Relative Ethics
TRINITY note: We have had some great discussion – and debate – about the previous study of the idea of the Trinity. So many comments! Wow, we are thinking! Now a little break while the ideas rest a bit. By the way, no one said we were going to SOLVE this problem. But we do need to see it for what it is — paradigm and theological interpretation. That doesn’t mean it isn’t correct. It just means it isn’t as obvious as we might think. We’ll come back to it again. Soon. Thanks for your participation. I have to gather my arguments to keep going.
Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:17 NASB
Right thing – Before you quickly read through this verse as you probably have dozens of times, ask yourself, “How is the right thing determined?” Who decides what is the “right thing”? James implies something that we might find very uncomfortable. James implies that what is right is determined by what you know. It isn’t a list of rules, a set of divine principles or an external moral code that determines if you are doing the right thing. It’s what you know. If you don’t know it, then you can’t violate it.
“But, wait!” you shout. “That can’t work. There has to be some kind of standard or else everything is just whatever I happen to believe.” And, of course, there must be. But the fact that the standard exists doesn’t make it your standard. Your determination of what is right depends on your examination, study, evaluation and commitment. It is relative, in a way, because it doesn’t specify each and every action you must take, but behind James’ declaration is another factor that changes this relativity into something far more stable. The problem is that we often take this verse out of the context of James’ entire letter and audience, and therefore we think James has become an advocate of a new morality. But James is a Jew and he is writing to the synagogues in the Dispersion. He assumes Torah. Like all committed Jews, whether believers in Yeshua as Messiah or not, James could not imagine a world without the guideposts of Torah. As Heschel says, “A Jew without Torah is obsolete.” And James without Torah is a post-modern relativist.
James is absolutely not arguing that whatever you believe is good enough. What is he arguing is that once you enter into a Torah-based community (which is every community he addressed), then the question is how much and how well you understand what Torah asks and implies. If you have determined that this particular behavior is not justified by Torah, then you are accountable for not keeping it. If you have not yet determined what Torah says about a particular action, then you are not accountable. For example, if you just can’t make up your mind about speaking in tongues after you have studied, consulted and conversed with the Scriptures and the authorities in your community, then it is not a sin to refrain. You don’t know, so you can’t do. But if you have decided that keeping Shabbat (for which there is no alternative) means you must cease sporting activities on that day, then you must be accountable for your action regarding sports.
Two crucial equivocations might result from misreading James. The first is that your personal ethics are just that—personal, and no one should tell you what to do. That is a Greek idea unimaginable to a Jew. Torah is not only God’s instruction, it is very, very personal. God cares about how you act. So should you. The second equivocation is that as long as I have decided for sure what behavior is required, I have an excuse. This is also Greek because it fails to deal with the community of my identity. Community has a direct relationship to my choices and my commitment to a community often means that I adopt a particular behavior even if I have not fully determined its complete meaning because it is what the community does. Knowing in Hebrew is much broader than just having the facts.
So, to those who belong to a Torah community, and who by association or personal conviction have determined what God demands of them, but fail to do so, to them it is sin.
I have a lot to change. What about you?
Topical Index: sin, know, oida, hamartia, James 4:17
ORDERING BOOKS: For the next week, I will be traveling to El Salvador so books that you order until June 11 will be delayed a bit before they can be mailed. Thanks for your patience.
On the one hand it is relative:
(Luk 12:47-48 NET) 47 That servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or do what his master asked will receive a severe beating.
48 But the one who did not know his master’s will and did things worthy of punishment will receive a light beating. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.
On the other hand:
(Mic 6:8 NET) He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the LORD really wants from you: He wants you to promote justice, to be faithful, and to live obediently before your God.
(Ecc 12:13-14 NET) Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion: Fear God and keep his commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will evaluate every deed, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. [Which means there is a standard]
So is it relative or is it not?
There is a standard. It is applied relatively. How’s that for standing on both sides of the issue at the same time?
Paul says that whatsoever is not of faith is sin not what rule you keep.
I recently listened to a message from the Israel trip. The point was made of the different groups that attended synoguage in the first century. They did not hold the same beliefs and yet worshipped together. I found a
I recently listened to a message from your Israel trip. The point was made of the different groups that attended synagogue in the first century. They did not hold the same beliefs and yet worshipped together. I found a peace in this in that I can stay and worship in a place where I am in disageement at times. But this “Word of the Day” seems to say that if this assembly sets up guidelines for Shabbat keeping, let’s say, I am obligated to their beliefs even if they are not my own?
Thank you for such great study subjects. I am enjoying each day’s readings.
The point about ethics and community is that the role of the rabbi is to establish a standard for the behavior of the community. The standard is based on Torah but the application must fit the circumstances of the community. So, for example, we no longer live in an agrarian society but we must still honor Sabbath. How do we do that? One rabbinic school in Jerusalem established the norm of the Shabbat elevator that stops on every floor so that you don’t have to push the button and create a spark (light a fire), but other schools of thought in Jerusalem don’t follow this application. Yet they all try to honor Shabbat and they worship together. The Torah doesn’t change but the circumstances of the community do, so we need new applications. This is what Paul is doing in his letters, showing his assemblies how to apply Torah in the midst of circumstances not specifically described in Torah (like speaking in tongues).
Sometimes I do wonder if it is not so much about what I do or don’t do, but what I do or don’t do about what I do or don’t do. I mean, life is such a guess-and-check for me. Application of that Law is different, for me, anyway, in so many situations. “What would love do here?” is a hard question sometimes! I find myself driving in my rearview mirror all the time. My prayers have to do with looking at my past and asking if I really did do the right thing. I spend a lot of time asking for forgiveness, for a chance to try it again, or a better way to understand it. I think Skip wrote a TW about this where he mentioned that he thought we did not get a Voice in the ear telling us absolutely every little thing to do because part of growing up is learning from experience how to apply that Law. I do know not to put guilt about the past in my tank to run my future (yes, I did learn that one); I know to come to a resolution as soon as things come up, but so often I really do not know AT THE TIME what I should do.
I have decided, therefore, that I will accept that it is ok not to always know in advance HOW to apply that Law, but that is why I must keep my heart open to the work of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Who will work out the love of the Father (yes, it all looks like One God to me) if I let Him. So many times the action or decision turns out to be so very different than the one I would have thought. The Law still looks so clear and cut and dried to me, and love still looks so muddy and fuzzy. So many times I have been prompted to go along with things in the interests of keeping fellowship with very lost people that ends up getting me so muddy in that ditch, and I get so confused, but then later I see that the important thing is the trust of others, and keeping trust. The higher aims of that Law are all about relationship. So many of the injuries I have sustained in my past have to do with others using their understanding of the Law to fracture relationship, and so many people around me are nursing wounds caused by folks who have judged or acted out of fear, in the name of righteousness.
I really think that it is not the fault of the Law that we do not know what love is. It is in the application of it that we get confused. I have concluded that, for me, it is always going to be beyond me how to apply the Law. If the Lawgiver is not living in me, operating through me, teaching and showing me as things happen, then I am lost. Having the Law is not enough. These days I try to focus on just showing up and punching a time clock and being available, and praying that He does His own good pleasure through me. And later, I will look back, and the parts that look like Him instead of me will look like that good and perfect Law. I get to see what it is in retrospect! All of Him, and none of me, looks more and more like freedom. My responsibility is to show up, be willing and in agreement with that Law, and then turn it over to Him to do His good pleasure in me. Wait, isn’t that what Jesus said He did, too?
One of the issues is that we as Christians have adopted Luther’s priesthood of the believer so that we no longer live in a community of authority. We think we have to decide everything for ourselves. That is a very Greek idea. But the biblical view is based on communal involvement and communal authority. You act in a certain way because you are part of a community that acts in this way. There isn’t any guesswork. It’s just the way that the community lives. We must do our best to get out of the “it’s all about me and God” into the “God is working in my community.”
Cheryl, the point you make also gave me pause.
Skip, just before I read this I was asking, “Father, which is the higher priority in this situation – to observe the Sabbath and rest, or to travel with my daughter while she takes her children to their tournament?” (Lest anyone think this is a ‘no brainer,’ she is in the middle of a divorce, and has five daughters.) When I ask a heartfelt question, and it is immediately followed with words that mirror it, I pay attention. I am reminded that He has answered us even before we have called to Him, and am grateful.
I ask my friends in this community to please remember my daughter in this difficult time. Also my son-in-law, for whom my specific prayer is that the Father will impact his life in such a way that he will forever know without a doubt that it is God, and turn to Him.
1. Skip, thank you so much for bringing this point to the forefront. It’s one of my “life” verses and has always been “clear” to me through YHVH’s teaching me– WAY before I ever knew about a Bible. However, once I started reading the comments that followed, I stopped in my tracks, honestly surprised that this could be so confusing. I am thinking these things: A.) We need to come to The Almighty as little children, without baggage, without a “soapbox” or a defense of certain denominations or prejudices (“we” meaning ALL who seek to glorify YHVH, including Israelites.) THAT TAKES WORK ON SELF. B) We need to CONSTANTLY, alertly shake off the “Greek thinking.” (It reminds me of what AA calls “stinkin thinkin!”) THAT TAKES WORK ON SELF. C) We need to PRAISE YHVH for fellowship!!!! Oh how happy I am when I read the comments from sincere servants of YHVH and want to learn what He has been trying to teach us for about 2000 years in terms of “church” (which, to my way of thinking nowadays is the gentile grafted in to the Israelite way who is taught directly by GOD… not necessarily by rabbinic tradition. Skip wrote: the role of the rabbi is to establish a standard for the behavior of the community. The standard is based on Torah but the application must fit the circumstances of the community. I’d like to highlight “based on Torah.” Not the rabbi’s personal thoughts. Not the rabbi’s other books. I’d also like to highlight “the application must fit the circumstances.” God is not trying to trick us or over-burden us!) OH MY GOSH we have a lot to learn… and to un-learn!
2) To all of you who are conflicted about what you are to do and not do on Sabbath, my heart is burdened to pray for you. (Sabbath is so totally freeing to me but there are definite restrictions for that sanctified day… for me, it all has to do with the heart whenever there’s a question. [I will add that I have become disabled in the last 13 years so my activity is severely limited but my prayer time has greatly increased!.])
Gayle, I’m so sorry for the grief that is going on in your family and I am especially sad when I think about those kids. You, of course, are not “the Lone Ranger.” (Remember him?) Families today are sooooooo messed up, for the most part. Ours is right up there on the top of the heap!
Please, Everyone, let’s pray sincerely for one another.
Skip, your trip to El Salvador is on my heart and I will seek YHVH on your behalf.
Breaking fellowship is tatamount to breaking the Law. If at all possible, we should live peaceably with all. We devour each other in the Body over and over in the name of righteousness. The wounds we give and receive in the house of our friends always cut the deepest.
BUT, BUT, BUT. Does it then follow that if that Body is heading off a cliff we should be driving the wagons?
If there were a convening of all people of all faiths on this planet tomorrow that decided that, in the name of fellowship, we should all agree to change Shabbat to Sunday, would you, Skip, also agree, in the name of going along with the community? I know that is harsh, but where exactly should the Law play in this? Where is the dividing line for you? For me?
The STANDARD is Torah. Any fellowship that opposes what it specifically teaches must be looked on with great suspicion. In fact, in the end, those who continue to practice what Torah opposes do so outside of the community of the faithful and we must leave them behind. That doesn’t mean, by the way, not interacting with them. It means that our walk will have to be fateful to the AUTHOR of the faith, not to the disciples who claim to be following. As I have said on more than one occasion, once Christianity gave up the primacy of Torah, it was cast adrift on the sea of rational ethics alone. It no longer has a prophetic base. The result has been 2000 years of chaos and 50,000 denominations preaching a gospel of grace without the obligation of obedience.
Thank you. And amen.
That’s why some of us belong to Confessional Churches where the teachings are offered in a subordinate standard (Confession and/or Catechism) that does not replace Scripture, but is an attempt to present the teachings of Scripture in community.
Thank you, Daria. I love this community.