Good Idea or a Biblical Mandate?
My wife was at a Bible study last night and their discussion prompted me to write this post. The conversation that ensued at her Bible study went something like this: (Italics are my wife. Regular font indicates the other Bible Study participants.)
‘Quiet times are necessary to grow in your relationship with Christ.’
‘Are they?’
‘Yes. They are.’
‘Show me where the Bible mandates quiet times.’
‘We’ll…we must spend time with the Lord if we want to get to know him.’
‘Again, where is that mandated in Scripture? Also, for the sake of argument let’s pretend you are correct. What does it look like to spend time with the Lord?’
‘Prayer, memorizing Scripture, reading the Bible, journaling, fasting…those type of things.’
‘Show me where Scripture mandates a quiet time that looks like what you’ve just described. How often are we to do these things?’
‘Everyday.’
It is critical to understand the difference between a Biblical Mandate and a Good Idea. Differentiating between the two is essential in forming a proper worldview and will effect how you handle situations in your life.
A Biblical Mandate is just that…a mandate. These are the black and white issues that Scripture lays out clear as day and night. We are not to murder (Mt. 5:21). We are to love the Lord and others (Mt. 5:44; 22:37). These are the imperatives of Scripture.
A Good Idea is a good idea. It is a good idea to not smoke a pipe, but I can if I want too. It is a good idea to be active in a Bible study, but I don’t have to be. These items are more personal convictions than mandates through Scripture.
The repercussions of not understanding this fundamental difference will reap longstanding consequences. Let’s take a look at a fictional example.
My friend enjoys drinking alcohol. He doesn’t get drunk, but he’s been known to go out and have a good time with his friends. On the other hand, because of my personal convictions, I don’t believe that drinking an alcoholic beverage is ‘above reproach’ so I choose not to drink.
Is the issue of alcohol a Biblical Mandate or a Good Idea? I challenge anyone to show me in a mandate in Scripture that claims we should avoid all consumption of alcohol. It is simply a personal conviction, a Good Idea. So, herein lies the problem. The second I start holding my friend to my personal convictions (that aren’t Biblical Mandates) is the second that I begin to judge my friend. And the irony in the situation is that we are told, via a Biblical Mandate, NOT to judge others (Mt. 7:1). And that’s the problem! (For the record, I love wine, beer, vodka/tonics and the like…the above was just an example.)
So I ask you, is a quiet time (daily or otherwise) a Biblical Mandate or a Good Idea? It is NOT a Biblical Mandate and when I hear Christians say it is HERE and HERE and HERE, it kills me! Why are we made to feel guilty for not DOING something (again, speaking about personal convictions or good ideas) when Christ has set us FREE? Where is the grace in that? I’ll have to tackle that in a different post on the freedom in Christ. Cheers. ~CT
Okay.
So, I read, I understood, and I completely agree. Mandate vs. good idea… no problem. In fact I’ve asserted as much regarding many things over the years.
However, the idea of biblical mandate borders on right doctrine, or in want for another descriptive – biblical prescription, does it not? Something that is not directly and definitively laid out in scripture but unmistakably discerned from the whole of scripture? Let us look at that idea. I would assert that ‘quiet times’ are necessary in the Christian life and that it is more than a good idea but indeed a biblical prescription.
Great site so far. Going off to read more and hope to see you back and JPs Mind…
JP
June 9, 2008
JP – Good comment. Sure, I would agree with you in that there are things in Scripture that can be inferred (or discerned from the whole of Scripture). And I would also agree that one must grow in their relationship with Christ and if that is what you mean by ‘quiet time’ then we are in agreement. But here is the point I was trying to make:
1. ‘Quiet times’ should not be understood only as reading Scripture, praying, memorizing Scripture, journaling, etc… Growing in your relationship with Christ comes in numerous ways apart from the traditionally understood method of ‘Quiet times’. Therefore, ‘quiet times’ as traditionally understood cannot be supported via a Biblical Mandate. I grow in my relationship with Christ as I dialogue with you…not too many folks would see this as a ‘quiet time’, but my mind and spirit are engaged in the pursuit of truth as you and I go back and forth.
2. In addition, we have crossed the line of grace into the playing field of legalism when we start believing that ‘quiet times’ should be adhered to on a daily, weekly, etc… basis. Daily might be a good idea for you, but not for me. And, when we start holding other people accountable to our personal convictions when they are not Biblical mandates, we are wrong. In doing so, we are creating new ‘laws’ that Christ has freed us from. I’ll respect the way you grow in your relationship with Christ however that might look, and you should do the same me. I hope this makes sense?
Thanks for the comment!
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