Mondays with MacDonald (on the role of conscience in interpretation)

by Steve Douglas

March 21st, 2011 | 2 Comments

To accept that as the will of our Lord which to us is inconsistent with what we have learned to worship in him already, is to introduce discord into that harmony whose end is to unite our hearts, and make them whole.

by George MacDonald
from Unspoken Sermons, vol. 1, “It Shall Not Be Forgiven”

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March 21st, 2011

  • http://blogforthelordjesus.wordpress.com/ Mike Gantt

    The person who disregards conscience in order to obey Scripture either has a deficient conscience or a deficient understanding of Scripture.

    The good news is that our consciences can be healed and can mature while our understanding of Scripture can be corrected and can grow.

    Thus when we encounter a conflict between our conscience and our understanding of Scripture, we must allow ourselves to be perplexed without dispairing (2 Cor 4:8), turning our attention to obeying those things we do understand. If we live this way, sooner or later the Scripture/conscience conflicts we see will evaporate either through the greater understanding of Scripture or the healthy maturing of conscience (both of which are gifts of Him who loves us).

    • http://undeception.com/ Steve Douglas

      Great comment, Mike. I agree with it in the main, although I think that our conflicts of conscience result not only from incorrect interpretations of Scripture but also, not infrequently, from correct interpretations of passages that actually get God wrong. But in any event, the take-away is the same, “turning our attention to obeying those things we do understand.” Thanks again.