There’s been a spate of articles about the failure of the church lately, some good, some not so much. You should probably actually read this one by Karen Swallow Prior: “Yet, I want to say, gently or perhaps not-so-gently, That way you want the church to love those you love? Unconditionally, enthusiastically, and compasstionately? That’s how you are called to love the church, too. That forbearance, that tolerance, that grace, you extend so generously and rightly to the lost and the disobedient? That’s what you are called to offer to the church.” 

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Derek Rishmawy

Derek Rishmawy is a Ph.D. student in systematic theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He contributes to The Gospel Coalition and Christianity Today, and he writes at his own blog, Reformedish. He also co-hosts a podcast called Mere Fidelity. You can follow him on Twitter @DZRishmawy.
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1 Comment

  1. I disagree. We are called to love each other, not the “church” as Karen is using the word. That kind of unconditional love leads to powerful authority sinfully “ruling” members. Or churches that preach hate against gays, that see nothing wrong with slavery or racism, that call women who’ve had abortions “murderers” while condemning free contraceptives.

    Karen states, “The bride of Christ? She’s a whore. Love her.” No. Christ didn’t even model that unconditionality. He said, “Go forth, and sin no more.” I am supposed to follow and submit to a whore?

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