Games People Play: Loaded Questions
Craig Finnestad
July 8th, 2007
In this world, we simply will not know all things. Paul, on of the primary authors of the New Testament, knew this:
1 Corinthians 13:12
Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
Is this Bible passage freeing or frustrating for you?
As we prepare to explore some complex issues: let’s remember a prayer from St. Augustine:
In Essentials, Unity; in Non-essentials, Liberty; in All Things, Charity
How is this prayer helpful to you?
Here are the most common questions we received. The question on war was by far the most common question.
#1 What is the Christian position on war?
One major position is Pacifism
Matthew 5:38-45
You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow. You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.
Matthew 26:52-53
“Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?
What do you find challenging about these texts?
What do you find helpful about these texts?
Martin Luther King said:
Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction. The chain reaction of evil — hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars — must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.
This is obviously a very powerful quote – regardless of if you are a pacifist or not. What can we learn from this writing of Martin Luther King?
Critique of Pacifism
A. Pacifism is to surrender to aggression. The evil which results could be much worse than the evil of a war.
B. Pacifism is utopian, and pacifists unfairly reap the benefits of freedom earned by those willing to sacrifice their lives in war.
What do you think about these critiques of pacifism?
The other position is Just War
Ecclesiastes 3:1 and 3:8
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven…A time for war and a time for peace.
Deuteronomy 20:1-4
When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you! When you prepare for battle, the priest must come forward to speak to the troops. He will say to them, ‘Listen to me, all you men of Israel! Do not be afraid as you go out to fight your enemies today! Do not lose heart or panic or tremble before them. For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!’
Wars have happened throughout history and continue to happen today. Why do you suppose that is?
Just war is to secure peace, of punishing evil-doers, and uplifting the good. –St. Augustine
What do you think about the quote from St. Augustine?
Three principles of a just war.
1. Principle of discrimination. The acts of war should be directed towards the inflictors of the wrong, and not towards civilians caught in circumstances they did not create.
2. Principle of proportionality. The force used must be proportional to the wrong endured, and to the possible good that may come.
3. Principle of minimum force. This principle is meant to limit excessive and unnecessary death and destruction.
What do you think about these principles? How possible are they?
Which position do you find more compelling? Why?
#2 Is there any good news in the Bible for homosexuals?
Leviticus 18:22
Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin.
Romans 1:26-27
That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.
A Statement from the United Methodist Church:
The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.
Conclusion: It is tough to make a case for the Bible endorsing the practice of homosexuality
Another Statement from the United Methodist Church:
All persons are of sacred worth.
Is the Biblical teaching on homosexuality different than our cultural understanding of homosexuality? If so, how?
What does it mean that all people are of Sacred Worth?
A discussion on the way the church treats homosexuals:
The Bible contains six admonishments to homosexuals; 362 to heterosexuals.
Jesus remained silent on the issue of homosexuality.
What do you think about the previous two statements?
Before we start throwing stones at homosexuals
Exodus 20:14-17
You must not commit adultery.
You must not steal.
You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.
You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.
What are some of the ways the Church has mistreated homosexuals?
Do you think committing adultery, stealing, gossiping, or jealously any different practicing homosexuality? If you do, what are those differences?
Ephesians 2:8-10
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
How is this passage good news for homosexuals?
#3 What about those who have never heard the Gospel?
Three views of salvation for those who have never heard?
1. Universalism
All people will be saved by Jesus. No one is damned forever.
Romans 5:18
Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.
2. Restrictivism
God does not provide salvation to those who fail to hear of Jesus and come to faith in him before they die.
John 14:6
Jesus told him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
Acts 4:12
There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.
3. Inclusivism
The unevangelized may be saved if they respond in faith to God based on the revelation they have.
1 Timothy 4:10
This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.
Which of these views is makes the most sense to you? Why?
#4 Why don’t Christians Act Like Christians?
Can you think of a time when a Christian didn’t act like a Christian? What were the effects?
John 13:34-35
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
What behaviors do your either need to eliminate or put in place for you to act more Christ-like?
