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tcalbrecht · #41 (**permalink**) 06-22-2007, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StaunchPresbyterian

WLC Q. 142. What are the sins forbidden in the eighth commandment?

A. The sins forbidden in the eighth commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required, are, theft, robbery, man-stealing, and receiving anything that is stolen; fraudulent dealing, false weights and measures, removing landmarks, injustice and unfaithfulness in contracts between man and man, or in matters of trust; oppression, extortion, usury, bribery, vexatious lawsuits, unjust enclosures and depredation; engrossing commodities to enhance the price; unlawful callings, and all other unjust or sinful ways of taking or withholding from our neighbor what belongs to him, or of enriching ourselves; covetousness; inordinate prizing and affecting worldly goods; distrustful and distracting cares and studies in getting, keeping, and using them; envying at the prosperity of others; as likewise idleness, prodigality, wasteful gaming; and all other ways whereby we do unduly prejudice our own outward estate, and defrauding ourselves of the due use and comfort of that estate which God hath given us.

This portion of the catechism seems to be concerned with extreme behavior. Does “idleness” mean that I can’t take a nap after I come home from work? Or does it mean an aversion to all forms of meaningful work? Likewise, “prodigality” means “extravagant wastefulness”. The “wasteful” in front of “gaming” is a similar modifier. Certainly not all forms of “gaming” are being condemned, otherwise why the modifier? If it is always “wasteful” to drop a few bucks in a casino then it must be just as wasteful to visit a big league ballpark or attend the opera.

It think the catechism leaves plenty of room for a sanctified conscience working within the boundaries of Christian liberty in this (and other) areas.