How would you handle Josh Duggar if he were a member of your church?

[righteousdude2]

Let's not get into the specifics of the sin(s), but rather how you as a layman or pastor would address Josh and his addictive and destructive behavior if he was a member of your church?

I thought a while back, that what he confessed to the other issues, that this was merely the first of two shoes to hit the floor! This is an addiction (like any other addiction), and unless it is handled in a professional way, and the person is provided with lifetime support and counseling, the problem will only hide in waiting for another moment to present itself.

I blame his parents for being so naive and not wanting to rock the boat; they were cruising the waters of stardom and fame on their reality show; while this problem only grew worse! Still, maybe he will finally get the kind of help he needs to rid himself of this ugly monster! I pray this happens for the sake of his wife (who has stated she is sticking with Josh) and children!

So, let's hear what you would do if this came to rest within your own congregation? :type:

 

[sag38]

He needs a good old "@*%#" beating for starters. A former church secretary that I served with told me of her husband and their pastor going to visit a man who had a drinking problem and was abusive to his wife. Her husband was shocked when the pastor told the man, "Someone needs to beat the hades out of you."

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

He needs a good old "@*%#" beating for starters. A former church secretary that I served with told me of her husband and their pastor going to visit a man who had a drinking problem and was abusive to his wife. Her husband was shocked when the pastor told the man, "Someone needs to beat the hades out of you."

Ahhh yes.....in the old catholic church i was raised in they would of done just that! Pitty they didnt extend that same courtesy to their faggot pedophile priests.

 

[Rolfe]

I blame his parents for being so naive and not wanting to rock the boat; they were cruising the waters of stardom and fame on their reality show; while this problem only grew worse!

How are the parents responsible for a grown man's infidelity?

 

[righteousdude2]

How are the parents responsible for a grown man's infidelity?

If you need to ask this, you surely haven't been following the story. First and foremost they covered up his molesting problem and sent him to a spiritual mentor, when he needed to be held accountable and gotten treatment with the problem.

I suggest you go back to the beginning of his problems and their real concerns which were to not lose the television contract, IMHO of course.

 

[Don]

If you need to ask this, you surely haven't been following the story. First and foremost they covered up his molesting problem and sent him to a spiritual mentor, when he needed to be held accountable and gotten treatment with the problem.

I suggest you go back to the beginning of his problems and their real concerns which were to not lose the television contract, IMHO of course.

But what you just described is two different issues, although related. The parents need to be accountable for what they did/didn't do while he was living with them, under their authority. The young man needs to be held accountable for his actions as an adult. Both need to be dealt with separately, not as a whole.

 

[Rolfe]

If you need to ask this, you surely haven't been following the story. First and foremost they covered up his molesting problem and sent him to a spiritual mentor, when he needed to be held accountable and gotten treatment with the problem.

I suggest you go back to the beginning of his problems and their real concerns which were to not lose the television contract, IMHO of course.

It has been hard not to follow it.

When a son leaves his parents and takes to his wife, how is that son's infidelity the responsibility of the parents? He is a grown man who has left his parents home and knows, presumably, the difference between right and wrong. His sin is his.

 

[OnlyaSinner]

If you need to ask this, you surely haven't been following the story. First and foremost they covered up his molesting problem and sent him to a spiritual mentor, when he needed to be held accountable and gotten treatment with the problem.

I suggest you go back to the beginning of his problems and their real concerns which were to not lose the television contract, IMHO of course.

Agree with everything except perhaps the motive. According to Wiki, Josh's molesting behavior occurred in 2002 and 2003 when he was 14/15, and though these crimes were never fully investigated, there was a police report dated 2006. The initial Duggers TV show premiered in September 2008, so unless they were prescient, I don't think the initial coverup/non-treatment could be related to the show. Continuing coverup post-9/08 - that's a different story.

Even though his later behavoir involving the "infidelity website" may be a foul fruit of the earlier non-treatment, I would not hold his parents directly responsible for what he did after going out on his own.

 

[Servent]

It has been hard not to follow it.

When a son leaves his parents and takes to his wife, how is that son's infidelity the responsibility of the parents? He is a grown man who has left his parents home and knows, presumably, the difference between right and wrong. His sin is his.

No, but if the parents knew the problem existed as a youth and did not get the proper help then it becomes there issue.

 

[go2church]

As long as he is hanging on to the inane version of Christianity he was taught by his parents, he is going to experience difficulty getting through and over this entire episode. Basically his entire adult life was a lie, fundamentalism isn't equipped to handle this.

 

[Rolfe]

No, but if the parents knew the problem existed as a youth and did not get the proper help then it becomes there issue.

My own opinion. I think that if what was alleged was true, and especially if it happened multiple times, he should have been dealt with in the legal system. At that point, the safety of the other children should have been priority.

The idea that they are responsible for the sins of the adult son, who lives outside of their home with his own family, is ridiculously unfair. Each is responsible for his own sin.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

My own opinion. I think that if what was alleged was true, and especially if it happened multiple times, he should have been dealt with in the legal system. At that point, the safety of the other children should have been priority.

The idea that they are responsible for the sins of the adult son, who lives outside of their home with his own family, is ridiculously unfair. Each is responsible for his own sin.

Good commentary:thumbsup:

 

[Tom Bryant]

His crimes against children were a matter for the law. Almost every state now has a law requiring pastors and anyone else to let the law know. But I imagine that the time frame for the law to do something about it is past. The church's response is to never allow him to be around children in any capacity.

About the infidelity issue that is presently talked about, he should be going through the process of church discipline as commanded by Christ and in Galatians and seen in 1 Corinthians. His local church should be involved in discipling him in this area. If he repents, then he should be received back into the fellowship of the church, but with an ongoing oversight concerning his internet use as well as his actions. This isn't a legal issue.

 

[nodak]

There are several things to consider.

As far as what he did as an underage person, it is easy to blame the parents. I've walked in their shoes, and neither the law, psychiatry, or psychology had much to offer. The law views youthful perps often as children who need help, not offenders and send you to get them help. Psychiatrists don't have much to offer, and the talk therapy of psychology has a miserable success level plus brings in whole world views at variance with Christianity. I give Michelle and Jim Bob kudos for trying, but think maybe they should have figured skeletons come out of closets and stayed off the boob tube.

As to what he is doing or has done as an adult, only Josh is responsible. He needs help, yes, but honestly "professional help" is usually unsuccessful in his area of need. Strong Biblical counsel remains about the only option. That, and this young man needs a ton of care and Anna better think of her children's safety. It is possible to separate for safety without divorce entering the picture.

His church should exercise strong discipline. It should be swift, be revoking his membership, and be aimed at strong moral men mentoring him.

My heart goes out to this hurting family, and I thank God my sins are not so publicized.

 

[Revmitchell]

According to scripture revoking membership should only be done by those who are unrepentant.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Nodak,
If he repents, do you still revoke his membership? I agree that if he does not repent then what Paul commanded concerning the guy with his step mother ought to be done.​

 

[nodak]

I don' believe repentance is just quickly admitting and apologizing for sin.

In Josh's case, he seems very quick to admit his sin is sin, and to say the right stuff. And then keep right on deliberately engaging in the sinful behavior.

So yes, no membership for now for him. With discipleship and time he can bring forth fruit meet for repentance and only then be restored.

 

[Revmitchell]

As a pastor I would never agree to dis-fellowship someone who agrees their behavior is wrong and will submit to discipleship.

 

[Deacon]

I don' believe repentance is just quickly admitting and apologizing for sin.

In Josh's case, he seems very quick to admit his sin is sin, and to say the right stuff. And then keep right on deliberately engaging in the sinful behavior.

Been there ... done that!
Thank God, he's so patient with me.

Rob

 

[Aaron]

As a pastor I would never agree to dis-fellowship someone who agrees their behavior is wrong and will submit to discipleship.

Agreed. And I think it has been and is being handled properly.