"Christian man" and incest

PastorKevin · #1 (**permalink**) 10-19-2004, 04:39 PM

It was discovered/revealed/came to light last April that a man in our church had been having incestuous relations with 3 of his 4 daughters: 2 of them now adults (the acts occured repeatedly with them some 12-14 years ago; he was found out, sentenced, did 2 yrs time & 25 yrs probation assigned); 1 now barely 16 (he began having sex with her 2 yrs ago, repeated acts). The family clearly knew of the first offenses with the oldest daughters when they came to our church. Nothing was ever said, indicated or alluded to. Both the father & mother have been involved in ministry in our church up to this time (about 8 years). The mother says she knew nothing of the most recent two year sin with her youngest daughter, that her husband kept this one well hidden from even her.

What are we, as NT Christians, to make of the: mother & her statements, the father (who will most likely spend the next 20-25 years in prison)? I know what the OT says in Leviticus about incest. So, any advice?

PastorKevin

C. Matthew McMahon · #2 (**permalink**) 10-19-2004, 06:14 PM

Terrible situation.

Mother and her statements: tough one. Depends on whether you can read whether she is really telling you the truth. I would be personally skeptical of it, espeacilly of the past problems known. Was she "THAT" ignorant of it all occuring under her nose "AGAIN"?

The father: he should be locked up. Minsitry is over (should have been over before because of the kind of sin and interaction with others (which would depend on the minstry he was invovled with)).

Was he "caught" or did he repent? That would tell one a lot. If he did not get caught, then that is problematic. Could he be a Christian? Remotely possible, but unlikely. We have 1 Cor. 5 where the man was sleeping with his step mom. He was restored after repentace. He was confronted. Maybe this man is possibly a Christian, but remorese over getting caught is different than the repentance that the sin should have on a Christian. Simply going through what he felt like after committing such atrocity may help to emlighten you on the situation more fully.

Scandalous sin like this has an effect on the whole church, especially if it known - and since he is going to jail, it is known. I will do some counseling checking and see what kind of advice, biblically, should be given in such instances.

[Edited on 10-19-2004 by webmaster]

PastorKevin · #3 (**permalink**) 10-20-2004, 11:24 AM

Thank you, brother for your thoughts and for checking into this further. It is indeed a troubling situation, wanting to see sin dealt with, but with the ultimate goal of seeing hearts transformed by God's grace, forgiveness received and God glorified.

Kevin

govols · #4 (**permalink**) 10-20-2004, 12:15 PM

After his deserved sex change I hope God changes his heart.