Some people want tame churches, and sedated ministers. And, of course, this is easy to understand. Who wants anyone telling them that they are sinners, and correcting them along the way? But though the natural man disdains the church's proper role as an antidote to sin's corruption in the world--in fact, the church is good for all people. Discipline is necessary, whether we like it, or not.
This is one of the primary reasons that the church cannot be, organically nor ontologically "one" with any other human institution. God does not want the church and the state to be "one"; and He does not want the church and the home to be "one." Instead, the Lord protects the church's unique position as the arbiter of all things on earth, ultimately, under its Head, Jesus.
Therefore, all that being said, the church must be what I am calling an "equal-opportunity offender." Does the state err? Then, the church is to correct and rebuke it (if necessary). Does the family err? Then, the church must do the same thing there. Do individuals err? It is the church's job to lovingly correct them, and bring them unto Jesus, and His body of believers.
The church should, however, first and foremost, correct itself. This must be done carefully, lovingly, and respectfully. But, if the church itself is not functioning in the way God ordained it, how can it do any good for anyone else? Let judgment begin in the household of faith, (1 Pet. 4:17); and from there may many good things flow.
The Forum for Ecclesiocentricity is designed to educate Christians and non-Christians alike to understand the Biblical teaching concerning the Church (the "Puritan" church in particular), with regard to its principal role on the earth. When this is achieved, it is hoped that the Church would then be in a better position to convey Christ's redemptive virtues to the civil government (state), and the family. (You may email me at: markjhenninger@gmail.com)
