I enjoyed studying The Doctrine of the Christian Life by John M. Frame, particularly Professor Frame’s analysis of The Ten Commandments (also known as the Decalogue). Professor Frame’s breakdown on the history of slavery as well as his analysis on wealth and poverty was refreshing and eye opening. Nevertheless, the issues of truth and the ninth commandment made the most important impression on me.
Truth is an important theme of the Holy Bible because God is the God of Truth (Deuteronomy 32:4) and Jesus Christ is the Truth (John 7:18; 14:6). Moreover, God’s people are to seek truth (Psalm 25:5; 51:6; 86:11). I agree with Professor Frame that dishonesty is theft and the ninth commandment continues the emphasis of the eighth commandment of integrity. The ninth commandment is the foundation of the general biblical polemic against lying, deception, and false testimony (see e.g., Psalm 12:2; Proverbs 6:17; Ephesians 4:25). Lying also sums up in many ways in which we hurt one another with our tongues, as with gossip, slander, and insults (see e.g., Genesis 11:6-7; Psalm 15:3; Galatians 5:19-20). Thus, the ninth commandment has, as with the other commandments, perspective on all human sin and righteousness. In a broad sense, the ninth commandment covers many kinds of sins. Our Christian witness is not only by our words, but all of life. Christians are a witness of God (Father, Son – Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit) and His truth to the world (see Proverbs 12:17; Isaiah 43:10, 12; Acts 1:8; John 18:37; Revelation 3:14). God expects His people to act with integrity and justice (Zechariah 8:16).
I have to agree with the predominant view among the Reformed Christians such as Augustine and John Murray that the ninth commandment is a testimony to “the sanctity of truth.” As Christians, we must aim for truth under any circumstances. Thus, I disagree with Professor Frame when he states that “the ninth commandment itself ..., does not mandate truth in an abstract way, but in the concrete relationship between believers and their neighbors.” I agree with Professor Frame that an honest mistake, a parable, or a fictional story is not a lie that violates the ninth commandment. Nonetheless, jokes, flattery, or “white lies” often hurt people because they are really deceptive and untrue (see Proverbs 26:18-19). As Christians, we must strive to walk in truth and love with everyone (John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 13; Ephesians 4:15-16, 25). One of the major emphases of the ninth commandment and the confessional expositions of it is to prevent from distorting the truth to hurt our fellow neighbor.
I must say Professor Frame’s definition of a lie is intriguing as he defines a lie as “a word or act that intentionally deceives a neighbor in order to hurt him” and he also considers Jesus Christ’s teaching of Luke 10:25-37. Moreover, Professor Frame’s provides a listing of sixteen Bible passages in which someone misleads an enemy, without incurring any condemnation such as the case of Rahab’s deception (see Joshua 2:4-6; 6:17, 25) and Jael and Sisera (Judges 4:18-21; 5:24-27). I found Professor Frame’s conclusion thought provoking as he finds “. . . the Bible passages . . . justify deception in certain cases, all have to do with the promotion of justice against the wicked, especially when they seek innocent life” (see also 2 Thessalonians 2:11).
Finally, I agree with Professor Frame that churches must enact formal church discipline plans. With such church discipline, many accused persons or false accusers are faced with slander, gossip and lies that can lead to even more bitterness and destruction with in the church body. Churches must establish solid church discipline programs for the sake of maintaining unity within the body of Christ (Matthew 18:15-20; Ephesians 4).
Truth is an important theme of the Holy Bible because God is the God of Truth (Deuteronomy 32:4) and Jesus Christ is the Truth (John 7:18; 14:6). Moreover, God’s people are to seek truth (Psalm 25:5; 51:6; 86:11). I agree with Professor Frame that dishonesty is theft and the ninth commandment continues the emphasis of the eighth commandment of integrity. The ninth commandment is the foundation of the general biblical polemic against lying, deception, and false testimony (see e.g., Psalm 12:2; Proverbs 6:17; Ephesians 4:25). Lying also sums up in many ways in which we hurt one another with our tongues, as with gossip, slander, and insults (see e.g., Genesis 11:6-7; Psalm 15:3; Galatians 5:19-20). Thus, the ninth commandment has, as with the other commandments, perspective on all human sin and righteousness. In a broad sense, the ninth commandment covers many kinds of sins. Our Christian witness is not only by our words, but all of life. Christians are a witness of God (Father, Son – Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit) and His truth to the world (see Proverbs 12:17; Isaiah 43:10, 12; Acts 1:8; John 18:37; Revelation 3:14). God expects His people to act with integrity and justice (Zechariah 8:16).
I have to agree with the predominant view among the Reformed Christians such as Augustine and John Murray that the ninth commandment is a testimony to “the sanctity of truth.” As Christians, we must aim for truth under any circumstances. Thus, I disagree with Professor Frame when he states that “the ninth commandment itself ..., does not mandate truth in an abstract way, but in the concrete relationship between believers and their neighbors.” I agree with Professor Frame that an honest mistake, a parable, or a fictional story is not a lie that violates the ninth commandment. Nonetheless, jokes, flattery, or “white lies” often hurt people because they are really deceptive and untrue (see Proverbs 26:18-19). As Christians, we must strive to walk in truth and love with everyone (John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 13; Ephesians 4:15-16, 25). One of the major emphases of the ninth commandment and the confessional expositions of it is to prevent from distorting the truth to hurt our fellow neighbor.
I must say Professor Frame’s definition of a lie is intriguing as he defines a lie as “a word or act that intentionally deceives a neighbor in order to hurt him” and he also considers Jesus Christ’s teaching of Luke 10:25-37. Moreover, Professor Frame’s provides a listing of sixteen Bible passages in which someone misleads an enemy, without incurring any condemnation such as the case of Rahab’s deception (see Joshua 2:4-6; 6:17, 25) and Jael and Sisera (Judges 4:18-21; 5:24-27). I found Professor Frame’s conclusion thought provoking as he finds “. . . the Bible passages . . . justify deception in certain cases, all have to do with the promotion of justice against the wicked, especially when they seek innocent life” (see also 2 Thessalonians 2:11).
Finally, I agree with Professor Frame that churches must enact formal church discipline plans. With such church discipline, many accused persons or false accusers are faced with slander, gossip and lies that can lead to even more bitterness and destruction with in the church body. Churches must establish solid church discipline programs for the sake of maintaining unity within the body of Christ (Matthew 18:15-20; Ephesians 4).
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