When catholic priest do these things, protestants usually look down our noses at them says, "Figures...with the way they don't allow priests to marry. No wonder.That is not in the Bible." So what do we say when this happens in Protestant Churches in general or black churches in particular? It is because of sin pure and simple. It's horrible and its not right. And when Christians see people claiming to be Christians and engaging in sins of any kind, even sexual sins, we have the responsible and mandate to call attention to it. If the sinner refuses to stop and repent, but the sin is not illegal, the sinner should leave the church. If the sinner has committed something illegal the sinner should be reported to the authorities. It's horrible that such things take place. And I know it takes place in the Church of God in Christ, but not everywhere and not by everyone who has a position of authority abuses it. I don't think that these things can be put at the blame of the Bible and God is most definitely not responsible and definitely not the fault of the victims. It's the fault of the perpetrators and those who allow it.
I like this post I linked to. It does a fair job of pointing out the problem without making it seem like an indictment of black churches. In addition the link that was provided to Report COGIC Abuse makes it clear that these are people who desire only to hold people accountable and protect people not that they hate Christianity.
As a member of the clergy of the Church of God in Christ it is my duty to speak out and say that it is wrong and God does not like it. God promises those who are in position of authority in Churches are held to a higher standard and what is done in the dark comes out. We should all take heed a lives lives of holiness committed to righteousness!
Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. - James 3:1
13 Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil. - Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
THE INTERSECTION | MADNESS & REALITY: The Greatest Story Never Told: Black Clergy Sexual Abuse
So Eddie Long was never a Christian?
ReplyDeleteToo early to tell. I don't know Eddie Long personally and I see what he has done but he may yet repent. He might get up and live right after all of this. If he doesn't, then he was never born-again. Same thing is true for you, Ryan.
ReplyDeleteMarcus; actually it's too early to tell if he's even guilty. Don't be too hasty in judgement.
ReplyDeleteAnd for the record, I obviously don't think I was ever magically "born again". It sure felt like it, but I know now that it was just the perfect storm of psychology, conditioning, desire and peer pressure. I very much suspect the same is true for you, given I've not met a Christian yet who's "born again experience" was not remarkably similar to my own.
In short, no need to keep telling me I wasn't really born again. I'm aware.
Ryan, just because you weren't born-again does not mean that no one has been.
ReplyDeleteI haven't said that Bishop Long was guilty only that he hasn't publicly said anything definitive. That is what I mean when I said I see what he has done.
AS for you, I pointed out that you weren't born-again because you asked if Bishop Long was ever a true Christian. My answer still stands.
Marcus said "Ryan, just because you weren't born-again does not mean that no one has been."
ReplyDeleteObviously. However I've yet to meet anyone who claimed to be born again who's BA experience doesnt correspond heavily with my own.
Unitl I do, my tentative assumption is it's all BS.
Plus, as y'all like to say, it's a cumulative case.