When the Bible is Silent!!

The Simple Plan · Feb 1, 2003

One of the realities is that the Bible does not have a hard and fast rule for each situation we face. Indeed the inspired word sets a lot of guidelines but one can be hard pressed to find absolute answers for each situation we face.

For example how do you counsel a battered wife on biblical guidelines for her when her husband quotes to her that she must submit with all humility? How do you directly counsel a young person who although abstaining from coitus seeks relief in other forms? Biblical guidelines for courting, contraception,smoking or having a swift pint of lager...and the list goes on.

Added to this the fact that Christianity as a whole have different schools of biblical interpretation in all but the basic doctrines.

Christian authors have long realised that as Christians we form our own worldview based on our own "prejudices", community and backgrounds. This however should never come into play when we seriously sit down and wait for the Lord to give us an answer on a subject. Sometimes we need to refer to the Bible for a direct word, other times we look for a direct revelation from the Lord through prayer or a testimony, sometimes we need to employ pragmatism and learn of the experiences of those who have gone on before us.

More importantly just like those we have to earnestly seek God for those answers where we feel even taking into consideration. surrendering self to a God whose mind like ours is not finite!!

Thoughts??

 

Gerry · Feb 1, 2003

Completely disagree!

GraftMeIn · Feb 1, 2003

I think that many times we might be looking to hard for answers in the Bible, thinking the answer should pertain to a particular situation. instead of what it causing the situation to occur. I fully believe that the Bible has all the answers we need.

Sometimes we need look beyond the situation and look at what the cause of the situation might be. Take for example seeking our own desires, our own pleasures.

Proverbs 21:171
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

1 Timothy 5:6
But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

1 Corinthians 10:6
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

James 1:14-15
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

The previous scriptures can cover a multitude of different situations. such as the ones you descirbed.

As far as a husband abusing his wife and using scripture to hold her captive. How can he use one scripture as an excuse for what he is doing, while refusing to follow the rest of them? Such as, Do unto others, as you would have others do unto you. The Bible does contain information about how a man should treat his wife.

Athlon4all · Feb 1, 2003

This however should never come into play when we seriously sit down and wait for the Lord to give us an answer on a subject.

Agreed. There are areas where the Bible isn't specific about, but with the Holy Spirit's guidance as GraftMeIn said, we will be shown His will. Bible reading should never be done apart from the Holy Spirit. It is by the Spirit that we are taught the things of the LORD through the Word. Sometimes we should just sit down and say "LORD, show me your divine will." Although there are things that may seem good in themselves (for example we are told to serve), but its not specific. Thats where the LORD has a divine will for each of us and we need to diligently seek the LORD's will. But, often the Word is a tool that the Spirit uses to show us the LORD's divine will.

And also although this isn't the point of this post, some of the examples you gave it is clear what the Christian should do (the wife should submit even though her husband isn't being nice, the husband should treat his wife with love, the child shouldn't smoke anything because its against the law (Romans 13:1), etc).

seangoh · Feb 2, 2003

The Word is an essential tool for the understanding and fulfilling of God's purpose in our lives. I would only know the law by His Word and would only know God more by His Word. The Holy Spirit has been given to aid us in understanding and applying the principles as stated. There are many circumstances that we can face of which the Bible does not specifically counsel on, but to gain an overall view of us as God's children, thus understanding His requirements, would give us more answers to the questions we have on this earth.

Gerry · Feb 2, 2003

Yes, and I would think, according to my studies and understanding of the scriptures that they do indeed contain the answers to every problem or situation we may ever encounter in this life. The problem is we do not always see or understand the answer before us. That is why it is so essential that we always pray for guidance and understanding before we ever look.

Job_38 · Feb 2, 2003

I have to disagree Gerry. What does the Bible say on playing video games? Violent ones? Sure, it gives examples of things similar to that, but not that problem. What it does, it provides a foundation in which we build. But morality is seen not only in the Bible, but in our world. It is part of the world. See Romans, Chapter one.

Gerry · Feb 2, 2003

Originally posted by Job_38
I have to disagree Gerry. What does the Bible say on playing video games? Violent ones? Sure, it gives examples of things similar to that, but not that problem. What it does, it provides a foundation in which we build. But morality is seen not only in the Bible, but in our world. It is part of the world. See Romans, Chapter one.

So you disagree that as human beings we can overlook or fail to see something in God's Word that we seek? You disagree that we should always pray and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit before we look? You disagree that God has given us the Holy Spirit to guide us into all Truth?

But to answer your question, specifically, have you considered the deeper meaning of these two scriptures, and how they may apply to our lives?

GraftMeIn · Feb 2, 2003

Originally posted by Job_38
I have to disagree Gerry. What does the Bible say on playing video games? Violent ones? Sure, it gives examples of things similar to that, but not that problem. What it does, it provides a foundation in which we build. But morality is seen not only in the Bible, but in our world. It is part of the world. See Romans, Chapter one.

But we are not of the world.

1 John 2:15-17
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

So where do violent video games come from? The world! They are certainly not from God.

 

The Simple Plan · Feb 2, 2003

There is the old adage, "Speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent."

The Bible is silent on
- Courting/Dating. Maybe because arranged marriages were the norm in Bible times.
- Whether instrumental music should be used with singing in church. This is mysteriously absent from the early church.
- Tithing in the NT. Although no longer a mandatory requirement does the Bible ever suggest this is done away with.

I firmly believe that the Bible is silent about some issues in a hard and fast way as per my first post. What this therefore means is that discernment is needed through the guidance of the Holy Spirit to reach a conclusion. The principles for Christian living are defined in the Bible, but for fellowship I wanted us to discuss how we would discern specifics for those issues not prevalent in bible times, such as courting, playing instruments in church,etc.

Could we do that?

Dave

Gerry · Feb 2, 2003

Dave what on earth are you talking about? The Bible is silent on all these things? Oh Dave! No! But I will alow you to discuss any specifics you desire.
I will certainly not be a negative voice in it.

sbbqb7n16 · Feb 2, 2003

One of the realities is that the Bible does not have a hard and fast rule for each situation we face. Indeed the inspired word sets a lot of guidelines but one can be hard pressed to find absolute answers for each situation we face.

Wow this is like the tenth time I've used this verse today....

Romans 13:10 "Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."

In all cases we are to love.

Your "husband-wife" scenario wasn't very loving of the husband was it? Maybe if he would read the verse he quoted to her, he would see that his responsibility to her is to love her like Christ loves the church... and if he doesn't fulfill his respsonsibility to her, why should he think that she ever consider "submitting in humility" to him?

The Simple Plan · Feb 2, 2003

I am willing to be corrected wherever I have set my foot wrong, but I believe discourse on this and use of the texts wherever appropriate would help us to clarify any misunderstandings on this issue. We are not going to always agree but sharing our understanding of these issues through prayer and meekness will help us to grow.

So here goes please provide me hard and fast rules (or indeed principles) in the Bible for the following, if one was asked for advice on:

- Instrumental Music in Church
- Biblical advice on dating
- Contraception
- Victims of domestic abuse

Blessings
Dave :clap:

GraftMeIn · Feb 2, 2003

Instrumental Music in Church

An example of musical intruments being used in order to give praises to God from the OT.

1 Chronicles 15:16
And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.

2 Chronicles 5:12-14
Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets) It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

Psalms 33:2-3
Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

The Simple Plan · Feb 2, 2003

To be honest I can see that this thread is not going in the direction I intended, and I think it would take away from the edification of this froum to explain what I mean so I will politely bow out of this one.

"There is a time so speak and a time to be silent"

Thanks for your posts anyhow and I still love y'all

Blessings
Dave :clap:

Gerry · Feb 2, 2003

Originally posted by The Simple Plan
To be honest I can see that this thread is not going in the direction I intended, and I think it would take away from the edification of this froum to explain what I mean so I will politely bow out of this one.

"There is a time so speak and a time to be silent"

Thanks for your posts anyhow and I still love y'all

Blessings
Dave

Let me make something clear. I love you in Christ as is the natural thing to do. We are brothers no matter if we disagree on some points of doctrine. As long as we have the one on Jesus right, there is plenty of things to talk about.

Now, as for bowing out, no, I don't think so. You have instituted this discussion, now you "LEAD" it and that way it will go in the direction you intended it. All will simply not agree.

Just as many totally discount the revelance of the OT to our lives today, and insist it is Law that we no longer live under, it is nevertheless true that it has an "application" to our lives today.

Just as God told them to "cross over the river Jordan", I believe that has an application to us today. Does that mean we have to travel to the Holy Land and cross the river Jordan? No, of course not. But it clearly has a spiritual, and symbolic application and sifnificance to us today.

So continue in your discussion, by all means. OK?

GraftMeIn · Feb 2, 2003

Originally posted by The Simple Plan
To be honest I can see that this thread is not going in the direction I intended, and I think it would take away from the edification of this froum to explain what I mean so I will politely bow out of this one.

"There is a time so speak and a time to be silent"

Thanks for your posts anyhow and I still love y'all

Blessings
Dave

And we still love you Dave. I guess I'm realy not sure just what it is you're looking for here.

 

Kirisutokyoo-shinja · Feb 2, 2003

Originally posted by The Simple Plan
I am willing to be corrected wherever I have set my foot wrong, but I believe discourse on this and use of the texts wherever appropriate would help us to clarify any misunderstandings on this issue. We are not going to always agree but sharing our understanding of these issues through prayer and meekness will help us to grow.

So here goes please provide me hard and fast rules (or indeed principles) in the Bible for the following, if one was asked for advice on:

- Instrumental Music in Church
- Biblical advice on dating
- Contraception
- Victims of domestic abuse

Blessings
Dave

Psalms 150

One of my favorites.

The Simple Plan · Feb 3, 2003

I am heading out for a client job today but I will try and formulate the position a bit more clearer this evening. It is now 9:50 GMT so I will see you online later.

I know you love me Gerry and GMI and all. You can't help but LOVE me....LOL.

..to be continued
Dave :clap:

Gerry · Feb 3, 2003

Originally posted by The Simple Plan
I am heading out for a client job today but I will try and formulate the position a bit more clearer this evening. It is now 9:50 GMT so I will see you online later.

I know you love me Gerry and GMI and all. You can't help but LOVE me....LOL.

..to be continued
Dave

Hmmm! You know, you are right!!! I often wondered why Jesus commanded us to love one another, when I find it very easy to love brothers and sisters. It is both a Joy and pleasure, and indeed a blessing!

When the Bible is Silent!!

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