Thoughts on (Church) Discipline

In his book "Handbook of Church Discipline" Jay Adams writes that church discipline begins because of a breakdown of self-discipline. The intervention of another, whether the informal rebuke of a brother or sister, or the formal, judicial process of the church leadership seeks to remedy what is lacking in the individual's self-discipline. It also seems apparent that the initial lack of self-discipline which necessitates the discipline process tends to be relatively "small" sins. Adultery, for example, is rarely, if ever, the initial sin requiring disciplinary action; but is preceded by a long string of "smaller" sins which culminate in the more serious sin. Yet, the sad irony is that the "smaller" sins are those that are generally overlooked, or are not thought to require serious disciplinary disciplinary action, formal or informal. A few observations suggest themselves.

First, great humility and diligence are required with regard to our sanctification. We are too prone to overestimate our own strength, or the strength of others, while easily overlooking those areas which speak powerfully of weakness. "Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall."

Second, we must be humble enough to give and to receive loving, yet firm rebuke in any areas where there is a discontinuity between the mandates of Scripture and practice. A Scriptural rebuke given in a timely manner may very well save a brother or sister a great deal of the pain and hardship that sin will bring to God's child. Even more, in God's providence, this early rebuke may be the means that God will use to save a soul from the damning hardness of continued, ingrained sin.

Third, elders must be diligent in their care of the flock Christ has entrusted to them. The final steps of church discipline is generally exercised in cases where there is gross sin; yet any sin, which fails to be renounced despite Scriptural rebuke and ministerial authority calls for sessional action. What elder would fail to deal with the "white lies" or the tantrums of their children, excusing themselves by saying it is not worth the effort, or the sins are not substantial enough to require parental discipline? The manner in which an elder rules his house is not only a qualification for his office, but also an analogy.

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. For if we go on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries."

A Tax Rant

Allow me a slight break from my normal fare to vent a little. No, I am not going to join some hyper-conservatives and question the constitutionality of the income tax, or whine about the loopholes in the system favoring the rich. In fact, I don’t even have a beef with the IRS, I am sort of happy with them right now.

My major goal for the day was to get my taxes completed and mailed. I know I should have gotten them done a while ago, rather than wait close to the last minute; but what can I say, I had a lot of other things to do and I procrastinated. The prospect of numbers and math does not get me very excited, even if it means I get a good deal of money at the end of the process. This morning I got the right booklet for the Federal Tax that I needed, and in the middle of the afternoon, I started the process. The directions for the Federal tax form were clear and concise, and the entire process was quick and easy. Encouraged by the ease of the Federal form, I immediately moved on to the state income tax. First, the form I was using (the short form mind you) was at four times longer than the Federal form. The large instruction book accompanying the form was anything but clear, written I am sure by a professional linguist specializing in governmentalese. Having struggled almost to the end, encouraged by the prospect of soon completing my task- New York State introduced a bump in the road. Rather than accepting the figure for the state tax withheld listed on the W-2, New York now requires another form, the IT-2 to be filled out and attached to your tax return. Of course, this form is not attached to the normal return sheet, or in the booklet. So, the end of the story is, since the library was closed which had the tax forms; I will have to finish my state taxes tomorrow, when I can get my IT-2, to record the same figure I already have on my W-2.

The Federal government made a big deal in recent years about simplifying the tax code for the average taxpayer. I think the Federal government has done well, now, it is time for New York to join the club.

Peter Enn's Inspiration and Incarnation Part I

After some delay, I will finally begin some thoughts about Dr. Enns' book. First, in spite of the majority of my posts being issues I have with the book; I want to make clear how much I like and appreciate the Dr. Enn's labor. It is unfortunately all too easy to notice areas where one takes issue with an author, and to overlook the areas of agreement. I agree much more often with the author than I disagree. Second, I have not yet finished the book (I am reading it with someone else, so I am reading at the pace of our discussion)- so maybe some of my concerns are dealt with in the conclusion, but having scanned ahead, I do not think that they are.

One of the most glaring issues that strikes me concerning this book so far regards an inaccurate focus of what the book is challenging. Throughout the book, Dr. Enns makes a connection with the data and evidence he raises and a traditional, evangelical doctrine of Scripture. Yet, the evidence primarily does not seem to relate to doctrine, but to hermeneutics. The connection between Israel's literature and its ANE neighbors concerns the culture and historical situation of the original audience- and is a primarily a exegetical, and not a theological issue. One of the cornerstones of the grammatical historical method is understanding the culture and the situation of the original audience, and not imposing one's own culture or presuppositions onto the text. I think this lack of clarity is especially apparent regarding the second major chapter regarding theological diversity in the Old Testament. The discussion of diversity in Proverbs is not a theological issue, but a genre issue. Related to issues of genre are the differences between a covenantal understanding of suffering in Deuteronomy and an existential portrayal in Job. Understanding the different situations and goals into which the book of Samuel/Kings was written verses that of the Chronicler explains the differences in details and emphases between the two. In each of these instances, however, it is not a theological issue, but an exegetical one. While I have not yet read the third section on the New Testament's use of the Old- in light of a previous article by the same author- the issue also seems to revolve around the exegetical issue of understanding the interpretive norms and contexts which guided the New Testament author's use of the Old Testament. Once again, this is not an issue of doctrine, but on of cultural understanding of the New Testament authors, and a vital step in interpreting any text.

I do not want to say that no theological problems are raised by these issue, but the impact, I believe, is more in the area of nuance rather than a challenge to the core of a thoughtful, evangelical perspective. If any lesson could be learned from this book it is this- not that the evangelical doctrine is wrong (this says nothing about individual understanding and articulation of this doctrine), but that evangelicals need to be more responsible, careful and thoughtfully nuanced exegetes. To borrow Carson's term, we need to practice "distanciation" between ourselves and the original audience a lot better. Further, if this is to occur, the church must train its members not only to read, but also how to read the text. Many of these issues cease to remain problems by the introduction of a disciplined use of a solid exegetical method. Another benefit of switching the category of the issues raised from theological to exegetical would be a relief of much of the unwarranted criticism this books has received. Rather than creating tension because the hard-fought doctrinal commitments are being questioned (or worse), the book could be used to strengthen and deepen the respect that the evangelical doctrine of Scripture seeks faithfully to maintain.

A book recommendation

First off, I know I have disappeared off the face of the earth for a while, but I am back, and I do intend (I do not want to make a promise I cannot keep) to post much more regularly. Life has been hectic to understate it, and blogging, among other things was a really low priority for time consumption. I have come up with a lot of ideas for things to write about the past couple months; and will put some of those ideas into more concrete form in the very near future.

But, now, very briefly to the subject at hand. I recently acquired, and am currently reading Incarnation and Inspiration by Dr. Peter Enns. This book has gathered a lot of attention, and a lot of controversy since its publication. In my particular denomination, the book has been regularly criticized and the orthodoxy of the author has been seriously questioned. In spite of all the negative press being given to the book by many in the conservative and reformed churches; I highly recommend that everyone read the book. Agree or disagree with the author's particular conclusions, it is vital that the data and the issues that Dr. Enns presents in this book be dealt with by anyone who desires to have more than a casual interaction with the Bible. Further, when you read, be open minded and consider the data and how it really does/does not affect the traditional understanding.

I have much more to say, and will write several future posts on issues raised and some of my personal responses to the book as I continue to read and interact with the data that Dr. Enns presents. But I would encourage everyone to read this clearly written work, and consider carefully the implications of this book on how the church understands and treats the Scriptures.

Camden Citizen of the Year

Congratulations to Pastor Ben Alvira, who was named by a local newspaper Camden's 2005 Citizen of the Year. The article provided Ben an opportunity to share not only his ministry to the citizens of Camden, but also his testimony; and knowing Ben, he is bold and unapologetic about God's work in his life. Along with pastoring Tabernaculo de Gracia in the Cramer Hill neighborhood, he is also a crisis counselor at Cooper Hospital, and has been active in tutoring and GED programs for the citizens of Camden. While the ministry of every pastor is worthy of note and appreciation, Pastor Alvira ministers in one of the most impoverished cities in the country, and a city named the most dangerous city for the second year in a row- making his ministry extra challenging. May this extra publicity be used by God to find new opportunities for Ben's ministry and church, and above all may Christ be preached powerfully in word and merciful deed to those in desperate physical and spiritual need in Camden.