"From the point of Tullian's confession and repentance, he has been committed to dealing with the issues of his heart and to restoring his marriage. Much grace, counsel, thought, prayer and action has been invested over a six-month period of time with the hope of healing the marriage, but sadly, there are times when the trust is so deeply broken and patterns so set in place that it seems best to recognise (sic) that brokenness, cry out for God's grace, mourn, commit to forgiveness, rest in the truths of the gospel and with a grieved heart, move on.."
Those keeping up with the subject are probably familiar with Tullian's unfortunate public posturing during his dismissal from Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and less so with the "non-denial denial" protestations of his wife of 21 years, Kim. Her statement on the matter was officially:
Since Kim has not denied the affair, let's get this out of the way first. It's her fault. Period.
We did need to know that Kim strayed as an explanation for Tullian's suspension from the Ministry at Coral Ridge, since that is what happened first (this is the official version so far). Shortly after his suspension, Tullian also revealed (apparently when confronted) that he had an "affair" of his own after the discovery of his wife's. A lot of discussion could occur here about what Tullian did being a sin or not. To some it seems rather clear. It's not that clear.
One explanation for why Tullian's affair was not a sin is the great divide on Reformed positions over what constitutes marriage. Since the State has "redefined" it recently, there are a lot of people in Theological circles that proclaim marriage simply isn't as the State defines it, but rather a compact with private parties. Some say the Church is one of those parties. Some don't. Virtually all conservative Christians think God is a party to that contract. Tullian, in this shifting legal environment could have regarded his marriage as already "Irreparably broken" and simply went and made another private agreement, with his and her genitalia as the signatories. Though that act almost certainly involves or is a sin, the main point is we don't know, and we should.
Why should we?
This is not to say that I am entitled to know, or that you are entitled to know, but that the PCA was entitled to know, and Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church should know, and as a result of their knowing, we should be able to know. In this very public social media world, of which Tullian was an active member, this means we'd know if we were keeping up at all. We don't.
Know what you say? Kim's correspondent in her affair. We don't know. The correspondent in Tullian's subsequent sexual escapade. We don't know. The marital status of both correspondents, since that defines what the sins are of which Kim and Tullian are accused, and may in fact lead to other untouched areas in need of Church discipline. If both correspondents were married members of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, the well goes unfortunately deeper. Were both Kim and Tullian having affairs with members of the opposite sex? Yes, that question would not have to be asked if the discipline of Tullian had been handled properly, but again, we'd be able to know, and if we were keeping up, we'd know. We don't.
Let us for a moment assume that all reconciliation avenues regarding the dissolution of the Tchividjian marriage have been exhausted. David undertook to marry Bathsheba. What of Tullian and Kim? Tullian is already employed by another PCA Church, so the PCA is saying "Everything is resolved." It cannot possibly be so.
Another less than idle thought is this: Why hasn't the press exposed the identities of these persons? Usually they reserve such "privacy" rights only for those they regard as philosophical fellow travelers. Is this the way the see Tullian Tchividjian?
The Washington Post - "The statement reflected my husband’s opinions but not my own. Please respect the privacy of my family at this time, thank you. I do thank everyone for the outpouring of love for my family as well during this difficult time and we appreciate all the prayers and support we are receiving."Essentially, Tullian accused his wife of Adultery, and she has never denied it. The worst media inflicted trauma Tullian endured for disclosing his wife's Adultery (her statement should be regarded as a plea of nolo contendere) has been the accusation that he was blaming her.
Since Kim has not denied the affair, let's get this out of the way first. It's her fault. Period.
We did need to know that Kim strayed as an explanation for Tullian's suspension from the Ministry at Coral Ridge, since that is what happened first (this is the official version so far). Shortly after his suspension, Tullian also revealed (apparently when confronted) that he had an "affair" of his own after the discovery of his wife's. A lot of discussion could occur here about what Tullian did being a sin or not. To some it seems rather clear. It's not that clear.
One explanation for why Tullian's affair was not a sin is the great divide on Reformed positions over what constitutes marriage. Since the State has "redefined" it recently, there are a lot of people in Theological circles that proclaim marriage simply isn't as the State defines it, but rather a compact with private parties. Some say the Church is one of those parties. Some don't. Virtually all conservative Christians think God is a party to that contract. Tullian, in this shifting legal environment could have regarded his marriage as already "Irreparably broken" and simply went and made another private agreement, with his and her genitalia as the signatories. Though that act almost certainly involves or is a sin, the main point is we don't know, and we should.
Why should we?
1st Timothy 5:19 & 20 - "Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear." (ESV)For an Elder to be disciplined, he must be unrepentant, and in that event, the proceedings become public, and since they are public, we should know.
This is not to say that I am entitled to know, or that you are entitled to know, but that the PCA was entitled to know, and Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church should know, and as a result of their knowing, we should be able to know. In this very public social media world, of which Tullian was an active member, this means we'd know if we were keeping up at all. We don't.
Know what you say? Kim's correspondent in her affair. We don't know. The correspondent in Tullian's subsequent sexual escapade. We don't know. The marital status of both correspondents, since that defines what the sins are of which Kim and Tullian are accused, and may in fact lead to other untouched areas in need of Church discipline. If both correspondents were married members of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, the well goes unfortunately deeper. Were both Kim and Tullian having affairs with members of the opposite sex? Yes, that question would not have to be asked if the discipline of Tullian had been handled properly, but again, we'd be able to know, and if we were keeping up, we'd know. We don't.
Let us for a moment assume that all reconciliation avenues regarding the dissolution of the Tchividjian marriage have been exhausted. David undertook to marry Bathsheba. What of Tullian and Kim? Tullian is already employed by another PCA Church, so the PCA is saying "Everything is resolved." It cannot possibly be so.
Another less than idle thought is this: Why hasn't the press exposed the identities of these persons? Usually they reserve such "privacy" rights only for those they regard as philosophical fellow travelers. Is this the way the see Tullian Tchividjian?
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