Would you allow a man like this in your pulpit?

[Twisp]

Originally Posted by Malvaro

Twisp, two points to be made:

a) this person was unrepentant and definitely does NOT belong in a pulpit....

I understand he was unapologetic, which is why I said "if" he was repentent.

Originally Posted by Malvaro

b) even if the person was repentant, they still have to deal with the consequences of their crime, which is the complete loss of trust and additional scrutiny (for the welfare of the flock)....

if you were a pastor that allowed a known sex-offender into your pulpit.... you'd deserve to be voted out of that church for complete and total negligence....

Originally Posted by HeavenlyOne

Sure, we can forgive a thief, but do we make him treasurer of the church?

Forgiveness and trust are two totally different animals.

Hey, the Lord used Peter and Saul after they sinned pretty badly. Whether they preach or not should probably be left up to the Lord.

[Malvaro]

Originally Posted by Twisp

Hey, the Lord used Peter and Saul after they sinned pretty badly. Whether they preach or not should probably be left up to the Lord.

last time i checked, Peter and Paul didn't get into trouble with "underage" girls either....

[Twisp]

Originally Posted by Malvaro

last time i checked, Peter and Paul didn't get into trouble with "underage" girls either....

And denying Christ and helping people who stoned Christians is a lesser sin?

[ChTatum]

Originally Posted by Twisp

And denying Christ and helping people who stoned Christians is a lesser sin?

Definitely not, but they came to regret their mistakes.

Has he?

I don't see that in the posts, friend.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Malvaro

last time i checked, Peter and Paul didn't get into trouble with "underage" girls either....

First off, I'm already on the record for being against using the unrepentant sinner in question here. However, from a hypothetical standpoint - can someone "go too far" and forever disqualify themselves?

In the case of Paul the apostle, here was a guy who was actually responsible for the deaths of Christians. Putting yourself into the 1ST Century church and hearing that he was going to be at Sunday School next week, would you take your children to Sunday Scool next week?

Would you feel comfortable introducing him to another congregation, thus perhaps jeopardizing their safety? Barnabas took a real risk in befriending Paul, not only did he put his personal safety at stake - he faced possibly being ostracized by the whole Christian community.

[Twisp]

Originally Posted by ChTatum

Definitely not, but they came to regret their mistakes.

Has he?

I don't see that in the posts, friend.

But if he were repentant, which I said in my first post, why would there be any issue with him preaching?

[ChTatum]

Originally Posted by Twisp

But if he were repentant, which I said in my first post, why would there be any issue with him preaching?

What you said, and what he supposedly said, don't translate the same friend.

He blamed his marriage.
He was disappointed. (Can I get a witness?)

True repentance does not blame, but accepts responsibility.

[Twisp]

Originally Posted by ChTatum

What you said, and what he supposedly said, don't translate the same friend.

He blamed his marriage.
He was disappointed. (Can I get a witness?)

True repentance does not blame, but accepts responsibility.

I'm not trying to get them to translate. I said that IF he were repentant, then he should be allowed to preach. I assumed people would realize my answer if he did not repent.

[ChTatum]

Assumptions are dangerous, friend.

[Twisp]

Originally Posted by ChTatum

Assumptions are dangerous, friend.

Apparently.