Ethical Discrepancies in Biblical Accounts

Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible

Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible

Lesson 5

Lesson 5

Ethical Discrepancies

Ethical Discrepancies

Rationale: The student will encounter (some)

Rationale: The student will encounter (some)

ethical discrepancies and will become familiar

ethical discrepancies and will become familiar

with plausible explanations that reconcile the

with plausible explanations that reconcile the

alleged ethical discrepancies with scripture.

alleged ethical discrepancies with scripture.

1.

Lying Tolerated

Lying Tolerated

Exodus 1:15-21 (NASB)

Exodus 1:15-21 (NASB)

15 

15 

Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew

Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew

midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and

midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and

the other was named Puah; 

the other was named Puah; 

16 

16 

and he said, "When

and he said, "When

you are helping the Hebrew women to give birth and

you are helping the Hebrew women to give birth and

see them upon the birthstool, if it is a son, then you

see them upon the birthstool, if it is a son, then you

shall put him to death; but if it is a daughter, then

shall put him to death; but if it is a daughter, then

she shall live." 

she shall live." 

17 

17 

But the midwives feared God, and

But the midwives feared God, and

did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded

did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded

them, but let the boys live.

them, but let the boys live.

18 

18 

So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and

So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and

said to them, "Why have you done this thing, and let

said to them, "Why have you done this thing, and let

the boys live?" 

the boys live?" 

19 

19 

The midwives said to Pharaoh,

The midwives said to Pharaoh,

"Because the Hebrew women are not as the

"Because the Hebrew women are not as the

Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give

Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give

birth before the midwife can get to them." 

birth before the midwife can get to them." 

20 

20 

So God

So God

was good to the midwives, and the people

was good to the midwives, and the people

multiplied, and became very mighty. 

multiplied, and became very mighty. 

21 

21 

Because the

Because the

midwives feared God, He established households for

midwives feared God, He established households for

them. 

them. 

1.

Lying Tolerated

Lying Tolerated

Joshua 2:4-6 (NASB)

Joshua 2:4-6 (NASB)

4 

4 

But the woman had taken the two men and

But the woman had taken the two men and

hidden them, and she said, "Yes, the men came to

hidden them, and she said, "Yes, the men came to

me, but I did not know where they were from. 

me, but I did not know where they were from. 

5

5

"It came about when it was time to shut the gate

"It came about when it was time to shut the gate

at dark, that the men went out; I do not know

at dark, that the men went out; I do not know

where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for

where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for

you will overtake them." 

you will overtake them." 

6 

6 

But she had brought

But she had brought

them up to the roof and hidden them in the stalks

them up to the roof and hidden them in the stalks

of flax which she had laid in order on the roof.

of flax which she had laid in order on the roof.

1.

Lying Tolerated

Lying Tolerated

Hebrews 11:31 (NASB) 

Hebrews 11:31 (NASB) 

31 

31 

By faith Rahab the harlot

By faith Rahab the harlot

did not perish along with those who were

did not perish along with those who were

disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in

disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in

peace.

peace.

James 2:25 (NASB) 

James 2:25 (NASB) 

25 

25 

In the same way, was not

In the same way, was not

Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she

Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she

received the messengers and sent them out by

received the messengers and sent them out by

another way?  

another way?  



Two things are evident: 1) The Hebrew

Two things are evident: 1) The Hebrew

midwives and Rahab did lie. 2) Both the

midwives and Rahab did lie. 2) Both the

Hebrew midwives and Rehab were justified in

Hebrew midwives and Rehab were justified in

the eyes of God by their fear of, and faith in

the eyes of God by their fear of, and faith in

God. However, this creates an ethical

God. However, this creates an ethical

discrepancy.

discrepancy.

2.

Lying not tolerated

Lying not tolerated

Exodus 20:16 (NASB) 

Exodus 20:16 (NASB) 

16 

16 

"You shall not bear

"You shall not bear

false witness against your neighbor. 

false witness against your neighbor. 

Proverbs 12:22 (NASB) 

Proverbs 12:22 (NASB) 

22 

22 

Lying lips are an

Lying lips are an

abomination to the 

abomination to the 

LORD

LORD

, But those who deal

, But those who deal

faithfully are His delight. 

faithfully are His delight. 

2.

Lying not tolerated

Lying not tolerated

Ephesians 4:25 (NASB) 

Ephesians 4:25 (NASB) 

25 

25 

Therefore, laying aside

Therefore, laying aside

falsehood, 

falsehood, 

SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE

SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE

 of you 

 of you 

WITH

WITH

HIS NEIGHBOR

HIS NEIGHBOR

, for we are members of one

, for we are members of one

another.

another.

Colossians 3:9-10 (NASB) 

Colossians 3:9-10 (NASB) 

9 

9 

Do not lie to one

Do not lie to one

another, since you laid aside the old self with its

another, since you laid aside the old self with its

evil practices, 

evil practices, 

10 

10 

and have put on the new self who

and have put on the new self who

is being renewed to a true knowledge according to

is being renewed to a true knowledge according to

the image of the One who created him—

the image of the One who created him—

2.

Lying not tolerated

Lying not tolerated

Revelation 21:8 (NASB) 

Revelation 21:8 (NASB) 

8 

8 

"But for the cowardly

"But for the cowardly

and unbelieving and abominable and

and unbelieving and abominable and

murderers and immoral persons and

murderers and immoral persons and

sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their

sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their

part will be in the lake that burns with fire

part will be in the lake that burns with fire

and brimstone, which is the second death." 

and brimstone, which is the second death." 



In a number of historical biblical accounts,

In a number of historical biblical accounts,

people lied to saves lives. The Hebrew midwives

people lied to saves lives. The Hebrew midwives

lied to save the baby boys Pharaoh had

lied to save the baby boys Pharaoh had

commanded them to kill. (Exodus 1:15-19). Rahab

commanded them to kill. (Exodus 1:15-19). Rahab

lied to save the lives of the Hebrew spies in

lied to save the lives of the Hebrew spies in

Jericho (Joshua 2). Is it ever right to lie to save a

Jericho (Joshua 2). Is it ever right to lie to save a

life? This issue will be the focus in light of six

life? This issue will be the focus in light of six

basic ethical positions; the first three positions

basic ethical positions; the first three positions

are what is known as “Ethical Relativism”.

are what is known as “Ethical Relativism”.

1.

Antinomianism (Anti-against & nomos law):

Antinomianism (Anti-against & nomos law):

Lying is neither right nor wrong: there are

Lying is neither right nor wrong: there are

no laws; hence lying to save lives is neither

no laws; hence lying to save lives is neither

right nor wrong. There are no objective

right nor wrong. There are no objective

moral principles by which the issue can be

moral principles by which the issue can be

judged right or wrong. The issue must be

judged right or wrong. The issue must be

decided on subjective, personal, or on

decided on subjective, personal, or on

pragmatic grounds, but not on any objective

pragmatic grounds, but not on any objective

moral grounds.

moral grounds.



Antinomianism as an ethical system has five

Antinomianism as an ethical system has five

fatal flaws:

fatal flaws:

a)

It is self defeating. The one denying all values

It is self defeating. The one denying all values

certainly values their right to deny them!

certainly values their right to deny them!

b)

It is purely subjective. It provides no

It is purely subjective. It provides no

objective rules to govern society; it ends up

objective rules to govern society; it ends up

being a free-for-all.

being a free-for-all.

c)

It is too individualistic. Everyone does what is

It is too individualistic. Everyone does what is

right in their own eyes.

right in their own eyes.



Antinomianism as an ethical system has five

Antinomianism as an ethical system has five

fatal flaws:

fatal flaws:

d)

It is ineffective, since two or more people

It is ineffective, since two or more people

cannot function in a society without

cannot function in a society without

objectively binding rules.

objectively binding rules.

e)

It is irrational. It entails the belief that

It is irrational. It entails the belief that

opposing views are both right at the same

opposing views are both right at the same

time and in the same sense.

time and in the same sense.

2.

Generalism: Lying is generally wrong, there

Generalism: Lying is generally wrong, there

are no universal laws, however, as a rule

are no universal laws, however, as a rule

lying is wrong but in specific cases this

lying is wrong but in specific cases this

general rule can be broken. Since there are

general rule can be broken. Since there are

no universal moral laws, whether a given

no universal moral laws, whether a given

lies is right will depend on the results.

lies is right will depend on the results.



Generalism in contrast to antinomianism, argues

Generalism in contrast to antinomianism, argues

that there are some binding moral principles. But in

that there are some binding moral principles. But in

contrast to absolutism, generalism insists that none

contrast to absolutism, generalism insists that none

of these moral laws are really absolute. Since every

of these moral laws are really absolute. Since every

moral principle allows for exceptions, the generalist

moral principle allows for exceptions, the generalist

has an easy solution to moral conflicts (such as

has an easy solution to moral conflicts (such as

lying).

lying).



However, since generalists have no absolute

However, since generalists have no absolute

moral principles, their view tends to be

moral principles, their view tends to be

reducible to antinomianism. Unless there are

reducible to antinomianism. Unless there are

some objective moral standards that are

some objective moral standards that are

binding on all persons at all times, then any

binding on all persons at all times, then any

given action at any given time could be

given action at any given time could be

justified.

justified.

3.

Situationism: this system claims that there

Situationism: this system claims that there

is only one absolute moral law and that is

is only one absolute moral law and that is

love. Telling the truth is nullified by love.

love. Telling the truth is nullified by love.

Lying to save a life is the loving thing to do;

Lying to save a life is the loving thing to do;

hence, lying is sometimes right. Any moral

hence, lying is sometimes right. Any moral

rule except love can and should be broken

rule except love can and should be broken

for loves sake. Everything else is relative;

for loves sake. Everything else is relative;

only one thing is absolute, love.

only one thing is absolute, love.



Situationism claims to be a one-norm

Situationism claims to be a one-norm

absolutism. It believes that everything should

absolutism. It believes that everything should

be judged by one absolute moral law: love.

be judged by one absolute moral law: love.

However, it turns out that this moral principle

However, it turns out that this moral principle

fails in that it has no content in advance of or

fails in that it has no content in advance of or

apart from the situation. The situation defines

apart from the situation. The situation defines

what love is so to speak.

what love is so to speak.



Thus this diminishes this one moral law

Thus this diminishes this one moral law

(love) to be no moral law at all, hence it

(love) to be no moral law at all, hence it

reduced to antinomianism. Finally the denial

reduced to antinomianism. Finally the denial

of all value except love is self defeating, for it

of all value except love is self defeating, for it

values the right to say there are no other

values the right to say there are no other

values.

values.



The ethical systems of Antinomianism,

The ethical systems of Antinomianism,

Generalism, and Situationism are three forms

Generalism, and Situationism are three forms

of ethical relativism, and although some who

of ethical relativism, and although some who

proclaim to be followers of Christ embrace

proclaim to be followers of Christ embrace

generalism and situationism, the Biblical

generalism and situationism, the Biblical

Christian must reject all three systems.

Christian must reject all three systems.

Three forms of Ethical Absolutism:

Three forms of Ethical Absolutism:

4.

Unqualified Absolutism: Originated with

Unqualified Absolutism: Originated with

Augustine, the bishop of Hippo. This

Augustine, the bishop of Hippo. This

system can be summarized as follows:

system can be summarized as follows:

There are no moral conflicts; they are only

There are no moral conflicts; they are only

apparent, not real. Sin is always avoidable;

apparent, not real. Sin is always avoidable;

no one should ever lie to save a life.

no one should ever lie to save a life.



This system derives its nature from the following

This system derives its nature from the following

rationale:

rationale:

a)

God’s unchanging character is the basis of moral

God’s unchanging character is the basis of moral

absolutes.

absolutes.

b)

God has expressed His unchanging moral

God has expressed His unchanging moral

character in His law.

character in His law.

c)

God cannot contradict himself.

God cannot contradict himself.

d)

Hence, no two absolute moral laws really conflict.

Hence, no two absolute moral laws really conflict.

e)

All moral conflicts are only apparent, not real.

All moral conflicts are only apparent, not real.



Despite the positive aspects of unqualified

Despite the positive aspects of unqualified

absolutism, there are some serious

absolutism, there are some serious

deficiencies in this position.

deficiencies in this position.

a)

It is unrealistic.

It is unrealistic.

b)

Unmerciful.

Unmerciful.

c)

It is unsuccessful in avoiding the inevitable

It is unsuccessful in avoiding the inevitable

modification of its absolutes (such as the

modification of its absolutes (such as the

Hebrew midwives).

Hebrew midwives).



Though it is true that moral conflicts are not

Though it is true that moral conflicts are not

by God’s original design, it is a fact that we live

by God’s original design, it is a fact that we live

in a fallen world, therefore moral conflicts are

in a fallen world, therefore moral conflicts are

unavoidable as illustrated in the Bible, and the

unavoidable as illustrated in the Bible, and the

Christian ethic must adequately provide

Christian ethic must adequately provide

answers for such conflicts, something that

answers for such conflicts, something that

unqualified absolutism does not do.

unqualified absolutism does not do.

5.

Conflicting Absolutism: We live in a fallen

Conflicting Absolutism: We live in a fallen

world, and in such a world, moral conflicts

world, and in such a world, moral conflicts

do occur. When two moral duties conflict,

do occur. When two moral duties conflict,

we are morally bound to both duties. God’s

we are morally bound to both duties. God’s

law can never be broken without guilt;

law can never be broken without guilt;

therefore one must do the lesser evil,

therefore one must do the lesser evil,

confess that sin and ask for forgiveness.

confess that sin and ask for forgiveness.



This system is built off of the following

This system is built off of the following

premises:

premises:

a)

God’s law is absolute and unbreakable.

God’s law is absolute and unbreakable.

b)

In a fallen world, unavoidable conflicts

In a fallen world, unavoidable conflicts

between God’s commands do occur.

between God’s commands do occur.

c)

When conflicts happen, we should do the

When conflicts happen, we should do the

lesser evil.

lesser evil.

d)

Forgiveness is available if we confess sin.

Forgiveness is available if we confess sin.



Conflicting absolutism has the value of

Conflicting absolutism has the value of

retaining absolutes and yet being realistic

retaining absolutes and yet being realistic

about the fallen world in which we live.

about the fallen world in which we live.

However, it does not appear to have

However, it does not appear to have

successfully defended itself against the moral

successfully defended itself against the moral

charges leveled against it.

charges leveled against it.



Consider the following: A moral duty to sin is

Consider the following: A moral duty to sin is

morally absurd. For example, in a moral

morally absurd. For example, in a moral

conflict, if one is morally obligated to do evil,

conflict, if one is morally obligated to do evil,

how can there be a moral obligation to do

how can there be a moral obligation to do

what is immoral? It seems to be a morally

what is immoral? It seems to be a morally

absurd claim.

absurd claim.

6.

Graded Absolutism: This view maintains

Graded Absolutism: This view maintains

that there are differing grades within the

that there are differing grades within the

moral laws of God. The belief that all sin is

moral laws of God. The belief that all sin is

equal is not Biblical.

equal is not Biblical.



This system is outlined as follows:

This system is outlined as follows:

a)

There are higher and lower moral laws; for

There are higher and lower moral laws; for

example: Matthew 22:36-39; John 19:11.

example: Matthew 22:36-39; John 19:11.

Here we see an example of Jesus

Here we see an example of Jesus

categorizing commandments and sins.

categorizing commandments and sins.



This system is outlined as follows:

This system is outlined as follows:

b)

There are unavoidable moral conflicts: some

There are unavoidable moral conflicts: some

personally unavoidable moral conflicts exist in

personally unavoidable moral conflicts exist in

which an individual cannot obey both commands.

which an individual cannot obey both commands.

(2 Samuel 11:3 David sent messengers and “one”

(2 Samuel 11:3 David sent messengers and “one”

said; is this not Bathsheba the daughter of Eliam,

said; is this not Bathsheba the daughter of Eliam,

the wife of Uriah the Hittite?)

the wife of Uriah the Hittite?)

c)

No guilt is imputed for the unavoidable; God does

No guilt is imputed for the unavoidable; God does

not hold the individual responsible for personal

not hold the individual responsible for personal

unavoidable conflicts, providing that one keeps

unavoidable conflicts, providing that one keeps

the higher law.

the higher law.



Reason dictates that a just God will not hold

Reason dictates that a just God will not hold

responsible a person for doing what is actually

responsible a person for doing what is actually

impossible. It is impossible to avoid the

impossible. It is impossible to avoid the

unavoidable, (The Hebrew midwives). It is

unavoidable, (The Hebrew midwives). It is

impossible to take two courses of action at the

impossible to take two courses of action at the

same time.

same time.



Persons are not morally culpable if they fail to

Persons are not morally culpable if they fail to

keep an obligation they could not keep without

keep an obligation they could not keep without

breaking a higher obligation. The Bible includes

breaking a higher obligation. The Bible includes

multiple examples of persons who were praised by

multiple examples of persons who were praised by

God for allowing their highest duty in situations of

God for allowing their highest duty in situations of

moral conflict:

moral conflict:

a)

Abraham willing to kill Isaac.

Abraham willing to kill Isaac.

b)

The Hebrew midwives.

The Hebrew midwives.

c)

Rehab.

Rehab.

c)

The three Hebrew youths of Daniel.

The three Hebrew youths of Daniel.



The essential principles for graded

The essential principles for graded

absolutism are these: There are many moral

absolutism are these: There are many moral

principles rooted in the absolute moral

principles rooted in the absolute moral

character of God. There are higher and lower

character of God. There are higher and lower

moral duties, for example, love for God is a

moral duties, for example, love for God is a

greater duty than love for people.

greater duty than love for people.



These moral laws sometimes come into

These moral laws sometimes come into

unavoidable moral conflict. In such conflicts

unavoidable moral conflict. In such conflicts

we are obligated to follow the higher moral

we are obligated to follow the higher moral

law. When we follow the higher moral law, we

law. When we follow the higher moral law, we

are not held responsible for breaking the lower

are not held responsible for breaking the lower

law.

law.



In the case of the Hebrew midwives, and

In the case of the Hebrew midwives, and

Rehab the spy, they encountered an

Rehab the spy, they encountered an

unavoidable moral conflict, they chose the

unavoidable moral conflict, they chose the

higher moral law, for which they were praised

higher moral law, for which they were praised

as having chosen to honor God to the best of

as having chosen to honor God to the best of

their ability given their circumstances.

their ability given their circumstances.



In terms of Ethical absolutism the student of

In terms of Ethical absolutism the student of

Christ will have to decide for oneself which

Christ will have to decide for oneself which

system one will embrace, however, graded

system one will embrace, however, graded

absolutism seems to be the most Biblical and

absolutism seems to be the most Biblical and

proves that no ethical discrepancy has been

proves that no ethical discrepancy has been

committed by the Hebrew midwives or by

committed by the Hebrew midwives or by

Rehab.

Rehab.