David VanDrunen explained it very well and clearly during his inaugural address yesterday at WSC. In the photo to the left, Bob Strimple, whom David is succeeding as the Robert B. Strimple Professor of Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics, gives a powerful charge to David to “preach Christ.”
More photos here.
Post authored by:
R. Scott Clark
R.Scott Clark is the President of the Heidelberg Reformation Association, the author and editor of, and contributor to several books and the author of many articles. He has taught church history and historical theology since 1997 at Westminster Seminary California. He has also taught at Wheaton College, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Concordia University. He has hosted the Heidelblog since 2007.
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We are to turn the other cheek to our enemies and the church is to discipline her errant members. But even in discipline the aim is to bring the person back which is different than the aim of the state. I guess I was thinking that the difference between the offices of the keys and the sword was spiritual/carnal, but that is only the beginning. Thanks for helping me think through this.
Scott,
Could you be confusing categories? Christians are to turn the other cheek, right? You’re not suggesting that turning the other cheek and church discipline are mutually exclusive are you?
To whom are we to turn the other cheek and whom is the church to discipline? Are they the same set of people?
I’m a bit confused. If turn the other cheek is how the church operates then what is the place of church discipline?