Scandal in the Church – Household Words:

Woe Be Unto Pastors Who Destroy the Sheep. Jeremiah 23:1.

Once again, Jeremiah addresses false prophets and fallen preachers[1]. (I never realized how often preacher-scandals were addressed in the Old Testament!) Doesn’t this sound like a page out of today’s headlines? “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” Jeremiah 23:1. The prophet continues: “Therefore, thus says the LordContinue reading “Woe Be Unto Pastors Who Destroy the Sheep. Jeremiah 23:1.”

How to Respond to Scandals in the Church. Jeremiah 48:10.

I was the best man in Joe’s sham wedding. The wedding was Joe’s way of hiding his interest in children. I eventually found out about his past convictions in Tennessee, and when he later wound up in prison, I was pleased, having gained knowledge of a great deal of fraudulent acts and crime for whichContinue reading “How to Respond to Scandals in the Church. Jeremiah 48:10.”

When Clergy Become Abusers. Jeremiah 5:26-29.

Image. (I have not read this book, but I like the cover.) Eighty-eight-year-old Pope Francis died this morning and rather than the customary few days of kindness in the press, only hours after the man’s death critics are shouting that he did too little to address the clergy sex-abuse scandal in the Catholic church. MembersContinue reading “When Clergy Become Abusers. Jeremiah 5:26-29.”

Policing the Police. Joshua 8:25.

Nations have long struggled with corruption in government. What if organized crime bosses are paying bribes to the police so officers will look the other way? Who will police the police? What do you do when the justice system is unjust? What can you do when men of God are ungodly? Peter says, “It isContinue reading “Policing the Police. Joshua 8:25.”

Let Not Many of You Become Teachers. Romans 2:17-24.

Could you become a pastor for the wrong reasons? Karl Vaters of CHRISTIANITY TODAY argues that you could.[1] “People become pastors for so many wrong reasons. They like the status. They like speaking in public. They like arguing theology. They come from a long line of ministers. The list goes on.” The trouble with enteringContinue reading “Let Not Many of You Become Teachers. Romans 2:17-24.”

Don’t Commit Simony. Acts 8:18-24

Simony, n. The buying or selling of church positions, spiritual power, or miracles. Putting a temporal (finite) value on something spiritual (infinite) in nature. If a priest was promoted to bishop after paying a bribe, the priest committed simony. The name comes from Acts 8:18-24. A man named Simon wanted to buy a gift onlyContinue reading “Don’t Commit Simony. Acts 8:18-24”

JESUS, THE WHIP, AND THE TEMPLE. John 2:15.

Jesus felt defensive and protective about God’s Temple. He was offended by the men selling animals for sacrifice at high prices, ripping off the poor. He was offended by the CAMBIO (Spanish for exchange)—those were the folks exchanging dollars for pesos (or maybe Roman money for Israeli money?) because they took too much off theContinue reading “JESUS, THE WHIP, AND THE TEMPLE. John 2:15.”

When Ministers are Embroiled in Scandal. Malachi 2:1-9.

I am an organization man. A team player. I have a tendency to trust institutions like schools, churches, and the government. Many people are wired the same way. When I was ordained a deacon, I was encouraged to support the church and its staff when others raised difficult questions. Having worked in church staff positions,Continue reading “When Ministers are Embroiled in Scandal. Malachi 2:1-9.”

Fallen Preachers. Zechariah 11:15 and 17.

Could there be a bigger disappointment to a church than to see its pastor embroiled in scandal? Could there be a greater hindrance to the gospel than preachers caught in adultery or worse? God’s judgment awaits those who bring shame to the Name of Christ. “Take the equipment of a foolish shepherd … Woe toContinue reading “Fallen Preachers. Zechariah 11:15 and 17.”

Are All Sins the Same?

I run across this idea all the time. What do you think? Does God consider white lies equal to murder? Is cheating on a spelling test as a child the equivalent of cheating on your wife twenty years later? NO. All sins are NOT the same in God’s eyes. The confusion seems to come fromContinue reading “Are All Sins the Same?”