The Danger of Basing Doctrine on Hypotheticals

by David Rollert

According to certain theologians, some of God’s commands seem to unequally impact those who have been harmed by cruel people. Because of this the argument is made that God’s commands don’t pertain in certain situations. These are often presented in hypothetical “what if” statements. These statements are formed in such a way where following God’s commands looks like the cruel option, and going against God’s law seems like the merciful option. A classic example of this is the “lying to save a life” argument.

The argument goes like this: We know the Bible says lying is a sin (Colossians 3:9). But what if you were hiding Jews from the Nazis in the second world war and a German officer asked if there were any Jews in your house? The person posing the argument will generally state that speaking the truth would result in the death of the Jews and probably you as well. But that lying would save all those lives. So, they claim that lying, and thus breaking God’s command, would be the more upright thing to do. They will also generally insult the moral fiber of anyone who said lying would still be wrong in that situation.

One of the many problems with this kind of hypothetical is that they will rarely stop there. If you concede that lying might be acceptable in that situation, then they will move to progressively less extreme situations trying to get you to concede. Eventually, they will end up trying to get you to agree that obeying God’s commands on lying is purely subjective based on your feelings and the situation at hand.

Inevitably, basing theology on hypothetical situations leads to a system where God’s commands are viewed more as suggestions, where you can obey God if it is convenient but lean on grace if it is not convenient to obey God. We must be very careful not to fall into this trap!

So, what is the solution? In short, the solution is to follow God’s commands even when it is not convenient or enjoyable. In slightly longer form this means that we must prioritize loving God, seeking God, and obeying God above absolutely everything else (including our feelings). Remember what Jesus said when asked what the greatest command is.

“And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22”:37-40 NASB)