[ican'tbelieveit]

I am fascinated by those wanting to crucify this man. Do they not believe in redemption? Do they not believe in the power of testimony of overcoming sin? Who do they think should be in our leadership positions; only those without sin?

I seem to recall we have ALL SINNED AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD!

[Oliviaforever]

“What can we hear Wisdom saying from this unfortunate episode?”

I have never quite seen any responsible person claim that Sexual Assault on a child is an “unfortunate episode.”

[showme_the_Glory]

Reality TV? Real people, real problems. Graciously we have a real living God in Jesus.

[Rashputin]

If they Catholic, though, there would be multiple posts demanding that the other kids be taken to foster homes after having them watch the beheading of the one child that went astray.

At least that's the feeling that shines through the posts about how horrible the Catholic Church is because an extremely small number of primarily Irish queers molested kids five and six decades ago.

IOW, forgiveness around here seems to be very selective.

JMHo

[Fester Chugabrew]

Daily contrition and repentance, for we daily sin much. Daily and richly also is the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life in Christ Jesus. The world does not know this, and does not care. One need not look far for examples of dysfunctional families, whether in the Scriptures or in real life. The ideals are worthy of pursuit - faithfulness, fidelity, self-sacrifice, humility, purity, and beauty - despite our inability to attain. Lord, have mercy upon us.

[gdani]

The Duggars did deal with their sinning son, he was exposed, he confessed his sin, and a policeman was even called in, (who gave him a stern lecture and a warning)

If my eyes rolled any more forcefully they would come right out of my skull. The Duggars did the bare minimum, if that.

What more can you do? Should Duggar be considered a danger?

Get him professional help? Actually report him to the authorities instead of some individual trooper? Would the author let Josh babysit his own kids?

[mountainbunny]

Allowing your child repeated access over years to much younger, vulnerable children for the purpose of molesting them.
“Therapy” limited to a summer job.
Releasing statements to the effect that you’re so happy that your son was able to recover from wrecking the lives of at least five children.
Lawyering up to avoid any legal responsibility.
All of that is an unfortunate event?
Wow. You have issues.
But at least the molester is okay, right?

[Obadiah]

I have sought to avoid any comment on this issue altogether because no one really needs to hear from me, pretty much about anything, but I sincerely appreciate your words of wisdom here.

Christians live among the decay of a fallen world. Saints belong in a museum.

[NorthstarMom]

Our pastor has a jail ministry and he often says the same thing you do about total redemption. Him not sharing that a highly dangerous sex offender was attending our very small church, eventually led to a church split. Sex offenders are extremely good liars and manipulaters. Our pastor fell for his “false “ conversion completely and was disturbed that the rest of us didn’t think the guy was cured.

Also, molestation is simply not the same as other sins. There can’t be restitution like there would be for a thief. Our pastor put his firm belief in the redemptive power of Christ ahead of vulnerable children in his flock and it could have ended badly. His daughter in law was so concerned that she let a mom in the church know about the guy we were sitting next to every week. The guy reoffended as well as stalked a woman in town, landing him back in jail and opening our pastor’s eyes to the fact that he was fooled.

Christ does redeem the lost and He is powerful and able to heal all. But, we live in a fallen world and need to protect children from all harm, even if that seems to contradict our firm belief of restoration in Christ. Trust in the offender must be earned in a case like this.

[MD Expat in PA]

Out of this sprang a vast new emphasis on family, discipline, the Biblical role of the Husband and Wife, biblical work ethic, the rejection of the dating culture in favor of courting, and the attempt to protect the children from worldliness in the toxic culture.

Yep. They surely protected their children from worldliness in the toxic culture by being on a “reality” show on TLC - the same channel that brought us Honey Boo Boo and Dance Moms and all sorts of other trash. Follow the money.

[CatherineofAragon]

Pastor Bill, I enjoy your posts, but I’m not in agreement with everything you say here.

I can’t say I’m very grieved for the parents. From what I have read, they sent Josh away for a summer job, apparently figuring that was sufficient punishment, and then let him move right back into the house with his sisters. I consider that very irresponsible. But hey, they had a TV show to produce. /s

A friend of the family who was with the State Police at the time helped them cover this thing up. That friend is now in jail on child pornography charges.

It’s a mistake to imply that the Duggars are just another mainstream Christian family. They are not. They’re members of the Gothard cult. I don’t use the word lightly, either. I think any faith which tells the women how to wear their hair; to dress modestly so the men won’t be tempted; to “keep sweet”, etc. IS cultlike.

Also, it’s a known fact that Gothard is a serial abuser of young girls.

I’ll be honest, I’ve never much liked the Duggars. When threads were posted here praising them, I just stayed away. But the family has always creeped me out somewhat.

I’m seeing a lot of concern and worry about Josh Duggar and his parents. If you ask me, that kind of thing should be focused on the innocent girls-—his sisters-—whom he molested.

[Darren McCarty]

tried to stem the tide of evil in their own families, than among those who just “normalize” perversion as though it is inevitable anyway.

Did they? At the minimum, they needed to keep Josh away from little girls. That wasn't done.