Have you heard or used that argument before? It goes something like this: “The Bible doesn’t say not to…” and you can just fill in the blank! The idea is that since the Bible does not specifically forbid something, it can’t possibly be wrong. But is that right? Let’s think about it, allowing God’s Word to guide our sometimes skewed thinking (see Prov. 14:12).
CONSIDER THE LOGICAL CONSEQUENCES
Before we get directly to the Scriptures, note that we should be willing to live with the logical consequences of the arguments we make. It might be nice on occasions to simply explore a particular road to see where it goes, but generally we like to know where a road will take us. Sober thought should especially be given to where our “philosophy of the Bible” will lead us.
The “Bible doesn’t forbid” philosophy actually leads to places that most really don’t want to go. After all: (1) The Bible does not say not to observe the Lord’s Supper on Thursday night, or to use peanut butter and jelly on the Lord’s table on Sunday. (2) The Bible doesn’t say that women can’t serve as elders in the church. (3) The Bible doesn’t say abortion is wrong. (4) The Bible doesn’t say that the recreational use of cocaine is sinful. (5) The Bible doesn’t say that it is wrong to tie dogs to the bumper of a car and drag them down the road. Obviously, we could go on and on. Admittedly, a couple of these examples are kind of absurd, but they only serve to illustrate the absurdity of this philosophy. If we don’t like where a road leads, we shouldn’t go down it!
THINGS LIKE THESE
The Bible cannot possibly forbid every scheme of mankind. Could you imagine how long the Bible would be if there was such an attempt! However, in Galatians 5 Paul lists a number of “works of the flesh” such as: “sexual immorality” and “strife” (vv. 19-20), but at the end of this list he says, “and things like these” (v. 21). In other words, Paul is plainly telling them (and us) that this is not a comprehensive list of all things that are sinful. Things that are of a similar nature, they should be avoided as well. Paul says that Christians should “abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thes. 5:22). Additionally, the sincere Christian will not wish to “push the limits,” but will instead seek to grow in righteousness (see Rom. 6; 2 Pt. 1:5-7; Gal. 5:22-23) and truly discern what is the will of the Lord (Eph. 5:17).
THE WAY THE BIBLE AUTHORIZES
Here in particular is where a critical divide exists within the religious world. How is the will of the Lord determined? Or, how does the Bible authorize? Perhaps a simple way to think of this is in regards to generic authority and specific authority. Don’t be scared of these concepts. They are not difficult to understand. Let’s illustrate.
Both generic and specific authority was extended by the Lord when He told the apostles to: “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel” (Mk. 16:15). The general aspect of the command involved “going.” The Lord did not prescribe any certain method of travel. Therefore, the apostles were at liberty to use whatever method of travel they felt most appropriate. However, they did not have such liberty in what they were to preach. They were told specifically what to preach: “the Gospel.” They were also instructed to go, “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt. 28:20).
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Obviously, Jesus did not need to tell them, “Now, don’t teach them the latest and greatest human philosophy.” “Don’t teach them using the wisdom of Plato and Socrates.” The Lord told them specifically what they were to teach, so that necessarily excluded going into all the world to teach and preach about other matters. The Lord’s specific command (from the positive perspective) in this area, actually forbade them from preaching other matters.
Another great example is found concerning the instruction that God gave Noah relative to building the ark. Noah was given a handful of specifications that he was to follow. The ark was to be a certain size. It was to have three levels. The ark was to be built out of gopher wood, etc. In these matters, where the Lord gave a specific command, Noah was obligated to do as prescribed.
However, there were many details that God was silent about. How many rooms? How should the wood be fastened together? Should each level be the same height? In these and countless other matters, Noah had the freedom to do as he believed was prudent.
We are told that Noah “did all that God commanded him” (see Gen. 6:22). So what did Noah do? He must have followed the plan that God gave him, and then used his own wisdom where God did not speak. This is exactly what we should do.
There are several examples in the Bible of this principle from the negative standpoint. Cain’s worship was not acceptable to God because it was not “by faith” like his brother’s (Heb. 11:4). Worship by faith would be worship according to the arrangement of God (see Jn. 4:24; Rom. 10:17). It should be noted that we have no record of Cain being told not to worship a certain way. Cain and Abel knew how God wanted them to worship, one did so and one did not.
A similar incident occurred in Leviticus 10 where the priests, Nadab and Abihu, “offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them” (v. 1). Note that there was no specific prohibition concerning what they did. However, since they were indeed given a specific command, this silence should have kept them from offering other forms of fire. Their carelessness cost them their lives (see v. 2). It is sinful to do something our way when God has prescribed another way.
Many other examples and teachings could be sited regarding this particular subject. We pray this is sufficient to cause us to reflect carefully both upon our study of God’s Word and how we determine His will for our worship and for our lives. May we grow way beyond the realm of thinking that we can do what we want to do merely because God didn’t specifically say not to. Paul said, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col. 3:17).
Daren Schroeder
