I believe that congregations need to do a better job of confronting pastoral sins when they happen instead of enabling the behavior to continue. Then perhaps a lot of this wouldn’t be happening. Even pastors need correction sometimes. Congregants are far too willing to just accept what the pastor says without question even when their gut says it’s wrong. Forgiving is one thing but enabling is quite another.
Was he really used by God though? I'm thinking only of his theological teachings here. Would he not have suggested that a person like Budde isn't a "real Christian?" It seems to me that MacArthur and people of like mind paint God as a being to be loved only because He is a being to be feared, with little to no appreciation or regard for the sense of right and wrong with which God has endowed us.
It reminds me of the time I discovered that MLK used to have affairs and even orgies during his social justice trips.
First I thought they were lies, then I felt like an idol had fallen...
It's good to recognize that humans are deeply flawed beings, but that God still decided to die for us and to use us to spread the gospel of His kingdom.
I believe that congregations need to do a better job of confronting pastoral sins when they happen instead of enabling the behavior to continue. Then perhaps a lot of this wouldn’t be happening. Even pastors need correction sometimes. Congregants are far too willing to just accept what the pastor says without question even when their gut says it’s wrong. Forgiving is one thing but enabling is quite another.
100%
Was he really used by God though? I'm thinking only of his theological teachings here. Would he not have suggested that a person like Budde isn't a "real Christian?" It seems to me that MacArthur and people of like mind paint God as a being to be loved only because He is a being to be feared, with little to no appreciation or regard for the sense of right and wrong with which God has endowed us.
Fair point
Nice post.
It reminds me of the time I discovered that MLK used to have affairs and even orgies during his social justice trips.
First I thought they were lies, then I felt like an idol had fallen...
It's good to recognize that humans are deeply flawed beings, but that God still decided to die for us and to use us to spread the gospel of His kingdom.