So – if the Bible doesn’t address it directly?

After I posted our Bible study on so-called “debatable issues” of the Christian life (part 1, part 2), I wanted to post one more thought (yes, I’m still catching up!).

There is one thing that concerns me about these issues, and I’m not sure how clearly it came through in the study.

I think today there is a tendency in the Church to say,”If the Bible doesn’t speak to it directly, don’t worry about it.”

Of course, this idea comes from a very legitimate concern.  We certainly don’t want to add things to God’s law – or worse, go against God’s law because of our own rules (Mark 7:9-13).

We also don’t want to set ourselves up as the final judges – able to condemn and absolve based on our own interpretations of Scripture (John 7:24).

And finally, we don’t want to leave the impression that we’ve accepted by God on the basis of our works, and that we are still “until the law” (Romans 6:14).

But notice what the verse I just mentioned actually says.  “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”  Believers want to escape from sin, not just escape from its penalty (see the next verse – Romans 6:15)

I wonder if we have somehow drained the morality out of everything.  We’ve come to think that there are a few basic rules in the Bible, and then we can “do what we want”.

We think that we just have to “love”, and yet we won’t allow the Bible to define what love is.

Sure, the law and the prophets are based on love (Matthew 22:35-40), but if all we needed was the word “love”, why did God give us the rest?

The Bible isn’t about “a few rules”.  It’s about a change of heart, sin conquered, and a life lived in righteousness.

Rather than drain everything of all morality, the Bible fills life with purpose – to live it all to God’s glory.  Even when we eat and drink, we’re to do it to the glory of God (1Corinthians 10:31)!

The author of Hebrews wrote:  Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honourably in all things. (Hebrews 13:18)

The Bible gives us many principles that we can use to help us grow in righteousness.  It’s not like the law we often have in Canada – law that has to be so detailed that every specific case needs to be laid out in yet another volume of rules.  Although the Bible does often talk specifically, it also gives us direction so that we can learn to serve God in everything.

I’m afraid that we’re so afraid of putting an unnecessary burden on someone, that we avoid helping them deal with real life.  Could there be a better way to deal with computer games – with driving habits – with medications – with bank accounts – even though the Bible says very little directly about these things?  Can’t we discuss these things, and help one another serve the Lord in a deeper way?

Don’t get me wrong – I’m not suggesting we come up with a new binding list of rules for our churches about alcohol, debt, clothing and music.  I’m not suggesting we be quick to judge others who don’t agree with us.  I’m not suggesting we start making new measurements of people’s faith and holiness.

I am wondering, however, if we need to stop being so afraid to discuss these things in a serious, biblical way.

I also wonder if our do-what-you-want stance is taking away our power/desire to be a voice of truth and change and holy revolution in society.  If we think that most things really don’t matter, are we really going to want to help our communities?  Are we really going to want to speak out against “evil”, if there is such a thing?

Our postmodern society runs from anything absolute.  Growing up in a postmodern society, I do agree that we need to avoid inquisitions, man-made superfluous commandments, and attitudes that are more critical than caring.

But if we really want to be faithful in all things (1Timothy 3:10-11), if we really want to live to glorify God and offer our lives as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2), doesn’t that mean all of our lives, not just the 10% that we think matter?  Not just the “rules” that we don’t have to think about too much?