God and Integrity: a Case Study of Walter C. Kaiser Jr. and Norman L. Geisler
type: CreativeWork
description: The God of the Bible is sometimes portrayed as using and condoning deceit to achieve His purpose, especially when human life is at stake. Two evangelical scholars, Walter C. Kaiser Jr. and Norman L. Geisler, with a shared theological heritage, differ in their interpretation of Exod 1:15-21 and Josh 2:1-7 that addresses the ethical issue of lying to save life. This dissertation not only refutes the claim that God uses and condones the use of deceit to achieve His purpose, but also clarifies biblical argument for His integrity. The study provides answers to a number of questions. First, what causes divergent interpretations in the work of Kaiser and Geisler? Second, is it ever right to lie in order to save life? Third, does the God of the Bible who claims not to lie use or condone lies in any form? A biblical, theological, and philosophical inquiry is conducted in order to establish the biblical teachings on God's character. In the first chapter, a historical survey displays the intensity of two opposing views and shows how scholars have pondered the moral issue of lying in general and lying to save life in particular. In order to explain the underlying reasons for these two divergent views on the issue of lying as implied in Exod 1:15-21 and Josh 2:1-7, the second chapter determines the meaning of the word integrity in the Bible. After an overview of terms in both Testaments, the Hebrew word tamim and the Greek word τeλeios as related to God, His actions and/or attributes, are analyzed contextually, exegetically, and semantically. This chapter establishes that the word tamim means "without blemish or spotless" when it is applied to sacrificial animals, and means "whole, sound, healthful, flawless" when applied to God. The chapter thus concludes that God's integrity is flawless. The third chapter extends the analytical scope of the word tamim to certain attributes of God. A systematic analysis of the attributes of truthfulness, trustworthiness, holiness, and mercy are…
abstract: The God of the Bible is sometimes portrayed as using and condoning deceit to achieve His purpose, especially when human life is at stake. Two evangelical scholars, Walter C. Kaiser Jr. and Norman L. Geisler, with a shared theological heritage, differ in their interpretation of Exod 1:15-21 and Josh 2:1-7 that addresses the ethical issue of lying to save life. This dissertation not only refutes the claim that God uses and condones the use of deceit to achieve His purpose, but also clarifies biblical argument for His integrity. The study provides answers to a number of questions. First, what causes divergent interpretations in the work of Kaiser and Geisler? Second, is it ever right to lie in order to save life? Third, does the God of the Bible who claims not to lie use or condone lies in any form? A biblical, theological, and philosophical inquiry is conducted in order to establish the biblical teachings on God's character. In the first chapter, a historical survey displays the intensity of two opposing views and shows how scholars have pondered the moral issue of lying in general and lying to save life in particular. In order to explain the underlying reasons for these two divergent views on the issue of lying as implied in Exod 1:15-21 and Josh 2:1-7, the second chapter determines the meaning of the word integrity in the Bible. After an overview of terms in both Testaments, the Hebrew word tamim and the Greek word τeλeios as related to God, His actions and/or attributes, are analyzed contextually, exegetically, and semantically. This chapter establishes that the word tamim means "without blemish or spotless" when it is applied to sacrificial animals, and means "whole, sound, healthful, flawless" when applied to God. The chapter thus concludes that God's integrity is flawless. The third chapter extends the analytical scope of the word tamim to certain attributes of God. A systematic analysis of the attributes of truthfulness, trustworthiness, holiness, and mercy are…
author: Tchamba, Augustin
keywords: Religion, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion
date published: 2012-01-01T08:00:00Z
date modified: 2026-07-24T00:52:41Z
provider: Andrews University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Andrews University