Offenders and Offences

Perpetrators, offenders, offences; victims, offended, justice:

How do we think about offenders and their offences? It is not necessarily easy to hear, but Jesus imparted very direct teaching on offence and forgiveness. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us (Luke 11:4, NRSV). This, our request, is one example. But there is more: But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6:15, NIV). My priority is asking God's forgiveness for me, and even for us, and forgiving any, just as we say we are doing. Note we are not saying "I forgive them that have asked me". However, if any victim is reading this, please be patient, and see further below. You do not deserve to be a victim. It can not be right to ask anyone to be a victim.

 

All too often there may be an offence clearly from within the body of Jesus' professing adherents. Jesus said to his disciples, “Offenses will certainly come,[a] but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to stumble. Be on your guard. If your brother sins,[b] rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and comes back to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him” (Luke 17:1-4, CSB). I think the being "on guard" is lest giving offence. Notice that in the last section Jesus is clearly speaking about one follower who sins against another and about a response. (Those severe words in protection of "little ones" may seem unexpected but the passage is not unique. Little ones would include the defenceless, the powerless. The offender deserves to be drowned!) Recognised sin is not (should not be) ignored and in itself attracts consequences to the perpetrator.

Deserves? What about "deserving"? We ask our Heavenly Father to forgive us, not because we deserve; we depend merely on God's mercy. So Jesus taught us to pray: and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us (Matthew 6:12, NLT). The "as" asserts we are asking to be treated in the same way as we treat others, in particular the others who have wronged us. 

Offence is not ignored. A procedure to deal with offence received is described in Matthew. “If your brother or sister[a] sins,[b] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’[c] If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector (Matthew 18:15-17, NIV). Similarly to the preceding Luke saying (above), some manuscripts of Matthew have this passage specifically about sin "against you"; that textual argument is inconclusive, I think. Whether general or specific, however Matthew is read, the possible application seems clear enough, even if rare or, probably, unknown.

Addendum: We have the concurrent challenge to love and do good...

https://www.jesussaviour4unme.com/2020/06/enemies-neighbours.html

No victim deserves to be one. Unequal power may make going to the offender difficult or near impossible. The victim must be able to explain the problem to the one or two others, who will go with them to support the process. Who will that one, or the two, be?

Offended people may be conscious of the possibility of further harm from just speaking up. That reality underlies the "restorative justice" approach - see link. Whilst no perfect answer is likely in an imperfect community, there is no basis to perpetuating a situation of repeat offence. We in Australia here today have the benefit of support systems and refuges - and the sad fact is they are necessary.

"Bring me solutions, not problems" became a workplace mantra at senior executive level. I could see the point. In the case of resolving an offence, the solution sought I think must be acknowledgement of the failure, confession and a believable pledge to a changed way, with "no strings attached". However, this is not to anchor the victim in an environment of harm and offender recidivism. 

Application of Jesus' principle requires a clear identification of a fault, of specific injury sustained. The offender's sin is one which may warrant independent victim support. Then follows the process seeking recognition and change; that is the expectation at the outset. Will they listen? Jesus allowed for the possibility of rejection and resistance. He recognised the possibility of unyielding denial, which had consequence. It is possible that people today in a local group who belong to Jesus do follow his first and even his second step in resolving complaints of sin suffered. I would not know. I think it is reasonable to imagine that a later response from the formerly stubborn offender would be forgiven. Looking at the following words (below) it is fair to say that early in the process the hoped for end is reconciliation, though consequences of earlier behaviour do not evaporate.

The intractable offender is to be treated as being a "pagan or a tax collector". That means being given by "the church" a label as "outside" and separated; a kind of excommunication. The foundational forgiveness living does not vanish, but refused forgiveness creates a chasm which is real and must be recognised.

(Note BTW: The original word in the third step rendered, "church", is infrequent and needs interpreting! I noted several alternatives: assembly, community, congregation, fellowship of believers. In that word I see a hint that Jesus anticipated his followers would belong to gatherings, to future synagogue equivalents. If Jesus used the actual word, that would be how they could understand it. For sure, Jesus, and they, did not envisage a large corporation type body. Application today to such is a matter for those with the authority. Implementation would be perilous and fraught with failure!)

Peter certainly thought about forgiving deliberate personal injury: Then Peter approached him and asked, “Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? As many as seven times?”
“I tell you, not as many as seven,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven.[a](Matthew 18:21-22, CSB). Looks unlimited, does it not? We run out of fingers long before the total!

But - what of crime: of violence, of sexual assault, of rape, of criminal negligence, of aggression, of racism, of robbery, of exploitation (not an exhaustive list)? In our age the law of the land definitely applies to criminal behaviour. It must be wrong to try to sentence a victim to remain in harm's way. It would also be wrong to obstruct the application of the law, including our policing authorities in the exercise of their duty. Crime merits its own consequences. As always, truth matters. Victims need protection and support. Sadly, criminal proceedings may be a two-edged sword, in that the victim may be further harmed (link to ABC item).

We have God's Law against murder and adultery. But consider how Jesus took the concept so much further for us than "crime" and even "good manners"; certainly he hardly gave any room to criminal behaviour. Following, from Matthew chapter 5, is a part of what we call "The Sermon on the Mount"; it is confronting and difficult for personal application:

“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister,[a] you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult[b] a brother or sister,[c] you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell[d] of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister[e] has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister,[f] and then come and offer your gift.  Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court[g] with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. (21-26, NRSV). 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’[a] But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. 

“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’[b] But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery (27-32, NIV).

“You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’[l] But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one. 

“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’[m] But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile,[n] carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow (33-42, NLT).

Those buts, "but I say", or, "but I tell you", are noteworthy, are they not? The Nazareth carpenter "lays down the law". He could do that because of who he is.  Given the "Thou shalt not" context it must have been, and is, cause for thought - just who is this, anyway?

Jesus' illustrations are stark and striking. The physical self-injury metaphor is hardly to be taken literally, any more than entire bodies going to hell. (That location I discussed in a previous post.) However, when Jesus' way is taken there are no tolerated offences. Jesus clearly condemns ugly behaviour towards another. "Religion" comes a long way behind his priority for his followers. He looks deep within, to the "heart". Intention matters, but is not everything. Sometimes actions may speak louder. The final paragraph I quoted is truly challenging - how does it apply? Surely not to negate justice; not to promote the door-mat life. However, Jesus is against my taking a "tit-for-tat" approach to life; I am reminded of the "angry email reply" problem of this era.

Forgiveness is one thing but consequences and punishment under law is another thing. Forgiveness may or may not be sought by an offender; forgiveness to benefit the offended party may be granted by the one harmed, even without it being requested. (On that, see for example the striking, misunderstood, tragic but victorious story of holocaust survivor, the late Eva Mozes Kor; and the tragedy-struck Abdallah family - link below.)

Notice again those words Jesus puts in your mouth, all too easily said as they are: "we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us". No mention of forgiveness being asked, or deserved, or even accepted. 

(Sometimes there is conflict of minds needing to be resolved. Disagreement is the topic of my previous post. https://www.jesussaviour4unme.com/2020/11/minds.html)

What of us today? How good are we at honest confronting? At reconciliation? At forgiving? At supporting victims? At giving evidence of the truth?

For my excursus on "church": https://www.jesussaviour4unme.com/2017/07/worship.html

Help

https://orangedoor.vic.gov.au

https://www.each.com.au/piw/

Recent references:

"Justice" item on ABC News from The Conversation: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-03/providing-justice-sexual-assault-victims-beyond-criminal-trials/12943742

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-05/scottish-group-coercive-control-australian-parliament-inquiry/12950288

 https://www.eternitynews.com.au/australia/danny-and-leila-abdallah-minister-in-the-midst-of-their-tragedy/

 

PS: Update reference

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-14/forgiveness-benefits-health-justice/13141296

 

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