Quote:
Originally Posted by Indiana
Ron Kangas said in his July 5, 2019 multi-faceted message:
"It's just a fact from time to time, a delegated authority, even one with genuine spiritual authority, may make a mistake and you may be aware of it, but that will be a test for you. Don't use that as a pretext for rebellion. Just recognize this deputy authority has an awesome responsibility and is fully accountable to God. God will take care of it."
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As intelligent as Ron Kangas may be, he has it inverted. It's not about being a test for the congregation, but for the leaders. How does the leadership handle the situation when a leader has made a mistake? Those in the congregation that may know about the mistake will be observing and expecting leaders to remain on the straight path and not deviate. Not one former member I ever met had intentions to rebel.
In cases of two standards of justice in the church just as we see in current events, it sends mixed messages. By human nature most I know seek justice be be prevailing. No different in the church. There's scriptural remedy in
Matthew 18:15-17 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”
1 Timothy 5:19 “Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.”
Finally, when confronted with the above two passages, For those who have fallen into such a sin, Paul exhorts, 1 Timothy 5:20–21 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.
Yet Ron's message doesn't seem all that different from "divine right of kings" how monarchs ruled Europe several centuries ago. They are not accountable to their fellow man, only to God. As that is how Ron among others have presented deputy authority.