I don't see anywhere the bible tells us to fellowship with pedophiles and treat the victim like that.
First, where does the Bible allow us to disfellowship any repentant sinner? Second, what do you mean by "treat the victim like that"? What is "that"? How have they treated her? And how do you know this?
There is a 3 year old sex crimes victim to be considered, and that man needs to be in jail, he committed a crime, and needs to be punished.
I agree. As I said, there is likely a trial coming up in which this will all be addressed. The man needs to take responsibility for his sins and take the punishment.
Unless you believe forgiveness means we forget the crime. That church can forgive, but they should not take him back into fellowship causing the child and her family feel they need to leave because her attacker is still there.
Based on what part of Scripture? Why did the family need to leave?
A pedophile is a pedophile, and he isn't going to stop, and she probably isn't the first, she won't be the last. I would not dream of taking my young children to a church with a known pedophile, especially one who isn't expected to suffer the consequences of his attack on a 3 year old.
How do you know this man isn't expecting to suffer the consequences of his attack? Have you seen him say that somewhere? I am curious as to where you get your information from.
You say the church has treated this family and girl poorly. Yet you have not stated how, nor how you know this.
You say this man is not wanting to accept the consequences, yet you haven't stated how you know this.
So at this point, Donna, it seems that you don't actually know what the issues are or how they have been dealt with. Have you seen anything other than this news story?
You say,
A pedophile is a pedophile, and he isn't going to stop, and she probably isn't the first, she won't be the last. That seems to fly in the face of what the Bible teaches about salvation and sanctification (2 Cor 6:9-10 for instance). I think that many have unwittingly bought into the world's psychology rather than God's truth. A pedophile who repents is no longer a pedophile. He may struggle with the matter, but he is saved, washed, justified, sanctified. What he needs is godly men to influence him.
In the interest of full disclosure, I have been very involved with a case of child molestation, so I am not coming at this from some theoretical place. I know well the lies that are told on both sides, and the shades of truth that take place. My caution to you is to be careful.
However, I notice you did not discuss what you think forgiveness means. The Bible says to forgive others as God in Christ forgave us. How does that apply here? What does it look like?
As I have said before, I think the claims of the Bible for Christians are radical to the degree that no one in their "right mind" would agree. And that is why I think situations like this really reveal what we know and understand about teh love and forgiveness of God.
MP says,
Forgiveness is mandated. Fellowship is not. Yet I don't see this distinction in Scripture and I notice that MP did not offer any support.
It is hard to have a discussion about what God expects/requires/allows when we don't talk about what God says.
Here's my position in a nutshell:
1. The girl should be protected. The family should be helped through pastoral counseling to deal with this situation, both in terms of acceptance and forgiveness.
2. The man should be reported to the police, a full criminal investigation and trial should be conducted, and he should willingly accept whatever punishment is handed down.
3. This man should make a full and complete confession to all involved. If the situation is public knowledge, then the confession must be public as well. If he fails to repent and acknowledge his sin, he should be disciplined from the church.
4. This man should be accompanied by a godly man at any times he is on church grounds or at church functions. He should not be allowed near the children's ministry.
