I appreciate you reminding us of the fact that popular teaching does not always equal good teaching. However, the responsibility is not only on the speaker, but also on the hearer on how to apply the teaching in his own life.
You speak of a brother who was cut off. But this does not mean that he couldn't receive any help for 2 years. He could have went to someone else for help. Boundaries does not have to mean you leave the other person desolate. It only means that you are not the right person to help him.
Also, I am curious to know how you define boundaries. For example, you have already set boundaries with us by choosing not to identify yourself. And none of us have attempted to overstep them by inquiring what your real name is. So if you feel Cloud's boundaries are extreme, what would be the proper, biblical definition?
the first and second matter could actually be answered together. I don't really use the term boundary as much as I would sin; and then we would also have to take the matter of the brevity of the sin and whether or not there was repentance.
“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.”
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Romans 16:17
can we agree that a boundary is an obstacle to love and creates divisions (it literally has a picture of a dividing line on the cover)? In this case, Henry Cloud is not even a pastor, simply a psychologist who preached at Gateway Church and a few other churches; a motivational speaker, if you will. You are correct when you say this man could receive help elsewhere...however this doesn't mean that you cease communication completely with everyone else.
However, in 1 and 2 Corinthians, we are introduced to man who commits incest, a horrible sin no doubt, and unrepentant. Paul instructs excommunication; but the purpose was so that this man would repent..and he did! And then Paul instructs Corinth to welcome him back, forgive, AND comfort him...I do not know so much more clear definition of relational forgiveness. To me, a boundary is to be set with those who are in obvious opposition to the Gospel and Jesus and/or are unrepentant. I see nothing of boundaries for lesser sins such as profanity, lying, slander, or lack of witnessing (though still sinful), unless that person refuses to be corrected for them
You are correct that the listener also has a role in discernment. However, when presented with false doctrine, we follow the biblical model, go once, then bring another, then bring it to the church.
There is evidence of Cloud's followers questioning him...he blocks and removes anyone who even so much as QUESTIONS his theology....that isn't responsible authority--that's tyranny.
I don't recall being asked my name. However, It is simply the nature of the Internet to have aliases. This is generally due to the long-standing notion that the Internet is a prime place for security to be threatened; I think this is generally accepted as giving away our identity on the Internet risks our security and potentially the security of those we care about. In a small group I would readily identify myself...but being that anybody can have access to the Internet, it should be assumed some unrepentant people are within the community of the Internet, and thus should not be trusted as we would a fellow church member whom we have known.
