I say in all humility that the Shorter Catechism should read "forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to righteousness."
All tagged A Lying Spirit
Lying in the Heidelberg Catechism
"Rather, in court and everywhere else, I should avoid lying and deceit of every kind; these are the very devices the devil uses, and they would call down on me God’s intense wrath." Heidelberg Catechism 112
Objections to Holy Deception
It should not be surprising that a slew of posts on "why it is okay to lie" might receive some push back. It is time for me to address a couple of objections that went untouched in my posts.
Defying Evil Through Deception
This is not merely God using poor circumstances. This is God reversing a false judgment set forth by humanity. This is God overturning the false righteousness of the world.
Deception in Genesis
Joseph is actually a pre-fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham. The whole world is blessed through him. Genesis 41:57 says "all the earth" came to him for bread <cough> and wine <cough>.
Man's Holy Deception
Studying Rahab, Jael and Solomon certainly seem to indicate a positive Scriptural response to deception to preserve life and administer proper justice.
God's Holy Deception
Does God lie? Does He participate in deception? Does He endorse deception? These are important questions that Christians have discussed throughout church history. I don't claim to have all the answers, but I do think the Scriptures present a more convoluted answer than we would like to believe.