These last ones on the surface are more challenging, because Paul as a TRUE APOSTLE, did wield authority not seen since. His words carried the weight of scripture and in part, his words were there to preserve the truths and practices for the church that then was. The trouble with these verses is that they are now used as if Norman is Paul and his preferences carry the same weight as scripture. To the degree that Norman moves beyond what is clearly taught in scripture, the expectation of shunning should be ignored. To the degree that he operates within the confines of Christian tradition (for instance if someone denied the bodily resurrection of Christ and tried to teach it to the Sunday School kids), he has that right as a pastor to remove the teacher. 

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There is room in every church for the eldership to remove those who are unruly, lifting up their lifestyle as an example of what is ok to a congregation. If the church wants to say, you can’t attend here anymore, that’s their prerogative, but they must do it according to Matthew 18 principles and with humility. If someone leaves on their own accord, Norman can’t keep treating it as if these people are leaving the body of Christ like he does. Some leave, believing they have clear reasons that they expressed to their pastor and after meeting with the pastor believed things were never going to change, so they left. In that situation, there should not be the immediate demonizing and labeling as deceived that goes on.

 

Finally, there are simply gray areas that the best minds in theology have a hard time reaching definitive conclusions on: means, methods, modes and purposes of baptism, ongoing sign gifts and healing and miracles, end time positions, etc. For ALL OF THESE AREAS…GRACE AND HUMILITY ARE CALLED FOR!!!!!! Bear with one another and defer to one another in humility. So, with that being said….

 

 

2 Thes 3:6-14
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you [a]keep away from every brother who [b]leads an [c]unruly life and not according to the tradition which [d]you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to [e]follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, 8 nor did we eat [f]anyone’s bread [g]without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; 9 not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would [h]follow our example. 10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. 11 For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good. 14 If anyone does not obey our [i]instruction [j]in this letter, take special note of that person [k]and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame.

 

Paul is telling the local church that if the people who are unwilling to hold down a job, provide for their own and instead go around being in everyone’s business, then the church should avoid them, take away their ability to be nosy since no further fellowship would be there and maybe they will come to their senses and follow Paul’s example of providing for himself and not burdening people to provide for him. 

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To generalize this to if you don’t follow OUR/MAN’s tradition in church practice we are to avoid you goes too far. 

However, there is biblical precedent for separating from those who live a disorderly life. “Do not associate with” literally means in the Greek do not mix up with. Don’t get mixed up in their way of life too, is one way to read it. Another angle is to withdraw from them to get them to turn their life around. Either way, once it is clear that they are not going to change, it doesn’t mean never speak to them again.

 

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Rom 16:17
17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and [a]hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.

Paul is asking them to avoid those who peddle false doctrine. The doctrines Paul was asking them to take note of, based on Romans and his other epistles were:  those who added works to justification, those who required observance of Jewish days, and abstinence from meats, and those who held up ceremonial rites, like circumcision, as being necessary to salvation. 

So in actuality, Paul is telling ME to avoid NORMAN. Norman adds works to justification, poo-poos justification as only the ‘first step to being saved’ and lifts up the ceremony of baptism as a requirement for salvation, just like the Judaisers. 

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Ps 1:1-3
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the [a]path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by [b]streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season. And its [c]leaf does not wither; And [d]in whatever he does, he prospers.

Not all who leave are wicked sinners. Actually, we are mostly born-again Christians, who are learning what grace, mercy and humility look like. We’d walk with that crowd any day. 

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Gal 5:7-9
7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.

False teaching does corrupt the whole lump. It’s just that Norman is the one preaching the error….

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Titus 1:9-14
9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. 10 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. 12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.

So, Paul is saying we have to silence people, especially those who add a ceremony rite (like baptism) to the requirements of salvation because in adding requirements beyond faith in Christ’s completed work, they disrupt family relationships and they do this so they can benefit financially. They use prophecies to insult and control people and they add human traditions for people to be burdened by…Got it…sounds like we should all be avoiding Norman.

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We hope after considering the balance of scripture on this issue that you have seen the it is Norman and his twisting of scriptures that are to be shunned. He is a danger to the free exercise of authentic Christian faith. And he is a destroyer of one of God's most precious gifts, family.

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