Paul, I agree with what you have written. I will share your position with
the students this fall to get their response.
Kenneth, I have a hard time understanding how you can claim to be using the
scriptures as your reference point. You appear to be using personal
financial gain as your reference point, not scripture. Possibly your
knowledge of scripture is minimal, though.
I have found the biblical concept of Shalom as a valuable method of making
ethical decisions, using scriptural teaching as the organizing theme.
The following are examples of scriptures that have helped me in organizing my
thinking:
Deut. 24:17-22
Ps. 82; 146
Is. 1:10-17; 58:1-10
Jer. 1:1-7; 22:1-5, 13-17
Ezek. 16:48-50
Amos 6:4-6; 8:1-6
Mal. 3:1-5
Matt. 19:16-30; 25:31-46
Luke 4:16-21; 6:20-26; 12:16-21; 16:19-31; 19:1-10
Contrary to what you state, scripture *does* impose a obligation to keep
and provide free care to my brother. What was the sin of the man whose
land brought forth plentifully that he was called a fool by Jesus and whose
soul was required of him? What was the sin of the rich man that refused to
feed Lazarus? The sin was failure to share freely of what they had and the
others needed. One of the sins of Israel that led to their judgement was their
failure to heed the needs of the voiceless, the widow, the homeless and the
orphan. Jesus spoke specifically to the idea of health care in the parable of
the Good Samaritan (Luke 10). Jesus command was to "go and do likewise."
I think it would take a real song-and-dance to try to say that this doesn't
involve health care.
Kenneth, you are going to have to do a much more detailed analysis to convince
me that your position is worthy of acceptance. I am waiting anxiously to
read this analysis when you send it.
Thanks
Jim Behnke, Asbury College, Wilmore, KY 40390 jimbeh@ms.uky.edu