Earlier today, I was brought into a discussion involving someone's concern about potential abuse and whether they should call Social Services or not. In this particular case the concerned person says that one of the Elders of a church is the one potentially involved in the alleged abuse, and the other Elder is supportive of his co-Elder. Also, the church is an independent church that does not associate with other churches. The question put to our Reformed Baptist List that has mostly active or inactive pastors on it, is what should he/she do.
It certainly causes me thought on how to handle such situations should I ever be more directly involved in it in our community here in Mountain Home. I received an e-mail from one of the other members of the List and we discussed it together briefly, with both of us bringing out some biblical pricipals and other concerns:
1. We need to remember the biblical admonition to submit to the government's authority in situations like these. They are responsible for dealing with "evil-doers" according to Rom. 13. In addition, many states (and I need to find out if Idaho is one of them) have laws in place that require citizens to report child abuse when they see it, or they can be liable in some way as well. But...what is child abuse?
2. We also need to remember the biblical principal of not submitting to the government's authority ONLY when they require something that is contrary to the Word of God/Bible. In this type of situation, that means that if the parents are administering "biblical" discipline, which includes spanking, then if the state laws say they can't do that either, then the parents would not be required to submit to the government in that area. Further, someone who sees this discipline occuring should not report the parents in this situation because they're obeying God rather than men (Acts 4 & 5). I have read of several documented cases where the Social/Child Services Agency of a State went barging in and took away the children from the parents because they disciplined them with non abusive spanking, and had to fight to get them back.
3. So that's where the "golden rule" of Matt. 7:12 comes into play. In consideration of these biblical principals the person who sees the action needs to act in a way that they would want to be treated if it was them disciplining their children according to the Word of God.
I'm not saying that there will not be instances where Social /Child Services should be contacted. My wife and I have had to consider that in a couple of instances. But it is the responsibility of the person who sees the alleged action, to make sure that there is solid evidence of abuse (which appropriate spanking is not) before they call them, so that they will not potentially cause the parents' biblical and constitutional rights to be violated by the Social Services Agency. But, if all parties involved are Christians and members of a local church, the word of God in church discipline needs to be applied as with any other sin: Go to the person doing the action; if no repentence, take 1 or 2 more with you; if no repentence, bring it to the Elders to be brought before the church; if no repentence, they get put out of the church and involve the Social/Child Services. However, there may be cases where this just doesn't apply. Regardless, we need to use prayer and Godly wisdom in these situations, and make sure that there is evidence of abuse (based on the bible's standards, not the world's) before calling Social/Child Services. May the Lord use these revealed thoughts and concerns for His honor and glory.
It certainly causes me thought on how to handle such situations should I ever be more directly involved in it in our community here in Mountain Home. I received an e-mail from one of the other members of the List and we discussed it together briefly, with both of us bringing out some biblical pricipals and other concerns:
1. We need to remember the biblical admonition to submit to the government's authority in situations like these. They are responsible for dealing with "evil-doers" according to Rom. 13. In addition, many states (and I need to find out if Idaho is one of them) have laws in place that require citizens to report child abuse when they see it, or they can be liable in some way as well. But...what is child abuse?
2. We also need to remember the biblical principal of not submitting to the government's authority ONLY when they require something that is contrary to the Word of God/Bible. In this type of situation, that means that if the parents are administering "biblical" discipline, which includes spanking, then if the state laws say they can't do that either, then the parents would not be required to submit to the government in that area. Further, someone who sees this discipline occuring should not report the parents in this situation because they're obeying God rather than men (Acts 4 & 5). I have read of several documented cases where the Social/Child Services Agency of a State went barging in and took away the children from the parents because they disciplined them with non abusive spanking, and had to fight to get them back.
3. So that's where the "golden rule" of Matt. 7:12 comes into play. In consideration of these biblical principals the person who sees the action needs to act in a way that they would want to be treated if it was them disciplining their children according to the Word of God.
I'm not saying that there will not be instances where Social /Child Services should be contacted. My wife and I have had to consider that in a couple of instances. But it is the responsibility of the person who sees the alleged action, to make sure that there is solid evidence of abuse (which appropriate spanking is not) before they call them, so that they will not potentially cause the parents' biblical and constitutional rights to be violated by the Social Services Agency. But, if all parties involved are Christians and members of a local church, the word of God in church discipline needs to be applied as with any other sin: Go to the person doing the action; if no repentence, take 1 or 2 more with you; if no repentence, bring it to the Elders to be brought before the church; if no repentence, they get put out of the church and involve the Social/Child Services. However, there may be cases where this just doesn't apply. Regardless, we need to use prayer and Godly wisdom in these situations, and make sure that there is evidence of abuse (based on the bible's standards, not the world's) before calling Social/Child Services. May the Lord use these revealed thoughts and concerns for His honor and glory.
Comments