1Pe 5:1-3 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: (2) shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; (3) not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
The Orthodox Presbyterian Church has surfaced on my radar once again. It isn’t the first time – that’s why I say “once again.” Still another domestic abuse victim has written to me and shared her story of how she was treated by her pastor and elders in spite of clear evidence of her husband’s abuse (and it was severe).
NOTE: I realize there will be exceptions in a few individual OPC churches. Exceptions, I mean, to what I say here. But I have received repeated reports over the years about abuse victims being further oppressed in this denomination (as well as in others of course).
The OPC (like several other Presbyterian denominations) takes great stock and delight in consulting and enforcing their “Book of Church Order.” The way they proceed is very similar to a secular civil court. It is typically heartless. They will cite this paragraph and that rule and then level formal charges against the accused. Along with these accusations you have the inevitable threats.
- Obey us, submit to us, or else
- You will be ex-communicated
- Your soul is in danger of hell if you don’t repent and do as we say
And, of course, all of these heartless indictments and procedures are prosecuted by men who are absolutely ignorant of the nature of the case before them. They are fools. But a fool with power is a real danger. They are haughty. They will NEVER listen to correction. They are un-teachable. I don’t even try anymore. If their incompetency were exercised in the secular world in some profession, they would have their credentials removed and they would find themselves being sued for big bucks. But in the churches – nope. There is no accountability.
Well, hmmmm, I guess there IS accountability, isn’t there?
Jer 23:1-2 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the LORD. (2) Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the LORD.
Deb
Pastor, any thoughts on MacArthur, Grace Community Church, Eileen Gray, Wendy, and Cho?
Kate
After reading an older post on this website where a commenter brought up the case of Eileen Gray against RASN preacher John MacArthur, I’ve been researching church abuse. The horror is widespread but very typical.
All RASNs are spiritually dead and simply building their pit in hell deeper with every breath they take. They are nothing more than creatures of instinct as the bible tells us, as well as spiritual children of the worthless one. They are not unique, creative, or new. They are not searching for truth or to know Jesus more intimately. They believe that they are god and therefore right in their thinking, Any questioning of their authority or infallibility brings wrath, condemnation, and annihilation to their enemies. It makes total sense when we know this truth about them.
Because they are already spiritually dead, they spend their entire time on this earth playing games.
The church is a wonderful place for them to hide and play! Think about it. They have a captive audience who are conditioned (through wrong bible teaching) to blindly trust church leaders, to feel guilt, shame, and fear when needed by turning these Godly traits on like a tap to control them by church RASNs.
God’s true sheep are wrongly groomed to unconditionally love everyone and to forgive without any repercussions or holding others accountable for their crimes against humanity as per biblical instruction. (Remember, RASNs do NOT feel these things: fear, guilt, shame, gratefulness, or love for others. This truth can be seen through MRI imaging. It’s not a secret. Don’t you think it’s odd that this is not universally taught or that all institutions don’t ensure that their top personnel are screened to keep them out so they cannot harm others by having authority over them?)
Pastor Crippen has always said that a good way to see if you are dealing with a RASN is to tell them “no” when they want something from you. All the stories of abuse occur when this happens. When you tell the leaders, your abusive spouse, your RASN family members, fellow evil parishioner, “No!” Then the evil one is revealed.
We should be taught these truths from our earliest age but it will never happen. We are rare, unique, and God’s true little ones. He has wonderful plans for us; for those who know these truths. It is unbelievably hard but God is unbelievably loving. He will never leave or forsake you and in time you will see that this was a gift and a blessing that can never be purchased or gained by those who don’t belong to Him. It will end up protecting you in the future and you will be able to make healthy decisions for yourself. God is right here, and he is with you.
Em
Thank you! Excellent and encouraging.