Law and Grace
A couple weeks ago the story du jour involved a pregnant senior student at Heritage Academy, a small Christian school in Maryland. As you would expect, the school has rules regarding sexual activity among its students. Given that it is a Christian school, this really should not be a surprise. This means it is also unsurprising that the student would receive some form of discipline/rebuke.
That rebuke seems to be pretty harsh: She cannot walk with her class at graduation.
For many, the initial take was that this was unfair punishment for a young lady who chose life and not abortion, as many in her shoes would have done. It was a brave choice deserving full credit for.
With that said, rules are rules, right? If the student did not become pregnant and it was discovered (who knows how) that she engaged in sex, what would the punishment have been? In theory, it would be the same, right? While I have not done extensive research on the responses, the only person I have seen somewhat defending the school is Matt Walsh, whom I normally appreciate. Walsh admits that if he were the principal he would let the student walk, but also is quite sympathetic for the school, summarizing the issue as, "The school had rules. She broke them. They enforced them." This is a valid point.
I started thinking more and more about this, and I increasingly became sympathetic towards the school as well. Rules are rules, right? She very obviously broke the rules, and the rules need to be upheld. I mean, what would happen if we started letting people off the hook for breaking rules. On top of that, this is a Christian institution, run by Christian men and women. How could a Christian forgive such a...
And that is when it hit me like a freakin' two-ton boulder.
I do not doubt that the school is in a difficult position. Rules are made to be enforced. However, Jesus taught mercy and grace. What is a better lesson to this young woman? To all the students in the school? To the watching world?
Heritage Academy as a vision statement consisting of six points. The first reads:
"To reflect the virtues taught by Christ, passionately pursuing God and His purposes for their lives."
Jesus taught forgiveness. Now, forgiveness does not always mean that someone escapes the consequences of his or her decisions. This young lady will face many difficulties because of her decision to have sex before marriage. There is no reason for a Christian school to pile on when they can demonstrate the forgiveness we are called to offer.
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15)
That rebuke seems to be pretty harsh: She cannot walk with her class at graduation.
For many, the initial take was that this was unfair punishment for a young lady who chose life and not abortion, as many in her shoes would have done. It was a brave choice deserving full credit for.
With that said, rules are rules, right? If the student did not become pregnant and it was discovered (who knows how) that she engaged in sex, what would the punishment have been? In theory, it would be the same, right? While I have not done extensive research on the responses, the only person I have seen somewhat defending the school is Matt Walsh, whom I normally appreciate. Walsh admits that if he were the principal he would let the student walk, but also is quite sympathetic for the school, summarizing the issue as, "The school had rules. She broke them. They enforced them." This is a valid point.
I started thinking more and more about this, and I increasingly became sympathetic towards the school as well. Rules are rules, right? She very obviously broke the rules, and the rules need to be upheld. I mean, what would happen if we started letting people off the hook for breaking rules. On top of that, this is a Christian institution, run by Christian men and women. How could a Christian forgive such a...
And that is when it hit me like a freakin' two-ton boulder.
I do not doubt that the school is in a difficult position. Rules are made to be enforced. However, Jesus taught mercy and grace. What is a better lesson to this young woman? To all the students in the school? To the watching world?
Heritage Academy as a vision statement consisting of six points. The first reads:
"To reflect the virtues taught by Christ, passionately pursuing God and His purposes for their lives."
Jesus taught forgiveness. Now, forgiveness does not always mean that someone escapes the consequences of his or her decisions. This young lady will face many difficulties because of her decision to have sex before marriage. There is no reason for a Christian school to pile on when they can demonstrate the forgiveness we are called to offer.
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15)
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