Sam Storms: Oklahoma City, OK

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Introduction Charlie Brown was sitting in the living room watching TV when he heard a loud noise in the kitchen. He went to check it out and caught Snoopy, his dog, raiding the refrigerator. "Hey, what are you doing?" he asked. "You can't just take things out of the refrigerator." Pulling out his Bible, Charlie directed Snoopy to Exodus: "Thou shalt not steal." Snoopy took the Bible from Charlie's hand and flipped over to Deuteronomy 25:4 where it says: "Thou sh...Read More ➔

Liberty Vs. Legalism

By: Sam Storms

Liberty Vs. Legalism

By: Sam Storms

How is a Christian to act with regard to matters not explicitly addressed in Scripture? How is a Christian to conduct himself/herself in situations on which the Bible is silent? This is the question Paul addresses in Romans 14. We could as easily ask: "What is the nature and extent of Christian freedom" The NT speaks of three types of freedom: 1) Freedom from the condemnation of God (cf. Rom. 8:1); 2) Freedom from the compulsion to sin (cf. Rom. 6:14); and 3) Freedom fro...Read More ➔

Abortion

By: Sam Storms

Abortion

By: Sam Storms

A. Clarification of biological factors/terms Conception takes place when a male germ cell (spermatozoon) combines with a female germ cell (the ovum), resulting in a single cell (the single-cell zygote), which embodies the full genetic code, 23 pairs of chromosomes (this occurs @ 22-24 hours after insemination). The single-cell zygote soon begins a process of cellular division. The resultant multicell zygote, while continuing to ...Read More ➔

Birth Control

By: Sam Storms

Birth Control

By: Sam Storms

What does the Bible say about artificial means of contraception? Is it morally and biblically permissible for a Christian couple to utilize modern medical technology to limit the number of children they conceive? Or are Christians obligated to give birth to as many offspring as is biologically possible? Or is there another option? For example, a couple in their early 40’s with 5 children come to you for counseling. Jim is a carpenter whose work is sporadic and who...Read More ➔

Capital Punishment

By: Sam Storms

Capital Punishment

By: Sam Storms

Contrary to what many suppose, there is not a consensus in the Christian community on the morality of capital punishment. Although a majority of evangelicals probably endorse CP, at least in the case of premeditated murder, a significant minority oppose it. For example, representatives of the American Baptist Convention adopted this resolution in 1960 concerning CP: "Because the Christian believes in the inherent worth of human personality and in the unceasing availabil...Read More ➔

Civil Disobedience

By: Sam Storms

Civil Disobedience

By: Sam Storms

[This is not a general discussion of the ethics of civil disobedience, but a specific treatment of the ethics of Operation Rescue. The latter provides us with an excellent case study by which to analyze the primary issues.] Many of those involved in Operation Rescue (hereafter OR) argue that what they are doing is not only morally and biblically prudential, not only morally and biblically permissible, but morally and biblically obligatory. That is to say, many i...Read More ➔

Euthanasia

By: Sam Storms

Euthanasia

By: Sam Storms

The term Euthanasia is derived from two Greek words: eu, which means well or good, and thanatos, which means death. There are a number of other terms in the debate over euthanasia that call for explanation. Voluntary / Involuntary / Non-voluntary These terms focus on whether or not the patient requests death or grants permission to be put to death. · Voluntary euthanasia refers to those instances w...Read More ➔

Gambling

By: Sam Storms

Gambling

By: Sam Storms

According to recent statistical studies, · Approximately 95% of American citizens have gambled at some time in their lives. About 82% have played a state sponsored lottery, 75% have played slot machines, 50% have gambled on either horse or dog races, 44% have played poker, and 34% gamble via bingo. More than 25% have gambled on sports events. Amazingly, recent polls indicate that nearly 90% of the American population approve...Read More ➔

Integrity

By: Sam Storms

Integrity

By: Sam Storms

There is perhaps no more explicit description of the ethics of integrity than that found in Psalm 15. "O Lord, who may abide in Thy tent? Who may dwell on Thy holy hill (v. 1)? Note well: The answer that follows says nothing about wealth, education, physical beauty, giftedness, speaking skills, church offices held, cars owned, whether one is married or single, stock portfolio, number of children, clothes that are worn, color of skin, or any such facto...Read More ➔

Moral Absolutism

By: Sam Storms

Moral Absolutism

By: Sam Storms

Here we will look at only the three most well-known forms of absolutism. 1. Situationism Situationism (also called contextualism) in its modern form was popularized by Joseph Fletcher in his book Situation Ethics (1966). Fletcher once served as dean of Cincinnati's St. Paul's Cathedral and later as professor of social ethics at the Episcopal Theology School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. At first glance, it ...Read More ➔

Responding to Moral Relativists

By: Sam Storms

Responding to Moral Relativists

By: Sam Storms

Now that we have examined moral absolutism let’s consider how best to respond to those relativists who regard us as intolerant and judgmental. First of all, how often have you had it said to you, or heard it said to someone else: “You shouldn’t force your morality on me.” The proper response is: “Why not?” After all, he is forcing his morality on you by insisting that you have no right to force your morality on him! He has a s...Read More ➔

Sexual Morality

By: Sam Storms

Sexual Morality

By: Sam Storms

The most important thing to remember as we talk about sexual purity is this: God is for you! God wants you to win. People often view God as their adversary when it comes to sex: “He’s against me. He’s hates sex. I’m repulsive to him. He’s ashamed of me for what I’ve done. And to be perfectly honest, I can’t blame him much.” Misconceptions such as this only serve to convince us that our situation is hopeless and drive us far...Read More ➔

Suicide

By: Sam Storms

Suicide

By: Sam Storms

Consider these statistics: · There are four male suicides for every one female; however, at least twice as many females as males attempt suicide. · Sixty percent of all people who commit suicide kill themselves with guns. · Guns are now used in more suicides than homicides. · Women are more...Read More ➔