Ok, here are a few notes, some problematic, some agreeable:
1.
"This is logical. Even God made boundaries, as He declared in Genesis 1:9,
And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so."
-This is not a boundary, it is a geographical separation to indicate two different types of terrain. God separates land and sky, he doesn't forbid people from walking or flying on His land or sky. There is no trespass involved.
2. And again in
Jeremiah 5:22
I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea, a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass;
Same argument as before, but also, sand and water from the sea often mix and actually feel quite good. Also, God does not forbid His people from walking on the sand or from swimming.
3. In
Hosea 5:10 we read,
"The princes of Judah have become like those who move a boundary; On them I will pour out My wrath like water."
Moving a boundary stone was a serious, serious offense. It is mentioned several times in Deuteronomy and also on Proverbs,
"
Do not move your neighbor's boundary stone set up by your predecessors in the inheritance you receive in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess." (
Deuteronomy 19:14)
"
Cursed is anyone who moves their neighbor's boundary stone." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!" (
Deuteronomy 27:17)
"
Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set." (
Proverbs 22:28)
-The reason this is an offense that they compare to practically theft, is that they're tampering with someone else's property. It's almost as bad as being a thief. So in this regard, I can agree with you, and this is the strongest point for respecting boundaries. However, this physical property violation does not equate to relational and emotional boundary setting, so far as I can see.
4. "Boundaries are there for a reason, and usually there is no need to move them or change them. They alert people as to where to go, and not go. They divide one thing from another thing. Notice the excoriation for those who cunningly and secretly move boundaries. People who do that are the worst of the worst, because you are literally messing with their livelihood. "
Keyword: Divide. Firstly, let's take ground and sky. At what point do they divide? They sky is actually an infinite expanse, that happens to contain within it the earth. So actually, it isn't even a boundary, Technically speaking, the sky encompasses the earth. Second, sand and sea. The bottom of the sea is filled with sand. There really isn't a boundary because they are actually intermingled. Furthermore, there is scientific evidence showing that water seeps into the ground to provide sustenance for plants to grow. Furthermore, water evaporates from the sea into the clouds, and then rains on the ground, so this would be a violation of the boundary, and you would have to say that God is violating his own boundaries, and thus you would call God a sinner in doing so.
Thirdly. Divide. When it comes to relationship, it is absolutely clear the Bible instructs us to not have divisions within the church.
"10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. " - 1 corinthians 1:10-13
We all make mistakes. In the case of this man who trespassed, it is one offense, the Bible instructs you to go to the man and work it out between the two of you, if he listens great, if not, bring another along, if he doesn't, tell the elders, if he still doesn't, then ok. I'm also curious as to if he is a believer or not, because if he isn't a believer, it isn't fair to hold him accountable to a biblical standard he isn't aware of, but is breaking the law. if he was a fellow churchgoer and felt like he had a close relationship with you maybe he didn't see anything wrong with it.
If you never talked to this guy before and he's going on your property, then yes, that's a whole different story, and you do need to protect yourself. context is very important here.
5. The author finishes his article with a reference to Star Trek, not the New Testament, and this is vital. In the Old Testament, people only knew rules, they didn't know the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. Seriously, think about it. A dad is watching his uneducated son Peter be approached by a strange man who asks him to follow him. At this point there isn't a lot known about Jesus other than he was a carpenter. This would probably cause any normal person to set a boundary, right? Jesus was about breaking down barriers, not putting more up.
In short, there is virtually nothing about relational boundaries in this article, and is entirely based on property boundaries, and pretty poorly at that.
The Bible DOES say to avoid foolish controversies and quarrels...but who is to decide what is a foolish controversy? Keeping the unity of the church is not a foolish controversy, it is actually very wise. Someone sincerely asking you to explain boundaries, that the church is teaching, is not a foolish controversy, it is a sign of respect and wisdom.
It is not the healthy that need a doctor, it is the sick, the church isn't for people who think they're better than other people, it's for people who know they aren't and are in need of grace and mercy and want to love others because God loves them, and God's love doesn't have any boundaries, and if we are to reflect God's love, then neither should ours.
