Lenses of Liberty
Individual Rights vs. Freedom in Christ
We all see the world through different lenses or filters shaped by:
Objective objectivity is impossible; we must examine our lenses in light of Scripture.
Backgrounds and personal contexts
Experiences that have shaped us
The media we watch and consume
The stories we tell ourselves
The Filter of Perspective
What are some things we consider to be “individual rights”?
"It is better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer." — William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England (1760s)
"Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains." — Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract (1762)
Enlightenment Thought on Individual Freedom
The heart of liberty is the right to define one's own concept of existence, of meaning, of the universe, and of the mystery of human life." — Justice Anthony Kennedy (Planned Parenthood v. Casey)
Modern Thought on Individual Freedom
"Consent is a moral transformer... It turns a trespass into a dinner party, a battery into a boxing match, and a theft into a gift." — Heidi Hurd, Moral Magic: The Role of Consent
Common Worldview:
If it is legal and it does not harm anyone, I should be able to do it
Digging Deeper:
What are some areas of life for which we (sometimes wrongly) apply only the
legal/illegal standard?
My “Right” vs My Influence:
The Church in Corinth
Paul quotes the Corinthians directly to expose their misuse of Christian freedom:
1 Corinthians 6:12a
"I have the right to do anything..."
Likely used to justify participating in sexual immorality or suing fellow believers.
1 Corinthians 10:23a
"I have the right to do anything..."
Used by those asserting their "right" to eat meat sacrificed to idols, regardless of others' conscience.
The Abuse of Liberty
The Roman Context
Asserting Citizenship
Corinthians were often Roman citizens asserting legal rights, similar to Paul in Acts 22. They understood freedom but used it selfishly.
They focused on what they could do, rather than what they should do for the benefit of the body of Christ.
Case Study:
Meat Sacrificed to Idols (1 Cor 8:1-13)
Romans 14:13-15
"If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love."
Why do you think the abstainers didn’t want to eat idol meat? Because they were dull and stupid, or because they wanted to honor God?
The Conscience of Others
Why do you think the idol-meat-eaters ate meat? Because they wanted to see how far they could push the limits, or because they knew it was permissible
and just wanted to enjoy a steak?
Love
Over Liberty
Paul admits the "Strong" Christians are theologically correct—meat is just meat. However, being "right" is not the ultimate goal.
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If eating meat causes a weaker brother to stumble, the "right" thing is to abstain.
The Law of Love
False Story (Corinth) | True Story (Paul/Christ) |
"I have the right to do anything." | "But not everything is beneficial." |
Focus on Individual Freedom. | "But not everything is constructive." |
"Meat is just meat." | "Do not cause your brother to stumble." |
Demanding Legal Rights. | Sacrificing Rights for Love. |
The True Story: A Higher Standard
Kathryn Shulz notes three mistakes we make when we assume we’re right and fail to consider others:
1.
Ignorance Assumption: They just don't have the facts we do.
2.
Idiocy Assumption: They have the facts but can't put them together correctly.
3.
Evil Assumption: They know the truth but are being dishonest.
Three Assumptions of "Being Right"
What are some better, scripture-based assumptions we can make?
"A robust Christian worldview should be evangelistic, in that others look at us and want to see the world the way we do."
— Lesson Summary
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Closing & Discussion
"Being right is a goal, but it's not the only goal."
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Where do you find it hardest to choose "beneficial" over "permissible"?
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How does being right sometimes become a hindrance to love?
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What Scripture-informed assumptions should we make about others?