Posts Tagged ‘government’
Is it possible for a Christian lawyer to defend a known guilty client?
Question: Is it possible for a Christian lawyer to defend a known guilty client? Answer: What lawyers focus on is not whether a client is guilty or not, but whether the government can prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In other words, the lawyer makes a distinction between actual guilt and legally being found…
Read MoreIs a wicked city better than a gentrified one?
Question: I recently saw a documentary about New York in 1977. A bunch of people, who used to live in New York, say that it was awesome during the time. The drugs, sex, clubs, music, and attitude were more “in your face” and sleazy. Of course, I wasn’t born then, nor did I ever live…
Read MoreMorality, The Government, and Christians
by Doy Moyer Moral statements and positions will, necessarily, impact political issues. This is not because morality is inherently political, but because the government has the task of recognizing the difference between good and evil, so moral issues will have to be dealt with (Romans 13:3-4). This means that, contrary to what is so often…
Read MoreHow should Christians treat illegal aliens?
Question: How should Christians feel about illegal aliens? The Old Testament teaches us to be welcoming and hospitable, but they are technically breaking a law. Many of them are coming here for safety, and my heart goes out to them. How do we balance God’s mercy and love for everyone with the fact that they…
Read MoreIs it sinful to support candidates who openly approve of abortion and same-sex marriages?
Question: Dear Minister, Would it be a sin to lend support to candidates who openly acknowledge their approval of abortion and same-sex marriage? Thank you for your time. Answer: When anyone advocates sin, Christians cannot support the stance. “Who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death,…
Read MoreYou Shall Not Murder (Dearman)
by Jim Dearman “You shall not murder!” That was God’s command as part of the Ten Commandments, and it is reinforced in the New Testament. In Romans 13:9, the apostle Paul refers to the commandment from Exodus 20:13. There he writes, “For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall…
Read MoreShould a government legislate morality?
Question: I have had a question for some time now, and have found it difficult to find clear answers in the Scriptures. I know there are many Old Testament accounts, but as far as a New Testament church, it seems quite muddy to me: Should a government legislate morality? I attend a church that has…
Read MoreShould Christians end their business because of the health care laws that include birth control?
Question: I’m not directly affected by this change in law but I know people who are. Should Christians with employees end their business because of the health care laws that now include birth control as a “women’s right?” Answer: Roman Catholics protest this new requirement because in their beliefs any prevention of the possibility of…
Read MoreIf the government took away guns, would Christians have to give their guns up?
Question: I have a question. In Romans 13:1-4 “Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers…
Read MoreWe Lost the Surprise Somewhere
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I remember watching Mayberry RFD and related shows most of my childhood. Poor ignorant Gomer Pyle who worked as an auto mechanic was a notable character. But I can still recall my shock when I found out that Jim Nabors, who played Gomer, could sing — not casually, but with a…
Read MoreIf I know someone is abusing the welfare system, should I report it?
Question: I am very concerned about our national debt, and the abuse of the welfare system. I am a Christian and want to know if it is my place to report the welfare abuse of two individuals who live in my area or to just let it go. Answer: I wrote the Welfare Fraud Department…
Read MoreIs something a sin if it’s illegal?
Question: Is something a sin if it’s illegal? Answer: Sin is breaking God’s law. “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness” (I John 3:4). One of God’s laws is “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which…
Read MoreState Court Recognizes Unborn Children as People
Source: John-Henry Westen, “Alabama Supreme Court: ‘unborn children are persons with rights that should be protected by law’,” Life Site News, 11 January 2013. “The ruling states, “The decision of this Court today is in keeping with the widespread legal recognition that unborn children are persons with rights that should be protected by law.” “Today,” the…
Read MoreGovernment Argues Businesses Are Secular
Source: Steven Ertelt, “Obama Admin Tells Court: Hobby Lobby Must Obey HHS Mandate,” LifeNews.com 01 November 2012. The government continues to push for change by insisting that businesses pay for birth control pills and “morning after” pills as a part of their employee’s insurance plans, even if the owners of the company object to such…
Read MoreShould Christians fill out census forms?
Question: I would like to know how a Christian should react to government requests to fill out census forms. Answer: “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of…
Read MoreShould Gay Rights be Voted On?
Source: Juan Perez Jr and Erin Golden, “Churches push to get Omaha vote on gay rights,” Omaha World-Herald, 14 October 2012 This is an issue local to my region, but arguments reflect a national trend. The Omaha city council last spring, by a close vote of 4 to 3, passed a measure that gave lesbian, gay,…
Read MoreI think the government is corrupt, so can I get married without the government being involved?
Question: Hello, My girlfriend and I would like to marry outside of the state due to the condition of the corruption and anti-God position of the government and states. I know the Scripture indicates to obey the laws of the land, and I always have attempted to abide by them to the best of my…
Read MoreIsn’t filing for a 501(c)(3) exemption making a covenant with the people of the land?
Question: Exodus 34:12 reads in the NASB: “Watch yourself that you make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, lest it becomes a snare in your midst.” Without expending too much on the passage in Exodus 34:12, I am trying to determine the extent that verse 12 covers. By…
Read MoreDo churches of Christ register with the government as a whole or each congregation independently?
Question: I am a member of the church of Christ in Malawi. I would like to find out how the churches of Christ in the USA register with the government. Is it that every congregation registers independently? or is there one registration for all congregations of the churches of Christ? How do are disputes between…
Read MoreWhat do you think of the President supporting gay marriage?
Question: I know you’re aware of the Obama situation about passing the gay marriage bill. I had a conversation on Facebook about it and everyone — the majority are Christian — agree. They say he’s doing his job, people have the right to be happy, gay people are hurting no one, so why are you…
Read MoreWas my friend wrong to be baptized even though it was after curfew?
Question: My friend possibly had to break the town curfew to be baptized. Is this an Acts 5:29 issue or a Romans 3:8 issue? I have a feeling I’m taking that a bit too seriously, but the law is the law. Although I doubt that law was created to stop youths from going to a…
Read MoreCan a Christian offer a pledge of allegiance?
Question: Hello. I have some questions concerning whether patriotism is permissible for a Christian. I would like to know your views on matters such as the pledge of allegiance and military service. I am coming from a perspective taught to me by the Jehovah’s Witnesses, whose beliefs I have studied for some time. I do…
Read MoreIs modern war still determined by God? How can a person determine which is the right side?
Question: I’ve been reading and examining the book of Kings lately. I am currently in II Kings, and it’s been quite worth the read so far, to say the least. I find there’s a lot of lessons throughout the two books. It’s interesting the amount of detail that can be picked out of the lessons…
Read MoreIs it sinful to play Airsoft, Laser Tag, or Paintball?
Question: Hi, I was just wondering is it a sin to play Airsoft? Airsoft is a game in which people shoot rifles that majority of the time are mock models of actual firearms that shoot plastic bbs. The objective, generally, is to shoot the other person with a bb and they’re out (in war-like scenarios).…
Read MoreWhat happens when social issues and politics collide with the church?
Question: What is your opinion of where sinful social issues and politics collide in the church? To be honest, I am not sure where I am at on it. It seems that we are dangerously close to the Lord’s church being driven underground. Looking back at history we need to remember that the freedom and…
Read MoreDo you support conscientious objection?
Question: Do you or your church support selective conscientious objection and conscientious objection? Answer: Registering for the draft is a government law that does not violate any teaching of God. “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by…
Read MoreWhat if a government gives false reasons for going to war?
Question: I am wondering what the Bible says concerning going to war for unjustified reasons? What if a country deceives its people and claims reasons for going to war, but there is evidence that does not justify war? How do Christians and Christians in the military handle this type of situation? Answer: A government’s authority,…
Read MoreIs it wrong for a church to give out a form letter to its members to send to their representatives?
Question: I received a church bulletin with a sample letter to be sent to Senators and Representatives demanding the defeat of the Respect for Marriage Act since it broadens the definition of marriage beyond one man and one woman. Although I agree with the content of it, I am of the opinion that it is…
Read MoreIs it wrong to report less than what something costs so as to pay less tax?
Question: I have some questions. Part of my job is running an importing business for my small shop. My supplier asked if she can lower the invoice price to make my tax smaller. Is this a sin? The people at the customs office offered me a cheaper solution to the taxes I pay. Instead of…
Read MoreI’m shocked at your stance regarding 501(c)(3) churches
Question: The web site is excellent. Someone worked very hard on the design. My question is your church a 501c3 church or a free church? More and more I am finding many of the New Testament churches have signed up to be a corporation and be under the IRS rather than the Lord. Even the…
Read MoreCan a Christian criticize society?
Question: Can a Christian be a social critic, such as a lawyer or a journalist dealing with a corrupt government? How far can he go in criticizing? Answer: John the Baptist ended up in jail because he told the current ruler that he wasn’t properly married. “But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning…
Read MoreIs it wrong for a church to be incorporated?
Question: If a Christian does not want to attend an incorporated church because he says it’s wrong, is it right for him and his wife to worship alone on the Lord’s day because he says an incorporated church is in sin, and he cannot find a church that is not incorporated? Answer: A person cannot…
Read MoreWhy should we pray for a corrupt ruler?
Question: Christians say that God’s word says to pray for those in authority. What is the truth about praying for a leader who is against God’s word? A leader who is a liar. Who makes fun of the Bible? Who is haughty and greedy. A killer and a homosexual who is leading a nation to…
Read MoreCan a church register as a charitable organization to get grants from the government?
Question: Is it scriptural for a church of Christ to register as a charitable organization? By charitable organization, I mean being exempted from tax and duties, and receiving financial grants from the government in order to fund missionary projects, etc.? Is it good for a church of Christ to venture into this system? If not,…
Read MoreIs it a sin to call Child Protective Services on your dad?
Question: Is it a sin to call Child Protective Services on your dad? I had like one beer and got caught by my brother who’s a snitch. He took me home and my dad got mad and slapped me, but it wasn’t as if I was drunk. He didn’t have to hit me. Would it…
Read MoreWhat happens when people insist that the first day of the week is Monday?
Question: Many people today believe that a week starts on Sunday and ends on Saturday, however, there are still other people who believe that a week starts on Monday and ends on Sunday. ISO 8601 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_8601#General_principles) defined Monday to be the first day of the week. What does the Bible say about which day is…
Read MoreShould a government that taxes its citizens at 99% be followed?
Question: Do you think that Christians should obey the tax law, even if the rules required that taxpayers must donate 99% of their income in taxes? Answer: This is a facetious hypothetical argument. The implication is that if the answer will object in the extreme, then it is justified to reject the point when it…
Read MoreAll Things in Common
by Bryan Matthew Dockens It has been argued that socialism is a divinely approved economic system exemplified in scripture. Proponents point to two passages as evidence of their claim: “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had…
Read MoreHow could the Revolutionary War be justified in light of Romans 13?
Question: Can I ask your thoughts on something? Just a little while ago I read: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights,…
Read MoreWhat passages of the Bible are connected to the laws of our government?
Question: It seems to me in the laws of the State there is a system of proportional justice based on the Bible. What passages can be directly connected to the laws of the State? What passages could be used to develop or support laws of the State which do not exist? Answer: Given the very…
Read More