ÿWPC¤ ë'Û³î­s?}±¦Lz>£Cæ¿ssÔŠY›þŽ)Û¨½ÿSŒ¶n—WVƒ;öë çY¶¬GT‡äÌd¬g·oSÓBaÓ‚)%Ÿ!+äblÁOðïV#›2Ùª¸ô–QÖiY7ø5åˆ:'gÐî‚ðfÿ& †P‰8_êy´·<•†Y¶Sì5˜}àJthV!òŠžDö4/èK(Yƒ[/Fñl‡‹oYMÌ‹È=V»ÝÕMKrûÓ£×zš ’Í%æ,7Sx*@d;o ï!žc×`ˆÌ7àk´W*Ф ëY2¾°%råñCÌ3†¹\£ˆôKB£p¶©.œkVì„#¤Ë™¯Ÿ«{©s%Él¸ž™jÁí?£æÓ,&™ÿ°äoÒ«SŸ³œˆu¼S”„ý¦}O‹#ú¶e¶Â±|Õ4ÜÔœá½ÞC#9[·rÖZ¨¯°ÏÝÙ«Èö"°-o5[afåípÖ·àÆOµìU¦Í€­§Ñ÷®“ÒpUe"Í£èmV®t {쬉Î/HºŒ³âc. r òÅÚ£"sN1÷_˜†p¥! “Ý0@ ËîÜ›·¿viØ-^F`P Zþ Ç­RX£ é26wlU>² %ðÜöUFÒv 0]ŽU<ë #É' U!>ð U>. l nO| 0BËN  Æ 0eÕw:4>R mTk^ s B]••UN²UFUHFfŽa&Ͼ¦ `&CG Times 12ptW1X' Ç 3Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development 2Bible Study Rachel Cory0Klaus,.Moral Development   'ó¸_ .CG Times 18ptBoldW1 lÝ ƒzß)ÝÒÀ°ÒÓo[°X°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#€%Ø'0*ˆ,à.813è5@8˜:ð<H? A°œXoÓÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€„ˆ„XXÔÔ€„æ„„„ˆÔà€h"h"z$àÔ€,Km,„„æÔÔ€,5p,,,KmÔÔ_ÔK.S.O.M.D.Ô_Ô(52zß$©©Ý ƒ ÆÊ!ÝÓ=€grXÐXdÐd=ÓÑ8€grXXdìdì8ÑÒÀ°ÒÑаÑÑX°ÑÓo[°X°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#€%Ø'0*ˆ,à.813è5@8˜:ð<H? A°œXoÓÓ  ÓÝ  Ý$Ͼ¦ `$CG Times 6ptW1˜Canon PIXMA iP4000Œî.**.Œî0'Ͼ¦ `&CG Times 10ptW1'Ͼ¦ `&CG Times 14ptW13|F«&Ͼ¦ `&CG Times 12ptW1XXlϾ¦ Pìc«GXP'ó¸_ .CG Times 18ptBoldW1„„¨ó¸_ ðìehG„$Ͼ¦ `$CG Times 6ptW1W1,,4Ͼ¦ Pìû«G,P'Ͼ¦ `&CG Times 10ptW1W1ôô\Ͼ¦ Pìk«GôP'Ͼ¦ `&CG Times 14ptW1W1¼¼€Ï¾¦ Pì{«G¼P(ÆÊ$¡¡Ó=€ñœXÐXdÐd=ÓÑ8€ñœXXdðdð8ÑÒÀ°ÒÑаÑÑX°ÑÓo[°X°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#€%Ø'0*ˆ,à.813è5@8˜:ð<H? A°œXoÓÓ  Ó1, 2, 3,Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 54#*¶2Quick 1.ÚƒÚÚ  Ú.à0 àÛ€ÛI!‘7 ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ ú¶˜7   Ñ £ Ñ d&ÀõO Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular)ó¸_ .CG Times 12ptBoldW1*†‰   ‹0Times New Roman Boldp TABLE AÝ ƒ ÆÊ!ÝÓ=€grXÐXdÐd=ÓÑ8€grXXdìdÈ8ÑÒÀ°ÒÑаÑÑX°ÑÓo[°X°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#€%Ø'0*ˆ,à.813è5@8˜:ð<H? A°œXoÓÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€„ˆ„XXÔÔ€„æ„„„ˆÔÔ_ÔÖ€ÿÿÖÔ_ÔÑ = Ñà@EE7dàKOHLBERG'S€STAGES€OF€MORAL€DEVELOPMENTˆÐ Ð Ðà€  g$àÔ€,Km,„„æÔÔ€,5p,,,KmÔcompiled€Rachel€M.€Cory,€Ô"USú ú, úÔ1986ˆÐ 0` ÐÌÔ€XÓéX,,5pÔÔ€XgrXXXÓéÔà@„„>dàImplications€for€TheologyˆÐ L ÐÌÔ€ô³]òXXgrÔÔ€ ô‡ òòô³]ÔÓ|°(|` Œ Ð  Xœà$h¬ðpxÈDˆÌ T!˜"Ü#€%d&Ø'ì(0*ˆ,à.813è5@8˜:ð<H? A°œXÓà | àLawrence€Kohlberg€was€a€moral€philosopher€and€student€of€child€development€who€died€in€1987.€He€was€at€one€time,€directorÐ ô$ Ðof€Harvard's€Center€for€Moral€Education.€His€special€area€of€interest€was€the€moral€development€of€children€„€how€they€developÐ ¸è Ða€sense€of€right,€wrong,€and€justice.€€Kohlberg€observed€that€growing€children€advance€through€definite€stages€of€moralÐ |¬ Ðdevelopment€in€a€manner€similar€to€their€progression€through€Piaget's€well„known€stages€of€cognitive€development.€HisÐ @ p Ðobservations€and€testing€of€children€and€adults,€led€him€to€theorize€that€human€beings€progress€consecutively€from€one€stage€toÐ  4  Ðthe€next€in€an€invariant€sequence,€not€skipping€any€stage€or€going€back€to€any€previous€stage.€These€are€stages€of€thoughtÐ È ø  Ðprocessing,€implying€qualitatively€different€modes€of€thinking€and€of€problem€solving€at€each€stage.Ð Œ ¼  ÐÌà | àThese€conclusions€have€been€verified€in€cross„cultural€studies€done€in€Turkey,€Taiwan,€Yucatan,€Honduras,€India,€UnitedÐ  D  ÐStates,€Canada,€Britain,€and€Israel.€€€€€€Ð Ø   ÐÌà | àAn€outline€of€these€developmental€stages€follows:Ð `  ÐÌà | àKohlberg's€concept€of€consecutive€stages€of€moral€development€is€rich€with€theological€implications.€ò òAn€application€of€hisÐ è Ðtheory€to€the€story€of€God's€dealing€with€ancient€Israel,€offers€a€rational€explanation€of€actions€on€God's€part€whichÐ ®Þ Ðmay€seem€harsh€or€unduly€severe€from€our€perspective.€€€€€€ó óÐ p  ÐÌà | àAn€application€of€Kohlberg's€stage€theory€is€especially€relevant€to€current€discussions€of€the€gospel,€the€atonement,€the€Law,Ð ö& Ðand€the€true€character€of€God.Ð ºê ÐÌÌò òÔ€ ¼.| »ò ô‡ ÔÔ€ ¼.| » » ¼.|Ôà@$ $ 7dàKOHLBERG'S€STAGES€OF€MORAL€DEVELOPMENTó óˆÐ 6 ÐÌÓx7°‘` Œ ‰DpxȇD€%d&Ø'ì(0*ŠX°|` Œ ‰DpxȇD€%d&Ø'ì(0*ŠXxÓÔ€ ô‡ ò » ¼.|ÔÔ€ ô‡ òò ô‡ ÔA.à ‘ àò òÔ_ÔPREMORALÔ_Ô€OR€Ô_ÔPRECONVENTIONALÔ_Ô€STAGESó ó:€Behavior€motivated€by€anticipation€of€pleasure€or€pain.€€€€Ð ,\ ÐÌÓx7°‘ÊŒ ‰DpxȇD€%d&Ø'ì(0*ŠX°‘` Œ ‰DpxȇD€%d&Ø'ì(0*ŠXxÓ€€€€à0 ‘ àò òSTAGE€1ó ó:€ò òPUNISHMENT€AND€OBEDIENCEó ó:€€Ð¶æ‘$‘$ ÐÌà0 ‘ àAvoidance€of€physical€punishment€and€deference€to€power.€€Punishment€is€an€automatic€response€of€physical€retaliation.€TheÐ @p  Ðimmediate€physical€consequences€of€an€action€determine€its€goodness€or€badness.€The€atrocities€carried€out€by€soldiers€duringÐ 4! Ðthe€holocaust€who€were€simply€"carrying€out€orders"€under€threat€of€punishment,€illustrate€that€adults€as€well€as€children€mayÐ Èø" Ðfunction€at€stage€one€level.€€€€€€ÐŒ¼#‘$‘$ ÐÌà ‘ àò òSTAGE€2:€ó ó€€ò òINSTRUMENTAL€EXCHANGEó ó:€€Ð  D% ÐÌà0 ‘ àMarketplace€exchange€of€favors€or€blows.€€"You€scratch€my€back,€I'll€scratch€yours."€€Justice€is:€"Do€unto€others€as€they€doÐ ž!Î' Ðunto€you."€€Individual€does€what€is€necessary,€makes€concessions€only€as€necessary€to€satisfy€his€own€needs.€Right€actionÐ b"’( Ðconsists€of€what€instrumentally€satisfies€one's€own€needs.€Vengeance€is€considered€a€moral€duty.€People€are€valued€in€termsÐ &#V ) Ðof€their€utility.€€Ðê#!*‘$‘$ ÐÌÌB.à ‘ àò òCONVENTIONAL€MORALITYó ó:€€Acceptance€of€the€rules€and€standards€of€one's€group.€€€€Ð 6&f#- ÐÌÓx7°‘‚á` Œ ‰DpxȇD€%d&Ø'ì(0*‰X°‘ÊŒ ‰DpxȇD€%d&Ø'ì(0*ŠXxÓà ‘ àò òSTAGE€3:€€INTERPERSONAL€CONFORMITYó ó:€Ð À'ð$/ ÐÌà0 ‘ àRight€is€conformity€to€the€behavioral€expectations€of€one's€society€or€peers.€Individual€acts€to€gain€approval€of€others.€GoodÐ J)z&1 Ðbehavior€is€that€which€pleases€or€helps€others€within€the€group.€"Everybody€is€doing€it."€€One€earns€approval€by€beingÐ *>'2 Ðconventionally€"respectable"€and€"nice."€€Sin€is€a€breach€of€the€expectations€of€the€social€order.€Retribution,€however,€at€thisÐ Ò*(3 Ðstage€is€collective.€Individual€vengeance€is€not€allowed.€€Forgiveness€is€preferable€to€revenge.€Punishment€is€mainly€forÐ –+Æ(4 Ðdeterrence.€€Failure€to€punish€is€"unfair."€€"If€he€can€get€away€with€it,€why€can't€I?"€€€€ÐZ,Š)5‘$‘$ ÐÌà ‘ àà  àà é àà Ê àà ` àà Œ àà Ð àà  àà X àà œ àà à àà $ àà h àà ¬ àà ð àà p àà x àà È àà  àà D àà ˆ àà Ì àà  àà T! àà ˜" àà Ü# àÌÌÌÐ .0^-:= Ðà0 ‘ àò òSTAGE€4:€€LAW€AND€ORDERó ó:€€ÐБ$‘$ ÐÌà0 ‘ àRespect€for€rules,€laws€and€properly€constituted€authority.€Defense€of€the€given€social€and€institutional€order€for€it's€own€sake.Ð ZŠ ÐResponsibility€toward€the€welfare€of€others€in€the€society.€"Justice"€normally€refers€to€criminal€or€forensic€justice.€JusticeÐ N Ðdemands€that€the€wrongdoer€be€punished,€that€he€"pay€his€debt€to€society,"€and€that€law€Ô_ÔabidersÔ_Ô€be€rewarded.€"A€good€day'sÐ â Ðpay€for€a€good€day's€work."€Injustice€is€failing€to€reward€work€or€punish€demerit.€Right€behavior€consists€of€maintaining€theÐ ¦Ö Ðsocial€order€for€its€own€sake.€€Authority€figures€are€seldom€questioned.€"He€must€be€right.€He's€the€Pope€(or€the€President,Ð jš Ðor€the€Judge,€or€God)."€€Consistency€and€precedent€must€be€maintained.€€€€€€Ð.^‘$‘$ ÐÌà ‘ àò òSTAGE€4€ððó ó:€€€Ð ¶ æ  ÐÌà0 ‘ àBetween€the€conventional€stages€and€the€post„conventional€Levels€5€and€6,€there€is€a€transitional€stage.€€College„age€studentsÐ @ p  Ðthat€have€come€to€see€conventional€morality€as€relative€and€arbitrary,€but€have€not€yet€discovered€universal€ethical€principles,Ð  4  Ðmay€drop€into€a€hedonistic€ethic€of€"do€your€own€thing."€This€was€well€noted€in€the€hippie€culture€of€the€l960's.€DisrespectÐ È ø  Ðfor€conventional€morality€was€especially€infuriating€to€the€Stage€4€mentality,€and€indeed€was€calculated€to€be€so.€€ÐŒ ¼ ‘$‘$ ÐÌC.à ‘ àÔ_Ôò òPOSTCONVENTIONALÔ_Ô€OR€PRINCIPLED€MORALITYó ó:€Ethical€principles€€€€Ð D  ÐÌà0 ‘ àò òSTAGE€5:€€PRIOR€RIGHTS€AND€SOCIAL€CONTRACTó ó:€ÐžÎ ‘$‘$ ÐÌà0 ‘ àMoral€action€in€a€specific€situation€is€not€defined€by€reference€to€a€checklist€of€rules,€but€from€logical€application€of€universal,Ð (X Ðabstract,€moral€principles.€Individuals€have€natural€or€inalienable€rights€and€liberties€that€are€prior€to€society€and€must€beÐ ì Ðprotected€by€society.€€Retributive€justice€repudiated.€€Justice€distributed€proportionate€to€circumstances€and€need.€"SituationÐ °à Ðethics."€€The€statement,€"Justice€demands€punishment,"€which€is€a€self„evident€truism€to€the€Stage€4€mind,€is€just€as€self„Ð t¤ Ðevidently€nonsense€at€Stage€5.€€Retributive€punishment€is€neither€rational€nor€just,€because€it€does€not€promote€the€rights€andÐ 8h Ðwelfare€of€the€individual.€Only€legal€sanctions€that€fulfill€that€purpose€are€imposed„„protection€of€future€victims,€deterrence,Ð ü, Ðand€rehabilitation.€€€Individual€acts€out€of€mutual€obligation€and€a€sense€of€public€good.€Right€action€tends€to€be€defined€inÐ Àð Ðterms€of€general€individual€rights,€and€in€terms€of€standards€that€have€been€critically€examined€and€agreed€upon€by€the€wholeÐ „´ Ðsociety„„e.g.€the€Constitution.€The€freedom€of€the€individual€should€be€limited€by€society€only€when€it€infringes€upon€someoneÐ Hx Ðelse's€freedom.€€€€€€Ð <‘$‘$ ÐÌà0 ‘ àò òSTAGE€6:€€UNIVERSAL€ETHICAL€PRINCIPLESó ó:€€Ð”Ä‘$‘$ ÐÌà0 ‘ àAn€individual€who€reaches€this€stage€acts€out€of€universal€principles€based€upon€the€equality€and€worth€of€all€human€beings.Ð N! ÐPersons€are€never€means€to€an€end,€but€are€ends€in€themselves.€Having€rights€means€more€than€individual€liberties.€€It€meansÐ â" Ðthat€every€individual€is€due€consideration€of€his€interests€in€every€situation,€those€interests€being€of€equal€importance€with€onesÐ ¦Ö# Ðown.€This€is€the€"Golden€Rule"€model.€€A€list€of€rules€inscribed€in€stone€is€no€longer€necessary.€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ðjš$‘$‘$ ÐÌà0 ‘ àAt€this€level,€God€is€understood€to€say€what€is€right€because€it€is€right;€His€sayings€are€not€right,€just€because€it€is€God€whoÐ ò"& Ðsaid€them.€Persons€at€this€level€have€accepted€God's€invitation€to€"come€and€let€us€reason€together".€€€€€€€Ð¶ æ'‘$‘$ ÐÌÌÔ€ X~  Xò ô‡ ÔÔ€XgrX X X~ ÔÐ  #2 * ÐÑ€WÑà@ññ-dàò òTHE€FOLLOWING€ARE€OBSERVATIONS€THAT€WERE€MADE€BY€KOHLBERG€ˆÐ Ð Ðà@ÝÝ3dàFURTHER€EXPLAINING€HUMAN€DEVELOPMENT€IN€STAGESó ó.ˆÐ ¼ì ÐÌÌÔ€ô³]òXXgrÔÔ€ ô‡ òòô³]Ô1.à ‘ àò òSTAGE€DEVELOPMENT€IS€INVARIANTó ó.€€Ð „´ ÐÌà0 ‘ àà  àOne€must€progress€through€the€stages€in€order,€and€one€cannot€get€to€a€higher€stage€without€passing€through€the€stageÐ > Ðimmediately€preceding€it.€A€belief€that€such€a€leap€into€moral€maturity€is€possible€is€in€sharp€contrast€to€the€facts€ofÐ Ò Ðdevelopmental€research.€Moral€development€is€growth,€and€like€all€growth,€takes€place€according€to€a€pre„determinedÐ – Æ Ðsequence.€To€expect€someone€to€grow€into€high€moral€maturity€overnight€would€be€like€expecting€someone€to€walk€beforeÐ Z Š  Ðhe€crawls.€€Ð N ‘$‘$ ÐÌØ€ØÝ‚*¶ÿÝÝ  ÝÝ‚*¶³,ÝÚƒÚ2Ú  Ú.à0 ‘ àÝ  Ý€ò òIN€STAGE€DEVELOPMENT,€SUBJECTS€CANNOT€COMPREHEND€MORAL€REASONING€AT€A€STAGEÐ ¦ Ö  ÐMORE€THAN€ONE€STAGE€BEYOND€THEIR€OWN.ó ó€€Ýƒ*¶³,Î,ÝÛ€ÛŒÐl œ ‘$‘$ ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0 ‘ àà  àIf€Johnny€is€oriented€to€see€good€almost€exclusively€as€that€which€brings€him€satisfaction,€how€will€he€understand€aÐ ö&  Ðconcept€of€good€in€which€the€"good"€may€bring€him€no€tangible€pleasure€at€all.€The€moral€maxim€"It€is€better€to€give€than€toÐ ºê  Ðreceive"€reflects€a€high€level€of€development.€The€child€who€honestly€asks€you€why€it€is€better€to€give€than€to€receive,€doesÐ ~®  Ðso€because€he€does€not€and€cannot€understand€such€thinking.€To€him,€"better"€means€better€for€him.€And€how€can€it€be€betterÐ Br Ðfor€him€to€give,€than€to€get.€€Ð6‘$‘$ ÐÌ3.à0 ‘ àò òIN€STAGE€DEVELOPMENT€INDIVIDUALS€ARE€COGNITIVELY€ATTRACTED€TO€REASONING€ONEÐ Ž¾ ÐLEVEL€ABOVE€THEIR€OWN€PRESENT€PREDOMINANT€LEVELó ó.ÐT„‘$‘$ ÐÌà0 ‘ àà  àThe€person€has€questions€and€problems€the€solutions€for€which€are€less€satisfying€at€his€present€level.€Since€reasoningÐ Þ Ðat€one€stage€higher€is€intelligible€and€since€it€makes€more€sense€and€resolves€more€difficulties,€it€is€more€attractive.€€€€€€€Ð¢Ò‘$‘$ Ðà0 ‘ àà  àFor€example,€two€brothers€both€want€the€last€piece€of€pie.€The€bigger,€stronger€brother€will€probably€get€it.€The€littleÐ f– Ðbrother€suggests€they€share€it.€He€is€thinking€at€level€two,€rather€than€at€level€one.€The€solution€for€him€is€more€attractive:Ð *Z Ðgetting€some€rather€than€none.€An€adult€who€functions€at€level€one€consistently€will€end€up€in€prison€or€dead.€€Ðî‘$‘$ ÐÌØ€ØÝ‚*¶ÿÝÝ  ÝÝ‚*¶{4ÝÚƒÚ4Ú  Ú.à0 ‘ àÝ  Ýò òIN€STAGE€DEVELOPMENT,€MOVEMENT€THROUGH€THE€STAGES€IS€EFFECTED€WHEN€COGNITIVEÐ v¦ ÐDISEQUILIBRIUM€IS€CREATED,€THAT€IS,€WHEN€A€PERSON'S€COGNITIVE€OUTLOOK€IS€NOTÐ <l ÐADEQUATE€TO€COPE€WITH€A€GIVEN€MORAL€DILEMMAó ó.€€Ýƒ*¶{4–4ÝÛ€ÛŒÐþ. ‘$‘$ ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0 ‘ àà  àThe€person€who€is€growing,€will€look€for€more€and€more€adequate€ways€of€solving€problems.€If€he€has€no€problems,Ð ˆ¸" Ðno€dilemmas,€he€is€not€likely€to€look€for€solutions.€He€will€not€grow€morally.€In€the€apple€pie€example.€The€big€brother,€whoÐ L|# Ðcan€just€take€the€pie€and€get€away€with€it,€is€less€likely€to€look€for€a€better€solution€than€the€younger€brother€who€will€get€noneÐ @$ Ðand€probably€a€beating€in€the€struggle.€€ÐÔ%‘$‘$ ÐÌ5.à0 ‘ àò òIT€IS€QUITE€POSSIBLE€FOR€A€HUMAN€BEING€TO€BE€PHYSICALLY€MATURE€BUT€NOT€MORALLYÐ \!Œ' ÐMATUREó ó.Ð""R(‘$‘$ ÐÌà0 ‘ àà  àIf€a€child€is€spoiled,€never€having€to€accommodate€for€others€needs,€if€he€is€raised€in€an€environment€where€level€twoÐ ¬#Ü * Ðthinking€by€others€gets€the€job€done,€he€may€never€generate€enough€questions€to€propel€him€to€a€higher€level€of€moralÐ p$ !+ Ðreasoning.€€Ð4%d",‘$‘$ ÐÌ6.à0 ‘ àò òKOHLBERG€BELIEVED€THAT€ONLY€ABOUT€25%€OF€PERSONS€EVER€GROW€TO€LEVEL€SIX,€THE€à @á# àà @á# àÐ ¼&ì#. ÐMAJORITY€REMAINING€AT€LEVEL€FOUR.€€ó óЂ'²$/‘$‘$ ÐÌà0 ‘ àà  àThe€Bible€enjoins€principles€of€modesty,€humility,€and€wise€stewardship€of€the€money.€Application€of€these€principlesÐ )8&1 Ðmight€preclude€the€purchase€of€expensive€jewelry,€furs,€flashy€cars,€or€other€items€primarily€for€show.€A€person€functioningÐ Ì)ü&2 Ðat€level€six€would€have€no€problem€applying€these€principles.€Persons€€functioning€€at€a€level€four€on€the€other€hand,€mightÐ *À'3 Ðmake€rules€about€"jewelry"€(in€a€church€for€instance)€or€red€dresses,€or€cosmetics.€But€they€might€not€even€notice€a€flashy€carÐ T+„(4 Ðor€the€lady€who€wears€a€new€dress€every€single€week.€Those€things€aren't€on€the€list.€If€Kohlberg's€observation€is€true,€thenÐ ,H)5 Ðlevel€6€thinkers€would€be€in€the€minority.€They€might€even€be€misunderstood€and€persecuted€by€a€level€4€majority€€(ChristÐ Ü, *6 Ðbeing€the€primary€example).€€€€€€Ð -Ð*7‘$‘$ Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ô€ X~  Xò ô‡ ÔÔ€XgrX X X~ ÔÐ d.”+8 ÐÑWÑâ âÑ£ÐÑâ âÑ  ÑÓ  Óò òTHEOLOGICAL€APPLICATIONSó óÐ £ ÐÓd?ÓÌà ‘ àÔ€ô³]òXXgrÔÔ€ ô‡ òòô³]ÔHow€was€God€to€deal€with€human€beings€functioning€just€barely€at€level€two.€€One€million€slaves,€not€yet€freed€from€the€lash.Ð {Ø ÐTo€them€"good"€was€more€to€eat€and€rest,€and€escape€punishment.€How€is€He€to€convince€them€to€follow€Him€out€into€a€desertÐ ?œ Ðwilderness,€to€face€the€most€hostile€tribes€of€people€then€on€earth,€to€believe€that€He€will€lead€them€to€a€"land€flowing€with€milkÐ ` Ðand€honey."€More€importantly,€how€is€God€to€teach€moral€principles€to€such€a€group€of€people.Ð Ç$ ÐÌà ‘ àò òIt€is€apparent€to€some€students€of€Scripture,€that€God€stooped€to€reach€those€people€where€they€were.€He€beganÐ O¬ Ðby€using€reasoning€they€could€accept:€level€one€reasoning.€€€€€€€ó óÐ  n ÐÌà ‘ àThese€slaves,€functioning€at€level€one,€could€be€stimulated€to€think€at€level€three€if€it€presented€a€better€solution€to€theirÐ — ô  Ðproblem,€(and€there€were€many€"problems"€in€the€Sinai€desert.)Ð [ ¸  ÐÌà ‘ àAt€stage€one€a€ruler€establishes€his€right€to€rule€by€displays€of€power€and€vengeance€upon€his€enemies.€He€rules€by€threat€ofÐ ã @  Ðpunishment€and€hope€of€reward.€Mercy,€or€failure€to€punish,€is€seen€as€evidence€of€weakness,€not€morality€by€stage€one€standards.€Ð §   Ѐ€€€€Ð kÈ  ÐÌà ‘ àGod€first€established€His€credentials€to€rule€Israel€by€acts€of€vengeance€upon€the€Egyptians,€and€by€mighty,€spectacularÐ óP  Ðmiracles.€"I€did€this€so€that€you€might€know€that€I€am€the€Lord€your€God."€(òòDeut.€29:6óó€Ô_ÔNIVÔ_Ô)€€Each€of€the€plagues€of€Egypt€wasÐ · Ðdirected€at€an€object€to€worship€to€the€Egyptians€„€the€River€Nile,€the€frog€(a€fertility€symbol),€the€cattle,€the€sun,€the€ð ðfirst€bornððÐ {Ø Ð(They€were€considered€dedicated€to€the€gods.).€€Ð ?œ ÐÌà ‘ àIn€many€instances€this€situation€of€God€vs€the€other€"gods"€(Dagon€for€example,€the€god€of€the€Philistines),€was€involved€whenÐ Ç$ ÐGod€acted€in€seemingly€destructive€ways.€When€we€realize€that€these€civilizations€were€for€the€most€part€functioning€at€level€two,Ð ‹è Ðor€at€best€level€three,€the€picture€becomes€clear.€If€God€had€done€nothing€when€directly€challenged€to€prove€Himself,€He€wouldÐ O¬ Ðhave€lost€hope€of€any€further€influence€over€those€peoples.€To€initiate€a€connection€with€Himself,€a€point€of€contact,€from€whichÐ p Ðto€begin€a€reeducation€He€had€to€use€forceful€means.€It€is€evident€that€sometimes€these€means€involved€the€death€of€many€peopleÐ ×4 Ð(the€185,000€Assyrians€for€example).€If€God€had€done€nothing.€€Or€worse€If€God€had€tried€to€use€level€5„6€reasoning,€the€peopleÐ ›ø Ðwould€have€judged€Him€weak€and€unworthy€of€worship.€His€word€would€fall€upon€no€receptive€ear.€€The€story€of€Israel€is€theÐ _¼ Ðstory€of€a€Father€guiding,€not€one€child,€but€a€whole€nation€of€moral€children€(a€whole€world€of€moral€children)€from€childhoodÐ #€ Ðto€maturity.Ð çD ÐÌà ‘ àInstances€of€this€type€of€direct€confrontation€between€God€and€the€pagan€gods,€or€between€God€and€individuals€who€wished€Ð oÌ  Ðto€challenge€His€right€to€be€their€God€and€to€rule€them,€include:à ¬ àÐ 3! Ðà ‘ àThe€plagues€of€Egypt€(òòExodus€4-13óó)€€€€€Ð ÷T" Ðà ‘ àThe€death€penalty€laws€given€by€God€to€young€Israel€(òòLev.€20óó)Ð »# Ðà ‘ àThe€punishment€(death)€of€Ô_ÔNadabÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔAbihuÔ_Ô€for€their€rebellion(òòLev.10óó)€€€€€€Ð Ü$ Ðà ‘ àThe€Tribe€of€Levi€blessed€by€God€for€killing€idolaters€at€Sinai.€(òòExodus€32-34óó)Ð C % Ðà ‘ àÔ_ÔTheÔ_Ô€fiery€death€executed€upon€the€followers€of€Ô_ÔKorahÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔDathanÔ_Ô,€and€Ô_ÔAbiramÔ_Ô€(òòNum.l6óó)€€€€€Ð  d& Ðà ‘ àThe€50,000€slain€who€looked€into€the€Ark€after€it€was€returned€by€the€Philistines.€(òòI€Sam.€6:19óó)Ð Ë (' Ðà ‘ àSampson€verses€the€Philistines€in€the€temple€of€Dagon.€(òòJudges€16óó)Ð !ì( Ðà ‘ àThe€Soldiers€of€the€King€of€Samaria€vs€Elijah€the€prophet€(òòII€Kings€1:1-17óó)€€€€€Ð S"°) Ðà ‘ àThe€mocking€juveniles€versus€the€prophet€Ô_ÔElishaÔ_Ô€(òòII€Kings€2:24óó)Ð #t * Ðà ‘ àThe€Valley€of€Ô_ÔJehoshaphatÔ_Ô€when€the€enemy€was€confused€into€fighting€against€each€other.€(òòII€Chron.€20óó)€€€€€Ð Û#8!+ Ðà ‘ àThe€command€to€kill€in€war€with€assurance€of€victory.€(òòJoshua€6:17óó)Ð Ÿ$ü!, ÐÌà ‘ àFifty€days€after€Israel€was€rescued€from€Egypt€God€appeared€to€them€on€Mt.€Sinai.€€The€people€were€terrified€of€the€thunderÐ '&„#. Ðand€the€glory.€Moses,€who€apparently€was€functioning€at€a€higher€level,€tried€to€explain€that€there€was€no€need€to€be€afraid.€TheÐ ë&H$/ Ðpeople€preferred€a€mediator.€They€said,€"Moses,€you€go€talk€with€God,€and€come€tell€us€what€He€said."€(òòExodus€20:18óó).€€€€Ð ¯' %0 ÐÌà ‘ àGod€gave€them€His€law€in€the€form€of€ten€simple,€concrete€rules,€punctuated€with€threats€of€punishment.€He€deliberatelyÐ 7)”&2 Ðportrayed€Himself€as€a€angry,€jealous€ruler,€threatening€not€only€to€punish€the€disobedient,€but€the€children€for€the€parents'€sins,Ð û)X'3 Ð(a€concept€which€leaves€us€aghast€but€would€seem€perfectly€normal€to€the€pre„conventional€mind).€(òòExodus€20:5óó).€Today€weÐ ¿*(4 Ðalmost€automatically€reinterpret€these€words€to€refer€to€the€working€to€cause€and€effect,€but€this€does€violence€to€the€context€inÐ ƒ+à(5 Ðwhich€it€was€given€and€would€have€been€a€meaningless€concept€to€a€pre„scientific€culture.€€€€€Ð G,¤)6 ÐÌ€€à ‘ àÐ Ï-,+8 ÐÐ “.ð+9 Ðà ‘ àBelief€that€God€punishes€children€for€their€parent's€sins€was€chronic€in€Israel,€persisting€to€the€time€of€Christ.€When€theÐ £ Ðdisciples€saw€a€blind€man€they€asked,€"Who€sinned,€this€man€or€his€parents?"€When€Christ€pronounced€a€blessing€upon€the€poor,Ð gÄ Ðthe€persecuted,€and€the€meek,€this€seemed€incredible,€because€these€were€the€very€ones€thought€to€be€living€under€Godððs€Ð +ˆ Ðpunishment.€€If€you€were€prosperous,€it€was€a€sure€sign€that€you€were€right€with€God,€because€He€was€blessing€you.€(The€threeÐ ïL Ðfriends€of€Job€held€this€belief.)€€Perhaps€the€wording€of€the€2òòndóó€commandment€„€ð ðvisiting€the€iniquity€of€the€fathers€upon€theÐ ³ Ðchildren€to€the€third€and€fourth€generations€of€those€who€hate€Me€(Ô_ÔExoÔ_Ô.€20:5),ðð€strengthened€belief€in€this€doctrine.€So€also,Ð wÔ ÐNoahððs€curse€upon€Canaan€for€the€sin€of€Ham€(Gen.€9:25).€€Speaking€against€the€belief€was€the€plain€statement€of€the€Lord,€ð ðTheÐ ;˜ Ðfathers€shall€not€be€put€to€death€for€their€children,€nor€shall€the€children€be€put€to€death€for€their€fathers;€a€person€shall€be€put€toÐ ÿ\ Ðdeath€for€his€own€sinðð€(Deut€24:16).€òòóóÔ_ÔEzekielÔ_Ô€spends€a€whole€chapter€arguing€vigorously€against€the€people,€who€protest€that€itÐ Ã  Ðis€unjust€for€God€not€to€punish€children€for€their€parents's€sins€Ô_ÔEzekielÔ_Ô€chapter€18,€see€also€Jeremiah€31:29„30).€€Apparently€GodÐ ‡ ä  Ðhad€decided€it€was€time€to€deal€Israel€them€at€a€higher€level.€Ð K ¨  ÐÌà ‘ àToday,€we€understand€the€words€of€the€second€commandment€to€mean€that€the€wicked€habits€and€unbelief€of€the€Fathers€wereÐ Ó 0  Ðpassed€down€by€teaching€and€example,€to€their€children€who€then€suffered€the€consequences.€€In€the€time€of€Moses,€the€ð ðlawððÐ — ô  Ðof€cause€and€effect€might€not€have€been€so€understood€by€a€nation€of€slaves.€Ð [ ¸  ÐÌà ‘ àAfter€the€conquest€of€Canaan€the€spectacular€displays€of€power€ceased,€perhaps€because€God€no€longer€wished€to€deal€withÐ ã@  Ðmen€at€this€level.€He€was€seeking€to€draw€them€into€a€higher€level€of€functioning.€They€however,€returned€to€their€idols,€in€trueÐ §  Ðstage€one€fashion,€as€soon€as€their€fear€abated.€God€demonstrated€in€this€way,€for€all€who€care€to€observe,€the€futility€ofÐ kÈ  Ðpunishment€as€a€learning€tool.€Punishment€only€buys€time,€until€other€positive€reinforcement€techniques€can€effect€permanentÐ /Œ Ðchanges€in€behavior.€€€€€Ð óP ÐÌà ‘ àWhat€was€God€to€do€with€such€a€people,€when€they€adopted€the€pagan€gods,€even€sacrificing€their€own€children€on€the€redÐ {Ø Ðhot€arms€of€Dagon.€He€did€the€only€thing€that€could€be€done€under€the€circumstances:€He€punished€them€severely,€"in€furiousÐ ?œ Ðanger€and€great€wrath,"€as€they€perceived€it.€(òòDeut.€19:28óó)€€At€stage€1€they€expected€Him€to€do€this,€or€He€would€have€appearedÐ ` Ðweak€in€their€eyes,€hardly€worthy€of€notice,€let€alone€obedience€and€worship.€To€be€taken€seriously€at€all,€God€had€to€punish.€ByÐ Ç$ Ðthis€time€in€Canaan€however,€God€did€not€punish€them€directly,€He€simply€withdrew€His€protection,€and€allowed€them€to€beÐ ‹è Ðbeaten€by€their€many€enemies€(òòII€Chron.€29:8-9óó).€€When€they€returned€to€God€and€burned€their€idols,€God€rescued€them€againÐ O¬ Ðand€again.€Israel€was€a€tiny€nation,€which€could€not€have€survived€without€God's€special€protection.€€€€€€Ð p ÐÌà ‘ àÔ_ÔEzekielÔ_Ô€states€the€stage€1€and€2€reasons:€€"So€I€will€spend€my€wrath€upon€them,€and€they€will€know€that€I€am€the€Lord,€whenÐ ›ø Ðtheir€people€lie€slain..."€(òòÔ_ÔEzekielÔ_Ô€6:12,13óó)€€€€€Ð _¼ ÐÌà ‘ àGod€clearly€runs€the€risk€of€appearing€to€gain€some€sort€of€satisfaction€or€catharsis€from€avenging€Himself€on€His€enemies,Ð çD! Ðas€would€a€heathen€deity.€€Look€at€òòMicah€5:15óó€:€"In€anger€and€in€wrath€I€will€execute€vengeance."€€Or€òòÔ_ÔEzekielÔ_Ô€5:13óó:€"Then€myÐ «" Ðanger€will€cease€and€my€wrath€against€them€will€subside,€and€I€will€be€avenged."€In€the€Old€Testament,€we€see€God€saying,€inÐ oÌ# Ðeffect:€€"Because€you€aren't€sufficiently€afraid€of€sin,€I€will€have€to€make€you€afraid€of€Me,€lest€you€destroy€yourselves€and€theÐ 3$ Ðhope€of€all€future€generations."€€€€€Ð ÷T% ÐÌà ‘ àGod€had€problems€over€and€over€with€men€interpreting€His€mercy€as€weakness€and€a€license€to€do€as€they€pleased€withoutÐ  Ü' Ðconsequences.€"I€will€be€safe,€even€though€I€persist€in€going€my€own€way."€(òòDeut.€29:19óó)€€At€stage€2,€and€in€a€more€sophisticatedÐ C! ( Ðway€at€stages€3€and€4,€God's€mercy€is€challenged€as€unjust.€€"Where€is€the€God€of€justice?"€€"It€is€vain€to€serve€God...evildoersÐ "d) Ðnot€only€prosper,€but€when€they€put€God€to€the€test,€they€escape"€(òòÔ_ÔMalachiÔ_Ô€2:17,€3:14,15óó)€€Even€the€prophet€JeremiahÐ Ë"( * Ðremonstrated€with€God.€"I€would€speak€with€you€about€your€justice:€€Why€does€the€way€of€the€wicked€prosper?"€(òòJer.€12:1óó).Ð #ì + ÐGod's€tantalizing€answer€in€verse€5€says,€in€effect,€"Jeremiah,€this€is€too€advanced€for€you€to€understand."€(òòJer.€12:5óó).€"For€MyÐ S$°!, Ðthoughts€are€not€your€thoughts,€nor€are€your€ways€My€ways,€says€the€Lord."€(òòIsa.€55:8óó)€Ð %t"- ÐÌà ‘ àThe€problem€of€God's€mercy€to€the€wicked€is€not€resolvable€at€lower€stage€thinking.€It€doesn't€even€arise€as€a€question€at€stagesÐ Ÿ&ü#/ Ð5€or€6.€Isaiah€even€says€that€God€shows€mercy€"because€He€is€just"€(òòIsa.€30:18óó),€a€totally€incomprehensible€statement€to€earlyÐ c'À$0 Ðstage€moral€reasoning.€€Ð '(„%1 Ѐ€€€€Ð ë(H&2 Ðà ‘ àStage€one€is€partly€characterized€by€an€inability€to€generalize€from€principles€to€their€application.€€Rules€are€understood€veryÐ ¯) '3 Ðconcretely,€so€they€have€to€be€spelled€out€in€complete€detail.€An€example€of€such€detailed€instruction€is€found€in€the€2nd,€4th,€andÐ s*Ð'4 Ðespecially€the€10th€Commandments.€After€God€has€told€the€Israelites€not€to€covet€their€neighbor's€house,€lest€they€assume€thatÐ 7+”(5 Ðthey€are€left€free€to€covet€his€other€possessions,€the€Lord€adds,€"your€neighbor's€wife€or€his€manservant."€But€if€God€had€stoppedÐ û+X)6 Ðthere,€Israel€would€have€concluded€that€it€would€be€permissible€to€covet€the€"maidservant",€so€God€spells€that€out€too,€and€"hisÐ ¿,*7 Ðox,€nor€his€ass."€€Redundantly€He€adds€"nor€anything€that€belongs€to€your€neighbor."€€€€Ð ƒ-à*8 ÐÐ G.¤+9 Ðà ‘ àThis€detailed€instruction€is€what€makes€the€first€four€books€of€the€Bible€so€lengthy.€At€stage€6,€the€Law€may€be€summed€upÐ £ Ðin€two€statements:€"Thou€shalt€love€the€Lord€thy€God€with€all€thy€heart€and€with€all€thy€soul€and€with€all€thy€mind,€and€thou€shaltÐ gÄ Ðlove€thy€neighbor€as€thyself."€€(òòLuke€10:27óó)€and€(òòDeut€6:5,€Lev€19:18óó).€These€are€not€New€Testament€concepts.€They€are€as€oldÐ +ˆ Ðas€the€Law.€It's€just€that€they€could€not€be€understood€when€they€were€first€spoken.€The€people€were€morally€immature.€€€€€€€Ð ïL ÐÌà ‘ àAfter€the€golden€calf€debacle€at€Sinai,€God€begins€to€relate€to€Israel€more€at€the€stage€2€level€of€marketplace€bargaining€andÐ wÔ Ðmutual€exchange.€He€makes€an€agreement€or€"covenant"€with€them:€If€they€obeyed€God,€He€would€cause€them€to€prosper,€andÐ ;˜ Ðif€they€disobeyed€then€they€would€not€prosper,€and€might€be€cut€down€by€their€enemies.€(òòDeut.€7:6-26óó)€€€€€€€Ð ÿ\ ÐÌà ‘ àMany€of€the€civil€and€criminal€laws€were€based€on€the€Ô_ÔpreconventionalÔ_Ô€concept€of€justice.€"Show€no€pity:€life€for€life,€toothÐ ‡ ä  Ðfor€tooth,€hand€for€hand,€foot€for€foot"€(òòDeut.€19:21óó)€€God€made€provision€to€soften€the€brutality€of€stage€1€"blood€vengeance"Ð K ¨  Ðby€providing€"cities€of€refuge"€where€a€man€could€flee€who€had€unintentionally€killed€someone.€(òòDeut.€19:6óó)€Intention€countsÐ  l  Ðat€stage€2,€so€the€"avenger€of€blood"€(a€classic€Ô_ÔpreconventionalÔ_Ô€phrase!)€would€have€to€be€functioning€at€Ð Ó 0  Ðstage€1,€where€intention€did€not€count.€Of€course€the€premeditated€murderer€was€not€safe€even€in€the€city€of€refuge.€He€wouldÐ — ô  Ðbe€safe€only€until€a€proper€trial€was€held.€Then€he€would€be€executed.€What€a€far€cry€from€"Love€your€enemies.€Do€good€to€themÐ [ ¸  Ðthat€hate€you",€spoken€by€Christ.€But€that€was€level€6.€€€€€€€€Ð |  ÐÌà ‘ àThe€cities€of€refuge€gradually€fell€out€of€use,€as€such,€as€the€people€matured.€By€the€time€of€Christ,€we€see€the€peopleÐ §  Ðcomfortable€in€their€conventional€morality,€but€cheating€the€poor€and€abusing€the€powerless€because€everybody€does€it.€(StageÐ kÈ  Ð3)€We€see€them€carrying€out€a€multitude€of€ceremonial€observances,€some€not€even€given€by€God,€just€to€make€sure€that€they€areÐ /Œ Ðbeing€obedient€to€the€Law.€(Stage€4)€God€says€through€the€prophet€Amos:€"I€hate,€I€despise€your€religious€feasts;€I€cannot€standÐ óP Ðyour€assemblies...but€let€justice€roll€on€like€a€river,€and€righteousness€like€a€never„failing€stream!"€(òòAmos€5:21,24óó)€God€is€tryingÐ · Ðto€lead€them€to€the€heart€of€the€Law,€and€not€just€the€letter.€He€would€rather€have€them€"act€justly€and€love€mercy"€than€to€bringÐ {Ø ÐHim€"thousands€of€rams€with€ten€thousand€rivers€of€oil."€€(òòMicah€6:6-8óó)€€€€€Ð ?œ ÐÌà ‘ àJustice€at€the€conventional€levels€(3-4)€is€understood€in€the€sense€of€what€we€commonly€mean€when€we€talk€about€"criminalÐ Ç$ Ðjustice."€€Justice€demands€that€a€lawbreaker€be€punished,€that€the€penalty€must€be€paid.€In€Ô_ÔEzekielÔ_Ô's€time€the€people€protested€thatÐ ‹è ÐGod€was€unjust€if€He€did€not€punish€a€wicked€man€who€had€repented€(òòEzekiel€18:25óó).€God's€answer€was,€"But€if€a€wicked€manÐ O¬ Ðturns€away€from€the€wickedness€he€has€committed...he€will€surely€live,€he€will€not€die.€Yet€the€house€of€Israel€says,€'The€way€ofÐ p Ðthe€Lord€is€not€just.'€Are€my€ways€unjust,€O€house€of€Israel?€€Is€it€not€your€ways€that€are€unjust?"€(òòEzekiel€18:27-29óó)€€€€€€Ð ×4 ÐÌà ‘ àListed€in€òòLev.€20óó,€is€the€penalty€for€adultery€„€death€by€stoning.€But€Christ€Himself€forgave€the€woman€caught€in€the€act€ofÐ _¼ Ðadultery,€and€she€began€a€process€of€rehabilitation.€Here€again€is€contrasted€stage€two€level€thinking€with€stage€6.€In€fact€all€ofÐ #€  ÐChrist's€teaching€was€level€6€or€level€7.€€€€€Ð çD! ÐÌà ‘ àAt€stage€4,€the€saying€"a€good€day's€work€for€a€good€day's€pay"€is€a€truism.€In€the€parable€of€the€workers€(òòMatt.€20:1-16óó),Ð oÌ# Ðthose€who€worked€only€one€hour€were€paid€the€same€as€those€who€had€worked€all€day€(unjust?).€Christ€confronted€the€PhariseesÐ 3$ Ðwith€the€contrast€between€conventional€justice€and€God's€justice.€Those€who€come€to€Christ€at€the€last€hour€will€receive€the€sameÐ ÷T% Ðreward,€the€same€eternal€life,€as€those€who€have€walked€with€Christ€all€of€their€lives.€€€€€€€Ð »& ÐÌà ‘ àIn€the€parable€of€the€Pharisee€and€the€publican,€the€conventional€respectability€of€the€Jewish€ruling€class€came€under€fire.€TheÐ C! ( Ðpublican€had€a€true€heart€repentance€and€love€of€God,€and€so€was€acceptable€and€savable.€The€Pharisee€had€only€outward€formÐ "d) Ðand€ceremony€(level€4€morality).€He€felt€no€need€of€God,€and€so€could€not€grow€morally.€He€was€self„satisfied.€No€question€orÐ Ë"( * Ðproblem€called€for€a€higher€level€solution.€In€the€time€of€Christ€the€fear€of€a€punishing€God€had€generated€a€compulsion€for€ruleÐ #ì + Ðmaking,€and€a€backbreaking€mass€of€regulations€covering€every€detail€of€living.€Much€of€the€teaching€of€Christ€seems€to€haveÐ S$°!, Ðbeen€directed€at€weaning€the€people€away€from€mechanical€rule€keeping.€The€Pharisees€were€threatened€because€they€felt€HeÐ %t"- Ðdidn't€have€enough€respect€for€the€rules€(or€for€themselves).€What€they€did€not€perceive€was€the€higher€stage€thinking€(level€5-6)Ð Û%8#. Ðthat€He€was€trying€to€lead€them€towards.€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð Ÿ&ü#/ ÐÌà ‘ àThe€Sermon€on€the€Mount,€(òòMatt.€5óó)€is€an€excellent€example€of€level€5-6€morality.€It€is€heavy€with€principle€not€prescription,Ð '(„%1 Ðyet€some€would€use€this,€in€true€stage€4€fashion,€as€a€more€rigorous€rule€book,€providing€more€detailed€regulations€on€such€thingsÐ ë(H&2 Ðas€divorce€and€remarriage.€To€do€this€is€to€miss€the€overall€intent€of€the€sermon.€€€€€€€à  àà D àà ˆ àà Ì àà  àà T! àà ˜" àà Ü# àÐ ¯) '3 Ðà ‘ àà  àà é àà Ê àà ` àà Œ àà Ð àà  àà X àà œ àÌà ‘ àChrist's€teaching€and€example€of€Sabbath€keeping€provides€another€example€of€the€superiority€of€principles€over€rule€keeping.Ð 7+”(5 ÐThe€statement€"the€Sabbath€was€made€for€man€and€not€man€for€the€Sabbath"€revealed€a€level€5-6€understanding€of€the€nature€ofÐ û+X)6 Ðrules.€Rules€are€valid€only€insofar€as€they€promote€the€freedom€and€value€of€persons.€God€knew€that€human€beings€needed€timeÐ ¿,*7 Ðwith€Him,€time€to€consider€who€they€are,€time€to€turn€attention€to€their€relationship€with€their€Heavenly€Father.€Level€6€peopleÐ ƒ-à*8 Ðhave€no€problem€enjoying€the€Sabbath€Day.€It€is€at€level€1-4€that€the€Sabbath€seems€a€duty€to€be€performed.€€€Ð G.¤+9 Ðà ‘ àAt€stage€5-6,€commands€become€promises.€"Thou€shalt€not€Ô_Ômurder",Ô_Ô€becomes€"I€can€stop€hurting€myself€or€others€throughÐ £ Ðthe€power€of€God€in€my€life."€€What€wonderful€good€news!€€This€is€righteousness€by€faith.€€€€€€Ð gÄ ÐÌà ‘ àAt€level€6€God's€commands€just€make€good€sense.€For€instance€God'€commanded€Israel€not€to€eat€fat€or€blood€under€anyÐ ïL Ðcircumstances.€(òòLev.€7:22-27óó)€Just€think€what€health€benefits€would€have€come€from€adherence€to€this€prescription.€Level€6Ð ³ Ðindividuals€see€God€as€the€one€who€tells€you€to€do,€what€you€would€want€to€do€anyway,€if€you€knew€what€was€really€good€forÐ wÔ Ðyou.€And€He€doesn't€just€tell€you€to€do€it,€He€helps€you€do€it.Ð ;˜ Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð ÿ\ Ðà ‘ àJesusðð€healing€of€the€paralytic€illustrates€wonderfully€the€concept€of€forgiveness€at€level€6.€The€young€man€was€paralyzed,Ð Ã  Ða€consequence€of€his€own€foolish€choices.€His€friends€let€his€bed€down€through€the€roof,€right€at€the€feet€of€Jesus€in€the€middleÐ ‡ ä  Ðof€a€great€crowd.€Jesus€said€to€him€simply€"Your€sins€are€forgiven."€The€Pharisees€questioned€this€statement,€because€to€themÐ K ¨  Ðforgiveness€is€a€legal€maneuver€and€unjustly€releases€the€guilty€party€from€punishment.€€So€Jesus€then€said€ð ðWhich€is€easier€toÐ  l  Ðsay,€ððyour€sins€are€forgivenðð,€or€ððget€up€and€walk.ðððð€€You€see,€healing€the€damage€done€by€sin€is€what€forgiveness€is€all€about.Ð Ó 0  ÐIt€is€not€just€juggling€the€heavenly€books€so€Uncle€Harry€can€get€in.€Forgiveness€means€giving€Uncle€Harry€a€"new€heart€(orÐ — ô  Ðmind),"€healed€now€from€the€damage€done€by€sin.€€€€€€€Ð [ ¸  ÐÌà ‘ àKohlberg€suggests€that€there€may€be€(I€believe€there€is)€a€level€7.€Whether€it€stands€totally€outside€of€the€other€moral€stages,Ð ã@  ÐI€do€not€know.€€Stage€6€implies€a€perfect€equivalence€of€duties€and€rights.€"Love€your€neighbor€as€yourself."€"Do€unto€others€asÐ §  Ðyou€would€have€them€do€unto€you."€€The€stage€6€person€believes€he€may€expect€of€others€the€same€things€that€he€is€willing€to€giveÐ kÈ  Ðto€them.€ò òBut€the€love€of€the€saints€goes€beyond€expecting€anything€of€othersó ó.€Agape€acts€are€of€grace,€without€regard€forÐ /Œ Ðmerit€or€return.€They€go€a€giant€step€beyond.€This€€is€a€self„sacrificing€love.€Agape€love€creates€value€in€its€object.€This€is€whyÐ õR Ðthe€command€to€"Love€one€another€as€I€have€loved€you,"was€a€"new€commandment."€€This€is€why€Christ€said,€"You€must€be€bornÐ ¹ Ðagain."€€€€€Ð }Ú ÐÌà ‘ àStage€development€exhibits€a€phenomenon€called€lateral€Ô_ÔdecollageÔ_Ô.€That€is,€it€may€take€a€person€just€reaching€Stage€5,€forÐ b Ðexample,€a€long€time€for€the€implications€of€his€new€way€of€thinking€to€filter€out€into€all€areas€of€his€thinking.€Since€religiousÐ É& Ðthought€is€often€tightly€compartmentalized,€with€its€own€jargon€and€thought€forms,€insulated€from€the€rest€of€our€thinking,€Ð ê Ðtheological€concepts€may€take€on€a€life€of€their€own€and€be€relatively€impervious€to€advancements€in€the€rest€of€our€thinking.€InÐ Q® Ðother€words,€a€person's€theology€may€lag€at€least€one€stage€behind€the€rest€of€his€thinking€processes.€This€may€explain€why€highlyÐ r Ðeducated€persons€may€have€very€primitive€theological€notions,€or€why€successful€business€men€or€even€educators€may€not€be€ableÐ Ù6 Ðto€relate€to€their€own€children€at€home.€€€€€Ð ú ÐÌà ‘ àA€great€many€of€the€problems€within€the€church€may€be€explained€by€these€differences€in€stage€thinking.€€Level€4€people€areÐ %‚  Ðanxious€that€the€rules€be€kept,€while€level€6€persons€who€want€to€discuss€general€principles,€are€called€"liberal."€Level€6€personsÐ éF! Ðmay€become€very€bored€with€legalistic€sermons€aimed€at€level€4,€or€with€level€2€„the€fiery€hell€and€damnation€threats,€while€levelÐ ­ " Ð4€members€feel€threatened€by€questions€which€seem€to€undermine€the€authority€of€God€and€His€Law€or€His€church.€Ð qÎ# ÐÌà ‘ àThose€Christians€who€are€functioning€at€higher€levels€of€maturity€must€realize€that€stage€development€is€normal€and€necessary.€Ð ùV% ÐThey€must€not€be€prejudiced€towards€those€who€are€functioning€at€lower€levels,€who€€cannot€understand€many€of€those€thingsÐ ½& Ðwhich€the€more€mature€take€for€granted.€They€must€€be€patient,€seeking€to€draw€others€towards€a€higher€level€of€understandingÐ  Þ' Ðwithout€belittling€them€or€diminishing€their€current€experience€in€faith.€To€do€this€is€to€work€with€God.Ð E!¢( Ѐ€€Ð  "f) Ðà ‘ àThe€story€of€Israel,€miraculously€written€down€and€preserved€for€3,500€years,€is€the€story€of€God€and€man,€in€miniature.€God'sÐ Í"* * Ðefforts€to€save€men€from€themselves,€to€lead€them€to€greater€understanding,€to€pull€them€into€a€relationship€with€Himself,€are€aÐ ‘#î + Ðrevelation€of€His€character.€Reading€this€story,€we€may€consider€the€evidence,€and€decide€for€ourselves€if€God€truly€loves€us.€€Ð U$²!, ÐÌà ‘ àÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð …-â*8 ÐÐ I.¦+9 Ðà@$ $ 9dàÔ€ X~  Xò ô‡ ÔÔ€XgrX X X~ ÔSTAGE€THEORY€AND€THE€ATONEMENT€€€€ˆÐ £ ÐÌÔ€ô³]òXXgrÔÔ€ ô‡ òòô³]Ôà ‘ àThe€sacrifice€of€Christ,€His€Ô_ÔsubstitutionaryÔ_Ô€death,€ð ðthe€Atonement,ðð€takes€on€greater€and€deeper€meaning€at€each€level€of€moralÐ {Ø Ðdevelopment.€God€chose€the€perfect€way€to€win€mankind€back€to€Himself.€He€chose€an€act€which€could€be€understood€andÐ ?œ Ðaccepted€at€each€level€of€development,€an€act€which€while€comprehensible€to€the€person€at€level€2,€takes€on€greater€and€greaterÐ ` Ðsignificance€at€each€level.€€€€€Ð Ç$ ÐÌLevel€1:à  àMan€sinned€and€offended€God.€God€responded€with€angry€vengeance€taking€the€life€of€Jesus.€€€€€€€Ð O¬ ÐÌLevel€2:à0  àGod€somehow€struck€a€bargain€with€the€Devil,€a€market€place€exchange€of€Christ's€life,€paid€as€a€ransom€to€the€Devil,Ð × 4  Ðin€trade€for€the€devil's€releasing€his€hostages.€In€the€popular€version,€Satan€found€out€too€late€that€God€had€conned€him,Ð › ø  Ðwhen€Christ€rose€from€the€dead.€€€€€Ð_ ¼ $$ ÐÌLevel€3„4€:à0 é àThe€Law€must€be€kept.€Man€broke€the€Law.€Someone€had€to€pay€the€penalty.€"The€wages€of€sin€is€death."€JesusÐç D é$é$ Ðà ‘ àà  àà é àpaid€that€penalty.€The€integrity€of€the€Law€was€maintained.€Ð «   ÐÌà0 ‘ à(Let€me€here€say€that€I€believe€that€€ò òthere€is€a€true€level€four€understanding€of€why€the€Son€of€God€had€to€become€aÐ 3  Ðhuman€being,€live€a€life€of€perfect€loyalty€to€God€his€father,€and€then€be€murdered€„€€the€victim€of€Satan€and€evilÐ ùV  Ðmen.€ó óSatanððs€claim€to€dominion€of€the€earth€is€based€in€large€part€upon€a€level€four€argument.€€He€is€the€great€Ô_ÔlegalistÔ_Ô.€€HeÐ » Ðclaimed€that€Adam€and€his€posterity€had€€rebelled€against€God€every€bit€as€Lucifer€himself€did.€Because€of€this,€Satan€claimedÐ Þ Ðdominion€over€the€human€race.€€He€claimed€this€earth€as€his€kingdom.€€When€Jesus€Christ€was€born€a€human€being,€and€thenÐ E¢ Ðlived€in€perfect€obedience€to€His€fatherððs€will,€ð ðeven€unto€death,ðð€the€Father€could€then€give€to€Christ€the€dominion€of€theÐ  f Ðearth.€€Satan€could€not€point€to€any€rebellion€in€Christ€as€a€reason€why€God€the€Father€should€not€thus€give€to€Christ€theÐ Í* Ðdominion.)€€€€€€Ð‘î‘$‘$ ÐÌLevel€5-6:à0 é àHe€demonstrated€that€separation€from€God€is€death.€("Why€have€you€forsaken€me?")€Since€we€separate€ourselvesÐ v Ðfrom€Him,€not€He€from€us,€He€is€not€our€executioner.€He€allowed€Satan€to€play€out€his€hand,€exposing€his€selfishÐ Ý: Ðcharacter€for€all€both€man€and€angels€to€see,€and€thus€erasing€all€sympathy€for€the€accusations€of€the€fallen€foe.€God'sÐ ¡þ Ðcharacter€was€vindicated.ÐeÂé$é$ ÐÌLevel€7:à0  àAtonement€becomes€at„one„Ô_ÔmentÔ_Ô.€God€did€what€it€took€to€win€our€love€and€trust.€His€love€for€us€is€greater€than€any€manÐ íJ Ðcan€comprehend,€that€the€eternal€God€of€the€universe€should€so€value€a€human€being,€that€He€would€die€to€win€his€love.Ð ± ÐNeither€God,€nor€His€law,€defined€as€the€eternal€principles€upon€which€He€bases€His€government,€change,€but€ourÐ uÒ  Ðunderstanding€of€His€law€changes,€and€God€speaks€to€us€at€each€level€of€our€understanding.€It€is€a€mistake€to€cling€toÐ 9–! Ðexpressions€appropriate€to€an€earlier€age€of€understanding,€regardless€of€how€valid€and€useful€they€were€in€their€ownÐ ýZ" Ðcontext,€when€more€appropriate€expressions€exist.€But€we€must€be€patient€with€our€brethren€who€perhaps€are€justÐ Á# Ðbeginning€their€maturing€process,€and€allow€the€pastor€to€preach€for€them€sometimes.€For€even€as€God€was€laying€downÐ …â$ Ðdetailed€concrete€rules€for€the€Israelites,€He€was€already€looking€forward€to€the€day€when€He€would€"write€His€laws€onÐ I¦% Ðour€hearts."€€€€€Ð j&$$ ÐÌÓ  ÓMay€God€bless€you,€as€you€search€for€a€new€and€deeper€understanding€of€His€word.Ð •!ò( ÐÓ  ÓÌÌÓ  Óà0 ‘ àÐ ‘$‘$ ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌà ‘ àà  àà é àà Ê àà ` àà Œ àà Ð àà  àà X àà œ àà à àà $ àà h àà ¬ àà ð àà p àà x àà È àà  àà D àà ˆ àà Ì àà  àà T! àà ˜" àÌÐ ™.ö+9 ÐÔ*’ƒddd Xdd Xdd X°$°$’ÔÔ,Ôtd ÔÔ,ù td ÔÔ, tt ÔÔ+  ÔÐ 1'££ €²€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„1ÐÌà  àà | àà ] àà > àÐ #€ ïL „„#ÐÔ€ôZòò ô‡ ÔTHE€ISSUE€IS€NOT,€"WHO€HAS€THEÐ +ˆ ÐGREATER€POWER":Ð ïL ÐÔ€XìVXòôZÔÔ€XèXXXìVÔTHE€LEGAL€MODELÐ ³ ÐÔ€ôàlòXXèÔÔ€ ô‡ òòôàlÔfor€children€at€SinaiÐ ?€,!Ÿü" „„?ÐÔ€ôZòò ô‡ ÔTHE€ISSUE€IS,€"WHO€IS€TELLING€THEÐ +ˆ ÐTRUTH?"Ð ïL ÐÔ€XìVXòôZÔÔ€X" XXXìVÔTHE€TRUST€HEALING€MODELÐ ³  ÐÔ€ôD*ò XX"ÔÔ€ ô‡ òòôD*Ôfor€those€who€grow€to€"full€stature"Ð S€D,Ÿü " ˆ ²  €à€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„SÐÔ€ X~  Xò ô‡ ÔÔ€X" X X X~ Ôthe€Cross:Ð 2€#ëH  „„2ÐÔ€ôD*ò XX"ÔÔ€ôZòòôD*Ôatone/Ô_ÔmentÔ_Ô,€better€blood,€a€debt€paidÐ 6€#ëH  „„6Ðat„one„Ô_ÔmentÔ_Ô;€a€demonstration€of€perfect€trustÐ ëH  Ðin€God,€our€FatherÐ J€;#¯  ˆ à  €€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐÔ€XìVXòôZÔÔ€XèXXXìVÔForgiveness:Ð 2€#ûX „„2ÐÔ€ôàlòXXèÔÔ€ ô‡ òòôàlÔto€avoid€punishment,€to€avoid€God's€anger€or€€€€€€Ð ûX Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€wrath€a€legal€maneuverÐ 6€#¿  „„6Ðto€be€healed€(Ô_ÔsodsoÔ_Ô);€to€be€restored€to€aÐ ûX Ðrelationship;€to€be€welcomed€homeÐ J€;#¿  ˆ   €€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐÔ€ X~  Xò ô‡ ÔÔ€XèX X X~ ÔWrath:Ð 2€# h „„2ÐÔ€ôàlòXXèÔÔ€ ô‡ òòôàlÔplagues,€hellÐ  h Ðpunishment€dealt€out€by€an€angry€GodÐ 6€#Ï ,  „„6Ðnatural€consequence,€Ð  h Ðresults€of€separation€from€GodÐ J€;#Ï ,  ˆ   €à€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐÔ€ X~  Xò ô‡ ÔÔ€XèX X X~ ÔClose€of€Probation:Ð 2€# x  „„2ÐÔ€ôàlòXXèÔÔ€ ô‡ òòôàlÔGod's€patience€exhausted€/€God€shuts€the€door.Ð  x  ÐGod€rejects€sinners€/€Jesus€stops€pleading€withÐ ß <  ÐGodÐ 6€#£  „„6ÐJesus€has€exhausted€every€means,€and€some€stillÐ  x  Ðreject€HIM€Ð J€;#ß <  ˆ à  €€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐÔ€ X~  Xò ô‡ ÔÔ€XèX X X~ ÔDiscipline:Ð 2€#ïL  „„2ÐÔ€ôàlòXXèÔÔ€ ô‡ òòôàlÔchastisement,€punishmentÐ 6€#ïL  „„6Ðto€teach€(from€"disciple",€one€who€is€taught)Ð J€;#ïL ! ˆ   €€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐÔ€ X~  Xò ô‡ ÔÔ€XèX X X~ ÔGuilt:Ð 2€#cÀ" „„2ÐÔ€ôàlòXXèÔÔ€ ô‡ òòôàlÔa€feeling€„€"I'm€awful".€€That€for€which€I€will€beÐ cÀ# Ðpunished,€produces€fear.Ð 6€#'„$ „„6Ða€fact:€I€have€hurt€my€Lord€or€another€person.€Ð cÀ% ÐProduces€sorrow.Ð J€;#'„& ˆ   €à€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐÔ€ X~  Xò ô‡ ÔÔ€XèX X X~ ÔSin:Ð 2€#sÐ' „„2ÐÔ€ôàlòXXèÔÔ€ ô‡ òòôàlÔtransgression€of€1„10Ð 6€#sÐ( „„6Ðrebellion€against€the€Fatherððs€will,€refusing€HISÐ sÐ) Ðlove,€that€which€causes€others€harmÐ J€;#7”* ˆ à  €à€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐÔ€ X~  Xò ô‡ ÔÔ€XèX X X~ ÔMediator:Ð 2€#ƒà+ „„2ÐÔ€ôàlòXXèÔÔ€ ô‡ òòôàlÔa€skillful€attorney€pleading€with€a€stern€FatherÐ ƒà, Ðto€change€His€mind€and€forgive€usÐ 6€#G¤- „„6Ða€messenger€on€our€level,€pleading€with€òòusóó€in€€€€€€Ð ƒà. Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€God's€behalfÐ J€;#G¤/ ˆ à  €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐÔ€ X~  Xò ô‡ ÔÔ€XèX X X~ ÔJudge:Ð 2€#“ð0 „„2ÐÔ€ôàlòXXèÔÔ€ ô‡ òòôàlÔChrist€€„€GodÐ 6€#“ð1 „„6Ðwe€ourselves,€the€truthÐ J€;#“ð2 ˆ q  €à€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐÔ€ X~  Xò ô‡ ÔÔ€XèX X X~ Ôthe€Father:Ð 2€#d3 „„2ÐÔ€ôàlòXXèÔÔ€ ô‡ òòôàlÔstern,€unforgiving,€and€severe,€watching€toÐ d4 Ðcondemn,€forgives€only€after€much€pleadingÐ 6€#Ë(5 „„6ÐÔ_Ôhurting,Ô_Ô€longing€for€our€companionship,Ð d6 Ðanxiously€waiting€to€heal€as€soon€as€we€trustÐ J€;#Ë(7 ˆ à  €€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐÔ€ X~  Xò ô‡ ÔÔ€XèX X X~ ÔMotivating€Factor:Ð 2€#t8 „„2ÐÔ€ôàlòXXèÔÔ€ ô‡ òòôàlÔfear„leading€to€outward€correctness€of€behaviorÐ 6€#t9 „„6Ðlove€for€Christ,€love€for€God,€Ð t: Ðlove€of€God's€true€characterÐ C€2#Û8; ˆ   €€‚ˆ‚ƒƒCÐÔ€ X~  Xò ô‡ ÔÔ€XèX X X~ Ôthe€Sabbath:Ð +€'„< +ÐÔ€ôàlòXXèÔÔ€ ô‡ òòôàlÔarbitrary€test€of€obedienceÐ '„= Ð(no€mechanism€for€healing€the€damage€done)Ð -€ëH> -Ða€great€gift,€prophetic,€Ð '„? Ða€symbol€of€creative€healing€powerÐ C9#ëH@ ˆ   €ì €‚ˆ‚ƒƒ……‹ ‹CÐÌDon't€underestimate€the€pharisees.€They€wanted€very€much€to€be€saved.€They€wanted€very€much€to€please€God,€as€they€understoodÐ ûXB ÐHim.€If€you€perceive€God€as€a€severe€and€exacting€god€„€you€will€become€severe€and€exacting€yourself.à @ àÐ ¿ C ÐÌChrist€died€for€sinless€angels€who€need€no€change€in€their€legal€status,€but€who€do€needed€to€understand€the€truth€of€God's€characterÐ G"¤E Ðand€the€falseness€of€Satan's€charges€against€Him.Ð  #h F ÐÌ"The€man€who€obeys€God€from€a€sense€of€obligation€merely,€never€enters€into€the€joy€of€obedience,€in€fact€he€does€not€obey."Ð “$ð!H ÐòòChrist€Object€Lessons,€pg€97.óóÐ W%´"I ÐÌÐ6,*ß&<$K ˆ ì   6Ð