...when you have gathered together and I am with you in spirit
with the power of the Lord Jesus,
you are to deliver this man to Satan
for the destruction of his flesh,
so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.
These words from Saint Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians take their place among the many warnings, harangues, and curses we find in the Old and New Testaments. Saint Paul is angrily concerned for the church in Corinth and each of its members.
He says nothing about scandalizing the young. They are not his concern. Mature adults cannot absorb the evil presence of an adulterer, not to mention children. This behavior, like the rape of Tamar, "...is not done in Israel. Do not commit this terrible crime!" It is a rotten apple or a moldy orange in the basket; the virus will spread. Get rid of it!
A 21st century, consumer oriented church, desperate to maintain its budget despite a querulous and fickle congregation, may be willing to entertain such persons. It might treat them as welcome guests and insist they take communion. If the individual is wealthy, as was the case with this miscreant in Corinth, they might be honored and given an important position.
Saint Paul will hear none of it. The Gospel is for the faithful, not for the wealthy. He cannot mercifully overlook evil in the face of justice. If the church is interested in saving the man's soul they should condemn his behavior, not condone it by ignoring it.
In today's identity politics, some people claim their sinful behavior, rather than their race, ethnicity, or disability is their identity. "I am what I do!" This claim can be as silly as adolescents who insists they are "goth and can't help it," or as horrible as pedophilia. They flout their behavior, wearing it like a fur coat or a lapdog, and demand that Christians both tolerate and admire it.
This is where we realize the Gospel is a two-edged sword which demands much of the faithful.
Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
A liberal press is inflamed with righteous indignation when church leaders must expel members or teachers from a parochial school. They judge these decisions as judgmental. But news media are not charged with responsibility for the gospel; they must please their own consumers, who have little knowledge of the gospel, and less interest in it. Their hyperventilated indignation sells papers with no concern for morals or the inevitable consequences of sin.
The faithful are called to come apart from the world and dwell in the house of God. Those who are cast out are welcome to return and discover their true identity. They can leave their sinful behaviors outside, where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.