Lying

Matt and Alastair tussle over whether lying is ever theologically licit. In Matt's corner (anti): St. Augustine. In Alastair's corner (pro): the Bible? Derek mediates. Good fun is had.

The Bible has some tricky passages. Occasionally here on Mere Fidelity the crew likes to pick one of these up and try to unravel it. On the discussion table today: How do we reconcile clear laws and murky narratives? For instance, it seems that the commandments against lying are absolute, and yet in Exodus 1, God blesses the Hebrew midwives for their deception. Let’s dive in with Matt, Alastair, and Derek.

Links Mentioned:

Lexham Press Book of the Month: Virtuous Persuasion

Merrie Band

Davenant Press

The Book of the Month for September is Virtuous Persuasion: A Theology of Christian Mission by Michael Niebauer. Niebauer proposes a theology of mission grounded in virtue and theological ethics, advocating a view of Christian mission as specific activities that develop virtue in their practitioners and move them toward the ultimate goal of partaking in the glory of God. Get a 40% discount on this essential resource at lexhampress.com/merefidelity.

Timestamps

0:00
Book Giveaway?
1:52
God Blesses Deception in Exodus 1
3:50
Raising Biblical Questions about Lying
9:22
Bringing in the Fathers
12:45
Lying vs. Deception
17:09
Is the narrative underdetermined?
22:04
Deception in the New Testament
26:23
Jacob Deceives Isaac
29:24
Deception as Bravery
35:31
Absolute Prohibition
40:15
Memorialized for Generations

Follow Derek, Andrew, and Alastair for more tweet-sized brilliance. Thanks to Timothy Crouch for keeping us organized. Special thanks to Tim Motte for sound editing and show notes. And thanks to The Joy Eternal for lending us their music, which everybody should download out of gratitude for their kindness.

Biblical Interpretation Ethics
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