When dealing with the issues of self-directed persons and society, the biblical student may turn to the last verse of the book of Judges reading: In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit. The passage appears as though fresh at the moment of writing, but it is repeated from Moses’ statement in Deuteronomy. It may seem like a stroke of insight that the author gained from the atrocities that preceded the statement – events related to Samson and the ensuing society, illustrations of general spiritual decline and social confusion.
When I became a serious graduate student in the field of rhetoric and logic, I was struck with the methodology that I had learned earlier as basic in biblical studies. When dealing with the rhetorician’s context of thought, or a trend in rhetoric, we were expected to relate practices or theories of our period of study with the concepts of Aristotle in one of his epic works, De Rhetorica. We were expected to show, as part of our conclusions, the similarities or differences between the rhetorician or movement and Aristotle. One might choose a different authority to set the standard, but Aristotle was the king in that his work is the first of its kind in the west that is extant. Aristotle’s work is substantive, in its insights and theory for western thought. Any change in the nearly 2500 years since Aristotle is to be analyzed and justified or rejected through research. Aristotle became first measure, just as biology’s evolutionists make Darwin first measure of their theories. They commonly point out where the original theorist was right or wrong.
The people of God, following the directions of the Lord, were commanded to measure their lives by a standard. For Israel the Aristotle or Darwin was Moses. From Moses the law of God was given, a law by which all persons should measure (evaluate) beliefs and conduct. The concept continued in theory for the orthodox in Israel to the present day. For Christians there was added the New Testament accenting the fulfillment of the promises of the Old in the life and work of Jesus. When Christians believe that their lives are not to be measured by private interpretation of faith, conduct and meaning, but by the teachings of Scripture, they become persons following the methods of scholarship and discovery. They have something by which to measure themselves.
Anything as important as a document taken as providing objective guidance, truth by which a person lives – becomes precious to the subscriber. All laws and changes are, in America, to be interpreted by the Constitution. Faith and conduct for all persons, the Christian believes, should be guided or tested by Scripture. The issue may become: Which Scripture, ours or some other? The response ought to be: Which Scripture is most fitting to the reality of mankind; holding ethical principles; meeting human needs; providing acceptance before God; offering patterns functioning for the good and welfare of persons everywhere? For Christians, comparing all claims, the choice has to be the inspired writings we call the Christian Bible. We live, even swear truth, by the Bible. Although challenged by doubters, the Bible maintains its sacred meaning. To hold Scripture in compelling regard is in line with objectivity for life direction. Those persons of faith following the Bible for all of life feel very well guided – always, even with delay in discovery. The message needs to be mined. Refinement of the gold of it is in us. The achievement of that refinement is the most important matter of our lives. It is the context of success concluded by God. The moon walk was human. Walking with God is divine. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020