Biblical inconsistency?

OSV.com ^ | 07-25-18 | Msgr. Charles Pope

[Salvation]

Biblical inconsistency? Jesus does not negate himself but rather gives different teachings on following the commandments

Msgr. Charles Pope

7/25/2018

Question: In Matthew 5:19, Jesus rails against relaxing or changing even the least of the commandments, and yet verse 19 also says that if one does, “[he] will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.” It seems the consequences should be “losing” the kingdom of heaven if Jesus is consistent with what follows in verse 20. Can you explain the seeming inconsistency? — Jim Flynn, via email

Answer: Two different teachings are being made here, hence it is not a matter of consistency.

In verse 19, the operative teaching is that while unrepented mortal sin excludes one from the kingdom of God, not all violations of the law are mortal. Even the Ten Commandments, while indicating grave sin in themselves admit of lighter matter.

For example, regarding the Seventh Commandment, stealing a large amount or something essential or irreplaceable is usually a mortal sin. However, taking something small or insignificant, while a sin, may not be a mortal sin that excludes one from the kingdom of God. Thus, if the Lord were to adopt your word, the condemnation might be too sweeping. It does not follow that if someone breaks the least of the commandments they necessarily lose the kingdom of God.

Further, you will note that there is a kind of parallelism or play of words at work here. The Lord is saying, in effect: “If you break even the least of my teachings, I am going to call you the least!” Preachers often use such sayings in order to be memorable.

For example, consider the following word stitch: “Say what you mean, and mean what you say. But don’t say it mean.” The word “mean” unites all three phrases, but in each case a slightly different sense of the word “mean” is used.

Here, the Lord is not only being careful not to imply that even small infractions would land us in hell, but he is also being artful, resourceful and memorable by his use of a parallelism.

As for verse 20, we encounter a different teaching: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

Here we are dealing with the problem of minimalism. Though the Pharisees fancied themselves meticulous observers of the law, they were very minimalist in their application of it. Jesus said they were hypocrites because they followed exacting laws about small things, such as tithing, but neglected weightier matters of the law, such as justice and mercy (cf. Mt 23:23). It is one thing to pay tithes; this is good and required. But neglecting the poor and failing to feed and teach them is far more important to God.

Jesus will develop this teaching against minimalism in the verses that follow in the Sermon on the Mount. For example, he will teach that it is not enough to avoid murder; the command requires we let God banish vengeful hatred from our hearts. It is not enough to avoid acts of adultery; we must allow God to give us chaste minds and hearts. It is not enough to avoid excessive retaliation; we ought to avoid retaliation altogether.

Therefore, the message of verse 20 is a call to exceed the minimalist notions of the law. Grace equips us for more, and we are expected to attain more by that grace. The old law could not save. Only the “new law” of grace can save or make us sufficiently holy to enter heaven.

Thus verse 19 speaks of little things, verse 20 of weightier things.

[metmom]

Not sinning is not going to get us into heaven.

Not sinning is not what makes us right with God.

[metmom]

Luke 18:9-14 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’

But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

John 6:29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

[boatbums]

would you agree with the following? Nowhere in the NT does it say that scripture is the sole source of teaching. I do remember this one, however taken from your KJV Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

I'll make a deal with you...I will answer your question when you answer mine first. Deal?

Would you agree or disagree with the following: All truth necessary for our salvation and spiritual life is taught either explicitly or implicitly in Scripture.

[nobamanomore]

No you trolls never answer anything.

[metmom]

No you trolls never answer anything.

Wow!

Do you realize just how much you just condemned yourself?

bb is trying to get you to answer the question she asked, first at that, and after evading and changing the subject, and not answering her question, you rail about how us *trolls* never answer anything.

And just how are you not doing the very thing you condemn us for that you claim we do?

[boatbums]

I don’t condemn the protestants for living in luxury, I condemn for using the Gospel to enrich themselves.

You may be interested in reading: The Vatican Billions - Two Thousand Years of Wealth Accumulation From Caesar to the Space Age

[metmom]

Just wow.......

[nobamanomore]

I’m not interested in anything you have to say.

Owning real estate and art work for a couple of millennia is a whole lot different than passing a plate among the faithful and depositing it in your account. I

[boatbums]

Seeing as you probably need a few gallons of Windex for that mirror of yours, stop asking questions if you don’t care what people have to say. Easy, peasy!

[ealgeone]

Wow. The hypocrisy in you is amazing. Pretty sure that too is another mortal sin.

[metmom]

And where did they get the money to buy the stuff?

Or did they just take what they wanted?

What is your church’s source of income? How did they earn the money?

Oh, they DIDN’T? they got it from (drum roll) the COLLECTION PLATE. Or maybe the sale of indulgences and annulments.....

[daniel1212]

The only ones who will enter heaven is the ones who does the fathers will.

Which as a characteristic is because it is such who are true believers, whose faith is counted for righteousness, and not because their works themselves merited the gift of eternal life. Works justify a person as being a believer, versus merely a professor of faith, but as in conversion God purifies the heart by effectual faith, (Acts 15:9) and makes the believer accepted in the Beloved, and positionally seated together with Him in Heaven, and with direct access into the holy of holies, all on Christ's account, so also it is the faith which effects works which promises final salvation.

Thus the warnings to believers against having an evil heart of unbelief, and casting away their confidence, and the exhortation to persevering faith in the Christ, "whose house are we, if, we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." (Hebrews 3:6)

We need to trust the risen Lord Jesus to save us, and works will follow, but the effect is not the actual cause of justification, but which is obtained by the faith which is behind works.

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (Acts 10:43-47)

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. (Acts 15:7-9)

But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6:8-10)

[metmom]

So the sale of indulgences and annulments never happened?

Ever?

Not at all in its 2,000 year history?

[boatbums]

They say they no longer charge for annulments, but there still are "fees" that need to be paid.

Full Question

Why is a fee required for an annulment?

Answer

The fee helps cover the costs associated with processing the case, including the salaries of the experts who are kept on staff to examine such cases. In his book Annulments and the Catholic Church (p. 7-8), canon lawyer Edward Peters states, "First and most commonly, there are the basic petition fees payable to the tribunal. This is what most people refer to when they talk about the cost of an annulment. In the U.S. most tribunals charge anywhere from $200 to $1,000 for adjudicating a standard nullity case… These fees are typically payable over time, and there are means for having fees reduced or eliminated in cases of financial hardship (canon 1464)." https://www.catholic.com/qa/why-is-a-fee-required-for-an-annulment

[metmom]

That which we calla rose by any other name......

[nobamanomore]

Yes before your church existed.

[boatbums]

Don’t feed the troll. ;o)