All this has been said regarding secret sins. But where the sin is quite public so that the judge and everybody know it you can without any sin avoid him and let him go, because he has brought himself into disgrace, and you may also publicly testify concerning him. For when a matter is public in the light of day, there can be no slandering or false judging or testifying; as, when we now reprove the Pope with his doctrine, which is publicly set forth in books and proclaimed in all the world. For where the sin is public, the reproof also must be public, that every one may learn to guard against it.
Luther's Large Catechism, Eighth Commandment, #284, Concordia Triglotta.
1 comment:
Ichabod,
I seem to always know that I am [supposedly] sinning against the 8th Commandment when I hear from those with whom I disagreed.
Just recently, I posted something from my moralmatter's website on the Confessional Lutheran Facebook page. It was a posting entitled "Boko Haram - A Major Reason Why a Literal Hell Exists:"
http://moralmatters.org/2012/05/20/boko-haram-a-major-reason-why-a-literal-hell-exists/
Somehow my posting didn't sit well with a couple of people. It was projected in so many words, that I was being vindictive and unloving and did not have a heart of compassion for the lost. However, I think that the entirety of what I posted was not either fully read or considered.
In short, (and generally speaking) I am always suspicious when some people are quick to play the "8th Commandment card" to attempt to stifle free speech and cover-up what needs to be either discussed, debated, rebuked and / or, (again) exposed.
Nathan M. Bickel - emeritus pastor
www.thechristianmessage.org
www.moralmatters.org
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