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Q. 113. What are the sins forbidden in the third commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the third commandment are, the not using of God's name as is required; and the abuse of it in an ignorant, vain, irreverent, profane, superstitious, or wicked mentioning or otherwise using his titles, attributes, ordinances, or works, by blasphemy, perjury; all sinful cursings, oaths, vows, and lots; violating of our oaths and vows, if lawful; and fulfilling them, if of things unlawful; murmuring and quarreling at, curious prying into, and misapplying of God's decrees and providences; misinterpreting, misapplying, or any way perverting the word, or any part of it, to profane jests, curious or unprofitable questions, vain janglings, or the maintaining of false doctrines; abusing it, the creatures, or anything contained under the name of God, to charms, or sinful lusts and practices; the maligning, scorning, reviling, or any wise opposing of God's truth, grace, and ways; making profession of religion in hypocrisy, or for sinister ends; being ashamed of it, or a shame to it, by unconformable, unwise, unfruitful, and offensive walking, or backsliding from it.
Please brothers and sisters let us stop posting these jokes that put words in God's mouth. I realize that no offense is intended but it is a clear violation of the third commandment.
I understood the irreverence to be directed at the atheist, not at God.
Please brothers and sisters let us stop posting these jokes that put words in God's mouth. I realize that no offense is intended but it is a clear violation of the third commandment.
WLCQ. 113. What are the sins forbidden in the third commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the third commandment are, the not using of God's name as is required; and the abuse of it in an ignorant, vain, irreverent, profane, superstitious, or wicked mentioning or otherwise using his titles, attributes, ordinances, or works, by blasphemy, perjury; all sinful cursings, oaths, vows, and lots; violating of our oaths and vows, if lawful; and fulfilling them, if of things unlawful; murmuring and quarreling at, curious prying into, and misapplying of God's decrees and providences; misinterpreting, misapplying, or any way perverting the word, or any part of it, to profane jests, curious or unprofitable questions, vain janglings, or the maintaining of false doctrines; abusing it, the creatures, or anything contained under the name of God, to charms, or sinful lusts and practices; the maligning, scorning, reviling, or any wise opposing of God's truth, grace, and ways; making profession of religion in hypocrisy, or for sinister ends; being ashamed of it, or a shame to it, by unconformable, unwise, unfruitful, and offensive walking, or backsliding from it.
I understood the irreverence to be directed at the atheist, not at God.
It seems many are missing Daniel's point - the joke purports to speak for God. The joke-teller is saying, "God said..." when in fact God did not say that. We know because it is not from Scripture. Even in light-hearted jest, the words of the Almighty should carry such heavy weight that we refrain from purporting to speak for Him, whether serious or joking.
Another example is those billboards that have trite phrases on them such as "Will the road you're on get you to my house?" and then ascribe those words to God. Those billboards are sinful because they are attempting to put words in God's mouth that He did not say.
Maybe this is why reformed folk end up getting branded as having no sense of humour...
It seems many are missing Daniel's point - the joke purports to speak for God. The joke-teller is saying, "God said..." when in fact God did not say that. We know because it is not from Scripture. Even in light-hearted jest, the words of the Almighty should carry such heavy weight that we refrain from purporting to speak for Him, whether serious or joking.
Another example is those billboards that have trite phrases on them such as "Will the road you're on get you to my house?" and then ascribe those words to God. Those billboards are sinful because they are attempting to put words in God's mouth that He did not say.
I completely agree with you about the annoying billboards supposedly quoting God. Unless you are going to put Scripture on your billboard, then stop misquoting God.
It seems many are missing Daniel's point - the joke purports to speak for God. The joke-teller is saying, "God said..." when in fact God did not say that. We know because it is not from Scripture. Even in light-hearted jest, the words of the Almighty should carry such heavy weight that we refrain from purporting to speak for Him, whether serious or joking.
Another example is those billboards that have trite phrases on them such as "Will the road you're on get you to my house?" and then ascribe those words to God. Those billboards are sinful because they are attempting to put words in God's mouth that He did not say.
How about replace the notion of God in the joke with an angel of some sort?
Good... Now for a real test, let us see him deny God's curse and live forever.Atheist tells God he can make man...
It seems many are missing Daniel's point - the joke purports to speak for God. The joke-teller is saying, "God said..." when in fact God did not say that. We know because it is not from Scripture. Even in light-hearted jest, the words of the Almighty should carry such heavy weight that we refrain from purporting to speak for Him, whether serious or joking.
Another example is those billboards that have trite phrases on them such as "Will the road you're on get you to my house?" and then ascribe those words to God. Those billboards are sinful because they are attempting to put words in God's mouth that He did not say.
Okay, I understand your argument, and I do see the cause for concern. But he highlighted "vain, irreverent" in the catechism, and I think a case could be made that the joke is not "vain, irreverent" as it teaches a truth about God, like a parable. The intention of this "parable" is not to suggest God has actually said those words or the event ever happened (none of us would seriously argue that). Is there a better argument against this use of humor/parable from the Confession/Catechism? Or the Scriptures?
And no, I don't think the ends justify the means, and I actually think I agree with your reasoning. But I want to see a better argument against this using the texts we hold as authoritative.
Is the Living Bible bordering on a similar commandment violation, for putting words in God's mouth?
Asked in sincerity...
Blessings!