Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Thursday June 14, 2007

Biblical Ethics Verses Legal Wickedness: A Widow In The Street

Proverbs 23:23 "Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding."

That we live in a day of conflict between biblical truth and legal evil is beyond denial. Of course this is not new as throughout history there have been periods of legalized evil. That the ancient world legalized all sorts of evil, even to making evil a religious right through Temple Prostitutes making both men and women available for use by the worshipers is well attested to by both secular and biblical history. The Temple of Diana at Ephesus (Artemis) is listed as one the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Such horrible perversion is near incomprehensible in modern cultured society.

Most commentators at least suggest that Rahab may have been a Temple prostitute.

Such practice was legal but morally wrong. I know, I know the heathen by and large were amoral, meaning they had little or no concept of moral right and wrong. Yet the Bible has shone as a bright and divine light on the darkness of the ancient world and now shines as a burning laser ray on our own nation and people.

Often that which is pronounced as legal by mere men is soundly condemned in the pages of Holy Writ. Abortion, while pronounced legal by our exalted legal minds, is certainly condemned in the scripture and in the hearts of people of compassion.

In our text Solomon warned of the importance of a mind that is fertilized by the fourfold fruit of a balanced ethic. Paul used this formula in Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Our age has witnessed the rise of the corporate church with CEO's in place of pastors, with boards of trustees usurping the place of biblical appointed leaders and as a result men who most likely should be forbidden to lead a Christian organization take the place the James, Peter and Paul of biblical times and perform legal functions which are contrary to scripture and the intent of godly men and women. I emphasize that these outrageous actions are legal, but they are not biblical therefore they are not ethically sound. Keep in mind abortion, the murder of over 40 million innocent babies is legal, but it is not ethical according the medical professions own code of ethics often referred to as the "Hippocratic Oath" which proscribes abortion. Doctors by and large have departed from the ethics of their profession and opted for the legality of performing aborticide.

That the clergy is swiftly following the lead of other "professionals" is evidenced on every hand. In our own area a group of college "Trustees" which said board includes several pastors have clearly violated scripture and are filing one lawsuit after another in a an apparent effort to destroy another brother. At this writing a lawsuit has been filed against a former teacher at the said college, the widow of the late president, Dr. Russell Dennis SR. Mrs. Jean Dennis faithfully taught at the college for over twenty years. The Widow Mrs. Dennis has no retirement fund from the college. In the course of time, the Cooperative Board assigned a house for her occupancy for life, at least this was the impression all folks who supported and pushed the college assumed. Recently the court in response to a lawsuit filed by the trustees ruled that the trustees have the power and not the Cooperative Board. This does not come as news to those who know even a modicum of legalese. The trustees, consisting of at least five pastors, have filed a lawsuit for her eviction and for back rent! Legally they will win; unless a judge factors in the intent of past trustees and the main body of supporters prior to the current battle. Also a lawsuit is pending concerning a car. Said car was donated to the college for the express use by the widow Mrs. Dennis. The donor has written that this was truly the reason for the donation. Legally the designation of the donation probably will not stand.

In passing I wonder what kind of Fundamental, Bible believing, Pre-Millennial, Pre-Trib, King James Only 1611, Eternally Secure Christian can stomach their pastor acting as a "Trustee" who with deliberation participates in the filing of lawsuits. To be fair the Trustees are assuring the constituents that they haven't filed a lawsuit. Please take the time to read the attached copy of the lawsuit coming up for hearing Monday July 2, in the year of our Lord 2007 at the Johnson County Courthouse, Franklin, IN. Can these church people read and write? Or have we sunk to the level of morons, who blindly follow a few megalomaniacs who decide our truth for us?

If any one of these pastor/trustees were practicing a clear violation of the biblical proscription against say, adultery, their congregants would throw them out on their ear or other parts. If they were engaged in willful disregard of the groups belief concerning the biblical admonition to abstain from old John Barely Corn, they would need a bartender for a good friend and the pulpit they occupy would be vacant and that instantly. Yet First Corinthians 6:1-8 is a much clearer proscription than are many of the other "sins" the brethren so vociferously condemn.

I leave the other arguments to others, but I, unworthy though I be, must speak for "The Widow In The Street" as the silence concerning this travesty is deafening. Even the beloved Indianapolis Star is at this writing silent on this outrage to Christian compassion and principle.

Tis a sad say when the loudest voice for righteousness is that of a widely known ex-con. Please, will the righteous join with me in crying loud and sparing not?

In following this "war" I have prayed for the Lord to help me to have courage to stand in a situation where I would normally remain quiet as the bulk of my writing is of an entirely different genre. Yet, I see that in this situation I can be a help to many others who make the misstep so eloquently stated by the late Dr. Bob Jones.

"It is never right to do wrong to get a chance to do right."

It does seem to me that a statement made by Richard Foster may cover this intrigue:

"The sin of the Garden was the sin of power."

There is likely enough of this sin to go around most concerned, yet The Widow In The Street deserves better than this at the hands of Christian giants.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2007 Use with credit.

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