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Another Institution |
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| Some years ago many
waged war against the church supporting an orphan home. Some still do. The
church is not a home and the home is not the church. They are two separate
and distinct institutions. If the church is to provide a home for the
homeless it must, therefore, provide an institution other than the church.
This cannot be denied. Individuals may provide for the homeless but if
they do they will have to support an institution other than their own home
unless they take the homeless into their own home. Even if the church
contributes to a private home that includes orphans, it is supporting
another institution. Some have tried to ridicule this as
"institutionalism." The Bible does not teach the way it must be
done. The attempt to bind a certain way caused division and hurt. Scars
remain.
The impression was forcefully left that some just did not want to church providing for orphans. Thankfully, most brethren have seen through this array of negative doctrines of men. The principle remains. The church cannot provide a home for the homeless without another institution other than the church. Once you accept that, then good judgment must be exercised as to what procedure does the job the best. An orphan home is a way; not the only way; but a way. Whatever way that is chosen, there must be the church and the home; two institutions. |
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