‘Three Strikes, You’re Out!’

Abstract

In an increasingly individualistic culture, we have somewhat lost sight of the important community aspect of Christianity, particularly when it comes to church discipline. One of the more challenging aspects of modern church ministry is what to do when a person’s behaviour threatens the unity and wellbeing of the community. In the nt, we see harsh measures applied to such people, but how do we translate these examples into today’s church? This article looks at the practice of exile or expulsion in the world of the nt generally and the Pauline communities specifically. It will then consider the implications of the practice, as revealed in scripture, and the challenges presented to its implementation in the modern church.