Sinful housework

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I even heard a Christian professor of "perfection" chew his wife out rather harshly after church. He then realized that he made a mistake when she told him all the details and he apologized. So much for "perfection". The man sinned.

Was he in fact sinning when he rebuked his wife? Perfection, as I understand it, does not include perfect knowledge of all things (omniscience). If the facts were as he understood them to be, perhaps under those circumstances the rebuke would have been entirely justified. I do not see where perfection, as mentioned in Scripture, precludes an angry rebuke. Jesus 'chewed people out' several times, yet he was, of all people, without sin in any way.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Was he in fact sinning when he rebuked his wife? Perfection, as I understand it, does not include perfect knowledge of all things (omniscience). If the facts were as he understood them to be, perhaps under those circumstances the rebuke would have been entirely justified. I do not see where perfection, as mentioned in Scripture, precludes an angry rebuke. Jesus 'chewed people out' several times, yet he was, of all people, without sin in any way.

Jesus never chewed anyone out without knowing that it was justified. Perfection seeks the facts prior to rebuke... else one rebukes on false pretenses. Something rampant in our movement.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Jesus never chewed anyone out without knowing that it was justified. Perfection seeks the facts prior to rebuke... else one rebukes on false pretenses. Something rampant in our movement.

Being morally perfect in a human cannot extend to perfect knowledge of all facts. It can extend to whatever knowledge one has of facts that are known, as they are known.

A man may honestly believe he has the facts, and act accordingly, and be morally perfect in that regard, and yet be mistaken as to the facts.

Although it might also be said one who is morally perfected by grace would, if the facts indicate a rebuke is in order, seek first to ask 'what's going on here?' rather than render a judgement. IE examine first, reserve judgement for after all the facts are in.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Being morally perfect in a human cannot extend to perfect knowledge of all facts. It can extend to whatever knowledge one has of facts that are known, as they are known.

True... However, if one doesn't inquire as to the facts before confrontation, are they not being "imperfect" or "missing the mark"? Could they not be guilty of wrongful accusation and character assassination? Could they not be sowing the root of bitterness? To jump all over someone without even having a regard for the facts, their motivations, and reasons why about a given thing is terribly carnal and reeks of arrogance.

A man may honestly believe he has the facts, and act accordingly, and be morally perfect in that regard, and yet be mistaken as to the facts.

If a man believes he has all the facts, and doesn't, has he not deceived himself? Has he not convinced himself of his own error? In some cases, has he not believed a self-told lie? How is that "morally perfect"?

For example, a soldier fires into the brush before authenticating if what he heard was enemy and kills 9 friendly soldiers. Morally perfect based on what he thought? Now we're lost on a sea of circumstantial morality. He is morally imperfect in that he FAILED to authenticate that he was about to engage enemy. Now lives are lost needlessly due to his gross misconduct. Hardly morally perfect. In fact... fearful and imperfect. Which... in many situations I can understand because I was in the military. But he'd never say he was morally perfect. He'll live his life saying, "I should have verified that they were enemy..."

Although it might also be said one who is morally perfected by grace would, if the facts indicate a rebuke is in order, seek first to ask 'what's going on here?' rather than render a judgement. IE examine first, reserve judgement for after all the facts are in.

Exactly. A morally perfect man would never launch into a tirade against another before inquiring as to what the issue truly is. The only exception would be if he stepped out in divine revelation by virtue of the gift of knowledge. Sadly, this has been used as a cloak too many times when men have been terribly carnal and incorrect in their biased assessments.