Expert: Todd Tyszka - 5/27/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi Todd

In considering and asking about some of the more difficult questions concerning Christian living (eg. moral dilemmas for which there do not seem to be any sinless alternatives), I find myself confronted with the 'absolutist' school of thought which teaches that God's directives such as contained in the Ten Commandments for example, are totally absolute; as opposed to the 'situational' school of thought which relies more on the nature of the circumstances in order to determine morality.   

Because of my belief in the infinite nature of God and trust in His thinking as opposed to mine, I have been firmly in the 'absolutist' camp.

However, I am now having some trouble in this area.

For example, I do not understand God's unusual tolerance of polygamy in the Old Testament.

In general, situations of ongoing sinfulness in the Old Testament, seemed to be dealt with via divine warnings given by prophets, followed by divine sanction if such warnings were ignored.

However, the practice of polygamy was engaged in even by the highest profile and most Godly of men, without the matter even resulting in a comment, let alone a warning or sanction of any kind.

How can this be, unless there was some kind of reason for it such as a gross oversupply of females that would otherwise have destabilized the whole society?

If this was the case however, we now have an example of a 'situation' for which the solution was a relaxing of what is generally regarded as an absolutely non-negotiable directive given at creation, regarding the marriage of one man to one woman only.

How might this phenomenon be explained?

Also, I saw the movie called 'Schindler's List' recently.

In order to save hundreds of Jewish people from certain torture and eventual extermination by the Nazis, Schindler engaged in a sophisticated program of lies and deceit.

By this means, he was able to keep his underground rescue program going, without raising the suspicions of the enemy.

In other similar situations where any hesitation, evasiveness, silence or non-committal type behavior would immediately arouse suspicion, many others also engaged in deliberate lies and deception, so as to try and save innocent people from horrific torture and death.

In light of the divine prohibition contained in the Ten Commandments, against lying and deceiving - how do you think God might view the actions of Schindler and others like him, who sincerely felt that under such extraordinary circumstances, they had no choice other than to do what they did?

Many thanks

Richard



ANSWER: Hi Richard! You brought up two issues it seems... Polygamy and situational ethics. Neither ones are justified in Scripture and I believe strongly that Scripture firmly dictates that we are to obey Scripture no mater what the situation. It appears that God "allowed" certain people in the OT to marry multiple people, yet it was with always with consequence and God never said He allowed it. This is obviously not he case in the NT.

I hope this helps and if you have any other questions, please let me know.

Todd

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QUESTION: Hi Todd

Thank you for your prompt reply.

Re situational ethics - to make the issue more personal, I have considered what I would do if a known murderer/rapist broke into my home when my young daughters were sleeping upstairs, and asked about other people in the house.

There is no doubt that my protective instincts would take over completely. I would engage in all manner of deceit and trickery in order to protect my children.

I would lie and pretend to be cooperative until I could I set up a distraction that would attract outside attention such as starting a fire for example, so as to give me the best chance of saving my family.

I am told that God looks at the heart. Would He judge me any differently to a malicious liar/deceiver do you think, given the circumstances?

What would you do in this situation?

Kind regards

Richard

ANSWER: I hope I answered your previous question and as far as this one, I believe it is CLEAR that we are not to lie... Can you take Scripture to say answer anything else? Also, what if you obeyed God and in this sin-filled life God allowed someone to take your daughter's life? Would He not bless you (and her) for obeying His clear command not to lie? I think so...

Todd

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Todd

I understand where you are coming from and while I can sort of accept it at the head level, I can not at the heart level.

If God tested me in this respect, I would fail because it is more than I can bear.

It is one thing to give your own life which I would gladly do in this situation, but it is hard to swallow, that someone else's life can be so easily let go - let alone that of an innocent child who would experience terror and agony beyond belief.

God let His own Son suffer and die, but Jesus was a consenting adult who knew the score.

To so easily put the life of innocent little girls into the hands of a brutal rapist/killer, is not something that I could bear to do.

Perhaps I am lacking in character.

Answer
Richard, God's commands are not supposed to be easy and their entire purpose is so we can see that we cannot always follow them, as hard as we may try, and therefore must depend on Him. A mantra of mine is "sin is NEVER beneficial but always harmful, even when we don't see the consequences." I hope this helps and I encourage you to obey God in every without compromise... I promise you will never regret it. You have His Word on it!

Todd