Posts Tagged ‘government’
The government won’t acknowledge we are married
Question: Good day, I have been trying to be recognized as my late spouse’s wife, as we had married each other, and promised to love each other “until death do us part,” but our plans to remarry under the law were interrupted after my husband became very ill. His family’s plan to stop us was…
Read MoreHow does “live as people who are free” fit with submission?
Question: I wanted some clarification on what Peter says in I Peter 2:16. What does Peter mean when he says “Live as people who are free”? The context throws me off a bit because he’s talking about being submissive to authority. Answer: “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king…
Read MoreThe People of God — Their Attitude Toward the Social Order
by Ed Harrell Throughout history, in relating themselves to the world, the two options which Christians have most often pursued were to vigorously strive to control the world or to disdainfully withdraw from it. Some have dreamed that they would make their society “Christian,” necessarily defined in cultural and nationalistic terms, and have passed laws,…
Read MoreThe Christian’s Attitude Toward Government
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ChristiansAttitudeTowardsGovernment.mp3 by Alan Feaster
Read MoreWhat about Christian Reconstructionism?
Question: I am curious if “Christian Reconstructionism” is real and if so, a cult. Some people said that Christian Reconstructionism is the idea of some Christian trying to bring America back to its Christian roots, but they are trying to follow some Old Testament laws. In doing so, some of them will try to criminalize…
Read MoreDoes God hold us responsible when we pay taxes to a government that uses the money for sinful purposes, such as funding abortions?
Question: I live in a State where Medicare covers abortions. Since our taxes pay for Medicare, will God hold us responsible for this? We are told in the Bible to pay taxes, but as citizens, we don’t have control over how the money is spent. Thank you for your reply. Answer: “Let every soul be…
Read MoreWhat should Christians do about the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding gay marriage?
Question: The recent decision by the Supreme Court regarding gay marriage rights raises serious concerns; as Christians, we are to be peacemakers, kind, gentle, etc. Romans 12:9 says “Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” If we don’t speak up against sin, who will? Politics puts a strain on the church (our…
Read MoreIf we get married in a church, does it mean we are not married until we get married again civilly?
Question: Hello, I’m from a different country than my boyfriend I will marry my boyfriend later this year. We are getting married with a fiance visa, but seems like the civil wedding has to be in his country first, so we are just going to get married in my country in a church wedding. Our…
Read MoreHow can a government execute the death penalty when we are told not to take vengeance?
Question: Hello Jeffrey, I have a question about the practice of capital punishment. I was having a discussion with my mom about the matter and we came to the understanding that capital punishment is not lawful in God’s eyes. What confused me was in verse 4. It says “he does not bear the sword in…
Read MoreI’m taking prescription medication without a prescription. Will this keep me out of heaven?
Question: I was baptized in a nondenominational Christian church at the age of ten. I fully believed and accepted the message of Jesus Christ and the cross. I backslid at fifteen, had a series of sexual perversions happen to me, and started to use drugs. I have been struggling with drugs ever since. My drugs…
Read MoreA housekeeper has been stealing from her employer. Should the matter be brought to the elders or the police?
Question: Good evening Brother Hamilton, I know that the use of the courts to settle disputes between the brethren is, at best, frowned upon during normal circumstances. However, for actual crimes, is it appropriate to press charges rather than using the eldership to confront the individual? I ask because an older family member of mine…
Read MoreMy girlfriend can’t get an ID, so we can’t get a marriage certificate. Should we get married without the government being involved?
Question: Hello, I am concerned about a marriage oath before God. My girlfriend’s birth certificate and social security card have two different last names due to her mother’s error 20 years ago. Everyone in the system gives her the runaround and we cannot get this fixed. Because of this, she cannot obtain an i.d.; therefore,…
Read MoreIs 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…
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