Rare As a White Crow (2)
Barry Gritters argues that church discipline has become increasingly rare in modern Reformed churches, comparing contemporary neglect to historical observations by figures like Abraham Kuyper and Wilhelmus à Brakel. The article emphasizes that faithful exercise of discipline, though costly and often criticized, is essential to the church's obedience to God and prevention of sin's spread throughout the congregation.
Previous article in this series: December 1, 2013, p. 101. The terrible failure of many churches to exercise discipline is putting them on the path to becoming the false church. Scarce are the churches today that are willing to engage in this "disagreeable necessity"1 of Christian discipline for the honor of God. The few who do carry out this biblical calling are criticized as unloving and harsh. As with most matters of obedience to God, the obedience of carrying out discipline is costly....
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org