On the Rocks
W. Carl Ketcherside
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In the simpler days of earth, rude shepherds counted their flocks and herds upon their fingers and toes. Each toe was touched by the staff and each finger with the thumbs and when a complete round was made a line was drawn in the sand and this line was called a score. A score was thus twenty; forty was two-score, or two lines; and sixty was threescore, or three lines. We still refer to the toes and fingers as digits, even as we do figures or numbers.
Sometimes a notch or line was cut into a stick for each group of twenty, and we still use the word "scoring" for the making of such lines. We say a piston is scored when reduced oil pressure causes friction to make lines in its surface. And we still talk about keeping the score in a game or contest, although it now means to keep the tally, rather than to count by twenties.
As man developed commercial interests through barter or trade, lines drawn in the sand were no longer adequate, and a new medium of computation providing for subtraction and division, as well as addition, was required. Small white pebbles were found to be best suited for the purpose. Such a pebble was called a calculus.
In ancient Rome chariots for hire were kept at the outer gates of the wall to transport passengers to the inner city. The driver counted twenty and dropped a calculus into an urn, and repeated the process until arrival at the destination, where the calculi were poured out and the passenger paid accordingly. Our word "calculate" means "to count by stones."
These chariots were the first taxicabs, although this word is from the French. The word "cab" is an abbreviation for cabriolet, a young goat, because the first such vehicles driven over the cobblestones of Paris, jostled and jounced and cavorted about like a young goat on the rocks. Of course the word "taxi" has to do with tax, and in our day we hardly need to explain that this refers to an assessment, or fee. A taxicab is a vehicle which assesses a fee for its use.
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The Greek term denotes inward reasoning resulting in an opinion or personal conviction, especially as related to the formation or development of a doubt. Phillips has it, "Welcome a man whose faith is weak, but not with the idea of arguing over his scruples." The New English Version reads, "If a man is weak in his faith you must accept him without attempting to settle doubtful points." The Revised Standard Version says, "As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions."
Because of the context we are inclined to like the word "scruples" in the passage. A scruple is the fruit of conscience which has been impregnated by doubt. It is the result of one's own inner reasoning although it may have begun with a suggestion from another. When there is a question about the propriety of a thing the one who questions it must abstain from doing it, or stifle the conscience which acts as a monitor in all such affairs.
When the apostles were alive there were two matters which created real problems among the saints. One related to the eating of meats; the other to the keeping of special days. In our culture these are no longer concerns, but nothing that troubles us now is of more importance than these were then. They were questions fraught with intense emotional strain, creating suspicion and distrust. They had in them the potential for the fragmentation and disruption of the communities of the saints. Men had genuine scruples against eating meat which might have been consecrated to idols and in celebrating certain days.
The apostolic approach to the problem was unique. It is fully set forth in Romans, chapter fourteen. It took into consideration the natural reactions of two who try to walk together, while one has a sharp pebble in his shoe. The one who does not is inclined to despise the one who has the impediment; the one who possesses the scruple is inclined to judge and censure the other. Here are the considerations which should eliminate the contempt of one and the condemnation of the other.
1. God has received them both, not because of their attitudes, but in spite of them.
2. Neither one belongs to the other, but both belong to a common master. It is ridiculous for a slave to try and dispossess another slave whom he does not possess.
3. Each man is to be fully persuaded in his own mind and act in accord with his personal conviction.
4. The judgment seat of Christ has been appointed as the tribunal for all, and premature judgment of others is playing at being God.
5. A thing which is right in itself becomes wrong to one who has the conviction it is wrong, although it is not wrong to others.
6. A brother is superior in value to anything which we may desire and must never be sacrificed in order to gratify self.
7. All are to pursue these things which promote peace and which are mutually upbuilding.
It is obvious that a small gravel which appears insignificant to one who does not have to walk upon it may be a real problem to one who must do so. The one who can walk without flinching may have to slow down voluntarily to walk with his brother. He must never boast about his freedom and must not hold his brother in contempt for limping along.
Editors Note. With this issue we complete another year of editing this paper. All of the issues for the past twelve months will now be gathered and bound in a beautiful volume to be titled "Apples of Gold." The pre-publication price of $2.49 will prevail until March 1, and your orders for copies will be taken at that figure payable on delivery, if you send before the publication date.