Silence - what is it?

[RefrusRevlis]

There seems to be different ideas about what exactly silence is. It seems not a few people include implication with silence, ie unless there is an explicit statement, then there is silence. I am of the view that the scriptures teach explicitly and implicitly and that silence is where there is no implicit or explicit requirement, permission or prohibtion for an action. So implication is not silence. It's when people include implication in silence when the troubles occur. The area of implicit permission is the area where most problems occur. The Bible asks us to do certain things and in asking it gives implicit permission for other things (eg a song book to sing songs, a building in which to assemble, using internet forums to "earnestly contend for the faith") None of these things are explicitly taught by the scriptures, but there are explicit statements that permit them. I would be interested to hear what other people think.
Refrus

[Splayd]

I think this is an important topic here.

My concern is how one is to determine that there is implicit permission for one thing but not for a related and equally innocuous other.

To someone that's not indoctrinated into this, it appears that some justify the things they do as implicit while condemning the things they don't do (though they may appear to anyone else as equally implicit).

Peace

[crawfish]

I believe that if the bible is silent on a subject, we must do our best to evaluate it using those things that it is NOT silent on. Does it break a specific command indirectly? Does it violate the spirit of another command?

The key is actually not silence, but authority. Must we do ONLY those things explicitly or implicitly authorized by scripture, or does scripture provide a guide (template) for determining what is permissible?

I think it's very tough, theologically, to choose the former. So many things we do are not explicitly authorized, and the final determination of the authorization of these implicit rules requires a "judgement call".

[Splayd]

The area of implicit permission is the area where most problems occur. The Bible asks us to do certain things and in asking it gives implicit permission for other things (eg a song book to sing songs, a building in which to assemble, using internet forums to "earnestly contend for the faith") Let's consider these examples to help me understand this approach.

How is it that some using this approach determine that a song books is a allowed but powerpoint presentations and overheads aren't?

How is it that some determine that buildings are allowed while others determine they're not allowed to have a kitchen and still others determine that only homes are acceptable?

What is it about internet forums that makes them an acceptable medium for "earnestdly contending for the faith" while some have determined that other mediums such as rock music aren't acceptable for the same thing?

Where are the disclaimers and distinguishing factors here? It seems to me that this approach demands that nothing is permitted until indicated otherwise. It's almost a "guilty until proven innocent" approach to life and seems entirely contrary to the NT. It seems to me to place the letter above the spirit and diminshes law to a series of hoops one must jump through and red tape to cut.

Peace

[jmacvols]

There seems to be different ideas about what exactly silence is. It seems not a few people include implication with silence, ie unless there is an explicit statement, then there is silence. I am of the view that the scriptures teach explicitly and implicitly and that silence is where there is no implicit or explicit requirement, permission or prohibtion for an action. So implication is not silence. It's when people include implication in silence when the troubles occur. The area of implicit permission is the area where most problems occur. The Bible asks us to do certain things and in asking it gives implicit permission for other things (eg a song book to sing songs, a building in which to assemble, using internet forums to "earnestly contend for the faith") None of these things are explicitly taught by the scriptures, but there are explicit statements that permit them. I would be interested to hear what other people think.
Refrus


Christians are to "sing", therefore a song book gets everyone on the same page singing the same lyrics so it can be done decently and in order. I do not have all the lyrics memorized, so I need a book. In the end, all that is being done is "singing", a song book adds nothing to singing.

Christians are to meet on the first day of the week, that necessitates a place to meet, whether it be a building, house, tent, shade tree, etc to accomodate everyone that attends.

EDIT: Since disciples are to meet, this implies a place to meet thus gives authorization to have a meeting place. It would make no sense for the bible to imply a necessity for a meeting place but then give no authorization to fulfill that necessity.

In the great commission, Christ commanded the disciples to GO, He did not specify how to go, just as long as they went. They could have chosen to go by foot, chariot or horseback, ship or a combination of any. We today have more options (internet), but in the end, just as long as we "go".

[RefrusRevlis]

How is it that some using this approach determine that a song books is a allowed but powerpoint presentations and overheads aren't?



I have seen powerpoints used, I'm not sure who would say they were unauthorised. Depends what the content is. If it contradicts the Bible in its content, then it should not be used.

How is it that some determine that buildings are allowed while others determine they're not allowed to have a kitchen and still others determine that only homes are acceptable?

I'm not sure what your point is, don't most homes have kitchens? Is it that a congregation building a church should not spend the Lord's money on a kitchen? Or is it in purchasing a building (which already exists) we must not buy one with a kitchen? Or is it we must not rent a building which has a kitchen? Is it the kitchen, or spending the Lord's money on it that is the problem?

It gets down to what we do as individuals versus what we do as a church.

What is it about internet forums that makes them an acceptable medium for "earnestdly contending for the faith" while some have determined that other mediums such as rock music aren't acceptable for the same thing?


Hmm, it's probably worth considering what we are able to do as individuals and what is acceptible in congregational worship/church assembly.

Personally I love religious Rock Music - and have an extensive CD collection, but this does not mean I would use it in public (congregational) worship. This would not preclude me however if I was a musician (which I am not) singing rock, screamo, metal, hardcore songs (or throat singing for that matter) with a spiritual message, in fact I think it would be preferable to a lot of what is out there.

Refrus

[Everlasting]

:crosseo:

If scripture is at all silent, as some think that it is, I think it is based on the spiritual relationships you have with God the Father and Jesus Christ, and what wisdom has been imparted unto you.

Take part of the scripture: Cast not your pearls before swine.

Through the grace of God, I find many different meanings, that comfort any contention in the word: that satan might bring.

~ Honor thy mother and father.
~ Be in the world but not conformed to it.
~Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

Rom 12:2

And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

:groupray:

Everlasting

Moon Over Key Biscayne
bn.com

ISBN# 1-4241-6884-8

[crawfish]

Personally I love religious Rock Music - and have an extensive CD collection, but this does not mean I would use it in public (congregational) worship. This would not preclude me however if I was a musician (which I am not) singing rock, screamo, metal, hardcore songs (or throat singing for that matter) with a spiritual message, in fact I think it would be preferable to a lot of what is out there.


My dad refuses to listen to religious IM, even though he listens to country/rock & roll music with instruments. He feels that any music used to glorify God should be done "the right way".