Another Entry

May 30, 2007

I Corinthian 8 Vs. 9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

This section of I Corinthians is a continuation of chapter 7 where the Corinthians had written Paul some questions regarding different issues that had come up in the church. These were matters of question. They were not matters of black and white but matters where Christians sometimes disagree as to where to draw the lines. The first question was over marriage and singleness and which is the best way to serve God. It is interesting to me that in that chapter Paul did not say, “Yes, this is always right and this is always wrong.” No, he takes quite a time to discuss different situations and which is best in each. Singleness is the best way of life to serve God in some situations, but if certain things are not true, then marriage is to be preferred above single living.

Some things scripture condemns as always wrong. Homosexuality is always wrong. Adultery is always wrong. Covetousness is always wrong. I have no qualms about condemning gambling because it always involves covetousness and greed. Stealing is always wrong. Murder is always wrong and I am using words carefully; for killing is not always wrong but murder is.

But there are some things scripture actually does not condemn but places in situational contexts. Joseph Fletcher in his book, Situational Ethics almost every publication on situational ethics has referred to the model presented in Fletcher's writings. Fletcher was an Episcopal priest, a member of the Euthanasia Educational Counsel, and an advocate for Planned Parenthood. He was a supporter of both euthanasia and abortion. Situational Ethics, according to Fletcher's model, states that decisionmaking should be based upon the circumstances of a particular situation, and not upon fixed Law. The only absolute is Love. Love should be the motive behind every decision. As long as Love is your intention, the end justifies the means. Justice is not in the letter of the Law, it is in the distribution of Love. Fletcher founded his model upon a statement found in the New Testament of the Bible that reads, "God is Love" (I John 4:8).

The problem with Situational Ethics is Fletcher’s proposition that every decision must be based only on love. Scripture says:

Php 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

Scripture also never justifies the means by the ends. In fact, just the opposite:

2Tim. 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

But having said all that, there are matters of choice where we must give deference to each other. Whether you buy a Ford or a Chevy is not a moral matter and should never cause a problem between us.

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