Scandal of Undisciplined Disciples: Making Church Discipline Edifying

Mention church discipline and people often react in discomfort. But did you know that Jesus made discipline a test of whether a church meets His approval (Revelation 2–3)? In The Scandal of Undisciplined Disciples, James Durham helps us to understand the matter by defining the nature of discipline and explaining when it is necessary. He identifies practical issues related to administering church discipline and shows how we can know when a case has been satisfactorily resolved. He also explains why simply leaving a church fails to address the issue and even provides practical advice for unfortunate instances when discipline is defective. Now presented in modern English, Durham’s classic treatment on the importance of church discipline can be used to edify a new generation.

Table of Contents:
1. Why Does Church Discipline Matter?
2. When Is Church Discipline Necessary?
3. How Should Church Courts Handle Disciplinary Cases?
4. When Has a Discipline Case Been Satisfactorily Resolved?
5. What Practical Issues Arise in Administering Church Discipline?
6. Why Does Separation from a Church Fail to Address the Issue?
7. What Should Church Members Do when Discipline Is Defective?

James Durham (1622–1658) served as minister at Black Friars Church in Glasgow as a chaplain to King Charles II and as a minister at the Inner Kirk of the cathedral in Glasgow. Known for his piety, wisdom, and scholarship, Durham stands as one of the great Scottish Presbyterians of the seventeenth century.

Matthew Vogan lives in Inverness, Scotland, with his wife, Janet, and son, Joseph. He is a ruling elder in the Inverness congregation of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland and author of various articles for a number of periodicals. He works in local government as a project manager.