the vile man kept his position.
    Enough with hiding sins. If God makes them public to the whole world and it results in a more holy family, then so be it. Let the enemies of God mock and cast stones. We must be judged by God first. We are His children and we must be made holy as our Father is holy.
    All the Falwell issues do is reveal our need for repentance. Let the chaff be burned away.
     
  14. Wesley Briggman

    Wesley Briggman Well-Known Member
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    [Isa 57:15 KJV] 15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

    The Falwell's do not impress me as being contrite or humble. May the Holy Spirit convict them, bring them to repentance and restore them to fellowship.
     
  15. AustinC

    AustinC Well-Known Member

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    I don't know them personally. Their public portrayal makes them seem pridefulness. Galatians 6 gives us the process when working with a brother who is struggling.
     
  16. Wesley Briggman

    Wesley Briggman Well-Known Member
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    2Ti 3:1 KJV - This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
    2Ti 3:2 KJV - For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
    2Ti 3:3 KJV - Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
    2Ti 3:4 KJV - Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
    2Ti 3:5 KJV - Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
     
  17. AustinC

    AustinC Well-Known Member

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    Well...I never supported Liberty University or Jerry Falwell Sr, let alone his son, Jerry Falwell Jr.

    I'm not sure what point you are attempting to make.
     
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