Ten Commandments
Part 12)
Commandment # 5 (Protestant
6) “You shall not kill.” Part 2
There
is another form of murder that is rampant in our society. It is found in the
“cancel culture” in our universities. It occur when companies release employees who
disagree with company social policy. It
is found in situations where a person has differing views than the crowd.
Professors and scientists lose their positions, effectively blacklisted. Students with differing viewpoints may be
denied entry into certain fields of study, speaking engagements can be canceled
if the correct attitudes aren’t expressed.
Oftentimes what is said or written about these persons borders on
character assassination. As Christians,
we need to be careful not to succumb to making such attacks ourselves.
Before turning to the positive side of this
commandment, there is one more prohibition to look at. This commandment also prohibits
self-murder. Suicide is condemned. Even envy and discontent, which destroy our
souls, can be included.
National
and self defense are permitted under this commandment. But there is a difference between defending
oneself and accidentally killing an aggressor while wishing that the aggressor
dies.
Turning
to the positive side, this commandment has much to tell us. It addresses
several questions. As a starting point
we must ask “Who is a person?” Are all
humans persons or are only some? Is
personhood intrinsic or given by someone from the outside? This raises the sanctity of life versus
quality or life issues. These questions affect our stance on issues
like abortion, euthanasia, etc. We are
all created in the image of God, which affirms our dignity (Cf. Psams
139:13-16). We are to have respect for
and affirm all human life. This includes the marginalized in society, the
unborn baby, the infirm, the elderly, those with special needs, the poor, the
alien. It calls us to be against
abortion, euthanasia, and suicide. We
are to have respect for health and things that promote human flourishing. If we don’t begin with the belief that all
life is sacred we end up with only emotional arguments.
Jesus
blows this commandment wide open. He
says that anger is liable to judgment (Matthew 5:21-22). In his eyes, anger is
as bad as murder. He reminds us that the
heart is the seat of decision making and action.
You wanted me
to be a neighbor to those around me, Lord.
But I have gotten into a terrible fight for survival against my fellow
man. There was always the suspicion
others might get ahead of me, spoil my chances, ruin my success in life. Now I simply cannot keep still any longer;
and I live among people for whom it is just the same. The battle of each against all gets
increasingly murderous! We deserve it,
Lord, that you should let us perish in hate and distrust and that we should
lose you for all eternity. We cannot
help ourselves, Lord, but be merciful and let us live together in peace again.[1]
Food for thought
1. In what ways do I affirm life?
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