There are two attitudes, basically, which are held toward the concept of authority. One is expressed by Martin Luther and is the attitude adopted by the majority of what the world knows as Christianity:
I can do anything the Bible does not specifically forbid.
The other attitude is expressed by Dirk Phillips is his word, VINDICATION, dating from the 1500’s and is the attitude which churches of Christ have held throughout the centuries:
It is evident that whatever God has not commanded and has not instituted by express commands of Scripture, he does not want nor does he want to be served therewith, nor will he have his Word set aside nor made to suit the pleasure of men.
Each individual must decide which of these attitudes he will adopt in his religious conduct. Will it be that of Mart Luther or that of Dirk Phillips?
Martin Luther’s position is that unless there is a direct command not to do something, i.e. a “Thou shalt not …”, one of free to do whatsoever he wishes. Thus, the Bible becomes basically a book or list of prohibitions.
Dirk Phillips’ position is that unless there is a command to do something, i.e. a “Thou shalt …”, one cannot engage in the action. Thus, the Bible becomes basically a book or list to guide us in what to do.
Which is more reasonable? How large a book would it take to contain prohibitions of all of the things which the imagination of man could dream of doing that are wrong? Would it not be more practical,and easier to give a book which would contain merely the things which we are to do, basically?
The question is, however: which position would God have us to assume? Martin Luther’s law of license, or Dirk Phillips’ law of exclusion?