It’s hard to read a really long post…I’m painfully aware of that in all my verbosity 😉
So, I thought I’d TRY to do a “nutshell” version of the last post.
Mr. Phillips was basically saying that it is a dangerous theology to conclude that where the Bible doesn’t speak explicitly on an issue, that issue is just left up for the individual to make up his own mind. That for years, it has been the belief of our godly forefathers that Scripture was completely sufficient to answer all our questions of ethical behavior through the principles within. (He specifically referred to birth control in the article.) He states:
“No Bible-believing Christian should respect or tolerate the argument that God has left us without a revelation to sufficiently make ethical decisions.”
He furthermore states that “legalism” is a term often misused and thrown toward anyone whose standards or convictions differ from one’s own.
I’ve had a great thought about the legalism thing while I was washing dishes this evening, which I’ll post when I get time!
7 comments
I know the birth-control issue is a charged one, but I have to agree with you here. On birth control AND scripture interpretation. I wonder if the trend of overlooking issues not directly spelled out in scripture is due more to people not WANTING to find the answer, or that they are not spending enough time in the Word and so have trouble FINDING the answer.
I agree Faith. Although I think the biggest part is that they don’t want to die to themselves for the Truth.
14 years ago we asked our pastor about the issue of birth control (we were fairly new Christians), he said the Bible was silent about it. It was after that we used our own reasoning to have my tubes tied. I cannot tell you the heart ache I have suffered since then. I did have a reversal but it was not successful.
I wish I knew then what I know now.
I love your little slideshow of your children! They are so beautiful. I’ve been pondering what you said a few posts ago about visiting a church and having people make comments about your family size. That just amazes me that someone, especially a fellow Christian, would feel it their place to criticize you for something so personal. I’ve heard comments like that about other families, especially missionary families, from a few in our church. Who are they to question someone else’s family size? It makes me a little nervous and defensive about announcing that we’re expanding our family. And it just shouldn’t be that way. Every single one of our children is a blessing from the Lord.
When people argue that the Bible is silent on birth control, I don’t understand how they can completely ignore Onan in Genesis 38. They should at least try to rationalize it their reason for contraception is different from Onan’s. The fact remains however that the Bible simply says that he spilled seed to prevent conception because…and it made God mad, so He killed him.
Also from Doug’s Blog:
Luther on Contraception and Sodomitic Sin
Onan must have been a malicious and incorrigible scoundrel. This is a most disgraceful sin. It is far more atrocious than incest and adultery. We call it unchastity, yes, a Sodomitic sin. For Onan goes in to her; that is, he lies with her and copulates, and when it comes to the point of insemination, spills the semen, lest the woman conceive. Surely at such a time the order of nature established by God in procreation should be followed . . . He was inflamed with the basest spite and hatred . . . Consequently, he deserved to be killed by God. He committed an evil deed. Therefore God punished him . . . That worthless fellow . . . preferred polluting himself with a most disgraceful sin to raising up offspring for his brother.
I thought this post and the “longer version” were very good. It could apply to a lot of issues and goes well with the “legalism” post. 🙂
This posting, along with another post of someone else’s, made me think about this topic more in-depth.
It’s certainly a word that’s thrown around a lot – the funny thing is, since I learned of home keeping being a Biblical command 2 + years ago, it’s been hard for me to count anyone as a legalist. 😉
Thank you for sharing!
***He furthermore states that “legalism” is a term often misused and thrown toward anyone whose standards or convictions differ from one’s own.***
again; ive stated it before….it isnt (in my mind at least) legalism when someone else’s standards or convictions difffer from mine. i embrace diversity. It is only legalistic (hating using that terminology andmore) when I or anyone else is exposed to shame, guilt tactics, or holier-than-thou attitudes, due to not having those same persoanl convictions. I do not see many people in life calling those who homeschool legalists, those who breastfeed legalists, or those who do not use birth control, legalists. i do see those circles of people sometimes being ridiculed (just as wrong! or made to defend themselves.) but i dont think it is due to ‘legalsim’…..its more they think we are off our rocker! people cry legalism when they are shamed or made to feel less than, or their walk with God is minimized because they dont embrace the quiverful mindset, homeschooling, etc.
In short, i dont think it is because of the way you live, Kelly, that others come against you, but moreso for ALSO speaking out against public school, birth control, etc….meaning, it isnt how you offensively live that calls for concern of legalism, but rather the negativity about public school, birth control, etc.
I just think it is important that if you are being labeled a legalist, you can see its not because of choices you personally make.its the coming against the choices some of the rest of us make, that could show some legalism.
I only say this spinning off the one phrase in your post that i copied here, above. Just trying to circle it back to why i started this post.
AM