Articles
Does Silence Always Prohibit? - 2
Scripture does not attempt to enumerate every possible form of transgression and then prohibit it or discuss all the possible shades of application. Granted, it does make some things crystal clear: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor 6:9-10; cf. similar lists in Gal 5:19-21; Eph 4:25-5:5).
But note that Paul concludes the works of the flesh with the phrase “and the like” (Gal 5:21). This means “other things resembling these.” All sin has the same basic characteristics of excessive selfish indulgence, destructive effect, and transgression of God’s laws whether the specific act is listed or not. God’s word may be “silent” on transgenderism, abortion, abuse of prescription (“legal”) drugs, creating human institutions through which the church works and any number of “modern” aberrations, but there is enough information revealed generically or on related matters to extend prohibitions to “the like.” It is invalid to argue that addiction to Percocet is not sinful because Scripture never mentions the drug.
But a word of warning here: We must be careful of creating a “false continuum.” It is possible to weave a mosaic of scripture references that seems valid but is in fact erroneous. One clear example is the entire millennial scenario of end-time events which cobbles together scores of passages which have no true relation to one another. Another application: 1) the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19); 2) the temple is holy and not to be defiled (1 Cor 3:17); 3) whatever defiles the body is sinful; therefore, it is sinful to consume processed foods, carbonated drinks, sugar … and anything else anyone wants to add to the list. Or, it is sinful to play with a deck of cards because cards are used in gambling, and gambling is evil, and Paul said “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Th 5:22, KJV). This kind of reasoning creates a hyper-legalistic mindset that seeks to control behaviors in others that it finds offensive.
On the positive side, the silence of Scripture provides great latitude to appropriately tailor the local church’s work and worship to its own setting. By “silence” I mean things that are authorized by commands or instruction but not specified. For example, the NT tells of Christians meeting to pray, partake of the Lord’s supper, contribute, sing and teach the word. This apparently was done by the earliest disciples in the temple (Ac 2:46), but one cannot imagine the elders and Sadducees allowing this for very long. Other passages mention the connection between churches and houses (Phile 2; Rom 16:5). Thus the Bible is “silent” on the specific manner in which a church provides accommodations for meeting. Can it own a building for this purpose? Yes, but that option may not be practical in certain situations (large cities with expensive property values). Can it rent a facility? Or meet in a tent or under a “brush arbor”? Or in catacombs, as in the case of some early Christians who met under duress? Such flexibility is appropriate to a diverse global environment.
Determining what is authorized by generic principles can get quite sticky. The church is instructed to store funds; i.e., have a “treasury” (1 Cor 16:1-2). But can it have a bank account? Some say no and demand a specific passage. But trickier still, can it draw interest on that account? Some adamantly say no, for that is prospering apart from free will offering. Others justify it on the principle of good stewardship given that the value of currency usually diminishes over time. If a congregation cannot receive interest on a bank account, can it sell its property at current market value or does it have to receive only the dollar amount paid years previously? Even muddier, can a congregation that disbands contribute its stored funds to the treasury of another church? There are endless scenarios that Scripture does not specifically address, and they challenge us to respect both the silence and the positive authority that inheres in God’s word.
