Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 6
The speaker argues oath-taking is the “precursor to non-resistance” and says we should develop “equal sensitivity to deceit as we do for violence”; where have you seen churches treat violence as the big issue while treating verbal untruthfulness (or “levels of truthfulness”) as normal?
Another way to ask: The speaker says we should be as sensitive to deceit as we are to violence. Where have you seen churches speak strongly against violence but treat “stretching the truth” as normal?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The speaker’s point is that many Christians treat physical violence as obviously serious while accepting everyday verbal half-truths as normal, only “getting serious” when someone is “under oath.” He calls the church to feel the same alarm about deceit that it often reserves for bloodshed.
- He says non-resistance is discussed a lot, but oaths are rarely addressed, even though oath-taking is “the precursor to non-resistance.”
- He wants “deep conviction that our words have as much significance as our actions.”
- He explicitly calls for “equal sensitivity to deceit as we do for violence,” adding, “we don’t nearly talk about deceit enough.”
- He describes society’s “levels of truthfulness”: ordinary life, then family, then “if you’re under oath, you’re at the pinnacle of truthfulness.”
- He warns that Christians should get “quivers” and “chills” seeing a believer about to take an oath, implying the church is currently too casual.