Suicide, Just War Theory, and the Grace of God

 By Pastor Benjamin Glaser - Posted at Thoughts From Parson Farms:

How Does the Christian Understand the Sixth Commandment

Good Morning,

In our only question this week we’ll get into what the Sixth Commandment says to all men as to what they are not to do because God says not to kill. Our Larger Catechism is going to give us the commandment, what is required, and what is forbidden with each of the second table laws. We’ll follow the pattern established with the sixth in all that comes next: what it is, and how we are to live it out for one week, with what it is against by itself the following week. The purpose the divines have in not going to four or five questions per commandment like they did with the first table is because we need an even greater understanding as to the reasons for not using the Lord’s name in vain or breaking the Sabbath because those are sins against God. We ought not need as much encouragement to not do evil when the transgressee is another human. For unlike our relationship to the Divine we know what it means to be stolen from or lied to. The real-life consequences are great and actual in ways we may not comprehend when it comes to the Lord.

Part of the reason then for taking the space to deal with how we break the statute is because that is really where the controversy is going to begin. Rightly dividing and handling the word of truth is always important, but especially when it comes to telling folks what not to do. It is at that point that people usually get all kinds of kerfuffling going and labels like Pharisee start catching on. We want to be careful to ensure clarity and forthrightness along with a Biblical foundation along the way. So what is our sixth commandment given to keep us from doing?

Well, here is the Q/A for today:

Q. 136: What are the sins forbidden in the sixth commandment?

A. The sins forbidden in the sixth commandment are, all taking away the life of ourselves, or of others, except in case of public justice, lawful war, or necessary defense; the neglecting or withdrawing the lawful and necessary means of preservation of life; sinful anger, hatred, envy, desire of revenge; all excessive passions, distracting cares; immoderate use of meat, drink, labor, and recreations; provoking words, oppression, quarrelling, striking, wounding, and: whatsoever else tends to the destruction of the life of any.

Continue here.