My thanks to Professor Schaff for a reasonable debate about the biblical nature of socialized medicine. I think he and I have covered our points pretty well, so I don't have a whole lot to add for his gracious offer of the last word.
However, I would like to clarify that "unbiblical" doesn't necessarily mean "with evil intent." Things that are unbiblical (i.e. not in harmony with the teachings of the Bible) CAN be evil, but perhaps even more often they passively fail to harmonize with its teachings.
For instance, I once believed evolution theory and the Bible's teachings about origins were compatible. I did so, not out of evil intent, but out of ignorance. Another example would be the widely held believe (even among some Christians) that "all roads lead to Heaven." Yet Jesus says HE is the only way. The opinion of Christians who believe any faith can get you to heaven as long as you're sincere is then, obviously, inconsistent with the Bible and thus "unbiblical."
I believe that while some people actually understand the moral shortcomings of socialism and simply reject it in favor of a humanist worldview, most in our society support or give acquiescence to socialism through ignorance of both its practical and biblical inconsistency.
But, as the cop says when he pulls you over for speeding, ignorance is no excuse. While I acknowledge the distinction of "intent," in the end, it matters little what the intent was when determining if something is correct or incorrect, right or wrong. As they say, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. That's not stated in the Bible, but it does harmonize with what the Bible teaches about the nature of man.
So in the end, I think it's completely appropriate, especially in a society that still overwhelming claims to believe in God, to discuss the biblical reasons for and against something, alongside the practical considerations. It is also an inescapable truth that practically all moral decisions have practical consequences.
Thanks again, Professor Schaff, for the discussion and for "the last word."
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Monday, March 26, 2007
The Last Word on "Unbiblical" Socialized Medicine
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