Template:Past oaths

A Witness from the Past

“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” 1 Corinthians 6:12

There were many who witnessed this controversy.

• “Let no one of you cherish any evil in his heart against his neighbour, and love not an oath of falsehood. (Barnabas, The Epistle of Barnabas, late 1st century). And with regard to our not swearing at all, and always speaking the truth, He enjoined as follows: ‘Swear not at all; but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.’ And that we ought to worship God alone, He thus persuaded us.” (Justin Martyr, First apology of Justin, A.D.165)

• “…but also to love their enemies; and enjoined them not only not to swear falsely, but not even to swear at all; and not only not to speak evil of their neighbours, but not even to style any one “Raca” and “fool; [declaring] that otherwise they were in danger of hell-fire.” (Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book 2, late 2nd century)

• “For they do not receive from the Father the knowledge of the Son; neither do they learn who the Father is from the Son, who teaches clearly and without parables Him who truly is God. He says: ‘Swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King’.” (Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book 4, late 2nd century)

• “Above all, let an oath on account of what is sold be far from you. And let swearing on account of other things be banished.” (Clement of Alexandria, A.D.195)

• “Of perjury I am silent, since even swearing is not lawful.” (Tertullian, A.D.200)

• “You are compelled to swear, which is not lawful.” (Cyprian, A.D.250)

• “We must not swear… of this same matter, according to Matthew… ‘I say unto you swear not at all.’”(Cyprian A.D.250)

Even earlier comments on oaths can be found.

• “Every man who vows another to death by the laws of the gentiles will himself be put to death.” The Essene’s Cairo Damascus Document following Geza Vermes:

• “The very need for any oath assumes that truth can not be guaranteed without it, and that lies can be told, expected and tolerated if there is no oath! Such a system ignores the fact that lies are equally as offensive to God, with or without an oath!… There is a reference (in Acts 18:18) which is often quoted by some who want to set aside the words of Jesus, to make it obligatory for Christians to swear oaths. That obligation is even built into the creeds of some Churches!” (Allon Maxwell, What Jesus said about Oaths, Bible Digest - Number 60 August 1996)

• “Anabaptists found explicit prohibitions in the Bible against oath-taking (Matthew 5:34, and James 5:12). This alone made them poor citizens, for they could not participate in most juries and could not swear oaths of allegiance. It also meant that they could not serve in public office.” (Dr. E.L. Skip Knox, Anabaptist Beliefs - the Christian and the State, History of Western Civilization, 18 October 1998)

• “We commit ourselves to tell the truth, to give a simple yes or no, and to avoid swearing of oaths.” (Mennonite Confession of Faith, Herald Press, 1995)

• “That war was looked upon as contrary to the will of God, and oath-taking was forbidden.” (Uxbridge Quaker Heritage, By Allan McGillivray, 1996)

Taking an “affirmation in lieu of oath” is not really a loophole because, Jesus also prohibited affirmations, calling the practice an oath “by thy head”. He clearly said in Matthew Chapter 5 “whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil” The Quakers accepted that as a victory. Given what they’d been through, that was understandable.