Few, if any, Christians choose to disobey God’s commands. Should be an obvious statement, but I hear people say, “They just don’t want to do what God says.” If someone is convinced that a command is universally and eternally applicable, they won’t deliberately disobey it.
The problem is in the determination of the scope and application of commands that we find in the New Testament. That’s where CENI (short for Commands, Examples, Necessary Inferences) fails us. It doesn’t give us any tools to make those determinations. We can say that Paul’s commands about head coverings for women were only applicable to the Corinthian situation, but we need to have some basis for saying that. We can see the stipulations of the letter in Acts 15 as being limited to the first century, but why? On what grounds? Merely chanting “direct commands, approved examples and necessary inferences” doesn’t get us there.
Another twist is the fact that not all commands are expressed as imperatives and not all imperatives are commands. Some real life examples might help on this. If I say, “Come on in, have some coffee,” I haven’t really given you a command. It’s an invitation, expressed with imperatives. “Have a good day!” is not a command. In the same way, if your company’s handbook says, “The employee will not consume caffeine during the course of the day,” that affirmation has the weight of a command. (though the Supreme Court would throw that out as cruel and unusual punishment)
When Paul describes “bishops” to Timothy in 1 Timothy 3, is he giving a command within that description? Is it just for Ephesus or is that for all places? Is it just for the first century or is it for all times?
At times Paul admits that he’s writing his own ideas (1 Corinthians 7:12), while at times he passes on commands directly from God (1 Corinthians 7:10). And at times, he gives conflicting commands for different contexts. To the Corinthians, Paul writes that those who are not married should remain single if possible (1 Corinthians 7). To Timothy, Paul says that younger widows should marry and have children (1 Timothy 5:14).
Back when I posted about starting from zero, someone wrote on my Facebook page: “Silly question. There is no way to start from zero. We have commands from the God we worship regarding how He wants us to worship Him. Who are we to do anything else but follow those commands?” Oh that it were so simple.
I think everyone wants to follow God’s commands, when we are convinced that those commands apply to us. Determining the scope and application of God’s commands goes beyond the capabilities of CENI. We need a more complete hermeneutic.
[From time to time I have to repeat this disclaimer: I don’t believe in salvation by works. I do believe in grace. Read this post if you’re still confused: Created For Good Works]
Have you ever scrolled around the blog of John Mark Hicks and read his stuff on hermeneutics? It’s heady reading but definitely substantive. Also, have you ever read Tom Olbricht’s “Hearing God’s Voice: My Life with Scripture in Churches of Christ”? Olbricht’s book is certainly easier reading as well as humorous and replete with fascinating stories about the Churches of Christ of yesterday.
I’ve read John Mark’s stuff, at least a lot of it. I need to read Olbricht’s book; the two courses I took with him had a great impact on how I see the Bible.
this might end up in our bulletin, that way both of us can look for work together
Work? I thought you were a preacher, Brian.
For me it is a great frustration. I agree but how do you get people to see scripture differently? I don’t believe it was God’s intention and just has us creating Laws that we then replace with those actually given to love God and others. I love the desire of Churches of Christ to be biblical just not all of the fruit of that desire.
Great thoughts as usual.
“I don’t believe in salvation by works. I do believe in grace.”
Tim, please tell me how we garner the grace of God, if we refuse to do his work.
Gen 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
Gen 6:9 These [are] the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man [and] perfect in his generations, [and] Noah walked with God.
chen = grace = favor =acceptance
Gen 18:3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
Zacharias & his wife Elisabeth, found favor with God. Why?
Luk 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
Luk 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
Why– Luk 1:46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
Luk 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.