Dark Jedi

I cannot remeber where, but I remeber a passage that says, essentually, "it's ok to lie, as long as it results in a conversion"

Strike any cords? I really don't want to spend the weekend re-reading both books just to find one forgotten reference...

CX

I beleive you are thinking of Paul's argument in Romans 3 that includes the verse:

( Romans 3:7 NIV)
Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as
a sinner?"

This isn't saying that lying for the cause of god is okay. On the other hand one of the early Church fathers (it's either Irenaeus or Eusebius I forget which one) does seem to imply that it's okay to lie if it helpes the cause of Xianity. Strictly speaking though this idea is not biblical.

-DM-

You might be thinking of:

Taken out of context, it looks as if Paul is saying that the use of a lie is OK so long as it is for a godly purpose. Such is not the case, however. What Paul is allegedly saying is something like this:

--Don--

BLoggins02

This is one of those few times that quoting such a passage to imply that Paul thought it was OK to lie really IS taking things out of context. Why? It goes on to say...

This could be taken to mean that Paul indeed says it would be a sin to lie, even if "the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie..."

Note that I'm not a Christian, I'm just saying that when someone gives you a bible verse, ALWAYS read the surrounding context. You'll not only learn more about your position, but you'll save yourself from embarrasment (and may even be able to completely embarrass your opponent )

-DM-

For what it's worth -- which may not be too much given that it is difficult to confirm these quotes -- I offer these:

Oh Lord, I never spoke a true word in my life. I have always affirmed a lie as truth to all men, and no man contradicted me; instead they all gave credit to my works. - Hermas Early church father

Among those who seek power and gain from religion, there will never be wanting an inclination to forge and lie for it. -Lactantius 4th century Christian apologist

The great religious historian, Eusebius, ingenuously remarks that...he carefully omitted whatever tended to discredit the church, and that he piously magnified all that conduced to her glory. - Robert Ingersoll (1833-1899) Attorney, orator

The gravest of all the ecclesiastical historians, Eusebius himself, ... confesses that he has related whatever might redound to the glory, and ... has suppressed all that would ... disgrace ... religion. - Edward Gibbon (1737-1794) English historian

On some occasions the bodies of the martyrs who had been devoured by wild beasts, upon the beasts being strangled, were found alive in their stomachs. - Eusebius (4th century) Bishop Christian ecclesiastical historian

Dark Jedi

Thanks, folks. This was the one I was thinking of, and it is clearly not what I remebered. That keeps my foot out of my mouth, which is good!