BWA6067@TAMAGEN (01/12/90)
John Cromartie writes: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Why does Paul go to such great lengths to convince the Corinthians NOT to > go to court with one another? As a Christian, do I not have the obligation to > AVOID being a willing participant in something that is expressly forbidden? > Do I not sanction the act by saying, "I'll help you do it?" I'm not sure, > that's why I'm asking you. I don't know, either. A lawyer may feel an obligation to honor any well-meaning request, just like a doctor is obligated to aid anyone in need. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distinction: a doctor rendering medical assistance to an injured person is not the same as, essentially, conspiring to commit something that was expressly forbidden. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All I know is, Paul is addressing the two who seek the lawyer, not the lawyer himself. The passage may fit, but not like a glove. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Would you then go so far as to say that application of a principle must not exceed the immediate context? What constitutes conspiracy to commit sin? Does such a concept even exist, Biblically? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- But this raises another, very PRACTICAL question. To what extent do lawyers, and other professionals, treat clients/customers/fellow workers differently when the person is a Christian? Do different standards exist? Different strategies? Different procedures? If so, how do you know that a person is a Christian? Do you ask them outright? Do you guess? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And, if providing apt and professional legal assistance means emotionally shredding someone on the witness stand in order to discount his/her testimony, does Jesus suspend the commandment to be compassionate to justify providing that required assistance? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Personally, I would hope that people are *not* treated differently. I believe we are called to seek Christ in ALL people, to treat everyone fairly, and to do the best job in all situations. What do other people think? John Cromartie ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- queue ball