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 And God’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 apply to disciples (7) Cannot apply to priests (5) Why apply to David (4)? Hungry Mt.12:1, 3 In need Mk.2:25 Inquired 1 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: profaneguiltless Priests profane Sabbath: are guiltless. 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 guiltless Pharisees condemned the guiltless, 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 Jesus violated their traditions Pharisees violated the Scriptures

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