Alien Sinner (II)
Consequences -OF Non-Amenability Theory
There are some consequences that logically follow if the alien is not answerable to Christ. While not all teaching this doctrine have accepted all of them, they are logical results of the doctrine. The doctrine taught leads to these consequences.
The first consequence is that aliens have no right to marry. The law of Christ would not apply to him, according to this theory. The Mosaic Law never applied to him. The patriarchal system is seemingly not in force, for even this theory's advocates do not teach Gentiles today to offer sacrifices like Cain and Abel did. With the authority to marry not available to aliens under any Biblical arrangement, they stand without authority from God to many. In addition, with Matt. 19 not applying to aliens, as claimed, the cause of fornication would not be available to the aliens. Why are the advocates of alien non-amenability not telling aliens today that they have no right to marry and to remarry?
A second consequence of this theory is that the alien's marital conduct is irrelevant to a right relationship to God. Whatever marriages and divorces he might have participated in before conversion to Christ mean nothing to God, if the theory be true. It is obvious, however, that such marital conduct before conversion did mean something to God. He called attention to it among the Corinthians and called it adultery in I Cor. 6:9-1 1. The preaching of John the Baptist charged Herod, no Israelite, with unlawfully Carrying another's wife. He was answerable to God on this matter, though he was an alien respecting Israel's covenant.
Another consequence logically following if the alien is not subject to Christ is that his religious practices could not be classified as sinful. It is again quite clear that the Lord did not view the matter this way, for the Spirit of truth guided Paul to condemn the idolatrous practices of the Athenians and the Corinthians (Acts 17: 1 Cor. 6). They were under obligation to Christ to repent of their religious error.
The fourth consequence is the alien's superior status without Christ. After all, without Christ he is really better off. He can marry and divorce at will. Why teach him the gospel and put an end to his freedom? Being under Christ brings him under more obligation. An objector might respond that he can be saved on ly by turning to Christ. While we admit this to be true, he can turn only by obedience (Heb. 5:9), which shows his obligation to Christ. -He is answerable to Christ.
A Final Passage
I Cor. 9:2 1, sometimes cited to teach the alien is not under law to Christ, is thus misused. When the apostle spoke of Jews as "under the law" and Gentiles as "without law," he described their state as they would describe it. The Law of Moses had been abrogated (Col, 2:14; Rom. 7:1-7). Paul accommodated himself, where possible, to their situations. While he spoke only of self as ",under law to Christ," it is obvious from other passages studied that aliens are obligated to the Lord.
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Last Updated October 13, 1997 by Bob Cleek bcleek@niia.net
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There are some consequences that logically follow if the alien is not answerable to Christ. While not all teaching this doctrine have accepted all of them, they are logical results of the doctrine. The doctrine taught leads to these consequences.
The first consequence is that aliens have no right to marry. The law of Christ would not apply to him, according to this theory. The Mosaic Law never applied to him. The patriarchal system is seemingly not in force, for even this theory's advocates do not teach Gentiles today to offer sacrifices like Cain and Abel did. With the authority to marry not available to aliens under any Biblical arrangement, they stand without authority from God to many. In addition, with Matt. 19 not applying to aliens, as claimed, the cause of fornication would not be available to the aliens. Why are the advocates of alien non-amenability not telling aliens today that they have no right to marry and to remarry?
A second consequence of this theory is that the alien's marital conduct is irrelevant to a right relationship to God. Whatever marriages and divorces he might have participated in before conversion to Christ mean nothing to God, if the theory be true. It is obvious, however, that such marital conduct before conversion did mean something to God. He called attention to it among the Corinthians and called it adultery in I Cor. 6:9-1 1. The preaching of John the Baptist charged Herod, no Israelite, with unlawfully Carrying another's wife. He was answerable to God on this matter, though he was an alien respecting Israel's covenant.
Another consequence logically following if the alien is not subject to Christ is that his religious practices could not be classified as sinful. It is again quite clear that the Lord did not view the matter this way, for the Spirit of truth guided Paul to condemn the idolatrous practices of the Athenians and the Corinthians (Acts 17: 1 Cor. 6). They were under obligation to Christ to repent of their religious error.
The fourth consequence is the alien's superior status without Christ. After all, without Christ he is really better off. He can marry and divorce at will. Why teach him the gospel and put an end to his freedom? Being under Christ brings him under more obligation. An objector might respond that he can be saved on ly by turning to Christ. While we admit this to be true, he can turn only by obedience (Heb. 5:9), which shows his obligation to Christ. -He is answerable to Christ.
A Final Passage
I Cor. 9:2 1, sometimes cited to teach the alien is not under law to Christ, is thus misused. When the apostle spoke of Jews as "under the law" and Gentiles as "without law," he described their state as they would describe it. The Law of Moses had been abrogated (Col, 2:14; Rom. 7:1-7). Paul accommodated himself, where possible, to their situations. While he spoke only of self as ",under law to Christ," it is obvious from other passages studied that aliens are obligated to the Lord.
Market Street
Return to Table of Contents
Last Updated October 13, 1997 by Bob Cleek bcleek@niia.net
Page Hosted by
Geo
Cities
Return to Table of Contents
Last Updated October 13, 1997 by Bob Cleek bcleek@niia.net
Page Hosted by
Geo
Cities