It has been asserted that "Sins of ignorance can only apply to the first half of the law." (MM)

I'm starting a topic on this to see if anyone is interested in discussing this. I'm interested in seeing MM present an argument that this is the case. Perhaps the easiest way to show this is not the case is to provide a sin of ignorance which violates one of the last six commandments.

MM, how would you define a sin of ignorance?

A sin of ignorance means doing something you have no idea is wrong. Nothing in nature hints at it being wrong. Apart from the Bible nobody would be able to point to it as wrong. This applies only to the first four commandments of God's law.

Nothing in nature teaches that it is wrong to have more than one god, that it is wrong to make icons representing god, that it is wrong to take god's name in vain, or that it is wrong to break the Sabbath.

True, violating these commandments, even ignorantly, makes people feel empty and miserable, but they are incapable of identifying the cause of their emptiness and misery. It requires Bible study and prayer to make the connection.

What in nature hints at lying, for instance, being wrong? Especially if you do it for a good purpose?

Why would you think this?

The fact people naturally feel wrong about lying is evidence they were born with the law written upon every nerve and function of their being from birth.

Nothing in the natural world reveals or reiterates the first four commandments. The following passages make it clear that humans misinterpret nature and form erroneous conclusions about God. It is impossible to read nature aright without an intelligent, intimate knowledge of God's word, the Holy Bible.

Though all these evidences [in nature] have been given, the enemy of good blinded the minds of men, so that they looked upon God with fear; they thought of Him as severe and unforgiving. Satan led men to conceive of God as a being whose chief attribute is stern justice,--one who is a severe judge, a harsh, exacting creditor. {SC 10.3}

Yet these revelations [in nature] are partial and imperfect. And in our fallen state, with weakened powers and restricted vision, we are incapable of interpreting aright. We need the fuller revelation of Himself that God has given in His written word. {Ed 16.3}

The deepest students of science are constrained to recognize in nature the working of infinite power. But to man's unaided reason, nature's teaching cannot but be contradictory and disappointing. Only in the light of revelation can it be read aright. "Through faith we understand." Hebrews 11:3. {Ed 134.1}

So today man cannot of himself read aright the teaching of nature. Unless guided by divine wisdom, he exalts nature and the laws of nature above nature's God. This is why mere human ideas in regard to science so often contradict the teaching of God's word. {MH 461.6}

They don't feel wrong about lying for a good purpose, like Rahab did. In my opinion, hers was a sin of ignorance.

Is your opinion that just the last six commandments are written in the hearts of people - and were written in Adam's heart?

Rahab feared for her life because she was doing something wrong. Do you know of any Bible commentaries that agree with you?


All ten.

She feared for her life? If she had feared for her life, she would have denounced the spies. On the contrary, she risked her life to protect them.

Sure, I can find Bible commentaries which agree with me.

James, Fausset and Brown:



Matthew Henry:



SDABC:

Please consult the comment on Jos. 2:4. I don't have an English copy, but it says more or less the following:



It then goes on to speak about a time when the people of God didn't know about the Sabbath and the tithe, and then quotes Acts 17:30.