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WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN?

WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN?. Jer. 10:23. [By Ron Halbrook , adapted from Evidences for God and His Creation ]. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN?. Introduction 1. Jer. 10:23 God not man sets the standard: we are not capable or qualified .

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WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN?

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  1. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? Jer. 10:23 [By Ron Halbrook, adapted from Evidences for God and His Creation]

  2. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? • Introduction 1. Jer. 10:23 God not man sets the standard: we are not capable or qualified 23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

  3. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? • Introduction 2. When man determines morals: rationalize, justify, enable, accommodate, & excuse sin • Isa. 5:20 Selfishness, self-deception reverse right & wrong 20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

  4. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? • Introduction 2. When man determines morals: rationalize, justify, enable, accommodate, & excuse sin • Evolution denies God & the Bible, leaving man himself as the highest standard • Existentialism: each person “experiences” “truth” in his own way—no absolutes • Situation ethics: moral right & wrong are relative & situational, not absolute

  5. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? • Introduction 3. Popular slogans for relative situational morality: • Each man’s conscience is a safe guide • Man is free to do his own thing • If it feels right, do it • No one can legislate morality • Fornication, adultery, & homosexuality are optional “lifestyle” choices, not moral issues

  6. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? 3. Popular slogans for relative situational morality: • Women should be “free to choose” abortion on demand 16 Weeks: 4.5 Inches, 2.8 Oz. 12 Weeks: 3 Inches, 1 Oz.

  7. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? • Introduction 4. Who determines morals: God or man? • Joseph Fletcher VS God on morality • Fallacies of man setting his own standard • Situation ethics produces no ethics • God not man must determine morals

  8. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? I. Joseph Fletcher VS God on Morality A. Situation Ethics Replaces Bible Morality • Joseph Fletcher (1905-91), Situation Ethics: The New Morality • Episcopal priest, ethics professor, then atheist • Abortion, infanticide (1971 Euthanasia Conf.: let State kill defective children) , euthanasia (kill people with low life quality), eugenics (improve humanity’s gene pool)

  9. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? I. Joseph Fletcher VS God on Morality A. Situation Ethics Replaces Bible Morality • “Love” guides moral decisions: allow woman in German P.O.W. camp to commit adultery with guard (pregnant women released) • Is this true love for God, husband, guard, child conceived, & other p.o.w.’s?

  10. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? I. Joseph Fletcher VS God on Morality A. Situation Ethics Replaces Bible Morality • “Love” guides moral decisions: allow woman in German P.O.W. camp to commit adultery with guard (pregnant women released) • Germans jailed her in “love” of humanity: create superior race by genetic engineering

  11. Germans jailed her in “love” of humanity: create superior race by genetic engineering

  12. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? I. Joseph Fletcher VS God on Morality A. Situation Ethics Replaces Bible Morality • “Love” guides moral decisions: allow woman in German P.O.W. camp to commit adultery with guard (pregnant women released) • Rom. 3:8 God denies this false love: the end justifies the means 8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

  13. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? I. Joseph Fletcher VS God on Morality B. Joseph: God’s Morality, Not Situation Ethics • Gen. 39:7-20 Joseph’s faith in God was tested by a woman’s “love”

  14. 7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? • Gen. 39:7-20 Joseph’s faith in God was tested by a woman’s “love”

  15. 10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. 12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. • Gen. 39:7-20 Joseph’s faith in God was tested by a woman’s “love”

  16. 13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, 14 That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: 15 And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out. • Gen. 39:7-20 Joseph’s faith in God was tested by a woman’s “love”

  17. 16 And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home. 17 And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: 18 And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out. • Gen. 39:7-20 Joseph’s faith in God was tested by a woman’s “love”

  18. 19 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. 20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. • Gen. 39:7-20 Joseph’s faith in God was tested by a woman’s “love”

  19. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? I. Joseph Fletcher VS God on Morality C. David Justified God, Not Himself • Ps. 51:1-4 David confessed his sin & affirmed God is right

  20. 1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. • Ps. 51:1-4 David confessed his sin & affirmed God is right

  21. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? II. Fallacies of Man Setting His Own Standard A. Man Attempts to Take God’s Role to Himself • Ps. 100:3 God created & sustains all things 3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

  22. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? II. Fallacies of Man Setting His Own Standard A. Man Attempts to Take God’s Role to Himself • 1 Jn. 1:5 God is the origin of light & truth 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

  23. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? II. Fallacies of Man Setting His Own Standard A. Man Attempts to Take God’s Role to Himself • 2 Tim. 3:16-17 God is the revealer of truth 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughlyfurnished unto all good works.

  24. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? II. Fallacies of Man Setting His Own Standard A. Man Attempts to Take God’s Role to Himself • 2 Thess. 2:3-4 Man in God’s role: “the man of sin”

  25. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. • 2 Thess. 2:3-4 Man in God’s role: “the man of sin”

  26. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? II. Fallacies of Man Setting His Own Standard B. False Premise: Man Can Know Without God What is Right, Wrong, Loving, or Best • Jer. 10:23 Man not created with inherent ability to know right & wrong 23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

  27. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? II. Fallacies of Man Setting His Own Standard B. False Premise: Man Can Know Without God What is Right, Wrong, Loving, or Best • Prov. 14:12 Man is easily deceived & deceives himself 12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

  28. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? II. Fallacies of Man Setting His Own Standard B. False Premise: Man Can Know Without God What is Right, Wrong, Loving, or Best • 1 Cor. 2:9 God must reveal “the things” in His mind—that is the purpose of the Bible 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

  29. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? II. Fallacies of Man Setting His Own Standard C. When Man Sets His Own Standard, He Contradicts Both God & Himself! • Isa. 5:20 He contradicts God’s Word 20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

  30. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? II. Fallacies of Man Setting His Own Standard C. When Man Sets His Own Standard, He Contradicts Both God & Himself! • He contradicts himself: • Existentialism: truth is relative not absolute—that is the absolute truth! • Situation ethics: morals are relative not absolute—that is the absolute moral truth!

  31. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? III. Situation Ethics Produces No Ethics A. When Man Becomes His Own God, Moral Chaos Follows • Every man is his own law = no law • Rom. 1:18-32 All forms of sin appear right, good, & desirable when God is not the standard

  32. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. • Rom. 1:18-32 All forms of sin appear right, good, & desirable when God is not the standard

  33. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. • Rom. 1:18-32 All forms of sin appear right, good, & desirable when God is not the standard

  34. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. • Rom. 1:18-32 All forms of sin appear right, good, & desirable when God is not the standard

  35. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. • Rom. 1:18-32 All forms of sin appear right, good, & desirable when God is not the standard

  36. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? III. Situation Ethics Produces No Ethics A. When Man Becomes His Own God, Moral Chaos Follows • 1 Tim. 6:10 Our selfishness, greed, & ambition justify all forms of sin 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

  37. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? III. Situation Ethics Produces No Ethics A. When Man Becomes His Own God, Moral Chaos Follows • 1 Tim. 6:10 Our selfishness, greed, & ambition justify all forms of sin • Cheat, steal: for school grade, later for money; feed family, improve business, solve debt; gamble, bribe, embezzle, kidnap, extort • Mafia: gambling, prostitution, drugs—business!

  38. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? III. Situation Ethics Produces No Ethics B. Modern Man’s Moral Chaos: Advancing Agenda • Fornication rationalized: “live-in,” “love child” • Adultery legalized: easy divorce & remarriage • Homosexual practices rationalized: inborn, lifestyle choice, “marriage,” etc. • Abortion on demand legalized (U.S. 1973) • Government sponsored gambling (lottery) • Euthanasia, infanticide openly advocated • Peter Singer (Princeton Univ. Bioethics Prof.): “Killing a disabled infant is not morally equivalent to killing a person. Sometimes it is not wrong at all” (Practical Ethics, p. 191).

  39. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? IV. God Not Man Must Determine Morals A. God Sees What Man Does Not: Terrible Destructiveness of Sin! • Prov. 5:22; 13:15 Sin enslaves, disappoints 22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. 15 Good understanding givethfavour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

  40. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? IV. God Not Man Must Determine Morals A. God Sees What Man Does Not: Terrible Destructiveness of Sin! • Rom. 13:9-10 Sin harms other people— no sin meets the ethical test of true love

  41. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. • Rom. 13:9-10 Sin harms other people— no sin meets the ethical test of true love

  42. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? IV. God Not Man Must Determine Morals A. God Sees What Man Does Not: Terrible Destructiveness of Sin! • Rom. 13:9-10 Sin harms other people— no sin meets the ethical test of true love • Situation ethics claims “love” justifies sin: adultery (P.O.W. camp, abusive mate), murder (abortion, infanticide, euthanasia), stealing, etc., etc.

  43. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? IV. God Not Man Must Determine Morals A. God Sees What Man Does Not: Terrible Destructiveness of Sin! • Rom. 13:9-10 Sin harms other people— no sin meets the ethical test of true love • A rationale allowing the murder of anyone endangers everyone!

  44. A rationale allowing the murder of anyone endangers everyone! 12 Weeks: 3 Inches, 1 Oz. 16 Weeks: 4.5 Inches, 2.8 Oz.

  45. A rationale allowing the murder of anyone endangers everyone!

  46. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? IV. God Not Man Must Determine Morals B. Sin Destroys Man’s Fellowship with God • Isa. 59:1-2 Sin separates us from God 1 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

  47. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? IV. God Not Man Must Determine Morals C. God Sets the Standard: We Must Choose • Gal. 5:19-23 Selfish sinful life VS truth & right

  48. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. • Gal. 5:19-23 Selfish sinful life VS truth & right

  49. WHO DETERMINES MORALS: GOD OR MAN? IV. God Not Man Must Determine Morals D. God Says Right Can Become Sin in Some Cases, But Sin Never Becomes Right • Matt. 22:37-39 Love self, but not more than God or others • 1 Tim. 6:10, 17 Use money, but not love it • Rom. 14:20 Not force innocent optional things on someone who has scruples

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