by Max Maxwell
All Rights Reserved.
Page 6
Socrates: By godly decisions do you mean in matters of right and wrong?
Paul: Exactly! Here we have arrived at the heart of the matter. The knowledge of God brings forth a man's godliness. This knowledge of God, which empowers men to make godly decisions, is the foundation of a man’s authority in the home.
Socrates: In what area does the knowledge of God help men determine right from wrong. Is it in mathematics?
Paul: No.
Socrates: Perhaps the knowledge of God helps us determine right and wrong with regard to the correct workings of the art of carpentry?
Paul: No.
Socrates: Basketball?
Paul: Stop it.
Socrates: Then in what area does the knowledge of God help men determine right and wrong?
Paul: This is not the kind of right and wrong I am talking about. I am speaking of right and wrong in regards to caring for life and justice.
Socrates: Does caring for life ever have anything to do with caring for physical health?
Paul: Yes.
Socrates: With regard to the human body's health, who would be better able to know right from wrong? Is it a doctor with a knowledge of medicine or a tailor with a knowledge of God?
Paul: The Doctor.
Socrates: Does caring for justice ever have anything to do with the laws of our society?
Paul: Yes, it often does.
Socrates: And who would be more able to decide what is right and wrong with regard to interpreting the law? Would it be a judge or a godly man who is a maker of shoes?
Paul: A judge.
Socrates: Why would the doctor and the judge be more competent to decide right and wrong in these specific areas than a man whose only qualification is the knowledge of God? Is it because they have specific knowledge and skill that enables them, or for some other reason?
Paul: It is because of their knowledge and skill.
Socrates: You said that the knowledge of God helps men make godly decisions and that these godly decisions had to do with matters of right and wrong.
Paul: Yes.
Socrates: Yet, it appears that there are some areas in which a Christian husband’s knowledge of God is not adequate by itself to make decisions, but would require the assistance of other types of knowledge and skill in order to discern what is right and wrong. We should find out in what area a husband’s knowledge of God by itself helps him to decide what is right and wrong since, as you say, the knowledge of God is the foundation of a husband’s God-given authority. This would then help to define the jurisdiction of a man’s authority over his wife. I would like you to give me an example of an area in which decisions are made where the godly man is best suited, by virtue of his knowledge of God, to be the one who decides what is right and wrong. Then we can examine your example together.
Paul: I am talking about the right and wrong of morality. Specifically I am speaking of the biblical ethics a godly man must allow to be the guiding light of his spiritual and earthly life.
Socrates: Then godly decisions are ethical in nature?
Paul: Yes, Godly decisions are ethical in nature and pertain to our morality.
Socrates: So any man who would have a God-given authority over his wife must have this biblical capacity for ethical decision making?
Paul: Yes.
Socrates: I have some questions about ethics as the basis for defining and granting authority.
Paul: Go ahead.
Socrates: If you were in court, would you prefer an ethical judge or an unethical judge to preside over your case?
Paul: An ethical judge of course.
Socrates: If you were going to borrow money, would you want an ethical or unethical lender.
Paul: An ethical lender.
Socrates: If you were going into business with someone, would you want an ethical or unethical partner?
Paul: Anyone would want an ethical business partner.
Socrates: Can you think of any area where people are empowered with the authority to make decisions on behalf of others where we would not want them to be ethical in their decision-making?
Paul: No.
Socrates: Therefore, is it possible for ethics to be able to be the basis for defining the specific jurisdiction of a husband’s authority over his wife if this ethical capacity is required for all authority?
Paul: I guess not, since it required for everything.
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© Copyright 2008 Kenneth J. Maxwell Jr.