Foundation for Reformed Theology, 1982-2012 
Calvin
John Calvin
(1509-1564)
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On Church Discipline
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The newest selection of readings for our ministerial study seminars is Option XXXVI: The Nature and Practice of the Christian Pastoral Ministry.

One of the classic texts included is by this Puritan pastor:

Baxter, Richard.The Reformed Pastor. 1656. Edited by William Brown, 1829. Reprint, Edinburgh, Scotland and Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1974. 256 pp. 

It has been my privilege to read this in preparation for meeting with one of our seminars, and I came across the following insights into church discipline. 

On Church Discipline

 

"Discipline is not a needless thing to the Church: if you will not make a difference between the precious and the vile, by discipline, people will do it by separation." (p. 166)

"I have spoken with some members of the separated churches, who were moderate men, and have argued with them against separation; and they have assured me, that they were of the Presbyterian judgment, or had nothing to say against it, but they joined themselves to other churches from pure necessity, thinking that discipline, being an ordinance of Christ, must be used by all that can, and, therefore, they durst [archaic past tense of dare] no longer live without it when they might have it; and they could find no Presbyterian churches that executed discipline, as they wrote for it: and they told me, that they separated only pro tempore, till the Presbyterians will use discipline, and then they will willingly return to them again." (p. 168)

 

Do these words speak to our ministries and churches today?

Dr. James C. Goodloe IVGrace and Peace,
 
            Jim
Dr. James C. Goodloe IV, Executive Director
Foundation for Reformed Theology
4103 Monument Avenue
Richmond, Virginia 23230-3818
goodloe@foundationrt.org
(804) 678-8352

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