/christian/ - Christian Discussion and Fellowship

The Hebrews did it all the time and it was part of the Tabernacle and Temple rituals.

>>649372

Casting lots wasn't restricted to the Temple rituals. It's all over the Old Testament. Apparently it wasn't prohibited under the Law. Probably because it's a way of making a decision in the present rather than trying to predict the future. Is rock, paper, scissors a sin?

Peter gave them lots, which they might lawfully do, when they knew that both of them were fit, and every way qualified for the office

This method of deciding the election of ministers by lots, is one of those extraordinary methods which was inspired by God; but can seldom or ever be imitated. Where both candidates appeared equally worthy, as in the present case, and human judgment cannot determine which is to be preferred, it cannot be said that it was wrong to decide it by lots. Thus were avoided any of the evil consequences which might have happened by one party being preferred before the other. S. Augustin observes, that in a doubtful case, where neither part is bad, to decide by lots is not in itself wrong.

So "casting lots," in a biblical sense, is less divination, and more like flipping a coin at the start of a sports game to see who goes first?

More than one thing may have been called "divination" at one time. Though there are very banal forms of divination, such as casting lots, there are others which are very obviously and very clearly contrary to Scripture, such as those that involve the evocation of spirits, deceased or not, which is a type of fornication. I remember there being many passages mentioning the casting of lots in a neutral tone, but I can't say the same for necromancy, which is what the admonition in might have been referring to.