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Wouldn’t you think that, after seven or
eight decades, I would have all my religious problems worked out? I have
decided that some puzzles, like a clear understanding of the Trinity,
will never be comprehended, and I will chalk that one up to one of God’s
mysteries. Others, like the one I just ran across in 1st Peter, never
seem to go away, and even seem to be magnified as time goes on. What am
I talking about? Take a look at 1st Peter, Chapter 2, verses 13 and 14:
“Submit yourself for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted by
men; whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to the governors
who to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.”
Now look at Chapter 2, verse 1:
“Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect: not only
to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.”
Do I believe in either of these directives for even one minute?
Absolutely not. Both concepts are directly opposed to my strong belief
in the freedom of all men and women as stated in the DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE, that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are
Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” It took almost 150 years
and several amendments to our CONSTITUTION to abolish slavery and give
women the right to vote, but we finally achieved the spirit of the
Declaration of Independence.
Back to the Bible. If I cannot accept the words and ideas of 1st Peter
as words and ideas to live by, then I have shattered my concept of the
infallibility of the Bible, and even the concept that it may not be
accurate in science and history, but it surely is correct in terms of
faith and morals. This is not a position which I enjoy or even promote.
How much more comforting and convenient is it to rely on the Good Book
for my precepts, beliefs, and religious positions. I am not at all happy
with my dilemma. Oh, for a Book upon which I could rely as infallible,
regardless of subject. After all, are we not the “People of the Book?” I
cannot do without this Book. After all, it is the source of knowledge of
my Lord and Savior, his birth, life, death, and resurrection. It is the
story of God’s relationship with his people, and it is our instruction
for loving our God and loving each other. But how can I ever embrace all
the words of this Holy Book when I find messages like those of 1st Peter
with which I cannot, in good conscience, agree?
How, then, can I “keep the faith”? In the front of our Constitution of
the Presbyterian Church, in the Book of Order, there’s a little-known
section called THE HISTORIC PRINCIPLES OF CHURCH ORDER. First among the
eight principles is the one that says: (1)(a) That “God alone is Lord of
the conscience and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments
of men which are in anything contrary to his Word, or beside it, in
orders of faith or worship. For now, in my quest to be true to my
conscience, while relying upon Holy Scripture, this will need to be my
guiding principle. I will trust in God to be the Lord of my conscience,
and will trust in Him to guide and direct me, not only in the reading
and understanding of Holy Scripture, but also in the pronouncements and
laws and overtures of the church. Perhaps some day I will discern a
better way, but for now, as the great reformer, Martin Luther, said at
his trial at the Diet of Worms, “Here I stand. I can do no other. God
help me”.
Robert Bridges, Adult Sunday School Leader
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