I must tell you, it is exceedingly discomforting to write on this subject. It is a dread subject that ought never to be forced on the hearts and minds of Christians, but unfortunately, it is reality. In order address this matter properly, I must speak frankly and (sometimes) with words that may be objectionable to some, but that is the price of writing so as to be clearly understood. I trust you will appreciate the need to write in this way.
We live in an age of tremendous openness. Things that were formerly spoken of in private are now widely proclaimed on the nightly news. There seems to be an insatiable appetite in modern society for anything that is ugly or offensive. As one commentator said, referring to the first story on television news, "If it bleeds, it leads." From Jerry Springer to Howard Stern, Sex in the City to Jackass (primetime TV shows with those names, believe it or not), newpapers to the Internet, the President of the United States to the stripper-candidate for California’s highest office, we are bombarded with offensive sexual images, profane words and X-rated innuendo.
This phenomenon has created a perverse mindset in many Americans. Even worse, it has a cult-like effect upon us, leading us to spend untold hours flipping TV channels for another racy or raucous scene or plying the Internet for a daily pornographic experience. If you think this cannot be true about Christians, you are just not living in the real world. It is impossible for me to express how easily pornography is available to our children; it boggles the mind to realize how damaging they are to the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of Christians, both adult and youth.
I mentioned a "Litany of Factors" that contribute to the pandemic of sexual abuse within churches (and I might include other, perceived "safe harbors," such as schools, sports and Scouting), but I only mentioned three of them, specifically:
Last week, I wrote, "Well, first, let me acknowledge that I cannot tell you what THE problem is, beyond saying it is a matter of sin. So, let’s dispense with the "platitudes and Pollyanna" of quick answers and shallow conclusions, and move on to some fundamental points that should be obvious in preventing the problem from the get-go." Then, I pointed out that due, diligent care on the part of preachers, elders, parents, and indeed, all Christians, is a necessary component to prevention of the problem in the first place. But, that’s not all that can be done.
In too many places (and perhaps even here at Mountain View), the force of frank and explicit doctrinal instruction has been exchanged for a simpler, easier-to-grasp body of teaching that is more akin to milk than it is to meat. This is a difficult proposition, folks, because preachers and elders are constantly hearing that classes are too difficult, sermons are too hard to follow, teaching is too hard, lessons are too long, time is too short (or in the case of sermons, too long), opportunities are too rare, ad infinitum.
For my part, I am determined that I cannot neglect the necessary "hard teaching" of scripture, just because some people struggle with it. It is impossible to adequately feed a church with a steady diet of first principles and the doctrines of faith, repentance and baptism. Oh, I know it’s easy, it is infinitely palatable, but it does not build mature, capable saints or churches.
Another component of this point is that the situation in our perverse society calls for frank and unmistakable applications and illustrations in preaching. I remember when a preacher could not get away with saying "pregnant" in the pulpit (and it was forbidden on primetime TV), but he’d better learn that word and a thousand others with similar shocking effect if he expects to teach our increasingly shell-shocked young people. Those in the pews need to be prepared to hear what is necessary to make the point clear. Our children hear stronger instruction in the abstinence unit of health-science instruction than they do from our pulpits. Brethren, this must change.
Not long ago, Leon Hall and I were discussing the problem of church discipline and I told him that my views on the subject have been changing for some time. I used to think that forceful action to separate a sinful brother or sister was the absolute last resort, and that literally months (or even longer) might be consumed before that action is warranted. However, as I have matured and have seen the ineffectiveness of what we have always done—and by that I mean what I was taught and have experienced in churches from my youth (remember, my own father was a gospel preacher), and the consistent actions (or rather, inaction) in churches where I have labored in the Word—I say, as I have grown in the Word I have come to realize that the faster we remove the leaven, the quicker we will prevent its leavening effects. I believe that is exactly what the scriptures teach and application of the scripture demands.
Brethren, let me speak frankly: I realize all of us sin and we all have need of righteous counsel, but there is way too much at stake to allow perverse activity to go unchallenged and uncorrected, even for a moment, especially when it is committed against our young and innocent. For my part, if such an incident occurs, I will counsel the elders and saints to take an immediate, firm and resolute stand by separating such an offender from the number. Only then can the real force of separation and disciplinary withdrawal be fully appreciated by a sinner-and even more importantly, only in that way can the innocent one know that God’s saints will not countenance such people, nor their sins, in the congregation of the righteous. Our innocent will be safe, or those who would sin against them will not be in our number-it’s that simple.
Christianity is a very old "religion." Actually, I struggle to call Christianity a "religion," as the word is used but once in the New Testament in a positive sense (James 1:27), and even there it refers to the effect on daily living that "binds" a Christian to his God and Savior (popular etymology connects our English word "with (L.) religare ‘to bind fast’ (see rely), via notion of ‘place an obligation on,’ or ‘bond between humans and gods.’" (listing "Religion," at Etymology Online, http://www.etymonline.com). Nonetheless, allow me the point to observe that the teachings of New Testament Christianity are many centuries old, extending all the way to the foundational promise in Genesis 3:15 of a Savior who would inflict a mortal wound upon the head of Satan.
It’s easy to be so focused on the old paths and ancient landmarks that we fail to see the clear and present dangers that are thrust upon us in modern society. We need men of vision and integrity to oversee the churches of Christ and to insure that the challenges of modern society are not met with timid attitudes and restrained actions. We need preachers who will speak frankly and forcefully of the dangers to the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of our children, and make such clear and appropriate illustrations that the point will not be missed. And, we need saints of sterling character and stalwart demeanor who will not flinch to hear and to do the moral instruction of godliness, and to insist on more of the same.
(To Be Continued)