Understanding the Source and Motivation Behind Church Rejection
The concept of church rejection is rooted in biblical teachings and has been a subject of interpretation across various Christian traditions. The Psalmist laments, "God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?" [1]. This sentiment is echoed in Psalms 43:2, "Why have you rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?" [2]. These passages highlight the pain and confusion associated with feeling rejected by God.
The New Testament provides insight into the reasons behind rejection. According to Romans 8:7, "the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God’s law, neither indeed can it be" [3]. This hostility is a fundamental reason for rejection, as it signifies a resistance to God's will. Ephesians 4:18 further explains that those who are "strangers from the life of God" are in such a state due to "the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardnesse of their heart" [4]. This ignorance and hardness of heart are seen as barriers to being part of the body of Christ.
The body of Christ, or the church, is described as a unified entity composed of diverse members, each with their own function [5, 6, 7]. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 illustrates this unity and diversity, emphasizing that just as a body has many parts, the church is made up of many members, all necessary for its completeness [5]. The unity of the church is a recurring theme, with Colossians 3:15 and Galatians 3:28 highlighting the oneness of believers in Christ [8, 9].
The motivation behind church rejection can be linked to a lack of harmony and care among its members. 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 stresses the importance of harmony and mutual care within the church, suggesting that discord can lead to exclusion or rejection [10]. The church's role in discipline is also significant, as seen in Matthew 18:17, where the unrepentant are to be treated as outsiders, indicating a form of rejection aimed at restoration [12].
Different Christian traditions interpret the concept of rejection and the church's role in it in various ways. For instance, the Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke, emphasizes that ignorance of God's benevolence and Christ's philanthropy is a root cause of religious persecution and intolerance [11, 13]. This perspective suggests that rejection often stems from a lack of understanding or appreciation of God's love.
The Presbyterian tradition, as seen in Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on John 16:9, views unbelief in Christ as a significant sin, intensified by the Spirit's conviction [14]. This understanding implies that rejection is closely tied to one's response to Christ.
Sources
- Psalms “God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture? -- Psalms 74:1”
- Psalms “For you are the God of my strength. Why have you rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? -- Psalms 43:2”
- Romans “because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God’s law, neither indeed can it be. -- Romans 8:7”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 4:18 (Geneva1599) — Hauing their vnderstanding darkened, and being strangers from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardnesse of their heart:”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:12: 12:12-31 The church is like a body (see 12:27) composed of many different parts, each with its own function as determined by God (see 12:11, 18, 28; Rom 12:4-5).”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:27: members in particular--that is, severally members of it. Each church is in miniature what the whole aggregate of churches is collectively, "the body of Christ" (compare Co1 3:16): and its individual components are members, every one in his assigned place.”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 12:20: But now are they many members,.... Of different make and shape, in different parts and places, and of different use and service: yet but one body; all are united together, and make up one complete body, and which without each of them would not be perfect: so there are many members in the body of Christ, the church; some are teachers, others are hearers; some give, and others receive; but all make up but one church, of which Christ is the head; nor can anyone of them be spared; was anyone wanting, even the meanest, there would be a deficiency, and the church ”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:15: 3:15 Just as Christ is one, so there can be only one body of Christ (see 1:18; Eph 4:4-6). Allegiance to Jesus as Lord must transcend differences and will result in peace (harmonious relationships).”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 3:28: 3:28 There is no longer: Everyone comes to Christ and receives God’s promises in exactly the same way (cp. 1 Cor 12:12-13; Eph 2:14; Col 3:11). • male and female: Cp. Gen 1:27. • you are all one: The community of believers is one body, the body of Christ (see Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 12:27; Eph 2:15-16, 19-22). • in Christ Jesus: See Col 2:6–3:11.”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:25: 12:25-26 The church is a unified body, so harmony and care for each other in the church is essential.”
- John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 16:3: Because they have not known the Father - See on Joh 15:25 (note). Ignorance of the benevolence of God, and of the philanthropy of Christ, is the grand fountain whence all religious persecution and intolerance proceed.”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 18:17: 18:17 The church is the local Christian community. • The unrepentant person is to be considered a pagan or a corrupt tax collector, a wicked transgressor of the law. Church discipline by exclusion (excommunication; see Acts 5:1-6; Rom 16:17; 1 Cor 5:1-13; 2 Cor 6:14-18; Gal 5:7-12; 2 Thes 3:14-15) is rooted in the conviction that God’s people are to be holy and that sin corrupts fellowship, both between people and between the people and God. The goal is neither vindictive retribution nor a public display of power, but restoration of the wayward to holiness and f”
- John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 15:21: Because they know not him that sent me - This is the foundation of all religious persecution: those who are guilty of it, whether in Church or state, know nothing about God. If God tolerates a worship which professes to have him for its object, and which does not disturb the quiet or peace of society, no man has the smallest right to meddle with it; and he that does fights against God. His letting it pass is at least a tacit command that all should treat it as he has done.”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 16:9: Of sin, because they believe not on me--As all sin has its root in unbelief, so the most aggravated form of unbelief is the rejection of Christ. The Spirit, however, in fastening this truth upon the conscience, does not extinguish, but, on the contrary, does consummate and intensify, the sense of all other sins.”