Hard cases make bad laws

Joseph Fletcher popularized situation ethics in U.S.

Many churches that opposed him then now embrace his conclusions

I. Biblical Situation AndGod’s Law (Mt.12:1-8)

I. Biblical Situation AndGod’s Law (Mt.12:1-8)

Report: “Hunger of disciples set aside law of

God; Jesus defended them” Wrong: verse 7, guiltless

Dt.23:25 They violated only tradition of elders

“Reaping” was one of 39 kinds of work forbidden on Sabbath

Reply # 1: v.3-4, David

4, entered house of God (not fields) 4, ate special loaves (not grain)

Some say David sinned; Jesus exposed Pharisaical hypocrisy

Another view: Jesus questions their use of the law itself

Have you not read…?

Pharisees appeal to interpretation;Jesus appeals to Scripture

“Not lawful”: their term (2…10)

Pharisees forgot God’s mercy (7)

Accident fallacy (hasty generalization): there are exceptions

Cannot applyto disciples

(7)

Cannot applyto priests

(5)

Why applyto David

(4)?

HungryMt.12:1, 3

In needMk.2:25

Inquired1 Sm.21-22

Exceptions to some laws

Jn.7:21-23, circumcision – sabbath 1 Pt.2:13, law (Ac.4:19-20) 2 Sm.12:5, 13

Hb.10:25

Some misuse exceptions:Lv.10; 2 Sm.12:5, 13; 2 Chr.30

Reply # 1: v.3-4, David

Reply # 2: v.5, priests Lv.24:8; Nu.28:9-10: Sabbath exceptions

Contradicts Pharisees’ view of Sabbath One greater than temple:

Priests profaneprofane Sabbath: are guiltlessguiltless. Their work exceeded the disciples’ plucking of grain; Law required it

Knows Sabbath better than they. Disciples serve greater and true Temple of God, the Son of man

Reply # 1: v.3-4, David Reply # 2: v.5, priests

Reply # 3: v.7, they are innocent

Not determined by situation, but by provision in Scripture itself

They violated no law Pharisees condemned the guiltlessguiltless, v.7

Reply # 1: v.3-4, David Reply # 2: v.5, priests Reply # 3: v.7, they are innocent

Reply # 4: v.8, Lord of Sabbath

Lord of the Sabbath knows better than they what violates it

Jesusviolated

theirtraditions

Phariseesviolated

theScriptures

I. Biblical Situation And God’s Law (Mt.12:1-8)I. Biblical Situation And God’s Law (Mt.12:1-8)

II. Modern Situations AndGod’s Law (Mt.12:1-8)

II. Modern Situations AndGod’s Law (Mt.12:1-8)

1. Atheism:location determines beliefs

Iranian; Italian; German; British; US 1st century: Mt.28; Mk. 16; Lk.24; Ac.

1:8, bold teaching, hard evidence If Jesus was raised from dead, why not

tell everyone? Mt.8:11, international Savior

2. Faith alone

Inconsistent: if faith is only item mentioned, it is “alone” [1 Pt.3:21]

Situation ethics: on way to be baptized, hit by car [Jesus said…but…]

Emotional appeal: dying soldier; Floyd Collins

The thief False assumption:

If emotions determine issue . . . universalism

“Are you saying X is lost because he was not baptized?”

Repented

Confessed sins

Defended Jesus

Believed Jesus

3. Missionary society

Briney: voluntary w/in church method aid people lost w/o it

Col.1:23 Would God give us a work w/o

organization to do it?

Some reject M. Society, but:*repeat its error*use its proofs (emotions, not Scripture)

4. Morals

Gambling: “Supports education; pays taxes, builds roads, makes life better”

Slippery slope: Nevada counties tax fornication Where is the Scripture? It is covetousness (ads)