Touch Not the Lord's Anointed

"How dare you send me something filled with accusations against another..... The Holy Spirit has shown me from the Word of God that I should not associate with those who do not honour leaders appointed and anointed by God."

Such was the response to a letter written to a church, pleading for accountability in its teaching and preaching. 

Once there is in place an unaccountable church leader, closely guarded by an inner circle of devoted enablers with its 'head in the sand' concerning abusive practice, opportunities for truth to be aired become increasingly rare.

The means of protecting errant leadership and restricting flow of information are ubiquitous in spiritually abusive churches. They are based on the same handful of Scriptures, wrenched from their context, twisted and misapplied in order to maintain the cult-like dynamic. 

Here are some of the most common:

1) Psalm 105:15 "Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm."

Those who use this Scripture to insulate a leader from true accountability, overlook the fact that King David, while not killing Saul (on the basis of this Scripture) when he had an opportunity to do so, nevertheless rebukes Saul for his actions. And Saul consequently repents. (1 Sam 26)

Scholars note that it only refers to physical harm and is not intended as a means to avoid scrutiny!

2) Miriam's sin in criticizing Moses (Numbers 12) Miriam was struck with leprosy by God because she dared criticize the man of God for having a Cushite wife

The difficulty in using this Scripture to provide immunity to a church leader is that it equates his leadership with that of Moses. Never mind that any action taken by God would have been in the context of the Old Covenant, not the new. 

There are numerous examples of 'anointed' leadership being challenged or entreated by men endorsed by God to do so in Scripture. Nathan challenges David. Sarah challenges Abraham, Paul challenges Peter. The message in 1 Tim 5: 1 is to "Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father."

Jesus himself taught that, ""If your brother or sister sins against you, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over." Matthew 18:15 There is no indication that your brother, being a leader, is exempt from this process.

(On a side note, Jesus goes on to say that if your brother will not listen, you should take the matter to the church. However, that can only work in a church whose inner circle is prepared to be honest, rather than protect the leader at all costs. And secondly, such a course of action is bound to be catastrophic, if it involves the Pastor, since it is bound to divide the flock! See next point.)

3) "Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them." Titus 3:10

Not all division is wrong. The Apostle Paul himself notes that "there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval." 1 Cor 11:19 

The division spoken of in Titus 3:10 refers (looking at the context) to those who engage in "foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the Law, because these things are pointless and worthless." Certainly not the all-important process of maintaining checks and balances in a church community.

4) "I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. 2 Cor 12:20

While Jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder are not desirable qualities in a congregation, all too often, healthy and much-needed discussion is shut down, justified by verses such as this.

Unfortunately, Scriptures like these are used as a pretext to restrict the flow of free information. To talk about others, for whatever reason, amounts to evil gossip, even if the intention springs from a good motive. In our case, letters sent to 'inner circle' were returned unopened or resealed. Presumably this was done under persuasion that we were indulging in divisive, Satan-inspired, slanderous criticism. One can only assume that many remain in the dark as to the real reasons we left. The earnest call to accountability which it contained was effectively neutralized.

The book of Proverbs, on the other hand, notes that, "In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines." Proverbs 18:17

5) ""Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Matthew 7:1

Jesus' statement has more to do with the condemning of a brother, rather than bringing attention to where he needs to change. Again Paul asks, "I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 1 Cor 6:5 

6) "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Mark 11.25

While forgiveness is paramount in Christian teaching, all too often abusive church leaders require to be shown forgiveness, despite failing to come clean on their specific, repeated, damaging offences. The tables are then turned on any who highlight such offences, on the grounds that they are failing to exercise grace.

Leaders also frequently proclaim their own forgiveness of so-called divisive critics, without addressing the very pertinent matters brought to their attention by them. It all looks so holy. Many are taken in.

Christian communities are, perhaps, more susceptible than others in developing oppressive systems since they can appeal to misapplied Scripture to justify a system which lacks the necessary checks and balances to keep any human society healthy.