Bad People within the Family of God.

[Draft]

Scripture depicts God's kingdom on earth (His Church, which has a visible, hierarchical leadership) having some bad folks within it, those who behave quite badly and some who are just plain evil. So, the fact that the Catholic Church has some bad folks doing bad things is not proof that the Catholic Church is not the Church founded by Jesus. Contrary to that conclusion, it actually adds support to the Catholic claim to be His Church. Since His foundational Church featured some bad guys within it, even in the highest level (ie Judas Iscariot), His Church in today's age would likely also have some bad and evil folks within it. And this is the case, as the facts bear out. But there is no more corruption within the Catholic Church than in any other Christian group and there's vastly less corruption compared to secular groups (ie the public school system. There's possibly a hundred times more sex abuse there than in Catholic institutions). It's just that the Catholic-perpetrated crimes are more publicized.

Scripture references to the presence of bad folks within the Kingdom:


In Matt. 13 Jesus tells us that the earthly side of God's kingdom will always have some evil folks within but ultimately they will be dealt with. He gives parables, then explains them to the apostles.

Matt 22 features a parable about a man hosting a wedding party. All of the original invited guests reject the offer (which represents the then-present status if the Jewish leaders) so the host gathers up everyone he finds (representing the gentiles). Among them are some who are not attired appropriately and are then kicked out of the wedding feast. The meaning is this: the wedding party is the Kingdom (aka the Church). Many are members but some are not true believers, as represented by the inappropriately attired folks, who are rejected before the wedding feast. (The Wedding Feast of the Lamb is featured in Revelation and is the consummation of the relationship of believers and Jesus).


Luke 13

24  Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

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