Quote:
Originally Posted by sastark 
The catechism doesn't say it's ok to lie to the Nazis but it does say you ought to defend the innocent Jew. So, I guess we shouldn't lie, we should just kill the Nazi and by so doing sacrifice ourselves, our family and the Jews we were hiding, once the other Nazis find out about it. Or, perhaps, we can use our God-given discretion to preserve our lives and the lives of the Jews we are hiding, bu simply not handing over the innocent to be slaughtered.
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I think we agree about preserving life and hiding the Jews. I would do everything I could to keep them from being slaughtered, including hiding them, helping them escape, or doing anything else I could to help them, as I think we are obligated to do under the 6th commandment. I agree with all of that. But when it comes down to being asked point blank, "Are you hiding Jews?" I believe it would be wrong to lie. Forget the cop out about being silent and dodging the question - I think all that's fine, but if pressed and you have to give an answer, I don't see how lying would not be sinful. It would be going directly against God's Word and the very nature of God Himself. I'm not saying we voluntarily round up Jews for the Nazis, but I am saying it is NEVER acceptable to break the 9th commandment.
By the way, just because the Bible records historical lies (Rahab, Egyptian midwives) doesn't make it acceptable. Rachel lied about having her menstrual period to hide Laban's idols. Was this an acceptable lie also? Or was the reason not good enough?
I think we may have to agree to disagree on this. I certainly understand your view and I would probably lie in the heat of the moment, but it would still be a sin. I will never believe God's Law is ever conditional.