Proverbs 28:4 – Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them.
Laws in America both express our country’s moral consensus and help shape it. Once legislatures pass a law, or the Supreme Court rules on a case, the moral consensus usually moves in the direction of the law.
What do wicked people want from the law and the Supreme Court? They want not just “decriminalization” of their behavior; they want approval of it, in the press, in schools, and in pulpits if they can get it. Those who refuse to get with their program will have to praise them or strive against them.
The activist gay world hates the sentence, “Sodomy is wrong,” and anyone who utters it. A larger community hates the sentence, “Adultery is sin,” especially when it is explained that the Bible includes in “adultery” all sexual unions outside of marriage between man and woman. Credit card companies hate hearing anything about usury. Others hate, “Lazy people earn their poverty.” A big majority of America’s political, educational, and entertainment elites hate hearing, “Abortion murders innocent people.” Nevertheless, sodomy, adultery, usury, laziness, and abortion all bring immense harm to people. Approval of sin is not love; it is cowardice.
Contending about moral issues provokes accusations from the wicked, and sometimes from unwitting church allies. “You’re a hater.” “Don’t be judgmental. Remember Jesus said, ‘Judge not that you be not judged.’” In Christian circles, expect to be called Pharisaic and legalistic, admonished to be positive rather than negative, winsome rather than provocative. To have peace, all you need to do is approve breaking God’s law, or at least be silent. But forsaking the law is a fatal move towards social disintegration. Paul concluded his indictment of Greco-Roman society with the accusation that they approved what they knew was evil. “Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them (Romans 1:32).”
Those called to announce to the world the peace brought by Jesus Christ constantly face the unpleasant reality that in this age they are part of the Church at War. Jesus knew this would be so. He said, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword (Matthew 10:34).” Hence God’s call to live at peace with all people comes with the double caveat, “If possible, so much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all (Romans 12:18).” If forsaking God’s law is the price of peace, however, then the price is too high. All those who forsake the law earn the woe Isaiah pronounces: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter (Isaiah 5:20)!”
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Dr. Bill Edgar, former chair of the Geneva College Board of Trustees, former Geneva College President and longtime pastor in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA)
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Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
Oct 7, 2019
Faithful Doubt: Habakkuk, written by pastor Travis Scott, explores the short prophetic book of Habakkuk, in a practical and meaningful way through the lens of a doubter. Travis approaches the passage of scripture from an honest and humble perspective, recalling difficulties experienced as a husband, father, and pastor.
Dr. J. Ligon Duncan of Reformed Theological Seminary delivered the spring 2021 Commencement address at Geneva College on May 10, 2021. Here is an excerpt of that message, entitled, "Every Good Work," from 2 Timothy 3. This excerpt first appeared in the Summer 2021 edition of Geneva Magazine.
When the Bible teaches one thing and your “instincts,” as it were, disagree, whose wisdom do you trust, your own or God’s? Do we really need to be told not to trust in our own minds? Yes, because we want to trust ourselves, and because in our day putatively wise people constantly tell us that high self-esteem brings success.
When the Bible teaches one thing and your “instincts,” as it were, disagree, whose wisdom do you trust, your own or God’s? Do we really need to be told not to trust in our own minds? Yes, because we want to trust ourselves, and because in our day putatively wise people constantly tell us that high self-esteem brings success.
As busy as college students are, it can be profoundly beneficial for them to seek out and engage in a routine Bible study. Diving deeper into their faith, exploring what the world’s challenges mean to them, and creating a Christian-based path forward can give any college student the direction he or she needs to achieve their best life. Still, it’s not always easy to make that decision—instead of a night with friends or yet another study session for a high-level math class, go to Bible study instead.
Handing our cares and worries over to God gives us peace which keeps us from falling into doubt, as stated in Philippians. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
What should someone with wealth do? Solomon writes, “Pay attention to it and know its condition.” He uses the example of sheep and goats. Wise parents blessed with wealth will teach their children how to work to maintain it. Wise children will accept the burdens of responsibility that go with family wealth, always remembering that riches do not last forever.
The Book of Proverbs has no use for the gullible, viewing them as willful fools. Even when everyone else can see a hateful, deceitful person for what he is, the gullible choose to believe gracious words.
At Easter, a good question to ask is, "How are people saved?" This should be a question that Christians can easily answer, and indeed most can. However, sometimes Christians are less knowledgeable about the doctrine of justification and its important distinctions than perhaps they should be.
How should leaders deal with difficult situations in difficult times? Geneva College’s John Gallo and Jenna Bieber provide a guidebook for leaders. "Lessons from Cain and Abel to Guide Leaders Through Turbulent Times" walks readers through the account of Cain and Abel to teach leaders the importance of justice, mercy, harmony and equality.
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