Bullying and Confrontation in Evangelism and Church Discipline
Ecclesiastical discipline is understood by John Calvin as essential to the well-being of the church, functioning as its "sinews" and ensuring its good order, much like discipline is necessary for any society or household [1]. This discipline serves several purposes, including preventing the dishonor of God's name, protecting the Lord's Supper from profanation, and promoting the spiritual health of believers [3].
Calvin outlines two main parts of ecclesiastical discipline: one concerning the general congregation, which involves the power of the keys and practices like fasting and prayer, and another specifically for the clergy [2]. The exercise of church discipline is not meant to be tyrannical but rather a corrective measure. Calvin warns against discipline devolving into a "gehenna" or church leaders becoming "executioners" [
Sources
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 94: and then proceed to the clergy, who have besides that common discipline one peculiar to themselves. But as some, from hatred of discipline, are averse to the very name, for their sake we observe,—If no society, nay, no house with even a moderate family, can be kept in a right state without discipline, much more necessary is it in the Church, whose state ought to be the best ordered possible. Hence as the saving doctrine of Christ is the life of the Church, so discipline is, as it were, its sinews; for to it it is owing that the mem”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 94: 2452 CHAPTER 12. OF THE DISCIPLINE OF THE CHURCH, AND ITS PRINCIPAL USE IN CENSURES AND EXCOMMUNICATION. This chapter consists of two parts:—I. The first part of ecclesiastical discipline, which respects the people, and is called common, consists of two parts, the former depending on the power of the keys, which is considered, sec. 1-14; the latter consisting in the appointment of times for fasting and prayer, sec. 14-21. II. The second part of ecclesiastical discipline relating to the clergy, sec. 22-28. Sections . 1. Of the power”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 94: may be nothing in the Church to bring disgrace on his sacred name, those whose turpitude might throw infamy on the name must be expelled from his family. And here, also, regard must be had to the Lord’s Supper, which might he profaned by a promiscuous admission. 592 592 Vide Cyril in Joann. cap. 50, et Luther, de Commun. Populi, tom. 2 For it is most true, that he who is intrusted with the dispensation of it, if he knowingly and willingly admits any unworthy person whom he ought and is able to repel, is as guilty of sacrilege as if”