In my spiritual world, quitting church and returning are very hot issues. The question is often posed, What must we expect from people who want to return to church? It seems very strange that in Bible the issue of returning to church is hardly ever discussed. Apart from James 5:19-20, the New Testament seems to be quite silent about this matter. Why is this? And what were the early church's views about it? -- Martin Laak, Estonia

Second question first. We do not know what the early church taught about this. However, if we read what was written a hundred or two hundred years later, we see that the church was very, very strict regarding defectors returning. (Too strict, in my view.) Yet what authority do these 2nd- and 3rd-century writings have for us as Christians? None. They merely illustrate some of the positions held in subsequent generations.

First question second. I think that the matter is discussed, in principle, many times in both testaments. The parable of the Prodigal Son sheds light on the matter. Galatians 6:1ff. does as well, though it must be admitted that in the N.T. the term "restoration" applies to believers, not unbelievers. (For more on this, search this website.) What is missing is a formal process for reincorporating the wanderer. We may be tempted to make rules about this matter, and certainly in some cases guidelines will be deemed necessary by church leadership, but the Bible is remarkably silent on the reincorporation process itself, as you noticed.

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