Introduction The evil people do against others is often mentioned in Scripture, yet one particular type of evil seems to sit in the shadows: betrayal. Betrayal is, however, a theme that emerges in transformative ways with historical significance, coming to a climax in Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. Old Testament narratives and psalms of betrayal prepare the way for this climactic betrayal of our Saviour. Moreover, they also minister to us in the very real and painful experiences of betrayal. Betrayal by Persons in Authority Betrayal can be deeply felt when a trusted person or a person in authority, not necessarily a friend or equal, uses his position to bring one harm. This might be a board member or director of an organisation, or the minister of a church. By such a person’s action or inaction, someone is betrayed. A minister simply takes sides instead of investigating some parishioner’s claims against another or passes judgement on someon...
An essential characteristic of being a church is that it address sin. Overlarge churches easily lose authority and relational structures that are important for a church to be a church, a community considering itself a 'body' in close fellowship and concerned with health and holiness. Where a church or a group in a church does address sin or perceived sin, however, it might become structurally impaired and reduced to 'groupthink'. These matters can be addressed with regard to the process that Jesus lays out in Matthew 18.15-20 to address sin in the church. The passage in the ESV reads as follows: ‘If another member of the church * sins against you, * go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. * 16 But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If the mem...