Just a post in general on this topic. The topic of morality as defined by Scripture. The argument being that it is better to follow those Scriptural guidelines and not worldly standards even if the worldly standards seem to improve the overall human condition. The example used was avoiding conception through spiritual practice of chastity vs birth control.
I would like to point out that there is another theme in Scripture which I believe points us in a better direction. The one I believe we should follow. The path of kindness.
First, there is the claim of ultimate harm. Again and again that has proven false. The idea that somehow, someway the person who did not follow that Scriptural rule will end up being harmed or harming others. That is false. And has been demonstrated over and over. Women who use birth control have not endured or caused any level of harm greater than those who hold to chastity. By every measure.
Actually I think this is conflating the causes and outcomes and misrepresenting the true nature of what is happening.
First the idea that somehow women taking the pill or having abortions as a form of contraception generally have not endured harm or have caused harm for society is not necessarily true.
One of the side effects of the age of contraception and the secular idea that career and individualism comes first before having kids and a family is there has been a drop in replacement rate of humans. Even without Christianity this is a big problem that potentially will ultimately threateb the human species according to evolution theory.
People talk about the harm being done to animals due to numbers declining from human activity. Yet here is an example of humans doing the same thing to themselves. Which seems crazy. Almost as though humans are consciously destroying themselves due to their ideological beliefs and not natural forces.
Add to this the breakdown in relationships generally, sex and gender identity confusion, fatherless kids, single mothers and all the problems associated including mental illness. It seems there is plenty of harm going on. Harm is a subjective determination. What some see as harm others see as ok and visa versa. Secular ideology dismisses all this as necessary to uphold individual rights over all else.
The point about the Christian worldviewis is a belief about how the world is ordered and who we are. But any secular ideology is just the same and subjective. So all these stats being cited as bad, good and causing harm or not are subjective.
I think fundementally this is a spiritual battle for Christians. Ultimately they see salvation and all the good things we are talking about in Gods Kingdom. By the spirit of Christ and not the flesh or this world. Even requiring that we stop indulging in the pleasures of the flesh. This is a completely different way to see what is good or harmful.
Even at times when the world look good. Because the world will change again and again and what is good will also change. But Christ is the same truth, way and life from the beginning to the end.
Second there is the claim of spiritual harm. That the soul, separate from the body, suffers from sin in the same way the body suffers from illness. Obviously, being entirely subjective, there’s no way to measure that. You just believe it happens. Or you don’t. When it comes to kindness, I believe it doesn’t.
But the idea that there is no soul or spiritual harm is also a belief. Both are subjective. Which relates to the above reply about how all the ideas about what is harm and good is a subjective belief. One worldview belief verses another. Which makes all the stats subjective as well.
I agree that there are certain wrongs and harms we can all know. Christians believe God installed this in our hearts as humans. So you don't have to be a Christian to know this. Like rape and child abuse. Murder and stealing. Funny enough most of the 10 commandments.
But there are many issues that are not so obvious. Like abortion as contraception. Or porn as a norm due to the idea of sexual freedom and liberalism.
Some say that allowing sexual freedom is good and healthy. While others say it can lead to many problems related to objectifying women, confusion and poor role models for sex and relationships. I think its pretty well acknowledged that the sexual revolution in libralising sex outside marriage has led to family and relationship breakdown and harmed children and society as well.
So yes it is subjective and I think the Christian worldview ultimately produces better outcomes when followed. As mentioned earlier the point of Christianity is that it is regarded as a truth for how we should live. Primarily that there is a God that we model this world on and obey.
But secular beliefs differ and don't think there is a God. Humans are the gods. This is still a belief.
The difference is fundementally secular worldview beliefs can never claim there is any moral truth and thus must be open to competing subjective moral beliefs. This itself is harmful because whatever stats you use now will change according to it being subjective. So it willnever find the truth or remain consistent without a fundemental anchor like God.
Third there is the claim of Divine offense. That sin, however harmless, is an offense against God. And depending on a person’s theology they believe either God is angry or God is grieved or both. Again there is no way to know until we are at the judgement seat. I do not fear God’s judgment for following the path of kindness.
I agree kindness is an important qualifyer in Christianity. Along with loving others as ourselves and even being willing to lay down our life for Christ or another.
But what is kindness and love. What is peace and happiness in this world compared to Gods kingdom. How the world sees kindness may actually in the end be harm and evil. This relates to how this is a spiritual battle between two worldview beliefs. Which is a belief and not any fact. Even facts about what is kind is subjective.
So what is that? Here, I hope is a good Scriptural illustration. Commandments 5 and 6. Do not murder and do not commit adultery. Side by side. Neither worse than the other by God’s standard. We do believe, even though we are free from the law, that the 10 Commandments still apply, Right?
Yes I mentioned them earlier. We agree on that one. But what about secular society ? They disagree. Which relates to what I am saying that this really comes down to two different worldview beliefs. Or even competing religious beliefs.
In fact things have become so relative in a postmodern world (of no truth) that even the church has split intoi denominational identities with different beliefs about truth and morality and what is harm.
But God is the same yesterday, today and tommorrow.
And each just as important as the other, Right? And, looking at Lev 20:10 and most of Deut 22 adultery invokes stoning to death. Serious business. Now, here in the New Testament, John 8 specifically, we have a woman caught in the very act of adultery, not just accused or suspected, but caught doing it. So there’s no question about her sin. And there’s no question about what should be done about it. And Jesus knows this. And Jesus never suggested ignoring the law. What does He say? Let the one with no sin throw the first stone!!! That is the principle that should dominate every single attempt to follow God’s law. That is kindness vs morality. Do not make life hard for someone just because you can point to Scripture and claim they are sinners and you’re just following God’s law when you seek to affect their life for the worse.
Christ also said your sin is forgiven and go away and sin no more. So Christ was saying you are saved so no longer indulge in adultery. In fact He says that adultery begins in the heart. Even lusing afyter another mans wife is committing adultery.
Somehow I don't think secular ideology would agree with that.
