Shunning

There are two passages in Scripture that talk about the concept of "shunning". You know how that works, right? I mean, we in the modern church pretty much discard it. It's an archaic, even cruel concept. The idea is that a group of people will shun someone who doesn't submit to some sort of particular group standard. If you've ever seen a movie about the Amish, you've likely seen where our hero stands up for what is right and is shunned by the group for it. They can't eat with you, speak to you, spend time with you ... oh, just about anything at all. The orthodox Jewish communities will do it, too. It's mean; it's just plain mean. Well, we know better now, don't we?

And yet ...

I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people — not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler — not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you" (1 Cor 5:9-13)

... it is biblical. Ouch!

The command actually is given in two places. The second is in Paul's second epistle to the church at Thessalonica.

If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother (2 Thess 3:14-15).

So, what do we know now? Well, first, as I said, it is biblical. It's not "Amish" or narrow-minded or any such thing. It comes from the pages of the Word of God. Second, it isn't about "evil people". It is about "believers". Paul specifically tells them that it is not a reference to the immoral of the world. It is only about those who bear the name of brother. It's not about those outside; it's about those inside. Third, it is not mean. If it is mean, it is a mistake. The text specifies, "Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother." The purpose is the purification of the group and the restoration of a brother. That is not mean.

Biblically, then, withdrawing from people who classify themselves as Christians but are openly, unrepentantly immoral is not a suggestion nor is it mean-spirited. It is commanded. It is in the best interests of the person being shunned. It is a good thing. So ... why aren't we doing it? Right, of course. Doing it right. Doing it wrong is a bad idea. But discarding a biblical command is an equally bad idea. So?