I've always found the claim that the Bible permits some deception pretty dubious. The law is "do not bear false testimony" and everyone agrees lying is wrong. I find both the proof texts you used (which are the two which are generally used) pretty unconvincing, because as you note, it is the faith and not the deception which is applauded. (In fact it's hard to imagine a bible verse that went something like, "Because you lied, deceived the enemies and saved the kids, you are blessed.")
Don't get me wrong, I lean more towards virtue ethics than deontological ethics. I'm just tempted to think that lying is categorically wrong because it always reveals a lack of trust in God's sovereignty or character.
Thanks for the review!
One minor critique:
I've always found the claim that the Bible permits some deception pretty dubious. The law is "do not bear false testimony" and everyone agrees lying is wrong. I find both the proof texts you used (which are the two which are generally used) pretty unconvincing, because as you note, it is the faith and not the deception which is applauded. (In fact it's hard to imagine a bible verse that went something like, "Because you lied, deceived the enemies and saved the kids, you are blessed.")
Don't get me wrong, I lean more towards virtue ethics than deontological ethics. I'm just tempted to think that lying is categorically wrong because it always reveals a lack of trust in God's sovereignty or character.